Difference between front vs rear audio?

[ThrashZone]

Hi,
These little pin connections are just another form of molex which nobody likes molex right so why fight for them now as equal to soldered connections

 

[Bill_Bright]

and sometimes it results with connectivity issues, data corruption, and static noise

Exactly the same as can happen with rear connections.

most noticed with headphones

That logic suggests this little ol' 2-channel stereo receiver will deliver the same static through its headphone jack as this 6-channel surround sound receiver will. I hope you see the nonsense in that.

Repeating the same guesses and suppositions does not make it any more true.

The biggest disadvantage to front panel connections, and one that can be generally applied to all scenarios, is that front panel connections tend to be used for temporary connections. That is, many users commonly connect and disconnect their headphones on a frequent basis. While this may help keep the contacts clean, it can and often does wear out the jack by weakening the spring tensions, compromising the physical connection which, in turn, compromises the electrical connection. Whereas the rear connections tend to be semi-permanent and much less likely to succumb to wear issues.

 

[A Computer Guy]

How can one believe we live in a physical world and at the same time believe there are no absolutes?

Well once you go subatomic I hear the rules get a little weird.

 

[lexluthermiester]

The front panel uses internal extension cable which adds resistance

Not enough to make a difference the human ear can hear.

How can one believe we live in a physical world and at the same time believe there are no absolutes?

Exactly. Well said.

Well once you go subatomic I hear the rules get a little weird.

No, they don't. We just don't completely understand them.

 

[A Computer Guy]

No, they don't. We just don't completely understand them.

I suppose you can say that's an absolutely true statement!

 

[caroline!]

My old mobo had a noise issue that wouldn't go away, though there were no issues when using the front jacks, so there's no way "rear audio is always better" is a true statement.

The one I'm using now has no issues at all with the sound, I only mainly use the rear ports though sometimes I plug my earbuds into the front jack, there's no difference in quality or noise even though the cable going from the front panel to the mobo header is pretty long. Though it has some extra shielding, it's not the classic colourful ribbon cable you can find on cheap cases, same with the USB cables.

Corsair didn't cheap out on anything with this thing, there's even a mini fan control button on it. I'm afraid their new cases aren't even close in terms of quality. And that's why I went for an used older model. Also because it was a steal, only $20 for this bad boy. Office building sales are the best, you go with a $50 and end up loading a whole cart with things, got the case, a whole box of fluorescent tubes that are always needed, various electrical products, CD boxes.

 

[evernessince]

It is outputting analog to the standard rear jacks too.

Correct, my point was to illustrate the entire chain in regards to front panel audio so that the OP knows the difference between front panel audio and using the motherboard's rear jacks.

As in my previous comment, the rear jacks eliminate the cable part of the chain and thus one potential source of interference but ultimately if the end user can't hear any noise when using the front panel there's no downside to using it.

 

[Bill_Bright]

As in my previous comment, the rear jacks eliminate the cable part of the chain

No they don't!

As I said previously, you still require cables (multiple cables, no less) when using the rear jacks to feed the audio to the speakers. And those cables are likely to be much longer and run parallel to power and other cables where they are even more susceptible to interference, not to mention physical abuse.

 

[evernessince]

No they don't!

As I said previously, you still require cables (multiple cables, no less) when using the rear jacks to feed the audio to the speakers.

Oh boy. Yes, it 100% removes the cable running from the front panel header on the motherboard to the front of the case.

Of course it doesn't remove your headphone's cable or any speaker cables, which is why in my original comment I specifically referenced the FP cable (even though it should be bloody obvious).

I swear you are purposefully trying to misinterpret what I'm saying.

And those cables are likely to be much longer and run parallel to power and other cables where they are even more susceptible to interference, not to mention physical abuse.

More likely to run parallel to power as compared to the inside of the case? Absolutely not, inside the case is where you run the greatest risk of running near power cables or into interference. This is why external DACs are subject to less interference.

That said this is off topic and I care not for discussing this topic with you.

 

[A Computer Guy]

Is there any (whether noticeable or not) difference in audio quality using the rear jack vs the front on the case? I have an msi meg x570s ace max.

I don't think I've really ever had a problem with rear jack audio connections but some front panel jacks didn't work well for me because of seemingly poor connection causing sound quality issues. If the front jack works I'd say use it. If not go for the rear jack with an extension cable if need be.

 

[Bill_Bright]

More likely to run parallel to power as compared to the inside of the case? Absolutely not, inside the case is where you run the greatest risk or running near power cables or into interference.

Not even! Look behind your computer case right now. What do you see? I bet you see a 120/240VAC power cable to your power supply (those are unshielded, BTW). You also likely see a video cable, perhaps a keyboard and mouse cable, maybe an Ethernet cable, and of course the speakers cables (unless you go through HDMI).

Then there is the AC power cord for the speakers and perhaps another AC power cord (or two) for the monitor(s).

And there is a good chance those wires run parallel to each other behind your desk (at least part ways) along the wall too.

Inside your case there are only low voltage DC potentials which are MUCH less susceptible to EMI/RFI issues. Any AC potentials are inside the metal case of the PSU.

Of course, I am assuming all cables and EMI/RFI suppression devices are in good shape. But that applies regardless connections used.

I swear you are purposefully trying to misinterpret what I'm saying.

Not at all. You just are not listening to what I am saying, or you refuse to accept the facts.

Here are the facts: From the motherboard to the front panel headphone jack is 1 short wire. From the rear audio jacks to the speaker inputs, most likely is at least two (left and right), likely 6 foot long cables.

