How to Stop Headphones and Speakers from Playing at the Same Time

Are you having trouble listening to your headphones and speakers simultaneously?

Dealing with this common issue can be annoying, especially when you want to keep your audio private. The good news is that fixing this problem is usually straightforward.

Our guide will show you how to make sure that only your headphones or speakers are playing sound. We support Windows PCs, Macs, and other devices. Follow along and enjoy seamless audio.

Using Headphones and Speakers at the Same Time: Step-by-Step

Using both your headphones and speakers at the same time can be useful in several scenarios, such as sharing audio with others while still listening through your headphones. Here is a step-by-step guide to help you accomplish this setup.

Windows

1. Open the sound settings.
   
   • In the system tray, click the sound icon.
   • Click “Sounds” or “Open Sound Settings.”
     
2. Configure Playback Devices:
   
   • Click “Manage sound devices” or go to the “Playback” tab in the Sound Settings window.
     
   • Right-click on your speakers to set them as the default device.
     
   • Select “Set as a default communication device” from the right-click menu on your headphones.
     
3. Enable stereo mixing.
   
   • Return to the Sound Settings window.
     
   • Go to the “Recording” tab.
     
   • Right-click in the window and select “Show Disabled Devices.”
     
   • Right-click “Stereo Mix” and select “Enable.”
     
   • Once again, right-click “Stereo Mix” and select “Properties.”
     
   • Under the “Listen” tab, check “Listen to this device.”
     
   • Your headphones should be the playback device.
     
   • Then click “Apply” and “OK.”
     

Mac OS X

1. Open Audio MIDI Setup:
   
   • Select “Applications” > “Utilities” > “Audio MIDI Setup.”
2. Create a multi-output device.
   
   • Click the “+” button at the bottom-left corner of the Audio Devices window and select “Create Multi-Output Device.”
     
   • Check the boxes next to them if you want to use headphones or speakers.
     
3. Select a multi-output device.
   
4. On the newly created Multi-Output Device, simply right-click (or control-click) and select “Use this device for sound output.”
   

Mobile devices (Android)

1. Use third-party apps:
   
   • You can download an app like “SoundAbout” from the Google Play Store.
     
   • Configure the app to route audio to both headphones and speakers.
     
2. Built-in features (if available):
   
   • Some devices come equipped with dual audio features. You can enable audio on multiple outputs in your device’s sound settings.
     

Mobile devices (iOS)

1. Bluetooth speakers:
   
   • Connect your Bluetooth speakers to your iPhone.
     
   • Connect your wired headphones to the headphone jack.
     
   • Usually, iOS prioritizes wired connections, but you can manage outputs in the Control Center by selecting the AirPlay icon.
     

On various devices, you can listen to audio simultaneously through headphones and speakers.

How do I separate headphone audio and speaker audio?

You can manage different sounds on your device by separating headphone audio from speaker audio. For Windows, Mac, and mobile devices, here’s a guide.

PC with Windows

1. Open the Sound Settings window.
   
   • Click the sound icon in the bottom-right corner.
     
   • Navigate to “Sound settings” and select it.
     
2. Volume of apps and device preferences:
   
   • Click “App volume and device preferences” under “Advanced sound options.”
     
   • You can assign specific audio outputs to each app here. You can use headphones for some apps and speakers for others.
     
3. Software to be used:
   
   • Route different audio sources to different devices.
     

Mac OS X

1. Open the System Preferences window.
   
   • Choose “System Preferences” from the Apple menu.
     
   • Click on “Sound.”
     
2. To select the output device, follow these steps:
   
   • In the “Output” tab, select your speakers as the primary output device.
     
3. Settings specific to an app:
   
   • In some applications, you can select an audio output device. In the app’s preferences, find audio options.
     
4. A Loopback:
   
   • Using Loopback, you can create virtual audio devices and route sound from various apps to different outputs.
     

Mobile

IOS

1. Devices that use Bluetooth and wired connections:
   
   • Verify the connection between your Bluetooth speaker and wired headphones.
     
   • To manage audio output, check your device’s sound settings.
     
2. Settings for certain apps:
   
   • You can choose where the audio plays in some apps. Within the app, find the audio settings.
     

iPhone/iPad

1. Control Center: How to Use It
   
   • Pair your Bluetooth speaker with your wired headphones.
     
   • Swipe down from the top-right corner to access the Control Center.
   • To select where you want the sound to play, tap the audio card.
     
2. The app’s audio settings include:
   
   • Make sure your apps offer audio output options in their settings.
     

With these steps, you can easily manage and separate headphone and speaker audio on your devices, giving you control over how your sounds play.

Conclusion

Having headphones and speakers play audio simultaneously can be frustrating, but it is usually easy to resolve.

If you follow the steps outlined in this guide, you can ensure that your audio plays only through your desired device.

We provide step-by-step instructions for Windows PCs, Mac OS X, and mobile devices. You can now enjoy a seamless and controlled audio experience. Keep visiting our site for more tech tips.

FAQs