Do you need to buy special speakers to get 5.1

[jkittlesen]

sound? If i buy a SB 5.1 do the sreakers really matter?

[qball]

yes, you need 5.1 compliant speakers.

Wait, IF you want 5.1 (or 4.1), you need 5.1 (or 4.1) compliant speakers.

5.1 is left, middle, right, 2 satellites, 1 subwoofer.

4.1 is left, right, 2 satellites, 1 subwoofer.


5.1/4.1 Sounds awesome if you set it up correctly.

Else, you can plug just 2 cheapo speakers into the 5.1 card, but you'll just get left, right, I think, never tried cheapos...

[muno]

Do computers really suck that much? Need specific speakers for that kinda stuff?
I thought that you could just plug about any speaker and the soundcard knows what sound should come from there (ie. center, rear left, front right).
That's the way it's done with real amplifier with dts/dolby digital.
It's not necessary to use specific speakers for anything - I used one of my old front speakers as a center speaker and a pair of bought front speakers (3way) as rear speakers.
I thought computers would do just the same, guess I was wrong.
Nononon =) Just remembered =) SB live has digital output, so you need to have external amplifier anyway (unless using active speakers).
-M

[Roy]

Done best, five identical speakers of the highest quality plus a good subwoofer.

My favorite loudspeaker is the Electro-Voice Sentry 100A. Or the Sentry 100EL with a built-in power amp.

[Graham]

Simple answer

NO

Any amplified speakers will work.

Obviously the front and rear must/should be pairs, the centre should be the best you can afford, and a good subwoofer.
Having said that, it may be easier to get a matched set anyway.


G


G

[nygel3]

for 5.1 you will need a digital amplifier/speaker system that plugs into the digital out jack not the front rear analog jacks. You will only get 4 channels of sound from SBLive analog jacks.