3.5mm jack plugs and 7:1 audio

David · 2016-04-15T17:56:15+00:00

[I think I'm answering most of my questions as I work through the description, but would still like to check my understanding.] I'm trying to put together a home audio system based around a Home Theatre PC (HTPC). I'm only planning to use 5:1 (well, 5:0 because the speaker system doesn't have a sub) and I'm looking at the diagram for the sound card. This has wiring options for various configurations from 2:1 to 7:1. Now as far as I know 3.5mm jack plugs have a minimum of 2 connectors - signal and ground for mono. If you go to stereo you get 3 connectors for left signal, right signal, and ground. If you go to a connection with a microphone you get yet another connector. [Looking at Google these are being referred to as conductors.] With this sound card (Soundblaster Audigy 5/RX) there are three line out sockets to serve all the speaker channels (8 channels for 7:1). For example Line Out 3 can support centre, sub, and side left. So, the thing that is causing me mental indigestion; where you can support up to 3 channels I presume you need a four conductor plug. However what plug do you use if you are on 5:1 and want only centre? Is there some scheme for connecting 3.5mm sockets together where one end supports more connections than the other? For a similar example, on the smaller 2.5mm mobile phone sockets you can use stereo headphones (3 conductor) or headphones and a microphone (4 conductor). How do you cope with both plugs? Anyway. For my set up the audio output from the card is plugging into the rear of an old AV amplifier which has phono connectors. I am assuming that for the front speakers I need a 3.5mm stereo jack plug to two phono plugs. I can see these on t'Internet easily. For the other connectors, I assume I need a 4 conductor 3.5mm jack to 3 separate phonos (for example side left, centre, sub). All the ones I am seeing are marked "left, right, video". That is, old style pre SCART audio/ video cables. Are these O.K. for my set up or is there...

Apr 15, 2016 40 Replies

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David 10 years ago

Finally received a response from Creative asking for more details about their own cable.

Sent them

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Cheers

Dave R

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3.5mm jack plugs and 7:1 audio

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