Enable 2.1 audio output in PulseAudio

enable-2.1-audio-output-in-pulseaudio.md

Enable 2.1 audio output in PulseAudio

I'm using a 2.1 speakers kit from Logitec but most of the time it is always detected as 2.0... 😒

So I decided to make some research and found a solution that works everytimes (on Ubuntu based distribs).

It seems to work also on Arch Linux, see comment from @ilikenwf.

Before patching

As you can see, my audio output is not patched.

Audio Ouput

Audio Test

The patch

To fix the problem easily, I wrote a small script to run as root or using sudo.

sudo bash pulse-audio-2.1-patch.sh

You will need to reboot to apply the changes.

After patching

Now you can see the result of the patch, for the best result, set your principal audio output volume close to the max then select the new audio output entry as shown below and set the volume you want. 😁

Patched Audio Ouput

Patched Audio Test

Enjoy!

Now you can enjoy a much better and cleaner audio output. 😉 🤘

TODO

Add search references.

pulse-audio-2.1-patch.sh

#!/bin/bash

# Patch config
sudo sed -i 's/; enable-lfe-remixing = no/enable-lfe-remixing = yes/g' /etc/pulse/daemon.conf
echo 'default-sample-channels = 3' | sudo tee -a /etc/pulse/daemon.conf
echo 'default-channel-map = front-left,front-right,lfe' | sudo tee -a /etc/pulse/daemon.conf

# Patch modules
echo -e '### Test subwoofer\nload-module module-combine channels=3 channel_map=front-left,front-right,lfe\n' | sudo tee -a /etc/pulse/default.pa

@robodraif, You're very welcome, glad it solved your issue 🤘

On Ubuntu20.04 testing the subwoofer only sends a short pulse of static to the front speakers. if anyone tested their subwoofer, what kind of sound you got on subwoofer? and what could be possible reasons for not working?
My speakers are quite old, from Creative(MMS112).