using 5.1 PC Speakers

Without the adapter or sound card, you can't use full 5.1 but only 2.1 with 3 speakers leftout, but i was wondering about some speakers with inputs like the logitech Z-5500. Is it possible to use all 5.1 by connection with input of the speakers and headphone jack from the computer? I would buy it if i can.

 

It certainly is possible but the sound quality wont be great. its alright if you arent an audiophile but the z5500 are capable of so much more and they'd be a waste if you dont every hook them up to a decent sound card. WHen i hook it up to my desktop with the Creative sound card base is much deeper and the sound clarity overall is much better.

On my mac, the headphone jack is also an optical jack. I use an optical cable and i get 5.1 sound.

On your dell, I dont think the headphone jack is optical but I wold imagine that you'd have to get some sort adapter like a headphone jack to optical or something along those lines.

Either way, you can get a USB sound card and the sound would be better.

 

ummmmmm. if your laptop/desktop doesn't support 5.1, 5.1 won't work. you will need a soundcard.

if its a desktop. most onboard sound will support 5.1

 

yes i was thinking about external card.
but i don't know which one for usb i should i get i would rather to get it from some big places like newegg. also would the x-fi for notebook good for it (new one of course)?

 

any X fi external card would be good. Creative has an extenral usb , that would be your best bet, for sound quality and getting 5.1

 

I am guessing that you are talking about the creative live! external card?
i heard it supports only usb1.1 not 2.0, which means it would generally work slower.

 

http://www.soundblaster.com/products/product.asp?category=1&subcategory=204&product=9103

Its USB 2.0 (well the NX not the Live!) the Live! is only USB1.1 any other suggestions? (especially USB) I am all up for hearing more ...so will the OP...

 

If you place through the headphone jack with those speakers you can get 5.1 surround sound. This system is so amazing it breaks it up into 5.1 it self. I hand them connected though my old TVs headphone port and thats how it worked for me atleast.

 

I had those speakers, I'm sure you know you can do that but just in case, in the back of the woofer theres a switch to change how many channel source you are using.

if you change it to 2-channels, which is what headphone jack provides, the system will distribute sounds to all 5 speakers. It just distributes the sound evenly I believe, or maybe according to some dolby standard, but if you watch a DVD with 2-channel sound output it woun't be really a positional surround sound, just all 5 speakers will work instead of two and woofer.

 

However,
They are not selling them in the US!!! (not yet)
I don't see where i can buy them. I was going to go for the X-Fi notebook but i need a adapter for it and dell doesn't carry them...
Ill just have to go with LIve! or normal

 

There is always the Audigy 2 ZS for PCMCIA!

But I think I am going to get a Live! 24bit (the silver one with remote)...because ZS cost too much for me. I have Cambridge Soundworks PCworks 4point surround sound speakers so I just want to be able to put full use to them I am not going to be doing recording or anything anyway so the USB1.1 will be fine

 

I am planning to buy a 5.1 speaker system w/ 5 speakers + subwoofer to my HP 8510p (High Definition Audio, stereo speakers, stereo headphone/line out, stereo microphone in).

My questions:
1. Can I use and enjoy of all advantage of a 5.1 sytem on my HP 8510p?
2. Is my High Definition Audio feature is enough for it or I have to buy an external audio card?
3. I can manage to connect the laptop (1 input + 1 output) jacks to the 3-cables 5.1 system by connecting 2 of those cables to 1 (transmitter?), resulting only 2 that fits to the laptop, right?

Thanks in advance.

 

You need an external card purely for connecting up the bass, front, and rear...thats the only way for the 8510p.

 

Thanks, I see. So, then maybe I will go for a wireless headset/or a 2-piece speaker.

BTW, what is better? Wireless headset or 2-pieece speaker? Or you have a better one?

 

hmmm thats an interesting one, I have a pair of in ear earphones and 4 point speakers both excellent, and not expensive (both from ebay hehe). They are both ery different, with my earphones I cannt hear things around me... I kind of enjoy my speakers more...(cambridge soundworks PCworks 4 point, $30 refurb'd )

But, my Sound Blaster 24bit Live! USB sound card just arrived this morning I am gona try them out now with my earphones