one output from laptop, two devices (headphone+speakers), any switch made for this?

[andylawcc]

so I am trying to connect speakers and headphones to one single audio jack on my laptop. Is there are a physical switch that can change between both device?

I scoured Ebay and was quite surprised to find only one prevalent model:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/2-PORT-3-5m...499?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item46343673a3

the others are either this homemade one:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/A-B-stereo-...793?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3cfd69f681

or even this: (would this work?)
http://www.ebay.com/itm/3-5mm-Stere...900?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item58c2a6afac


is there a better way to do this?

 

[razel]

That last one looks like what you need and at $2! Once it works instead of putting it into a bubble gum tin (which will probably cost more than the item) I'd just glue all over it into a rectangle using silicone caulk... the outdoor, removable, cuttable type from Home Depot, Lowes. That still might cost more than the item if you already don't have one.

 

[andylawcc]

really, no one else is making this ? I am quite surprise this isn't an issue for most PC users.

but i am thinking what you are: bubble gum can or altoids can.

 

[Howard]

A simple splitter will work as long as you connect only one device at a time. Or do you want both simultaneously?

 

[andylawcc]

A simple splitter will work as long as you connect only one device at a time. Or do you want both simultaneously?

only one at a time. where can i get such splitter (other than the last ebay link I had in first post)

 

[razel]

I just remembered... back in early 2000s... they used to sell those A/V RCA splitter switches for TVs that didn't have enough inputs. You could buy that and a few RCA/mini headphone adapters if you don't like the ebay one.... even though I would have just bought that ebay one already. It's under $6 shipped. Anything else will cost more.

 

[andylawcc]

okay okay

 

[Howard]

only one at a time. where can i get such splitter (other than the last ebay link I had in first post)

Any local electronics store. Or Monoprice.

 

[Muse]

is there a better way to do this?

Absolutely!

I always had serious issues grabbing audio from the headphone out jack of my laptop and running it via RCA plug cables to my stereo (it's been years now, but IIRC I experienced many times some hum of various kinds, questionable sound). I have worked around that by using a cheap and for me reliable solution being the Behringer UCA202 Audio Interface, which is a small USB connected device with outputs and inputs. I bought a second one to bring audio into another laptop from an AV Receiver to record digital audio. Amazon's page indicates it has stereo headphone output, although I've never used that. What I do use is the RCA in/out plugs. I can't recall an issue. The guy who runs the company, IIRC, is a very competent audio engineer, and they have a lot of other products, but this one has worked great for me.