External Speakers Problem with Mac Mini

[schwine1]

I'm not getting any sound on external speakers with Mac Mini (late 2014) and El Capitan OS X (version 10.11.1). I've tried both inputs on the back of the Mac Mini and the only option that appears in the System Preferences > Sound window is "internal speakers (built-in)." Earlier I was able to use the same external speakers on an older Mac Pro computer, so I don't think the problem is with the speakers themselves.

Thanks for any tips on how to configure the Mac Mini so it will play sound through external speakers.

 

[Slydude]

Did any external speakers ever work with the Mini? Sometimes when things get plugged into the audio port the connection doesn't trip the way it 8is supposed to.

 

[schwine1]

Thanks for letting me know.
I'm new to using the Mac Mini, maybe it's not designed to use external speakers.
Thanks again.

 

[RadDave]

Thanks for letting me know.
I'm new to using the Mac Mini, maybe it's not designed to use external speakers.
Thanks again.

Hello - according to the specs HERE, the Mac Mini (not sure which model you own - would help, please), there seem to be two audio output options, i.e. HDMI and external headphones; of course, once you hook up your monitor to the HDMI output to run your video & audio, the monitor might have an audio output itself which could be tried. So some questions: 1) Give us the specs on your Mini & on your monitor; 2) Are you getting sound from the monitor (assuming that it has speakers?); 3) How are you attaching your speakers to the Mini or to the monitor; and 4) Can you plug in headphones into the Mini's output for that feature and get sound? Dave

 

[schwine1]

Thanks for the tips, Dave.

I am able to operate the external speakers through the monitor but that method produces a poor quality sound.
It's hard to describe, but there are crackling or popping noises that come through the external speakers when connected to the monitor.

Again, the external speakers work well with no issues on an older Mac Pro that I recently used.
Sound from the monitor (which has speakers) is available but the sound quality is poor compared to the external speakers (which includes a sub woofer)

I attach the external speakers to the Mac Mini headphone input, but the System Preferences > Sound Window doesn't acknowledge a connection with this input.
Lastly, yes headphones work when plugged into the Mac Mini headphones output.

The external speaker system is several years old and it does not have an hdmi input. Maybe new external speakers would have an hdmi input, not sure.
I would consider getting new external speakers if they typically have an hdmi input option for sound.

Mac Mini Specs:
Model Identifier: Mac mini 7,1
Processor Name: Intel Core i7
Processor Speed: 3 GHz
Number of Processors: 1
Total Number of Cores:2
L2 Cache (per Core): 256 KB
L3 Cache: 4 MB
Memory: 16 GB
Boot ROM Version: MM71.0220.B06

Monitor Specs:
LG Ultrawide
Resolution: 3440 x 1440 @ 30 Hz
Pixel Depth: 32-Bit Color (ARGB8888)
Main Display: Yes
Mirror: Off
Online:Yes
Rotation: Supported
Connection Type: DisplayPort
Television: Yes

 

[dtravis7]

What is the brand and Model if you have it of your speakers? Are they Amplified with a Volume control and power button?

 

[schwine1]

Here is a dated link to the external speakers.
Yes, they are amplified with a volume control and power button.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0002SQ0A4/?tag=macforums0e4-20

 

[dtravis7]

I know those well. They should work on that Mini or for that matter any Mac. Are you 100% sure they are working? Do you have a iPod, iPad, iPhone you can plug them into and test them? You are plugging the green Miniplug into the OUTPUT of the Mini correct?

 

[schwine1]

There are only two options for the green mini plug in the Mac Mini, the output and headphone options.
The external speakers don't work with either option.

However, I also have a Mac Pro (2009) and the external speakers work well with that computer.
This should just be plug and play, so I can't figure out why it doesn't work. I think the external speakers are good quality.

 

[dtravis7]

There are only two options for the green mini plug in the Mac Mini, the output and headphone options.
The external speakers don't work with either option.

However, I also have a Mac Pro (2009) and the external speakers work well with that computer.
This should just be plug and play, so I can't figure out why it doesn't work. I think the external speakers are good quality.

That is indeed very strange. Yes they are good speakers. I own a slightly older pair of them and they work great in any of my 3 Minis.

Let me do some searching around and I will get back to you.

 

[dtravis7]

You will want to use the Headphone port. The other port is NOT an output but an Input!! This is from apple on the newish minis:

Audio

Audio line in minijack (digital/analog)
Audio line out/3.5 mm headphone jack (digital/analog)



With the speakers plugged into the headphones jack, if you open system Preferences and then on sound and on the Output tab, what do you see?

 

[pigoo3]

However, I also have a Mac Pro (2009) and the external speakers work well with that computer.

Since the speakers work on your Mac Pro. Look at the sound preferences of the Mac Pro…and look at the sound preferences with the Mac-Mini. Compare them…see if there are any differences…and adjust as necessary.

- Nick

 

[schwine1]

Although I tried the headphone jack a number of times recently, I just tried it again on Dennis' prompting.
For the first time, the external speakers are now working loud and clear on the Mac Mini.

The Output tab on the Sound window was "not" silenced on mute or anything like that, so I can't explain why it works now.
Anyway, thanks to all for the great tips and ideas.

By the way, these external speakers sound amazing on the new Mac Mini.

 

[dtravis7]

So glad to hear it's working now. Those are quite good speakers.

The next suggestion I was going to give you was plug and unplug the jack into the Headphones a few times. I have seen that Jack get stuck in Digital and no normal speaker would work. Anyway Congrats!

 

[RadDave]

Although I tried the headphone jack a number of times recently, I just tried it again on Dennis' prompting.
For the first time, the external speakers are now working loud and clear on the Mac Mini.......

Hello again & congrats! I was out all day and just returned for the evening - MUCH activity has occurred - sometimes those mini-stereo jacks just need a little tweeking - but appears that you're up and working now - enjoy! Dave

 

[schwine1]

So glad to hear it's working now. Those are quite good speakers.

The next suggestion I was going to give you was plug and unplug the jack into the Headphones a few times. I have seen that Jack get stuck in Digital and no normal speaker would work. Anyway Congrats!

I think that's what helped.
Plugging the green mini-plug in and out of the headphones jack a few times solved the problem.