Two stereos, one computer

[VolTeK]

I have 7.1 audio jacks in my computer.

I have two stereo systems, both 400w, one with a subwoofer. Is there anyway i can connect these both to my computer?

[DavidCooper]

I may have a similar problem, so I'm looking forward to seeing some answers to this.

[VolTeK]

Two L/R RCA cables, two stereos?

[DavidCooper]

Is this the kind of thing you're asking about, or is it something more profound? These are doubtless the wrong adaptors, but something similar must exist to do the job - have you tried a forum of the kind that normally deals with this kind of question?

[AJ]

Hi,

What is it you're hoping to achieve?

It may be worth looking up bi-amping where you can use separate power amps for separate audio channels. The only time I've seen this done, however, is in systems specifically designed for it and where the preamp is a completely separate unit. I think it could be quite difficult to get the whole thing feeling "balanced" with two stereo systems that aren'd designed for this, even if they have identical power output.

IMO, a better use of your two stereo systems would be to treat yourself to a proper stereo setup in two different rooms in your house - perhaps connect one to a networked media player which accesses a central NAS server? Just an idea...

Cheers,
Adam

[VolTeK]

My goal with these systems are to connected them both to one computer.

Both stereo systems have RCA connections L/R and L/R. I have two cables that connect into each stereos RCA jacks. I end up with two audio jacks. Where would i plug them both in? On the back of my tower i have 7.1 audio plug ins. One is meant for general audio or stereo set up (one green jack) the others for 5.1-7.1

How would i use the other ports to get both systems to work together on my computer?

[Owen]

How do you want them to work together?

One option would be quadraphonic surround sound, i.e. Left, Right, Left Surround, Right Surround. You'll need to teach whatever media player and codecs you use (On Windows I highly recommend CCCP and Media Player Classic - Home Cinema, because they work, and they work well)

The flip side with this is that, for 2 channel sources (i.e. audio) your surround speakers will be mute. There are algorithms (e.g. Dolby ProLogic II, DTS Neo:6) which can perform dematrixing of downmixed stereo 5 channel signals back to a 5 channel signal (with inherent losses), and synthesize a 5 channel signal from a 2 channel source (surprisingly effective, in my experience - I use Pro Logic II Movie for general listening), but no PC or sound card that I'm aware of implements them.

The only good option here seems to be either multi-channel analogue or HDMI to a dedicated AV receiver, which can perform whatever audio processing you want. Hollywood has, unfortunately, made sure we don't have a good audio-only digital connectivity option

Edit: Oh, and there is no good option for the effective integration of a subwoofer in this case. You either need a discrete subwoofer input (so your PC can perform bass management) or a single device through which all audio channels pass (which can then itself perform this bass management functionality)

Edit 2: Oh, and 400W? Really? I have a hunch that the manufacturer is telling blatant lies (e.g. rating in "PMPO", "Peak music power output", or, more accurately, "Profitable measurement of power output"). With reasonable speakers you will get at least 85dB SPL/W, and 85dB is the European Union First Action Level for noise exposure (i.e. 85dB SPL, over a long period, will damage your hearing)

[VolTeK]

That is my problem, one stereo has a subwoofer, and the other doesnt. How would i make it work so id have use of my subwoofer and attached speakers along with the second stereo and its speakers?

[Brendan]

Hi,

That is my problem, one stereo has a subwoofer, and the other doesnt. How would i make it work so id have use of my subwoofer and attached speakers along with the second stereo and its speakers?

If you've already got a 7.1 surround sound output, you can spend a large amount of $$$ on a 7.1 audio receiver (which decodes the signal into it's separate channels and sends sounds to speakers).

Alternatively you can spend a lot less $$ and get another sound card. With 3 stereo outputs you could have up to 6 speakers without any expensive equipment.

Another alternative would be to add an amplifier to the motherboard's "PC speaker" output and use that for bass (where distortion from PWM isn't going to be as much of a problem as it'd be outside the speaker's dynamic range). You might need to write your own driver for that though..

The hard part is going to be growing the extra ears you'll need to notice the difference...


Cheers,

Brendan

[VolTeK]

Hi,

GhostXoPCorp wrote:
That is my problem, one stereo has a subwoofer, and the other doesnt. How would i make it work so id have use of my subwoofer and attached speakers along with the second stereo and its speakers?


If you've already got a 7.1 surround sound output, you can spend a large amount of $$$ on a 7.1 audio receiver (which decodes the signal into it's separate channels and sends sounds to speakers).

Alternatively you can spend a lot less $$ and get another sound card. With 3 stereo outputs you could have up to 6 speakers without any expensive equipment.

Another alternative would be to add an amplifier to the motherboard's "PC speaker" output and use that for bass (where distortion from PWM isn't going to be as much of a problem as it'd be outside the speaker's dynamic range). You might need to write your own driver for that though..

