Adding extra computer speakers - stereo style?

Question

I don't have a CD player or MP3 dock in my room because i have a computer with iTunes so i don't need it. Anyway, the other day i decided to move one of my speakers across my room as far as i could so i get a sort of surround sound thing. Thing is, i really like it and think it would be good if i could have two my speakers in the other corners of my room (therefore having a speak in each). I know this is possible with a normal stero but can i buy big proper speakers than can be added to a computer along with my two normal ones? Where do they plug in? Are they expensive? And how long are the cables because it needs to stretch acorss the room and i'd like to have them on shelves in the corners so i need to have a wire run up the wall?

Help?

Answer 1

I would not try it. If you mean use normal speaker (like those you put in a home theater) then you need a lot of things. For computer sourround sound, i would suggest just getting a computer speaker system such as a logitec 5.1 system. They sound good and all you need is a decent 5.1 sound card on your computer.

If you want to hook up speakers (not comp. speakers) then you have to have a home theater reciever or another type of amplifier. This reciever/amplifier will have to have computer audio in or at least regular audio in with an adapter cable. Many newer computers (or sound cards) have dual audio out: one set for computer and one set called digital audio out or it may have the RCA outputs at the back. From your sound card settings you can select which set of speaker you want to operate at which times. However, if you dont have these extra jacks then yo need a splitter cable. In this case you will ahe one jack but after u plug in the splitter you will ahve two. However the computer will read this as one set of speakers and the same sound will come out of both sets, therefore not surround sound. If you do this method you are looking at a splitter cable ($5), a reciever/amp (min $100), and two speakers ($50-to more than you will ever want to spend on a speaker...depandeing on quality). Id say total this will cost you maybe $200 for a mediocre system If you decide to go with the 5.1 computer speaker package youll likly end up spending $100 and get a better sound.