Mac Tutorials
How to Connect Two Headphones to One macOS System
Rejoice ✨, tech enthusiasts! Ever been caught in a situation where you wish to share your Macbook’s 🍎 audio with a friend using two headphones 🎧, but ended up sharing one earpod each? Now you no longer have to compromise. This article showcases a quick workaround on how to connect two headphones to one macOS system easily 😊 Let’s get into the nitty-gritty.
Opening up The Audio MIDI Setup
Whether you’re a seasoned Mac user or a newbie, locating the Audio MIDI setup should be a breeze 👌. Use the Command+Space command for a quick search or go the traditional route by launching the Finder 🕵️♂️. Once in finder, navigate to Applications and then Utilities. Here you find Audio MIDI Setup 🎵💻. Simply double-click to launch it!
Connecting and Adjusting Your Devices
At the top of the Audio MIDI Setup, you will find a list of all your connected devices. Here you can ensure that both your devices are connected 🤝 and have sufficient battery life 🔋. However, it’s a good practice to turn off automatic ear detection in the Bluetooth preferences for a seamless experience 😎.
Creating a Multi-Output Device
Once you confirm that both your devices are rightly connected, it’s time to create a multi-output device. Fret not! It’s simpler than it sounds. At the lower part of the audio midi setup, you will find a ‘+’ button. Click on it and then select ‘Create Multi-Output Device’ 🎧🎧. Select the headphone pairing you wish to use, and you’re good to go! 😍
Adjusting the Volume for Each Device
Having two headphones connected doesn’t mean that you can control the volume at a system level 😱! This might sound weird, but it’s true. Each headphone’s volume will have to be adjusted manually 🎚️. Not that tech-savvy? Don’t worry, it’s as simple as dragging up the volume bars corresponding to each headphone. Each volume is controlled separately, but with some fine-tuning, you can match the audio output for a pleasant listening experience 🎧🎼.
Switching Sound Outputs
Apparently, Mac likes to be the boss 😏. Therefore, you will have to explicitly specify that you want to use the multi-output device for sound output each time. To do this, right-click on the multi-output device and select ‘Use this device for Sound Output‘. All set! 🚀 Now, your MacBook should properly playback sound on both headphones 🎧. Remember to ensure that the device selected for playback is indeed the multi-output device. A small ‘x’ beside the MacBook Pro speakers indicates that the multi-output device is working 👍.
Conclusion: 🏁
Voila! You can now listen to the same audio on two different headphones connected to a single Mac system. Isn’t that awesome? 😎 The process may seem a bit clunky but once you get the hang of it, it feels natural. It’s indeed strange that Apple hasn’t yet added this feature to the macOS 🍎, but hey, in the tech world there’s always a workaround 😉. Whether you’re on a flight ✈️ or chilling with friends, double the fun with shared audio on your Mac. 🍎🎧🎵
Reach out in the comments section below if any queries arise or anything seems unclear. Happy listening! 🎧🎶
FAQ
What is the need to connect two headphones to one macOS system?
Connecting two headphones allows two people to listen to the same audio from the same macOS system, without disturbing others. This can be especially useful in shared spaces or while traveling.
Can I connect both wired and wireless headphones at the same time?
Yes, it is possible to connect both wired and wireless headphones to your macOS system at the same time.
Is a special adapter needed to connect two wired headphones?
Yes, to connect two wired headphones, you’ll need a headphone splitter or Y-adapter that turns one 3.5mm port into two.
What are the steps to connect two Bluetooth headphones to a macOS system?
You can connect two Bluetooth headphones to a macOS system by pairing both headphones individually via the Bluetooth settings and then using the Audio MIDI Setup app to create a multi-output device.
Do all headphones work with macOS systems?
While most headphones can work with a macOS system, some specific features may not be available depending on the headphone’s brand and model.
Will both headphones have the same sound quality and volume?
Sound quality and volume may vary based on the headphones’ model and the format of the audio being played.
Can more than two headphones be connected to a single macOS system?
Yes, more than two headphones can be connected using the multi-output device feature in the Audio MIDI Setup app.
Are there any apps needed to connect two headphones to one macOS system?
No specific apps are needed, you just need to use the built-in Bluetooth settings and the Audio MIDI Setup app.
Can this process harm my macOS system?
No, connecting multiple headphones to a single macOS system is an in-built feature and won’t harm your system.
Can I adjust the volume of each headphone independently?
When using the Audio MIDI Setup app to create a multi-output device, the volume controls for each headphone are combined. However, you can generally adjust volume on the headphones themselves.
What is an Audio MIDI Setup app?
The Audio MIDI Setup app is a program included with macOS that controls your system’s sound output and input devices and their settings.
Do both headphones need to be from the same manufacturer to connect to the macOS system?
No, you can connect headphones from different manufacturers to your macOS system.
What kind of Bluetooth headphones are compatible with macOS systems?
Most Bluetooth headphones should be compatible with macOS systems.
Why is my macOS system not detecting my Bluetooth headphones?
Ensure your headphones are in pairing mode and close to your macOS system. If the issue persists, try restarting your system or resetting your headphones.
What is the sound quality of a wired connection versus a Bluetooth connection?
Wired connections generally offer better sound quality than Bluetooth, but the difference may not be noticeable in all use cases.
Can I connect two wired headphones using USB ports?
Yes, you can connect two USB headphones by using two USB ports on your macOS system.
What can cause a delay in audio output when using Bluetooth headphones?
Bluetooth headphones can have an audio delay due to factors like distance, signal strength, and interference from other devices.
Can manually adjusting the audio balance damage my headphones?
Generally, manually adjusting the audio balance from your macOS settings will not damage your headphones.
Are gaming headphones compatible with macOS system?
Most gaming headphones should be compatible with macOS systems, but it is always advised to check specific model details.
Why is there a difference in volume when I connect two headphones?
The difference in volume may be due to different headphones having differing impedance and sensitivity levels.
Is there a way to save settings when connecting two headphones to one macOS system?
Yes, the settings in the Audio MIDI Setup app are saved, so you should not need to reconfigure each time.
Can I connect two headphones to my macOS system if one of them is not Bluetooth?
Yes, you can still connect two headphones even if one is not Bluetooth by using the headphone jack for the non-Bluetooth headphone and the Audio MIDI Setup app to create a multi-output device.
Can I connect wireless headphones from two different brands to my macOS system?
Yes, you can connect wireless headphones from two different brands to your macOS system.
Is there any loss of audio quality when connecting two headphones?
There shouldn’t be any noticeable loss of quality when connecting two headphones unless they have vastly different audio capabilities.
Can this method be used for headphones that use different connections, like one using USB and the other using Aux?
Yes, you can use the Audio MIDI Setup app to set up a multi-output device even for headphones using different connections.
Can I connect two headphones to my macOS system without using an app?
To combine the audio output to two headphones, you’d need to use the built-in Audio MIDI Setup app. If this isn’t needed, each headphone can be connected individually.
Can I use this feature on other Apple devices like iPhone or iPad?
This feature is mostly specific to macOS systems. However, newer iOS devices do have a similar feature called Audio Sharing.
Do all versions of macOS support connecting two headphones?
Most recent versions of macOS have the Multi-Output feature. It is always advisable to have the latest update for your system.
Can I connect multiple sets of AirPods to my Mac?
Yes, you can connect multiple sets of AirPods using the Audio MIDI Setup for simultaneous audio.
How do I troubleshoot connection issues with headphones on my Mac?
Make sure your headphones are charged, in range, and in pairing mode. If the problem persists, try reconnecting the headphones, restarting your Mac, or resetting the headphones.