Hi Gts-ga,
First, let me completely bare my jealousy over your speakers and new
soundcard. I have a Hercules Game Theater XP and am waiting for new
speakers (currently have some small Altec Lansings). I took a lot of
time reading the manuals for the Klipsch as well as the manual for the
Extigy. (after calculating how many more questions I needed to answer
to get the Klipsch speakers) I found your answer in the Extigy online
manual.
"Creative Soundblaster Extigy Online Manual"
From the Creative Soundblaster.com website
http://www.soundblaster.com/manuals/extigy.pdf
"Klipsch Promedia 4.1 Online Manual"
From the Klipsch.com website
http://www.klipsch.com/assets/promedia4_1.pdf
They are both pdf files which limit my use of them (never have been a
fan of that format) but I can tell you that the 4.1'2 will work with
the Extigy.
On page 26 of the Sound Blaster pdf, you will see they have shown the
mini out for the 4.1 Satellite Speaker Controller. It also offers
Optical but unfortunately the Klipsch don't have an optical input.
So let's get to wiring diagrams for you.
"Creative Soundblaster Extigy Product Page"
From the Creative Soundblaster.com website
http://www.soundblaster.com/products/images/extigy-bck-panel.gif
You are going to start by plugging the mini connector from your
satellite speaker controller into the mini jack labeled "Digital Out"
on the back of the Extigy unit. It is located between SPDIF in and The
three rca outputs for the 5.1 systems.
Then:
"Klipsch Promedia 4.1 Online Manual"
From the Klipsch.com website
http://www.klipsch.com/assets/promedia4_1.pdf
(it is nearly impossible to read this document, so I took the liberty
of posting the information here for you.)
Connect the DIN plug to the Subwoofer from the Control Satellite
Preamp.
Connect the IEC plug (fancy name for power plug) into the subwoofer
amplifier panel. Once the system is properly setup and plugged in,
turn the rear amp panel power switch to the ON position from the OFF
position. DO NOT PLUG THE POWER IN UNTIL THE COMPUTER SYSTEM IS SETUP.
Since you are connecting to a 4-channel speaker set from a single
output, it can only handle two channels. You will need a Y adapter to
adapt this setup to two channels. The Y adapter they recommend is a
Single male 1/8th three conductor mini jack, to a pair of female 1/8th
three conductor mini jacks. (this device should be able to split a
"STEREO" connection into TWO "STEREO" connections. Do not use a Y
adapter that splits the signal into two mono left and right signals.
Connect the male mini connector into the back of the Extigy unit, then
connect one pair of speakers to one end of the female mini connecter,
and the other pair to the second end of the female end of the mini
connector.
I recommend getting that large subwoofer off the floor once it is in
place, I have listened to them, and the subwoofer is extremely BOOMY,
but that is my personal opinion.
For the best sound from these speakers, try to imagine a perfect
square, with you in the direct center. Place the speakers in each
corner, facing the two front speakers facing you, but not angled.
Common mistake made is to tweak the angles in. The rear speakers
should face the front speakers. The closer you come to having the
speakers equally placed around you the sweeter the center point will
sound.
While I am making long-winded recommendations, I highly recommend
ditching the extremely thin cable sent with the Klipsch speakers. If
you intend to listen to the speakers for clarity with digital signal,
go to a higher gauge speaker cable setup. I'm sure any local Radio
Shack or similar type location will be able to help you with this
issue. Better would be a nice car stereo place.
I am currently listening to Shirley Manson belt out Beautiful Girl on
my Altec Lansings, which in the past sounded so sweet to me. Currently
I don't think the speakers are doing the song justice. Congratulations
on some excellent speaker equipment.
Enjoy,
Mother911-ga |
Request for Answer Clarification by
gts-ga
on
20 Jul 2002 14:01 PDT
Thank you for your very thorough answer, mother911. I consider this
question to be virtually answered.
I just need a little clarification.
You wrote:
"You are going to start by plugging the mini connector from your
satellite speaker controller into the mini jack labeled 'Digital Out'
on the back of the Extigy unit."
But there are two mini connectors leading out of the satellite speaker
controller. One is green, the other purple (violet, to be more
precise). I know very little about 4.1 or 5.1 technology but
presumably one mini cable is for the front channels and the other is
for the rear channels. Yes? In any case, which one do I connect to the
Extigy digital out?
I'm wondering now also if the extigy and the promedia 4.1 are a poor
match, because you wrote:
"Since you are connecting to a 4-channel speaker set from a single
output, it can only handle two channels. You will need a Y adapter to
adapt this setup to two channels."
Does this mean I will not get true "surround sound"? If not then
perhaps I'll send you these new speakers at a good price and instead
get a 5.1 speaker setup. :)
As you can see I'm very ignotant about these things. I inherited these
speakers a few weeks ago when a friend in another country bought them
here but was unable to ship them home. I then bought the Extigy hoping
it would be a good match. (To complicate matters, I have installed an
ATI All-in-Wonder 8500DV graphics card, which requires in effect that
my sound card be attached to my graphics card. But I'll leave that for
another question if need be. :)
Thanks again for your help.
-gts
|
Clarification of Answer by
mother911-ga
on
20 Jul 2002 16:06 PDT
nice to see you again gts-ga,
Clarification is no problem.
gts-ga asks:
"But there are two mini connectors leading out of the satellite
speaker
controller. One is green, the other purple (violet, to be more
precise). I know very little about 4.1 or 5.1 technology but
presumably one mini cable is for the front channels and the other is
for the rear channels. Yes? In any case, which one do I connect to the
Extigy digital out?"
Unfortunately here is where taking the 4.1 digital out of the extigy
external soundcard loses you some quality. You are going to have to
plug the Y connector into the "Digital Out", and then plug the purple
and green leads into the Y connector. You are going to be sharing the
2 channel connection between your TWO 2 channel cables.
gts-ga also asks:
"I'm wondering now also if the extigy and the promedia 4.1 are a poor
match, because you wrote:
<snipped quote>
Does this mean I will not get true "surround sound"? If not then
perhaps I'll send you these new speakers at a good price and instead
get a 5.1 speaker setup. :)"
They aren't a poor match. However you assumption is correct. You will
not get true surround sound. You will however get a very nice, clean,
clear, LOUD 4 speaker setup for your computer. This was an extremely
difficult question to answer honestly after having the speakers
dangled in front of me :o). For true surround sound performance, you
will need to upgrade to a 5.1 system.
and finally gts-ga went on to ponder:
"(To complicate matters, I have installed an
ATI All-in-Wonder 8500DV graphics card, which requires in effect that
my sound card be attached to my graphics card. But I'll leave that for
another question if need be. :)"
I don't think this is a huge issue. It's my understanding (I haven't
fully read up on the 8500) that the 8500 have an spdif out, which can
be plugged into the spdif in on the Extigy, or any of the other inputs
on the extigy. I know it's a bit round the way for the setup, but we
work with what we have :o).
Good luck with your new system, and let me know what you decide to do.
Meantime don't forget to upgrade the cables to reduce noise floor
issues. Also feel free to continue to clarify or comment.
Mother911-ga
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