The hard part is going to be growing the extra ears you'll need to notice the difference...


Cheers,

Brendan

Thanks for the response The audio receiver idea makes much sense, i don't know how i could have forgotten that, i may just go get one.

However, two sound cards don't sound bad either but.. wouldn't windows shut one off and just use the other?

Edit 2: Oh, and 400W? Really? I have a hunch that the manufacturer is telling blatant lies (e.g. rating in "PMPO", "Peak music power output", or, more accurately, "Profitable measurement of power output"). With reasonable speakers you will get at least 85dB SPL/W, and 85dB is the European Union First Action Level for noise exposure (i.e. 85dB SPL, over a long period, will damage your hearing)

You could be right, they may not be true rms, I only read from the manual however. Each speaker output 125w, the subwoofer outputs 150w. Im seeing if i can get my self some old giant concert speakers instead.

While you think its over kill, and crazy (not really crazy though), I love music, and i love it very loud as well. Knowing that, when they get so very loud, and shake everything, that id still have power left over to go even louder. I may not go that high though

[Brendan]

Hi,

Alternatively you can spend a lot less $$ and get another sound card. With 3 stereo outputs you could have up to 6 speakers without any expensive equipment.

Thanks for the response The audio receiver idea makes much sense, i don't know how i could have forgotten that, i may just go get one.

However, two sound cards don't sound bad either but.. wouldn't windows shut one off and just use the other?

A good OS would allow you to use many sound cards, and allow the position and dynamic response of the speakers to be configured, and use this information to automatically send sound/s to the most appropriate combination of speakers (based on the intended position of the sound/s in 3D space and frequency range and amplitude of the desired sound/s).

I don't know if Windows qualifies as a good OS though. As far as I can tell you can use multiple sounds cards, but each application can only use one of them.

There is an "alternative alternative" - get a new sound card with 5 or more outputs. I didn't spend much time looking and found a "ASUS MIO-AUDIO-888 8 Channel Sound Card" with 8 outputs (4 stereo outputs) for $54.40 AUD (or $58 USD). Note: For comparison, I couldn't find a 7.1 audio receiver for less than $320, or a 5.1 audio receiver for less than $210. From this it's easy to assume that both 5.1 and 7.1 are mostly a marketing gimmick intended for suckers.


Cheers,

Brendan

[VolTeK]

There is an "alternative alternative" - get a new sound card with 5 or more outputs. I didn't spend much time looking and found a "ASUS MIO-AUDIO-888 8 Channel Sound Card" with 8 outputs (4 stereo outputs) for $54.40 AUD (or $58 USD).

A choice that would be less pricey and smart. That image i posted on the card above in the thread of the sound card with 2 lefts and 2 rights RCA. Would that mean i can plug 2 different stereos into that card since it has two spots for RCA jacks?

[Owen]

There is an "alternative alternative" - get a new sound card with 5 or more outputs. I didn't spend much time looking and found a "ASUS MIO-AUDIO-888 8 Channel Sound Card" with 8 outputs (4 stereo outputs) for $54.40 AUD (or $58 USD).

A choice that would be less pricey and smart. That image i posted on the card above in the thread of the sound card with 2 lefts and 2 rights RCA. Would that mean i can plug 2 different stereos into that card since it has two spots for RCA jacks?

What do you want to do with those two stereos? Then we can talk about what you can achieve and how to do it.

You could be right, they may not be true rms, I only read from the manual however. Each speaker output 125w, the subwoofer outputs 150w. Im seeing if i can get my self some old giant concert speakers instead.

While you think its over kill, and crazy (not really crazy though), I love music, and i love it very loud as well. Knowing that, when they get so very loud, and shake everything, that id still have power left over to go even louder. I may not go that high though

I also love music (and movies). The consequence of this is that I still want to be able to hear music - to the best of my abilities - when I'm 40, or 60, or (hopefully!) 80. That means I try to keep listening levels reasonable - which does not mean quiet, but does not mean excessive.

The best thing anyone who cares about their ears can do is get an (Preferebly A weighted, since that is what exposure levels are taken with) SPL meter

[VolTeK]

What do you want to do with those two stereos? Then we can talk about what you can achieve and how to do it.

Ive lost count for how many times ive said it



I Want To Plug These Stereo Systems Into My Computer And Equally Play Sound Out Of All Connected Speakers.

How Can I Do That.

What the hell else would they do, be paper weights connected to my computer?

[AJ]

I Want To Plug These Stereo Systems Into My Computer
...
What the hell else would they do, be paper weights connected to my computer?

No need for that - just a guess, but I think Owen was asking you to be more specific.

And Equally Play Sound Out Of All Connected Speakers.

Isn't that called Mono?

If all you really want is sound out of each stereo, get yourself two of these for a grand total of £1.40, job done.

Cheers,
Adam