Speaker and Headphones Situation

Lonz

Lonz

Lonz

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How does one get around the problem of using both speakers and headphones very often. I want to use my speakers for music and movies etc, but I also do a lot of gaming that requires my headphones. I don't want to have to go round the back of the PC to switch them both round every time I use them but also don't want to lose the quality of putting my headphones in the front jack of my case.

Using

- Acoustic Energy Aego M 2.1 Speakers
- Sennheiser 595 Headphones.
- X-Fi Creative Gaming Soundcard.
 
Lonz said:
How does one get around the problem of using both speakers and headphones very often. I want to use my speakers for music and movies etc, but I also do a lot of gaming that requires my headphones. I don't want to have to go round the back of the PC to switch them both round every time I use them but also don't want to lose the quality of putting my headphones in the front jack of my case.

Using

- Acoustic Energy Aego M 2.1 Speakers
- Sennheiser 595 Headphones.
- X-Fi Creative Gaming Soundcard.
Click to expand...

will be keeping an eye out on the answers here ive got the same prob. however when i plug my headphones in the front jacks my ears switch round, so left sound out of right ear etc rather annoying. im using onboard sound though
 
squiffy said:
Not ideal, you want to use a switch instead. QED make some line level input switches, so if you just need to switch line level inputs/outputs might be ok.
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having googled around a bit i found the qed220 however i dont know how i would connect that to my pc would i need extra cables for that?

also the front facia according creatives site will only work on the xtrememusic and hasnt got any information regarding the xtrememusic..anyone using the front facia with an extreme gamer?
 
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What about second hand Audiolab 8000C? It's a stereo analogue pre-amplifier, with a built-in headphone stage, multiple inputs and outputs.

Or you could look for a headphone amplifier, some have input/output tape loop so you can use the headphone output, but also signal passed onto speakers as well. Probably over your budget

http://www.rega.co.uk/html/ear_2001.htm

edit you want to use a headphone stage that's half decent, due to those phones.
 
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theyre both way over my budget..the qed ss20 is only £35 which seemed like a good deal but i think im gonna have a hard time figuring out a way to connect it to my pc and my headphone etc. to it..

im looking for something in £30-40 price i dont really wanna pay too much for something that will essentially save me the hassle of unplugging my speakers and plugging in my headphones etc.

i can probably connect it to my pc via 3.5mm to stereo jack cables but on the thing itself there doesnt seem to be any 3.5mm inputs which is the main problem..
 
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I would look into getting the X-Fi front panel module, that has it's own headphone amplifier and volume control, so you should be able to use them seperatly. Although the headphone amp in the X-Fi module won't come close to the one in the Audiolab.
 
squiffy said:
I would look into getting the X-Fi front panel module, that has it's own headphone amplifier and volume control, so you should be able to use them seperatly. Although the headphone amp in the X-Fi module won't come close to the one in the Audiolab.
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but on the creative site it says nothing about compatibility with the xtremegamer thats why im reluctant to buy one and also i havent seen in too many places apart from an auction which i dont really wanna use..
 
Same situation as me with the same kit, not the idea way but I'm wondering if this would do the trick? Depends on the connections really.
I'm tempted to email Akasa to find out as its easy to get hold of, is fairly cheap compared to the creative front module and has other uses too.
 
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the x-fi breakout box isnt compatible with the extreme gamer. that akasa doesnt have an amplifier by the way, its just an expensive way to add another port. you might as well pop down your local electronics store and a by a 2 way 3.5mm adaptor so you can plug both in and save your self the £30 or so that akasa would cost you.
 
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Still think a second hand Hi-Fi pre-amp with headphone amplifier is best method. You can always add poweramp and speakers and replace the PC system you have. Also got full input/output switching.
 
Old Wino said:
Do you have a front panel on your case for sound output?
I have an Antec Sonata 2 case and the lead from the front panel on the case, (which I'm guessing is a standard audio plug) fits directly onto the soundcard (X-fi gamer)
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:o OMG... I feel like a complete tit now...
 
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