Member Avatar for Danniboy

hi all, me again..

i have a 4 channel PCI sound card in my system and i want to buy a set of 6 speakers 5.1, my soundcard is on this link:
http://www.dabs.com/uk/channels/components/soundcards/productView.htm?quicklinx=110J
im not sure if that soundcard is good enough for the speakers i want, will i need to buy a new soundcard? :rolleyes:

Dan.

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Dani AI

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Short answer: to drive a true 5.1 speaker set you need either a sound device that provides six discrete outputs (three stereo jacks or a matching breakout) or a way to send a multichannel digital stream to an external decoder/receiver. A four‑channel card cannot natively supply six separate channels; virtual surround processing can simulate rear/center effects from stereo but it is not the same as discrete 5.1 channels (see Dolby Pro Logic II for how virtual surround works) [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dolby_Pro_Logic_II].

How to check your current card and speakers:

  • Inspect the back of the PC: genuine 5.1 cards usually have three color‑coded analog jacks (front, rear, center/LFE) or a labeled breakout. If you only see two jacks it is stereo only. See the typical 5.1 channel layout for reference [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/5.1_surround_sound].
  • Open the driver/control panel or Windows Sound settings and look for a 5.1 speaker configuration option and a speaker test function. That will show whether the card can address six channels.
  • Verify whether the speaker set is active (powered) or passive; passive speakers need an amp or receiver between the card and the drivers.

Options if the card lacks true 5.1:

  • Replace or add a multichannel audio device that exposes six analog outputs, or use a USB multichannel DAC.
  • Use a digital connection (coaxial/TOSLINK S/PDIF) into an AV receiver that decodes 5.1 — note S/PDIF normally carries stereo PCM unless the card supports real‑time AC‑3/DTS encoding (so check for Dolby Digital Live/DTS Connect support) [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/S/PDIF].
  • Use virtual surround only for casual listening, but expect differences for music/gaming where discrete channels matter.

Practical tips: update drivers before buying; test each speaker with the driver’s tone generator; double‑check jack color/labels; and, as cautioned, cheap cards sometimes advertise extra jacks without true discrete channels. If you want reliable multichannel audio and good drivers, prioritize devices that explicitly list “6‑channel analog” or “5.1 output” in their specs.

Recommended Answers

All 6 Replies

Member Avatar for Cain

Dolby's Pro Logic II can fake it from two channels (stereo L, R)
But thats kinda fo.. then you fade f/r like 8 ohm car audio
and bridge l&r together (monoraul) for a 4 ohom center. in the dash
add a set of kicker 15" and two ghetto aftermarket 25A Amps and Viola
5.1 car audio that sounds like crap. just like it did in the late 80s / early 90s.

They recommend 6 channels.
one for each corner. (4) a center (1) and a sub (the .1)

Member Avatar for Danniboy

if im honest with you, i didnt understand a word of that, lol
im not the biggest expert,
basically i want a set of 5 speakers and one sub woofer cos im a fan of nice surround sound, but i wasnt sure if i could do that with just a standard soundcard
i believe i need to buy a new soundcard but how much should i spend on that,?....

Member Avatar for gecko614

from what i can see, its not compatible with 5.1, i think you'd have more audio jacks than places to put them.

and... .... not too much apparently.. :D

check this one out..

-G

Member Avatar for Catweazle

Oh goodness, gecko, you wouldn't want that card if you're any sort of audiophile. I'd suggest a Creative SBLive! 5.1 as a minimum acceptable card, and preferably an Audigy2 ZS card for really good quality.

Member Avatar for gecko614

yeah, but danniboy said he didnt want to spend too much, so i found one thats cheap as chips :P

i personally have an audigy 2 zs platinum pro, and its fantastic (need new speakers... the boost the audigy has causes crackle if its too loud :))
i have minor problems with involving inputs (it changes them.. so if im using a mic as my input, it assumes changing the primary input to midi synth will be just fine =/ ) but for sound quality, it certainly is top notch. well worth the 150 notes.

Member Avatar for Danniboy

i think im gettin an audigy zs soundcard 4 xmas :D
its not the pro one but its more than good enuf for me, so im gonna go wiv tht!! thanks 4 ur help again guys :)

Danniboy

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