How To Connect Two Pairs of Headphones Simultaneously to Your Mac

Are you planning a long flight with a loved one or a friend and want to enjoy your favorite movies, music, or podcasts together?

Sharing your Mac’s audio with two pairs of headphones has never been easier.

This guide will walk you through the process of connecting both wired and wireless headphones, including multiple Bluetooth pairs, to your Mac simultaneously.

Say goodbye to awkwardly sharing a single set of headphones or struggling to hear the audio from your device’s speakers.

Follow these simple steps, and you’ll be enjoying your in-flight entertainment in no time!

1. Pairing Your Headphones with Your Mac

Before you can share your Mac’s audio with two pairs of headphones, you’ll need to ensure they are properly connected. This process may vary depending on whether you’re using wired or wireless headphones.

Wired Headphones:

• Simply plug each pair of headphones into the headphone jack on your Mac. If your Mac only has one headphone jack, you can use a headphone splitter to connect both pairs.

Wireless Headphones:

• Make sure your Bluetooth headphones are in pairing mode. Consult your headphone’s user manual for specific instructions.
• On your Mac, click on the Bluetooth icon in the menu bar and select “Open Bluetooth Preferences.”
• In the Bluetooth preferences window, you should see a list of available devices. Find your headphones in the list and click “Connect.”
• Once connected, your headphones should appear in the list of connected devices with a “Connected” status.
• Repeat these steps for your second pair of Bluetooth headphones.

2. Using Audio MIDI Setup to Create a Multi-Output Device

Now that your headphones are connected to your Mac, it’s time to create a Multi-Output Device using the Audio MIDI Setup app. This will allow you to share your Mac’s audio with both pairs of headphones simultaneously.

1. Open the Audio MIDI Setup app on your Mac. You can find it using the search function in the top right corner of your screen, or by navigating to the “Utilities” folder within your “Applications” folder.
2. In the Audio MIDI Setup app, click on the “+” button in the bottom left corner and select “Create Multi-Output Device.”
3. A new Multi-Output Device will appear in the list of audio devices. You can rename it by clicking on its name and typing in a new one, such as “Two Headphones.”

3. Selecting Your Headphones and Configuring the Multi-Output Device

With your Multi-Output Device created, it’s time to add your headphones to the device and configure the settings to ensure the best audio experience.

1. In the Audio MIDI Setup app, click on your newly created Multi-Output Device to select it.
2. In the right-hand panel, you will see a list of available audio devices. Check the boxes next to your connected headphones to add them to the Multi-Output Device. Both wired and wireless headphones should be listed here, as well as any connected Bluetooth devices.
3. Set one of the pairs of headphones as the Master Device by clicking on its name in the list and selecting “Use this device for sound output” from the drop-down menu.
4. Enable Drift Correction for the secondary device by checking the box next to “Drift Correction” in the list. This will help to ensure that the audio stays in sync between both pairs of headphones.

4. Configuring Your System Settings for Sound Output

Finally, you’ll need to configure your Mac’s system settings to ensure that the audio is being output through your Multi-Output Device.

1. Open your Mac’s “System Preferences” and click on the “Sound” icon.
2. In the “Output” tab, find your Multi-Output Device in the list (e.g., “Two Headphones”) and click on it to select it as the default output device.
3. Close the System Preferences window.

Your Mac’s audio should now be playing through both pairs of headphones simultaneously. Enjoy your in-flight entertainment with your travel companion without any hassle!

Sharing your Mac’s audio with two pairs of headphones is a simple process that involves pairing your headphones, creating a Multi-Output Device using the Audio MIDI Setup app, selecting your connected headphones within the device, and configuring your system settings for sound output. This method is compatible with both wired and wireless headphones, as well as multiple Bluetooth pairs. The next time you find yourself on a flight or wanting to share your audio with someone else, you’ll be well-equipped to do so with ease.