[Hi all, newbie here but been around a LONG time ;) HW/SW/FW engineer for decades..]

[UPDATE: I'm looking at USB->surround external boxes. Are ANY good???]

I just wasted too many round 'tuits learning ASIO4all etc... and failing to accomplish my goal. Maybe not a complete loss: learned a few things and discovered this amazing community along the way :-D

Below is my goal. Am I crazy or is there a simple solution I just don't know how to implement?

Old platform: desktop PC with plenty of audio in/out ports and Realtek HD Audio controller that made it easy to plug in 5.1 or 7.1 line level (to powered) surround speakers.
New platform: nice HP Zbook laptop, dock, and big (Innocn - wow!) screen with enough 3.5mm audio jacks between them all, but no single device has multiple jacks.

Goal: surround sound output on the laptop when docked. Cheap (I run a very nonprofit ;) )

Seems it ought to be possible to create a virtual output device that combines 3 or 4 jacks into a 5.1 / 7.1 virtual speaker... but I've found no examples, or even people attempting this.

Is there a solution, or do I need to purchase some hardware? If hardware, is there a good affordable solution?

UPDATE: I've started looking at external sound boxes. There are so so many. And most generate a variety of complaints. Are any just... plain good quality and work? LOL. Seems a USB3->Surround device ought to be straightforward.

Your insights much appreciated,
Papa Pete (that's what my three grand-girls have called me since age 1 ;) )

 

Last edited: Mar 4, 2025

LogiTech - Z906 - 5.1 Surround Sound Speaker System - €269.13

Logitech Z906 5.1 sound system, speakers with 1000 watt surround sound, THX, multiple audio inputs, remote control, multi-device, EU plug, PC / PS4 / Xbox / stereo system / TV / smartphone / tablet

www.amazon.de/Logitech-Z906-3D-Stereo-Lautsprecher-5-1-Dolby-Surround-Sound-Fernseher-Wohnzimmereinrichtungen-Schwarz/dp/B004PGM9KY?language=en_GB

 

I already have speakers (an older Logitech system, pretty similar. ;) What I need is an interface that drives them, from a laptop / docking cube. I have:
- multiple 3.5mm audio ports (on laptop, dock, display)
- USB C, USB 3.2 etc

What I'm missing is the typical desktop computer integrated 5.1/7.1 3.5mm ports. I see lots of USB external devices but people complain about all of them.

 

the cheapest/most straightforward solution is probably hdmi -> some sort of home theater receiver

 

TerraTec used to be in the sound card and audio interface business, they basically have the know-how for quality.

TERRATEC AUREON USB 7.1 PC sound card external 8-channel USB soundbox - optical input/output for AC3 and DTS - for up to 8 speakers - analog and digital audio devices - €34.99

LINK: www.terratec.de/details.php?artnr=10715&lang=en

www.amazon.de/dp/B0046Y59SO?m=A3JWKAKR8XB7XF&tag=idealode-am-pk-21&ascsubtag=2025-03-05_72c2c6685456e5a6f012235f9e4d9fd917b87fc4dec3b571c6b7a37a23cee736&th=1&language=en_GB

 

Last edited: Mar 5, 2025

Adjust sound settings in VLC - here's how

Open the VLC media player. Under the "Options" tab you will find the "Settings". After you have opened the settings, you can expand them by clicking on "Show all".

In the column on the left you will find the item "Audio". Here you can adjust all settings for the 5.1 sound. To do this, select the sub-item "On" under "Force detection of Dolby Surround" and directly below that the item "Dolby Surround" under "Stereo audio playback mode".

If you have connected your computer to your amplifier via a digital audio output, tick the box "Use S/PDIF when available". Now the sound from VLC will be passed on to your amplifier as 5.1 sound.

By clicking on "Save" you accept the adjusted settings.

 

I'm afraid it's the only choice that isn't over-complicated.

 

You can try those cheap blue box 5.1 usb interface from ebay. I have one of them.

 

For virtual surround headphones by far and away the best that I have used is the McGillicutty 420mk3. They're pricey but worth it.

www.smokeweed?McGillicutty420mk3headphoney

 

Last edited: Apr 6, 2025