Level 3

502 points

Use Internal Speakers While Headphones Plugged In

Hi All,

*Here's my setup:* I've got an iMac, an iPod dock, and a set of speakers. I use an AV switch to choose which input (computer or iPod) is played through the speakers.
*Here's my problem:* If I'm listening to the iPod, all sound from the computer is ignored. So, any sounds from the Mac (notifications, UI feedback, etc) aren't played.
*Here's what I'd like to do:* Be able to choose whether the iMac's internal speakers play even though there's something in the output jack. I've tried MIDI Setup, sound prefs, and SoundSource; but none of them let me turn on the internal speakers while there's something plugged in.

Any ideas?

+Thanks in advance!+

MacBook 2.4 ghz 4GB RAM, Mac OS X (10.6.4), MB June 2008, Nano 3G + 5G, AEBS 2008, Logitech 5.1, LaCie 2Big + Rugged, CS4 DP

Posted on Oct 10, 2010 1:41 PM

Top-ranking reply

Malcolm Rayfield

Level 7

28,153 points

Posted on Oct 10, 2010 4:23 PM

OSX disables the internal speakers if there is a plug in the headphone jack, so you can't use both at once. If you want the internal speakers to work, you need some other way to get audio to the external speakers. You could use the iMic
<http://www.griffintechnology.com/products/imic>

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60 replies

joeh156

Level 1

0 points

Dec 19, 2011 8:33 AM in response to wildej

I have an iMac which I dual boot with windows 7 - and when running windows I am able to choose between HDMI, headphone and internal speaker output on the fly (just set required device as default). In OSX this is not possible, as everyone has been saying when the headphones are plugged in it is not apparently possible to switch between headphone / speaker output. As I have wireless headphones it would be useful to leave the plugged in all the time and use a software select.

Because this is possible within windows it suggests that a software fix must be feasible, and this is probably down to the drivers. Also, as someone else pointed out - the system bootup sound still plays regardless of headphone plug-in.

Apple need to fix this obvious defect, something that is actually very annoying seeing as the headphones have to be plugged in around the back!!!

Krys01

Level 1

0 points

Jun 14, 2013 9:14 AM in response to nate12345

no need to spend $40! search for a USB audio adapter and you will see many choices <$10 incl s&h. not sure about fidelity of one of those things. maybe someone can comment on that but this is probably be the easiest solution.

cheers.

karffe

Level 1

33 points

Aug 27, 2016 2:31 PM in response to Aero Windwalker

Aero Windwalker wrote:

Some people said it is a hardware switch that turns off the internal speaker or the internal speaker shares the same output with headphone and cannot be used when it is shorted while the headphone is plugged in. This is not true, because on the same computer you can install Windows and get both internal speaker and the headphone working at the sametime. So this must be an OSX feature and can be disabled somehow. Just no one knows how.

As i wrote before:

Yes that is right, the audio plays from internal speakers even if the headphones are conected on Windows via Bootcamp! That means that i am for 100% sure that the problem must be in MAC OSX and nowhere else. Please, let me someone know how to fix this uncomfortable behavior on my mac with Most Advanced OS on the world. PLEASE

Király

Level 6

10,025 points

Sep 1, 2016 3:55 AM in response to migabc

It won't be fixed, because Apple does not consider the behaviour as working correctly as designed. In other words, the behaviour is not a bug, it's a feature. 😟

Sarvaten

Level 1

0 points

Nov 2, 2011 7:29 PM in response to nate12345

Hello,

I was concerned about the same problem as lately I needed to work with Windows on my iMac 21.5.

Actually there has to be something wit hthe software:

In windows 7 (Bootcamp) - When you rightclick on the sond icon (right bottom corner) - playback options and you chose the internal speakers and default, it will automatically change the sound from headphones to internal speakers and vice versa.

In OS 10.6 I do not get this options even if I go into System Preferences -Sound - Outpout. I also tried Soundsource and it does nothing more than Alt+ click on the sound icon on the taks bar.

I can believe it is something physically installed into the 3.5mm jack but why it will work on Windows and not on OS10.6 😟.

Hope this helps somehow.

Good day.

Oct 11, 2013 2:35 AM in response to Király

Hey Király,

I have an iMac 2011. When I use boot up in Windows, using bootcamp, I can plug in headphones, while still using the built in speakers. Also I can switch between them using the settings. If it was a hardware switch, I'm sure you wouldn't be able to do that on Windows either.

