Is it technically 2.1?

Inazuma · 6 Mar 2011 at 19:13

From the OS's point of view, if I have a pair of speakers and a subwoofer that connect to the computer via just one green plug, is that actually 2.1? Or is it just "stereo"

james.miller · 6 Mar 2011 at 19:14

stereo

Jokester · 6 Mar 2011 at 19:15

Just stereo as far as I'm aware, the speakers themselves take the bass out of the stereo signal they receive from the PC.

MagicBoy · 6 Mar 2011 at 19:19

Stereo. A crossover will filter out the correct frequencies for each type of speaker. The downside is no dedicated LFE channel.

Inazuma · 6 Mar 2011 at 19:25

So what product details should I be looking for when I'm hunting for actual 2.1?
Examples from OCuk would be good

With my current set up (stereo with a subwoofer), is there a way to channel it so that bass comes only/mainly from the subwoofer? I have an X-Fi ExtremeMusic card btw.

joeyjojo · 6 Mar 2011 at 20:25

As above, the speakers have a "crossover" which is effectively a low pass filter, which takes the bass frequencies and sends them to the sub, while they keep the rest.

You can only send two channels of audio (the green plug is a 3.5mm minijack, which can carry two signals and one ground = stereo sound). If you want more bass your only option is to use an EQ to pump it up.