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

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Answer 1

den.thed

Level 10

85,264 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

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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?

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Answer 3

den.thed

Level 10

85,264 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.

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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?

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Answer 5

den.thed

Level 10

85,264 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

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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.

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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?

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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?