Sound Card 5.1 vs 2.1 Question

If I buy a sound card that supports 5.1 speakers, can I use a 2.1
speaker set up? I don't have the need, money, or room for 5.1
speakers at this time but want a sound card with DSP to take some load
off the processor and the ability to upgrade to 5.1 in the future if I
so desire.

Randy wrote:
> If I buy a sound card that supports 5.1 speakers, can I use a 2.1
> speaker set up?

The short answer is 'yes'.

The long answer is 'yeeeeeeeeeeeeessssssssssssssssssssss'.
Mostly you just need to plug your stereo speakers into the front
speakers socket on the 5.1 card and select stereo in any software that
gives you a choice. The software with the card should let you choose
this anyway. As a brief recommendation I have an Creative SoundBlaster
Live 5.1 (OEM version) and it can do this no problem - costs about $40.


> I don't have the need, money, or room for 5.1
> speakers at this time but want a sound card with DSP to take some load
> off the processor and the ability to upgrade to 5.1 in the future if I
> so desire.

Yes you can.

--
DaveW



"Randy" <me@privacy.net> wrote in message
news:ntdp2091i459dogtamc94v8o0gpj0kh196@4ax.com...
> If I buy a sound card that supports 5.1 speakers, can I use a 2.1
> speaker set up? I don't have the need, money, or room for 5.1
> speakers at this time but want a sound card with DSP to take some load
> off the processor and the ability to upgrade to 5.1 in the future if I
> so desire.

On Fri, 13 Feb 2004 13:09:03 +0100, BarryNL <barry@nospam.nl> wrote:

>Randy wrote:
>> If I buy a sound card that supports 5.1 speakers, can I use a 2.1
>> speaker set up?
>
>The short answer is 'yes'.
>
>The long answer is 'yeeeeeeeeeeeeessssssssssssssssssssss'.
>Mostly you just need to plug your stereo speakers into the front
>speakers socket on the 5.1 card and select stereo in any software that
>gives you a choice. The software with the card should let you choose
>this anyway. As a brief recommendation I have an Creative SoundBlaster
>Live 5.1 (OEM version) and it can do this no problem - costs about $40.

Thanks!