try out different ones

Great idea! I actually thought that there was only one type of headphones in existence. I'll go buy those that you don't put on (or in) your ears. Thanks again!

maybe you just have a not ordinary head i wouldnt be surprised at all

It fits a brain - I can see how that's not ordinary.

yeah a small one

Built-in audio controller connected to a relatively crap 2.1 speaker setup, that I have to disconnect and reconnect every time I boot the machine because otherwise it'll try to output to optical SPDIF rather than the analogue 3.5mm that is actually connected. Also, it hums, especially when the cat walks past and brushes his tail against the cable.

I'd love to find a computer-focused speaker setup (2.1, 4.1, or 5.1) with optical input that has a wired remote (for volume control and headphone connector) which is not the size of a small bus.

The Logitech Z906 has what I want (and more), but the control box is much too large, and it's a bit more expensive than I'm willing to pay for computer speakers.

I don't like how most subwoofers on cheap and small units are setup, just too "boomy" for my taste so I usually don't have one but I really enjoy the immersion it can give, not for the sound but more the "feel", if you know what I mean. Infortunatelly that takes a lof os space (and power) to reach very low frequencies.
Does anyone tried the so called "bass shakers"?

'computer-focused' has always been a marketing thing. Logitech sets didn't have features that made them better if you used them in combination with a computer. The only thing I can think of is that they started miniaturizing amplifiers to cater to the limited desk space.
I've had a Logitech Z2300s for many years. I didn't buy them because they were good "computer speakers", but because they were actually good speakers and a good subwoofer, in general, for their price. (despite the low quality pod) They had a comparable 4.1 model and even the later 5.1 one was ok.
But "brand loyalty" is just stupid! Since then, Logitech has been selling low end hardware for low prices. There's nothing wrong with that... just don't expect a "great deal" (anymore).

I thought my opening post was enough to give an impression of my knowledge an experience with audio hardware, but yeah, I didn't really mention headphones.
I know about and have experience with all the different types. I even have AKG K240 half open cans to monitor my music production in a different way.
I appreciate your advice, but I really prefer speakers. I like the sound to fill the room, I like feeling of the bass, I like not having that thing on my head, etc etc...

I wonder... what if they turned live concerts into live headphones experiences? How many people would be ok with that? It sounds like a black mirror episode to me! (don't be defensive, I still think that listening to music an games through headphones is personal preference)

I haven't really seen anything marketed as "computer-focused", I was automatically using that term to describe what I think of as "not specifically designed as part of a hi-fi setup" with remote control, a large control box, and whatnot, as that's how I think of them. My bad.

The Logitech Z906 seems to be something in between a set of computer speakers and a "proper" hi-fi speaker setup. Or tries to be both, failing (in my opinion) to be either.

With the huge control box for choosing inputs, what channels to use, and controlling volume levels separately for each speaker, plus a remote control, it (again, as far as I'm concerned) fails to be a computer setup. But with not being intended for an HDMI receiver, it fails to be much else.

I had a Creative Inspire P580, which was great, until it stopped feeding audio to the speakers and I couldn't figure out why with help from a multimeter and friends who are better in electronics than I am, so I replaced it with a cheap 2.1 set (I have since bought a second-hand subwoofer/amplifier, but not yet plugged it in - I tested the speakers, they work, so I kept them). And it doesn't take SPDIF anyway, only 3.5mm, so it's equally non-cat-proof as what I currently use (didn't have the cat back then, he's not at fault).

So, yeah, a single input of each supported type with one being SPDIF (maybe automatic picking which type to use, or even mux them together if audio comes from multiple inputs, I don't care, only going to use one anyway). Wired remote for volume, headphone jack, maybe power, maybe mic jack).

Brand loyalty is stupid, yes, I just have a list of features I want, and go to whomever can provide that or whichever alternative I'm least annoyed by.

I'm kind of uncomfortable posting this, but ok. I have a Asus Xonar DG soundcard with optical output to Denon PMA-600NE that's connected to my trusty old pair of Jamo E 680s. For home headphones I have Beyerdynamic's DT 770.
The Denon is a fairly recent acquisition when I felt my old amp wasn't good enough for me anymore, and it made a way bigger difference than I expected. The old amp had more bells and whistles, sure, but I knowingly went for a 2-channel amp. Frankly, I'd be fine with mono sound for music myself.
In the future I'd like to look in to upgrading my speakers, but for now this setup works for me.

A separate soundcard becomes useless if you connect it digitally to an amplifier (unless: integrated sound chip doesn't have a digital output, or you want the (software/hardware) DSP).

My active speakers don't have a built-in DAC... but even if they had, I still like the EAX effects (Soundblaster Z) for some old games.

I haven't invested specifically in sound for my setup, but here's how it works out:
* Raspberry Pi is hooked up to an HDMI switch which is connected to a monitor. Audio is via HDMI.
* Big laptop is hooked up to the other port on the HDMI switch, but only video goes that way; audio plays from the laptop's own speaker. (One advantage of this set-up: Stranger of Sword City Revisited runs rather slowly while exploring the dungeon, but I can set up an auto-move, switch to my Pi, and use the Pi while waiting, listening to an audio cue from the laptop to know if I should switch back (because the move is done or I have to fight a battle).
* Desktop uses a small TV, connected via HDMI.
* I don't connect my small laptop to any external monitor or speakers.
* I do have a USB condensing microphone, for when I need to record things, or (during pandemic times) for videoconfrencing.

Good ol' stereo studio headphones with the motherboard sound hardware and it sounds just fine to me. I've never been a big sound guy though, my "home theater" just has a soundbar with a subwoofer.