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Apple AppleDesign Powered Speakers · Apple catalogue (VintageApple archive)
AppleDesign Powered Speakers
A mains-powered stereo desktop speaker pair with mixed computer and CD inputs, front volume and balance controls, and a headphone output.
- Type
- Speaker
- Atmos
- No
- Connects by
- –
- Battery
- –
- Weight
- –
What reviewers say
Macworld found clear, solid sound with useful treble detail and bass suitable for a small system, although it lacked deep bass impact. MacUser criticised the absence of tone controls and the need to wire the two speakers together, but appreciated the extra source inputs and accessible headphone jack. Neither listening comparison chose them as its overall winner.
From vintageapple.org and vintageapple.org
Product links
Specifications
Report a wrong or missing specSound
- Type
- Speaker
- Channels
- stereo
- Dolby Atmos
- 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.
- 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.
- Frequency response
- 90–17,000 Hz ±3 dB (Apple additional technical specifications).
Connections
- Wi-Fi
- No
- Bluetooth
- No
- AirPlay
- No
- Voice assistants
- None
- Wi-Fi
- No built-in Wi-Fi; analogue inputs only.
- Bluetooth
- 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.
- Streaming
- Plays the audio output of a separately connected computer, CD player, cassette deck or television. No network player is built in.
Design
- Battery life detail
- External mains-powered 15 V DC supply; 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.
- 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.
- Colours
- Platinum-grey enclosures with grey front grilles, as shown in the original maker catalogue.
- 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.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Two sound sources can be mixed together
- Front headphone socket and balance control
- Magnetic shielding for use beside CRT monitors
Cons
- Requires its external power supply
- No bass or treble controls
- Subwoofer output is limited to revision B
Closest rivals
Model | Type | Atmos | Connects by | Battery | Weight | Released |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Speaker | No | – | – | – | 1994 | |
| Speaker | No | – | – | – | Jan 2001 | |
| Portable speaker | No | – | 15 h | 6.6 kg | Feb 2006 |
Newer model: AppleDesign Powered Speakers II.
Sources
- savagetaylor.com/til/TIL11769.pdf
- savagetaylor.com/TIL/TIL12266.pdf
- archive.retro.co.za/mirrors/apple/manuals.info.apple.com/Apple_Support_Area/app…
- macintoshrepository.org/917-appledesign-powered-speakers-manual-
- vintageapple.org/catalogs/pdf/The_Apple_Catalog_Fall_1993.pdf
- 1000bit.it/ad/bro/apple/apple-appledesignpoweredspeakers.pdf
Photo: Apple catalogue (VintageApple archive)
- Original AppleDesign speakers in the separately sold AppleCD Multimedia Kit, with AppleCD 300 external drive, cables, software and packaging; maker catalogue bundle scene, these extras are not in the standalone speaker box: Apple catalogue (VintageApple archive)
- Original AppleDesign main powered speaker and satellite in a distinct angled pair pose from the July 1993 UK maker brochure: Apple UK brochure (1000bit archive)