I need a crazy headphone switch - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

Antagony · 06-14-2003, 12:06 AM

I like to go back and forth between my headphones and my surround speakers. This is a huge pain, switching back and forth. Currently I have to jack my headphones into my soundcard or into my speaker amp.

Is there some way I could leave my headphones always plugged in somewhere and hit a switch (be it a hard switch or a software switch) to go back and forth?

madsenj37 · 06-14-2003, 12:22 AM

There are A/V switches availible at electronic stores. To use them with headphones you would have to buy an adapter. So yes it is possible.

I have two switches myself. I picked one up at an independant electronics store and teh other at Sears on the Tv dept somewhere.

Loki · 06-14-2003, 12:42 AM

If your surround set has an headphone attachment, plug your headphones into that.

otherwise, yeah, it should be pretty easy to make one yourself or to buy one =)

Antagony · 06-14-2003, 06:45 AM

Off to Radio Shack I go . . .

Thanks guys.

Vanquish · 06-14-2003, 06:21 PM

I solved this by buying a new sound card LOL, Got myself a Gametheater XP, its got a 1/4" jack on the front of the breakout box for your headphones, and when it is turned on by a Dial, the comp sees this and makes the necessary changes. Also helped that it has Optical in/out and RCA Jacks for all 5 channels, acts as a 4 port USB hub and has MIDI jacks on it. I know it dont have the crazy high quality sound as the audigy 2's do but I cant tell the difference between the 2 on a $600 Reciever so I could care less

I just wanted to say this cuz I think the GTXP is WAY under rated

gamer715 · 06-14-2003, 08:42 PM

Would it be possible to use another sound card for the headphones? Is there some kind of software to easily change back and forth?

Motry Latchman · 06-15-2003, 05:07 PM

I have 2 soundcards in my work laptop - one in the laptop itself (its an ESS piece of shit) and one I put in one of the PCI slots in the docking station for listening to music at my desk. A couple of minor problems - the CD player sound cable can only be plugged into one or the other (no contest - it's in the docking station card) - and each application you need to select which sound card to output to. Can't see any reason why you couldn't have 2 cards in a desktop.

lakefire · 06-15-2003, 07:19 PM

they sell spliters for like 3 bucks that you can use...

that's what i did so you will actually always have feed going to both the speakers and the headphones...

06-14-2003, 12:06 AM	#1 (permalink)
Antagony Psychopathic Akimbo Action Pirate Location: ...between Christ and Belial.	I need a crazy headphone switch I like to go back and forth between my headphones and my surround speakers. This is a huge pain, switching back and forth. Currently I have to jack my headphones into my soundcard or into my speaker amp. Is there some way I could leave my headphones always plugged in somewhere and hit a switch (be it a hard switch or a software switch) to go back and forth? __________________ On the outside I'm jazz, but my soul is rock and roll. Sleep is a waste of time. Join the Insomniac Club. "GYOH GWAH-DAH GREH BLAAA! SROH WIH DIH FLIH RYOHH!!" - The Locust

06-14-2003, 12:22 AM	#2 (permalink)
madsenj37 Still searching... Location: NorCal For Life	There are A/V switches availible at electronic stores. To use them with headphones you would have to buy an adapter. So yes it is possible. I have two switches myself. I picked one up at an independant electronics store and teh other at Sears on the Tv dept somewhere. __________________ "Only two things are certain: the universe and human stupidity; and I'm not certain about the universe." -- Albert Einstein

06-14-2003, 06:45 AM	#4 (permalink)
Antagony Psychopathic Akimbo Action Pirate Location: ...between Christ and Belial.	Off to Radio Shack I go . . . Thanks guys. __________________ On the outside I'm jazz, but my soul is rock and roll. Sleep is a waste of time. Join the Insomniac Club. "GYOH GWAH-DAH GREH BLAAA! SROH WIH DIH FLIH RYOHH!!" - The Locust

06-14-2003, 08:42 PM	#6 (permalink)
gamer715 Insane Location: here	Would it be possible to use another sound card for the headphones? Is there some kind of software to easily change back and forth? __________________ What 'chu talkin' 'bout, Willis?

06-15-2003, 05:07 PM	#7 (permalink)
Motry Latchman Crazy Location: to the right of the Coral Sea	I have 2 soundcards in my work laptop - one in the laptop itself (its an ESS piece of shit) and one I put in one of the PCI slots in the docking station for listening to music at my desk. A couple of minor problems - the CD player sound cable can only be plugged into one or the other (no contest - it's in the docking station card) - and each application you need to select which sound card to output to. Can't see any reason why you couldn't have 2 cards in a desktop. __________________ I've had a perfectly wonderful evening. But this wasn't it. Groucho Marx

06-14-2003, 12:42 AM	#3 (permalink)
Loki Psycho Location: Drifting.	If your surround set has an headphone attachment, plug your headphones into that. otherwise, yeah, it should be pretty easy to make one yourself or to buy one =)

06-14-2003, 06:21 PM	#5 (permalink)
Vanquish Insane Location: Truro, Nova Scotia	I solved this by buying a new sound card LOL, Got myself a Gametheater XP, its got a 1/4" jack on the front of the breakout box for your headphones, and when it is turned on by a Dial, the comp sees this and makes the necessary changes. Also helped that it has Optical in/out and RCA Jacks for all 5 channels, acts as a 4 port USB hub and has MIDI jacks on it. I know it dont have the crazy high quality sound as the audigy 2's do but I cant tell the difference between the 2 on a $600 Reciever so I could care less I just wanted to say this cuz I think the GTXP is WAY under rated

06-15-2003, 07:19 PM	#8 (permalink)
lakefire Tilted Location: souf carolina	they sell spliters for like 3 bucks that you can use... that's what i did so you will actually always have feed going to both the speakers and the headphones... __________________ .lakefire