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Connecting external speakers to mac studio M2

Recently purchased a Mac Studio (M2 ultra, Sequoia) and I want to connect external speakers. My old Mac had a 'line out' port which worked great with my H-K SoundSticks. The Mac Studio does not have a 'line out' and the headphones port does have enough power for the speakers. So I'm looking for either (1) a way to continue to the H-K speaker or (2) a simple (non-bluetooth) setup for new speakers. Currently the speakers are mostly used for gaming but some music recording is in the near future. TIA.

Mac Studio, macOS 15.2

Posted on Jan 20, 2025 12:52 PM

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Posted on Jan 20, 2025 11:38 PM

USB Audio Adapter:

  • A simple USB-to-3.5mm audio adapter can work for basic setups. These are inexpensive and provide sufficient power for external speakers.
  • Like UGREEN USB Audio Adapter or Plugable USB Audio Adapter.


Powered Audio Interface:

  • If you're planning to do music recording, consider an audio interface like the Focusrite Scarlett Solo or PreSonus AudioBox. These interfaces will handle both your speakers and music equipment.


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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Jan 20, 2025 11:38 PM in response to barneyruble

USB Audio Adapter:

  • A simple USB-to-3.5mm audio adapter can work for basic setups. These are inexpensive and provide sufficient power for external speakers.
  • Like UGREEN USB Audio Adapter or Plugable USB Audio Adapter.


Powered Audio Interface:

  • If you're planning to do music recording, consider an audio interface like the Focusrite Scarlett Solo or PreSonus AudioBox. These interfaces will handle both your speakers and music equipment.


Jan 21, 2025 9:32 AM in response to barneyruble

unencumbered by any deep knowledge of advanced High Fidelity gear --


The classic way to hook up a computer with only a headphone level output (like almost every Mac EXCEPT the one you owned before) for 'ordinary' sound output was to use amplified speakers wired to the Headphone jack. Because PCs have always worked this way, there are more of these available for PCs than you can imagine. Two little desktop speakers where one contains an integrated amp.


NO, these will NOT cause the walls to shake on playback -- that requires a more serious solution.

Jan 22, 2025 2:37 PM in response to barneyruble

I have just bought the same computer and just now i realize that the audio port is missing.

By the way....i cannot understand the reason to avoid such a simple port on a 5000 € computer...

I am tempted by the Focusrite Scarlett but first I'll give a test to a simple USB-to-3.5mm audio adapter as suggested by @Wael-1966

Connecting external speakers to mac studio M2

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