5.1 speaker system using usb-soundcard

[Mysterio-]

Hello!

I'd like to connect my 5.1 speakersystem to my C2D MBP. Is this possible with the product called Terratec SoundSystem Aureon 5.1 MK II. It has the same inputs as the subwoofer, (rear, front, sub) so you can put the 3 cords in it just like in internal soundcard.

The main question is, will OS X support this usb-soundcard? Info for that product can be found in google, but no info if it is for windows only. There's no drivers for it tho. Thanks!

 

[AvMac]

Hello!

I'd like to connect my 5.1 speakersystem to my C2D MBP. Is this possible with the product called Terratec SoundSystem Aureon 5.1 MK II. It has the same inputs as the subwoofer, (rear, front, sub) so you can put the 3 cords in it just like in internal soundcard.

The main question is, will OS X support this usb-soundcard? Info for that product can be found in google, but no info if it is for windows only. There's no drivers for it tho. Thanks!

You don't need a USB soundcard to connect your 5.1 speakersystem to the MBP.

You can use a standard optical audio cable to connect your MBP directly to your 5.1 receiver. You will have to connect one end of the optical cable to the headphone (audio) jack on your MBP and the other end will connect to the speakersystem.

Well, its a different story if your 5.1 receiver does not have an optical audio port.

 

[Mysterio-]

It does not have it.

 

[sycho]

You don't need a USB soundcard to connect your 5.1 speakersystem to the MBP.

You can use a standard optical audio cable to connect your MBP directly to your 5.1 receiver. You will have to connect one end of the optical cable to the headphone (audio) jack on your MBP and the other end will connect to the speakersystem.

Well, its a different story if your 5.1 receiver does not have an optical audio port.

THE MACBOOK(PRO) ONLY OUPUTS 5.1 VIA THE OPTICAL ON DVD MOVIES, NOTHING ELSE

Sorry I had to use caps, but it is ridiculus how many times people say you will get fulltime 5.1 using the stock card. Many USB soundcards are plug-in-play with Core Audio and should show up as some sort of USB 5.1 card. I don't have a 5.1 USB sondcard to try, well, not a one that Core Audio sees as 5.1, so I am unsure of what kind of settings you will get. Bare in mind that you will only get 5.1 output when watching DVD's or HD Trailers and maybe when playing games.

 

[AvMac]

Oops! My bad. Indeed the product in question does not have an optical port.

I am not sure if the usb sound card will work.

Adding to Sycho's point, getting 5.1 channel surround sound depends on the source media you are playing on the MBP. If a movie is encoded in 5.1 surround sound, you should be getting 5 distinct sound channels to your audio receiver.

If you play mp3 audio, you will only get 2 channels (stereo) and LFE (subwoofer)

 

[Mysterio-]

If the specs on the card say it supports 5.1, Isn't it false marketing if I'm playing iTunes and it doesn't work on all channels?

 

[deadpixels]

It does not have it.

then use this

 

[Mysterio-]

How does that work?

 

[thejadedmonkey]

I have a Sonica Theater USB. The drivers are complete **** on my mac (10.3.9) and only slightly better under XP, but it does what I need it to do.. which is take my stereo mp3's and do some funky stuff so I can have sound come out of all my speakers in my 5.1 setup. It sounds nice too..

 

[deadpixels]

How does that work?

well, it takes the sound output of your mac and you can plug it to your surround sound receiver for example

 

[hamsuplo]

I think the optical out is fine. No need for 5.1 when its not encoded. I use optical out to my receiver and it makes sense when mp3's or itunes is in 2 channels. It will be so unnatural and annoying if my 2 channel music became 5.1. Now if i had DVD-Audio or SACD audio i want my 5.1 output.