4.1 into 5.1

[jeffeklund]

Now I know that most of you have bought in the past the klipsch 4.1 or the logitech z560 (because best bargain for the buck) but find that there are many items that want a 5.1 system, especially dvd movies and some video games. So my question is if I bought the logitech z340 to go along with my klipsch 4.1 system and hooked up the logitech z340s into the center channel, and the klipsch 4.1 into the front and rear channels of the soundblaster audigy, what effect would it have? WOuld it effectively create a 5.1 environment? Anyone experimented with this type of thing? Thanks for any advice given. No replies necessary telling me to get the klipsch 5.1 because I am looking for the best feasible possibility (although i wish i would have saved the money for them... damn my impatience).

 

[sohcrates]

yep, that would work just fine. instead of a single center channel though you'd have 2 speakers...and if the center out on the sound card is mono, you'd need to get a mono to stereo adapter, but otherwise you'd be set.

 

[MoMeanMugs]

What he said should answer you question in a nutshell. BTW, welcome to the Anandtech forums.

 

[zzzz]

How would you arrange the z340 in such config? ( Where would you put the satelites with respect to the satelites of the 4.1?)

 

[MasterHoss]

Yeah, it'll work; however, it'll sound like ass. The main reason why is that you're using relatively crappy speakers for the center channel. For an optimal "modified 5.1 set up" you would get the PM 4.1s and the PM 2.1s. Those speakers would all be voice-matched and have the same crossover frequncies, frequency response, etc.

Also note that when using a 2.1 speaker solution as your "center channel speaker," only the "left" speaker will act as the center channel speaker. The "right" speaker be barely audible--usually playing the crossover frequencies being sent to the subwoofer.

 

[sohcrates]

<< Also note that when using a 2.1 speaker solution as your "center channel speaker," only the "left" speaker will act as the center channel speaker. The "right" speaker be barely audible--usually playing the crossover frequencies being sent to the subwoofer. >>



yeah, but wouldn't that problem be alleviated if he was to use the mono to stereo adapter i suggested?

 

[MasterHoss]

Yeah but what's the point of that? You're only meant to have a single speaker outputting the center channel sound, right?

 

[sohcrates]

<< Yeah but what's the point of that? You're only meant to have a single speaker outputting the center channel sound, right? >>



in theory...but i've seen one or two high end home theater receivers with 2 center channel outputs....

and since he's only dealing with sound out of his computer, it's not like there's room to be hyper-critical about the sound.

you put both speakers next to each other and you most likely won't be able to tell that there's 2 instead of 1, it's no big deal.