Speakers and Headphones at the same time

Question

Level 1

9 points

Speakers and Headphones at the same time

Hi there, I was wondering if it's possible to have music playing out from both the internal MacBook speakers and through the headphones plugged into the headphone jack at the same time. I have a 13" MacBook 2.0 GHz intel CPU bought in October.

Thanks!

Macbook 13" 2.0 GHz, Mac OS X (10.5)

Posted on Nov 30, 2007 9:55 AM

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Answer 1

y_p_w

Level 6

17,762 points

Nov 30, 2007 12:33 PM in response to Joel C.

Joel C. wrote:
Is there a specific reason you want this? I guess obviously there is but I can't think of a reason why and I'm curious. 🙂

You could use a mini-jack splitter and hook up headphones on one and external speakers to the other.

That might damage the output driver unless the external speakers have a high-impedance input, like with a powered speaker.

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Answer 2

First Magus

Level 7

21,299 points

Nov 30, 2007 11:13 AM in response to Asad A

There is no way I know of to do it. The speakers are disabled when the headphones are plugged in. Plus the system cuts the audio down when the headphones are plugged in so that would be another problem to contend with.

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Answer 3

Joel C.

Level 6

15,919 points

Nov 30, 2007 11:16 AM in response to Asad A

Is there a specific reason you want this? I guess obviously there is but I can't think of a reason why and I'm curious. 🙂

You could use a mini-jack splitter and hook up headphones on one and external speakers to the other.

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Answer 4

Asad A Author

Level 1

9 points

Nov 30, 2007 3:59 PM in response to Asad A

Well basically I want to hook in some external speakers via the headphones jack and the more speakers the better, I just figure if there's a way to have 4 speakers instead of just two it'd be cool, why let the internal speakers go to waste?

Do you know if plugging in headphones physically cuts off the internal speakers or if it's a software/driver thing?

Thanks to all who've replied 🙂

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Answer 5

y_p_w

Level 6

17,762 points

Nov 30, 2007 4:31 PM in response to Asad A

Asad A wrote:
Well basically I want to hook in some external speakers via the headphones jack and the more speakers the better, I just figure if there's a way to have 4 speakers instead of just two it'd be cool, why let the internal speakers go to waste?

Do you know if plugging in headphones physically cuts off the internal speakers or if it's a software/driver thing?

Thanks to all who've replied 🙂

I'm pretty sure it's all in the OS, since the level control is right at the top. You can actually customize sound profiles individually for headphones or the built-in speaker, or any other sound devices. You can also use Bluetooth headphones (or a headset) or USB output devices. As far as I know, only one can be selected (in System Preferences) even if multiple ones are plugged in.

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