audio combining 4 stereo inputs in 1 output

[Sam Hardy]

Hello,

I need basically my computer, kodi box(movies and videos) and alexa(music) on the same set of speakers all connected by a cable. I have a set of powered desktop speakers but i am wanting to upgrade them to a surround sound setup in the future the full 7.1/5.1 What is the best way to merge these to the main speakers so in the future the surround sound works as well. I am wanting a kinda cheap solution and I don't want to just plug them both into my PC because the point of doing this so everything can be stand alone so it will need to be a hardware solution. I want a extra one in case of a new audio device. Every device has a 3.5mm AUX output.

[GOTSpectrum]

2 minutes ago, Sam Hardy said:

Hello,

I need basically my computer, kodi box(movies and videos) and alexa(music) on the same set of speakers all connected by a cable. I have a set of powered desktop speakers but i am wanting to upgrade them to a surround sound setup in the future the full 7.1/5.1 What is the best way to merge these to the main speakers so in the future the surround sound works as well. I am wanting a kinda cheap solution and I don't want to just plug them both into my PC because the point of doing this so everything can be stand alone so it will need to be a hardware solution. I want a extra one in case of a new audio device. Every device has a 3.5mm AUX output.

for 2.1 sound you could just by getting a relatively cheap audio mixer.

 

for 7.1 i'm not so sure, audio switches and mixers exist for this I'm sure, but I can't imaging they are cheap.

[firereverie]

What is the expected result here? Does more than one source need to play through the speakers at any given time? Or just switching between sources to one endpoint? If it’s the later than you just need a receiver (most 7.1 receivers should handle this task if they have line level outputs) or if you’re short on cash just a little analog av source switch.

 

Quote

for 2.1 sound you could just by getting a relatively cheap audio mixer.

 

for 7.1 i'm not so sure, audio switches and mixers exist for this I'm sure, but I can't imaging they are cheap.

There are audio mixers that can handle 7.1, I use them for work, but you’re looking at well over $10k, probably not the best solution for a home setup. Even for 2.1 mixing those signals gets pricey because of your channel count.

[firereverie]

The better question here is if this stuff is all playing at the same endpoint why isn’t it all coming from your rig? Run Kodi and Amazon on PC, connect PC to TV and speaker, easy.

[Sam Hardy]

4 hours ago, firereverie said:

The better question here is if this stuff is all playing at the same endpoint why isn’t it all coming from your rig? Run Kodi and Amazon on PC, connect PC to TV and speaker, easy.

I was going to do that but I have a projector it requires my room to be very dark. I got some home automation to turn off my light when KODI is playing and to turn the speakers on but my PC has lights that can't be turned off in there without sleeping it or shuting down so I got a old PC to run just KODI . The amazon alexa I mainly want the voice commands its a lot better then Cortana and I can use the other features better like setting timers it means i can play music without the PC having to be turned on.

[Derkoli]

6 hours ago, Sam Hardy said:

Hello,

I need basically my computer, kodi box(movies and videos) and alexa(music) on the same set of speakers all connected by a cable. I have a set of powered desktop speakers but i am wanting to upgrade them to a surround sound setup in the future the full 7.1/5.1 What is the best way to merge these to the main speakers so in the future the surround sound works as well. I am wanting a kinda cheap solution and I don't want to just plug them both into my PC because the point of doing this so everything can be stand alone so it will need to be a hardware solution. I want a extra one in case of a new audio device. Every device has a 3.5mm AUX output.

If you go full 7.1/5.1 then you'll most likely have a receiver which will have all the inputs on it, such as the back of my denon x8500h has 6 sets of analogue in, then a few opticals. You wont need a switch when you get the 7.1/5.1 unless you go for a cheaper computer set with only a few inputs.