Explain to me how surround sound works

[Vinny]

Before you start, I know what surround sound is.

I just don't understand how it works with these new motherboards/sound cards.

I'm looking at a 939 Gigabyte GA-K8N Pro SLI and it has 7.1 surround. On the back, there are seperate outputs for front, rear, center, sides, and subwoofer. What I don't understand is, how does this hook up to a surround sound system?

My speakers only has one set of inputs for 5.1 channels... are newer speakers different? I'm looking at some Creative SBS 580 5.1 speakers for my set-up so I want to make sure it'll work.

Otherwise, I'll just stick with stereo.

[DuckM4n]

basically a speaker goes into one port will play the audio sent to that port by the soundcard/audio driver

what brand are your speakers?

[CYRiX]

Instead of using a surround sound system it makes you have to use multiple sets of speakers instead (which is a lot cheaper :D)

[Vinny]

basically a speaker goes into one port will play the audio sent to that port by the soundcard/audio driver

what brand are your speakers?

Currently I hav ea Philips receiver with 4.1 (mistakenly said 5.1 in the first post).

Instead of using a surround sound system it makes you have to use multiple sets of speakers instead (which is a lot cheaper :D)

Dammit... that actually sucks for me because I already have receiver with speakers. And my speakers have those wires, not the plugs. FUCK!!!

I can use my receiver with the two front speakers (and sub), add in 3 more speakers for center and the two rears and another sub for a 5.2 system.

So, do newer PC speakers support this type of audio output?