Can I use 7.1 speakers (T7900) in a 2.1 setup?

[Chris [BEANS]]

Hi,

My dad gave me a huge box of speakers a few years back and I've never opened it.
Was looking for new speakers recently when I realised I had it so I've opened it up and it's a shiny new set of Creative T7900 7.1 speakers.

I don't have the room for a surround setup and just wondered whether these could be used properly as a 2.1 setup?

I'm pretty sure it came with an Audigy 7.1 card which I may or may not have somewhere, but I do have a Soundblaster Audigy 2 soundcard installed with six inputs in the rear but unless I'm being stupid, no mic input?

I appreciate I know nothing about soundcards and speakers so can upload pics of the inputs if what I'm saying isn't clear.

Anyway, can this be used in a 2.1 configuration?

Thanks

 

[Chris [BEANS]]

Thanks

Got the two speakers and sub set up fine, and they work great.

Couple more questions though if OK?

I don't have a 2.1 configuration option. I get 'Stereo', 'Quadrophonic', '5.1' and '7.1'.
It allows me to test the speakers for each setup and on stereo the two speakers work great, and if I select 5.1 then the sub works great too, but in simple stereo obviously the sub doesn't show up.
Any idea?

Secondly and much less important, is there any benefit to plugging in the centre speaker too?

Cheers

 

[Chris [BEANS]]

OK, sussed it

It seems that what you have to do is go for 5.1, and you later get the option to 'untick' any speakers that you don't have.
So simply unticking centre speaker and rear speakers will leave you with a 2.1 setup.

After all the faffing about I've actually gone for 5.1!
The rear speakers are under the sofa at their respective ends and pointing out and away. Obviously this isn't how they're intended to be used, so I wasn't expecting it to work, but it's still surprisingly effective

Really appreciate your help on this one