Can onboard sound handle my 4 speakers

lexdiamond20 · 02-13-2007, 02:29 PM

As the title implies, im wondering if my basic on-board sound can give me the same quality of sound as my current HU amp. Im planning on getting rid of my HU and powering the speakers from my amp. I was wondering if I should go out and get a 4.1 or 5.1 sound card or is what i have adequate enough. Also, I already have have a powered Bazooka sub so I wount be needing the .1 . One more question. I saw the tutorial and alos looked at the rear of my pc and realized that I have only 1 line out. Am I correct in assuming that I can pick up a special adapter that would allow me to convert this one line out into two or something along those lines?

Thanks in advance.

XC-C30 · 02-13-2007, 02:48 PM

if you're on-board sound is capable of handeling 5.1 you won't have a problem. If your soundcard is only stereo (2.0) you won't be able to power your speakers. If you have 4 speakers you'll need 4.1. As for the sound-quality: that depends on the HU you currently have. If it's a basic $200 (or less) model, there won't be much difference in sound-quality with the on-board sound probably.

lexdiamond20 · 02-13-2007, 03:30 PM

Not exactly sure of the model of the current HU but its a JVC with MP3 decoding and there have been times when songs with surround features were noticeble. So I might have to upgrade to 4.1. Also, do you know much about the quality of USB sound cards. I didnt even know they existed until last night. I have only one slot left on my PC after I install my USB/Firewire card.

XC-C30 · 02-13-2007, 03:35 PM

the quality depends. there's crappy usb-cards and theres good ones.

lexdiamond20 · 02-13-2007, 07:45 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by IC-C30

the quality depends. there's crappy usb-cards and theres good ones.

Any recommendations?