I need guidance on how to use/connect audio devices [PC]

[cluelesshamster]

Hi everyone,

Before I start, apologies for my ignorance; I am really uneducated when it comes to these matters.

Recently, I bought Kanto Ora to upgrade my god awful laptop speakers, and I do really like the sound of this little thing.

But maybe I was too trigger happy with shopping and didn't do enough research; I need to use my earphones (w/ a built in mic), yet the speakers don't have a 3.5mm jack. So when I plug in my earphones, the PC doesn't immediately recognize them, and I have to make changes in the audio settings, which is not ideal but still manageable.

Question starts now, I want to introduce a dedicated microphone (probably XLR) to my setup, so it will look like Kanto Ora + Earphones/Headphones + Microphone. What do I need/buy to operate or switch between these gears when the need arises? If possible, I would like to plug all three of these into a device and connect that to my pc so I don't have to change settings every single time. I need something to make this seamless for me.

When I was googling, I encountered Motu M2. Would that help me with my needs? Many thanks in advance.

 

[masterhw]

I think an interface makes sense in this case, I enjoy my Motu M2. Could also consider the Topping interface if you want a higher end headphone amp.
You will have to switch output devices in Windows every time you want to change between headphones and speakers.

 

[sergeauckland]

I've just bought a Topping E2x2 to replace a Behringer UCA202 which doesn't seem to want to play ball with Window 11. This is occasionally used for digitising vinyl but mostly just used for replaying music in my study, where the Behringer is fine, just not as a record interface.

It works beautifully, and Topping's drivers/routing application works exactly as it should.

First use was actually a Teams on-line meeting and it worked fine.

I've compared using an external phono stage with recording through the mic inputs (LOMC cartridge) and applying RIAA EQ through Audacity. Very little difference that I can tell.
S/N ratio probably 1-2dB better with the external phono stage, but very little in it.

S.

 

[cluelesshamster]

Cheers for the answers, it does look like I was on the correct path.

I do have a question about the Topping interface, though. How do I connect my speakers (Ora) to it?

These are the inputs Oras have:

Inputs​

RCA Line-Level
USB-C (24 bit/96 kHz)
Bluetooth® 5.0

When I was looking at interfaces, I saw that M2 had RCA inputs, which is why I was inquiring about that. If I were to grab a Topping interface, what type of cable would I need to buy?

 

[masterhw]

I do have a question about the Topping interface, though. How do I connect my speakers (Ora) to it?

You could use the Motu’s native RCA out, or use an XLR/TRS to RCA cable for the Topping.

I would probably just use the Kanto directly over USB to avoid unnecessarily redigitizing the signal. Though if you have a QoL preference to put everything through the interface, it shouldn’t be problematic.

 

[DVDdoug]

Maybe a Monitor Controller. That will only work if the speakers have an analog input.

Or maybe just a Headphone Y-Splitter. You can turn-down the speaker volume when using headphones, and optionally unplug the headphones when you want to listen to the speakers.

I want to introduce a dedicated microphone (probably XLR) to my setup

That's normally an Audio Interface. Note that stage/studio mics (XLR and sometimes phantom powered) are NOT interchangeable with "computer mics". Many interfaces have combination XLR/TRS jacks for switchable mic/line/instrument inputs.

Almost all have headphone outputs with a volume control knob so that may solve your other issue too. (You'd have to turn-down the speakers with their volume control) or with the computer's volume control.

 

[sergeauckland]

Cheers for the answers, it does look like I was on the correct path.

I do have a question about the Topping interface, though. How do I connect my speakers (Ora) to it?

These are the inputs Oras have:

Inputs​

RCA Line-Level
USB-C (24 bit/96 kHz)
Bluetooth® 5.0

When I was looking at interfaces, I saw that M2 had RCA inputs, which is why I was inquiring about that. If I were to grab a Topping interface, what type of cable would I need to buy?

With the Topping, you can use Jack to RCA adapters and normal unbalanced cables, or get some cables with Mono Jack to RCA.

S