Squeezing a PC & TV into 1 set of passive speakers for simultaneous play.

[spelingchamp]

I'd like to keep the cost $100.00 or below:

One the front wall of my bedroom is my new TV (which has a real tinny sounding set of speakers). I have my computer desk set up at the back wall with my computer sound going to a ONEU mini-amplifier 3.5 [aux in] feeding my JBL Loft 30 speakers, perched atop my desk monitor mounts. My problem is I have to turn my new TV up loud, which is disruptive to the bedroom adjacent to mine, so I’d like to remedy that with getting a SPDIF to RCA adapter, and then to a 3.5 plug running the 20ft or so to a mini-amp.

What I’m trying to find is a solution that allows me to switch between either the computer sound or TV sound, OR have both on at the same time (which I currently do quite often).

I know I could just buy another amplifier and set that on my desk, and hook that up to an A-B speaker unit, but space is at a premium. Does anyone know of an audio hub/amplifier that would have both the inputs (spdif/3.5 or RCA).. AND the ability to have both playing at the same time?

As a minimum, is there a quality A-B (2 input only) switch besides the cheaper ($30 range) readily available?

Thanks

 

[JoeESP9]

How much do you expect a 2 input switcher to cost? A switch in a box with 6 RCA connectors probably costs all of $3 to make.

 

[spelingchamp]

How much do you expect a 2 input switcher to cost? A switch in a box with 6 RCA connectors probably costs all of $3 to make.

Thanks for your reply: As I have no history with audio switching equipment, I have no idea what the cost for decent quality would be. I've seen a boat-ton of 2 port switches online, but the A/B choices are independent of each other, so I wouldn't have the luxury of hearing both inputs at the same time. The ones I have seen are > $30.

If something around the $30 ball park is quality stuff, I'm all in. I have, however, bought my share of cheap crap because it's there, and quickly available. I'm just trying to avoid buying more crap. That, and knowing AK has knowledgeable people, is the reason for my post.

 

[JoeESP9]

Needing to have both outputs available simultaneously makes things a bit complicated. There are plenty of speaker level switchboxes that allow selecting more than one output simultaneously.

There are a number of boxes that have 1 in and 2 out. However, the output signals are all active. Everything is hard wired with no "pesky" switches in the way. You can always turn off the amplifier/receiver not being used. Here is one for <$15 @ Amazon. Just ignore the yellow video connectors. Place it out of sight and forget about it.

 

[spelingchamp]

I have seen 2 of those on the A site, but they both have this on the front:


Reading the reviews, they appear to work independently, not simultaneously. I have found 2 others on the site (prior to my 1st post) that would work. If the pic you posted has a different front pic than I have, could you please post that link. Thanks again JoeESP9!

 

[JoeESP9]

That is the front panel of the device I posted. It has no switches. the outputs are always active.

I found it on Amazon. Unfortunately, I can't seem to find it again.

However, I found this on Amazon. Picture and link below. For $15 you really can't lose.
Amazon.com: QiCheng&LYS 1 in 4 Out 3 RCA AV Audio Video Splitter for Cable Box DVD DVR Analog TV 1x4 Port Splitter Composite 3 RCA Av Video Audio Switch Switcher RCA Audio Splitter (1 in 4 Out) : Electronics

Of course, you could achieve the same result using a couple of RCA Y connectors

 

[benricci]

If your need is that both audio sources play simultaneously, then you'll need to implement a small-format mixer somewhere in the chain (there are inexpensive DJ options with two or more RCA inputs, although they're often not the greatest quality, especially considering your sub-$100 budget requirement).

Amplifiers and pre-amps switch between sources, they don't sum the signals. You're looking at a summing situation, which is where you'd need a mixer to enter the fold.

 

[David_NC]

If you want to hear both together, you'll need a mixer, as mentioned. Something like this should work: https://www.amazon.com/MM1-Professional-2-Channel-Cross-Fader-Individual/dp/B00L2TUFLM This will convert from your TV's digital output to analog (RCA's): https://www.amazon.com/Digital-Converter-Dohmo-Toslink-Coaxial/dp/B08RC9PDW1/

 

[JoeESP9]

Sorry guys. The OP wants to drive two amplifiers separately. I simple signal splitter is all that's necessary. I'm presuming each amplifier has an on off switch and some sort of level control.

Actually, a couple of RCA Y connectors would also work. Just turn off the amp not being used.

 

[usedto]

Sorry guys. The OP wants to drive two amplifiers separately. I simple signal splitter is all that's necessary. I'm presuming each amplifier has an on off switch and some sort of level control.

Actually, a couple of RCA Y connectors would also work. Just turn off the amp not being used.

The thread title says "simultaneous play". I take that as meaning both at the same time.

 

[peterp1]

What I’m trying to find is a solution that allows me to switch between either the computer sound or TV sound, OR have both on at the same time (which I currently do quite often).

As others have said, the only way to do this is to use a mixer to combine the PC and the TV outputs. You'd leave the "panning" on the mixer at a fixed position (typically middle) and turn up or down the PC volume and TV volume controls independently (in theory, see post below) to control which devices play audio and how loud each is. There would be no "switch", you'd just turn TV all the way down to hear only the PC only (and vice versa).

IMy problem is I have to turn my new TV up loud, which is disruptive to the bedroom adjacent to mine, so I’d like to remedy that with getting a SPDIF to RCA adapter, and then to a 3.5 plug running the 20ft or so to a mini-amp.

