Surround sound for iMac

Question

Level 1

2 points

Surround sound for iMac

I have Creative Inspire 4.1 4400 (http://static.clickbd.com/global/classified/item_img/895644_0_original.jpg), and I would like to get surround sound from speakers when I watch movies. I have done some research for some time, and I have no idea how to connect this to iMac.

The speaker system has green and black cables (3.5mm). For now, I only have green cable connected to iMac, and I somehow get sound from all 4 speakers + subwoofer. But it is not a true surround effect since the sounds from rear speakers are the same as front speakers.

This is what the speaker system looks like: http://img140.imageshack.us/img140/995/dsc02837n.jpg

So, what do I need to get to have surround sound on iMac?

iMac (21.5-inch, Late 2012), OS X Mountain Lion (10.8.5)

Posted on Mar 5, 2014 6:57 PM

Reply

Answer 1

den.thed

Level 10

83,524 points

Mar 5, 2014 7:22 PM in response to mrq0604

That System was made to connect to a PC Sound Blaster sound card and you will need a Digital Decoader to use it with your Mac.

see > Creative Worldwide Support > Inspire 4.1 4400

and/or > Creative Worldwide Support > Inspire 4.1 4400

Reply

Answer 2

mrq0604 Author

Level 1

2 points

Mar 6, 2014 3:35 PM in response to den.thed

Is "Digital Decoder" the only thing I need? So if plug green and black cables to Digital Decoder, and connect the Digital Decoder to iMac, then I will get surround sound effects? Do Digital Decoders have USB 3 connectivity? What are some good Digital Decoders?

Reply

Answer 3

den.thed

Level 10

83,524 points

Mar 6, 2014 4:27 PM in response to mrq0604

mrq0604 wrote:

What are some good Digital Decoders?

I'm not sure, you should scour the Creative site and/or contact Creative directly for the best Mac Decoder solution.

Noting that the Mac Mini can supports surround thru the 3.5mm output jack using DigitalOptical Toslink, USB, HDMI or Thunderbolt.

Reply

Answer 4

mrq0604 Author

Level 1

2 points

Mar 6, 2014 6:02 PM in response to den.thed

I don't understand your second sentence. So does that mean iMac can support surround sound as well?

Reply

Answer 5

den.thed

Level 10

83,524 points

Mar 6, 2014 9:49 PM in response to mrq0604

Yes, but not to that speaker system without a compatible external sound card or decoder.

Here is a USB solution from Creative > Sound Blaster Omni Surround 5.1 - Sound Blaster

Here is another > How to setup 5.1 Sound on your Mac / OSX - YouTube

In addition see > Outputting 5.1 Channel Surround Sound...: Apple Support Communities

Reply

Answer 6

mrq0604 Author

Level 1

2 points

Mar 8, 2014 3:16 PM in response to den.thed

I noticed Sound Blaster Omni Surround 5.1 also has audio input. Will this allow me to record electric guitar on garage band? Will the sound be clear? I was planning to purchase Apogee Jam or Alesis io2 as my new iMac doesn't have audio input line-in. If the audio input on Sound Blaster Omni Surround 5.1 is good enough I won't have to spend another $100 on one of these devices.

Reply

Answer 7

mrq0604 Author

Level 1

2 points

Mar 11, 2014 8:00 PM in response to mrq0604

Bought Sound Blaster Omni Surround 5.1. After hours of trying to configure the speakers, it's not working. I only get sounds from 2 front speakers. If I disconnect the cable for rear speakers, then I get sounds from all 4 speakers, but they are not surround sounds (sounds from rear speakers are the same as sounds from the front).

When I watch videos, then I get sounds from the speakers. But I get Mac alert sounds (trash can sound, outgoing mail sound, etc.) from iMac speakers.... Furthermore, ther sound output default keeps changing. I tried to use Garageband to record electric guitar, then sound output completely disappeared...

I don't even know why this is happening - do I have the right device?, or did I configure something wrong?

Reply

Answer 8

mrq0604 Author

Level 1

2 points

Mar 11, 2014 8:59 PM in response to mrq0604

Here is the video of the set-up: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HKA7nbdyAaQ&feature=youtu.be

Again, this is what my speaker is: http://static.clickbd.com/global/classified/item_img/895644_0_original.jpg

Here is the picture of the back of the subwoofer:http://img140.imageshack.us/img140/995/dsc02837n.jpg

The green cable is for front speakers while black cable is for rear speakers. It doesn't have a separate cable for subwoofer.

After doing some research, I've read that this speaker system is "not compatible with optical SPDIF sound cards." Is that related to the sound card I bought?

Reply

Answer 9

mrq0604 Author

Level 1

2 points

Mar 11, 2014 9:27 PM in response to mrq0604

Or..... Is this what I'm supposed to do? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=po-_c7eHrkg

Reply

Answer 10

mrq0604 Author

Level 1

2 points

Mar 14, 2014 8:04 PM in response to mrq0604

Does anything ever get answered on this forum?

Reply