Hooking up surround sound to PC

[Zoarr]

Hi, I recently purchased a 5.1 home theater system from Monoprice (http/www.monoprice.com/Product/?c_id=109&cp_id=10906&cs_id=1090601&p_id=8247&seq=1&format=3#specification) and I'd like to hook it up to my PC, which I know is 5.1 compatible.
I have the subwoofer(which is powered) connected via a y adapter to my RCA headphone jack but I don't know how to get my speakers to work. They are not powered.

 

[DeauteratedDog]

You need an amplifier - there are a couple of basic options:
1) a 5-channel amp plugged into the 5 analog outputs on your soundcard/motherboard (or 5 1-channel amps).
2) a 5.1-channel SPDIF DAC & amplifier plugged into the SPDIF digital output on your soundcard/motherboard.

In either case, that amplifier can be either a dedicated device, or a general purpose A/V receiver.

How much are you thinking of spending on it?

I use an A/V receiver and feed it SPDIF for gaming sound, and use it as a networked DLNA renderer for stereo music.

 

[Zoarr]

You need an amplifier - there are a couple of basic options:
1) a 5-channel amp plugged into the 5 analog outputs on your soundcard/motherboard (or 5 1-channel amps).
2) a 5.1-channel SPDIF DAC & amplifier plugged into the SPDIF digital output on your soundcard/motherboard.

In either case, that amplifier can be either a dedicated device, or a general purpose A/V receiver.

How much are you thinking of spending on it?

I use an A/V receiver and feed it SPDIF for gaming sound, and use it as a networked DLNA renderer for stereo music.

I'd like to keep at as cheap as possible without sacrificing TOO much quality. If it does the job fine, then I'd like it. and thank you.

 

[thee_prisoner]

Since those speakers aren't powered you need something to power them , for example an amp. Looking at the price you paid for the speakers, you probably don't want to spend a lot of money on buying separate amps/preamp. Separates are the most flexible if you want to upgrade.

So unfortunately at this point you will have to buy a receiver(compared to separates which offer more flexibility and quality). But on the high side, you can find a cheap/used 5.1 receiver to power the speakers.

The best output will be analog or HDMI(HDMI maybe better and more convenient), SPDIF has it's problems but works ok.

The question is, what are you using these speakers for and what brand/model of computer do you have? So we can suggest just running them out of a headphone jack. If that is all you have, then get 3.5mm mini plug stereo to rca cable into the receiver. You won't get true surround(it will be simulated surround) this way because to get true/discreet 5.1/7.1 and etc you will have to go analog or HDMI.

PS: Never skimp on speakers; they are the most important part of any audio system.

Be seeing you, the Prisoner...

 

[DeauteratedDog]

Is something like this too much?

http/www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16882117409

It does much more that what you are asking for, but if you can also use it as part of your home-audio or home-theater system, it is a pretty good value; if not, it is probably much more than what you want.

You can connect it either analog, SPDIF, or networked (DLNA).

 

[Zoarr]

Since those speakers aren't powered you need something to power them , for example an amp. Looking at the price you paid for the speakers, you probably don't want to spend a lot of money on buying separate amps/preamp. Separates are the most flexible if you want to upgrade.

So unfortunately at this point you will have to buy a receiver(compared to separates which offer more flexibility and quality). But on the high side, you can find a cheap/used 5.1 receiver to power the speakers.

The best output will be analog or HDMI(HDMI maybe better and more convenient), SPDIF has it's problems but works ok.

The question is, what are you using these speakers for and what brand/model of computer do you have? So we can suggest just running them out of a headphone jack. If that is all you have, then get 3.5mm mini plug stereo to rca cable into the receiver. You won't get true surround(it will be simulated surround) this way because to get true/discreet 5.1/7.1 and etc you will have to go analog or HDMI.

PS: Never skimp on speakers; they are the most important part of any audio system.

Be seeing you, the Prisoner...

It's for entertainment. Primarily gaming, movies and music.

I built my own computer just recently and this is the motherboard I used.
http/www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0072X9194/ref=oh_details_o03_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

According to the manual it's 5.1 compatible even though it only has the 3 RCA jacks in the back. From my understanding, they do different jobs. An example is the headphone jack will be for the sub/center, and the others for the front speakers and the back.

 

[thee_prisoner]

The jacks do different jobs. Sometimes the less expensive mobos don't have enough audio jacks. Many will have 6 or more not just three.

There was a thread a while ago on how to get 5.1 from just the three jacks but you need to research Realtek HD audio 5.1 because I can't remember the configuration. The other problem is it is tough to find a new receiver that supports 5.1/7.1 etc analog unless you buy a mid to high end surround pre-amp or receiver.

The other option is if your video card has HDMI out for the audio side of things.

I use a surround sound pre-amp with separate amps so I can switch components around to my liking but it is a more expensive option upfront but cheaper(or at least not alot more) in the long run.

PS: It really pisses me off that mobo manufacturers advertise 5.1/7.1 etc them as compatible but since most don't either have the correct inputs/outputs or even the right codecs is somewhat false advertising. A lot of them say it is capable for 5.1 etc. But to add encoding like Dolby and DTS, the mobos would cost more do to licensing costs.

I'm not sure if my information helped but hopefully it will help you and others to research the audio side of mobos before purchase.

be seeing you, the Prisoner...