5.1 Audio Card + 5.1 Speakers = Static in 5.1
 

Hey I have a Sound Blaster Live X-Gamer 5.1 and I recently picked up the Logitech z-640 5.1 speakers. I believe I have everything in the sound blaster drivers/program set up correctly but I still only get static and obnoxious noises whenever I attempt to play anything using 5.1. All other sound works perfect and the speaker test gives me the correct sounds on each speaker/channel. Is there something I'm missing in enabling 5.1? I have tried that new NIN re-release of Downward Spiral in 5.1 and the Boondock Saints DVD in 5.1. Both give me loud static and noises over the "real" sounds I should be hearing. Any ideas?

Some things to try
 

Spread the speakers out a bit from things like your monitor and other speakers. I've found that I seemed to get less interference with this done (provided I have the space to spread them into). Also, look in the software program that probably came with your sound card and see if you can change it from digital to analog or vice versa. Sometimes this has made a difference too (don't really know why, though).

It isnt interference I am sure, it is the same thing one would hear if they didnt have 5.1 and put the sound to 5.1 on a DVD. Also, when I set the creative drivers to "digital output only" I get no sound at all.

I have the same problem, not as much though.
I have the Creative Megaworks 5.1 and the SoundBlaster Audigy ZS and I can hear a faint white noise when nothing is being played. I don't like it but I don't know what to do.

Make sure that the newest drivers for your soundcard are installed.

Also, check to make sure that the program that you are using to play the movies is set to 5.1 surround sound, as well as in the windows control panel settings under sound.

My experience with creative sound cards has been that when u use analog out you get noise. When you use digital out the noise goes away however creative sound cards only output 5.1 digital in thier own proprietary format. Thus unless you are using thier "Creative" brand digital speaker system you will only have 2 channel digital out. They even mention this on thier product boxes with a nice "*" after they mention it has 5.1 digital output...

I have Creative brand speakers, their 5.1 "Megaworks" 500 watt system and the Creative Audigy ZS sound card but I still get the noise when nothing is being played. When I set it to digital output only, I get nothing.

Welp, I realized there are two different options for the 'Digital-Only Out'. One is in the Windows Sound Properties, the other is in Creative properties. The Digital-Out in the Creative Properties did not work but the one in the Windows Sound Properties did.

Thanks Nocuous!