5.1 channel speakers?

Question

how to connect 5.1 channel analog speakers to my computer?
my computer is having three ports for sound: line in , line out , and mic.
and the speakers have three pins to be plugged(require three outputs )
i connected the woofer pin the mic point, and the other two pins in line in and line out respectively.
selected 5.1 configuration from the control panel.
when i played mp3 files my speaker system played like a 2.1 , i.e. the three satellite speakers were not working.
i have a creative 5.1 sbs speaker system.

Answer 1

I can easily see that your computer (MB or sound card) is not compatible with the speaker you use.



And I can also see that your speakers are not true 5.1. Because to have true 5.1 you need total 6 connections. Those are 1. LFE (subwofer) 2. Center 3. Front Left 4. Front Right. 5. Back Left 6. Back right.

If speaker has 3 sockets, and one is LFE then other two are front stereo and rear stereo, it does not have a center, or may be mono rear. And in such cases it requires compatible outputs on the PC side.



Old sound cards only provide 3 socket for Mic (MICROPHONE) and Line-in (Analog stereo INPUT) and Line-out (Analog stereo OUTPUT).

In some cases sound chip supports 5.1 or 6.1 audio, but it only means it can decode, you still have single stereo output on the back. Some time they provide a special socket or USB port to transport 5.1 from sound card to speakers.



You need 5.1 analog outputs on the computer side, therefore a true 5.1 sound card.



You CANNOT connect woofer input to the mic socket. That's insane beside it does not work. Using input sockets wont work.

Answer 2

rexxyellocat: this answer is not entirely accurate--computer soundcards use stereo 3.5mm minijack outputs; e.g., my 7.1 card has 4 stereo outputs. My suggestion is to buy a home theater system with 5.1 analog inputs on the receiver, get your 5.1 computer sound card, and run the cables from the three stereo outputs using 3.5mm stereo minijack to stereo RCA (red and white) adapter cables. This will knock the pants off of "computer speakers," because computer packages usually peak at 25, 50, 75, or at most 120 watts RMS, whereas the theater system can go to 1000watts RMS will more accurate frequency response (search the Onkyo HT-S790). In addition, the theater system can be used for your TV and DVD as well.

Answer 3

that card IS 5.1 channels, pc cards are not like home stereos, many times ports serv a dual purpose, or multiple channels, that is the case with this card.

the problem is that card has a 3.5mm digital out. that plugs into a speakers system that supports it. your creative system should. i suggest looking in the manuals fo a diagram.

Check the second link as well it gives a picture of a similiar card. may help out.

To hook to a reciever requires a specific adator.. see link below. it takes the 3.5mm and converts to a digital coax.

Answer 4

The 'mic in' and 'line in' are both input jacks. They are used to input audio signal into your computer. The only jack that will output sound on that sound card is the 'line out' jack. The previous user was correct that you will need a 5.1 channel sound card in order for your computer to output sound in true 5.1 channels.

Answer 5

You need to upgrade to a 5.1 sound card. They are pretty cheap.

Answer 6

5.1 sound card