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The Nintendo Switch doesn't have ANY stereo output on it's controllers!!!??? WAT!?

The joke is most definitely on me for assuming such a progressive feature, that was even on their prior system, would make it to the Nintendo Switch. I honestly did not know :(
I can understand maybe the absence on something like the Joy-Cons as yeah, they would move around, so not really practical....But forgoing them on your flagship, $70 "Pro Controller"!!!???
Would it have been THAT expensive to add something such a established feature? Even Microsoft realized it was absurd not to have the function natively built-in and eventually revised the XboxOne gamepad.

I guess I was just caught off guard. I currently have a Switch being shipped out to me on my deployment and I exclusively play with headphones due to the nature of where I'm at/what I have available to me
So yeah, I'm guessing my only option is an exceedingly long stereo cable running all the way to the Switch itself when playing via TV?

Once again, this is NOT a flame thread or anything like that. I was genuinely shocked and surprised
 

Nbz

Member
Tell me about it! The Audio jack has been the saving grace of PS4 for me. Nintendo not having the option on Switch is unacceptable IMO
 

tengiants

Member
And here I am looking at my switch thinking the headphone jack is mono =

Really glad that's not the issue. Could care less about this myself.

it would be nice for BT headset compatibility generally though. Hopefully when they release the smartphone app it will contain some nice audio routing solutions for listening to the switch from your phone.
 
The joke is most definitely on me for assuming such a progressive feature, that was even on their prior system, would make it to the Nintendo Switch.
Just like Wii U, there's a headphone jack on the tablet portion. Just like Wii U, there's no headphone jack on the Pro Controller or wiimote/nunchuk equivalent.

EDIT: Though Wii Remote did have the controller speaker which most other controllers have failed to match.
 

borghe

Loves the Greater Toronto Area
I still get a kick out of this...

2013 - "omg the headphone out on DS4 is god awful. Why would you do that to your ears?"

2017 - "what? No headphone out on joycons??"

Headphone out of the controller usually has awful audio. Still, I do wish Switch had A2DP or such enabled. In the meantime pick up a cheap/reliable BT audio dongle and plug it in the top of your Switch.
 

PeterGAF

Banned
I think it's more shocking that the system uses Bluetooth but doesn't let you use Bluetooth headphones.

Honestly the audio from the controller on the PS4 and Xbox One is garbage. And that's not coming from an audiophile. It's just bad. But I would love some Bluetooth audio from the Switch.
 

Rolf NB

Member
I still get a kick out of this...

2013 - "omg the headphone out on DS4 is god awful. Why would you do that to your ears?"

2017 - "what? No headphone out on joycons??"

Headphone out of the controller usually has awful audio. Still, I do wish Switch had A2DP or such enabled. In the meantime pick up a cheap/reliable BT audio dongle and plug it in the top of your Switch.
In what kind of bizzarre alternate universe was the DS4 audio ever "god awful"?
 

sirap

Member
2013 - "omg the headphone out on DS4 is god awful. Why would you do that to your ears?"

2017 - "what? No headphone out on joycons??"

I doubt the people bummed out about the lack of bluetooth/audio out care about quality in the first place. It's all about convenience imo.

Even then, bluetooth audio is *fine* for most people.
 
Yeah it's the main reason I don't play my Switch at all right now. I usually play games at night after my wife has gone to bed and she is a light sleeper so it's either play with headphones or no audio. i don't play handheld mode before people say to do that.
 
A lot of TV's support BT heaphones. And if they don't you can get something that will convert optical out to BT for about $30 on amazon.
 

borghe

Loves the Greater Toronto Area
I think it's more shocking that the system uses Bluetooth but doesn't let you use Bluetooth headphones.

Honestly the audio from the controller on the PS4 and Xbox One is garbage. And that's not coming from an audiophile. It's just bad. But I would love some Bluetooth audio from the Switch.
Yeah.. hoping it comes out in a later update. Like they have a limit of four controllers, INCLUDING only 2 "full controllers" using grips (i.e. 4 joycons). And we know it uses BT4.1 so hopefully they add stereo profile in at some point.
 

Rellik

Member
In what kind of bizzarre alternate universe was the DS4 audio ever "god awful"?

Compared to every other solution, the audio quality from the DS4 is pretty awful. If you're going to invest in some decent headphones then don't shit on them by plugging it into the DS4.

It's a good option though if you have no other way like using USB or the optical.
 

Jolkien

Member
Yup it's such a shame, I mean it's not like they had years to see both competitor has one (not the original xbox one controller but now they all do)
 

Seik

Banned
One of the biggest mistake of the platform so far, yeah.

