Using Powered Speakers with iMac M4

Joe Gramm wrote:

My dilemma is I seem to need to go from 1/2 volume to at least 3/4 volume to get the same volume from the M4 vs the 2017 iMac.

FWIW, it's not really a dilemma to turn the volume up higher.

So does anyone know if the iMac M4 USB C port would supply more power to the HD6 speakers vs the headphone jack.

Connecting via USB-C should sound better using the speakers built-in DAC.

Joe Gramm wrote:

I have a pair of AudioEngine HD6 powered speakers connected via the headphone jack to my 2024 iMac M4.

First thing I noticed when connecting the speakers was a noticeable change in the volume level as compared where the same HD6 speakers were connected to my 27" iMac Late 2017.

Both iMacs connected the speakers via the headphone jack.. I believe Apple says the headphone jack will support speakers(powered)..

The headphone out supports audio out to powered speakers. It's an audio out. The headphone jack does not supply power. Never has.

My dilemma is I seem to need to go from 1/2 volume to at least 3/4 volume to get the same volume from the M4 vs the 2017 iMac.

There is a volume control on both your Mac and on the HD6. Are you sure you had the same volume set in both Macs and the HD6 when you made this comparison? That said, the old iMac and the M4 mini are different devices; it would not be out of the ordinary to have different experience with each.

So does anyone know if the iMac M4 USB C port would supply more power to the HD6 speakers vs the headphone jack. In that scenario I would need to for from USB C>DAC>HD6.

The headphone out jack on the mini does not supply power. It's just L+R audio out. The headphone out audio level is controlled by the volume control in the Mac.

The HD6 does not have a USB input, so there is no "power input" via USB. A USB audio interface (DAC) may or may not be bus powered. But as for audio levels, in the case of using an external USB DAC the audio levels would be controlled by the HD6 or perhaps also by the DAC if the DAC has that capability.

Check the manual for your HD6's especially what is says to connect to the stereo mini input vs. the RCA inputs vs. the optical input. One may be better suited than another for use with the mini's headphone jack.

"So does anyone know if the iMac M4 USB C port would supply more power to the HD6 speakers vs the headphone jack. In that scenario I would need to for from USB C>DAC>HD6."

I assume the OP meant audio power.

FWIW, as far as the quality of streaming music, it will vary depending on how and when the source was created. For example, I use Tidal quite often to stream music. It automatically adjusts for the quality (bit rate) of the stream, from Low, High or Max.

Just to add, it's certainly possible the headphone output of the M4 iMac is different than previous versions.