Sound Noob - HD595 headphones - z5400 speakers - X-Fi Xtreme Music

[TheOverLord]

Hi guys

Bit of a sound noob here so apologies if my questions are daft!

My kit:

• Sennheiser HD595
• Logitech z-5400
• Creative X-Fi Xtreme Music

I've had the above for over 10 years and they must be my longest running PC purchases, really great value for money

The issue is switching from speakers to headphones. I don't find the headphone out on the z-5400 to be powerful enough to drive the 595s well, at least compared to the output from the soundcard. But I don't want to have to fiddle about behind my PC to switch. What are my options? Is there a switch/toggle you can get that would still provide decent power for the 595s?

Ideally I'd like the soundcard/OS to be able to detect when the output device changes between headphones/speakers but wouldn't know if that's possible.

Cheers guys

 

[EsaT]

Line input of active speakers doesn't load sound card's output so you could use splitter/Y-cable without any output overstressing danger.

Set volume setting of sound card/Windows for headphones and control volume for speakers using speaker's volume control.

"Intel" HD Audio header used by front connectors of case have jack deteck pin/wire, but IIRC X-Fi's don't have standard HD Audio connectors.
SB Z again has own outputs for headphones and line outs for speaker and selecting between them is done in software.


But darn wimpy output in those Logitech speakers...
HD595's have quite low impedance so they draw power easily without high signal voltage and also their sensitivity or really efficiency (in converting electric power to sound) is quite high.