Using a 3.5mm splitter cable. Will it affect sound quality?

Lethagized · 23 Jan 2011 at 11:08

Guys, will using a 3.5mm splitter cable affect sound quality? My E5 is plugged directly into the Xonar Dx, but i would like to plug my speakers into the same socket.

When i did this with my sony headphones, they acted like a microphone. I could talk into the headphone driver and the sound would come out the speakers.

Is there a special type of lead i can get that separates the headphones from the speakers, yet i can use either at any time without messing with wires?

lord filbuster · 23 Jan 2011 at 11:43

You need a switching box really, any splitter will alter the impedance of the headphone and speakers. If you can solder, they are really easy to make, or you can buy one fairly cheaply.

Tealc · 23 Jan 2011 at 11:49

Switching Box +1

Thejay · 23 Jan 2011 at 12:32

You can get splitters but they will lower audio quality will the drivers not allow you to assign another socket to main so have 2 outputting the same? Other option could be get speakers with a headphone jack......

Never looked but can the xonar support some sort of front panel connection?

Lethagized · 23 Jan 2011 at 13:16

Thejay said:
You can get splitters but they will lower audio quality will the drivers not allow you to assign another socket to main so have 2 outputting the same? Other option could be get speakers with a headphone jack......

Never looked but can the xonar support some sort of front panel connection?

The drivers won't allow me to assign any socket to any output on the Xonar. It supports front panel, but i don't like having things plugged into the front permanently.

Plantronics make one which can be had for under a fiver off amazon.
http://www.plantronics.com/us/productSearch/prod3090125

I was hoping for a simple in line connector which acts like a diode, but it doesn't exist.

ZeniTimes · 23 Jan 2011 at 13:19

RobRX-7 said:
When i did this with my sony headphones, they acted like a microphone. I could talk into the headphone driver and the sound would come out the speakers.

This happened cuz your splitter connects the headphones to the speaker. Remember there just wires.

Get a splitter box as stated above

Marsman · 23 Jan 2011 at 14:32

Shame there are hardly any of half decent quality to choose from. Alas, not everyone is competent in DIY, and though making a switch box will be easy for some, there are people in the world who have difficulty making beans on toast, without ensuing disaster! I certainly know some people who couldn't wire a plug. Those people have to make do with Plantronics switch box thing. Shame, but I suppose it's better than nowt.