# Switching surround sound and headphones

**URL:** <https://forums.speedlife.net/t/switching-surround-sound-and-headphones/76913>\
**Category:** NYSpeed Off Topic\
**Created:** [December 5, 2009, 8:52am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/switching-surround-sound-and-headphones/76913 "2009-12-05T08:52:54Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 7\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Treads4Heads](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/treads4heads/32/7416_2.png) [@Treads4Heads](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Treads4Heads)\
**Post date:** [December 5, 2009, 8:52am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/switching-surround-sound-and-headphones/76913/1 "2009-12-05T08:52:54Z")

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I spend enough time on my home computer that I wanna hook up a surround sound system to it. My problem is, I want to be able to switch between my surround sound and my headphones when it gets later in the evening.

I’ve seen switch boxes sold for a 2.1 system to headphones but I want to run at least a 5.1. Looking at my sound card, it has 5 jacks for each of the 5 speakers, and I cannot find a box that will split the 5 signals or switch to headphones.

Anyone recommend a way to do this?

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**Author:** ![ProgRocker](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/progrocker/32/5434_2.png) [@ProgRocker](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/ProgRocker)\
**Post date:** [December 5, 2009, 9:05am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/switching-surround-sound-and-headphones/76913/2 "2009-12-05T09:05:12Z")

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I know creative does automatic headphone detection and switches to that when the surround sound is detached. Also through the Creative control panel (program that comes with their sound cards) you can select this easily enough.

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**Author:** ![Treads4Heads](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/treads4heads/32/7416_2.png) [@Treads4Heads](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Treads4Heads)\
**Post date:** [December 5, 2009, 9:10am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/switching-surround-sound-and-headphones/76913/3 "2009-12-05T09:10:36Z")

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So you would recommend a creative sound card to avoid the hassle?

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**Author:** ![ProgRocker](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/progrocker/32/5434_2.png) [@ProgRocker](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/ProgRocker)\
**Post date:** [December 5, 2009, 9:21am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/switching-surround-sound-and-headphones/76913/4 "2009-12-05T09:21:16Z")

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Indeed, you could even plug in the surround sound to the card, and Headphones in the HD Audio jack.

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**Author:** ![LXIFLYBY](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/lxiflyby/32/7399_2.png) [@LXIFLYBY](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/LXIFLYBY)\
**Post date:** [December 5, 2009, 9:25am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/switching-surround-sound-and-headphones/76913/5 "2009-12-05T09:25:24Z")

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cant you just switch back to stereo mode? It will prolly sound better than trying to merge 5 channels into 2

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**Author:** ![Treads4Heads](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/treads4heads/32/7416_2.png) [@Treads4Heads](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Treads4Heads)\
**Post date:** [December 5, 2009, 9:26am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/switching-surround-sound-and-headphones/76913/6 "2009-12-05T09:26:43Z")

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> [@ProgRocker](#):
>
> Indeed, you could even plug in the surround sound to the card, and Headphones in the HD Audio jack.

Which card would that be?

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**Author:** ![ProgRocker](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/progrocker/32/5434_2.png) [@ProgRocker](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/ProgRocker)\
**Post date:** [December 5, 2009, 7:40pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/switching-surround-sound-and-headphones/76913/7 "2009-12-05T19:40:48Z")

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> [@Treads4Heads](#):
>
> Which card would that be?

I would recommend their X-fi cards. Maybe the gamer one.