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You are here: MacNN Forums > Hardware - Troubleshooting and Discussion > Consumer Hardware & Components > What is the benefit for a 5.1 speaker systems on a Mac?

What is the benefit for a 5.1 speaker systems on a Mac?
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veryniceguy2002
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Join Date: Nov 2002
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Nov 2, 2004, 10:27 PM
 
There's a few 5.1 sound card/speaker for Mac available at the moment. I would like to know what would be the benefit to have a 5.1 sound systems connected to the Mac?

Would 5.1 sound only benefitical if I use the Mac to watch DVD only? Are there any other things (games I guess, but which ones?) that take advantage of a 5.1 sound systems for my Mac?
     
jocker
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Nov 4, 2004, 07:11 AM
 
Originally posted by veryniceguy2002:
There's a few 5.1 sound card/speaker for Mac available at the moment. I would like to know what would be the benefit to have a 5.1 sound systems connected to the Mac?

Would 5.1 sound only benefitical if I use the Mac to watch DVD only? Are there any other things (games I guess, but which ones?) that take advantage of a 5.1 sound systems for my Mac?
I have a 5.1 setup - Logitech Z680 THX certified, and I find that all sound that comes from the mac benefits.

Obviously DVD player gets the most benefit, as it 'tells' the decoder where to place the sounds.

For normal (stereo) sound the decoder does some fancy Pro Logic tricks so things like iTunes still sound amazing (make sure you set the decoder to Dolby Pro Logic Music, as opposed to Dolby Pro Logic Movie).

Hope this helps. I recommend getting an airport express as that comes with optical digital out, and also recommend the logitech Z680s. Read some reviews on the 'net they always get 5 stars.
AlBook G4 15", iMac 20"
     
mishakim
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Nov 4, 2004, 10:47 AM
 
Jocker, how to do you get the 5.1 signal from your powerbook to the Z680s? My understanding was the optical out on Airport Express only worked with iTunes, not for all the other audio from the computer controlling it.
     
   
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