Input Two Speaker Sets to one sound card?

W

WeApOn

New Member
I have a set of studio monitors connected to my PC in the audio in port on the back. I have some headphones I would like to also connect, but there is no 'audio in' port, even though the inputs are the same. Is there anyway to 'fake' one of the inputs on the back as a true 'audio in'? Those other ports are for sub/side/center/line in. Is this a hardware limitation, or is there a way to change one of those ports into an audio in? I am using Realtek HD Audio manager.

Otherwise, will I have to buy another sound card?

Regardless of the solution, will it be possible to send audio output to both at the same time, but from different programs? For example, music to the monitors and some other audio to the headphones?

I do have a switch I was going to use, however the output level needs to be very high for the headphones, and very low for the monitors, and I REALLY don't want to chance blowing the monitors, which could easily happen in this scenario. The monitors are booming at ~30 while the headphones need to be ~80 to sound decent.

If I DO need another sound card, is there anything specific I should be looking for? Or can I buy any simple one port sound card? That's one area I really haven't researched at all.

Thanks for any advice!
 
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I would suggest that assuming the ohms are the same and they are in parrallel it should be fine to splice them.
 
That was one of my thoughts, but there are times I don't want to use the monitors while using the headphones, and I wouldn't be able to adjust the volume individually that way. I'm pretty sure my only option is a second sound card, or finding a way to remap one of the ports on my current sound card.
 
Well, I have no idea how to remap ports, and have never heard of that being done (except changing line in to mic, etc., for the one input via settings). I would suggest, even if it's just a cheap one, getting a seperate sound card, because you can use both if you like. However, I would just suggest using a headphone out on your monitor speakers if they have one, and maybe just plugging/unplugging cords to change. You can use a headphone extension cord, and do so on the top of your desk.
 
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