Apple AppleDesign Powered Speakers vs Apple AppleDesign Powered Speakers II
Better figure, where one is clearly better
| AppleAppleDesign Powered Speakers | AppleAppleDesign Powered Speakers II | |
|---|---|---|
| Overview | ||
| Released | 1993 | 1994 |
| Sound | ||
| Type | Speaker | Speaker |
| Channels | stereo | stereo |
| Dolby Atmos | No | No |
| Drivers | Full-range, tuned-port bass-reflex speakers. Magnetically shielded for use near CRT computer displays. Apple claims maximum 90 dB SPL at 0.5 m at 90 Hz; this is a qualified sound-pressure claim, not an acoustic wattage rating. | Full-range, tuned-port bass-reflex system with magnetic shielding and active equalisation. Apple claims maximum 90 dB SPL at 0.5 m at 200 Hz; the original generation's 90 Hz condition is not transferred. |
| Amplifiers | Built-in Class B amplifier and dual-input mixer. Maximum audio input 2 V peak-to-peak. External 15 V DC supply; the regional power-supply module determines 100–240 V AC mains compatibility, 50–60 Hz. Published 40 W maximum is electrical input, not speaker output. | Built-in dual-channel amplifier. Apple labels output power 14 W without channel, RMS or distortion conditions; no additional rating is inferred. Maximum input is 2 V peak-to-peak. Exact model uses a 12 V DC supply; maximum 24 W electrical input is distinct from audio output. Mains compatibility is 100–240 V, 50 or 60 Hz depending on the regional power-supply module; the listed US kits include a 120 V module. Shared Service Source's generic 15 V/40 W table describes the original speakers and is not applied to Speakers II. |
| Frequency response | 90–17,000 Hz ±3 dB (Apple additional technical specifications). | Maker gives 150 Hz to 20 kHz without a tolerance. This is not the original generation's 90 Hz to 17 kHz ±3 dB specification. |
| Connections | ||
| Wi-Fi | No | No |
| Bluetooth | No | No |
| AirPlay | No | No |
| Voice assistants | None | None |
| Wi-Fi | No built-in Wi-Fi; analogue inputs only. | No built-in Wi-Fi; analogue inputs only. |
| Bluetooth | No built-in Bluetooth; analogue inputs only. | No built-in Bluetooth; analogue inputs only. |
| Ports | Stereo 3.5 mm computer input; separate left/right RCA CD/audio input; front 3.5 mm stereo headphone output. Stripped/tinned two-conductor cable joins the main and satellite speakers through spring terminals. Only revision B has the output for a separately powered subwoofer; the pictured owner-guide rear panel is revision B. Headphones mute the speakers. | Two 3.5 mm stereo input sockets, labelled computer and CD/audio; one front stereo headphone output; connection for the satellite speaker. The supplied CD cable converts dual RCA source sockets to a 3.5 mm input. A miniplug speaker cable is permanently attached to the satellite end. No original-generation revision-B subwoofer socket is documented. |
| Streaming | Plays the audio output of a separately connected computer, CD player, cassette deck or television. No network player is built in. | Plays sound from a separately connected computer, CD or cassette player or television. No network player is built in. |
| Design | ||
| Battery life detail | External mains-powered 15 V DC supply; no battery operation documented. | External mains-powered 12 V DC module; no battery operation documented. |
| Controls | Front power button and green indicator, volume and left/right balance. Headphone volume and balance use the same controls. No bass or treble controls. Computer input includes noise-reduction circuitry; the CD input is separate. | Front volume control and headphone socket. Unlike the original AppleDesign speakers, Speakers II has no power switch and is designed to stay powered. No tone or balance controls. Exact Apple support confirms neither input uses the original generation's noise gate, so quiet passages are not subject to that circuit's cutoff. |
| Mounting | – | Integrated sliding rear foot adjusts the listening angle while retaining a three-point stance. Apple's exact M2497 stand-design patent identifies front contact points and the curved adjustable foot; this is a technical illustration, not a photograph of an undocumented revision. |
| Size | Maker technical specifications give 9.25 × 4.5 × 4.75 inches (height × width × depth), with rounded metric equivalents 23.1 × 11.2 × 11.9 cm. Published 4.8 lb (2.2 kg) weight is not identified as per-speaker versus pair, so no headline weight is assigned. | Maker gives 6.8 × 4.13 × 3.94 inches (height × width × depth), with published metric figures 175 × 107 × 101 mm. Published 1.34 lb (612 g) weight is not identified as per speaker versus pair, so no headline weight is assigned. |
| Colours | Platinum-grey enclosures with grey front grilles, as shown in the original maker catalogue. | Slate and platinum. Original brochure offers slate separately and platinum in bundles; the later technical support sheet also lists the platinum M2668LL/A ordering kit. Colours do not establish distinct hardware generations. |
| In the box | Main powered speaker, satellite speaker, external power supply, 3.5 mm computer interconnect cable, dual-RCA CD cable and two-conductor speaker cable. Revision B accepts an optional powered subwoofer, not supplied. The Fall 1993 Apple direct-sales catalogue offers the exact speaker pair for immediate ordering with overnight shipping; first on-sale month is unresolved, so the supported retail year is retained. Technical-library document creation on 16 March 1993 is not used as a sale date. | Main powered speaker, satellite speaker with attached connection cable, regional power-supply module, 3.5 mm computer cable, 3.5 mm-to-dual-RCA CD cable, user guide and limited warranty. The photographed Apple Multimedia Kit adds a separately bundled AppleCD 300e Plus, headphones and CD-ROM titles. Apple names the original generation in its exact comparison FAQ. Its stand-design patent records introduction on 14 March 1994; recovered contemporary purchase accounts and GEnieLamp's November 1994 hands-on test establish retail in 1994, but the actual first month remains unresolved. Introduction and document dates are not used as first sale. |
