Case front panel audio connectors ?

[Kimbo]

In the process of installing a system in a new case with front USB and audio, and I'm confused about the pin and jumper connections for the audio. The manual for the Biostar u8668-D ver. 7.x has the following configuration choices:

2 jumpers installed = Audio line out signals are routed to the back panel audio line out connector.

No jumpers installed = Audio line out and mic in signals are available for front panel audio connectors.

The board came with the first option of 2 jumpers already in place. The case has 2 cables (one with 4 separate pin connectors and the other with 3 separate pin connectors) attached to the front audio panel.

OK, it stands to reason I'm supposed to connect these 2 cables to the pins on the board to enable the front audio, but to do that I have to remove the jumpers. Does that disable the back audio connectors?

I'd like to use the front panel audio for occasional headphone and mic use only, but I don't want to be forced to have my speakers connected to the front of the case - that would be ugly!

TIA,
Kimbo

[Bovon]

Originally posted by Kimbo
OK, it stands to reason I'm supposed to connect these 2 cables to the pins on the board to enable the front audio, but to do that I have to remove the jumpers. Does that disable the back audio connectors?

I believe you are correct in your assumption that if the jumpers are removed, the rear audio is disabled, and it is now available for front wiring.

The reasoning is probably due to audio connections being impedance defined devices...i.e., speakers are (usually) 8 ohms... if two sets of speakers are connected in parallel (some from the front and some from the rear..both coming from the same output) the total impedance will be 4 ohms..sometimes, this mismatch will kill the output transistors due to increased load etc.

You may be able to get a Radio Shack audio splitter and configure it in the case wiring some way, and have both the front and back connections available, but I seriously doubt you can make it work as is...

[Kimbo]

Thanks, Bovon. I'll ignore the front audio panel and leave the back connectors jumpered.

Wonder why case manufacturers put audio connectors on the front if it means speakers can't be plugged in out of sight in the back? Do people really want systems with speaker wires permanently hanging out the front?

Thanks again,

Kimbo

[DallasDon]

Some cases have plug in jacks on the front panel connectors, the intent to extend them through the back of the case, and just plug them in the !/0 ports when you want front audio.

You could extend the wires and install jacks, available at Radio Shack or Walmart, and have the option available in the rear of the case, out of sight.

Just a thought....