Headphones and speakers

[DLim98]

Hello, I was wondering what the best way to use both headphones and speakers were. I currently have it so that my speakers are connected to my x-fi and when I want to use headphones I plug it into my speakers. The problem is I don't think that its the best quality. The other issue is that I have to keep the X-fi settings as 5.1 and if i set is as headphones, no sound will come out. I was hoping to get a way to set it up so that I have the best possible sound for both speakers and headphones without having to spend money lol. I will do what is needed though. Thank you all ahead of time!

[spaceman]

Please list your equipment. Most of the time, you need a receiver or can buy a y-adapter at radio shack for cheap.

http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2103870&cp=&pg=2&sr=1&origkw=y-adapter&kw=y-adapter&parentPage=search

[DLim98]

I have an old logitech 5.1 system which has a headphone out in the center channel speaker. My soundcard is a X-fi XtremeMusic. If you need any more info, just let me know.

[spaceman]

Cool. then just buy one of the radioshack adapter I listed and plug it into your headphone/frontspeaker jack in the x-fi and then plug the headphone and speaker jack into the adapter. You should be ok with the headphones even set to 5.1. Some people swear 5.1 is the only way to go even with stereo headphones.

[dj_taboo]

edit: delete...bad advice :D

[DLim98]

Wouldn't the splitter degrade the sound quality though?

[spaceman]

the only thing it changes is the volume. same sound just a little bit more quiet is all.

[DLim98]

If I were to go with the route of a receiver for all my different systems, what would be an affordable choice that is still relatively good?

[spaceman]

Panasonic XR-55 or 57