Add 5.1 speakers to 2.1

adieitan96 · 08 May 2013

Hi, i have 2.1 harman kardon system sound stick 3 and i have 5.1 logitech x540. I have on board 6 audio jacks, i want to add to the 2.1 speakers the 5.1, ive already tried it and it worked, i wanted to know if nothing will happen to the motherboard, if it can stop because of over load. I have the 2.1 speaker connected to the green jack, and if i hook up the 5.1 speakers, than im not using the fronts left and right im just adding the center rear and one more bass. Can i do this without worring that something will happen to my motherboard ?
Thank you.

Sub Styler · 08 May 2013

Your motherboard will output 2VA Max of audio signal on each jack, the number of devices connected will not overload the motherboard but decrease the power available to each device. Are you using splitters?

adieitan96 · 08 May 2013

Im not using anything, i just took the logitech speakers and connected the black jack (rear speakers) and the orange jack (center and sub) and the harman kardon connected to the green jack. That way both of the speaker system works. So can i keep it without worring about anything ? Because the harman kardon has 65 watts and the logitech has 70 watts RMS. so im just want to be sure that the ports will not burn or something.

Sub Styler · 08 May 2013

Not an issue at all, the wattage to the speakers is an isolated circuit between the speakers and their amp (usually built into the sub unit which connects the the mains supply). The 3.5mm output supplies the amp with 2VA max, you could connect any power sytem to each of the outputs with no issue.

kbrady1979 · 08 May 2013

You should try the 5.1 system by itself and take the 2.1 system out of the loop.

Dude · 08 May 2013

I think that will cause a conflict.

kbrady1979 · 08 May 2013

Even if there is no immediate conflict.......the 5.1 and 2.1 is called a system for a reason. I'd use one or the other.

Sub Styler · 08 May 2013

You wont get true 5.1 surround unless all 6 channel (2 per jack) are connected to the 5.1 system. But if you are simply after volume then carry on the way you are. The main benefit will come from having a second subwoofer,

Sub Styler · 08 May 2013

The 2.1 system obviously has more powerful speakers, as they achieve a similar RMS output with 3 less satellites. I would use the 2.1's for the front channel, and if the 5.1 system does not actively switch inputs to emulate 5.1 I would connect the centre and rear channels to that system but connect the front speakers from the 5.1 to the Rear speaker RCA output, leaving the rear speakers from the 5.1 system redundant. This will give you True 5.1 (5.2 really) with the maximum RMS output available!

adieitan96 · 09 May 2013

I get the idea, i just wanted to know if its safe to do like this, now they are all connected and its working very good, if its safe than ill keep it that way :) thank you all !