[Zero4549]

I would like to run the same audio through two independant sound cards.

My case is huge, wedged in a corner of the room, and I have an external radiator which makes getting to the back panal a PITA.

I want to run both speakers an a headphone off of the computer but I don't want to take 10 min to unplug the headphones and plug in the speakers every time.

A y-splitter won't work because I dont want the speakers playing when the headphones are in use and vice versa (They are VERY loud headphones, you WILL hear them if they are on, even across the room at low volumes)

I already have onboard audio and a auzentech x-fi forte soundcard, so this method is prefrable to using a switch, as it will save me the time, effort, cost, and desktop real estate of buying and installing said switch.

Is it possible? If so, how? Thanks.

Note that I want both playing, so that I can simply mute one or the other via windows without having to disable/enable devices and mess up all my app settings.

 

[e_dogg]

I've seen a headphone switch before. You plug your speakers and headphones into it and then press a button to switch the output. I thought I saw it on Newegg, but wasn't able to find it. But such an animal exists so try some Googling and Binging for "headphone switch" and the like.

I did find this splitter that has dual volume controls, that might do the trick. You can mute the speakers when you want to listen to your headphones and vice versa.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-331-_-Product

Edit: Here's a switch along the lines that I've seen before. This one doesn't look as nice but would do the trick.
http://electronicsusa.com/mk5.html

Edit2: Here's an older thread here that has some great info: http://www.overclock.net/sound-cards...rs-switch.html

 

[Wildcard36qs]

I have done this before. Onboard audio + X-Meridian. Have both installed and if you want to swap which one is doing the audio, just change which device is the default device in windows sound settings.

 

[Zero4549]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wildcard36qs I have done this before. Onboard audio + X-Meridian. Have both installed and if you want to swap which one is doing the audio, just change which device is the default device in windows sound settings.

I know this is possible, but I would prefer for both to be playing at the same time. My reasoning is that some apps do not like to play nice with such changes. (for example, the gam global agenda requires you pick a specific input and output for use and then restart the game to take effect). With both running at the same time, I could simply mute one via windows volume control. Thanks for the suggestion though.

Quote:

Originally Posted by e_dogg I've seen a headphone switch before. You plug your speakers and headphones into it and then press a button to switch the output. I thought I saw it on Newegg, but wasn't able to find it. But such an animal exists so try some Googling and Binging for "headphone switch" and the like. I did find this splitter that has dual volume controls, that might do the trick. You can mute the speakers when you want to listen to your headphones and vice versa. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-331-_-Product Edit: Here's a switch along the lines that I've seen before. This one doesn't look as nice but would do the trick. http://electronicsusa.com/mk5.html Edit2: Here's an older thread here that has some great info: http://www.overclock.net/sound-cards...rs-switch.html

I'm actually trying to do this via two soundcards, not a y-split or switch. I know a switch or split would work (and would save me from having to use the poor quality onboard sound card), but as it stands I'm broke and buying a new component is out of the question. Desktop real estate is also in high demand at the moment so to speak

. Is there any way to do this via two soundcards?

 

[e_dogg]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zero4549 I'm actually trying to do this via two soundcards, not a y-split or switch. I know a switch or split would work (and would save me from having to use the poor quality onboard sound card), but as it stands I'm broke and buying a new component is out of the question. Desktop real estate is also in high demand at the moment so to speak . Is there any way to do this via two soundcards?

Gotcha...I don't know if that will work. So here's a thread bump for you in case there's someone else around here who might.

That said, maybe it's worth selling one of your soundcards and buying one of these switchboxes with the funds.