Aug 27, 2016 1:18 PM in response to nate12345

Some people said it is a hardware switch that turns off the internal speaker or the internal speaker shares the same output with headphone and cannot be used when it is shorted while the headphone is plugged in. This is not true, because on the same computer you can install Windows and get both internal speaker and the headphone working at the sametime. So this must be an OSX feature and can be disabled somehow. Just no one knows how.

Apr 2, 2015 3:44 PM in response to nate12345

I found an App for this, it's called AudioSwitcher and costs only $0.99. Hope it helps all of you!
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/audioswitcher/id561712678?mt=12&ign-mpt=uo%3D4

Aug 28, 2016 10:14 AM in response to karffe

I have a solution involving kext modification which is not allowed to be discussed on Apple forum. Just do a quick search on Google you can find my post on Ask Different.

IBG001

Level 1

23 points

Jan 25, 2011 9:10 AM in response to Király

Hi,

I cannot be correct that there is a mechanical switch inside the headphone because the Mac sound when you start your Mac will always come from the internal speakers also when the headphone jack is plugged in. The conclusion must be that it is a software thing.

Jan 29, 2011 11:48 AM in response to Király

I have a mbp, and I opened pref->sound and changed use audio port for input although headphones were connected. And automatically internal speakers started to play, thus the jack is able to identify and switch between input and output.
I am sure if a software is able to override the default, we could play internal speakers and external at the same time. I tried a app called airphones to play music on a ipod from mac, wen airphones is on internal speakers switch. The basis is that SL can use just on audio source not two or more.

Mar 17, 2012 6:48 PM in response to nate12345

I was about to have a USB headset plugged in, a set of headphone jacks plugged in as well. and get the internal speakers playing my audio feed.
sound preferences > output tab

click internal speakers and on the drop down menu at the bottom, select "sound input"

if this doesn't work, play around with switching your line in to "output" then back to "input" (play around until the sounds comes from your speakers. it's simple!

i'm running macbook pro - OSX-lion

Sep 13, 2012 2:56 PM in response to philfsimon

Specific that I must not simultaneously use the output jack and the speakers of the iMac, but rather the one or the other, and for convenience I do not want every time having to remove the jack (access uncomfortable in my case).
I also tried to install Windows XP (dual boot without Boot Camp), and by doing so you can switch the output to cross the driver, it follows that the limitation is not hardware.
I also tried various utilities, such as Soundflower, but without the desired result.
If anyone has tested something working it please tell me.
I apologize for my GooglEnglish.

-------------

Nella mia lingua (In my language)

Specifico che io non devo usare contemporaneamente l'uscita jack e le casse dell'iMac, ma bensì o l'una o l'altra; e per praticità non voglio ogni volta dover staccare il jack (di scomodo accesso nel mio caso).

Ho anche provato ad installare Windows XP (in dual boot senza Boot Camp), e così facendo è possibile commutare l'uscita attraversi il driver, ne consegue che la limitazione non è hardware.

Ho anche provato varie utility, tipo Soundflower, ma senza il risultato sperato.

Se qualcuno ha testato qualcosa di funzionante lo prego di dirmelo.

Oct 12, 2013 2:42 AM in response to Sankar manoj

I agree!

iTonimerlot

Re: Use Internal Speakers While Headphones Plugged In

Sep 13, 2012 2:56 PM ( in response to philfsimon)

Specific that I must not simultaneously use the output jack and the speakers of the iMac, but rather the one or the other, and for convenience I do not want every time having to remove the jack (access uncomfortable in my case).
I also tried to install Windows XP (dual boot without Boot Camp), and by doing so you can switch the output to cross the driver, it follows that the limitation is not hardware.
I also tried various utilities, such as Soundflower, but without the desired result.
If anyone has tested something working it please tell me.
I apologize for my GooglEnglish.

-------------

Nella mia lingua (In my language)

Ho anche provato ad installare Windows XP (in dual boot senza Boot Camp), e così facendo è possibile commutare l'uscita attraversi il driver, ne consegue che la limitazione non è hardware.

Ho anche provato varie utility, tipo Soundflower, ma senza il risultato sperato.

Se qualcuno ha testato qualcosa di funzionante lo prego di dirmelo.

Jul 23, 2012 9:46 PM in response to nate12345

The free app Soundsource puts audio input/output switching on your menu bar.

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Use Internal Speakers While Headphones Plugged In