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How to Listen to Your Samsung TV Through Both the TV Speakers and Headphones Simultaneously

Want to enjoy a movie night but need to keep the volume down for others? Or perhaps you have someone with hearing difficulties who needs headphones while others prefer the TV speakers? The good news is, you can often output audio from both the TV speakers and headphones at the same time on a Samsung TV. The exact method depends on your TV model and the type of headphones you’re using, but here’s a comprehensive guide to help you achieve this:

The simplest way to get sound from both the TV and headphones simultaneously on a Samsung TV is to use the TV’s Bluetooth audio settings. Pair your Bluetooth headphones to the TV. Then, within the TV’s sound settings, look for an option called “Audio Output,” “Speaker List,” or similar and select “TV Speaker” and the paired Bluetooth headphones as your desired audio outputs. If your TV does not support dual audio output via Bluetooth, consider using a wired headphone connection via the headphone jack (if available) or optical output, combined with the TV speakers.

Understanding Your Options: Headphone Connection Types

Before diving into the specific steps, it’s crucial to understand the different ways you can connect headphones to your Samsung TV and how each affects your ability to output audio simultaneously.

Bluetooth Headphones

Bluetooth headphones offer wireless freedom and are a popular choice. However, the ability to output audio to both the TV speakers and Bluetooth headphones simultaneously depends on the specific Samsung TV model and its Bluetooth capabilities. Many newer models support dual audio output via Bluetooth, allowing you to connect two Bluetooth devices at once.

Wired Headphones (3.5mm Headphone Jack)

If your Samsung TV has a 3.5mm headphone jack, using wired headphones is a straightforward option. Typically, when you plug in headphones, the TV automatically mutes the internal speakers. However, some models provide an option in the sound settings to enable simultaneous audio output through both the headphone jack and the TV speakers.

Optical Audio Output

The optical audio output (TOSLINK) is a digital connection that transmits high-quality audio. While it doesn’t directly connect to headphones, you can use an optical-to-analog converter to connect headphones to the optical output. This allows you to control the headphone volume independently without affecting the TV speaker volume. In most cases, this setup will allow sound from both sources simultaneously.

HDMI ARC/eARC

HDMI ARC (Audio Return Channel) or eARC (enhanced Audio Return Channel) primarily handles audio output to external sound systems like soundbars or AV receivers. While you typically wouldn’t connect headphones directly to an ARC/eARC port, some AV receivers have headphone jacks that can output audio simultaneously with the TV speakers (via ARC).

Step-by-Step Guide to Enabling Simultaneous Audio Output

Here’s a general guide to enabling simultaneous audio output on your Samsung TV, covering the most common scenarios:

Using Bluetooth Headphones

Pair Your Headphones: Put your Bluetooth headphones into pairing mode. Navigate to your Samsung TV’s Settings > Sound > Audio Output > Bluetooth Speaker List. Select your headphones from the list and pair them.
Enable Dual Audio Output (if available): After pairing, go back to Settings > Sound > Audio Output. Look for options like “Speaker List,” “Multi Output Audio,” “Audio Output,” or “Dual Audio Output.”
Select Both Speakers: If your TV supports it, you should see the option to select both “TV Speaker” (or “Internal Speaker”) and your paired Bluetooth headphones as the active audio outputs. Select both.
Adjust Volume: You can typically control the volume of the TV speakers and the Bluetooth headphones independently using the TV’s remote and the headphone’s volume controls.

Using Wired Headphones (3.5mm Headphone Jack)

Plug in Headphones: Connect your wired headphones to the 3.5mm headphone jack on your Samsung TV.
Check Audio Settings: Go to Settings > Sound > Audio Output.
Enable Simultaneous Output (if available): Look for an option like “TV Speaker Output” or “Headphone Output”. If there’s an option to enable both simultaneously, select it. In some cases, you may need to select “TV Speaker” after plugging in the headphones to force the output to both.
Adjust Volume: You can typically control the volume of the TV speakers and headphones independently using the TV’s remote and the volume control on the headphones (if available).

Using Optical Audio Output and a Converter

Connect Optical Cable: Connect an optical cable from the TV’s optical audio output (TOSLINK) to the optical input on your optical-to-analog converter.
Connect Headphones to Converter: Connect your headphones to the headphone jack on the optical-to-analog converter.
Power On: Ensure both the TV and the converter are powered on.
Adjust Volume: Use the volume control on the optical-to-analog converter to adjust the headphone volume. The TV speaker volume should be controlled independently via the TV remote. The TV should automatically output audio through the speakers and the optical port.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

No Sound from Headphones: Double-check the headphone connection, pairing status (for Bluetooth), and volume levels on both the headphones and the TV.
TV Speakers Muted: Ensure the “TV Speaker” option is selected in the audio output settings. If using a headphone jack, some TVs require you to manually re-enable the TV speakers in the settings.
Audio Lag: Bluetooth headphones can sometimes experience audio lag. Try moving closer to the TV or reducing interference from other wireless devices. You can also try a different Bluetooth audio codec in the TV settings if available. A wired connection will typically eliminate audio lag.
Incompatible TV Model: Not all Samsung TVs support simultaneous audio output. Consult your TV’s user manual or Samsung’s website to confirm compatibility.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Why can’t I find the “Dual Audio Output” option on my Samsung TV?

