Should I use a headphone/speaker splitter or switcher?

[OpTicaL]

I was thinking of getting the Plantronics .Audio PC Headset Speaker Switch

http://www.plantronics.com/north_ame...86/prod3090125

I was wondering if there's any sound quality degradation using a switcher. Should I use a splitter instead? I don't want to disconnect and reconnect my speakers/headphones everytime I want to switch between them.

 

[JaGWiRE]

Quote:

Originally Posted by OpTicaL I was thinking of getting the Plantronics .Audio PC Headset Speaker Switch http://www.plantronics.com/north_ame...86/prod3090125 I was wondering if there's any sound quality degradation using a switcher. Should I use a splitter instead? I don't want to disconnect and reconnect my speakers/headphones everytime I want to switch between them.

I used that plantronics switch for a while. I don't think I heard any difference, but I wasn't much of an audio guy back then (just had my hd-600's and computer, no amp or anything.)

Splitter will output to both (speakers and headphones) at the same time if you are thinking of what I am.

 

[OpTicaL]

Yeah, cuz I'm about to go to compusa to pick one right now. I'm so tired of plugging and unplugging my speaker/headphone all the time. Just wanted if there was any noticable loss in audio quality like when plugged into a speaker's controller.

I just read a few reviews on Amazon and some people reported that they losing stereo sound using the switcher!? I'm thinking, "how is that possible?". I guess I'm going to find out for myself.

*edit* Just installed the switcher, at first it gave me a BSOD (IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL) and it made a screeching sound when I hooked it up to my soundcard, but after I restarted my computer from the BSOD it worked just fine, very strange....

I'm not noticing any major difference from hooking it to the switcher and directly to the soundcard. The build quality feels cheap but the plugs are gold plated compared to the silver colored ones which are my speaker cables. This is a great convenience now that I don't have to reach all the way to the back of my computer whenever I want to use my headphones.

I'm just curious on why major headphone companies like Sennheiser don't make products like this.