Product description

With the multitude of 5.1 surround sound speakers for PCs readily available, FireWave gives Mac users the ability to upgrade their sound systems with spectacular results. FireWave's small size makes it easy to incorporate into any computer setup and portable enough to use on laptops. For mobile convenience, FireWave gets its power through its FireWire connection to the computer no separate cables or power supplies to carry. FireWave features an extra FireWire port so you can chain other devices through it. With 5.1 surround sound, you'll experience music, movies, and games on your desktop like never before. FireWave brings DVDs to life, unleashing their full audio potential. FireWave's Dolby virtual surround sound technology makes any audio source come alive, whether from iTunes, QuickTime, or streaming audio. Unit Dimensions - 5.2 x 2.83 x 0.98 inch (132mm x 77mm x 25mm)

Customer reviews

The audio went out on my G4 Quicksilver, so I got this to recover sound on the Mac. I'm using it only for stereo, so I can't grade it on its 5.1 surround sound capabilities. As a 2-channel, stereo replacement it works without any problems. My speakers are Dell issued (1999) Harmon Kardon HK195 speakers, and my headphones are 32 ohm Philips SHP2500/37 Full Size Headphone w/ Volume Control.

So this is a cheap setup. The FireWave drives the Philips headphones well enough for iTunes, but nearly needs to be at full volume for DVDs. I intend to upgrade the headphones significantly, to the 80 ohm version of Beyer Dynamic DT 770 PRO Closed Dynamic Headphones, so in anticipation, I've ordered a headphone amp not listed on amazon (Rane HC 4S). They do list its big brother the Rane HC-6 Headphone Amplifier, although that is now upgraded to the HC 6S. There are cheaper options, e.g. the PreSonus HP4 4-Channel Compact Headphone Amplifier. I hope to replace the Harmon Kardon speakers with a pair of Adam Audio A5 Monitors, which are priced per single monitor.

The Griffin FireWave is a "Desktop Solution" for OSX 10.4 and 10.5 and may be in the process of being discontinued. Griffin offers it at a deep discount and there is only release 1.0 software on the included CD or available from Griffin as a download.

2008-07-23 Late-model MacBook Pro owners: don't bother

While 5.1 output might be enticing for many, you'll suffer a definite loss in quality. Low frequency response definitely suffers in music, as many critical listenings revealed for me. At times cellos would sound nearer to trombones and ProLogic II is pretty much bunk.

2008-06-24 Does the job

Works nicely, great sound out of a MacBook and Logitech 5.1 speaker system. I had to go around twice on the installation to get everything to work, but may have been operator error.

2008-02-17 Surround Sound for the Mac Mini

Love this product! Install was quick and easy, just had to tell the Mini to play through The Griffin instead of the speaker jack, plugged in the Logitech surround speaker system that I was using on my Windows PC, and what great sound I had! The Griffin unit is a nice compliment to the Mac Mini's appearance as well. If you want better that ordinary 2 speaker sound from your Mac, this is the way to go! Price was nice too here on Amazon, and a lot less hassle than trying to score one on Ebay!

2007-12-14 Great option for existing speakers and a MacMini

I recently switched over to a MacMini from a PC which had an audio card. My surround sound speaker system only had the three plug input...no optical which meant they were useless with the MacMini. After some searching around, I found the FireWave which allows me to use my old speakers with my new MacMini. It works great and doesn't cost an arm and a leg.