Question 2.1 speaker connecting to sound card

[Sparky520]

I have 2 systems - one with Klipsch Promedia 2.1 connected to a Sound Blaster Z sound card and the other Logitech Z623 connected to Sound Blaster AE 5 Pro. Both speakers have the left and right speakers connected to the subwoofer and a 3.5 mm line going from subwoofer to sound on computer.

In the first system - all sounds are coming out of the Left and Right speakers, not the subwoofer. When I do the Microsoft Test or Sound Blaster Console test- Subwoofer sound comes out the right speaker and Left Speaker, Right speaker comes out both. I have them plugged into the Front Left and Right channels on the Sound Blaster Z card. Tried on board sound and same thing - nothing from subwoofer (not discounting that the subwoofer may be fried which is why it's coming out the speaker).

On the 2nd system - if I plug into the Front speaker panel, only left and right speakers work. If I plug into Headphones, all work but at greatly reduced sound (expected). If I plug into Center/Subwoofer - only subwoofer works.

I've been through the forums and in the Sound Blaster Console, I have it set to 2.1, turned off Full range speakers and have Bass Redirectlon and Subwoofer Gain on.

I'm thinking about getting a 3.5mm femaie to 2 maie splitter - plug 3.5 mm from subwoofer into splitter and then 1 of the males into the Front Speaker connection and the other into the center/subwoofer to manually sort the signal.

Anyone else run into this or have thoughts on it?

Thanks!

 

[Lutfij]

Welcome to the forums, newcomer!

Are you trying to hook up two 2.1 speakers system's to one sound card or they are standalone system's/audio setups? You might want to focus on one system since the two can be cause for causing spaghetti brains.

What OS are you working with? Have you tried uninstalling and reinstalling your audio drivers?

 

[Sparky520]

Thanks for responding. Independent systems, 1 set of speakers per system. Windows 10. Yes, on the drivers for one of the systems (AE 5).

 

[stonecarver]

https://assets.klipsch.com/product-manuals/ProMedia21THXOwnersManual.pdf


https://www.logitech.com/assets/65737/mojo-z623-web-qsg.pdf

Here are the manuals maybe one of us will see the issue.

 

[Unolocogringo]

Both of your speaker sets are 2.1 systems.
They will not work as a 5.1 or 5.2 system.
The best you could hope for on 1 system is quad speakers.
If using on separate systems windows settings needs to be set to stereo. neither system will work with 5.1/7.1 output settings.

 

[Sparky520]

Thanks! I had checked the UG for both speakers and Creative labs and it didn't have anything helpful. I'm pretty sure it's a creative issue - when plugged into Motherboard sound it works the way it should.

I have it set to 2.1 in Sound Blaster console and 5.1 in Windows - at least that puts the bass into the speaker channels. Will see how Creative Tech support is tomorrow.

 

[Ogotai]

just out of curiosity, for the connection to the sound cards, you are connecting them to the line out or front outputs on the sound cards ?
my wife has the z323 speakers, and SB Z card as well, plugged into the " front " jack, and they work just fine...

the other thing to try, try connecting both sets of speakers to another sound source, like your phone, and try playing something to see if it works and sounds as it should

 

[Sparky520]

Thanks for the help on this. Plugged in an MP3 player and got full playback on both speakers and the subwoofer, though the bass coming out of it was a bit disappointing. Still - it worked. Took the old 2.1 speakers - plugged the old desktop speakers in the rear speaker port and the small subwoofer into subwoofer port and turned it up. Passed all tests on all speakers. Changed to 2.1 surround and it passed there too. I'm starting to think the AE5 isn't set up to handle 2.1 but may need the splitter so I can get signal from the Front channels and subwoofer.

 

[Sparky520]

So, to close this out and maybe help others. I sent Creative Tech Support the inquiry. They asked me to run a diagnostic tool they sent me and send pics of my setup. I did and this was the response:

For your setup, we recommend setting the Channel configuration to 2.0. This is because the subwoofer has built-in Bass Redirection capabilities.

If you require further assistance, please reply to this email and we will get back to you.

Sure enough - the test showed nothing on subwoofer but when gaming, I had bass coming out of it.

Now the downside - the diagnostic tool not only corrupted my system but I suspect it corrupted my phone too when I plugged in to attach the pics to an email. Ended up having to replace the phone as even factory reset couldn't get it to boot and the OS was so messed up as were my game files I had to re-install windows and my games. Was not a fun experience at all.

I did get a splitter and plugged a 3.5 mm cable into the subwoofer port and another into the front speaker port. It did what I thought - I got sound on the testing in all 3 channels. However, the front speaker sound was muted and a bit garbled so there was greatly reduced sound quality. tried a couple of different cables with same result. So went back to not using a splitter and just using the stock cable that came with the speakers.

Thanks for all of the help and suggestions.

 

[Ogotai]

i still dont understand why you need a splitter. the only connection that should be made to the source is the " green looking headphone plug " the rest of the connections should be to the sub. the link that stonecarver provided for the logitecs, has it clearly shown in the manual where things go on page 3.

as i said, my wife has the z323s and they work just fine, left and right sound great, and plenty of bass out of the sub...