Difference in quality between front and back panel audio

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#1 destroyerHHH

Member since 2004 • 772 Posts

I have an Intel DH55TC motherboard with Realtek Audio. My case also has a front panel audio connector. Is there a difference in quality between the two? I'm looking into a pair of headphones that have a cable that can't reach the back of my PC.

12 years ago

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#2 Bozanimal

Member since 2003 • 2500 Posts

I have an Intel DH55TC motherboard with Realtek Audio. My case also has a front panel audio connector. Is there a difference in quality between the two? I'm looking into a pair of headphones that have a cable that can't reach the back of my PC.
destroyerHHH

The front-panel is connected to a motherboard audio header and should not be any different than plugging directly into the analog audio output on the rear of the machine. Happy gaming, Boz

12 years ago

destroyerHHH

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#3 destroyerHHH

Member since 2004 • 772 Posts

That's good to know. The thing is, when I plug it in the back, the software detects it and says that I plugged in a speaker/headphone. Not so in the front though. It still works but I was wondering if it was different. Thanks for the answer.

12 years ago

NamelessPlayer

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#4 NamelessPlayer

Member since 2004 • 7729 Posts

Ideally, the audio quality shouldn't be different. In practice, a lot of front-panel audio headers on computer cases introduce a lot of noise that wasn't present before. It's quite irritating and undesirable. Word is that it may be because they make the foolish decision of sharing the audio ground and USB ground.

12 years ago

jun_aka_pekto

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#5 jun_aka_pekto

Member since 2010 • 25255 Posts

I have an Intel DH55TC motherboard with Realtek Audio. My case also has a front panel audio connector. Is there a difference in quality between the two? I'm looking into a pair of headphones that have a cable that can't reach the back of my PC.
destroyerHHH

The only difference I can tell with some sound chipsets is if you use the front connector, you're limited to 2.1 using front or back. If you use only the back connectors (the front ports aren't physically connected) you get full 5.1 or 7.1. At least that's true with my motherboard. I'm not sure if that'll effect sound quality though.

12 years ago

bulby_g

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#6 bulby_g

Member since 2005 • 1861 Posts

You could always get a jack extension cable if the front output gives you problems, you can pick them up for peanuts. You're not going to get great quality from onboard sound either way though.

12 years ago

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#7 kraken2109

Member since 2009 • 13271 Posts

I have an ASUS Xonar DG soundcard, and through front panel i get annoying buzzing/interference :(

12 years ago

ChubbyGuy40

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#8 ChubbyGuy40

Member since 2007 • 26442 Posts

I have an ASUS Xonar DG soundcard, and through front panel i get annoying buzzing/interference :(
kraken2109

Some sound cards don't shield/ground the front panel connector as well as the main one in back.

12 years ago

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#9 kraken2109

Member since 2009 • 13271 Posts

[QUOTE="kraken2109"]
I have an ASUS Xonar DG soundcard, and through front panel i get annoying buzzing/interference :(
ChubbyGuy40

Some sound cards don't shield/ground the front panel connector as well as the main one in back.

Is there anything i can do about it or am i stuck with the back?

12 years ago

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#10 Bozanimal

Member since 2003 • 2500 Posts

Two things you can try, both of which involve opening the side of your PC case:

Make sure the front panel connecter is plugged directly into the sound card, not the motherboard.
If it is plugged into the sound card, sometimes this is just a loose wire. Disconnect and reconnect the front-panel wire.

Good luck!

Boz

12 years ago

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#11 kraken2109

Member since 2009 • 13271 Posts

Two things you can try, both of which involve opening the side of your PC case:
Make sure the front panel connecter is plugged directly into the sound card, not the motherboard.
If it is plugged into the sound card, sometimes this is just a loose wire. Disconnect and reconnect the front-panel wire.
Good luck!
Boz
Bozanimal

I connected the front panel to the sound card when i installed it. I can't easily get to the front panel but i'll have a fiddle when i next open her up. I don't remember the buzzing when using integrated though.

12 years ago

NamelessPlayer

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#12 NamelessPlayer

Member since 2004 • 7729 Posts

One suggestion I've heard is to unplug any USB or FireWire front-panel headers as well, leaving only audio connected. This is apparently because case manufacturers thought it was a great idea to make them all common ground when the audio ground should be isolated. I keep forgetting to try it out myself, but I value front-panel USB far more than front-panel audio jacks.

12 years ago

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#13 kraken2109

Member since 2009 • 13271 Posts

[QUOTE="NamelessPlayer"]One suggestion I've heard is to unplug any USB or FireWire front-panel headers as well, leaving only audio connected. This is apparently because case manufacturers thought it was a great idea to make them all common ground when the audio ground should be isolated. I keep forgetting to try it out myself, but I value front-panel USB far more than front-panel audio jacks.

Me too.

12 years ago

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#14 Bozanimal

Member since 2003 • 2500 Posts

Me too.kraken2109

You could just get a male to female 3.5mm extension cable. Any Radio Shack will stock them, but you can order them online, too. Run that from your rear panel output and it'll accomplish the same thing. ;) Boz

12 years ago

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#15 kraken2109

Member since 2009 • 13271 Posts

[QUOTE="kraken2109"]Me too.Bozanimal

You could just get a male to female 3.5mm extension cable. Any Radio Shack will stock them, but you can order them online, too. Run that from your rear panel output and it'll accomplish the same thing. ;) Boz

My headset cable is already way too long XD

12 years ago

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#16 Bozanimal

Member since 2003 • 2500 Posts

My headset cable is already way too long XDkraken2109

The extension cable is just so you don't have to plug and unplug your headphones from the back of your case. Boz

12 years ago

deactivated-606225387ec8d

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#17 kraken2109

Member since 2009 • 13271 Posts

[QUOTE="kraken2109"]My headset cable is already way too long XDBozanimal

The extension cable is just so you don't have to plug and unplug your headphones from the back of your case. Boz

I know. Just so much cable will get messy.

12 years ago

#18 deactivated-606225387ec8d

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Member since 2010 • 25 Posts

If I may add a question to this thread,m if its not to old...

I have a completely opposite problem: my front panelaudio jackworks great. I use steelseries h7 headset and the sound quality is superb. In the rear jack I have 2.1 speakers which also work fine (i think - hence I have no alternative to try). However, when I plug the headset in the rear jack, the audio quality drops like 80%. I get the sound but it's just to quiet and no bass. What could be my problem? I would like to use my back panel jack for haedphones really bad, since my little ones (kids) seem to like pull on wires...:)

Spec: dell optiplex 745, w7 ultimate x64, soundMax integrated hd audio - system up to date, drivers also latest.

11 years ago