Hi Folks: I've ordered an iMac 24" Intel Core 2 Duo with 2GB of RAM, 500GB Drive, and the NVIDIA 7600GT 256MB GPU. I'm awaiting delivery but... I also want to get a nice pair of 2.1 speakers. I've been doing some research and these appear better than the Logitech Z-2300. However, I'm not finding much info on iMac audio. I've heard that iMac audio is not very good. Is there a good guide to iMac audio technology? Should I be concerned with whether it has audio optical in *and* out? What kind of connections would make the sound best? I will be mostly using the speakers for music playback, I'm much more of an audiophile than a Gamer (in fact, I don't need nor desire the killing thumping gamers so like), but I think a 2.1 system is a better option than a 2.0 and the Klipsch seem to be darn good.

I'm a bit thrown off by the paucity of information regarding iMac audio technology. I know that in the Windows world folks are always worried about soundcards etc. How does that translates into the Mac world? Do I need some other device (DAC?) to get the best sound out of the iMac?

Thanks,

Well, I've had a set of Klipsch ProMedia 2.1 speakers for years now, and all I do is plug them into the line out on the back of my Mac. Sound awesome. Seriously, they sound better than speakers nearly twice their price. So I highly recommend them. The subwoofer is present, but not overpowering (unless you want it to be that way), and they've got LOTS of headroom. I keep mine at about 1/3 volume, with my Mac a bit more than halfway, and they're plenty loud for listening while sitting here (like I am now! Have Hank Mobley's "Gettin' & Jettin'" playing from his album "Another Workout", which was just released as an RVG Edition by Blue Note.) So, there's my two cents. :-)