Playing Music Through Speakers with Headphones on PC and MAC

Playing music through speakers while using headphones on your PC can be a convenient way to enjoy your favorite tunes while still being considerate of others around you. Whether you want to have a private listening experience or share your music with others, there are several methods you can use to achieve this. In this article, we will explore different ways to play music through speakers while using headphones on a PC, including adjusting sound settings, using third-party software, and utilizing audio splitters or Bluetooth adapters.

Why play sound through headphones and speakers simultaneously?

There are so many cool ways to use the same or different audio streams on multiple devices at the same time! And it’s not just limited to headphones and speakers – you can use any audio output device connected to your computer. Let’s dive into some awesome applications of this versatile technique!

• You desire to enjoy music wirelessly on a Bluetooth speaker or speakers located in a different room, while simultaneously continuing to use your computer.
• You want to watch a movie or play games without disturbing others, but still want to be able to hear the sound effects and dialogue through your headphones.
• You wish to share music with friends while using computer speakers for a louder and more immersive experience.
• As a DJ, you desire to simultaneously monitor the music in your headphones and the one resonating through the loudspeakers.

These are just a few examples of why playing music through both headset and speakers can come in handy. Now let’s explore some methods to make it possible.

Adjust sound settings

The simplest method for playing music through speakers with headphones on a PC is by adjusting the sound settings. This method will work for both Windows and Mac computers. Here’s how to do it:

On Windows:

To adjust the sound settings on a Windows 10 PC, follow these steps:

• To begin, ensure that you connect both your headset and speakers to your PC.
• To access the Sound settings, simply right-click on the volume icon in the taskbar and select “Sounds“.
• Go to the Playback tab and right-click on “Speakers“. From the options, choose “Set as Default Device” to make it the primary audio output.
• In the Recording tab, right-click on “Stereo Mix” and click on “Properties“.
• Go to the Listen tab and check the box that says “Listen to this device“.
• Under “Playback through this device“, choose your headphones.
• Click on Apply to save the changes. 

Now, your music or audio should play through both the headphones and speakers at the same time.

On Mac:

To adjust the sound settings on a Mac, follow these steps:

• Connect your headphones and speakers to your Mac.
• Open the “Audio MIDI Setup” utility by navigating to Applications > Utilities > Audio MIDI Setup.
• To create a multi-output device, simply click on the “+” button located in the lower-left corner and select “Create Multi-Output Device“.
• Right-click on the Multi-Output Device and select “Use This Device for Sound Output“.
• Check the boxes next to the devices you want to use under the right panel.
• Launch System Preferences and open the Sound panel.
• Under the Output tab, choose the Multi-Output Device as your Output.

By adjusting the sound settings, you can easily play music through both speakers and a pair of headphones simultaneously on your Mac.

Using Third-Party Software

If adjusting the sound settings alone doesn’t meet your requirements, you can use third-party audio mixer software to send sound to multiple devices. These software applications offer more advanced features and customization options for playing music through speakers and headphones simultaneously.

Voicemeeter

One popular audio mixing app is Voicemeeter, which allows you to play sound through various devices, including speakers and headphones, at the same time. Voicemeeter is a free software that provides options for better sound quality and easy customization.

CheVolume

CheVolume is another audio mixer built for Windows that lets you play sound through different devices simultaneously. It is designed for Windows 8 and 7 and offers older releases for earlier versions of the operating system. CheVolume is a paid software available for a one-time payment of $9.99.

Audio Router

For those who prefer a free alternative, Audio Router is a good option. Although it hasn’t been updated for a while, it still works with PCs running on older versions of Windows. Audio Router allows you to route audio to different devices without the need for additional purchases.

Using third-party software gives you more control over the sound properties and allows you to achieve professional-quality sound when playing music through headphones and speakers simultaneously.

Using Audio Splitters or Bluetooth Adapters

Another way to play music through a soundbar while using headphones on a PC is by using audio splitters or Bluetooth adapters. These devices provide a simple and efficient solution for connecting multiple audio devices.

Audio Splitters

An audio splitter is a small hardware device that can split one audio output into multiple ports. It enables you to connect both speakers and headphones to your PC at the same time without needing to change any settings or use software.

There are two types of headphone splitter you can use with PC or laptop:

• Y-splitter: This type of splitter has a single input port and two output ports, allowing you to connect one device for audio input and simultaneously distribute it to two devices.
• Multi-port splitter: This type of splitter can have multiple inputs and outputs, enabling you to connect several devices at once and share the sound source across all connected devices.

It is important to use an audio splitter made of high quality to ensure optimal sound quality and volume.

Bluetooth Adapters

If your PC doesn’t have a built-in Bluetooth feature, you can use a Bluetooth adapter to connect your speakers and headphones wirelessly. This solution is convenient for those who want to play songs through speakers without having any wires cluttering their workspace. But make use of Bluetooth 5.1 adapter as it supports multi-point connectivity.

To use this method, simply plug the Bluetooth 5.1 adapter into an available USB port on your computer and pair it with your Bluetooth headphones. Once connected, you can play music through both devices simultaneously.

Conclusion

In this guide, we explored different methods for playing music through both headphones and speakers on a PC. Adjusting the sound settings and using third-party software are two effective ways to achieve this, while headphone splitters and Bluetooth 5.1 adapters provide hardware solutions for connecting multiple audio devices. With these methods, you can enjoy your music through both speakers and headphones simultaneously on your PC without any hassle. So go ahead and try out these techniques to enhance your audio experience!