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Geek Culture / Laptop + external speakers = ?

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mr Handy
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Posted: 26th Dec 2013 16:59 Edited at: 26th Dec 2013 17:01
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Merry Holidays! Me was given a laptop and an external USB stereo speakers. The OS is Windows 7. Can I make out whith this surround or 2.1? Or anything?

P.S. if additional software is needed - only free please.

Thank!

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Van B
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Posted: 26th Dec 2013 17:57
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Don't think you can do much, if your laptop had multiple audio outputs, and if the speaker had a standard connection, then you could do something - but I don't think there's much you can do with them besides act as a pair of speakers.

I am the one who knocks...
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mr Handy
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Posted: 26th Dec 2013 18:23
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It is sad. I wanted to hear 4.0 surround

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Seditious
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Posted: 26th Dec 2013 18:24
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How do you do surround sound with only two speakers?
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mr Handy
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Posted: 26th Dec 2013 18:31
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Laptop has stereo speakers and 2 external USB = 4

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Seditious
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Posted: 26th Dec 2013 18:39
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If the laptop treats the USB speakers as a different audio output (as opposed to just a headphone output) then I think it's technically possible. I've never used surround sound though so I don't know how it'd be done. Merry Christmas!
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bitJericho
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Posted: 26th Dec 2013 19:16
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unless you have a specialized driver that's not possible. Even if it were the latency differences would screw it all up. Sorry!

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Daniel TGC
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Posted: 1st Jan 2014 23:12
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As far as I'm aware, and correct me if I'm wrong. But 2.1 isn't surround sound standard it's just a pair of speakers with a subwoofer.

It's not until you get to 5.1 and 7.1 standards that you can define anything as surround sound.

Having said that you can get USB 5.1 headphones, from what I understand they do a reasonable job emulating the experience.
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Van B
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Posted: 2nd Jan 2014 19:27
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I have a pair of those, Gamecon, the fake 5.1 is actually not too bad - I wouldn't say it's the same experience as a proper speaker set, but it is better than standard stereo.

I am the one who knocks...
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Daniel TGC
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Posted: 2nd Jan 2014 20:36
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Cool, I might grab a pair then. I'm too lazy to setup proper surround sound, all those wires everywhere, and trying to get that sweet spot. Much easier if I can slap a pair of headphones on for a "close enough" experience.
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mr Handy
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Posted: 2nd Jan 2014 21:05
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Quote: "the fake 5.1"

Headphones have 2 speakers, right? How does that 'fake' works?

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Dark Java Dude 64
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Posted: 2nd Jan 2014 23:28
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In the end, even with many speakers around you, you only have two audio streams coming into your head; one from each ear. The fake 5.1 tries to replicate what would be coming into each ear using a speaker, as best it can.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stereophonic_sound

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Phaelax
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Posted: 3rd Jan 2014 10:39
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Quote: "The fake 5.1 tries to replicate what would be coming into each ear using a speaker, as best it can."

Easier with headphones, since they are next to your ear. But it'd be hard to simulate a sound behind you when the speakers are positioned in front.

http://zimnox.com
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Van B
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Posted: 3rd Jan 2014 17:42
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I think it's our brain that actually does the work with the fake 5.1 headsets, like the sound is altered somehow, so sounds sound slightly different depending on 3D position. Then we subconciously interpret that as the sound coming from the front or back... I mean how can we tell a sounds position with our ears, considering the fairly simple anatomy of an eardrum. The sound must be distorted depending on the shape of the ear (more distorted from the back), then our brains decipher it and can decide where it's coming from. The fake 5.1 is probably mimicking this....but anyway there is a big difference between normal stereo and the 5.1 mode, I'm not exactly sure how but it's easier to place sounds with it.

I am the one who knocks...
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mr Handy
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Posted: 3rd Jan 2014 23:01
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What headphones is good (without microphone-stick-into-your-mouth)?

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Dark Java Dude 64
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Posted: 3rd Jan 2014 23:22
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@VanB Indeed, that all sounds about right. Pun intended!

mr Handy the HD 280 pro headphones I just got from Sennheiser have no mic and are quite impressive IMO.

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mr Handy
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Posted: 4th Jan 2014 17:39
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DJD64, thanks for point-blank!

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xCatalyst
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Posted: 5th Jan 2014 21:47
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Also, 2.1 still wouldn't be possible. The '.1' usually dictates a subwoofer which I don't believe you have unfortunately.

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mr Handy
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Posted: 5th Jan 2014 22:06
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I thought one or two speakers could serve as sub...

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