headphone jack in front of computer?

[Prickly Pete]

Is there a way for me to put a headphone jack in the front of my computer? Right now I have to get down on the ground, unplug my speakers, and plug in my headphones whenever I want to use them, so it's kind of a hassle.


Can you guys also recommend me a good sound card and some good headphones? I have a cheap old soundcard right now and might want to get a better one for Christmas. I have my computer hooked up to my stereo via some sort of converter so as far as speaker sound goes I can just have stereo-sound. So unless there is such a thing as 5.1 headphones then I guess a 5.1 card isn't necessary.


Ok, I know I am kind of rambling but I don't really know a whole lot about PC sound setups so any help is appreciated. Most of all what I would like is a way to plug headphones into the front of my PC without having to go behind the computer and unplug my speakers. Any sound card/headphones recommendations are also appreciated

[Billforce]

www.compgeeks.com

[Rocketmech]

Audio jack in the front is easy. Lotsa ways to get there, so you decide how...
Multi Front Panel
FrontX
Audio Splitter and a extention to reach to the front. Both these can be found at Radio Shack or Compusa.

Personally I just use a set of Sony Stereo buds ( earphones) , w/ Mega Bass. Works for me. The audiophiles here at Sysopt should be able to recommend a good quality headphone set.

Decent sound cards are the Turtle Beach Santa Cruz or the Soundblaster Live or Audigy's .

[bonz_dragon]

If your just looking for sound while playing cds all of my CD-Roms have a headphone jack, otherwise look on your speakers most also have a headphone jack. My JBLs do so as my Creative Labs.

[Prickly Pete]

Hey thanks guys. Rocket, thanks for that wonderfully linkified post The audio splitter and extension seems like the easiest/cheapest way to go so I might just run down to Radio Shack and get those.



So can anybody recommend me some good headphones? I'll be using them mostly for gaming (right now Call of Duty, such a kickass game) so anything that will give me an edge is OK in my book. I've heard something about EAX in games but my sound card doesn't support it. I'm assuming that most new sound cards will support EAX, but will all headphones support it?

thanks

[tantone]

Are you looking for something that will allow you to use a chat program, such as TeamSpeak? You'll want to get a headset with a mic. I bought a decent headset from CompUSA a while back.
Sony Headset

BTW, for the best setup for a front-panel audio, your sound card (or motherboard with integrated sound) needs to support FP audio headers, then get a case with that built in. Personally, my speakers don't have a headphone port, and I too got tired of unplugging one when I wanted to use the other. (You think I got frustrated, you should have heard my girlfriend when she went into the office and had to do it ). Anyway, the speakers stay plugged in the back at all times, and when I plug the headset in the front, it automagically overrides the speakers. If I want to chat, I just plug in the mic cable to the front as well and all is golden.

[Prickly Pete]

I suppose a mic would be cool, but I wouldn't sacrifice quality to have one. I'd much rather have a top-notch set than a mediocre one with a mic.

Also, I looked at a bunch of sound cards at Newegg.com and none of them said they supported FP audio headers in their descriptions. Is a card that supports that hard to find, or am I just not looking in the right place?


I found these headphones at Newegg:

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...tby=14&order=1


They are 5.1 channel headphones for $50 and they look pretty sweet. Got some good reviews from Newegg customers too. Has anyone had any experience with these?

[nothing]

I own an Audigy 2 Platinum and the front panel that comes with it has a headphone jack. Very handy plus it is a pretty good sound card. I recommend it

[BipolarBill]

http://www.andreaelectronics.com/Buy...Desc/MC100.htm

[Prickly Pete]

Bipolar, does that thing support 5.1? Because now I am thinking about getting 5.1 headphones.

[BipolarBill]

I supports it as well as a simple extension. I would suggest that you find out how the 5.1 headset is connected.

How can there be such a thing as 5.1 headphones? You would need a brain surgeon to place the center speaker and the subwoofer would break your neck. Geez! Talk about tech term abuse!

[Rocketmech]