Best way to connect Surround

[MRiOS]

I have an older set of 5.1 surround sound speakers from Logitech that I'd like to use with my Mac Pro, however the Mac Pro only has one port for audio out other than the Optical. The Speakers only have the three RCA? plugs in the colors Black, Green, & Orange and I'm not sure how to get it so that I can use all the speakers.

The Speakers: http://brain.pan.e-merchant.com/6/0/00777206/l_00777206.jpg

The Plug: http://www.logitech.com/lang/images/0/9025.jpg


Is there a compatible Soundcard I can plu into a PCI slot or is there another, better way to set this up without the use of a receiver/amplifier.

[Wild-Bill]

No complete soundcard, but you may want to try the Griffin Firewave (http://www.overstock.com/Electronics/Griffin-FireWave-External-5.1-Sound-Card-for-Mac/3834805/product.html).

[Vylen]

No complete soundcard, but you may want to try the Griffin Firewave (http://www.overstock.com/Electronics/Griffin-FireWave-External-5.1-Sound-Card-for-Mac/3834805/product.html).

I recommend the Griffin FireWave as well - I even use it to connect my Z-5500D's even though I can use toslink/optical.

Unfortunately, however, the FireWave was discontinued a few years ago so it might require some luck and a lot of searching to find someone that's selling one.

[Mav3067]

You might consider picking up one of these cards.

http://www.pinnaclesys.com/PublicSite/uk/Products/Consumer+Products/Audio/M-Audio/M-Audio+Revolution+5_1.htm

This card will output to the plugs you described and last I checked is Mac compatible.

Cheers, Mav

[xgman]

I gave up on the old plug style 5.1 system when I got the 2008 mac pro for the same reasons. Moved to a firewire interface and audio amp system. The MP's are not really meant for 5.1 cards so much.

[iRobertM]

All I want is to get 5.1 on World of Warcraft in OSx, not interested in running Winblows. Currently connected fiber to Logitech Z5500s. The simulated gets all speakers working but is not surround. Anyone know if this M-Audio Revolution 5.1 card would do the trick? I read Griffin FireWave would but I don't shop e-bay.

[mulo]

use optical, thats what I do form my MBP to my 5.1 sorround

you will need a cable like this.
http://www.walmart.com/ip/StarTech.com-THINTOSMIN10-Toslink-to-Miniplug-Digital-Audio-Cable/13070174?sourceid=1500000000000003142050&ci_src=14110944&ci_sku=13070174

or these two
http://www.mycablemart.com/store/cart.php?m=product_detail&p=1439
http://www.mycablemart.com/store/cart.php?m=product_detail&p=1428

each solution for under $10, I can recommend mycablemart, used them many times

[mulo]

All I want is to get 5.1 on World of Warcraft in OSx, not interested in running Winblows. Currently connected fiber to Logitech Z5500s. The simulated gets all speakers working but is not surround. Anyone know if this M-Audio Revolution 5.1 card would do the trick? I read Griffin FireWave would but I don't shop e-bay.

the optical in all macs support 5.1 surround so use that, no need for expensive extra cards.

refer to my above post

[iRobertM]

the optical in all macs support 5.1 surround so use that, no need for expensive extra cards.

refer to my above post

Only DVD's are supported 5.1 out though the optical, games are not.

[mulo]

Only DVD's are supported 5.1 out though the optical, games are not.

negative, WoW runs 5.1 just fine, so does SCII. bout the only games i care to play,

[iRobertM]

negative, WoW runs 5.1 just fine, so does SCII. bout the only games i care to play,

If thats true then awesome, then maybe you can help me.

Here are the steps I take:

1. Hooked the Z5500's up via fiber
2. Set the "effects" to PLII Movie
3. Start up WOW
4. Sound come out of all 5 speaks (Good so far)
5. Go up to a sound source, anything really and spin to the left or right. The sound is not correct. Meaning if the sound is behind me it does not come out of the back speakers. Music plays through all but not the direct sound. On my old PC with a sound card it worked perfectly.

[mulo]

that's odd, i just plugged mine in and the thing worked flawlessly.
maybe if you check "use hardware"

I could tell the difference immediately, I used to have a PC which also had optical, but it only played with stereo, had to have a external sound card for that thing

[goMac]

So much bad advice in this thread... ugh...

1) ANY program in OS X can output 5.1 just fine. WoW and SCII both do 5.1.
2) The M-Audio 5.1 card is plain PCI and does NOT work in a Mac Pro.
3) An optical cable/TOSLink cable will not work because his speakers do not have digital audio in.

The Firewave is probably your best bet, although it does not work in Boot Camp.

[MRiOS]

So much bad advice in this thread... ugh...

1) ANY program in OS X can output 5.1 just fine. WoW and SCII both do 5.1.
2) The M-Audio 5.1 card is plain PCI and does NOT work in a Mac Pro.
3) An optical cable/TOSLink cable will not work because his speakers do not have digital audio in.

The Firewave is probably your best bet, although it does not work in Boot Camp.

Thanks for the concise summary of the thread. Seeing as the FireWave device is no longer available via regular retail, is there any other device that performs about the same functions? or is there a converter box that allows me to route TOSlink from my Mac Pro to my speakers hooked up to the converter?

[nasabaer]

Maybe this Product from Teufel (http://www.teufel.de/pc-lautsprecher/decoderstation-5.html) will do it ?

Sorry for the german link - i found no international - but there are pictures of the backside of the decoderstation. i have one here in use connected via toslink to my mac pro and pc. you can buy some adapter cables for converting the cinch to 3,5mm for a few bucks.