It’s a PITA to switch between headphones and computer speakers. I want to run a cable from the soundcard to an A/B switch (conveniently located on my desk) that has speakers and a pair of headphones as outputs. But I can’t find anyone who sells such a thing. I even went as far as emailing monoprice and asking, but no dice (clearly if anyone can out-search me I’ll be very grateful).
All the components are a few bucks each at Radio Shack. I just need a box, three jacks, some wire, chewing gum, a switch, and probably some duct tape. I’m marginally handy, but recognize that with electronics—particularly sound-reproducing electronics—I’m out of my element. Is this as easy and straightforward as it seems? Can someone help with a real parts list? If it’s marginally complicated or a larger project for someone new to welding (joke; I know electronics get stapled together), would this be something to post to the Marketplace forum?
It’s not that hard to do (from a manufacturing position).
My guess is that some have decided that there isn’t enough of a market and others who may have done it may just have failed at getting the word out that they have such a product.
With a little knowledge, skill and desire you could solder together one yourself with supplies from most any parts store (possibly even radio shack which claims to sell electronic parts but doesn’t usually have whatever I’m looking for).
One alternative is to find a pair of powered speakers which also have a headset output at the speaker box. You still have to plug/unplug but at least its right in front of you and not at the rear of the computer. I had an old Altec Lansing pair of powered speakers with this feature.
Rather than a box & 3 jacks I’d choose to use 2 female cable-mount receptacles & 1 male cable-mount plug. So you’d end up with what looks like a short Y cable with a switch at the junction.
Solder all the shields together & just switch the L & R center wires using a DPDT mini toggle. Enclose the connections and the switch body in a short length of heat-shrink tubing. Dirt simple.
There is some risk of introducing noise / static into the signal since the cables’ shields won’t enclose the center wire & signal while it’s in the switch. But I’ve done similar things before and gotten OK results. Soldering a short lead from the switch body or mounting shaft to the cables’ shield will help; most such switches are designed to include at least a partial shield around their innards
Armed with the parts & tools it’s about a 10 minute job.
ETA: OP: Better to buy than build unless this kinda stuff is already your hobby. Which it apparently isn’t.
I’m looking for a switch because my desk is overly cluttered as it is—papers, reference materials, cats, phones, another $#^@ cat, project files, etc. I want to connect a pair of wireless headphones to the switch to avoid extra cables.
I have a soldering gun, solder, and shrink tubing already. Parts-wise it sounds like I’d need two of cable jacks and one toggle switch. The Amazon tab seems just shy of $10. I imagine it would be the same or less if I went into my local Radio Shack. I may need a ground loop shut-the-hell-upper, but I’d wait until after testing.
I could go the $25–$30 redi-made route, but that seems a pretty high premium. Besides, if I do it myself* I get to do it myself*! I love doing the do-it-yourself kind of thing. Plus, I get to solder! While I could never say soldering or electronics is my hobby per se,* pretending* I know what I’m doing, figuring it out along the way, and ending up with a usable finished product can be a lot of fun—especially as it doesn’t sound as if this is an advanced-skill project. It’ll probably take me a bit longer than 10 minutes, but it sounds like it won’t be tedious.
ETA: Oh, as long as I don’t introduce an unlistenable amount of noise I’ll be fine. These are speakers for my (home) office. It’s not a place for high fidelity music, and I’m often working with headphones playing white noise.
This is the usually the only justification for doing it.
However, in addition, if you are careful and use good quality parts, you will have a much more reliable unit than a cheap bought one. But you usually have to price your time at zero to make sense. Radio Shack parts are not always of particularly good quality or all that cheap. Your time just to drive to the shop, plus the cost of doing so (fuel, wear and tear) will exceed the savings of a pre-make one.
Me? I’d make it myself without a thought. But I do this sort of stuff all the time, have all the gear, and for something so trivial, probably have the parts on hand.