iSub

One thing that most computers do poorly, regardless of processor speed or amount of RAM, is create pleasing sound. That’s why Apple teamed up with renowned audio-component manufacturer Harman Kardon to create a bit of eye and ear candy to accompany the new iMacs.

Jelly Baby

The iSub is a $99 USB subwoofer — a speaker that produces powerful bass sounds — that looks more like a jellyfish than a multimedia component. Its 6-inch woofer belts out 20 watts of bass down to about 40Hz. (However, Power Mac G4 users shouldn’t get too excited about the iSub: it’s designed to work only with the latest generation of iMacs, the ones with slot-loading CD/DVD drives.)

Harman Kardon built the iSub to complement the new iMac’s built-in speakers, which the company also designed. The built-in speakers have an eight-octave range and alter their output when the iSub is plugged in, divvying up the aural workload to create the best sound.

Apple’s Audio Extension 1.3 provides full support for the iSub, and when we plugged and unplugged it from an iMac DV Special Edition, the iMac quickly recognized the speaker’s presence (or absence) and adjusted sound accordingly — without any pause in the music coming from the computer.

Macworld’s Buying Advice

Will the iSub make it any easier to understand exactly what Bob Dylan is singing? Probably not. But it’ll make listening to whatever it is he’s singing a more pleasurable experience. — JONATHAN SEFF

RATING:

PROS: Simple to set up; great sound; nice price; cool design. CONS: Only works with new iMacs, not older models or G4s. COMPANY: Harman Multimedia (877/266-6202, www.harman-multimedia.com). COMPANY’S DIRECT PRICE: $99.