**Surround Sound ?? **

collisster

collisster

collisster

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Joined
23 May 2006
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Blythe
I've got some creative 4.1 surround sound speakers FPS1600, I've had them like 5 years :p I have no intentions of replacing them, I was having a look at them today and noticed that they only have 2 leads going to my mobo which has like 7.1 sound i think. then the cables go to the subwoofer and it splits them into 4 satallite speakers. I'm wondering whether I actually have the true rear sound or is it just left or right? I'm very confused about whether I actually have surround sound or not. I was thinking about plugging the satallites directly into the mobo but the plugs have no colour coding.

Please help.
Thanks
 
I think it's fine as it is, true surround. Each lead is stereo, and one carries front L+R, the other rear L+R. The sub channel is a mix of just bass from these channels, it is done inside the unit. The plugs are green and black i'm suspecting? You may have the same set we have downstairs, which arn't bad for computer speakers (cambridge soundworks branding?). So yeah, don't change anything and certainly don't try to plug the satellites directly in, if you managed to it could destroy the mobo's sound section :eek:
 
yeh they are creative cambridge sound works, as long as I've got surround sound, just need mounts now :p even though ive had them for 5 years they are still working fine are yours? what should I get new speakers or soundcard?
 
I think our first set broke fairly quickly, but they were covered by guarantee so were replaced. The current identical set has been working for about 3 years i'd think, though the power button did break I just put a crocodile clip over it so it's pernamently on (off at wall overnight though), been like that for ages now :D

You are thinking about replacing them then? Whether you get speakers or a new card depends what you want, though buying one begs the other. A card will give you EAX in games and some features like that, and should also improve the sound quality (though how audible the difference would be I couldn't say, not much i'd expect). Buying a new speaker set can dramatically improve the sound quality, but if connected to a poor sound source they might show up flaws in its output. If you went with a new speaker set i'd say you'd have to go with the Logitech Z-5500's or better for it to be worthwhile doing. The obvious choice for card is the X-Fi :)
 
It adds effects in games. The most noticeable effect i've heard is that you get echos/reverb in rooms as you move around the game environment. I think they are up to EAX 3 now. Of course it only does anything if it is a game that supports it and it is activated in the game :)
 
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