Reddit reviews Sescom SES-IPOD-AB iPod Stereo Audio MP3 FLAC WMA Player A/B Switch 3.5mm (1/8)

Would this work for you?

You would want a mixer or a selector. Something as simple as this would work for a selector. A mixer that allows both to play at once would be a little more expensive, maybe as low as $30 though.

Just connecting two outputs together via Y-cable may end up with one output damaging the other.

"100%" is not a constant factor for a lot of reasons - how powerful the amplifier is, how efficient the headphone is, and how loud the audio you're playing is.

You can definitely kill headphones if you give them too much power. But that is likely to be at much more power than standard motherboard audio would provide (ie. the amplifier is pretty weak). If you actually have them on, you will easily harm your ears before you harm the headphone. Not quite sure if that still applies when you don't have them on, but they would have to be very loud before there's really any issue.

That said, it will sound quite bad listening this way. You lose pretty much all bass, at best. If you already have speakers (that use a 3.5mm connector?) you could get a simple switch like this: https://www.amazon.com/Sescom-SES-IPOD-AB-Stereo-MP3-Player/dp/B005TE7GP4/ (along with an extra 3.5mm cable). There are many ways to be able to switch between two different audio sources.

Sescom SES-IPOD-AB iPod Stereo Audio MP3 FLAC WMA Player A/B Switch 3.5mm (1/8) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B005TE7GP4/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_1AaOybRRET5PM

Could have made one myself but I couldn't be bothered haha 😂

What's your budget? I use a Schiit SYS but it's kinda pricey, and it has RCA jacks, so you'd need adapters.


Quick amazon search brings up this. Seems decent enough quality

EDIT: And another.

TBH, if you have any familiarity at all with soldering you could make your own for less than 10 bucks probably.

if so i'd say just make your own or buy a simple one. It's pure analog so there isn't going to be much in the way of 'quality' for such a simple device.

https://www.computercablestore.com/5-ft-audio-y-splitter-cable-35mm-female-to-stereo-males

if you are referring to a switch though, then again, something simple will do:

https://www.amazon.com/Sescom-SES-IPOD-AB-Stereo-MP3-Player/dp/B005TE7GP4

there is no DAC / ADC components in this type of solutions, it's just pure wiring so there isn't going to be anything that looks what i would refer to as 'high quality' simply because there really isn't anything to 'fancy up'.

What you need is a switch in this circumstance to switch between the PC and the TV, not a splitter. By trying to use this splitter as a combiner, your HDTV audio is being routed to the speakers as well as to the audio OUTPUT of the PC. And vice versa, the PC audio is being routed to the OUTPUT of the HDTV. These outputs are not designed to have audio running into them. Some equipment will run ok using this setup, but you have found a combo that does not seem to work.

Something like the following is what you need:

http://www.amazon.com/Sescom-SES-IPOD-AB-Stereo-MP3-Player/dp/B005TE7GP4/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1410639705&sr=8-2&keywords=audio+switch+3.5mm

Get something like this it works both directions. It should allow you to do what you are trying to do.

if you are serious about A/Bing, why not just get a switch? There are lots of options, maybe something like [this] (http://www.amazon.com/Sescom-SES-IPOD-AB-Stereo-MP3-Player/dp/B005TE7GP4) -- I'm not recommending this particular model, it was just the top result of my search.

https://www.amazon.com/Sescom-SES-IPOD-AB-Stereo-MP3-Player/dp/B005TE7GP4/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1525182556&sr=8-3&keywords=sescom+ab+switch

Its not cheap, but the above switch is really well-built.

Like this 3.5mm switch box?

https://www.amazon.com/Sescom-SES-IPOD-AB-Stereo-MP3-Player/dp/B005TE7GP4
Like this one?

Seems like you need to rig up a switch.

Amazon audio switch or headphone switch.

