5.1 Speaker Setup

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froot

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Hey guys

I got myself the Logitech Z506 5.1 system, it arrived this morning :D

But being 2.1 user the setup has been a bit of a struggle.

I am using the onboard 7.1 sound that I have (I have the Intel G45ID motherboard with Intel HD 7.1 audio) and running Win7x64.

I configured the sound in the control panel for 5.1 and tested it using that annoying bell-sound: each speaker works fine that way and the volume is fine and I get 5.1 output.

If I don't use speaker-filling under enhancements, I don't get any output from the center or rear speakers.

Now I'm sitting with the issue that my rear speakers are really soft. I've tried several media (different songs, winamp, windows media player, vlc, etc etc). Any ideas on how to fix this?
I have changed the volume levels under the HD audio device (next to the enhancement tab) to lower the volume of the front and center speakers, but this doesn't really solve my problem, as the rear speakers still have somewhat inaudible sounds coming from them. Like the music is muffled. I tested the rear speakers on the front left jack and the hardware is perfectly fine.
The issues arising from lowering the front/center sound comes into effect in games.

I'd appreciate whatever solution that would work fine.
 
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The problem is your soundcard setup by the sounds of it.
I have a Creative T6060 5.1, I use it with a cheapy Creative Audigy Value 7.1 soundcard.

The card gives me two options. One uses a second stereo output for the the rear speakers, with this music etc, is more or less as loud as the front speakers. It also works well for the centre.
The second option sounds similar to yours. It takes the stereo output and emulates a surround sound experience. This usually leads to quieter rear speakers.

I've found from using other onboard sound I have had the same problem as you.
Keep in mind that 5.1 audio is meant to have a surround effect. If you watch a movie on DVD with 5.1 your rear speakers will get the sound that is supposed to be "behind" the audience.
The same goes for 5.1 music, a music DVD I have does a similar thing. You only get some drums and stuff on the rear speakers. It can be a bit irritating/disappointing.

You can try to get the latest drivers for your soundcard or play with the settings maybe there is something you missed hidden in the options. Otherwise, if it is a big issue for you, get a Creative soundcard, they have great options for sound adjustment, even if it is a cheap one like I have.
 
Have you tried something like KMPlayer? It has its own codecs and you can select a 5.1 setup when you install it. Just to see if it's maybe a codec problem. It looks like you tried a lot of different software so the chances of it being a codec problem is very slim. It's worth a try though.
 
Yeah I've also been wondering if it is the onboard soundcard. I've never used the other channels, so yeah...

I've tried KMPlayer. Changing the volume on it for the rear speakers doesn't seem to make a difference.

Will take a look and get a soundcard then.... $$ :P
 
Edit 1: Hmm ok I just tried it with Assassins Creed 2... it works...... but straight back to music/vid files, no-go.
Edit 2: Okay so some mp3 files works fine with it (ie rear speakers are louder) but other mp3's are really soft.....
Edit 3: It seems to be the case with some video files too.
 
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I never got any sound out the center speaker during cut scenes in games then there was an option for center/LFE swap. This is with the ASUS sounddeck that comes with the motherboard.
 
czc said:
I never got any sound out the center speaker during cut scenes in games then there was an option for center/LFE swap. This is with the ASUS sounddeck that comes with the motherboard.
Click to expand...

In AC2 if I turn around and someone's speaking to me, I can hear through each of the individual speakers.
 
Does the logitech system do any type of dolby prologic/digital or DTS decoding? do u connect the 5.1 as following: left right - line out, center/subwoofer - line in, rear left & right - microphone? Or some combination of that? OR do us just use line out? For the first option the Win7 sound test will work for all speakers, the second option will only output stereo unless you hav prologic decoding on the logitech system.

For movies to work with 5.1 you will need the AC3 filter set to output 5.1 or the 3/2 + sub option. Also the original sound source will need to be encoded in a 5.1 format.

Unfortunately it is rather difficult to get 5.1 speaker setups that DON'T have onboard surround decoding to output all 6 channels from a stereo source.... Good luck!
 
No I don't think the speakers does any of that.
The speakers have 3 inputs into the sub: Center (orange), Front (green) and Rear (black).
The speakers' webpage: http://www.logitech.com/en-za/speakers-audio/home-pc-speakers/devices/7191
Edduck said:
Does the logitech system do any type of dolby prologic/digital or DTS decoding? do u connect the 5.1 as following: left right - line out, center/subwoofer - line in, rear left & right - microphone? Or some combination of that? OR do us just use line out? For the first option the Win7 sound test will work for all speakers, the second option will only output stereo unless you hav prologic decoding on the logitech system.

For movies to work with 5.1 you will need the AC3 filter set to output 5.1 or the 3/2 + sub option. Also the original sound source will need to be encoded in a 5.1 format.

Unfortunately it is rather difficult to get 5.1 speaker setups that DON'T have onboard surround decoding to output all 6 channels from a stereo source.... Good luck!
Click to expand...
 
had the same prooblem with mine and sorted it out by enabling the "room correction" option, raising the volume of the rear speakers on the icon taskbar in windows 7 x64 hd audio using vista drivers. the rear speakers are relatively low depending on the bit rate or volume of the content. i also use ac3 filter to output to 5.1 surround with all the players including mc. i noticed on some songs the speakers throughout the whole song and some only during the chorus.
 
Meh..... ok I'll most probably get myself a decent (and affordable) soundcard. If my speakers aren't idling, I get a bit of static noise (on 25-100% of volume, but doesnt increase as volume increases)... and it's pretty annoying.
 
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