Front vs read audio

[MeltingPoint]

What is the difference between the rear motherboard audio interface versus the front ones?

 

Are they driven from the same audio chip? 

[EmoRarity]

They run of the same device, just use rear though, less interference

[MeltingPoint]

I'm using headphones and the sound is a bit funny when I connect to the rear audio jack (line out). It doesn't sound like stereo. There is a hint of this annoying surround sound effect.

[creatip123]

What is the difference between the rear motherboard audio interface versus the front ones?

 

Are they driven from the same audio chip? 

 

The DAC chip driving them is positively the same. The amp, depending on the manufacturer/brand, can be the same or not the same. Some brands include a headphone amp to one of them, either the front or the rear one. 

 

The difference is, the back jacks are part of the mobo, while the front panel is part of the casing. Most casings uses cheap stuffs, i.e. thin and bad cables, cheap front panel PCB, and stuffs. Moreover, that thin cables run from the back part, across the middle of the mobo to reach the front panel, picking up interference along the way. 

[creatip123]

I'm using headphones and the sound is a bit funny when I connect to the rear audio jack (line out). It doesn't sound like stereo. There is a hint of this annoying surround sound effect.

 

Ah, unless stated otherwise, don't plug it into line out jack. Line out jack output at line level, which is only ideal to use with amps. Plug it to the front speaker jack

[MeltingPoint]

Ah, unless stated otherwise, don't plug it into line out jack. Line out jack output at line level, which is only ideal to use with amps. Plug it to the front speaker jack

Figures. My motherboard is capable of 7.1 surround and in the manual it states that I plug into the line out port for headphones and 2 channel speakers. 

 

A jellybean NE5532 amp is included but I think its only for the front panel audio. 

[creatip123]

Figures. My motherboard is capable of 7.1 surround and in the manual it states that I plug into the line out port for headphones and 2 channel speakers. 

 

A jellybean NE5532 amp is included but I think its only for the front panel audio. 

 

Well, if it's stated in the manual to plug headphones in the line out port, then it's okay. 

 

Try checking the audio driver application, and turn off all effects. Then try wiggling or replugging the connector.

[NannerBeans]

Figures. My motherboard is capable of 7.1 surround and in the manual it states that I plug into the line out port for headphones and 2 channel speakers. 

 

A jellybean NE5532 amp is included but I think its only for the front panel audio. 

Yes AsRock mobos typically amp the front so it might be better to plug it in the front. 

[mr moose]

The NE5532 is quite a good op amp.  The realtek audio manager should allow you to select headphones as the connected device to the blue socket which should kick up the output from the opamp.

 

If you are unsure, select jack sensing and then plug in your headphones.  A dialogue box should appear asking what you plugged in and select headphones.

[MeltingPoint]

Thanks for all the replies. I'll be using the rear output and I'll be buying an amp.