5.1 Surround Sound On A Mac: How To Connect

Hi, Everyone!

I have a set of Logitech 5.1 Surround Sound speakers. It has three 3.5mm minijack inputs: One for the 2 front speakers, One for the 2 back, and One for the Center Channel and Subwoofer.

My Mac has one (copied from Specs sheet:) Combined optical digital audio output/audio line out (minijack).

What I need is a way to connect the two together.

Do I need a USB/FireWire sound card?
If so, what should I use?

Can I use an adapter?
If so, what can I use?

I've done a bit of searching, and I've found things mentioning S/PDIF.
How does this play in?

Thanks in advance for any help, and for putting up with my stupefying ignorance.
-Nate

MacBook 2.4 ghz 4gb ram, Mac OS X (10.6.1), MacBook: June 2008, 2.4ghz Core 2 Duo, 4GB RAM. iPod Nano 3G. AirPort Extreme 20

Posted on Oct 27, 2009 12:04 PM

19 replies

nate12345 Author

Level 3

502 points

Oct 28, 2009 8:35 AM in response to Hachre

Hmm:

Is there anything that offer 6 channels out as 3 minijacks?

That's what the speakers' input is, so that wouldb be the easiest.

Thanks again!
-Nate

Hachre

Level 1

85 points

Oct 28, 2009 8:43 AM in response to nate12345

No, but all you need is one small adapters for each pair of 2 channels (so 3 adapters in total) to hook it up:
http://www.stecker-kabel-adapter.de/ebay/RNTA105.jpg

nate12345 Author

Level 3

502 points

Oct 28, 2009 9:23 AM in response to Hachre

I see!

Thank you very much!

nate12345 Author

Level 3

502 points

Nov 13, 2009 9:25 AM in response to nate12345

All right:

I've been told that FireWave does in fact work in 10.6, you just need to select it in MIDI and System Preferences.

I'll go with that, the cheaest and simplest option.

Thanks for everyone's help!
-Nate

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5.1 Surround Sound On A Mac: How To Connect