# What is the name of this audio thingy... component? Stuff? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [September 28, 2016, 9:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-name-of-this-audio-thingy-component-stuff/767108 "2016-09-28T09:17:14Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 12\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Lars\_Aruns](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c68b51/32.png) [@Lars\_Aruns](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lars_Aruns)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2016, 9:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-name-of-this-audio-thingy-component-stuff/767108/1 "2016-09-28T09:17:14Z")
I’m looking for an audio… thingy. A component? I don’t know how to call it. I’m going to give a description of my scenario, and hope you guys can tell me how it’s called. Here goes. It’s a bit complex. I have a couple of game consoles, and a handful of computers. Some of these devices have a VGA connection and 3.5mm audio jack - the one used for earphones. The others have an HDMI connection. I use a monitor with speakers, and HDMI and VGA inputs. Sometimes I want the audio to go to an external speaker, sometimes - quite often, actually - to a pair of earphones. That’s easy, they all have 3.5mm jacks and can plug them in the audio outs of the monitor (for the HDMI devices) or of my devices. What I can’t do is controlling the volume. Ideally, I’d like some… device sitting in the middle, that lets me regulate the audio volume. Something cheap - that’s important. Ideally, something with two output sockets, so that I can plug both earphones and speaker, and flip a switch as needed. So, what am I looking for? Can I find one for a relatively cheap price? Did you guys buy something similar that you’re happy with, and that you could recommend to me? ---
**Author:** ![Small\_Clanger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9fc348/32.png) [@Small\_Clanger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Small_Clanger)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2016, 10:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-name-of-this-audio-thingy-component-stuff/767108/2 "2016-09-28T10:59:29Z")
You want an audio splitter cable. A quick search didn’t turn up any with a volume control, but I expect there’s something out there. ---
**Author:** ![Lars\_Aruns](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c68b51/32.png) [@Lars\_Aruns](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lars_Aruns)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2016, 11:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-name-of-this-audio-thingy-component-stuff/767108/3 "2016-09-28T11:11:13Z")
> [@Small\_Clanger](#): > > You want an audio splitter cable. Definitely not. I have a splitter. It’s the volume control that I need the most. ---
**Author:** ![Small\_Clanger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9fc348/32.png) [@Small\_Clanger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Small_Clanger)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2016, 11:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-name-of-this-audio-thingy-component-stuff/767108/4 "2016-09-28T11:31:48Z")
How about an extension cable with a volume control? Search for _headphone/speaker attenuator_. ---
**Author:** ![Duke\_of\_Rat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ad7895/32.png) [@Duke\_of\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duke_of_Rat)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2016, 1:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-name-of-this-audio-thingy-component-stuff/767108/5 "2016-09-28T13:53:31Z")
Not sure what your definition of cheap is, but the [Schiit Sys is $50](http://schiit.com/products/sys). It uses RCA jacks, you’d need 3.5\>RCA adapters. ---
**Author:** ![troub](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/troub/32/14802_2.png) [@troub](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/troub)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2016, 2:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-name-of-this-audio-thingy-component-stuff/767108/6 "2016-09-28T14:14:08Z")
> **[Amazon.com: Conwork 2-Pack 3.5mm Male to Female Audio Extension Cable Stereo...](https://www.amazon.com/Conwork-2-Pack-Extension-Headphone-Control/dp/B01DRQEAZO)** > > Buy Conwork 2-Pack 3.5mm Male to Female Audio Extension Cable Stereo Headphone Cord with Volume Control 3Feet(Black): Extension Cords - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases $6.99 EDIT: Or for $7.89 you can even get a legit brand name: [https://www.amazon.com/Koss-155954-VC20-Volume-Control/dp/B00001P4XH/](https://www.amazon.com/Koss-155954-VC20-Volume-Control/dp/B00001P4XH/) ---
**Author:** ![Duke\_of\_Rat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ad7895/32.png) [@Duke\_of\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duke_of_Rat)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2016, 2:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-name-of-this-audio-thingy-component-stuff/767108/7 "2016-09-28T14:27:09Z")
Now that’s inexpensive! I’m not a headphone user, stuff like that is outside my zone. ---
**Author:** ![Asimovian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asimovian/32/172_2.png) [@Asimovian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asimovian)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2016, 3:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-name-of-this-audio-thingy-component-stuff/767108/8 "2016-09-28T15:01:40Z")
Is this in the ballpark of what you’re seeking? [Audio Speaker / Headset Switching Hub](https://www.amazon.com/Speaker-Headset-Switching-Manhattan-172851/dp/B000K8PH8C) ---
**Author:** ![jnglmassiv](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f07891/32.png) [@jnglmassiv](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jnglmassiv)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2016, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-name-of-this-audio-thingy-component-stuff/767108/9 "2016-09-28T15:31:09Z")
Audio mixer? > **[Mixers | Guitar Center](https://www.guitarcenter.com/Mixers.gc)** > > Enjoy the lowest prices and best selection of Mixers at Guitar Center. Most orders are eligible for free shipping. ---
**Author:** ![Lars\_Aruns](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c68b51/32.png) [@Lars\_Aruns](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lars_Aruns)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2016, 8:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-name-of-this-audio-thingy-component-stuff/767108/10 "2016-09-29T08:24:14Z")
> [@Asimovian](#): > > Is this in the ballpark of what you’re seeking? > > [Audio Speaker / Headset Switching Hub](https://www.amazon.com/Speaker-Headset-Switching-Manhattan-172851/dp/B000K8PH8C) Ideally, yes, but I can’t find it on Amazon UK - which is where I live. The audio mixer suggested by **jnglmassiv** is another interesting gadget, but its inputs are mono. I suppose I could solve that by buying the right adaptors, but the cheapest solution for me is probably to get something like the cables suggested by **troub**. Thanks for the suggestions, everyone! ---
**Author:** ![TBG](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c89c15/32.png) [@TBG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TBG)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2016, 10:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-name-of-this-audio-thingy-component-stuff/767108/11 "2016-09-29T22:12:32Z")
> [@troub](#): > > [Amazon.com](https://www.amazon.com/Conwork-2-Pack-Extension-Headphone-Control/dp/B01DRQEAZO/) > $6.99 > EDIT: Or for $7.89 you can even get a legit brand name: [Amazon.com](https://www.amazon.com/Koss-155954-VC20-Volume-Control/dp/B00001P4XH/) I was about to post the top link, as that’s what I’m currently using. I previously used the bottom link, but despite being a “legit brand name” it’s not a particularly good brand IMO, and this exact product literally fell apart on me (the plug just came right off, for no reason) in just a few months. A note on the one in the top link, they do require a bit of force to plug something into, especially at first, more than you might expect. I thought mine was defective, but actually, the device just hadn’t been plugged in all the way. ---
**Author:** ![Lars\_Aruns](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c68b51/32.png) [@Lars\_Aruns](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lars_Aruns)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2016, 9:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-name-of-this-audio-thingy-component-stuff/767108/12 "2016-09-30T09:43:59Z")
> [@TBG](#): > > I previously used the bottom link, but despite being a “legit brand name” it’s not a particularly good brand IMO, and this exact product literally fell apart on me (the plug just came right off, for no reason) in just a few months. Yup, reviews on the Amazon UK page for the same products appear to agree with you. I’ll go for the cheapest, no brand option unless I manage to find a gadget with a volume control similar to those suggested by the other guys at a decent price.