Xbox and PC sharing speakers

[Sheridan]

Well I bought myself some nice shiny new speakers with dual inputs (two RCA and single 3.5mm) so I could connect my PC and xbox to the same set of speakers without using adaptors etc.

 

They sound great but the RCA inputs only work with the 3.5mm cable unplugged (whether the PC is switched on or not!) The PC (3.5mm) works whether the RCA input is connected or not!

 

This defeats the point of buying the dual input (Genius GX range) speakers - is this normal,or have I got a faulty set? I don't want to play both at the same time, but my PC and xbox are often on at the same time so I just want to be able hear whichever is outputting sound!

 

If I feed the xbox into my PC's line in, it works fine - but only if the PC is powered up and actually in Windows!

 

Is what I want even possible!?

[sonofsanta]

I don't know if it's possible with those speakers, but we have speakers in classrooms here that have two sets of RCA inputs, one for the PC (3.5 -> RCA) and one for the Xbox when it's hooked up (HDMI -> projector, projector 3.5 out -> RCA) and that works perfectly. I suspect that it just plays the output of both all the time but we only ever have one making any sound at any point anyway.

 

FWIW, these speakers are just a normal pair of 2.0 active speakers costing about £50 ex VAT from KPMS; presumably you can get something similar elsewhere though.

[Sheridan]

Thats exactly what I wanted - the ability for both to play at the same time. Not that will do that, but whichever is in use will drive the speakers without cable changes/switching etc

 

Mine are the Genius GX 1250 range - RCA input and 3.5mm input on the back - very misleading as the 3.5mm disables the RCA inputs!

[sonofsanta]

For reference, then, these are the speakers we have mounted here: KPMS

[Sheridan]

Ta - they look good for classroom use but for home use I also want a headphone socket and rotary volume control.

[Sheepy]

I used to use these : http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B001IZZ2PE/ref=asc_df_B001IZZ2PE10037375?smid=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE&tag=googlecouk06-21&linkCode=asn&creative=22206&creativeASIN=B001IZZ2PE

 

before I upgraded to the T40 speakers instead they do pretty much what you want except all the inputs are 3.5mm...

 

It has one jack in the back and then an AUX on the front.. I used to have my pc and tv plugged in at once and they would output both sounds if I was that bothered...

[cpjitservices]

Why not just go to Richer Sounds and grab a Cambridge Audio amp with some half-decent speakers, will cost you about £200 and you'll have a system which will do what you want - you'll be able to have your headphones socket, rotary knob, PC and Xbox plugged in at the same time you'll just need to change the input selector.

 

Sorry - I'm mad on hi-fi !!!

 

Links: Amp - Speakers

[Sheridan]

I'd need a bigger desk as well!

[cpjitservices]

Nahhhhhhh it'll fit !

[tb2571989]

I'll echo Creative's - our family owns 4 sets of Creative Inspire T10's. Bargain for the price - about £30 from Argos. I have a 3.5mm cable from my desktop to the speakers and my Xbox is cabled in with a HDMI to HDMI to VGA and 3.5mm box (£30 from eBay) - so I can put the video through my desktop screen and use the speakers instead of the natty 2w screen speakers. The 3.5mm goes from the converter box to the Aux speaker input (on the actual speaker itself).