Connectivity Help

[acebake]

I just purchased a set of Creative T5400 5.1 speakers. I'm trying to plug them into my laptop, and I realized that I have to have a stereo cable for the AUX port on the subwoofer, since my laptop is not 5.1. I happen to have a very short one, and tried it, but some of the speakers aren't playing.

I thought it didn't matter if you had 2.1 or 5.1, all of the speakers would play regardless. What do I need to get this setup to work (is it software, hardware, what?)?


Thanks!

 

[Bozo Galora]

I'm a bit confused here - you want to play 5.1 DVD's? from a stereo receptacle? Or 2.1 stereo into 5.1 speakers?
If you want at least 4 speakers to play just use "Y" splitters for all the leads that connect to "working" speaker cables

First of all, your laptop prob has onmotherboard sound chip (not a sep card) - which you say does not support 5.1 > To get 5.1 OUT you need Optical or Coaxial S/PDIF Out. If so you would need player software preloaded that supports this - comes with 5.1 hardware.

For what I think you really need is a USB external sound card would be the ticket (they even show a laptop in the pics)
http://www.creative.com/products/produc...ategory=1&subcategory=204&product=9103

 

[acebake]

Thank you for the reply! I actually bought a similar Creative thing today, and now I'm on 5.1.

I have a new question: what's the best way to "optimize" sound? I just want to make sure I'm getting the best possible sound out of the speakers.


Thanks!

 

[acebake]

BUmp up. Thanks to anyone who can help me!

I've noticed the sub is a bit hard on the beats, and I'd just like to optimize the sound so it sounds its best.

 

[PurdueRy]

prolly not much you can do, its a computer speakers system, they aren't not deisgned with a dreat deal of sound quality in mind.Try changine to bass crossover frequejcy to something a bit higher. Thats about all I can tell you