4.1 soundcard - comptaible with 5.1, 2.1, 2.0 speakers?

i have a few years old creative labs sb soundcard with a dying 4.1
speakers set. what kind of replacement speakers set should i buy? will
a 5.1 speakers set be compatible with it (but with one of the speakers
being silent), or do i need to go "down-compatible" instead with a 2.0
speakers set.

reason i ask is there appears to be no 4.1 speakers sets on the market
these days.

thanks!

It would help if you gave the model number of this Creative Labs SB.
Some of the newer 5.1 speakers come with a switch for 4.1, 5.1, 6.1.
Like my Labtecs X-620 6.1 (and 5.1 or 4.1 setting).
Got them as refurbished off w.Ebay.com from Justdeals.com
$33 (including shipping), speakers were in "like new" condition.

For a cheap 5.1 sound card replacement, my Turtle Beach Santa Cruz
was used off Ebay.ocm for $20.50, Does 5.1 speaker
and has quality hardware (card was $100 when they first came out)

Or the Chaintech AV-710 usualying $25
The card uses a VIA Envy HT-S chip
Should have good driver update support.

"niz" wrote in message
ups.com...
i have a few years old creative labs sb soundcard with a dying 4.1
speakers set. what kind of replacement speakers set should i buy? will
a 5.1 speakers set be compatible with it (but with one of the speakers
being silent), or do i need to go "down-compatible" instead with a 2.0
speakers set.

reason i ask is there appears to be no 4.1 speakers sets on the market
these days.

thanks!