Harman Kardon iSub (Apple USB Subwoofer) | IMNC

[@I0IRUBERDUCKS]

Gotta love those C1000s. Was using one of those the other day to record into my MacBook Pro, lovely quality

[@justinmason100]

these videos are looking and sounding amazing now Tom. great work

[@onigvd77]

yeah man, you can really tell how much the iSub helps out making the audio so much better. I have one myself and a few Old Macs it will still work on. I think mine does have a cracking noise but mostly when the levels go right up. There was a later version which was a standard audio plug and would work with anything. I think there was a device that would convert the USB audio to a standard plug but I cant be 100% sure of that, I know some people have done that conversion internally and change the connection to be more flexible for any device. Cheers for the great video, I realise it was a while back now :)

[@flirtwd]

The bass was legendary!!

[@laishmorse4668]

I guess thats why my Soundsticks and sub stopped working properly after I switched to Leopard year ago. I thought they had just wore out so I shoved them in a closet. It's too bad they don't work on more recent OS's. If they worked properly I would still be using them today. They had fantastic sound. Great video Tom and thanks for shedding some light on the issue. I'm glad I didn't toss them.

[@rustyblades11]

Great editing tom :) the audio and video are looking amazing.

[@ItsMyNaturalColour]

+rustyblades11 Thanks a lot!

[@imsherk]

We have two pairs of these at my house. They are still going strong after more than 10 years.

[@RWL2012]

Ian Sherk pairs?

[@BeesonsCars]

This would have been a really cool system in the late 90's early 2000's! When the base is working it does sound pretty good.

[@BeesonsCars]

Bass. I hate auto correct.

[@stutter352]

i saw this on the vlog! I posted a comment about there being a future video about it! Anyway first video of a week yay

[@AndreaOttaviani1965]

I finally feel it, what a fairy tale and how beautiful it is? I have one very well kept, but it doesn't work from USB, it takes a driver. With catalina it doesn't work. Mine is on sale, who wants to sell it cheaply as long as it continues to work and makes someone happy.

[@DavidWatts]

Sounds like a dry solder joint or something similar associated with heating and cooling due to current. Can you take some photos or the PCB?

[@ItsMyNaturalColour]

+David Watts Hi David, thanks for your comment. I'll be sure to post photos of the PCB to the IMNC Facebook page once I find time to open this up and take a look.

[@BavarianM]

+ItsMyNaturalColour Nop that kind of sound is the woffer that is busted because the voice coil scratches the magnet so when the bassier freqs come it cuts the sound and i know that because i had two subwoffers do de same and i changed the woffer and it was working flawlessly again So the only way to fix that i putting a woffer that fits there with the same power and it will work fine

[@damienlobb85]

it's not the woofer speaker itself, the dropouts are too consistent, you can hear a digital clicking sound from the sub also when it's dropping out, definitely a PCB or digital connection issue, maybe even software. Have you tried it on a different iMac?

[@ashleycox432]

Awesome video. Never seen one of these in person so this was really interesting. I'm gonna get some hate for this; but this is proof that Apple is no-longer the creative, revolutionary company they used to be.

[@TalesOfWar]

A great track to test bass response on speakers and headphones is the intro to Under the Influence by The Chemical Brothers.

[@amasood_]

I love the new video style, really cool and professional!

[@petergriffenjr]

Sooo rad, awesome vid! Any guesses if this would work with an eMac?

[@MrJackSeverity]

bad luck mate :( did you ever get the Isub sorted? kind of sounds like its not getting enough power

[@maccubed7371]

Great video Tom! I have always loved the way these looked, and they are stunning with the iMac G4 alongside the Pro Speakers. The quality is great from what I have heard, and I hope you can get it fixed! Also, I have been wondering what screensaver you use, I think it would look great with my setup .

[@maccubed7371]

+MacCubed Nevermind, I found it!

[@princesskenny85]

My power cord is bigger and weighs 2 lbs. Do you think that its better built and doesnt cut off the base like yours?

[@Tomcat12789]

That popping noise may not be the iSub but the audio driver as there is a forum where owners of the iSub also have the popping noise, the forum is from 2000. Great video though.

[@david-je4zx]

Holy shit dude, that is seriously cool! I have always wanted one of those! Sucks yours didn't work properly though.

[@VAX1970]

It's a Mac Hipster Vinyl filter effect :)

[@itsmesb4399]

I think a great video idea would be to troubleshoot / fix the iSub. (if you still happen to have it)

[@damienlobb85]

IMNC did you try googling the issue? Others have had this problem and it seems like it could just be a driver issue.

