Re: Speaker advice needed please

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Posted by Ohso on 22, 2000 at 6:55 PM:

In Reply to: Re: Speaker advice needed please posted by jmdickson on 22, 2000 at 11:46 AM:

Oops, I had no idea the Value required an add-on to support digital speakers. When I got my speakers it came with a connector that said it was for the Value so I assumed.

I knew the Value was a bit different from the "normal" Live but I didn't think it was that different. The Platinum, MP3, and X-Gamer are all identical cards. Of course the new Live 5.1 is different yet again.

: :
: : 1. Can someone explain the various different standards/options? 4.1? 5.1? Digital vs analog? Dolby? I'm fairly lost. A brief (or long!) explanation or pointer to someplace to read up on it would be great. Obviously I'm interested in how it applies to computer audio.

: 4.1 and 5.1 refer to the speaker channels.
: 4.1 = 4 midrange/tweater and 1 sub. (4 point + sub)
: 5.1 = 5 midrange/tweater and 1 sub. (Dolby Digital)

: Digital/Analog: the output of the SBLive Value is Analog only using the 1/8" jacks on the original value edition. The Live Drive or the Digital I/O option is required to output digital (S/PDIF). This digital audio can be piped into a Dolby Digital Decoder to output 5.1 audio.

: : 2. Which option is best for the SB-Live value? My card came out pre-5.1 standard, I believe. I've heard digital speakers are a snow job?

: I have not seen any major software that supports Dolby Digital yet. Unless you are watching DVDs on this PC, I wouldn't spend the money on a 5.1 system. EAX was designed for a 4/4.1 system. I've been very unimpressed with digital speakers.

: : 3. I'd like specific brand/model recommendations if possible.

: Some brand choices:
: Klipsch
: Boston Accoustics
: Cambridge
: Yahama

: You can buld your own 4.1 setup. Find a 2 speaker pair + sub set and add pair of speakers for the rear. Try to get the same speaker for front and rear. You to NOT want to get 2 subs, that will create interference patterns (nodes/antinodes) that will exagerate the bass in some areas while muting it in others.

: If you want a more indepth discusson of this I'll have more information when I get some time.

: John

Follow Ups:

Re: Speaker advice needed please JMDickson 11/22/2000 (0)
Re: Speaker advice needed please JMDickson 11/22/2000 (7)
- Confused... saint 11/22/2000 (6)
  - Sorry, one execption. JMDickson 11/22/2000 (5)
    - Actually... Ohso 11/23/2000 (4)
      - Yep JMDickson 11/23/2000 (3)
        
        Re: Yep Ohso 11/23/2000 (2)
        
        Thanks, choosing between . . . Re: Yep saint 11/24/2000 (1)
        
        Re: Thanks, choosing between . . . Re: Yep sir_winston@usa.net 12/02/2000 (0)

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Comments:
: Oops, I had no idea the Value required an add-on to support digital speakers. When I got my speakers it came with a connector that said it was for the Value so I assumed. : I knew the Value was a bit different from the "normal" Live but I didn't think it was that different. The Platinum, MP3, and X-Gamer are all identical cards. Of course the new Live 5.1 is different yet again. : : : : : : 1. Can someone explain the various different standards/options? 4.1? 5.1? Digital vs analog? Dolby? I'm fairly lost. A brief (or long!) explanation or pointer to someplace to read up on it would be great. Obviously I'm interested in how it applies to computer audio. : : 4.1 and 5.1 refer to the speaker channels. : : 4.1 = 4 midrange/tweater and 1 sub. (4 point + sub) : : 5.1 = 5 midrange/tweater and 1 sub. (Dolby Digital) : : Digital/Analog: the output of the SBLive Value is Analog only using the 1/8" jacks on the original value edition. The Live Drive or the Digital I/O option is required to output digital (S/PDIF). This digital audio can be piped into a Dolby Digital Decoder to output 5.1 audio. : : : 2. Which option is best for the SB-Live value? My card came out pre-5.1 standard, I believe. I've heard digital speakers are a snow job? : : I have not seen any major software that supports Dolby Digital yet. Unless you are watching DVDs on this PC, I wouldn't spend the money on a 5.1 system. EAX was designed for a 4/4.1 system. I've been very unimpressed with digital speakers. : : : 3. I'd like specific brand/model recommendations if possible. : : Some brand choices: : : Klipsch : : Boston Accoustics : : Cambridge : : Yahama : : You can buld your own 4.1 setup. Find a 2 speaker pair + sub set and add pair of speakers for the rear. Try to get the same speaker for front and rear. You to NOT want to get 2 subs, that will create interference patterns (nodes/antinodes) that will exagerate the bass in some areas while muting it in others. : : If you want a more indepth discusson of this I'll have more information when I get some time. : : John

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