Sharing speakers between 2 PCs

Rebellious · Post by **Rebellious** » Fri Feb 20, 2009 6:10 am

It looks like the only way to share the speakers is to use a system like Logitech Z-5500 or LS11 that have an auxiliary input jack which allows you to connect other audio devices. Is that correct? i.e. speaker/amplifier is always on and will play sound from either or both PCs because it has a sound mixer. Would that setup actually work? Any hardware recommendations?

The other 2 solutions I googled were (1) a Y-connector (can damage sound cards), (2) plugging the output from the sound card of one PC to the input of the 2nd PC that has speakers, but that requires the host PC to be running (and can be tricky balancing sound levels). hmm

Thanks, and I think it's funny that there's no sound forum in SPCR.

xan_user · Post by **xan_user** » Fri Feb 20, 2009 7:52 am

I use a "y" splitter without damage to sound card.

How would it damage it?

The coolest and best way tho, is a dj mixer.

I like how "no sound forum on spcr" keeps the audiophile flame wars to a minimum.

PaulShapiro · Post by **PaulShapiro** » Fri Feb 20, 2009 7:53 am

You can use any sound mixer you want. I bought an 8-channel Yamaha mixer some years back for less than $100. I have a few computers all hooked up to the same speakers.

Mr Evil · Post by **Mr Evil** » Fri Feb 20, 2009 8:33 am

There are a number of ways to connect two line outputs together safely. The simplest DIY method is to add a resistor in series with each output, like this:

Simple, costs only a few pence, and it works. You need one for each channel. Alternatively, if you're capable of soldering, then a circuit like that but with an op-amp will work better.

xan_user wrote:I use a "y" splitter without damage to sound card.

How would it damage it?..

Outputs from soundcards represent a low impedance. Try to apply a voltage to one (i.e. the output from a different soundcard) and a high current will flow. Depending on the voltage and the robustness of the circuitry, there is a fair chance that you will cause permanent damage to something. The resistors in the above circuit limit that current to a safe value.

xan_user · Post by **xan_user** » Fri Feb 20, 2009 8:55 am

Mr Evil wrote: Outputs from soundcards represent a low impedance. Try to apply a voltage to one (i.e. the output from a different soundcard) and a high current will flow. Depending on the voltage and the robustness of the circuitry, there is a fair chance that you will cause permanent damage to something. The resistors in the above circuit limit that current to a safe value.

-thx
Guess i was lucky,then.

I didn't run it that way for very long...

kittle · Post by **kittle** » Fri Feb 20, 2009 11:25 am

I also found a mixer was the best way to accomplish this. the trouble I found is that cheap($20) mixer == cheaper sound.
and a fair to good mixer was Expensive!

Depending on your situation it may be cheaper to get a 2nd set of speakers.

but if your looking to pipe everything into a home theater system, a "2nd set of speakers" isnt really an option. Currently what I do is run everything off 1 pc and let windowze and my soundcard do the mixing.

arbiter · Post by **arbiter** » Fri Feb 20, 2009 2:44 pm

I'm using Speed-Link Medusa 5.1 Home gaming headphones, they come with a switcher box that will manage 2 surround or stero input sources and let you select between the speakers or headphones.

I use the Creative Labs control software to switch between surround and stereo mode on the PC.

The box is geared to switch between a PC and DVD player as an input source, but no reason the sources can't be two PC's.

cordis · Post by **cordis** » Fri Feb 20, 2009 5:25 pm

I have 4 computers hooked up to a kvm switch with sound inputs and outputs, so that works for me, you have to manually switch between systems so you don't get real 'mixing' or anything, but I imagine that would get annoying after a while. But you can get cheap little 2 system kvms like this:

http://www.google.com/products/catalog? ... ps-sellers

This one appears to have audio inputs, and you can usually leave the unused inputs and outputs to a kvm unconnected, and it works just fine. So that would be a cheap plug-and-play way to do it.

Jurph · Post by **Jurph** » Wed Feb 25, 2009 10:26 am

I was about to say I've been running a Y-splitter setup for years... and then I realized I haven't. I've got an older-than-dirt speaker that will take multiple inputs; presumably it has internal circuitry that replicates the "soler in a resistor" solution listed above. It's been a great solution for me (and my wife). The only other suggestion I can make is to subtly change the balance of sound from each PC so that the leftmost PC has left-weighted output, and the rightmost PC has right-weighted output. That way if you're playing a co-op game you won't be confused by their sound coming through "your" speaker, but you'll still get the benefit of stereo.

Rebellious · Post by **Rebellious** » Sat Feb 28, 2009 8:46 am

Here's one:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6836166006

"Dual inputs. Enjoy two audio sources simultaneouslyâ€”one to your computer, the other to a portable audio device."

Would this work? Somebody please tell me, I've never used one of these things.

kittle · Post by **kittle** » Tue Mar 03, 2009 5:24 pm

That might work.

dont really know until you try.

something like this is better though:
http://www.zzounds.com/item--NUMM2

then you can route the sound to your existing speakers.

this one is cheaper -- but I think overkill for what you want:
http://www.zzounds.com/item--BEHXENTX802

do a google search for "2 channel mixer" and see what strikes your fancy.

notquitequiet · Post by **notquitequiet** » Tue Mar 03, 2009 6:16 pm

kittle wrote: this one is cheaper -- but I think overkill for what you want:
http://www.zzounds.com/item--BEHXENTX802

I have one of the Behringer mixers. It's OK, but it's a space heater, picks up Mexican radio sometimes and has the lame blue LED syndrome. It works though.

Look at the inputs and outputs and make sure you have all the connections you need. The music stores have decent prices sometimes. Add that to your cost benefit analysis.

I bought mine for the microphone amplifier also. Much better than any PC microphone I've EVER heard or used.

I think you'll end up getting another set of speakers. Easy and cheap beats expensive and complicated...

Rebellious · Post by **Rebellious** » Thu Mar 12, 2009 10:18 am

Why didn't I think of this before?

http://www.bose.com/controller?url=/sho ... /index.jsp

I'm connecting PC to my old Bose Wave Radio with standard 3.5mm stereo jack to 2 RCA connectors (Left/Right) in the back of the Bose.
http://www.amazon.com/3-5mm-Stereo-Male ... B0002KR1OG

So I connected one channel only from each PC to the Bose. I works, both PCs now share the Bose, but sound is mono.

So, how to merge stereo output to mono?

Neat explanations here on mono/stereo signals and jacks.
http://person.sol.lu.se/SidneyWood/praate/monstee.html

and what does a "3.5mm Mini Stereo To Mono Adapter" do?
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0009A3IUU

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Sharing speakers between 2 PCs

Sharing speakers between 2 PCs

kvm switch

Solved ???