Swapping between Headphones/Speakers

tigerstyle

tigerstyle

tigerstyle

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Stupid question, but for people running headphones and speakers on their setups -and those without auto muting front panel connectors(!)- how do you switch between the two? Unplug directly from soundcard/mobo and do that everytime? Or get an inline switch?

Looking for a neat solution, and brainstorming a bit of an idea...
 
I use onboard sound card for speakers and dedicated sound card for headphones and just change the output device via playback devices in the Sound menu.
 
I use the front audio header on my Xonar DG for my headphones, when playing games or just using VOIP. No EMI issues, which can be a problem with many front case audio connections. For those that do have EMI problems, a switch is best way. They aren't that common though. Hama and Konig make speaker/headset switches. Not a great deal of choice, other than those.
 
Asus Essence ST/STX allows for both outputs to be plugged in and then switch between them in the software
 
JGqUpQg.png


I have a Xonar DG soundcard and just use the software to switch. Haven't unplugged anything in months.

On the screen above I click on the 'Analog Out' menu and choose either 'FP Headphone' or '2 Speakers'.

Works perfectly, but depending on the headphones I'm using I have to adjust the volume down a lot before putting them on my head after switching from speakers. In the screenshot above I'm using headphones at about volume 15 (the knob on the right). With AE speakers (rear line-out connection) I'd be at about volume 70!
 
I have 5.1 speakers and 5.1 headphones, so I just have stereo splitters on my soundcard outputs, and since both my headphones and speakers have volume controls on them, I just use those to flick between them. Quick and easy!
 
potato58 said:
JGqUpQg.png


I have a Xonar DG soundcard and just use the software to switch. Haven't unplugged anything in months.

On the screen above I click on the 'Analog Out' menu and choose either 'FP Headphone' or '2 Speakers'.

Works perfectly, but depending on the headphones I'm using I have to adjust the volume down a lot before putting them on my head after switching from speakers. In the screenshot above I'm using headphones at about volume 15 (the knob on the right). With AE speakers (rear line-out connection) I'd be at about volume 70!
Click to expand...


I use this also - works very well! :D

Prior to having this soundcard, i used uhm... "playback devices" just go to this setting and change to the output you want to use... i.e. disable headphones to play through speakers ( i remember this being a pain and been v happy with the xonar audio center :]
 
Have a FiiO E17 so have both plugged in. The headphones are always 'on' so if I'm using the speakers, it's playing through the headphones as well. It's not loud though because they're 250ohm so in the long term having the headphones constantly plugged in shouldn't matter.
 
My speaker volume control has a headphone socket on it. I plug headphones in and out as I need them.
 
FiiO E17 + E09 here. Speakers are on line out and i just plug my headphones in the front of the amp if i'm using them :)

img06781c.jpg
 
Not sure if this answers the question, but it's the solution i found to switch between my speakers and headphones.

http://www.nirsoft.net/utils/nircmd.html

Installed that to Windows directory then created 2 shortcuts, one for my speakers and one for my headphones, pinned those to the taskbar and i can now switch to one or the other with one click.

The shortcut needs the command

C:\Windows\nircmd.exe setdefaultsounddevice "Speakers"

Obviously you change the "Speakers" bit to whichever device you want the shortcut to switch to.

edit: My Speakers are on the 3.5mm Jack and the Headphones on the optical out.
 
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Not to hijack this thread, but does anyone know if this setup would work ok?

Asus Xonar STX + Gigaworks T20 Speakers + Sennheiser PC 360 Headset

Connect:

Asus Xonar STX
Line In -> T20 Speakers (6.3mm to 3.5mm adaptor required)
Headphone -> PC 360 mic (6.3mm to 3.5mm adaptor required)

Gigaworks T20 Speakers
Headphone jack -> PC 360 audio (plug in and out when required)
 
I'll go one better. Three outputs.

STX Digi out-> Logi Z5500's
STX RCA & Mic in -> MMX 300
STX Headphone out -> DT-880's

Works like a charm using the STX control panel for output selection. :)
 
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