You can do it with a sealed high current relay which you can switch from your seat. I use one to AB loudspeakers but it is pretty old and I doubt it is still being made. Go to Digikey.com and search the relay section. You will need a small power supply to drive it, some wire and a push button STSP switch.
Need Two Way Speaker Switch That Won't Negatively Impact Sound
I am in need of a two way switch that will allow me to change between two pairs of speakers powered by the same amplifier, in the same room. There are times I will be listening to one pair, and times I will be listening to the other pair.
Years ago, I was told by respected audio experts that any switch like that would cause deterioration of the sound quality. Is there anything out there today that is reasonably priced, and will not negatively impact the sound for what I need?
Years ago, I was told by respected audio experts that any switch like that would cause deterioration of the sound quality. Is there anything out there today that is reasonably priced, and will not negatively impact the sound for what I need?
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@douglas_schroeder Okay, so you say you've never been able to use a switch on an amplifier output without degrading the sound and I say I have. That's not very helpful for the OP... maybe you have remarkable hearing and mine is worse than I think, or maybe you've never tried too hard to find a solution that would work. Whatever... I have offered a solution to the OP that they can try if they want and make their own decision. I don't think enjoying audio is about hard and fast rules that you must never break, it's about finding what works for each individual. |
No one is saying it won't work, but its presence will degrade the sound, whether it cost $500 or $5. You were told by authorities in the past, and I'm confirming it. If you don't wan to believe it, go get your cheap switch. Build a few hundred systems like I have, and you will have an opinion about it. :) |
@douglas_schroeder All mechanical switches degrade, period.That's quite a blanket statement... what is the mechanism by which this degradation occurs? Putting a cheap switch with poor materials is a superb way to diminish sound quality.I don't really understand why something needs to be expensive to be effective... a silver contact switch is pretty much as good as it gets (maybe mercury wetted contacts are better). Gold is non-reactive so sensible if the switch isn't sealed as silver will corrode. Rubidium is entirely unnecessary unless your equipment is in a corrosive environment in which case you have other problems. A switch is just a contact between two conductors like the contact between the cables and the terminals on the amp and speakers. As long as the switch is correctly rated and makes a good contact it should be fine. One advantage of inexpensive solutions is that they are easy to try for yourself. |
There's no reason why a well designed, appropriately specified switch should degrade the sound. I don't know what commercial options there are but if you're willing to DIY then I'd just select a switch (or two) which is over rated for the voltage & current with gold contacts (silver if it's sealed). There's loads of choice but a quick search turned up this on Mouser as an example. |