Getting digital speakers to work

[Bonzi]

I built a PC recently using a GA-EP43-UD3L motherboard. I have a set of Boston Digital BA735 speakers from an 8 y.o. Gateway PC. The jack for these speakers only have one plastic ring on them. Will these not work with the inputs the mobo has? Are there settings I have to change or drivers I need to download?

[not important]

What type of jack do the Boston speakers use? 1/8 inch pin jack is the standard for PC cases, sound card and onboard sound.

[Rev_pizzaguy]

Does your audio control panel have an option for force digital output? You might try that. Otherwise, you could just get a set of standard speakers and not have to worry about this in the future.

[Bonzi]

Originally Posted by not important What type of jack do the Boston speakers use? 1/8 inch pin jack is the standard for PC cases, sound card and onboard sound.

They're the same size.

Originally Posted by Rev_pizzaguy Does your audio control panel have an option for force digital output?

None that i could find.

Otherwise, you could just get a set of standard speakers and not have to worry about this in the future.

Gee, thanks.

[glc]

Here is a link you need to read -

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/302710

Also, Google shows a LOT of hits for people trying to get those speakers running on computers other than that Gateway model they came with. It looks to me like you may have to reuse your sound card and try to find the right drivers.

[Panama Red]

I have the same speakers from my old GW system and I use them on my test bench for customer computers. Just skip the digital connection and use the cable that came with them that has a green connector on one end and a purple connector on the other. Just connect the purple end to the Analog socket on the sub and green to your sound card. If you don't have the original cable, I'm betting any stereo mini plug cable would work.

[Bonzi]

Originally Posted by glc It looks to me like you may have to reuse your sound card and try to find the right drivers.

Hmm, I may give that a shot. Do you think there will be any sacrifice in sound quality using an 8 y.o. Sound Blaster Live! card vs. the onboard sound on a newer motherboard?

Originally Posted by Panama Red Just skip the digital connection and use the cable that came with them that has a green connector on one end and a purple connector on the other.

I am using the green connector (I don't remember there being any other wiring that came with these speakers). The other end that goes into the sub is not purple on mine, it's black.

Just connect the purple end to the Analog socket on the sub and green to your sound card.

Analog socket? The only sockets on the sub other than for power are "digital in" and "control out"- which connects to one of the satellites.

[Rev_pizzaguy]

http://jp1.gateway.com/helpspot/faq/000152/index.shtml

That shows some pictures that might help you. Seems like there were two models of those speakers, one has digital and analog in, one has just digital.

[Panama Red]

Originally Posted by Rev_pizzaguy http://jp1.gateway.com/helpspot/faq/000152/index.shtml That shows some pictures that might help you. Seems like there were two models of those speakers, one has digital and analog in, one has just digital.

And that explains why mine has analog too.

[glc]

Let's put it this way. I have an old SB Live 5.1 in this box. My other box has Intel HD onboard sound (P35 chipset) and I think it sounds better than the SB. Never thought I'd say this about onboard sound, but there we have it.