Can I combine my two speaker sets for 4.1 sound?

Question

I have 2.1 speakers, and am currently planning on purchasing new Klipsch 2.0 speakers for my apartment. However, while I am at home, I'd like to use both sets of speakers and take advantage of my 5.1 sound card if possible, and use my combined set at 4.1 sound. Is there anything that can combine the two sets together and have the computer recognize them as a 4.1 speaker system rather than simply two 2 speaker sets?

And don't just tell me I can. I'd like to know how please.

Hmm.. in response to Ginny M, it is true that there doesn't seem to be any movies or games that advertise as having 4.1 sound.. I never thought about that, but I do know that 4.1 speakers are sold.. for some reason..

In response to Robert, I'd like one set to act at the front left and right speakers, and the other to act as the rear left and right speakers, like true 4.1 sound. I already know how to set up all four speakers as 2.1 sound.

Answer 1

I kinda rigged something up like you about 2 years ago. I had the klipsch pro media 2.1 computer speakers and also a pair of bose acoustimass speakers. I wanted to hook them all up but on the back of my sub, there were only 2 spots to put the wires in since it was a 2.1 system. So then I just put 2 audio cables in each spot. The left speaker slot had both the klipsch and bose wires in it and the right had both klipchs and bose as well. It worked and all 4 speakers came through great. Then I found a setting in my sound card to make 4.1 sound but I didn't really notice any difference with that setting. It just sounded better because i was able to put speakers in all 4 corners of the room instead of 2. I did end up blowing out a bose speaker, but I think that was just because I played my music really loud. Im not sure if it is bad for the speakers/sub to do this, but it worked out fine for me.

Answer 2

there is no such thing as 4.1, if you're just adding 2 more speakers you still get stereo sound, but instead of getting it out 2 speakers you get it out of 4 speakers like a car. its the same sound you get out of the first pair of speakers. 5.1 is left speaker, center channel, right speaker, 2 rears, and a subwoofer. For 5.1, 7.1, and 6.1 the sound processer "your reciever" has to decode Dolby, Dts, or THX to those speakers and usually for movie soundtacks.

Answer 3

Hi. I just want to get it clear in my mind what you want to do.
(1) Do you want to use both sets of speakers together in the front ? (two at the left and two at the right)
(2) or do you want to have one set connected as the front left and right speakers and the other set connected as the rear (surround ) speakers ?

Answer 4

yes, you can do this