Want to get true 5.1 from my PC

[djdean7]

Hello

I have a Z97X Gaming 3 motherboard which has S/PDIF out but my current surround sound doesn't have optical in. At the minute I am just using aux to my surround which only recognises that I have 2 speakers but I want the 5.1 set up to be picked up for each speaker and the sub. Will getting a 5.1 surround sound system with optical in allow my pc to pick up each speaker?

I am looking at getting this set up if it will pick up each speaker: http/m.lg.com/uk/home-cinema-systems/lg-BH7440P

Thanks for any help in advance

 

[iam2thecrowe]

optical will only work if your sound card is capable of encoding the 5.1 stream back into a digital stream, which it probably doesnt. The way you should do it from pc is to use 3x 3.5mm stereo - rca cables to have true 6 channels of sound fed to your amp. So you need to find a receiver/speaker system with 5.1 analog input. That lg system does not have that, nor will any of the all-in-1 systems like that. If you get dedicated 5.1 PC speakers they should all have 6 channel analog connection to your sound card.

heres a guide for you:
http/www.addictivetips.com/windows-tips/how-to-connect-51-speakers-to-your-computer/

 

[djdean7]

Would using optical only show up as two speakers on the pc again same as aux?

Would this be any better?
http/www.pcworld.co.uk/gbuk/computing-accessories/computer-accessories/pc-speakers/logitech-z906-5-1-pc-speakers-10725157-pdt.html?intcmpid=display~RR

 

[iam2thecrowe]

Would using optical only show up as two speakers on the pc again same as aux?

Would this be any better?
http/www.pcworld.co.uk/gbuk/computing-accessories/computer-accessories/pc-speakers/logitech-z906-5-1-pc-speakers-10725157-pdt.html?intcmpid=display~RR

yes, the z906 is decent, and has all the correct inputs required. I'm not a big fan of the sound of the logitech thx models, but thats a matter of personal taste. For me there is too much of a gap between the tiny satellites and the sub. Unfortunately there isnt many good pc 5.1 speakers in the current models. Edifer had some good ones that are no longer sold. Microlab have some good ones if you can find a retailer for them
http/www.microlab.com/?r=51systemen&st=full&id=649

 

[ssddx]

there are 3 ways to get 5.1 sound from your pc:

-3.5mm x 3 (used on pc speaker systems or if used to rca connectors for analog type home theaters which is getting more rare nowadays)
-optical (only if supported by both source and destination devices as its compressed)
-hdmi (to a receiver or home theater)

keep in mind some htib's (home theater in a box) may or may not support 5.1 input from any type of source (optical or hdmi) as a design limitation. its hit or miss.

if you intend to go all out and have a nice home theater system i would advise using a receiver and sending a signal to it from your pc via hdmi.

z906 is easily trumped by the energy take classic 5.1 (or knockoff monoprice 10565) paired with a receiver. or, you could do even better with higher end speakers (depending on budget). in general home theater speakers are a much better choice than pc audio.