PC Gaming and 5.1 Audio

Trancer · 14 Jul 2014 at 21:44

Hi all,

So is it just me or are hardware vendors and games developers not bothering with 5.1 audio any more. There's hardly any 5.1 packages to purchase and the games are lacking 5.1 audio. Is there a solution here i'm missing as I thought the PC gaming community would be all over 5.1 sound.

shankly1985 · 14 Jul 2014 at 21:46

I can't remember the last game I played that didn't support 5.1.
Can you point out what games you having trouble with? If you mean dolby or DTS from a game to sound system then you need dolby live or DTS connect.

Trancer · 14 Jul 2014 at 21:57

I may have been slightly hasty with the games support actually. Far Cry 3 didn't show having 5.1 in the options, but when i went into the game i could hear all the sounds...

But, There definitely does seem to be a lack of 5.1 systems about. I've also noticed they recommend you put the effects speaker to the side of you, whereas I always thought they go to your rear. They seem to sound better when they are behind me.

rids57 · 14 Jul 2014 at 22:04

Because most people are playing using headsets or headphones maybe?

Trancer · 14 Jul 2014 at 22:19

rids57 said:
Because most people are playing using headsets or headphones maybe?

Could be I guess. I have a nice pair of Audio Technica AD700's but still I thought 5.1 speakers would be where its at.

shankly1985 · 14 Jul 2014 at 22:27

You correct on placing the rear speakers behind you. When you have side speakers that's 7.1

Trancer · 14 Jul 2014 at 22:28

shankly1985 said:
You correct on placing the rear speakers behind you. When you have side speakers that's 7.1

Exactly what i thought, but the Logitech manual shows them to the side, and in Windows 7 Sound setting the picture also shows them to the side. IF you want to select 'rear' speakers you have to select the 7.1 option.

shankly1985 · 14 Jul 2014 at 22:37

Maybe there correct? Haa either way it shouldn't matter with me the rear does play as normal. But I do use DTS connect for sound system. This encodes 2.0 from game to 5.1 and sends to receiver were it's decoded and played back.
I also have roccat Kave 5.1 and I don't think they a game I played so far that hasn't had 5.1.

melmac · 14 Jul 2014 at 23:29

Trancer said:
Exactly what i thought, but the Logitech manual shows them to the side, and in Windows 7 Sound setting the picture also shows them to the side. IF you want to select 'rear' speakers you have to select the 7.1 option.

In 5.1 the surround speakers are to the side and slightly behind the listening position. It depends on the type of surround speaker what angle to face it.

In 7.1 the rear surrounds are more at the rear.

wazza300 · 14 Jul 2014 at 23:38

select 7.1 and disable the side speakers

ive had to do that a few times

but it should give you 5.1 side and 5.1 rear options