5.1 and headset - allowing both at same time?

[Visec]

When I plug in my headset my 5.1 speakers automatically shut off and only the headset gets all the sound. I'm using this to play WoW.

How do I get sound to come from both my 5.1 and allow me to use my headset too?

 

[Christobevii3]

My hpa2 came with a splitter I use for that.

RCA splitter at the bottom

http://www.turtlebeach.com/products/efhpa2/replacementparts.aspx

 

[Phimp]

Are you using digital out (coaxial/optical) for your 5.1?
If not... and you are using just a stereo headset (most likely the case), then using a splitter(s) will give you only the front two channels of audio. So if there is any sound coming out of your rear/side/center channels you won't hear them on your headset...
But if you aren't too particular about it then that's probably the way to go.
Heck, just purchase a normal 3.5mm stereo splitter for your front channels/headphones.

If you ARE using digital output... are you plugging your headset into a front panel audio jack? Or directly into your L/R out on your soundcard?
Are you even using a soundcard? Or onboard audio?

Details would help

 

[Visec]

My 5.1 are via the back of my onboard mobo audio (logitech z-530 or somthing and IP-35 mobo,) and I've been plugging my headset into the front panel 2 jacks. Not sure if this is digital? Just the mass production logitech 5.1 "Z"-5xx and a very common headset.

So a spliter will prevent my headphones from disabling the 5.1 sound? I'm no expert but I thought there should be a software setting somwhere to do this all manually. To allow both sounds from all sources?

Like wheres the option if you have both 5.1 and headset detected, to select which gets used, or output to both?

 

[Phimp]

To connect your speakers to the back of your computer, is there more than one cable? possibly color coded, green, orange, etc.
And the cables look like a headphone jack/plugin at the end?

If yes, then a splitter should fix your issue.
OR look around your settings on your computer's sound settings for something that involves automatically muting your speakers when you connect headphones... the equivalent to this..

 

[Napalm Frog]

look around your settings on your computer's sound settings for something that involves automatically muting your speakers when you connect headphones... the equivalent to this..

It was my understanding that the option you selected there only worked for the X-Fi's fron panel thingy, no?

 

[Christobevii3]

I have 5.1 headphones and Stereo speakers. I use the adapter you linked to me and just click my sound cards output from 5.1 to 2.0 when I need. I usually just leave at 5.1 since music still comes on the front stereo speakers. I have an ht-omega striker.