[@williamc.meyers7531]

I'm running the Soundsticks on a MacBook running 10.15.2 - They were working just fine when I kicked over the power strip & they no longer work. Any thoughts?

[@Time4Technology]

I wanted to sleep, but you uploaded a video :p Great edit, but I preferred your "classic" unboxings where you go through all the things included in the box.. In my opinion you don't have to improve. Your work is great, but it's your decision of course :)

[@itsmesb4399]

Did you ever get this working? I bet it just needs a reflow.

[@rayadamick8245]

Wonder if you did a hacking tosh rebuild for newer iMacs???

[@ian-c.01]

Start by changing the USB lead, don't dive straight into the Sub before checking everything outside of it first. Lead/plugs/connectors etc also if you have another USB speaker, plug that in to make sure it's not the iMac !

[@SilverX95]

+Ian Clarke check the power brick too could have gone bad or maybe its dirty power see if a ups helps (if you have one that filters the power)

[@ian-c.01]

***** The iMac got seriously damaged in transit, I wouldn't be surprised if it had internal issues !

[@Slot1Gamer]

+Ian Clarke if it was the mac or usb lead the sub would cut out for much longer

[@bpali2001]

+Slot1Gamer bro its for apple products. Plug it in the old keyboard and done.

[@lindsaymobil22]

+Ian Clarke If you mean the iMac in the video, he isn't using the Flower Power here.

[@borisdg]

Cracking sound probably (99%) is related due to bad capacitor. Years before some Razer Makos have similar cracking sound problems and when you change one small electrolytic capacitor it's getting fully working. Google it. p.p. Also it's HarmAn, not HarmOn. When you have time, fix the title. :P

[@eryonzane]

44 hz? my yamaha goes down to 19 and I thought that wasn't a lot.. still a pretty nice looking sub.. I had the soundsticks too some years ago, the sound is decent enough I guess.. I love the design of the soundsticks tho, my studio monitors are rather bulky and heavy and ugly, but the sound is on another level.. for the price the soundsticks are amazing

[@ItsMyNaturalColour]

+Zane X 44Hz is an incredible achievable frequency by such a small subwoofer. Lots of big 15" PA bass binds don't go down to that. 19Hz is absurd and probably advertising bulls***. average human hearing can only hear as low as 20Hz.

[@eryonzane]

yeah I agree, for the size it's awesome. PA systems mostly cut at about 40 or 45, at least my PA does. I was referring to the frequency before my sub totally cuts off, which is 19 hz. you can't really "hear" anything lower than 30hz on it, but it still "rattles" I guess.. but you are generally right ;)

[@damienlobb85]

+ItsMyNaturalColour The 22w JBL/HarmonKardon 2.1 speakers in my 2011 Dell XPS 17 are phenomenal, they reach down to 63Hz and get decently loud with no distortion. There has been no other Mac/PC laptop I have heard since, that reaches anywhere near this level of SQ.

[@Minitrucker231]

I own a couple of products from Harmon Kardon, a set of HK 395's pinched from an older Dell computer and a set of JBL Creature 3's. I like the HK 395's more because of the larger subwoofer cabinet and more powerful amplifier. 30 watts RMS iirc and the low end is insane. Now the JBL's aren't too bad in themselves they sound just as good as the Harmon's do with a little more clarity but a much smaller subwoofer cabinet and only 20 watts RMS, 10 watts less than the HK 395's but sounds just as excellent with really good low end. No complaints from me that's for certain. Sorry you had such bad luck with that sub mate. Hopefully it's an easy fix.

[@franciswebdev]

Still works on my Windows 10 in 2019. Only on USB 2.0 port

[@cedar234]

i think you should just send it back and look for an actual sound sticks on eBay. i bought a pair on eBay. the sub had problems with air leaking. i just sealed it with super glue...wasn't good to do that. should have used silicone instead but it sounds amazing but kinda looks like crap now. the sound sticks work on pc and mac and newer macs too. tried it on yosmite and windows 10

[@amasood_]

Awesome vid! Thinking of getting my own!

[@MikeVanDalen1996]

+ItsMyNaturalColour this is from the the album from Bowers & Wilkins it is made to test your new speakers from them :P but I love the songs. btw you definitely should take a look at there speakers etc the quality is amazing en the music reproduction, one word eargasm

[@AceVproductionsPC]

great quality video tom

[@CrankyStorming]

Why are your videos so blocky even at 1080p? When you tested the new vlog camera, that looked fine.

[@TalesOfWar]

+CrankyStorming He has to compress them quite heavily because he doesn't have the best internet connection in the world. He'll have a much better one at his new place apparently so we should start to see some higher quality video going on when that happens!

