View Poll Results: Which do you use?

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  • Optical

    8 61.54%
  • Multi channel

    2 15.38%
  • Normal output (stereo/mono)

    3 23.08%
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Thread: Optical or Multi channel in? which is best...if any

  1. #1
    stormrazer razer121's Avatar
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    Optical or Multi channel in? which is best...if any

    As per title, ive got both hooked up to the PC and i've always wondered if there is really any difference? It sounds pretty much the same to me, other than the fact ive got loads of different options for optical, so give me some opinions on this one guys...i also gave the option for just normal output for people who dont use either.

    do you use optical or multi channel?

  2. #2
    HEXUS.social member finlay666's Avatar
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    Re: Optical or Multi channel in? which is best...if any

    well how many speakers are you using?
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    Not a good person scaryjim's Avatar
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    Re: Optical or Multi channel in? which is best...if any

    I've never had anything beyond 2.1 attached to my PC, so I've always stuck to a normal output. Frankly, the separation you need to get a decent 3d effect from speakers is such that I don't see the point of using multichannel on my PC when I'm only a few feet away And you can get some very good 3D effects from stereo speakers anyway if you have the right software...

    So are you going to end up going for one or the other? Seems a waste to have two sets of outputs going from one device to another...

  4. #4
    Formerly known as Andehh Andeh13's Avatar
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    Re: Optical or Multi channel in? which is best...if any

    Optical, it has a look little red light at the end which looks awsome!

  5. #5
    stormrazer razer121's Avatar
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    Re: Optical or Multi channel in? which is best...if any

    Quote Originally Posted by finlay666 View Post
    well how many speakers are you using?
    It can be any, i guess most who use optical would be 5.1 im unsure on multi channel but i guess people would use either 4 or 5.1,

    i use them both, the optical is perfect for films and my amp has so many options to make it sound perfect for me, on the other side when im gaming i find multi channel works abit better, IMO it is more a "true" 5.1 compared to that of my optical output

  6. #6
    Oh Crumbs.... Biscuit's Avatar
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    Re: Optical or Multi channel in? which is best...if any

    If you use digital (SPDIF), most soundcards will pass the digital to analogue conversion and/or any decoding that is necessary onto the amp which its connected. If you use multichannel then you could have 2 levels of processing on the audio as your soundcard will do the digital to analogue conversion then when it gets to your amp it might fiddle with it further.

    In reality 90% of people wont really notice the difference so its not a big deal but its general good practice to have as little processing on audio as possible.

    The reason the multichanel works better in gaming is because most soundcards SPDIF dont encode the 5.1 into a digital stream. Basically it sounds true 5.1 because it is true 5.1.

  7. #7
    stormrazer razer121's Avatar
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    Re: Optical or Multi channel in? which is best...if any

    Quote Originally Posted by Biscuit View Post
    In reality 90% of people wont really notice the difference so its not a big deal but its general good practice to have as little processing on audio as possible.

    The reason the multichanel works better in gaming is because most soundcards SPDIF dont encode the 5.1 into a digital stream. Basically it sounds true 5.1 because it is true 5.1.
    That explains alot then

  8. #8
    jim
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    Re: Optical or Multi channel in? which is best...if any

    To be honest, I'm not an audiophile. So onboard stereo with a pair of decent Creative speakers is more than adequate.

    I used to use 5.1, but the subwoofer wasted valuable space, and the rear speakers got in the way. Much happier with 2.0, and I've not noticed the difference - apart from that I don't need to muck around with soundcard settings anymore, which is a welcome change.

  9. #9
    stormrazer razer121's Avatar
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    Re: Optical or Multi channel in? which is best...if any

    Quote Originally Posted by snootyjim View Post
    To be honest, I'm not an audiophile. So onboard stereo with a pair of decent Creative speakers is more than adequate.

    I used to use 5.1, but the subwoofer wasted valuable space, and the rear speakers got in the way. Much happier with 2.0, and I've not noticed the difference - apart from that I don't need to muck around with soundcard settings anymore, which is a welcome change.
    I guess, i have 4 wires which do just the sound coming out the back of my pc, but then i use cable tidy Anyway i've found im pretty useless in games without the 5.1, i seem to be crap without it!

    did you not think of just getting a smaller sub? mine is only a 8inch cube, I'm also going to guess you have a very small room?

  10. #10
    HEXUS.social member finlay666's Avatar
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    Re: Optical or Multi channel in? which is best...if any

    Quote Originally Posted by razer121 View Post
    It can be any, i guess most who use optical would be 5.1 im unsure on multi channel but i guess people would use either 4 or 5.1,

    i use them both, the optical is perfect for films and my amp has so many options to make it sound perfect for me, on the other side when im gaming i find multi channel works abit better, IMO it is more a "true" 5.1 compared to that of my optical output
    How many speakers are YOU using?

    It is different on a case by case basis, 7.1/9.1 or 7.2/9.2? ideally multi-channel or via HDMI as IIRC TOSlink doesn't support that many channels. Then there is SPDif (Sony/Philips digital interface, either digital via coax or optical) as well as other input methods
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  11. #11
    dbh
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    Re: Optical or Multi channel in? which is best...if any

    I got 5.1 via multi input (though optical would be nice) and got the audio through the HDMI from my HD4850 to the telly I use as my monitor

  12. #12
    stormrazer razer121's Avatar
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    Re: Optical or Multi channel in? which is best...if any

    Quote Originally Posted by finlay666 View Post
    How many speakers are YOU using?

    It is different on a case by case basis, 7.1/9.1 or 7.2/9.2? ideally multi-channel or via HDMI as IIRC TOSlink doesn't support that many channels. Then there is SPDif (Sony/Philips digital interface, either digital via coax or optical) as well as other input methods
    Sorry i misunderstood what you was asking, im using 5.1 for both

  13. #13
    HEXUS.social member Disturbedguy's Avatar
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    Re: Optical or Multi channel in? which is best...if any

    Quote Originally Posted by razer121 View Post
    Sorry i misunderstood what you was asking, im using 5.1 for both
    You still didnt answer..how many speakers are you using?
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    Grumpy and VERY old :( g8ina's Avatar
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    Re: Optical or Multi channel in? which is best...if any

    Welll I do consider my self a bit of an audiophile, and I have tried discrete 5.1 cabling, optical and coaxial. my amp is 20m away from my PC and I have ended up with coaxial cable as my best bet.

    It does a great DTS passthru too
    Cheers, David



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    HEXUS.social member finlay666's Avatar
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    Re: Optical or Multi channel in? which is best...if any

    Quote Originally Posted by Disturbedguy View Post
    You still didnt answer..how many speakers are you using?
    I'll go talk to a dog, I might get an answer quicker and I don't have to repeat myself as much
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  16. #16
    stormrazer razer121's Avatar
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    Re: Optical or Multi channel in? which is best...if any

    Quote Originally Posted by Disturbedguy View Post
    You still didnt answer..how many speakers are you using?
    Yes i did im using 5.1 which, for anyone who doesnt understand.....is 5 speakers and a sub.

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