4-channel audio output

[dathenv]

If I get a speaker set with 4 speakers with a subwoofer(Altec Lansing ACS54), is an audio card that supports 4-channel audio mode sufficient? or does 4-channel means 4 speakers???:confused:
Would somebody plz answer me, thx very much!

Also, is the ACS54 worth the money? Do y'all computer experts have any other suggestions for speakers, anything under $50 would be affordable for me!

[radio1_mike]

A 4channel card would be set for you. But you could spend an extra $20 and get 5 channel card.

Usually, the convention is:

X.x where (X)= # of channels (# of speakers), (x)=subwoofer= 0.1

So, a 4 channel speaker sys would need a 4.0 channel card.
2 speakers would be Front Left and Right
2 speakers would be Rear Left and Right
No subwoofer

A 4.1 system would be a 4 channel speaker with a subwoofer.

A 5.1 system would be a 4.1 with an extra speaker for the center channel on Dolby Surround.

The only card that I know that is specifically is the Philips Seismic Edge, or maybe it's the Rhythmic Edge. I have the Acoustic Edge which is a 5.1 card. Sounblaster has their new Audigy coming out, so you should be able to get a good deal on the SB Live! Series (5.1 system), if you're looking to do it on the cheap.

I like Altec-Lansing for speakers. I have the ACS-44, I think. It's a 2.1 setup. It's not the one you can buy in stores right now, with the wooden subwoofer, but the one with the plastic subwoofer. It's sounds great, better than the Yamaha/Cambridge Soundworks I was going to get. I think ACS system you're looking could be fine, as long as your not too demanding of your speaker system. As in, expecting a $50 setup to sound like $300 Klipschs.

Hope this helps.

[Ruahrc]

The way I understood it, the subwoofer is independent of audio output. Meaning if you had a speaker set that was just 4 speakers, the 4-channel audio output from the card would go to the appropriate speaker.

If your speaker system has a sub, the same audio output signal is coming from the card but the hardware in the subwoofer (the crossover) serparates the low frequencies to play from the sub and the rest of the audio data goes to the appropriate speaker.

Basically what I'm saying is that whether or not you have a sub doesn't matter because all that is dealt with by the hardware on the speakers/sub.

The same thing applies for 5.1 cards. If you have a 5.1 system you need a card that will output 5.1 audio instead of a 4.1 audio.

Norman

[radio1_mike]

This is true.

But usually a 4channel card will be called a 4.1 on the box. I was just trying to explain the nomenclature. Plus, 5channel card usually can handle 4channel output. There are very few just 4channel card out there.

Sorry for the misunderstanding.