 

[caroline!]

Not even! Look behind your computer case right now. What do you see? I bet you see a 120/240VAC power cable to your power supply (those are unshielded, BTW). You also likely see a video cable, perhaps a keyboard and mouse cable, maybe an Ethernet cable, and of course the speakers cables (unless you go through HDMI).

Then there is the AC power cord for the speakers and perhaps another AC power cord (or two) for the monitor(s).

And there is a good chance those wires run parallel to each other behind your desk (at least part ways) along the wall too.

Inside your case there are only low voltage DC potentials which are MUCH less susceptible to EMI/RFI issues. Any AC potentials are inside the metal case of the PSU.

Of course, I am assuming all cables and EMI/RFI suppression devices are in good shape. But that applies regardless connections used.


Not at all. You just are not listening to what I am saying, or you refuse to accept the facts.

Here are the facts: From the motherboard to the front panel headphone jack is 1 short wire. From the rear audio jacks to the speaker inputs, most likely is at least two (left and right), likely 6 foot long cables.

Hold up, why two cables? the jacks and plugs are stereo already. Plus if you did that the speakers would have to be super small to work with the power provided by a mobo, passive ones. Unless they go into an amp and from there to the speakers, though still having separate channels wouldn't make any improvements.

I've always used one cable for the audio signal, even with the trash tier speakers I had before. My edifiers use a single cable too, it's about 1.5m long and I've used a shorter AC cable to avoid even more mess behind my desk.

No interference of any kind tho.

 

[claes]

Bill appears to be assuming that most users use the per channel surround features most motherboards (shouldn’t, but) still ship with rather than comparing a single stereo 3.5mm stereo jack to another 3.5mm stereo jack, or that people who buy receivers aren’t using optical or hdmi.

 

[A Computer Guy]

Bill appears to be assuming that most users use the per channel surround features most motherboards (shouldn’t, but) still ship with rather than comparing a single stereo 3.5mm stereo jack to another 3.5mm stereo jack, or that people who buy receivers aren’t using optical or hdmi.

To make things more complicated some people like myself end up channeling the sound over Display Port or HDMI to the monitor then plug the speaker or headphones into the monitor.

 

[ThrashZone]

To make things more complicated some people like myself end up channeling the sound over Display Port or HDMI to the monitor then plug the speaker or headphones into the monitor.

Hi,
Yep me to at one time
Bad thing is when I turn off the t.v. the sound also turns off so had to change back to back of pc port.
I don't watch much t.v. channels just Jerry Springer lol so no big loss running off it's interior speakers just poll dancers

 

[las]

Front often has worse sound quality, especially if you use high-end headphones.
The cable going to the port, is often very very thin with no isolation.

However, I am the kind of guy, that can't stand onboard sound and always use dedicated sound card or USB DAC. If you use quality headphones, get some quality DAC or soundcard if you want full benefit. Today, DAC makes most sense I think. Just get a good one.

 

[Bill_Bright]

Hold up, why two cables? the jacks and plugs are stereo already.

Fine - make it one then. It is still a much longer cable than the internal cable, and it still (unless a separate sound card) is located around other cables (video, mouse/keyboard, USB) connected in the rear I/O section. And it still must be routed to the speakers where it likely runs alongside other cables, perhaps even AC power cables.

Plus if you did that the speakers would have to be super small to work with the power provided by a mobo,

No they wouldn't. Almost all computer speakers have amplifier electronics in either the left or right speaker, or in the subwoofer if 2.1. And unless you specifically connect the audio cable to a digital output (which many motherboards do not support), it will be an analog signal, which is much more susceptible to interference.

Look everyone - all I am saying is, without knowing the specifics of the motherboard and/or sound card, and without knowing the specifics of the case and its front panel audio ports, no one (including you, me, or anyone else) can conclude the front ports offer inferior (or superior) sound quality.

Without specifics, suggesting one way or the other is better is just suppositions based on what ifs.

 

[claes]

You’re only being questioned because you continue to make suppositions

 

[Bill_Bright]

You’re only being questioned because you continue to make suppositions

Ha ha! You are right. I am just assuming everyone is assuming they're assuming they know the assumed specifics. But what if they don't?

 

[1100R]

And after all this discussion, has anyone done the check by connecting front and rear connector to see if there was a difference? I don't think so. And I personally believe that there is no difference in sound quality.

 

[Bill_Bright]

And after all this discussion, has anyone done the check by connecting front and rear connector to see if there was a difference?

And yet that would prove nothing at all - except on that particular system, that user heard a difference, or didn't.

 

[lexluthermiester]

And after all this discussion, has anyone done the check by connecting front and rear connector to see if there was a difference? I don't think so.

I do it all the time when I'm checking a system before a client takes it home. I'm very certain others have too.

And I personally believe that there is no difference in sound quality.

There is, but little to nothing the human ear would likely perceive.

 

[claes]

Your human ear lol

 

[lexluthermiester]

Your human ear lol

I have VERY good hearing. I was talking about the average person's ability to hear.

My ability to hear the high pitched coil whine back in the day(and it drive me fricken bonkers) is what motivated the effort to understand the problem, look for and then create a solution.

 

[claes]

Dunno why you’re responding to me, or how you measure objectively “good” hearing, or why you think you’re the first person to put glue on a component to stop coil whine (which is definitely a good solution!). I’m just saying that all of this is relative, which does dispute your claim, because sometimes the front panel is objectively worse but, as bill correctly points out, whether or not it is is relative to the conditions