5.1 speaker system confusion

esuhl

I'd previously had my PC connected to a stereo amp, but I just bought a 5.1 speaker system on eBay (the Logitech X-530) and I can't seem to get the centre speaker working.

The central speaker itself worked fine when I connected it in another position, so I assume that there's a fault in the sub-unit...

Also, I used to split the stereo output from my PC, so it would drive my hi-fi as well as my old desktop speakers at the same time. With the 5.1 setup, I don't have a stereo output for my hi-fi any more. :-/

And, since most of what I'm listening to is stereo music, the rear (and presumably centre) speaker are silent anyway. It doesn't seem worth having a 5.1 system. I only got it because it was cheap and my friend has one (which sounded amazing for the money).

So... is there an adaptor that can convert a bog-standard 2-channel stereo output from my PC to audio 5.1 connectors... (i.e. the "rear" speakers just output the same stereo as the "front" speakers and the sub works normally)?

I think this is what I'm looking for (link below), but it's £30! Almost the same price as the speakers I bought! I had a look but couldn't find any cheaper alternatives. Do they exist? Could I make an adaptor myself by connecting the pins in the right way?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Logitech-5-1-Games-Console-Audio-Adapter-RCA-to-3-5-mm-PlayStation-Xbox-Pc-/322392463899?hash=item4b10169a1b:g:400AAOSwy4hUT8TQ

Any advice for a newcomer to the world of 5.1 audio?!

System

The reason your centre speaker isn't working is because your computer is only outputting stereo sound.

You could buy a splitter to split the single output into two but personally I'd bite the bullet and buy a soundcard and get proper 5.1 surround. You'll love it when watching DVD/Netflix/Amazon

This internal Creative Soundblaster does 5.1 and is £18.99
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Creative-Sound-Blaster-Channel-Surround/dp/B003AHC5SK/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1485888915&sr=8-6&keywords=creative+soundblaster+pci

If you don't want to open the case you can get a USB soundcard for the same price

https://www.amazon.co.uk/CSL-8-channel-simultaneous-recording-equipment/dp/B01HM5KP5A/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1485888981&sr=8-5&keywords=5.1+soundcard+usb

esuhl

Oh, no -- the onboard soundcard supports 7.1, 5.1, 4.0 and 2.0 stereo. It's just that I previously only used the stereo output as I only had stereo speakers.

I turned on "speaker fill", so I now get "surround sound" from the rear speakers when I'm playing stereo audio. But I still can't get the centre speaker working. Actually... it seems like the rear speakers only work with certain audio files. :-/

Anyway, it seems that the outputs are auto-sensing and are digitally reconfigured depending on what's plugged in... So I can't use the 2.0 stereo output at the same time as a 5.1 output... (The lime green socket changes from being a stereo line out to a front speaker output.)

But... is it possible to change this 5.1 system into a 2.1? I can get rid of the non-working centre speaker, move the rear speakers to the front (so they're in two pairs), and hook up my old stereo system...?

And is there anything else I can try to get the centre speaker working?

It's annoying -- the system actually sounds quite good. But if I can't get it working as a true 5.1 system and still have the old stereo connected, or can't find a way to convert the three 3.5mm cables to a single stereo one, I'm not sure what I'm going to do with it... :-/

System

On the back of the computer is there more than one speaker socket like below (ignore the arrow)? If so then one of them is for left/right front (usually green) another is for left/right rear (black) and the third is for centre/subwoofer (Orange). Grey is for side speakers if you do 7.1.



2.1 is left, right, sub so no centre speaker. Without anything plugged into the orange connector you'd not get sound out of the centre.

googler

If you're just playing stereo music, forget about 5.1 and hook the PC up to a 'proper' stereo HiFi system.

esuhl

Tarambor wrote: »

On the back of the computer is there more than one speaker socket like below (ignore the arrow)? If so then one of them is for left/right front (usually green) another is for left/right rear (black) and the third is for centre/subwoofer (Orange). Grey is for side speakers if you do 7.1.

2.1 is left, right, sub so no centre speaker. Without anything plugged into the orange connector you'd not get sound out of the centre.

Arghhhhhhhhhhh!!! That's it! The RED mic socket on the back of my PC is so faded that it matched the colour of the ORANGE plug! Yesssssss!!!! I swapped the plug over and have proper 5.1 sound!!!

:T

Excellent! Thank you so much! I thought I'd bought a dud! Phew!

googler wrote: »

If you're just playing stereo music, forget about 5.1 and hook the PC up to a 'proper' stereo HiFi system.

Yeah... I actually wanted a "normal" stereo system. I just heard this particular setup at my friend's house and it sounded amazing. He's got a pretty expensive soundcard and in-line amp, so maybe that's why it sounded so good.

Anyway, I'd love to know if there's a (cheap and easy) way to get a stereo output to connect the old hi-fi. Could I get another cheap soundcard with a stereo output and use that in addition to the onboard 5.1 output...?

googler

esuhl wrote: »

Anyway, I'd love to know if there's a (cheap and easy) way to get a stereo output to connect the old hi-fi. Could I get another cheap soundcard with a stereo output and use that in addition to the onboard 5.1 output...?

Is there a Tape Out or Line Out on the 5.1 ???

RumRat

You could get a Chromecast audio and plug it into the Aux in at your stereo. Then you can cast any music from your PC or phone using Googleplay Music.

esuhl

googler wrote: »

Is there a Tape Out or Line Out on the 5.1 ???

No. There's a headphone socket on one of the speakers, but it automatically mutes the 5.1 system. Ideally I want to be able to listen the 5.1 system and the stereo at the same time.

RumRat wrote: »

You could get a Chromecast audio and plug it into the Aux in at your stereo. Then you can cast any music from your PC or phone using Googleplay Music.

Interesting, but I'm guessing there would be a bit of a lag between the cabled 5.1 speakers and the wireless stereo input... And they cost £30 -- the same price as the inline adaptor I mentioned in the OP...

Hmmm...

RumRat

esuhl wrote: »

Interesting, but I'm guessing there would be a bit of a lag between the cabled 5.1 speakers and the wireless stereo input... And they cost £30 -- the same price as the inline adaptor I mentioned in the OP...

Hmmm...

Sorry, I misunderstood, I thought you wanted the Stereo as a separate output, to use as an alternative to the 5.1set up not to use simultaneously.
I got 2 for £30, they have offers on regularly to get them out there.

googler

esuhl wrote: »

Ideally I want to be able to listen the 5.1 system and the stereo at the same time.

What on earth for !?!?!?!