You would take a digital output from the headphones-connection of your MacBook Pro using a TOSlink to mini TOSlink cable, and connect this into the optical input of the DacMagic. As for controlling the volume, this wouldn't be done on the Mac, as the Mac's volume control is disabled when the digital output is used. You have two choices here

If buying a decent DAC is a bit too much purely just for your laptop, then wouldn't you say a pair of ~£2.5k speakers is far too much? If you really want to make the speakers sound like their price tag would suggest, you need to drive them with a decent source, which is what a decent DAC will give you, as long as you're listening to good

Another suggestion/recommendation would be to try to position the speakers as far away from any walls as possible. The position switches do a good job, but they can only do so much! There's no substitute for correct speaker placement other than the calibration of the BeoLab 5, and even then you should try and place them correctly in the first place

PYT is where it's at. I'd actually say the whole of Thriller is great IMO. Amazing level of production, fantastic songwriting too. Great album. His later stuff isn't that great though IMO.

Just to help these go quicker, I have a pair of the BeoVox 500s which are comparatively much lesser speakers than these, and yet are still fine sounding speakers with a BeoMaster 900. Very comfortable and natural to listen to, and surprising bass extension! The cabinets are beautifully constructed.

The sound of Pete Townsend's guitar at the beginning is in the left-channel. I would check things like the balance, and try changing the left/right switches round on the speakers, so what was the left is now the right and visa-versa. Sounds to me like the speakers are blown, either the amplifier section, the crossover, or the drivers (probably the

I'd vote for the 'BeoLab 9s by themselves' option. As great as the BeoLab 1 + BeoLab 2 and BeoLab 8000 + BeoLab 2 combinations sound (and they really do pack a punch when set up correctly, particularly with movies), you just can't get close to the detail and musicality of the bass of BeoLab 9s without moving up to the BeoLab 5, which

BeoLab 9s are excellent IMO. If you listen to a lot of poorly recorded material, then I would choose them over BeoLab 5s. 9s do a very good job of sounding detailed and transparent without revealing every flaw in the recording. Very good for electronica due to the powerful/extended/detailed bass. BeoLab 5s are IMO much better, as long as you don't

I wouldn't really want to use them in rooms of that size. Your best bet IMO is to rent out a PA system. Look for d&b audiotechnik (not to be confused with dB technologies!) if you really want something which will knock your socks off. E12s + D6 amps should give you everything you need, and weigh a LOT less than BeoLab 9s in a package slightly

How large is the room/audience you're wanting to present the film to, and how loud do you want it?