Hardware question
I am running my PS5 on the same desk as my PC and I am still looking for a solution to the audio output. Currently I am using Bluetooth for the PS5. But my ideal solution are speakers that I use for both the PS5 and my PC that allow me to simply switch between inputs. Bluetooth audio sucks ass in terms of UX when you run multiple devices and I really want something more convenient. All the stuff I find on Amazon looks like shit, i.e. exactly what I have right now.
Is anyone here running a similar setup and has solved this issue?
Update: I found the Sound Blaster G8 and I must say that Sound Blaster still delivers. It supports two inputs, where both can be USB, which was my use case. One USB doubles as power supply, so you don't need another cable. And then both PS5 and PC just recognized the G8 and it worked immediately after plugging it in. Really cool. And because it has an optical out I could repurpose an old soundbar to replace the old active speakers. I am thrilled, this exceeds my expectations.
A pair of self amplified studio monitor or bookself speakers with multiple inputs. Edifier makes some decent ones without breaking the bank. Most PC specific speakers won't have multiple inputs. You could also just get a cheap switcher since presumably you're just switching stereo audio?
Thanks, I went down that switcher road and somehow Sound Blaster came up. The G8 looks exactly like what I need. Two USB inputs, one doubling as power and optical out. That way I could repurpose an old soundbar. I will try that.
I have a modern amp I got online and some old RCA speakers from a 90s record player. Composite input from PC into the amp, optical input from the PS5 also into the amp. They can play audio through the same speakers at the same time. 😎
The amp also can connect via bluetooth; but bluetooth audio fucking sucks when trying to game. It's always cutting out or popping or getting distorted.
My setup currently is ps5 into my monitor, my monitor has an aux out that I feed into my PC. Then on the PC I have that aux going into the mic port. Then in windows I have it set to listen to this "mic" and now I get audio through my PC. This requires the PC to be on though. I've had this setup for years with a second computer and it works well enough, but the audio delay might be an issue for competitive gaming (never tried).
As long as you have a way to get aux out you can always get an audio mixer and just put that between your PC/ps5 and audio device.
Not really a similar setup but I do work with home audio a lot. Assuming the speakers you want to use have either jack or RCA connectors, what you're looking for is a cheap analog mixer or an audio interface. For instance, I use the Arturia MiniFuse 2 to split audio properly, but it's basically a simple 2 in 1 out device. If you only have two jack plugs there are very simple jack splitter cables that do the same but don't give you the option to set gains per input. Doesn't have to matter.
What makes it more difficult is that the PS5 does its best audio over HDMI, so you'd either need an audio extractor before the ARC or just use the headphone jack.
Or, if your monitor has a jack output (not headphone) you could send A+V to your monitor from both your PS5 and PC over HDMI and plug your speakers into the monitor. This however will make the monitor the de facto audio interface meaning it might diminish audio quality, although it's still better than headphone jacks.