Really basic hookup question for macbook and near field monitors

[evilken]

I just got hold of a pair of M-audio BX5s and plan to hook them up to my macbook pro for simple audio work. The main idea was that I'd have a reasonable idea what the audio sounds like in FCP so I can make basic offline cuts - I would always use a sound designer for the final mix so I don't need my setup to be anything more than basic.

My main question is, what is the simplest way to hook them up to the computer!

The BX5s are powered near field monitors - each has its own power supply. The only inputs they have are an XLR and a 1/4" TRS.

I'm guessing I need a splitter coming out of the headphone jack of the computer? Then a TRS lead going to the left speaker and a TRS to the right? My only worry here is, will I be sending two stereo signals out of the splitter - as opposed to a left and right signal?

I'm trying to avoid buying a mixer as the budget is spent already....

I do have an Arcam black box DAC lying around at home, so would it be an idea to instead use this as a passthru, using the macbook digital audio out. OR would this make little difference?

 

[tigeba]

You really need a line output to drive these speakers, I believe the MBP does not have line out. The external DAC option might be the way to go.

 

[evilken]

You really need a line output to drive these speakers, I believe the MBP does not have line out. The external DAC option might be the way to go.

Yes, this may be true. I did manage to get one of the speakers to produce decent sound but have no splitter as yet as I'm sure I need one that actually seperates the channels as opposed to doubling up the stereo signal (like a headphone splitter).

 

[empty sound]

You can buy stereo minijack > L + R 1/4"/phono/minijack/anything cables in most audio/visual stores.

I'd think you would want something like this.

You may, however have a problem as the speakers I presume need a balanced signal in, which I don't think you can provide it without an intermediery box, but I may be wrong.

 

[tigeba]

The speakers can take either balanced XLR or unbalanced 1/4" line level. The output of the MBP is going to be neither of these.

 

[evilken]

The speakers can take either balanced XLR or unbalanced 1/4" line level. The output of the MBP is going to be neither of these.

It does appear that the MBP does not have an analogue line out, but I am getting a strong output over one channel at present. Ie - I can plug a 1/4" lead into the BX5 from my audio out port (headphone). And I can get decent sound this way, although I do get a faint repeating buzz sound which sounds like interference.