This could've at least been there on the Pro Controller, especially for the price they sell it.
 

m00h

Banned
Not having an audio jack on the controller is ok for me, I couldn't care less. But not being able to pair my BT-headset with the Switch, even if it has BT onboard, that was an awful decision by R&D.
 
D

Deleted member 752119

Unconfirmed Member
Compared to every other solution, the audio quality from the DS4 is pretty awful. If you're going to invest in some decent headphones then don't shit on them by plugging it into the DS4.

It's a good option though if you have no other way like using USB or the optical.

Most people aren't audiophiles buying decent headphones though and the ds4 or X1 audio through controller is fine to them when they need to play with headphones while others are sleeping or what not.

Of course audiophiles will opt for other solutions. The controller audio isn't for them.
 

JohnTinker

Limbaugh Parrot
After seeing the Joy Con battery extenders,

XyJL1M0.jpg

D6NzIeL.jpg

I could easily see them announce more attachments with audio jacks, including a JoyCon grip. Now, how to interface that with the Pro Controller, is beyond me.

I know they've talked about/we've theorized that you would use the companion app for voice chat, but I could see them releasing more attachments like this.
 

hatchx

Banned
In my dreams, Nintendo releases some sexy white surround-sound headphones with a wireless dongle to plug into the Switch (so it works docked and portable). The headphones would include a little mic, and would launch and work in-sync with their online infrastructure.
 
Yep. I have a very long cord for my headset so that's my solution, but I really wish these obnoxiously priced controllers had a measly 3.5mm jack.
 

Kolx

Member
I think it's more shocking that the system uses Bluetooth but doesn't let you use Bluetooth headphones.

Honestly the audio from the controller on the PS4 and Xbox One is garbage. And that's not coming from an audiophile. It's just bad. But I would love some Bluetooth audio from the Switch.

I'm using my headphones on DS4 and it's certainly not awful by any means.
 

Skronk

Banned
Can't you just find some headphone solution that works with your TV? Wouldn't that always be preferable since you'll never have worry about this issue ever again?
 

Deft Beck

Member
Nintendo figures that their primary audience is people on Japanese commuter trains who already have wired headphones to use with their phones or those who sit close enough to their televisions that headphones aren't a concern.

Meanwhile, Sony's been generally good about supporting Bluetooth peripherals (Bluetooth support on Vita), with the exception of the PS4 (gotta sell Elite headsets!)
 
In my dreams, Nintendo releases some sexy white surround-sound headphones with a wireless dongle to plug into the Switch (so it works docked and portable). The headphones would include a little mic, and would launch and work in-sync with their online infrastructure.

:(
 

Baleoce

Member
A lot of TV's support BT heaphones. And if they don't you can get something that will convert optical out to BT for about $30 on amazon.
Can't you just find some headphone solution that works with your TV? Wouldn't that always be preferable since you'll never have worry about this issue ever again?

I think, whilst useful in a specific scenario, it's not much of a consolation for this lack of a feature being native to the controllers, especially considering its portable hybrid nature. (playing multiplayer on the go i mean)

EDIT - but yeah I see your point, the OP is likely referring to this with regards to TV play.
 

Rolf NB

Member
Most people aren't audiophiles buying decent headphones though and the ds4 or X1 audio through controller is fine to them when they need to play with headphones while others are sleeping or what not.

Of course audiophiles will opt for other solutions. The controller audio isn't for them.
Define audiophile.

I'm using PX100s.

DS4 headphone jack is better than the one on my monitors, which are connected directly to the PS4 via optical.
It also slaps the headphone jack on my Samsung TV silly sideways.

edit: the convenience in avoiding a cable running all the way from the EC around the coffee table to the couch is just the cherry on top; there is no compromise in quality.
 

Izuna

Banned
Wait.. No headphone port for portable? Are you serious?

(edit: Nvm)

PS4 has great sound through the controller, at lest the new Controller does.
 

Eightguy

Neo Member
Random question, but is audio quality better on PC if you plug headphones into the speakers or into the tower directly? Or does it matter?
 

Izuna

Banned
It's on the switch itself.... not on ANY of it's controllers

So this is an issue if you put the switch to stand and use the joycons separately?

I dunno, I guess it's not too much of an issue.

Can't understand why it's got mono sound though, that's cheap af.
 

Easy_D

never left the stone age
So this is an issue if you put the switch to stand and use the joycons separately?

I dunno, I guess it's not too much of an issue.

Can't understand why it's got mono sound though, that's cheap af.

Lol no one is saying it outputs mono audio.
 
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