Joining 2 pairs of different speakers...

[SiLeNcERr]

Is this possible?
I mean to join 2 pairs of speakers of different firms and get them to work as four.
With a SoundBlaster Live! Player 1024 sound card.

Thanks in advance,
SiLeNcER

 

[SiLeNcERr]

help

 

[xtreme2k]

well all you need is a jack splitter

 

[Scoober]

If all you want to do is have four speakers (two pair) connected to your soundcard, do as xtreme2k says and get a splitter (as long each has a 1/8 inch plug). RadioShack has them. Put it in the back of the sound card and plug in both pairs of speakers.

BTW, I'm using the same setup but instead of going to another set of speakers, I have it going to my stereo in the living room. This way, I can play MP3's in the office (on my Altec Lansing's) AND on the stereo which is wired throughout the house and backyard. It's pretty slick!

 

[SiLeNcERr]

This jack splitter, is it expensive?
Any reference sites?

thanx alot

 

[SiLeNcERr]

Oh let me add that i want the four speakers to work as four, with my card..
I mean like four sats with a subwoofer like in Creative's Four Point or something.

 

[Scoober]

RadioShack carries the splitter for about $3.99. It's a molded piece of plastic with one male 1/8" jack and two female 1/8" receptacles on the opposite end. (I originally got mine years ago to share my walkman with a buddy - two headphones plugged in).

Unfortunately, you will not get TRUE "Four Point Surround." Since you'll be splitting one output on your soundcard, whatever sound that goes to one pair of speakers will have to go to the other pair as well - they share the same input. It will definitely be a "surroundED" sound, but not real surround sound, like Dolby.

However, if one set of speakers has a subwoofer, it will still be enabled.

I hope that makes sense!

Try this link to RadioShack:
Stereo 1/8" Jack Adapter

 

[SiLeNcERr]

Thanx a lot for your help
I guess I'll prefer the creative's Four Point or something. I want Dolby

Bye.

 

[Noriaki]

You have 2 sets of 2 speakers, yes?

You want one set to be the front left and right channels, and you want the second set to be the surroud left and right channels, correct?

You plug one set into the Front Output (green) on the SBLive!, and the 2nd set into the Rear Output (black).

You then proceed to put the two front speakers in front of you and the two rear speakers behind you...and you will get 4 discrete channels.
You'll have some volume balancing to do, but that's not that hard.

This stuff about the splitter will make you have two front Left and two front rights, with no rear (surround) channels.

 

[SiLeNcERr]

Thank you Noriaki
What about the subwoofer. Is it needed or can it be skipped?

SiLeNcER

 

[Noriaki]

On the SBLive! I think it positions even very low frequency sounds, so you can use a front and a rear sub

Some sound cards don't position low frequency, so the rear sub might be useless, or at best a mirror of the front.

 

[Scoober]

Sorry to lead you down the wrong path. From the initial message and response, I was under the impression that you only had one output on the soundcard, in which case, a splitter would be needed to connect multiple sets of speakers.

But still, keep in mind the splitter if you want to jam mp3's on your home stereo!

 

[StrangeRanger]

FYI: sub-woofers are a very nice addition for gaming/movies but are not absolutely necessary. also, you must have a dedicated sub output jack, or a crossover installed in the line out to one of your sats. or it will not work well. annnddddd...subs are not directional, so it does not matter/will not make a difference what channel the sub is on or where it is placed. the sound waves generated from a sub are not recognized by the human ear as having a direction.
j

 

[sandorski]

Subwoofers not necessary?! WTH?!

You are right about directionality though.

 

[cavingjan]

I've got a great set of peavy speakers for my computer. Bought a sub and felt a difference and heard a different. Unfortunately the heard isn't necessarily a good thing. It spends half the time turned off. Nice for games with impact (MW2, MW3, Unreal) but its just too overbearing on most things it seems. Diablo one just thumped like a dead fish. So, no, a sub is not necessary. Just a luxury.