Hey guys, I've got a problem maybe someone here can help me with.

I have a pretty good set of headphones I paid 65$-70$ for a couple months ago. Now this headset has three cables on the end. I'm pretty sure it's Right, Left and Center. The problem though is that my sound card doesn't have 3 inputs, just one for mic one for headset and a blue one. I plugged in the center wire to my sound card but it's not nearly as loud as I would have expected. The quality is pretty good but just not LOUD. So, do I need a better sound card or is my headset the problem? Thanks in advance!

Can you maybe give us the model of the headset so we can ponder your problem better

This might help get you a little bit of the way if the headphone has colored plugs:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sound_card#Colour_codes

(the blue input is conventionally for line-level input)

Ok so here are my headphones: Zalman Theatre 5.1 ... http://www.biline.ca/headphones.htm

I looked on the back and I have a pink plug (mic i know, but also, people say my mic isn't very loud, even with everything maxed out), I have a black one (center), gray (front?) and dark gray (rear). So my question I guess is which one should I plug in? I have been plugging center since I got it..

Also, If I got a better sound card and could plug all these in, would my sound be louder? Thanks guys!

What kind of sound card do you have? Normally, you can amplify the sound at a driver-level (or software-based emulator level).

I'm jsut wondering why you bought a surround sound headset without having a surround sound card.

My solution would be to pick up a cheap sound card like this http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16829126005 if you are strapped.

Whatever you do, don't go to radioshack and buy a 3-to-1 3/8" jack connector and try to connect the channels together. Depending on the circuitry in the headphones, this could really damage them or worse, your soundcard.

(There's a sound reason behind this but instead of boring you with it I'll just tell you that my neighbor tried something like that and blew up both)

I require more than anecdote, fomenta [I typed formenta because I can't read. Clearly there's no "r" in his name, but I'm too dumb to realize that. Please stab me in the face. Also, I just got owned by a wordfilter.]!

Typically, analog connections are low impedance outputs driving high impedance inputs. A high impedance input allows the source to provide the full-range signal while minimizing the amount of current (and power) transmitted. Connecting three high impedance inputs in parallel creates a single input with an impedance of much less.

I'll include the derivation because I get to write siemens:


Most output buffers on quality sound cards should be able to drive such a low impedance without damaging themselves (sound quality aside), but for less-than-optimal on-board audio setups, I'd be weary.

Thank you. ♥

Also, is it regular for you to write seimen? If so, you and Joe Momma should become penpals.

Montreal, you need a atleast a 5.1 card. If your onboard(or w/e you're using) doesn't have 6 holes then ur F'd. Time to go buy a new soundcard

Oh, it all makes sense now.

Alright, so if I get a new soundcard, it's gotta be 5.1. Got it. I don't know why I got these, I don't even like them....