Share speakers between two different computers

by Jason "Hiner MCSE, CCNA" | Apr 19, 2006 7:00:00 AM

Tags: PRODUCTIVITY, Jason Hiner MCSE, CCNA, speaker, computer, RadioShack Corp., coupler

Takeaway: Learn what equipment you need in order to share a set of speakers between two computers and how to set it up.

Problem

Because computer speakers take up desk space, it might be helpful to share speakers between computers, rather than having two sets of speakers for two computers that are right next to each other. For example, two employees who work in close proximity (and collaborate together) could use one set of speakers, as could an administrator who has two systems connected to a single monitor, keyboard, and mouse via a KVM switch.

Solution

By using a set of cords that you can purchase from an electronics store, such as RadioShack, you can easily use one set of speakers to provide sound for two different computers.

This assumes that both computers are already equipped with a standard sound card or have a built-in sound card. However, this is not a platform-specific solution. Any computers that have a standard 1/8-inch sound jack can share speakers. This includes two computers from different platforms such as Windows, Mac, Linux, UNIX, etc.

Here's what you'll need:

• Two 1/8-inch to 1/8-inch male-to-male stereo audio cables (RadioShack part number: 42-2387A)
• One stereo cable Y-adapter with two 1/8-inch female connectors on one end and one 1/8-inch male connector on the other end (RadioShack part number: 42-2570)
• One 1/8-inch mini-jack female-to-female coupler (RadioShack part number: 274-886)

Figure A provides a look at these items.

Figure A

Once you have the needed hardware, follow these steps:

1. Connect the jack from your speakers to one end of the coupler.

2. Connect the male end of the Y-adapter to the other end of the coupler.

3. Connect both of the audio cables to the two female jacks on the Y-adapter.

4. Connect the other ends of the audio cables to the speaker jacks on the two computers.

Print/View all Posts Comments on this article

Another option for sharing speakers is ...Jason Hiner  | 06/24/04

better to switch speakersrogbirk  | 06/27/04

There's More to Audio than that!CSR-TECH  | 07/01/04

That's a good ideaECarlson  | 07/01/04

I'm not an elecronics engineer or something but...yafet.gettiye  | 07/01/04

How much to save $10 ?Dilbert-Tom  | 07/01/04

Engineering Degree Not needed...MadDogDr  | 07/08/04

Another odd optionalaramwil  | 07/01/04

Same idea with fewer partsECarlson  | 07/01/04

KVM The way to goSean-Leonard  | 07/13/04

Best solution, only 1 cable !bobtheveg@...  | 07/29/04

Yet another option....JGordon  | 08/13/04

high quality speakersslam5  | 09/13/06

How about through the network?countschwagula@...  | 05/11/07

This works.elcon10342  | 04/20/06

The proper methodAlanGeek  | 04/21/06

will not work for meslam5  | 09/13/06

Use the other sound card as masterAlanGeek  | 10/27/06

Jasoncomputerd}}  | 02/06/07

Speaker space on the desktop issuejim@...  | 07/14/04

drive bay speakersretired papa  | 07/18/04

hi! i don't see any practical value in s...jazzman1@...  | 07/20/04

Gave up on Y-adapterfinleyb  | 07/21/04

that was a surpriseMWRMWR  | 07/20/04

Much cheaper optionraminf@...  | 08/22/05

right on!shraven  | 04/20/06

Why would anyone do this?jamierterrell  | 04/25/06

Not just for workmrkgf@...  | 11/08/06

Better Y Adapterrawnblade@...  | 10/03/08

actually, this is what i wantslam5  | 10/04/08