This unit looks decent:

http://www.amazon.com/Sescom-SES-IPOD-AB-Stereo-MP3-Player/dp/B005TE7GP4/ref=sr_1_2?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1414042694&sr=1-2

I'm sure there's even a few DIY guides out there. Super easy to just draw something up if you can't find the right thing. http://www.jameco.com/Jameco/Products/ProdDS/2168405KitInstructions.pdf?CID=CLB

Well, there's this one for about $30: http://www.amazon.com/Sescom-SES-IPOD-AB-Stereo-MP3-Player/dp/B005TE7GP4/

The price seems a bit excessive, but I'm not finding one cheaper. Also, it's a toggle switch, not a slider, not sure if that matters (but you did specify).

http://www.amazon.com/Sescom-SES-IPOD-AB-Stereo-MP3-Player/dp/B005TE7GP4/ref=pd_cp_e_1

http://www.ebay.com/itm/3-5mm-audio-speaker-headphone-selector-switch-switcher-box-2-1-1-2-/231095839079?_trksid=p2054897.l5667

You just need an a/b switch for the two 3.5mm jacks that feed into the front speakers input.

Maybe something like this: https://www.amazon.com/Sescom-SES-IPOD-AB-Stereo-MP3-Player/dp/B005TE7GP4

Basically what im looking for is a usb dac that is very simple in design, all im looking for is a volume wheel and a single aux jack output at the least, going to be using this with a simple a/b aux jack switch; https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005TE7GP4/ref=ox_sc_act_title_5?smid=A2LXBKOLL3J3K6&psc=1 and the seinheiser 598s

Does anyone have any good suggestions.

I just searched 3.5mm switch. A cheaper way I did this is to just get a splitter adapter for a couple bucks, but both will always be playing if you don't unplug one. Honestly, just put on your big boy pants and unplug one or the other haha.

I did find this, but it's $30. At least it's made in the USA apparently. I'm not sure why it has to say ipod on it though. But are you truly willing to spend $30 just to avoid unplugging your headphones?

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B005TE7GP4/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?qid=1422253490&sr=8-1&pi=AC_SY200_QL40&dpPl=1&dpID=51ilLg6Wh-L&ref=plSrch

Is go for a sescom 3.5mm switchbox
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B005TE7GP4/ref=mp_s_a_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1491535191&sr=8-4&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&keywords=ab+switch+jack&dpPl=1&dpID=51ilLg6Wh-L&ref=plSrch

I love you and I'm embarrassed that never came up in my searches. That is EXACTLY what I want, even though it's expensive. I found one accepting 3.5mm here by the same company.

Edit: And here's an even more barebones one for only $3. Thank you so much for guiding me with the right keywords!! I know to search for "Audio A/B switch" thanks to you.

You understand correctly. Something like the Cables to Go audio/video selector switch or Recton VS1002 A/V switcher would work well, but have a look at some other options as there may well be something a little more compact or that looks better. Also search for "a/b switch". You could even use this tiny Sescom A/B switch.

Get this, top notch quality, has a toggle switch so you won't have audio on multiple outputs at once http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005TE7GP4/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pd_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=R66N7KR2EGSA&coliid=I3OEOXX14YF479

I've heard this sescom is pretty good for such a task.

https://www.amazon.com/Sescom-SES-IPOD-AB-Stereo-MP3-Player/dp/B005TE7GP4/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&qid=1479140249&sr=8-8&keywords=sescom

I figured there had to be something that would fix my issue but I didn't know the words for it.

So something like this?

http://www.amazon.com/Sescom-SES-IPOD-AB-Stereo-MP3-Player/dp/B005TE7GP4/ref=pd_sim_23_1?ie=UTF8&dpID=51ilLg6Wh-L&dpSrc=sims&preST=_AC_UL160_SR160%2C160_&refRID=0473XY3TR10804DHJ5FM

/u/Zeospantera

Anything special about that A/B switch? This person is complaining about the internals of this switch.

You could get a switch for your headphones and speakers.

http://www.amazon.com/Sescom-SES-IPOD-AB-Stereo-MP3-Player/dp/B005TE7GP4

2 options. Either buy this...

or make your own. Here's a guide.

Sound level meter

For switch I am using a FiiO HS2, but they are discontinued and harder to get a hold of. It rocks though because it has 4 I/O by 2 I/O. When I'm not using it for testing, I just leave 4 headphones connected to the same source so I can just use the switch to control which one is getting the input.

There are cheaper switches like the Sescom one.

Also, I think this is a worthy combo for anyone. The switch box is functional to use for hooking up multiple sources or multiple headphones for convenience. And the sound level meter is good to check your normal listening volumes to make sure you are staying in safe levels. Definitely worth having as a hobbyist.

Well, the Yeti (for example) has a headphone port in the mic, so that's an option, but I don't know personally how well that would drive the headphones. It should prevent the buzzing, at least. That's about $90/98£ (just looking at US/UK Amazon, I don't know exactly where you live).

