Center channel output using USB/Headphone mix

[steve217]

I have a AC511 Dell sound bar connected to my Mac via USB. I have a L/R speaker set connected to the headphone out on my Mac mini (late 2012/Mojave).

My question is: Is it possible to use the sound bar for the center channel on iTunes movies with the L/R speakers enabled?

 

[jerwin]

This might be useful

Combine multiple audio interfaces by creating an Aggregate Device

 

[steve217]

I saw that page and played with the Audio Midi setup for a bit. The only way I could get sound out of both speakers was when I created a Multi-Output device.

When that was done, I saw no way to designate the soundbar as the center channel (for dialog) and the L/R for the rest of the sound stage.

 

[jerwin]

configure speakers doesn't work? I must confess, I have only the one device, so I'm limited to stereo.

 

[steve217]

configure speakers doesn't work? I must confess, I have only the one device, so I'm limited to stereo.

Naww... unfortunately, or at least I don't know how to use it.

I've also got the problem that the sound levels on the center channel need to be balanced with the L/R.

Plus, the soundbar sounds pretty cr@ppy so I'm not sure how hard I'm going to fuss with this. I've got it playing the system sounds and that's good enough. Now music can be loud on the L/R and I don't get blasted by system sounds.

 

[jerwin]

https://www.macobserver.com/tips/deep-dive/creating-surround-sound-system-in-macos-extra-speakers/