Windows 10: Adding external speakers

Sorry if this is dumb question but I don't really understand the best way to add external speakers to my desktop setup. At the moment I use a monitor with in built speakers. It all goes from my 980ti hdmi output into the monitor. So I wonder where would I add external speakers. I believe the sound card is in built on the motherboard but if hdmi is supplying the sound then I presume the gpu is taking care of it (or does that sound silly).

i am just pondering to add a couple of slightly better speakers as the monitor in built ones are a bit tinny at higher volumes. Am not bothered or into any sub woofer stuff. Just two half decent speakers will do fine. So do I plug them into the headphone socket / aux out on the monitor? Or should they connect to the back of the PC somewhere or even the headphone socket of the PC itself? I see sockets labelled rear, c/sub, line in, line out, mic on the back. Obviously I know to avoid mic and in any case I think my case has mic and headphone jacks. Just pretty confused. If they were plugged into the back of the PC then would the sound output clash with what is being fed through the hdmi. Maybe the speakers would give out sound as well as the monitors in built speakers all at the same time? Just pretty confused. If it helps my gpu is nvidia 980ti and the motherboard is ASUS Z170 pro gaming.

:)

 

Adding external speakers

Option 1 - Speaker is not disabled and is set as default

Type Sound in Windows Start Seach box

Click Sound

Under Playback tab, right click on an empty space and select, Show disconnected devices and Show disabled devices

Select Speaker and click on Properties and make sure that the Speaker is enabled.

You may also check if the Headphone that you are using is set as default.

Option 2 - Run audio troubleshooting

Wndows+X

Click Start > Settings > Update & Security > Troubleshoot

Go down and select Playing Audio

Click Run the troubleshooter

Restart once it finishes

Option 3: Update audio driver

Windows Key+X (Or right click on Start)

Click Device Manager

Expand Sound, video and game controllers

Right click on your audio adpater

Click Update Driver Software

Click Browse my computer for driver software

Click Let my pick from a list of device drivers on my computer

Choose the driver

Click Next to update

If this does not work, select Search automatically for the updated driver in place of Browse my computer for driver software

Restart your computer

Option 4: Update driver from manufacturer's website

Go to the website of the audio driver's manufacturer or computer's manufacturer

See if some driver is released for your model and OS

If yes, download that

In previous option, you click Update Driver Software, in place of this, click Uninstall

Install the downloaded driver

Restart your computer

Option 5 - Rollback the Driver

Windows Key+X

Click Device Manager

Expand Sound, video and game controllers

Right click on your audio adpater

Click Properties

Go to Driver tab

If there is rollback option, click it

 

Adding external speakers

Option 1 - Speaker is not disabled and is set as default

Type Sound in Windows Start Seach box

Click Sound

Under Playback tab, right click on an empty space and select, Show disconnected devices and Show disabled devices

Select Speaker and click on Properties and make sure that the Speaker is enabled.

You may also check if the Headphone that you are using is set as default.

Option 2 - Run audio troubleshooting

Wndows+X

Click Start > Settings > Update & Security > Troubleshoot

Go down and select Playing Audio

Click Run the troubleshooter

Restart once it finishes

Option 3: Update audio driver

Windows Key+X (Or right click on Start)

Click Device Manager

Expand Sound, video and game controllers

Right click on your audio adpater

Click Update Driver Software

Click Browse my computer for driver software

Click Let my pick from a list of device drivers on my computer

Choose the driver

Click Next to update

If this does not work, select Search automatically for the updated driver in place of Browse my computer for driver software

Restart your computer

Option 4: Update driver from manufacturer's website

Go to the website of the audio driver's manufacturer or computer's manufacturer

See if some driver is released for your model and OS

If yes, download that

In previous option, you click Update Driver Software, in place of this, click Uninstall

Install the downloaded driver

Restart your computer

Option 5 - Rollback the Driver

Windows Key+X

Click Device Manager

Expand Sound, video and game controllers

Right click on your audio adpater

Click Properties

Go to Driver tab

If there is rollback option, click it

 

Depending on the built in sound device on the MB. Some support 2.1/5.1/7.1 and also optical audio out. Just plug in the cable that comes with the speaker to it then switch the sound output for the speaker.

• Sound input to speakers
• Some high end speakers support digital sound then you would use an optical cable.
• Sound input to TV using HDMI cable

 

Thanks, switching the sound output for the speaker is presumably done under sound/volume properties on Windows? And that will then eradicate/suppress the in built monitor speakers through the hdmi ?

 

Yep. Just right click and set as default input source.

 

Great, sorry my phone didn't display your diagrams first time round (useless iOS!) Really appreciate the help.

 

BTW. The standard color code on the MB for speakers jack is GREEN, PINK is for Microphone
Of course, you also need to install the sound driver for the sound device on MB.

 

Ok thank you. It's good to know. The way my desktop is crammed into my small room the back is pretty difficult to access. I can get to it if really needed but it's a mission so it's helpful to know these things without having to pull it all out.

 

Your 980TI will probably have a fixed level digital S/PDIF output for a 5.1 / 7.1 Toslink or "glass cable" for a AVR or surround sound receiver .
The green 3.mm plug on the back of your PC somewhere will be variable audio out for powered speakers ,amplified devices or phones .

 

Guys, that is awesome info. Thanks so much!

 

Just a quick heads up, i do not know if you do any Gaming, "Solitaire does not count *Biggrin" Because Using GPU "Graphics Card" HDMI cable to play sound will never be as good as Ext Sound Card
Even the Asus MB you have even though the sound chip is good "at least so Asus claims" I disagree I have the Z97 pro Gamer Same audio chip as the Z170 "correct me if im wrong" the load on the GPU will result in "chipping" this is from personal experience with my Z87 Pro V Edition and my Z97 Pro Gamer the on board sound chip would always start to produce the "bird chipping effect" so ext sound card is best for Games like W3 WOW DA DAI D3 and so on.
But ofc i am a fanatic about that, and since you only want stereo speakers and no woofer you prob do not care about that *Biggrin
I use my PC for watching my movies also i have 2x 3TB HD with my legal DVD and Blu rays and use an optical cable from sound card to my surround, I am sure my neighbors love when i open my windows in the summer and hit PLAY *Biggrin
heey who doesn't like to listen to music *Biggrin "nah kidding even with my windows open i can play at max without disturbing anyone *Biggrin
hmm long post for a heads up sry bout that *Biggrin

 

Yes I agree a proper sound card is best. I love gaming (although I hardly get much chance to play nowadays) but I'm not a sound connoisseur! I used to have machines with literally everything, speakers, force feedback gaming peripherals but now to avoid spaghetti junction of cables (and trying not to overload just two plug sockets in the room my wife relegated technology to) literally have just the monitor, desktop, keyboard and mouse, printer and Ethernet switch. I hoped the monitor in built speakers would suffice but unfortunately even to my untrained ears I think they aren't much cop so will at some stage bite the bullet and some slightly better speakers. Trouble is I barely remember the sound setups I used to run and hdmi being in the mix now just confused me!!! Thankfully things have been explained very clearly. It prob would of been obvious if I could of gotten a clear look round the back of the PC but it's literally a case of shining a torch and reflecting mirrors to see without pulling all sorts of cables out. I know I'll have to do it if and when I buy new speakers but I'm glad I asked the question and I'll have to only do it the once