Sound setup for my game room

napstersquest

So I have these devices already that I use to watch content on my LG 27GL850 Monitor.
> Xbox Series S
> Fire TV Stick 4K
> And a PC.

I have two devices as audio outputs:
> SteelSeries Headphones
> A small soundbar with 3.5mm aux cable which is good enough for the size of the room.

I mostly watch prime video, YouTube, Twitch, Hotstar and live TV on these three devices.
The Xbox series S and Fire TV Stick have only HDMI Outputs.

But the real issue I have is that the LG Monitor gives a very bad high-pitched hissing noise along with audio on its 3.5mm out port. Tried with numerous HDMI and DP cables, Different sources and different output devices. Same noise every time.
Same issue on another monitor:
So using DP/HDMI as audio out on all three devices and using 3.5mm jack for the soundbar for audio is out of the question. I am having an LG technician visit tomorrow but best case, they will replace the panel, but most likely the new 27GL850 might have the same issue.

I thought of getting an HDMI Switch + audio extractor like this: https://www.amazon.in/gp/product/B09CT4YP1L/
But this would mean that I would either have to use the HDMI instead of displayport for my PC, which would limit to 1440p 100Hz

One of the the workarounds is: I use both DP and HDMI for same monitor on PC and use HDMI as audio out, but this causes more problems than it solves. I will have an extra extended display which I can't use, and Windows as well as Pop OS like to open new windows in this unused display all the time. If I disable my 2nd display in display settings, I can't output to the HDMI port.

What should I do now?
I need a setup that
1. Does not require me to plug and unplug cables every time I switch my content source.
2. Does not cost more than what it would cost me to sell the 27GL850 after I get RMA unit and buy a similar one which does not have that 3.5mm audio issue.

D C

Take a look at AV receivers. Multiple inputs(hdmi, 3.5mm etc) which outputs to a dedicated sound system(direct speakers, hdmi arc, 3.5mm etc). Easy to change source too.

napstersquest

D C said:
Take a look at AV receivers. Multiple inputs(hdmi, 3.5mm etc) which outputs to a dedicated sound system(direct speakers, hdmi arc, 3.5mm etc). Easy to change source too.

At that price can buy a new monitor without selling the existing one. Sorry but this option would not be feasible for me!

kiran6680

napstersquest said:
So I have these devices already that I use to watch content on my LG 27GL850 Monitor.
> Xbox Series S
> Fire TV Stick 4K
> And a PC.

I have two devices as audio outputs:
> SteelSeries Headphones
> A small soundbar with 3.5mm aux cable which is good enough for the size of the room.

I mostly watch prime video, YouTube, Twitch, Hotstar and live TV on these three devices.
The Xbox series S and Fire TV Stick have only HDMI Outputs.

But the real issue I have is that the LG Monitor gives a very bad high-pitched hissing noise along with audio on its 3.5mm out port. Tried with numerous HDMI and DP cables, Different sources and different output devices. Same noise every time.
Same issue on another monitor:

Your post is quite clear, and you have troubleshooted well, but it is very surprising, so confirming my understanding :

Xbox -> Lg monitor -> SteelSeries headphones : hissing sound

Xbox -> different monitor -> SteelSeries headphones : hissing sound

Fire stick -> Lg monitor -> SteelSeries headphones : hissing sound

PC -> Lg monitor -> Soundbar : hissing sound

PC -> Lg monitor -> Use different 3.5 mm cable -> Soundbar : hissing sound

Have you tested all these combinations, and all give this problem ? Probably yes, but just confirming. Which is the other monitor you tried ?

If yes, one can imagine that there is some huge interference in your room which causes this. Can you try switching off all other electric devices, microwaves, wifi, bluetooth, mobile phone etc. devices around this area ?

Also, if one of the soundbar or headphones support bluetooth - just for testing you might try bluetooth sound directly from Xbox and Fire stick to them. This eliminates the variable of a 3.5 aux cable and might suggest what next to try. Though if PC, soundbar and headphones all have bluetooth, this might be the full solution instead of a testing scenario.

Bluetooth receiver might also be a 2k - 3k solution if things work well with bluetooth and your sound output devices don't support bluetooth.

gourav

Does your soundbar have an optical input?

napstersquest

kiran6680 said:
Xbox -> Lg monitor -> SteelSeries headphones : hissing sound

Xbox -> different monitor -> SteelSeries headphones : hissing sound

Fire stick -> Lg monitor -> SteelSeries headphones : hissing sound

PC -> Lg monitor -> Soundbar : hissing sound

PC -> Lg monitor -> Use different 3.5 mm cable -> Soundbar : hissing sound

Simply put,

Anything (PC, laptop, Xbox, Fire Stick) -> HDMI (or DP) -> LG Monitor -> headphones/soundbar (via 3.5mm jack) : that same sound.

If I plug headphones directly into PC/laptop headphone jack, no issues. Unfortunately, the Xbox and Fire Stick don't have any audio out other than HDMI (Apart from Bluetooth I guess).

kiran6680 said:
Can you try switching off all other electric devices, microwaves, wifi, bluetooth, mobile phone etc. devices around this area ?

There are no other devices on the same breaker (or in the same room/nearby) apart from the Airtel Xstream router.
And since the problem was experienced by different people living in different continents, I think that might not be the issue.

Other monitor may not have this issue, but need this monitor for its size and 1440p 144Hz gaming (Or 1440p60/1080p144 with Xbox) so stuck with it, might sell it and buy another 1440p 144Hz if every other possible solution is not feasible.

gourav said:
Does your soundbar have an optical input?

Nope, it's an el cheapo 2.1 channel USB powered small soundbar but does the job for my room. (F&D E200 to be exact)
The audio on it is good enough for content consumption if I plug it into the motherboard directly so that bar is not the issue.