14 DAY TRIAL // A support document entitled “Connecting headphones or external speakers to your Mac mini” published online by Apple on June 18 explains how customers are supposed to handle the audio features of their new computer, and outlines some characteristics of the Mac mini’s audio input. The instructions are being dispensed for owners of several Mac mini models, including Mac mini (Mid 2007), Mac mini (Early 2006), Mac mini (Late 2005), Mac mini, Mac mini (Late 2009), Mac mini (Early 2009), and Mac mini (Mid 2010).
Apple starts out by explaining that all Mac mini models sport a 3.5 mm stereo audio output and a single speaker that’s been built right in the device. “If you want to hear stereo sound, connect headphones or a pair of amplified external speakers to the audio output,” Apple says. “When speakers or headphones are connected, the internal speaker is muted,” the Mac maker explains.
As with all new Macs, pressing the “mute” button on an Apple keyboard, or turning the volume down will reduce or completely turn off the sound coming from the internal speaker, Apple continues to explain. The Cupertino-based computer maker then provides the Mac mini's audio output characteristics (listed below).
- Output level: 1.4V RMS; - Source impedance: 10 ohms (Ω); - Signal-to-noise ratio (SNR): >90 dB unweighted, >94 dB (A); - Total harmonic distortion (THD): 0.005 percent (%) or less.
Besides connecting audio systems to the 3.5 mm stereo audio jack, Mac mini users also have the option to connect a USB-compliant speaker system to one of the Mac mini's USB ports. The new Mac mini (Mid 2010) has four of them, making it convenient to connect other devices at the same time.
“The Mac mini (Early 2006) and later models feature a combination audio output port that accommodates both analog and digital output,” Apple adds. “For digital audio output, you can use a standard TOSLINK cable with a TOSLINK mini-plug adapter. For the Mac mini (Mid 2010), you can also use the Apple iPhone headset with microphone through the audio output port,” the document further outlines. Go through the related links for more coverage on Apple’s new Mac mini.