Audio output splitter

[TheDanishDude]

Hey you smart guys!

 

Sooo.. i was wondering if it is possible to buy some kind of switch, to plug both my speaker set and my headphones into, and just kinda switch between the 2 with a button or likewise.

The most important for me is that i dont have to deal with messing around with cables every damn time i want to use a headset.. I would like something that just plain works.. 

Dont need the most crazy setup.. Just something simple! :-)
The gear i am using:

Antec Lansing 2.1 system 

Sennheiser PC 360 G4ME headset or my B&O H6

 

it is going on my main pc, so not a laptop :-)

 

bonus question about audio!:
is an amp/DAC a good idea over the onboard sound on my mobo? the mobo is an asrock Z77-ITX.

I dont do music production or likewise, but i do like when you have got a good sound! :-)

btw. sorry for bad language, am from Denmark

 

Thanks in advance!

[ShadowCaptain]

SNIP

You can use autohotkey (or something similar) to create a windows shortcut to switch audio output between front and rear panel (if you like) which is completely free

[yimello]

I am assuming you have only 1 output for sound because you are telling you do not want to mess with cables. Why do not you use just Y cabel/splitter and then you will have sound in both your speakers and headphones. You will need to just adjust the volume on the device you want to listen.

[TheDanishDude]

actually a fine idea, but would love if i dont have to populate my front ports as it looks fugly  

[TheDanishDude]

#3 dosent the use of a splitter make the sound only half as loud as it is splitting it? :-)

[yimello]

#3 dosent the use of a splitter make the sound only half as loud as it is splitting it? :-)

Not sure. Maybe if you configure it right then it will be no problem. You will maybe need to adjust it sometimes. Like the lower you put your speaker the higher it goes in your headset. You probably wont use both at the same time anyway.

actually a fine idea, but would love if i dont have to populate my front ports as it looks fugly

Dont you have rear output ?

[TheDanishDude]

yeah but only 1 rear output.. therefore i need some kind of split/switch from pc which has got 2 outputs. 1 for headset and 2 for speakers :-) and some kind of switch to change between the 2 

[yimello]

yeah but only 1 rear output.. therefore i need some kind of split/switch from pc which has got 2 outputs. 1 for headset and 2 for speakers :-) and some kind of switch to change between the 2 

I think that if you buy somekind of cheap switchsplitter it will work as good as Y cablesplitter. If you want to be sure that it will not mess with your volume setup you need to buy somekind of switchsplitter which have amp inside and that will cost you pretty much, I guess 100€ +/-30€.

[TheDanishDude]

oh wow... damn..

 

any thoughts on the bonus question?

[yimello]

oh wow... damn..

 

any thoughts on the bonus question?

You can always buy soundcard for your pc. That will enhance your sound quality and actually with that you could get rid of your problem with messing with cables as then you will have 2 rear outputs. 1 from card to speakers and other 1 from mobo to headset. You will then only need to switch in Windows which one will be default.

[TheDanishDude]

yimello i cant.. running an itx build, with only 1 PCI port which is where my GFX is..

[Chronos5618]

oh wow... damn..

 

any thoughts on the bonus question?

Personally, I wouldn't bother- the improvement would be minimal and unless you are reliant on the highest possible audio, the cost:benefit ratio would be all off. If you really crave good audio, a sound card might be a good alternative.

[MammothJerk]

What you could do is since you already have 1 output from your mobo is to buy a dac/amp for your headphones and keep your speaker plugged into the mobo and switch between the 2 using autohotkey like @ShadowCaptain said or using my personal favorite Audioswitch

[Guest]

A splitter will reduce output power, and possibly quality, if it is driving loads directly. For example, if you plug in multiple headphones.

 

However, if the devices are all connected via line-in, you can add a large number without any drawbacks. A single headphone and powered speakers will probably not be a problem; to be sure, you could get a headphone amplifier.

[TheDanishDude]

#13 nice suggestion! will look at audioswitch
#14 not sure i understand how u would practically do that? :-)
any suggestions for a dac/amp?

[MammothJerk]

#13 nice suggestion! will look at audioswitch

#14 not sure i understand how u would practically do that? :-)

any suggestions for a dac/amp?

budget?

Fiio E10

O2+ODAC

[TheDanishDude]

budget more like the Fiio than th o2 combo but i will read up on audio and dac/amps

[doits]

how about this:http://www.amazon.com/Sescom-SES-IPOD-AB-Stereo-MP3-Player/dp/B005TE7GP4/ref=sr_1_15?ie=UTF8&qid=1440085187&sr=8-15&keywords=audio+switcher 

or this is what i use to control multiple hookups with a physical knob: http://www.amazon.com/Pyle-Pro-PHA40-4-Channel-Headphone-Amplifier/dp/B003M8NVFS/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1440085492&sr=8-1&keywords=pyle+headphone+amp

only problem I see is you may have to get a mic wire extender to plug into the back of your computer