Windows 7 - Realtek HD detecting rear speaker as side (5.1)

Hi,

Ive just recently switched from vista64 to windows 7 64.

The thing is that im using logitech X-540 5.1 speakers but realtek HD is detecting my "rear" speakers as "side" speakers when I select the 5.1 option. Same thing happened in vista too.

The only way round this to select the 7.1 option and disable the "side" speakers and hence I can use "rear". The sound from the "side" speakers then comes from the ones in the front in the testing.

Now the problem is that when I play games/movies in 5.1 it probably detects my system as a 7.1 and some sound will be missing.

So how can I use the 5.1 option and keep my surround speakers as "rear" and not "side".

Thanks in advance,

P.S. Buying a new soundcard isnt an option for me.

A true 5.1 speaker system consists of subwoofer, front right and left, and surround right and left (what you may be referring to as "side"). There are no "rear" speakers in a 5.1 system.

A 7.1 system adds rear right and left.

Your Realtek HD is configuring your 5.1 speaker system correctly.

See the Dolby Home Theater Speaker Guide for correct placement of your speakers.

Hmm, come to think about it, Indeed my current speakers arrangement is quite similar to the one in the pic. But all this time I thought that those surround speakers are considered "rear" since they are behind the level of the listener's head (although not directly behind) and not directly on the side.

This pic shows my setup;
red=speakers
black=monitor
brown=seating postion

So, are the surround speakers in this case still "side"?

Yes. In fact that setup corresponds pretty closely to the diagram of 5.1 on Wikipedia although a purist might say you need to move your listening position back, or your surround speakers forward. You can compensate for the imbalance by boosting the sides to even out the sound stage.

There's a real good primer on speaker placement at ecoustics.com. Also HERE.

So I guess Realtek is doing the right thing in detecting my surround speakers as "side" and not "rear". If that is the case, then problem solved I think.

I cant move my positon around as its a computer setup, but I have indeed bumped up the volume on the "sides".