5.1 + 2 =? 7.1

[Kermit]

I have an Audigy2 ZS Platinum Pro card hooked up to my stereo amplifier. I am currently considering to upgrade this to 7.1 by purchasing a 5.1 system. The problem is, the Audigy has a peculiar way of hooking speakers, just three outputs with two of them giving out three signals - which are also compatible with standard stereo mini-jacks. Has anyone tried this? Can I find (or make) a suitable cord?

 

[Kenazo]

so what are the connectors? Is it one front, side, rear LEFT and one front, side, rear RIGHT and then a CENTER/SUB plug? if that's the case, it won't work.

 

[Kermit]

I checked it out, and it's a bit confusing.

Line out 1 : Front left-front right. That's OK. I'll just connect this to my stereo, which will be my front speakers.
Line out 2 : Rear left, rear right and side right.
Line out 3 : Front Center, subwoofer, side left.

I've got to figure out a way to connect the last two outs to the three inputs of the 5.1 speakers...

 

[frisbfreek]

I know that to connect the gigaworks 7.1 system Creative supplies a special 7.1 cable. You should be looking for something like this I think?

http://uk.europe.creative.com/estore/product.asp?prod=598

I couldn't find it in the US creative store though, and I have no idea which colors map to which channels. I would think if you're adding 2.0 and 5.1 to make 7.1, the 2.0 set of speakers would be at the front so they don't need that 7.1 cable. Then connect the 5.1 system using the cable to your 5.1 speakers. Note that it's all analog though.

 

[Kenazo]

w/o getting one of those nifty 3-way 1/8" plugs you won't be able to get this to work (unless you want to solder directly to the card). If you can find 3-way plugs, it'll work. Or, you could just plug your 5.1 speakers in and have 5.1 sound.

 

[Kermit]

frisbfreek, yeah that cable can do it. Don't know if I can find it though... Otherwise I'll have to hack/solder myself a 2x3-way/3x2-way cable.

 

[ndee]

Originally posted by: Kermit
frisbfreek, yeah that cable can do it. Don't know if I can find it though... Otherwise I'll have to hack/solder myself a 2x3-way/3x2-way cable.

you're sure that's worth the hassle?

 

[frisbfreek]

Well, what is your budget for a new speaker system? If it's low like under $100 and you have crappy speakers to begin with, you could get the cheapo inspire 7700 (which also comes with the 7.1 cable) for $80 shipped... but I really wouldn't recommend it since 5.1 on better speakers would probably sound better. You also don't want to mismatch speakers... I wouldn't recommend the surround speakers being too much better quality than the fronts or else they'd be going to waste.
In general, you probably be better off with a quality sounding 5.1 system than a mediocre 7.1 system. The extra 2 channels are nice, but it's definitely not a night and day difference.