Multiple audio devices 1 jack

I've googled this endlessly with no result and I'm guessing it isn't possible but I may as well ask.

My laptop has one audio/mic port. I'm cheap and had a splitter laying around, my headphones, and a set of ear buds with a mic on it I combined to use as a headset.

This works fine, however, since the sound output is being split to both my ear buds and headphones, it doesn't sound as good and some things are faint, which isn't good for gaming.

Is there a way to manage my audio devices so that my ear buds is mic only and no sound, and my headphones get all the sound? I've found no options in Windows, just playback (speakers) and recording (mic). I assume because it's only one jack it isn't, but it can't hurt to ask.

If it's only one jack for both, mic and headphones it's different than normal stereo jacks and has one extra contact to split them.
Something like this: 4-Position 3.5mm to Dual 3-position 3.5mm Headset Adapter | StarTech.com

I got ya, so basically by plugging the earbuds into the mic slot, that cancels the sound.

I got ya, so basically by plugging the earbuds into the mic slot, that cancels the sound.

I would not say I was an expert but generally I find plugging the earphones into the earphone socket works well. That will be the green one.

You can also plug the microphone into the microphone socket if you like. This is not required if you only want to listen.. That one is normally Yellow.

I have found (in my life) that randomly sticking things into the wrong hole doesn't help you but if you can pull it out and stick it in the other one it will probably work.

I got ya, so basically by plugging the earbuds into the mic slot, that cancels the sound.

Yeah, it does that. With that spliter you could plug your earbuds in Mic side to use as microphone and your proper earphones in output plug of the spliter. Or you can get a proper microphone if you want to.

I'm actually a huge idiot and never thought of just plugging my headphones into my TV and my mic into my laptop.

I'm actually a huge idiot and never thought of just plugging my headphones into my TV and my mic into my laptop.

Good catch but you didn't mention TV at all, I though you are talking laptop only.

Yeah I didn't think it was relevant, haha.

Yeah I didn't think it was relevant, haha.

That way you are probably getting even better sound if it's connected via HDMI, it's digital.