Apple Multiple Speakers from MacBook

I've just bought an ordinary Apple MacBook to replace my old Mesh Desktop and I want to transfer the speakers I have to my Laptop.

They are made by Creative and on the back of the Subwoofer it says Inspire T7700. I have 4 smaller speakers (2 front, 2 side/back) to create surround sound (I am happy just using the 2 front ones though), all of which, including the Subwoofer, came as a set.

The smaller speakers go into the Subwoofer and then all the audio it run through three output leads to go into the computer.

Due to the MacBook only having one slot for headphones I attached a two-way headphone splitter and run the front speakers and Subwoofer through it.

This seems to work fine at lower volumes but when I try to crank up the volume on different combinations of the Creative volume switch and the computer volume button, the sound seems to disappear from the top speakers and all I hear is sound from the Subwoofer. When I bring the volume back down again, it reverts back to normal, with good sound.

What can I do/buy to resolve this problem and am I damaging my computer in anyway?

At the moment my side speakers are obsolete, is there anyway I can use them?

I am very particular about the sound quality so I would like to maintain as higher quality as possible.

Thanks for any help or suggestions,
George.

 

This should do the trick: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Sound-Blaster-X-Fi-Surround-5-1/dp/B0019JDDC8/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1280425524&sr=1-2

 

Thanks, that would be perfect, but it is a bit pricey for a mere student.

Is there anything for cheaper?

I was hoping to pay around £20-30.

Thanks for the help!
George.

 

This may do it

 

Thanks for the help but I can't seem to find a retailer for it...?

Would this do? http://www.google.co.uk/products/catalog?client=safari&rls=en&q=StarTech.com+7.1+USB&oe=UTF-8&redir_esc=&um=1&ie=UTF-8&cid=13841318541091473988&ei=faVSTO2sG9ON4gaJveniAw&sa=X&oi=product_catalog_result&ct=result&resnum=3&ved=0CC8Q8wIwAg#ps-sellers

Thank you very much for all your help!

 

Yeah it should do, I cant comment on the sound qaulity though, ive never bought a startech. I would go with the amazon one: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Startech-Audio-External-Sound-Card/dp/tech-data/B002LM0U2S/ref=de_a_smtd If your gonna get the startech.