Sound Blaster Z no 2.1??

markymoo · 21 Mar 2014 at 17:05

Hi everyone, been trying to find out if i can do the following and up to now can't work it out.

I'm trying to get 2.1 through my speakers but there doesn't seem to be an option for this only Stereo at 2.0!?

Anyone tell me how to get 2.1 and my sub working!?

Jokester · 21 Mar 2014 at 17:06

How are you connecting your sub/speakers?

markymoo · 21 Mar 2014 at 17:14

Jokester said:
How are you connecting your sub/speakers?

They are Acoustic Energy Aego M 2.1
The speakers plug into the sub and then a 3.5mm phono lead plugs into the speaker plug in the back.

2.1 was an option when i had my Xtreme Music Soundcard.

For headphone gaming the soundcard is marginally better, but if this is what it's like for using my 2.1 speakers i'm unsure on the trade-off!?

I got it mainly for my ne philips fidelio X1 headphones for that bit extra power with the headphone amp.

Angst · 21 Mar 2014 at 17:56

have you tried reinstalling drivers it should just work with 2.1.

Jokester · 21 Mar 2014 at 18:00

Mine's just a stereo output to my Aego's. To be honest I don't think anything of it as the speakers handle the filtering for the bass rather than the sound card.

Marsman · 21 Mar 2014 at 18:13

As Jokester said, the Aego's handle the lower frequencies sent to the subwoofer and the higher to the satellites. 2.0 and 2.1 are the same as far as the sound card is concerned, as all frequencies are sent through that one connection.

markymoo · 22 Mar 2014 at 13:19

Wonder why the Extreme music had option of 2.1 which did make them operate in 2.1?
I'm not really sure apart from the extra volume for my headphones and not having to change the cords around if I've actually got an upgrade!?

Hmmmmm I'm hoping side by side there might be but bit upset I lose 2.1 cos used to sound good on the Aego's, strange why they would omit this setting!

Jokester · 22 Mar 2014 at 13:37

You sure it wasn't 2/2.1? I know this what I used to select.

Marsman · 22 Mar 2014 at 14:06

That's correct, it was 2/2.1. There were no separate 2.0 and 2.1 options.

Mick-1965 · 22 Mar 2014 at 14:07

In the SB control panel under the speakers/ Headphones tab.
Cant you select 5.1 surround and then un-select "centre" and "rear pair" in the "optional speakers" bit

markymoo · 22 Mar 2014 at 20:09

Marsman said:
That's correct, it was 2/2.1. There were no separate 2.0 and 2.1 options.

Yeah mentioned 2.1 all the same, this just 2.0, will try the 5.1 again but sure tried already with no luck. 2.1 has to be a fairly popular setting at PC, but either way strange how can have 5.1 and not support 2.1.
Thanks anyways.

Jokester · 22 Mar 2014 at 20:24

The difference with 5.1 though is, there's a specific channel for the .1. In a 2.1 setup there isn't, it's 2 channel stereo and then the speaker filters the low frequencies.

markymoo · 22 Mar 2014 at 20:57

Jokester said:
The difference with 5.1 though is, there's a specific channel for the .1. In a 2.1 setup there isn't, it's 2 channel stereo and then the speaker filters the low frequencies.

Oh....so it's a problem with the soundcard differentiating the low frequencies then!? Still don't explain why though if Xtreme music card could.
Will see if there is a work around but shame if it's just the hardware and not software related. But then am sure others must have emailed creative and they have opted not to allow it, or there's a shuttle difference between my 2.1 setup and other speaker systems!?

Rroff · 22 Mar 2014 at 21:08

Went back to my Xtreme Music - mostly coz its the only soundcard out of those I have that works properly with BF4 but nothing else really seems like an upgrade and I have/had a couple of variants of the Xonar and a Z to play with. Like the old Live! definitely getting my moneys worth.

Jokester · 22 Mar 2014 at 21:37

markymoo said:
Oh....so it's a problem with the soundcard differentiating the low frequencies then!? Still don't explain why though if Xtreme music card could.
Will see if there is a work around but shame if it's just the hardware and not software related. But then am sure others must have emailed creative and they have opted not to allow it, or there's a shuttle difference between my 2.1 setup and other speaker systems!?

If you've an issue with the bass, either you've done something in the settings EQ wise (Crystaliser perhaps) or it's a problem with speaker itself.

My Creative Z setup with the Aego's works fine.

zom247 · 10 Nov 2014 at 18:06

Sorry for reviving an old thread but I've just installed a Creative Z card to go with my Aego M speakers. Just got stereo selected at the moment but are there any other settings I should use in the SB software to get the best sound?

TwsT · 10 Nov 2014 at 19:42

No,

infact most of the Z options are cack. maybe play with the EQ till it meets your taste