Rare Apple Pro Speakers with USB box – anyone seen this?

Hi everyone,

I recently got a pair of Apple Pro Speakers (Harman/Kardon), but they are not like the usual versions I see online.

• Instead of the 2.5 mm proprietary plug for the G4 Cube/iMac G4, these speakers connect through a small black Apple box that outputs USB.
• The box looks original (Apple logo, proper build quality)
• I could not find this exact variant anywhere online – only the standard mini-jack Pro Speakers or the SoundSticks system with subwoofer.

❓ Has anyone here ever come across this USB version before?

❓ Was this an official Apple release, a rare regional variant, or maybe some kind of limited run?

Any info or documentation would be super helpful – I’d love to know more about the background and rarity of this version.

Thanks a lot!

[attached pictures of the speakers + box + serial number]

[Edited by Moderator]