The “Dual Audio Output” option is not available on all Samsung TV models. It’s a feature typically found on newer or higher-end models. Check your TV’s user manual or Samsung’s website to see if your specific model supports this feature.

2. Can I connect two pairs of Bluetooth headphones to my Samsung TV at the same time?

Some newer Samsung TVs offer the ability to connect two Bluetooth headphones simultaneously. Check your TV’s specifications to confirm if this is supported. The process is similar to pairing one pair of headphones, but you’ll pair both headphones separately.

3. Will using the headphone jack automatically mute the TV speakers?

On many Samsung TVs, plugging in headphones to the 3.5mm jack will automatically mute the TV speakers. However, some models offer an option in the sound settings to override this and enable simultaneous output. Check your TV’s audio settings.

4. What is the best way to reduce audio lag when using Bluetooth headphones?

To minimize audio lag, try these steps:

Move closer to the TV.
Reduce interference from other wireless devices.
Update your TV’s firmware to the latest version.
Check for Bluetooth codec options in the TV settings (e.g., aptX Low Latency).
Use headphones with Bluetooth 5.0 or later, which offers improved latency.

5. Can I use a Bluetooth transmitter with my Samsung TV to connect wired headphones wirelessly?

Yes, you can use a Bluetooth transmitter that connects to the TV’s headphone jack or optical output to transmit audio to Bluetooth headphones. This can be a useful solution if your TV doesn’t have built-in Bluetooth or doesn’t support simultaneous audio output.

6. My Samsung TV doesn’t have a headphone jack. What are my options?

If your TV lacks a headphone jack, you can use:

Bluetooth headphones (if your TV has Bluetooth).
An optical-to-analog converter to connect headphones to the optical audio output.
An HDMI audio extractor to extract audio from the HDMI output.

7. What is HDMI ARC/eARC, and can I use it for headphone output?

HDMI ARC (Audio Return Channel) and eARC (enhanced Audio Return Channel) are primarily used to send audio to external sound systems like soundbars or AV receivers. While you typically wouldn’t connect headphones directly to an ARC/eARC port, some AV receivers have headphone jacks that can output audio simultaneously with the TV speakers (via ARC).

8. Will using an external soundbar affect my ability to use headphones simultaneously?

No, using a soundbar typically doesn’t prevent you from using headphones. You can connect headphones using one of the methods described above, independent of the soundbar connection. Just ensure your audio settings are properly configured to output sound to both the soundbar and the headphones.

9. How do I update the firmware on my Samsung TV?

To update your Samsung TV’s firmware, go to Settings > Support > Software Update > Update Now. Ensure your TV is connected to the internet.

10. Can I control the volume of the headphones and TV speakers independently?

In most cases, yes, you can control the volume of the headphones and TV speakers independently. With Bluetooth headphones, you can often adjust the volume on the headphones themselves. The TV remote controls the TV speaker volume. When using an optical-to-analog converter, the converter typically has its own volume control for the headphones.

11. My TV is older. Is there still a way to make this work?

Even on older TVs, you can often use an optical-to-analog converter with the optical output. If your older TV lacks an optical output, you can use the analog audio outputs (RCA) with an RCA-to-headphone adapter, although this might compromise audio quality slightly.

12. Will using headphones affect the audio quality of the TV speakers?

No, using headphones should not directly affect the audio quality of the TV speakers. The audio signal is simply split to output to both devices simultaneously.

13. What if I want to completely mute the TV speakers while using headphones?

If you want to completely mute the TV speakers, simply turn the TV volume down to zero using the TV remote. This will silence the TV speakers while allowing you to listen through the headphones.

14. Are there any apps that can help with simultaneous audio output?

While there aren’t specific apps dedicated solely to enabling simultaneous audio output on Samsung TVs, some streaming apps have their own audio settings that might allow you to adjust audio output to different devices connected to the TV. Check the settings within the streaming app itself.

15. What if I’m still having trouble getting sound from both sources?

If you’ve tried all the above steps and are still unable to get sound from both the TV and headphones, consult your Samsung TV’s user manual for specific instructions related to your model. You can also contact Samsung support for assistance.

How do I get sound from both the TV and headphones at the same time on Samsung TV?