Am I achieving 5.1 surround sound?

Question

I recently purchased a Logitech z5300e (THX certified) 5.1 surround sound speaker system for my computer. I don't think my sound card has a 5 channels, however. I don't know what my exact sound card is, but it's the one that comes standard with the HP m1072n media center PC. I'm not sure if I'm achieving surround sound because I popped in a CD that was specifically recorded in surround sound, and I didn't hear any difference from a normal CD. Any ideas?

Also, does anyone have any suggestion in terms of how I should set up my speakers so I get the maximum sound experience? Are the rear speakers supposed to be raised? Are the front speakers supposed to be spaced apart? Sorry if these seem like dumb questions, but I am a surround sound newbie :).

Answer 1

Ideally, the front left and right speakers, and the rear left and right speakers should be placed in the four corners of the room, and the center speaker should go near the monitor, all at approximately the same height your ears will be when you're seated in your listening position.  A down-firing sub can pretty much go wherever you like, a front firing sub should be on the floor, pointed in the general direction of the listener.

I don't really know anything about PC specific surround-sound, I just hook my PC up to my home system.  Good luck.

Answer 2

Typically audio CD's are recorded in a stereo format. First verify that you do indeed have a mulit-channel format.

I would also go online and check the specs of your PC's audio card.