Which TV brand and model is it? If it has left/right audio outputs, you'd typically configure the TV to "external speaker" mode so that the internal speakers aren't used and the TV's volume control controls left/right audio out level. If your TV doesn't have left/right audio outputs, and you are tapping left/right audio off of an HDMI extractor, that will work, but you wouldn't be able to control TV volume through the mini amp with the TV remote because extracted audio usually has a fixed volume level.

 

[Swokie63]

This is confusing to me.. Why would anyone want to hear 2 different sources on one pair of speakers simultaneously..?
At least that's how read the op.. but in the same post is a reference for an AB switch less than 30.00 dollars..
Does that mean playing both sources simultaneously, but switching between the two for actual audio..?!?
Or maybe trying to mix music on one with vocals on the other..?
And I can't imagine the tv speakers being more disruptive to the room next door than a pair of desktop speakers..

 

[peterp1]

This is confusing to me.. Why would anyone want to hear 2 different sources on one pair of speakers simultaneously..?
At least that's how read the op.. but in the same post is a reference for an AB switch less than 30.00 dollars..
Does that mean playing both sources simultaneously, but switching between the two for actual audio..?!?
Or maybe trying to mix music on one with vocals on the other..?
And I can't imagine the tv speakers being more disruptive to the room next door than a pair of desktop speakers..

I think I get his use case. It's really not any different than using the PC and TV with their own speakers. Sometimes you are typing on the computer while you have the TV on and you want to hear both. It seems like it's just a matter of trying to improve the sound quality of both devices, but still having the volume controls be independent on each.

Hopefully the OP will correct me if I have this wrong

 

[spelingchamp]

If your need is that both audio sources play simultaneously, then you'll need to implement a small-format mixer somewhere in the chain (there are inexpensive DJ options with two or more RCA inputs, although they're often not the greatest quality, especially considering your sub-$100 budget requirement).

Amplifiers and pre-amps switch between sources, they don't sum the signals. You're looking at a summing situation, which is where you'd need a mixer to enter the fold.

This was the catalyst to the answer. The word mixer never came to mind, and I had no idea what I would be looking for...which was followed up by..

If you want to hear both together, you'll need a mixer, as mentioned. Something like this should work: https://www.amazon.com/MM1-Professional-2-Channel-Cross-Fader-Individual/dp/B00L2TUFLM This will convert from your TV's digital output to analog (RCA's): https://www.amazon.com/Digital-Converter-Dohmo-Toslink-Coaxial/dp/B08RC9PDW1/

This was the answer..indeed. The MM1..

Sorry guys. The OP wants to drive two amplifiers separately. I simple signal splitter is all that's necessary. I'm presuming each amplifier has an on off switch and some sort of level control.

Actually, a couple of RCA Y connectors would also work. Just turn off the amp not being used.

I didn't realize the night before, but your idea was right there, I just had the 2 in / 1 out thought backwards and went running with it. Thanks sir!

The thread title says "simultaneous play". I take that as meaning both at the same time.

That was my hope the whole time. Really didn't know if it was possible without frying something.

As others have said, the only way to do this is to use a mixer to combine the PC and the TV outputs. You'd leave the "panning" on the mixer at a fixed position (typically middle) and turn up or down the PC volume and TV volume controls independently (in theory, see post below) to control which devices play audio and how loud each is. There would be no "switch", you'd just turn TV all the way down to hear only the PC only (and vice versa).



Which TV brand and model is it? If it has left/right audio outputs, you'd typically configure the TV to "external speaker" mode so that the internal speakers aren't used and the TV's volume control controls left/right audio out level. If your TV doesn't have left/right audio outputs, and you are tapping left/right audio off of an HDMI extractor, that will work, but you wouldn't be able to control TV volume through the mini amp with the TV remote because extracted audio usually has a fixed volume level.

The nail on the head! The TV is a Samsung budget to mid. A lot of complaints about the speakers, which I thought was not going to be a problem. Wrong! I'm going to start with using the SPDIF out to the DAC. I like using the HDMI in ARC mode, since it turns my cable box on and off with just 1 button (that's all I have connected at this point). I'd rather keep that little nicety if I can.

This is confusing to me.. Why would anyone want to hear 2 different sources on one pair of speakers simultaneously..?
At least that's how read the op.. but in the same post is a reference for an AB switch less than 30.00 dollars..
Does that mean playing both sources simultaneously, but switching between the two for actual audio..?!?
Or maybe trying to mix music on one with vocals on the other..?
And I can't imagine the tv speakers being more disruptive to the room next door than a pair of desktop speakers..

The TV is on the wall. My speakers are at my computer desk. Lower volume all around. If I can get away with everything working simultaneously, AND have the ability to roll that rocker left or right.. sign me up.

I think I get his use case. It's really not any different than using the PC and TV with their own speakers. Sometimes you are typing on the computer while you have the TV on and you want to hear both. It seems like it's just a matter of trying to improve the sound quality of both devices, but still having the volume controls be independent on each.

Hopefully the OP will correct me if I have this wrong

BAZINGA! You said it better than I would've.


As you can see by my pic, I've already purchased what I believe will be all I'll need to finish this little project. Yea, I overshot my budget, but I always do. I had planned on upgrading my amp in the near future.. so I'm ahead of the game now.

Thank you to each and everyone of you for helping me out. I hope you and yours have a great holiday season. Cheers!

 

[spelingchamp]

Follow up: The MM1 mixer/slider is the cat's meow. Works like a charm with the DAC (on the right under the monitor). I think my biggest surprise is the Aiyima A07 amplifier. I listened to my music most of the weekend, and heard things in songs that I'd never heard before, with excellent channel separation.

I wanted to say thanks again to everyone for your time and help!