Motherboard Audio vs Speaker Audio

[DaHotFuzz]

So I am by no means an audiophile but since I have a fairly nice motherboard I decided to plug my headphones into one of the backports of it to listen to music and see how it sounds. Normally I just plug my audio devices into the front speakers and call it a day but I decided to try something new because why not. So, I am actually quite blown away by the difference in audio quality. (Yeah, shocker.. i know) Music sounds clearer, sharper and less hazy/grainy if that makes sense. Also, does it matter which back port on my motherboard I plug my headphones?

My only problem is I can't comfortably plug my headphones into my motherboard because the cord isn't that long and I'd need to sit very close to the monitor. Is there an extension I could get or something to make this possible? I'd love to just listen to everything through my motherboard because the speakers are now basically pointless unless I'm too lazy to wear headphones.

Thanks in advance.

[Alexalmighty502]

The mic in (if it has a mic that is) and usually there's a headphones slot

[_I_]

how were the speakers connected?
if they are usb, often thats not enough bandwdith for good quality sound

using a headphone jack is best since its all analog and the sound processing is done on the onboard sound chip
the newer realtek are much better than ones 10+ years ago

you can get male-female 3.5mm stereo extensions for cheap

https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1?url=search-alias%3Delectronics&field-keywords=headphone+extension#/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Delectronics&field-keywords=extension+3.5+stereo&rh=n%3A172282%2Ck%3Aextension+3.5+stereo

[Sticky Honeybuns]

https://m.newegg.com/Product/index?itemnumber=N82E16882203188

Pick you up a headphone extension cable. I have one for my mic.

As far as better sound is concerned I'm not quite sure what you mean by speakers. Are your speakers not plugged into the rear port on the mobo? How are the connected?

For better speakers I highly recommend the Klipsch pro media 2.1. Amazing sound for the price.

[DaHotFuzz]

Originally posted by _I_:

how were the speakers connected?
if they are usb, often thats not enough bandwdith for good quality sound

using a headphone jack is best since its all analog and the sound processing is done on the onboard sound chip
the newer realtek are much better than ones 10+ years ago

you can get male-female 3.5mm stereo extensions for cheap

https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1?url=search-alias%3Delectronics&field-keywords=headphone+extension#/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Delectronics&field-keywords=extension+3.5+stereo&rh=n%3A172282%2Ck%3Aextension+3.5+stereo

They are not USB. I have them plugged into the back of my monitor through headphone jack.

Ahh that's what they're called, thank you sir

[DaHotFuzz]

Originally posted by Sticky Honeybuns:

https://m.newegg.com/Product/index?itemnumber=N82E16882203188

Pick you up a headphone extension cable. I have one for my mic.

As far as better sound is concerned I'm not quite sure what you mean by speakers. Are your speakers not plugged into the rear port on the mobo? How are the connected?

For better speakers I highly recommend the Klipsch pro media 2.1. Amazing sound for the price.

Thanks!

I have external speakers for my setup. They're some $30 logitechs, enough to get the job done. They are connected to back of my monitor.

[_I_]

from the monitor
thats using the sound card on the gpu

those are good enough too, but if its outputing 5.1 and getting downmixed to stereo it will not sound good either

check windows sound settings amd makes sure its set to stereo speakers or headphone

[DaHotFuzz]

Originally posted by _I_:

from the monitor
thats using the sound card on the gpu

those are good enough too, but if its outputing 5.1 and getting downmixed to stereo it will not sound good either

check windows sound settings amd makes sure its set to stereo speakers or headphone

How can I check this exactly? I see a ton of different settings and I don't know what's what really. I have windows 10 by the way

[_I_]

right click on the speaker in the tray (near the clock) -> playback devices
right click on the output device -> configure speakers
select stereo

[DaHotFuzz]

Originally posted by _I_:

right click on the speaker in the tray (near the clock) -> playback devices
right click on the output device -> configure speakers
select stereo

Thank you. They have been set to stereo :)

[Bad 💀 Motha]

Speakers = Stereo
Enhancements = Virtual Surround (this way you still get all surround channels from movies/games pushed to your Stereo device)

If the headphones sound better via connected to Motherboard as opposed to the headphone jack on your Speakers; then you just have very cheap speakers.

And why do you have to plug them into the Motherboard in the rear; don't you have working front headphone/mic jacks on your case?