There is noise gate circuitry internal to the AppleDesign Powered Speakers that reduces the noise level of the output of the speakers. This noise gate is in place to reduce the amount of noise heard through the speakers while the speakers are just amplifying the sounds from the computer, such as alert beeps. This noise gate turns off the sound to the speakers when the input level (at the computer input jack, located on the AppleDesign Powered Speakers) falls below a set voltage level. This circuitry is only connected to the 1/8" stereo jack (computer Input Jack) and not to the dual phono plugs (CD Stereo Cable Jacks).
The noise level from other sources such as CD players, televisions and compact cassette players should be low enough that the noise gate would not be necessary on the CD Stereo Jack inputs.
Replacement Cable
Using a Y adapter cable from the computer's sound out port to the CD Stereo Cable/RCA Jacks on the speakers will eliminate the sound drop outs, but you will lose out on the noise limiting feature of the noise gate.
You can get a Y adapter cable at Radio Shack and similar electronics stores. As of 7/15/94, the Radio Shack Catalog part numbers for the replacement cables were as follows:
3 ft cable......42-2475
6 ft cable......42-2481
Please contact Radio Shack for further information.
Increase the Volume Level
The best way to handle this situation without having to buy any new cables is to turn up the volume in the Sound control panel and use the volume knob on the speakers to control the speakers volume. If you do this the problem of sound drop outs will be eliminated.
The problem occurs on all Power Macintosh computers and Macintosh computers. The sound drops occur in both application programs and when playing audio CD's.