Hi there -- I'm a bit (a lot) clueless about near-field monitors and am looking for some help.

I was recently given some JBL LSR25P monitors - but am not sure as to how best utilize them. Do most people connect the monitors directly to their Mac (mine a G5 1.8)...or to a deck/monitor and just use computer speakers for their Mac? Looks like these monitors have XLR and RCA connectors, if that helps.

Thanks very much for your input!

I think those are self powered monitors so you should be ok hooking them up to the line out on the mac. I myself hook everything into a small mixer than run monitors off it basically a central control for everything audio. Im not having to plug or unplug any equipment to hear it in the monitors.

You're both correct, people do it both ways depending on what they have available. Using a mixer as the central hub is the preferred method if you have several devices.
Some people prefer to monitor directly from their deck or their NLE, especially if you have a high-quality deck or a good audio interface with your computer.

Thanks Matt and Jay for your responses -- I hooked them up to my NLE for now, and seems to be working fine --- but I think I will also pursue the the mixer suggestion too. Thanks again

Small mixers, such as those from Samson, M-Audio, Tapco, Mackie, have a small footprint and allow for XLR input, line inputs, and auxiluary send/returns. They also allow for induction of noise, if you don't use good cables, and keep them clear of power sources.
I'd struggle with not having one, myself.