New speaker setup! Help needed!
 

Okay, I just got a sweet set of Klipsch THX surround speakers with a nice subwoofer, and it sounds excellent. There's just one problem: my onboard sound card doesn't have two speaker out jacks (or two out jacks at all, actually), so only the "front" set of speakers works.

My question: Do you good people think there's any way I can get both front and back sets of speakers working? My onboard only has jacks for speakers, line in and microphone. There's a "headphone" jack on the front of my comp, but when I tried plugging the second cord into it, it preempted the speaker jack in the back and I still only got sound from two speakers instead of four. I was wondering if perhaps one of those headphone splitters from Radio Shock(ingly High Prices) might work to split the sound, but even if it did, would it split the channels as well so I'd only get left channel sound from the "front" speakers and right from the "rear" ones?

Any and all help greatly appreciated. (Even if it's telling me that it just won't work without getting another sound card.)

Yes you can easily get a splitter, and have all 5 speakers running. But, why not go for the gold. Get a nice new sb live or another 5.1 certf'd. sound card that supports 5 speakers.

Shouldnt cost more then 20 bucks, and trust me it will be worth it especially if u game or watch dvds

:)

Don't get a splitter, it'll totally ruin your sound quality. I also suggest shelling out for a new sound card that has 5.1 support as it will sounds sooo much better

Go for Soundblaster's sound card, they're a real killer.

Yeah, it would work fine, and may be a good temporary fix, but what you really want to do is what everyone else here has said: get a new soundcard. No point in spending all that money on those nice speakers to plug them into a shoddy setup.

AH, but you see, I didn't spend any money on these speakers!!!! :D My girlfriend paid for them originally when she was with her ex, and the ex finally gave them back to her. (I don't even really know the product name, just the company that makes them.)

Anyway, if a soundcard that'll handle a 5.1 surround system is available for as little as $20, maybe I'll ask for one for Christmas.

The funniest thing is that I don't really game (past D2 TCP/IP with the g/f), and I watch DVDs on our cheap little 15" tv/dvd combo. I do, however, have an extensive music collection and no non-PC sound system. (Well, there's the cheap little 15" tv/dvd combo.) These new speakers deliver concert-quality sound, and I love `em already. :D

Id still go get a nice sound card, you will appreciate the speakers much more. You can get a great card for no more than $40, so you dont have much to lose.

So, now the question becomes: What sound card do you suggest? I'm running a 2.4 GHz P-4, 512 megs RAM, XP Pro (SP 1) as the OS. Please bear in mind that I'm looking for CHEAP, because even with two channels this is better sound than I'm used to getting and I love it. (I can't set the speakers up in a surround placement anyway. The bed is right behind where I sit.)

For $45 I don't think you can beat this card. I have it in my PC and I love it.

Actually, you might be able to output through mic and line in jacks. I have an MSI motherboard with onboard audio, and through the soundcard software I'm able to do it very easily. If you haven't tried it, it may be worth a shot before upgading to a different sound card.

Funny, that looks exactly like what my girlfriend has in her computer. Too bad SHE doesn't have onboard sound so I could just gank her card from her. :P Save us some cash.

monkeysugar: Really? What soundcard software are you talking about? I am intrigued.

The Turtlebeach Santa Cruz is a fine, fine sound card but in my own humbl opinion theeeeeeeee the very best sound card on the market in the M-Audio Revolution 7.1. Unparalled sound quality. To be honest I don't care very much for Creative sound cards but when I found the M-Audio card I knew I was home. Definitely check it out.

Thanks, MahlerIsGod. There's just one question:

What's the price? I can't really spend more than $50, and don't WANT to spend more than $30-35.

Um, please try to include price in future replies, everyone. :) (You da man, sixate.)

I just checked pricewatch for that card and it came up with a $90 price tag. Clicky
That seems to be more than what you want to spend. I also chcked pricewatch for the card I suggested. They had one show up for $34 at a place called Directron, but their site is down at the monent. I've ordered stuff from that place and I've had great service with them. When their site comes back up I'll put up another link.

Creative Labs Sound Blaster Live! Dolby Digital 5.1 Sound Card $29
http://images10.newegg.com/productim...102-165-03.JPG



Creative Lab Sound Blaster Audigy ES(SB0162) Sound Card $42
http://images10.newegg.com/productim...102-166-01.JPG



Creative Labs Sound Blaster Audigy 2 ZS PCI Sound Card $88
http://images10.newegg.com/productim...102-162-03.JPG

Thanks for all of the suggestions. :) My girlfriend and I were out last night, and we ended up stopping by CompUSA where I picked out a sound card I'd like for Christmas.

Hurray! :D

why didnt anyone suggest the fortissimo III ? its like 50$ and its got 7.1 with a bunch of features! check it out before you go wasting your money on a 200$ soundblaster...