XPS Desktops

[Champagne xps8950]

Is there a way to obtain 5.1 surround sound on the XPS 8950 with no add in sound card?

I have my 5.1 surround sound speakers plugged into the PC but only the Left and Right speakers produce sound.

I have no problem buying and installing a sound card but i don't want to violate the warranty. I would have bought a sound card with the XPS 8950 when I bought it two weeks ago, but I bought it on Amazon and there was no option to buy a sound card.

Thanks.

[Tesla1856]

Start by going to (legacy) Control-Panel / Sound. Be sure your Speaker System is properly configured for 5.1 audio . They must first pass the testing (ie, each speaker plays by itself when called-upon).

[Champagne xps8950]

Thanks. I did what you instructed, but, in Control Panel Sounds, there was no option to configure for 5.1 speakers.

[fireberd]

The Dell Setup and Specs document details what jacks to use for 5.1.  Its not straightforward like old sound cards.

XPS 8950 Setup and Specifications (dell.com)

[Tesla1856]

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@Champagne xps8950 wrote:

Thanks. I did what you instructed, but, in Control Panel Sounds, there was no option to configure for 5.1 speakers.

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Set your (analog) audio device as the Default. With your audio device selected click Configure button. If it only lists Stereo (ie no 5.1 listed) you have a deeper-rooted problem. Resolve that (maybe as @fireberd suggested) and then come back here to configure them.

5.1 Audio will not work as long as Windows does not detect or think you have the proper number of speakers connected.

[RoHe]

XPS 8950 uses Waves MaxxAudio Pro as its sound controller. So you have to configure both Windows and Waves for your surround sound.

1. Configure Windows as best you can with Realtek Audio set on Windows Sound screen
2. Power off fully and disconnect all speakers from PC
3. Power on and get to desktop
4. Plug in front L/R speakers and wait for Waves to pop up and ask what you connected.
   Select best option on the Waves menu
5. Plug in rear L/R speakers and wait for Waves...
6. Plug in subwoofer last and wait for Waves...
7. Open Waves control panel (may be a "W" icon on taskbar near clock)
8. Click Playback option
9. Turn Equalizer on by moving the slider to right
10. Confirm Output device is set correctly or choose better option on the dropdown menu
11. Make sure speakers aren't muted on Waves Playback screen and set volume level too
12. Click Sound Test button at lower right corner of the Waves screen
13. You may also have to look at settings on the "Dimension" screen in Waves control panel, if it has one (depends on version of Waves)

[Champagne xps8950]

I have success now with the 5.1 speaker set up. The KEY and most important step is to Power Off the entire system. Unplug all speakers from the computer. Then Power On. Once on, plug in the speakers One at a Time! You'll be prompted by the computer to proceed to the next step as it detects each newly connected speaker.

[RoHe]

@Champagne xps8950  Glad you got speakers working. Waves has its own rules and you have to play its little game...

If my post helped, please mark it as the Accepted Solution. Thanks!

[Champagne xps8950]

No, I spoke too soon, Ron. The speakers function during the Test. Yes, that part is fine. 

However, none of the speakers function when I try to use the computer to play a game or use YouTube.

When I first reported the problem, the Left and Right speakers functioned well for all applications. The other speakers were silent. Now, when I try to use the computer none of the speakers work.

[RoHe · Accepted solution]

<sigh>

Open Waves Control Panel. Is "Select Output Device" still set correctly?

Open the Windows Sound screen. Is Realtek set as the output device? Then run the Troubleshooter on that screen...