HELP! Need to mono analogue signal to stereo for crazy 7.1 speaker idea.

[MilesMetal]

I had a lightbulb moment recently regarding 7.1 channel surround for gaming.

I'll be soon be getting a triple-monitor setup for my PC. The monitors that I'm getting have built-in speakers.

I realized that I could combine these three pairs of speakers into a 7.1 speaker setup with a bunch of 3.5mm to RCA adapters, provided I buy a sub-woofer and an extra stereo speaker for the rear channel.​

There is a basic diagram of the setup included in the attachments.

As you can see the middle (or center) channel needs to be duplicated to play through both the left and right speakers on the middle monitor because this channel carries both the sub-woofer signal through one pole and the center channel through the other.

I assume that if just I plug the 3.5mm end right into the monitor it will only play sound through one speaker.

What do I need to to to have it play through both?

Thanks,
Miles.

 

[JR23]

I assume that if just I plug the 3.5mm end right into the monitor it will only play sound through one speaker.

3.5mm can have two channels, I don't understand why it would be mono?

JR

 

[MadMarc]

The monitors' built-in speakers are aweful, I wouldn't bother with them. A decent stereo setup or headphones will give you a much better result

 

[MilesMetal]

3.5mm can have two channels, I don't understand why it would be mono?

JR

Maybe this image might explain it better.

I have a feeling that if I just convert the RCA to 3.5mm for the center speaker it will only play through one of the speakers on the monitor

 

[MilesMetal]

The monitors' built-in speakers are aweful, I wouldn't bother with them. A decent stereo setup or headphones will give you a much better result

I know, I'm only using them for gaming. I'm getting decent studio monitors for proper listening.

 

[MadMarc]

I know, I'm only using them for gaming. I'm getting decent studio monitors for proper listening.

And why would you want terrible sound for gaming when you'll get proper speakers anyways? Whit headphones I'm able to locate enemies in FPS games very precisely, even though headphones "only" have two speakers

 

[JR23]

Maybe this image might explain it better.

I have a feeling that if I just convert the RCA to 3.5mm for the center speaker it will only play through one of the speakers on the monitor

Jeebus thats just adapter tourettes. If your going to make it horrifically complicated then it's a total waste of time and money. I get why you might do it just because you have some cables lying around and it would be nicer than listening to one monitor.

Why not just use the center monitor as a conventional front LR, split the rear LR into two mono's and put that on the left and right monitors and stick the sub into the sub. So you just have a 5.1 setup with no center speaker. Simple, cheap, all speakers would work and you could find out how crap it sounds without spending loads of money.

JR

 

[MilesMetal]

And why would you want terrible sound for gaming when you'll get proper speakers anyways? Whit headphones I'm able to locate enemies in FPS games very precisely, even though headphones "only" have two speakers

I thought it would just be something interesting to try. It would only cost about £30 for all the RCA adapters cheap speakers.

 

[MilesMetal]

Jeebus thats just adapter tourettes. If your going to make it horrifically complicated then it's a total waste of time and money. I get why you might do it just because you have some cables lying around and it would be nicer than listening to one monitor.

Why not just use the center monitor as a conventional front LR, split the rear LR into two mono's and put that on the left and right monitors and stick the sub into the sub. So you just have a 5.1 setup with no center speaker. Simple, cheap, all speakers would work and you could find out how crap it sounds without spending loads of money.

JR

Good idea, actually. I'll try that first.

 

[SuB]

7.1 surround just using the screens? that's just a reaaaaly wide and weird stereo surely?

 

[Warchild]

Pc Monitor speakers are never really that good. For Gaming especially you want a good range, or the sounds will sound awful. Even the Razer Tiamat 7.1 headphones will be a better alternative that what you are trying to do.

7.1 audio is meant to have sounds coming from all around you. Even having it come from three monitors, meaning 7.1 audio from just the front is silly. I also question people who buy 5.1 or 7.1 speaker setups and have the rear speakers on the desk too.

 

[Tolemac]

Seeing as you can get a half decent 5.1 set for about £40 I would go down that route I picked up a 5.1 set from Aldi for £30 2 years ago I then got 3x 3.5mm jack to 2 rca leads for £4.58 from Amazon put the speaker on the walls where they are meant to be i've just gone back to using them as I gave the Mrs my Microlab M700 2.1 set

 

[Dawelio]

Pc Monitor speakers are never really that good. For Gaming especially you want a good range, or the sounds will sound awful. Even the Razer Tiamat 7.1 headphones will be a better alternative that what you are trying to do.

7.1 audio is meant to have sounds coming from all around you. Even having it come from three monitors, meaning 7.1 audio from just the front is silly. I also question people who buy 5.1 or 7.1 speaker setups and have the rear speakers on the desk too.

Haha, Razer one was good! :lol:

I agree on the 5.1 and 7.1 setups though, I used to be one of both... now I just have an 5.1 system but with only the sub and 2 center speakers (left and right ones) plugged in and using. No need for the extra ones, since they don't really make any difference or any useful task. They also just being in the way on the desk, collecting dust ^_^