Customer Reviews

Griffin 4019-FIRESS FireWave Surround Sound for Macs

5 star:		(18)
4 star:		(12)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I am using this with a PPC mac mini and it works great! This is the first true external 5.1 audio solution for the mac and it does not dissapoint. It uses a combination of the mac midi settings and its own software. Audio quality is crisp and clean. I would recommend this product for sure!

It was really easy to setup. All you had to do was plug it in and it showed up right away in the midi settings. Just select it as your prefered device and you are good to go!

I bought this FireWave to provide 5.1 speaker outputs from my MacPro. It works fine, but I found that buying a set of Logitech Z-5500 speakers and using the Mac's optical output a better route to go. Bottom line is that if you have a Mac running OSX 10.3.9 and above, but no surround outputs, this FireWire driven external sound card works well. If you have an optical output (MacPro, MacBookPro, etc.) consider new speakers with an optical audio input.

I spent lots of time trying to find a decent sound card for my macbook--one that could work with my 4.1 klipsch system and also look like it belonged on my desk. The Firewave does all of the above, with a few exceptions.

I found that my mac sometimes cannot figure out how to send sound from mono sources (internet content and movies from my digital camera) when it is in the surround sound (Pro Logic II) mode. I have to restart the program with the surround option turned off in order to hear the sound. I look forward to software updates that will fix this problem in the future.

However, for my iTunes and iDVD sound, the FireWave is perfect: it sends clear 3D sound to all of my speakers. I think it is worth the hassle and I would make this purchase again.

This is an external firewire sound card enclosed in a small white compact case, which provides Surround Sound, Dolby Digital processors supporting up to five channels and a subwoofer. It comes with software CD and a firewire cable, which draws its power from your computer. While I do not own a 5.1 surround sound set of speakers I did connect it to my JBL Creature II speakers into my G4 Power PC laptop and was able to enjoy my iTunes songs with a greater degree of pleasure. Watching DVD movies also sounds so much better using the FireWave.

The device did not initially work, however after contacting the Griffin help desk (no 1-800 number) I was able to obtain the help needed to get the device working. Support for the FirwWave is located on Griffin's home page [...] under Hardware (RocketFM).

Since I am not a technophile these are from the Griffin website as far as the technical specifications:

"Audio Ports: 3 - 1/8" (3.5mm) stereo minijacks (Left/Right, Center/Subwoofer, Left Surround/Right Surround)
FireWire Ports: 2
Supported Audio Formats: Dolby Digital, Dolby Pro Logic II
Additional audio configurations are supported through Mac OS X's Audio MIDI Setup utility
Frequency Response: 20-20,000Hz
Line-out voltage: 2Vpp
Size: 132mm (5.20") wide x 77mm (2.83") deep x 25mm (0.98") tall

Listening to surround sound while on my G4 Power Pc is a real treat. You just do not realize the quality of sound that the FireWire helps produce through your external speakers. I'm going to be acquiring a 5.1 set of speakers in the near future, as I know that the full capability of the FireWave will shine forth.

FireWave ships for $[...] and requires Mac OS X Panther or later. They have an updated download - V1.0.0Software for Macs running 10.4 or higher.

The Griffin FireWave definitely enhances your laptop's speakers far and above anything that you can imagine. I only wish Apple would provide such technology. (Author's personal comment.)

I would recommend to anyone owning either a Power PC, or MacPro laptop or Mac mini to acquire one of these devices and start enjoying the audio side of computing. I do not own any computer games, however I would have to believe that with the FireWave being employed you would have to experience a great deal of pleasure in playing your latest games.

I've been trying to use the Firewave with a G5 iMac and a Logitech 5.1 setup. My results are very inconsistent. I cannot get the "virtual surround" Prologic II mode to work at all. Just silence when it's turned on. Surround sound DVDs and DVD-As :: sometimes they'll play in surround sound, sometimes they'll just be silent. It's impossible to tell what makes what work or not. There is nothing in the Troubleshooting guide that comes with the product that helps you out with these issues. Probably a waste of your money.

While 5.1 output might be enticing for many, you'll suffer a definite loss in quality. Low frequency response definitely suffers in music, as many critical listenings revealed for me. At times cellos would sound nearer to trombones and ProLogic II is pretty much bunk.

When I upgraded from a G4 to a MacPro I found out late that I couldn't use my M-Audio Revolution 7.1 (not really a bad thing) so I needed a way to get my sound out to my great 5.1 Swan speakers. I searched and searched for something reasonable and finally came across the FireWave. It was very easy to connect and even easier to use. I was particularly thrilled with the DD decoding and my DVDs sound great and EyeTV even better than before. When Griffin gets the software really dialed this will be a 5 star product.

Good idea but no way to adjust volume for each speaker. When volume is turned past medium there is a loud irritating vibration on low frequencies that was not present before the FireWave was connect up.

After installing the software on the CD and testing out the Firewave card . . . I started to notice that the songs from my iTunes were skipping quite a bit. I played around the Firewave settings for a while but nothing helped with the skipping problem. This problem is frequent enough for one not to just ignore it . . . this is in fact would be what I consider a show-stopper. The other minor issue is that the Firewave application has to be running all the time if you want surround sound. The settings in the Firewave app keep resetting themselves with each time you open the application, thus requiring the user to manually set the settings everytime the Firewave application is opened. That is absolutely asinine.

*********** UPDATE ***********
okay, i've contacted the company about the problem and they believed it was due to a faulty firewire cable that came with the product. they shipped a free cable out to me, and it fixed the problem.

It's easy to config FireWave and speakers! The sound is clear, brilliant and perfect! There's no better soundcard for MAC-Computers! I'm pleasantly surprised. There are no problems with the new LION.