Audigy 2 ZS - Headphones + 5.1

Shadow_Fi · Jan 16, 2011, 04:33 PM

Is there any way to get working 5.1 speakers, and 2.0 headphones in this audio card with KX Project. I mean that headphones would work independedly, and 5.1.

If not, then is 7.1 possible? I would just switch to stereo mode when using headphones.

Russ · Jan 16, 2011, 05:53 PM

The card does support 7.1 output.

As such it should be possible to do 5.1 + headphones (e.g. use analog front for headphones, and use the side outputs for the front channel of your 5.1 setup). However, you would need the right cables (and appropriate DSP config) to be able to access the side outputs (for 7.1, or for a custom 5.1 + stereo headphones setup) as 2 of the jacks are 4 pole jacks.

i.e. (see user manual)
Line Out 1 has front left, front right
Line Out 2 has rear left, rear right, and side right.
Line Out 3 has center, subwoofer, and side left.

Note: Being able to use them independantly (i.e. different audio sources at the same time) may depend on what driver you are using for playback (e.g. ASIO vs WDM, etc).

Shadow_Fi · Jan 17, 2011, 05:15 PM

About wdm or asio, i don't know really. Just installed KX drivers.

Side left/right is same as analog front? I mean word "side" means it not front?

And if i have 5.1 it means i don't have 4 pola jacks. If so, how i can convert 3 pole to 4 pole?

Russ · Jan 17, 2011, 06:38 PM

Typically only the analog front jack has a headphone amp in it, thus why I said that is where you should connect your headphones. Other than that, all of the analog outputs are basically the same, the only difference is what signal you send to them. In the DSP you can reroute the signals, and thus send the signal for analog front to the side outputs if you want to, etc (but again, you would need the correct cables to be able to connect your front speakers there).

As for the 4 pole jacks, you would need some adapter cables.

If your are just looking for an easy way to switch between speakers and headphones, you might consider just using a speaker/headphone switch.

e.g. (maybe something like the following)
Amazon.com: Speaker/Headset Audio Switch: Electronics

Jan 16, 2011, 04:33 PM	#1
Shadow_Fi HardwareHeaven Newbie Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 6 Rep Power: 0	Audigy 2 ZS - Headphones + 5.1 Is there any way to get working 5.1 speakers, and 2.0 headphones in this audio card with KX Project. I mean that headphones would work independedly, and 5.1. If not, then is 7.1 possible? I would just switch to stereo mode when using headphones.

Jan 16, 2011, 05:53 PM	#2
Russ HardwareHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 5,563 Rep Power: 62	Re: Audigy 2 ZS - Headphones + 5.1 The card does support 7.1 output. As such it should be possible to do 5.1 + headphones (e.g. use analog front for headphones, and use the side outputs for the front channel of your 5.1 setup). However, you would need the right cables (and appropriate DSP config) to be able to access the side outputs (for 7.1, or for a custom 5.1 + stereo headphones setup) as 2 of the jacks are 4 pole jacks. i.e. (see user manual) Line Out 1 has front left, front right Line Out 2 has rear left, rear right, and side right. Line Out 3 has center, subwoofer, and side left. Note: Being able to use them independantly (i.e. different audio sources at the same time) may depend on what driver you are using for playback (e.g. ASIO vs WDM, etc). Last edited by Russ; Jan 17, 2011 at 06:52 PM. Reason: typo

Jan 17, 2011, 05:15 PM	Thread Starter #3
Shadow_Fi HardwareHeaven Newbie Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 6 Rep Power: 0	Re: Audigy 2 ZS - Headphones + 5.1 About wdm or asio, i don't know really. Just installed KX drivers. Side left/right is same as analog front? I mean word "side" means it not front? And if i have 5.1 it means i don't have 4 pola jacks. If so, how i can convert 3 pole to 4 pole?

Jan 17, 2011, 06:38 PM	#4
Russ HardwareHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 5,563 Rep Power: 62	Re: Audigy 2 ZS - Headphones + 5.1 Typically only the analog front jack has a headphone amp in it, thus why I said that is where you should connect your headphones. Other than that, all of the analog outputs are basically the same, the only difference is what signal you send to them. In the DSP you can reroute the signals, and thus send the signal for analog front to the side outputs if you want to, etc (but again, you would need the correct cables to be able to connect your front speakers there). As for the 4 pole jacks, you would need some adapter cables. If your are just looking for an easy way to switch between speakers and headphones, you might consider just using a speaker/headphone switch. e.g. (maybe something like the following) Amazon.com: Speaker/Headset Audio Switch: Electronics Last edited by Russ; Jan 17, 2011 at 06:55 PM. Reason: typo