I can get my new 5.1 speakers to work. But only my rear 2, my sub and the center one produce any sound. I don't get any sound from my computer either (start-up noise or msn ba da bong noise). I can play music or games with sound but still the front 2 speakers just don't want to work. I've looked in the manual and it seems everything is plugged in right. I got some Labtec (now Logitech i believe) Arena 675 5.1 Speakers. I haven't tried switching cables around yet.. so i will do that now.

Is there an option on the amplifier to switch off the 5.1 sound? i.e. to take input from stereo? that works for me

nope.

*Bump*

They still don't work

Nothing i do seems to help it

The only things I can think of:

- Bad cable
- Bad speakers
- Bad internal wireing of the speakers
- No support for 5.1 channel in sound card
- Bad ports on sound card
- Incorrect output through computer (software error)

That's about all I can think of...

Did you try making sure that all the cables are in all the way? because thats what happen to my parents speakers just a few hours ago...

Yup, i have. Its a bit of shame really, it working at 3.1 is brilliant, i think i may run some tests.

Is your computer set up for it, as in Software and you have the volume up on all the speakers (If thats an option).

Edit: and one more thing, did all 6 speakers work before or are they brand new?

They are brand new. And i have just tested the stereo speakers with a cd player and all is well. It would seem that my Microphone and Line Out ports work fine, when the green headphone port isn't. I tried using headphones but nothing is heard when i have linkin park on full blast. Remember that i built this pc, so is there something which i have failed to add, like a link from the sound part of the mobo to the main mobo? I think i will have to get a pci sound card, if that doesn't work, who knows.

If you have an integrated soundcard, then there shouldn't be any internal cables to connect. Another thought, I think that you said there were logitech speakers and I know that there is a button that you can push and it will disable two of the speakers. Its an idea, but surely you would have tryed pushing the buttons on it already, if not push the button, it might be called "matrix", and see if it does anyting!

They are Labtec, which i guessed is part of Logitech now..right?

I don't know. Did logitech buy them out or something?

I just heard it somewhere, nevermind.

Ok, did you try and contact labtech or do a search on google to see if other people are having the same problem?

Did you try returning the speakers and getting new ones?

Nope, im going to stick on with these. I think it must be something to do with the card because i had some flat speakers which also didnt work. These 5.1 ones are definatly better, and the sub-woofer doubles up as a better foot rest..NO, that is not why they aren't working!!!

I just got myself a new card and everything works Thanks, it would seem your helpful troubleshooting got it working.

That good to now... wait... why would I care if you got it working... o well.

I have only ever had integrated sound. The best quality I get is through JetAudio w/ headphones. Good enough for me. I have heard that the 5.1 gives "3D" sound. You can hear the bullet louder as it gets closer, that type of thing. Excellent with war movies.

Yeh, it does, it did in star wars at least.