I need chat only through headphones and game audio through speakers. Possible?

[Vig Dis]

I'm new to PC and online gaming so I don't have experience with this issue. I've googled but haven't found a satisfactory answer.

I have but hate my over-ear gaming headphones with mic (I wear glasses and find it very uncomfortable). I want a simple mono over-ear headset mic just for chatting, and to have the game audio coming through my speakers. In case that is considered rude in online multiplayer circles, I'm only chatting with my brother while playing co-op games, not full lobby COD!

My Windows 10 PC is hooked up via HDMI to my big TV. I've used headphones for gaming via USB into the PC where I have to switch audio devices on the computer; so it's been one or the other so far.

Is it possible to have chat only headphones, and what is the best way to connect (USB or mini-jack; straight into PC or into Xbox controller)? Will the settings be in Steam, the game, or Windows? Also, I don't use Discord. I just want to go through Steam or the game.

Thank you very much in advance for any help or tips!

[Cathulhu]

Very possible. I do that all the time.
My headset uses its own USB soundcard and Teamspeak is set up to use the headset for microphone and sound output, while games use the default soundcard of the mainboard for audio playback on the speakers, which are connected via 3.5mm jack.
Not sure if Steam can have a different audio output for Audio chat.

Anyway, i'm wearing glasses as well, but my over-ear headset feels very comfortable. It's a Logitech G Pro X headset.

[_I_]

most mobo sound cards can be set to 2 audio devices (front headphone/mic, and rear audio)
check realtek audio control panel (if it does not have the option, get the correct driver from the mobo/oem site)

[Viking2121]

I use a combination of voice meter and virtral audio cable, I like to record gameplay and listen to music, I don't want the music in my recordings.

I also have it where my audio can go threw my monitor back to my speakers, and voice threw my headset.

I'll see if I can find a video on how to set it all up, right now I'm at work on my cell so

[DeLucia]

I use the setup your asking about with a similar headset to this, https://www.amazon.com/Sennheiser-PC-USB-Mono-Headset/dp/B005HWEZ98

Settings;
- Open sound settings, and then click 'Sound Control Panel' in the top right.
- Right click on your speakers and 'Set as Default Device'
- Right click on the usb headset and 'Set as Default Communication Device'

I don't know if this works with non-usb headsets.

[TheGodKing2]

Is there a way to do this with non usb headphones

[PopinFRESH]

Originally posted by TheGodKing2:

Is there a way to do this with non usb headphones

It would be the same with non-USB headphones.

You just need to select the output that is connected to your speakers for your game audio (either by setting it as the default output in windows or by selecting that output in the game), and then select the output for your headset as your communication audio (either by setting the default communication device in windows, or by setting it as the output device in your communication program; such as discord, etc.).

[Mike]

This thread was quite old before the recent post, so we're locking it to prevent confusion.