You could also look into some FiiO/Topping amps and dacs, but the Topping especially will start to push your budget.

Thirdly, you could try the speaker output on the back of your computer, instead of the case header headphone port. The header port typically has to run from the front of your case, through your case, onto a header on the motherboard, and it can pickup on all kinds of EMI. If they work out the back of your computer, and you don't want to have to physically plug/unplug each time, you could run a cable from your computer to this ( https://www.amazon.com/Sescom-SES-IPOD-AB-Stereo-Player-Switch/dp/B005TE7GP4/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1543116900&sr=8-7&keywords=3.5mm+switch ), and then plug your headphones AND speakers into it, and switch it back and forth with that. Or just use a plain splitter, and turn your speakers down when you're using your headphones, but that leaves your headphones always "on".

Not very visually pleasing, but I found this

I have this a/b switch. Is this what your looking for?

Sescom SES-IPOD-AB iPod Stereo Audio MP3 FLAC WMA Player A/B Switch 3.5mm (1/8)
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B005TE7GP4/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_oxeSBb3H9PNBK

Here's a start:

http://www.amazon.com/Speaker-Headset-Switching-Manhattan-172851/dp/B000K8PH8C/ref=pd_sim_sbs_pc_1?ie=UTF8&refRID=0ABFC81S84YTX2QQRFQ1

http://www.amazon.com/Sescom-SES-IPOD-AB-Stereo-MP3-Player/dp/B005TE7GP4/ref=pd_sim_sbs_pc_2?ie=UTF8&refRID=0ABFC81S84YTX2QQRFQ1

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B005TE7GP4/ you're welcome. Get some 3.5mm cables.

My asshole advice: buy a receiver & legit speakers not trash PC speakers

My legitimate advice: have everything feed into PC then get something like this http://www.amazon.com/Sescom-SES-IPOD-AB-Stereo-MP3-Player/dp/B005TE7GP4 to switch between audio out of TV & Bluetooth receiver

A/B Switch example

I found this, but it seems a bit pricey. http://www.amazon.com/Sescom-SES-IPOD-AB-Stereo-MP3-Player/dp/B005TE7GP4

I think its fairly easy to DIY though and some googling brought up several results

This?

http://www.amazon.com/Sescom-SES-IPOD-AB-Stereo-MP3-Player/dp/B005TE7GP4

I think you'd need something like this.

https://www.amazon.com/Sescom-SES-IPOD-AB-Stereo-MP3-Player/dp/B005TE7GP4

From my looking in the past 3.5mm switchers are not that common. Here is a 2 channel switch. https://www.amazon.com/Sescom-SES-IPOD-AB-Stereo-MP3-Player/dp/B005TE7GP4#Ask

Multiple
https://www.amazon.com/Stereo-Manual-Selector-Sharing-Switch/dp/B00NTJET10/ref=sr_1_7?s=audio-video-accessories&ie=UTF8&qid=1469549911&sr=1-7&keywords=audio+switch

You could also DIY one if your so inclined. It's really simple circuitry. It's just 1 signal coming in and being sent to different outputs depending on the position of the switch.

https://vsshs.com/2012/10/20/audio-switcher/

http://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-Construct-a-35mm-Switch-diy/

It's a tad pricy for such a simple thing but I have this https://www.amazon.com/dp/B005TE7GP4 mounted under my desk.

I have it after my mixamp so I get the quality boost on both that I couldn't get with a software solution

Personally I've been planning on getting something like this when I get fed up with plugging/unplugging my headphones into the front of my case.

But you should be able to plug the speakers in the back, and cans in the front and just use the "Playback Devices" option when you right click on your volume slider to switch back and forth between them. You can do it through the mixer as well (button on the bottom of the volume slider).

> say chrome with Youtube or spotify to play from the speakers while I've got Teamspeak or a game going through my headphones.

If by this you mean doing it all at the same time...I'm not sure if you can do that. There's probably software out there to do it, but I'm not aware of any. All I know for sure is that you can switch outputs for everything via the options above.

No, the Sys and other passive preamplifiers like the JDS OL Switcher have a high output impedance (KOhm range) and are not suitable to connect any headphones to directly. I guess you can leave the volume at max, but then it’s kind of a waste.

I’d go with a simple switch. I have one of these and it works quite well: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B005TE7GP4/