[@CrankyStorming]

+TalesOfWar I reiterate, when he demonstrated his new vlog camera, the footage wasn't blocky at all.

[@TalesOfWar]

+CrankyStorming It might be a KZbin thing. I've seen a few other videos lately that look like this. Google keep playing with the file file processing behind the scenes.

[@shanester366]

It would be cool to get one of these for my iMac G3 but the internal speakers are completely gone now so not much of a point :\

[@rubenromero2034]

very nice, but it doesn't look like you own the SoundSticks

[@JonnyInfinite]

What are you using to convert FLAC to ALAC? At the moment, the only process I know is to burn a CD using BURRN and then import again...

[@kristoffermoberg101]

JonnyInfinite Try XLD or xACT to convert FLAC to wav or aif, then convert the wav or aif to ALAC.

[@diversiongamingftw8140]

love your videos tom

[@ThePowerPCHub]

Massive shame! It doesn't strike me as a loose connection though seeing as the cracks are very systematic.

[@Slot1Gamer]

sounds like the amp has some dead capacitors OR there is a problem with the connection too the sub or the subs fly leads are busted (easy fix) Doubt its a coil issue

[@stutter352]

If it was worth it i would mod it but sound isn't my thing i just use some £10 desktop speakers and for me they work fine

[@HarleyMayes]

what's this background music?

[@DangG3r]

I wana buy 2.1 system taht say USB ps but the usb connection hole on the sub is more smaller and rounder like .How can u cinnect with an usb cable because usb holes are more like rectangular ..

[@zapenhaft]

I actually have one of this laying around, is it somehow possible to make it work on my MacBook Pro 2012?

[@KylesTechChannel01]

+Maximilian De Monza (LazyGenius) again as he said in the video... unfortunately not

[@zapenhaft]

+Kyle's Tech Channel oh okay :/

[@TalesOfWar]

+Maximilian De Monza (LazyGenius) I think it's possible but a LOT of effort and modification is involved. You're probably better off just getting the Sound Stix unless you're up for a challenge!

[@ericwood3709]

I have the Sound Sticks. Easily the best computer speakers I have ever owned.

[@itsmesb4399]

seems like an audio filtration issue. try recapping the sub

[@Kithara111]

I have an iSub. Has anyone ever retrofitted one out with a contemporary woofer speaker?

[@filmeditorupcomingdirector309]

how to use harman kardon isub 2000 subwoofer 120v/60hz

[@gsmalley10]

About to recycle my ancient iMac, so I guess I'll have to toss my Harmon Kardon iSub as well :( (since I now work on an Intel-based PC). Drat.

[@JoshuasRecordings]

Don't, you can find the input to the amp and bypass the USB interface if you have a bit of tech knowledge. Or sell it, someone will have a use for it.

[@Slot1Gamer]

This would also be pretty easy to mod for a 3.5mm input

[@santiagofernanda1062]

How then?

[@Slot1Gamer]

the usb portion is going to be just a usb sound card, you just patch in to the line in on the amp's pcb

[@jordanlong00]

+Slot1Gamer Holy shit, you watch IMNC?

[@Slot1Gamer]

MajorLeaugeMinecraft Why yes, yes I do :3 I'm subbed too

[@santiagofernanda1062]

+Slot1Gamer But the iSub doesnt have a line in.

[@olafhauk4727]

Shoot one on eBay for 9 Euros+Shipping... Sounds WONDERFUL !!! BUT: (YES - there is a BUT) - it does ONLY work with OS9 +OS X (MAX 10.4.11) - IT DOESNT WORK WITH 10.5 and UP !!!

[@VillainousG]

Home pod?

[@flirtwd]

I had it with my flower power iMac back in 2001. Damn! It was a fucking beast!! HK fucked up by not updating the software. Fuck them. That bass was earth shattering. Like some of you, I had to toss it.

[@stefanegger]

why not repair it?

[@VAX1970]

Chris Jones RIP (2005)

[@btttk8095]

i have the soundsticks usb

[@federico6473]

i have it man!!!!!!!!!!!

[@thegamingchannel6886]

With the crackling it should have kept in time with the music. just a joke

[@bpali2001]

Tom i love you! Not in a gay way tho...

[@rayadamick8245]

Hi Tom, I sent you an email with a possible fix, it's really from CNET! From my bestweb email, I googled isub speaker, and I posted it on Twitter @RayAdamick

[@timpos546]

Hah, iSub xD iAss, iScreen :P

[@diversiongamingftw8140]

first like!!

[@mauriceje4388]

not really good bass