Is it possible to hook up my PC and game console to the same speakers?

[NukaCola]

Here's a crude sketch of what my sound setup in my dorm is like (I use a Logitech X-530 5.1 Speaker System, but in my dorm I only bring two speakers so it's stereo):

Sound setup for PC & PS3/Wii

Basically, I have to unplug my speakers from my PC and plug them into that converter. Is there any way I can set it up so that my PC AND my consoles can be hooked up to the speakers at the same time? I find switching between them to get rather irritating after awhile. Thanks in advance!

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

One cheap thing you could do that would potentially make the switching process easier is to get a 1/8" extension cable and run that from the back of the computer to the area where you hook up the other sources, that way you don't have to mess with the back of your computer each time.

From your diagram, it looks like you're hooking up all three of the 1/8" connections to your computer. You should be able to just use the green one in this 2.1 situation.

Since it's only 2.1, you could get a simple input switch for the three sources.
Here's some random one, I don't have a specific recommendation http://www.amazon.com/Terk-VS-...&qid=1240071680&sr=1-3

Plug your different sources into the inputs on the back (you'll need a cheap adapter for the computer)

Plug the speakers into the output on the switch (you'll need a cheap adapter for this too).

The existing logitech game adapter can be used as one of the adapters you need, as long as you have RCA cables to connect it to the switch.

There are also KVM switches for cheap that are usually 1/8" based for audio. If you got one of those, you'd need adapters for the PS3 and the Wii rather than the PC and Speakers since the goal in that case would be to have all 1/8" connections.

 

[Modelworks]

Originally posted by: YOyoYOhowsDAjello
One cheap thing you could do that would potentially make the switching process easier is to get a 1/8" extension cable and run that from the back of the computer to the area where you hook up the other sources, that way you don't have to mess with the back of your computer each time.

This is a very good idea.
The jacks on sound cards and motherboards are not the highest quality. You can easily end up with dead jacks if you constantly plug/unplug them .

 

[AstroManLuca]

You could also look into a mixer or receiver from, say, Craigslist or any place for used electronics. All you need is the ability to plug multiple audio sources in and have a single audio output. You could probably find a pretty cheap receiver.

 

[NukaCola]

Actually, I've noticed that while the black and orange plugs don't seem to do anything in a 2.1 setup, when I remove the black plug through the game console adapter, the game console audio doesn't seem complete..am I imagining things? It really does seem like the black plug makes a difference.

 

[ivan2]

Originally posted by: NukaCola
Actually, I've noticed that while the black and orange plugs don't seem to do anything in a 2.1 setup, when I remove the black plug through the game console adapter, the game console audio doesn't seem complete..am I imagining things? It really does seem like the black plug makes a difference.

perhaps there's some processing going on in the amp for your speakers. are they trying to emulate a 5.1 sound?

 

[NukaCola]

I tried some other audio sources and it seems like I was wrong about the black plug doing anything. If I go with the switch that YOyoYOhowsDAjello posted, what else would I need to buy exactly?

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

If you got that particular switch, you'd need and adapter to go from the PC to the switch like this one (3.5mm male to 2x RCA male)
http://www.monoprice.com/produ..._id=665&seq=1&format=2

Then you'd need an adapter to go from the switch output to plug your speakers in (2x RCA male to 3.5mm female)
This is harder to find. You might just get something like this
2x RCA male to 3.5mm male (same as above)
http://www.monoprice.com/produ..._id=665&seq=1&format=2
3.5mm female to 3.5mm female coupler
http://www.monoprice.com/produ..._id=678&seq=1&format=2

For these last two adapters, you could alternatively make use of the game adapter you already have.
If you did that, you'd just need some RCA cables to connect the output of the switch to the Logitech game adapter (and then plug the speakers into the game adapter)
http://www.monoprice.com/produ..._id=659&seq=1&format=2 (You might even have one of these laying around since they tend to come with lots of electronic devices like VCRs, DVD players, etc.)



EDIT: Does your speaker set have detachable Male/Male 3.5mm cords on it, or are they permanently attached to the speakers?

 

[NukaCola]

They are permanently attached.