How difficult would this be?

[coldmeat]

I want to build a 3.5mm switch box, so I can switch between headphones and speakers without having to reach around to the back of my pc. It's a real mess of wires there and sometimes when the lights are out it's a real pain in the ass to switch the wires. It doesn't seem like it would be too difficult. I have no soldering experience, nor do I own a soldering iron.

If buying a soldering iron and all the parts end up being more than it's worth I might just forget about it. Would everything I need be available at Circuit City (The Source)? If not, where would I be able to find everything?

I would buy one if I could, but I can't seem to find anything for a reasonable price, or in Canada.

It seems kind of a shame to spend the money on a soldering iron just to use it once.

 

[JMapleton]

Man I don't even know what you're talking about, so I'm guessing it would be very hard to do.

 

[coldmeat]

Originally posted by: JMapleton
Man I don't even know what you're talking about, so I'm guessing it would be very hard to do.

I want a box that has 2 outputs, 1 input, and a switch.

 

[JasonE4]

Why not just get a 3.5mm splitter and turn your speakers off when you want to listen via headphones?

 

[TheVrolok]

?

 

[coldmeat]

Originally posted by: JasonE4
Why not just get a 3.5mm splitter and turn your speakers off when you want to listen via headphones?

Well, for one I'd rather not have my headphones working when I'm not using them. Also, I have to turn the volume almost all the way down on my desktop to use my headphones, but I have to turn it up to use my speakers, which would make the sound really loud out of my headphones.

 

[JasonE4]

Then get a 3.5mm extension cable that you can make easily accessible and use it to plug your headphones in when you want to use them.

 

[Leros]

It would not be too difficult. This discussion has some good info.

http://forums.makezine.com/com....php?DiscussionID=3100

 

[Leros]

Also, they make products like this. This is deactivated, but with some more searching maybe you can find something still for sale. http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16826265015

 

[xavier es]

i had one for my stereo set-up before it was stolen, iirc i paid under$20 (USD) for it

 

[coldmeat]

I suppose I could just get an extension and tape it and the 2 other cables to the side of the desk or something. I'm kind of hoping for a solution that would be a little tidier, but considering the condition of my desk, it wouldn't be too noticeable.

 

[Aluvus]

Originally posted by: Leros
Also, they make products like this. This is deactivated, but with some more searching maybe you can find something still for sale. http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16826265015

RadioShack used to have 2 different RadioShack-branded products that did this, but now all I can find is the same Plantronics device, out of stock. Available from a seller on Amazon though (from 2 sellers no less).

@OP: The parts required are not especially expensive: 3x 3.5 mm jacks, switch, perf board, solder. Switch should be 3PDT (3 pole, dual-throw, meaning it has 3 conductors and two connected states) for best results. 4PDT, 5PDT, etc. would also work fine. Since you don't have a soldering iron, that alone would cost about as much as one of these devices ready-made.

 

[ttown]

i bought a 2-way audio switch from radioshack for $5 sale-price ($10 regular price, iirc) that is the same as what you describe + an aux-in port.

2 inputs (computer or aux); 2 outputs (speakers or headphones) controlled by 2 push-buttons


here it is at an insane price of $45 on ebay reference-link-that-is-way-overpriced

 

[Juked07]

Originally posted by: coldmeat

Originally posted by: JasonE4
Why not just get a 3.5mm splitter and turn your speakers off when you want to listen via headphones?

Well, for one I'd rather not have my headphones working when I'm not using them. Also, I have to turn the volume almost all the way down on my desktop to use my headphones, but I have to turn it up to use my speakers, which would make the sound really loud out of my headphones.

Get headphones with one of those volume control wheels?

 

[hypn0tik]

$10
http://www.thesource.ca/estore...ndMics&product=2600204

 

[coldmeat]

Originally posted by: Juked07
Get headphones with one of those volume control wheels?

I have a pair of A700's. I don't really want to downgrade for that.

 

[coldmeat]

Originally posted by: hypn0tik
$10
http://www.thesource.ca/estore...ndMics&product=2600204

Thanks. I don't know how I missed that when I was searching. I'll stop by there tomorrow and see if they have it.

 

[Freshgeardude]

You could get a speaker system with a headphone jack.

For instance my 2.1 logitech speakers has a jack on the volume control, so when I want to watch a movie or just put on the headphones I could plug it in there.

I'm on my phone so I can't link it