FireWave
External FireWire sound card with Dolby Digital for Mac.
The FireWave is an external FireWire sound card developed by Griffin Technology as a third-party accessory for Apple Macintosh computers. It uses the FireWire (IEEE 1394) port to output audio to its built-in Dolby Digital processing hardware, effectively functioning as an external sound card that allows connection of a 5.1 surround sound system.
- Output channels
- 6 (through three 1/8" (3.5 mm) stereo mini-jacks: Left/Right, Center/Subwoofer, Right Surround/Left Surround)
- Supported audio formats
- Dolby Digital, Dolby Pro Logic II
- Frequency response
- 20–20,000 Hz
- Compatibility
- Mac OS X 10.4.6 (Tiger); version 1.0 software works with Mac OS X 10.5.x (Leopard) but is not officially supported
- Status
- Discontinued
Lore & Background
The FireWave was introduced by Griffin Technology as a third-party accessory for Apple's line of personal computers, connecting via the FireWire (IEEE 1394) port. It houses Dolby Digital sound processing hardware, enabling users to connect a 5.1 surround sound system directly to its speaker terminals. Configuration is handled through a combination of Griffin's included FireWave software and Apple's Audio MIDI Setup utility.
The device provides six output channels through three 3.5 mm stereo mini-jacks: Left/Right, Center/Subwoofer, and Right Surround/Left Surround. It also includes a passthrough FireWire port for chaining additional FireWire devices. The FireWave supports Dolby Digital and Dolby Pro Logic II, with a frequency response of 20–20,000 Hz.
Griffin Technology lists the FireWave as a discontinued item. It is officially compatible with Mac OS X version 10.4.6 (Tiger). While version 1.0 of the FireWave software does work with Mac OS X 10.5.x (Leopard), Griffin does not officially support it under Leopard, and the product's discontinuation makes release of Leopard-specific drivers unlikely.
Reader's Guide
The FireWave occupies a niche in Mac audio history as an external FireWire sound card that brought Dolby Digital surround sound to Apple computers at a time when built-in audio options were limited. Its use of the FireWire port for both power and data simplified setup, while the passthrough port allowed daisy-chaining of other FireWire devices. The reliance on a combination of Griffin's own software and Apple's Audio MIDI Setup utility gave users flexibility in configuring various speaker arrangements, from stereo to full 5.1 surround.
However, the product's discontinuation and lack of official support beyond Mac OS X 10.4.6 (Tiger) limited its longevity. Although version 1.0 of the software works with Leopard, the absence of dedicated drivers for that operating system meant users faced potential instability or missing features. The FireWave thus represents a transitional moment in Mac audio, where external sound cards offered enhanced capabilities but were often tied to specific OS versions and vendor support. Its legacy is that of a capable but ultimately short-lived solution for Mac users seeking Dolby Digital surround sound before integrated audio caught up.
Did You Know?
- The FireWave uses the FireWire (IEEE 1394) port as an audio output to its Dolby Digital processing hardware.
- Version 1.0 of the FireWave software works with Mac OS X 10.5.x (Leopard), though it is not officially supported.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the FireWave?
The FireWave is a third-party external sound card built by Griffin Technology specifically for Apple Macintosh computers. It plugs into a FireWire (IEEE 1394) port and handles audio decoding externally, letting a Mac drive a 5.1 surround speaker setup without relying on the machine's built-in audio hardware.
What audio formats and processing does the FireWave handle?
The card's built-in Dolby Digital processing hardware decodes both Dolby Digital and Dolby Pro Logic II streams. Its frequency response spans the full 20 Hz to 20,000 Hz range, covering the standard audible spectrum.
How does the FireWave connect to speakers?
It provides six output channels routed through three 3.5 mm stereo mini-jacks: one pair for Left/Right, one for Center/Subwoofer, and one for the two surround channels. This layout maps directly onto a standard 5.1 speaker arrangement.
Which Mac operating systems is the FireWave compatible with?
The product was officially supported on Mac OS X 10.4.6 (Tiger) with its version 1.0 software. It will still function under Mac OS X 10.5.x (Leopard), but Griffin never listed Leopard as an officially supported platform.
Is the FireWave still available for purchase?
No. Griffin Technology has discontinued the FireWave, so it is no longer produced or sold as a new product and can only be found through secondary or used-market channels.
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