Slightly confused about Motherboard sound options

[Fantail]

Ok this post is probably going to make me 'sound' like a wing-nut but here it goes.
First, always been happy with plain old stereo speakers before, no frills decent sound. Now, with 7 and media center I'm looking to go 2.1 maybe 4/5.1 for movies and jazz up a few games.

Good plan? So I check the manual and this is the jazz I see:

Center/Subwoofer Speaker Out Jack (Orange)
Use this audio jack to connect center/subwoofer speakers in a 5.1/7.1-channel audio configuration.
Rear Speaker Out Jack (Black)
Use this audio jack to connect rear speakers in a 4/5.1/7.1-channel audio configuration.
Side Speaker Out Jack (Gray)
Use this audio jack to connect side speakers in a 7.1-channel audio configuration.
Line Out Jack (Green)
The default line out jack. Use this audio jack for a headphone or 2-channel speaker. This jack can be used to connect front speakers in a 4/5.1/7.1-channel audio configuration.​

I don't want to buy the wrong speakers/set-up. So for a plain 2.1 I would use just the (Green) jack and I'm told this will do 2.1 but what gives with the (Orange) jack.
I guess 4.1 is out of the question unless I do two sets of stereo speakers and a seprate sub?
That leaves 5.1 I guess. I don't understand what the deal/use of the (orange) jack is all about if 2.1 4/5.1 speaker sets bleed off the (green) for .. is it to early to start drinking? :huh:​

 

[Tews]

(d)

 

[nate42nd]

(d)

LOL Wow! I wish I could follow that post. I sincerely hope someone can help you.

 

[stormy13]

In most cases a 2.1 set (two fronts and a sub) connect to the green on the sound card, with that cable going to the sub and the fronts running off of it. Same goes for most 5.1 sets; the fronts, rears and center/sub all connect to the appropriate jacks on the sound card (with the three cables usually in a bundle), something like this,

http://images17.newegg.com/is/image/newegg/36-121-006-S08

 

[Tews]

I figured since i couldnt follow the post, might as well have a shot or two....or three.... :roflmao:♦

 

[fseal]

Well since the center channel and subwoofer frequency ranges do not cross at all (Each set of amps/speakers would filter out the others freq range) It's apparently being used for both. So if you have a center channel AND subwoofer output you need to put a Y cable into the orange jack and run one to the center and the other to sub.

It LOOKS like the way the sound is setup you don;t get any sub if you don;t have a center channel but sometimes the manuals can be a bit terse and not fully explaing things. Give 2.1 a try, it'll either work or it wont. But given that 4 ch has no sub listed there may not actually be any 2.1 either. I'd try it anyway, you never know.

 

[stormy13]

Well since the center channel and subwoofer frequency ranges do not cross at all (Each set of amps/speakers would filter out the others freq range) It's apparently being used for both. So if you have a center channel AND subwoofer output you need to put a Y cable into the orange jack and run one to the center and the other to sub.

It LOOKS like the way the sound is setup you don;t get any sub if you don;t have a center channel but sometimes the manuals can be a bit terse and not fully explaing things. Give 2.1 a try, it'll either work or it wont. But given that 4 ch has no sub listed there may not actually be any 2.1 either. I'd try it anyway, you never know.

You sure about any of that? This is from the manual for the back of the speakers I linked to,



and yes the sub and center both go off the same cable. And a 2.1 set will be similar in that there is only one cable connected between the speakers and the sound card, with the fronts connecting to the sub.

 

[fseal]

Well weather there is a single wire going to your center and sub for your speaker system or weather you need a Y cable because the amp inputs are seperate is a matter of your exact speaker setup.

I don't use PC speakers myself, I use a pair of autio monitoers and a seperate sub so in that case you need to run the sub off a seperate wire from center (if you wanted to use center). If you have a PC speaker set that is relatively current to your MB and all the wire colors match then you can just match color for color and go

 

[Fantail]

Alrighty well I think with this new ammunition I can tackle a problem if one pops up. Thanks guys, I'll look at a decent 2.1 system and if that works out - upgrade.