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

Eric Root

Level 10

685,209 points

Aug 28, 2016 7:41 AM in response to karffe

You might want to consider starting a new discussion. Since this one is a couple of years old, less people are likely to look at it. A new post would be much more visible. You can link to this one.

nate12345 Author

Level 3

502 points

Oct 10, 2010 7:31 PM in response to Malcolm Rayfield

I was considering this kind of thing as a fallback.
But I'd really rather find a workaround than spend $40 on something that should be easy. Almost every non-Apple product I own gives you a choice whether or not to mute the built-in speakers, so I think there must be a way to get this (basic) functionality on a $1500+ computer.

Nov 18, 2010 3:41 PM in response to nate12345

You used to be able to do this in a previous system version - may have be System 9 or something though. There used to be a "Playthrough" checkbox against the speakers in the system preference pane, but I can't find any way to get to this now.

Anyone know an answer?

Jan 19, 2011 4:57 PM in response to nate12345

*Here's my setup:* I have a MacBook Pro in a HengeDock ( http://www.hengedocks.com) connected to a LED Display, with a Audio extension cable so I can plug in headphones if I need.

*Here's my problem:* If I have a cable plugged into the headphone jack of the MacBook at all, then I cannot select any other audio output. If I do manage to select an output it is immediately switched back to headphones.

*Here's what I'd like to do:* Be able to choose whether the MacBook Pro's internal speakers or LED Display's speakers play even though there's something in the output jack. I've tried 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!+

Message was edited by: Scott Kennedy

Király

Level 6

10,025 points

Jan 25, 2011 4:46 PM in response to IBG001

Hi IBG001,

Yes, you are correct... I hadn't thought of that! The startup chime does indeed come out of the internal speakers even when something is plugged in to the audio out jack. That nixes my theory about the mechanical switch. I'll have to remember where I had first heard about that...

wildej

Level 1

0 points

Dec 9, 2011 8:28 AM in response to philfsimon

Hey Philfsimon,

I have this very problem and have been searching for a fix. I've even had my macbook (in this case) dismantled trying to find a way to fix the switch.

Having read your post, I'm intrigued by this approach that requires detaching the diode. I'm more than happy to take on some soldering and would happily lose the headphone jack/optical out, in order to get the internal speakers working. I just want to turn the **** switch off that keeps telling the OS that there is an optical adapter in the hole.

I spoke to a guy at a Genius Bar, but they weren't able to detail this approach to me. Any chance you can pass on the details of what needs removing/shorting or whatever it is?

Also, any chance you have remember this software you refer to. Again, would be perfect and I'd happily lose the headphone jack permanently, just to get the speakers back.

Thanks for any help you can provide on this one!

John

Apr 3, 2013 9:43 AM in response to nate12345

Oddly I am able to choose my HDMI output with a headphone plugged into the headphone jack while tweaking the configuration of my Google Chat in-Chrome.

Still I'm getting a USB-based headphone jack and microphone so I can use some WineSkin-wrapped Windows executables with the system setting for sound output and still use the headset for chatting.

Mar 28, 2014 12:34 AM in response to nate12345

I have the same problem, my headphone plug broke off inside the jack and my MBP thinks the jack is in use, at least under OS X. I installed Linux for a try and the internal sound output works like a charme, so it can´t be any harware related issue. Still can´t find a workarround under OS X so I´ll be carrying my bloutooth speakers along for now.

karffe

Level 1

33 points

Dec 24, 2015 5:39 PM in response to Sarvaten

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

May the Apple Support be with you

migabc

Level 1

8 points

Sep 1, 2016 2:59 AM in response to nate12345

I have this problem too.

I'm using an iMac and would like to leave the headphones
plugged in all the time (headphone jack is on the back) and would like the
ability to switch the audio output between headphones and the internal speakers
without having to unplug (and plug back in) the headphone jack all the time.

Will this issue be fixed with macOS Sierra?

karffe

Level 1

33 points

Sep 5, 2016 10:29 AM in response to migabc

Yeah! Just keep this conversation / feature request alive!

But anyway, if they would fix that bug/feature issue they will probably include that fix in next OS X... that means, they really do not care about old version of the MAC OS...

Oct 10, 2010 11:09 PM in response to nate12345

It's not done in the hardware but somewhere in the OSX audio software, so it should be possible to do it, but I haven't heard of any body getting both to work at once.

nate12345 Author

Level 3

502 points

Oct 18, 2010 7:30 PM in response to nate12345

Still no one?

May 20, 2012 3:40 AM in response to nate12345

Still no one solution software to switch audio output when headphones (jack connector, not USB) is plugged in?

Sorry for my English.

Jul 26, 2012 1:32 PM in response to Fancytricks

@ Fancytricks, already tried, does not work with "jack connector, not USB, is plugged in"

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Use Internal Speakers While Headphones Plugged In