Hot switching between 5.1 speakers and headphones

[CaptainShiznit]

Hey,

So while I'm pretty well versed with computers, I've never got a proper grasp of audio and need some help.

I currently run a 5.1 surround speaker setup using the black/green/orange plugs. I also have a 5.1 headset that uses the same 3 plugs plus mic and USB power. I want to know what my best option is for hot swapping between these two. Right now I have to get round the back and pull one out to plug the other in. Is there a switcher box I can buy? A certain sound card? Anything for the convenience of just picking up my headphones, pressing a button and away / vise versa.

Cheers

 

[CaptainShiznit]

or maybe look at replacing the headset with a usb one? or ditch the 5.1 headset and go normal headphones and a soundcard such as the strix with switcher box. not ideal i know, well it is ideal, its awesome haha, but expensive to swap. depends how much you want to keep having a surround headset.

Using normal headphones alongside the spdif output which is connected to my speakers on the asus card and switching is as easy as hitting the big button, its amazing

Or like rids says, second sound card, im sure there will be some batchfile type shortcut you could use to swap the outputs.

edit:

maybe you could use something which connects to your optical out like...

ESYNiC Digital Audio Decoder to Analog 5.1 Converter - Support Digital Optical Coaxial DTS AC3 Dolby Signal and Stereo(R/L) Audio Signal into 5.1 / 2.1 Analog Output

search on the rainforest, dont want to link to them incase i incur the wrath, then you could have all connected and swap with a utility, have a look here https://www.reddit.com/r/Windows10/..._audio_output_device/?st=iuyjlwez&sh=1713ca2f

Thanks a lot for this, gonna look into it.

 

[CaptainShiznit]

True, but that applies to the outputs only in the sound card though; swapping between stereo (headphones) and 5.1 speakers connected to the same card?

OP basically has 2 sets of 5.1 connections. A sound card will take stereo and 5.1, which is no use for 2 sets of 5.1.

Sound card is fine for one set of 5.1, then use onboard for the other, as has been mentioned in the above posts.

That's precisely right. Looking for a way to use my 5.1 headphones without pulling cables.