How do I swap audio output of the left and right speakers?

Question

I have two speakers stereo speakers but when I use the sound control panel applet to test my audio configuration I get sound in the right speaker when the user interface indicates the right speaker and vice versa. Is there a way to swap the audio output from left to right and right to left?

UPDATE: The reason for this question is that I've recently rearranged my workspace and because of physical constraints the left speaker has to go on the right side and vice versa. I could of course solve this problem with a hardware solution but I'd rather use a software solution if one is available.

Answer 1

You could get a cable that splits into two channels and one that merges them again. Then just swap the channels inbetween. For example this kind and this kind, if I read correctly... cables and audio isn't my thing :p Anyways, something along those lines should work maybe work?

Answer 2

There is a software solution called Equalizer APO

• configure it to attach to your output device (Usually something like: "Speakers - VIA HD Audio" or "Speakers - Realtek HD Audio")
• create a new file in C:\Program Files\EqualizerAPO\config, for example swapchannels.txt
• Paste the following line into it as its only content: Copy: L=R R=L, save the file
• Open Equalizer APO's configuration editor, make sure that your device is the correct one in the dropdown menu on the top right
• If applicable, remove all pre-configured options by clicking the red "minus" icon
• Click the green "plus" icon to add a new configuration for your output device, then navigate to the "Include configuration file" option, select your swapchannels.txt file
• Save/Apply the configuration. Left and right channel are swapped.

Source of tutorial here.

For my own case I ended up using headphones. Mostly left and right do not matter for Windows sounds or even not for music that runs in the background. However, for FPS games it matters a lot ;)

Answer 3

Some soundcard drivers actually have an option to swap the left and right channels in their Control Panel applet (eg. A Realtek adapter I used to have did). I imagine this might have to do with the features of the specific sound chipset. Other drivers/chipsets don't.

Some games/applications have software methods to swap the left and right channels in their settings/configuration window/file (eg. Final Fantasy VII PC, Winamp). Others don't.

The only guaranteed-possible way to swap is to physically swap the wires/speakers in hardware.

Answer 4

I experienced this same problem with a set of Logitech speakers whose cable wasn't long enough to be placed the right way round on my (long) desk - they seem to assume that the PC will always be underneath the monitor, or on the right hand side.

My sound chipset doesn't have any support for swapping channels, so I had to make an adapter plug/socket combo. Find someone who can use a soldering iron, and get a 3.5mm plug and socket, and several inches of stereo audio cable - should be done in less than 5 minutes.

Answer 5

Most media player software should be able to do it for you, so at least you can listen to music and watch movies properly — this should solve at least part of your problems.

Here is the solution in VLC player: Audio > Audiochannels > Reverse Stereo.

Answer 6

If this is a simple 2.1 stereo speaker setup (just a L + R + subwoofer) with a 3.5mm jack that plugs into your computer, then you can find a 6ft headphone extension cable that simply extends the reach of any 3.5mm plug.

I used to use one with my TV to extend the reach of my headphones from the TV's 3.5mm headphone out.

I just used that same cable to extend the reach of my speaker setup that had the same constraints as yours — the right speaker has the plug but it would not reach my PC's jack. Hope this helps.