5.1 speakers with only 2 input jacks? (and sound card question)

[Torghn]

I was looking at a pair of 5.1 speakers and it only has 2 input jacks (so 4 channels). How does this work? Is it just a 4.1 set that pulls the center channel from the left front and right front? They sound really nice for $60 speakers.

The other question I have is what sound card to get. Right now I'm just using a crappy integrated sound card and I really need to upgrade. I can get a SoundBlaster 256 (used from a friend) for $11 or I can get a new SouldBlaster OEM 5.1 for $25. Is there any difference between these cards besides the one being 5.1 and the other 4.1? Since the speakers I was looking at only need a front and rear jack seems the SB256 would work great.

Also would it be worth it to get an Audigy at this point (OEM for $66 shipped at newegg)? Could I really tell the diffrence on a 65W RMS analog set of speakers?

Thanks,
Torghn

 

[BCYL]

Which set of 5.1 speakers specifically were you looking at?

If the speaker set accepts S/PDIF input, it only needs 1 coaxial-type jack to get 5.1 digital surround sound...

Are those 2 jacks both headphone type jacks?

 

[Torghn]

They're the Prosonic 747s, and no they do not take S/PDIF, and yes it uses 2 sterio jacks hence the 4 channels.

 

[Agamar]

No way these speakers peak at 1000 watts...It would be impossible for a 3" cone to do that.

 

[Torghn]

The entier unit peaks at 1000W, that's 77W per speaker and 615 for the sub. Besides that's PMPO which means next to nothing. It's the 65W RMS that's important.

Anyways can any one answer either the sound card question or tell me how much only haveing 4 discreat channels will effect a 5.1 system.

 

[Torghn]

Anyone?