Posted by Listening to audio on a PC can be a solitary experience, but sometimes you want to share your music, movie or gaming sounds with someone else. However, connecting two headphones to a single PC can be a challenge, especially if you’re not sure how to do it.
Having two headphones connected to a PC can be useful in several scenarios. For instance, during gaming, two players can listen to the game’s audio simultaneously without disturbing others. In addition, it’s also a convenient way to share music or a movie with someone else without having to disturb others in the room.
This blog post is designed to help you learn how to connect and use two headphones on a PC. It will provide a step-by-step guide on different methods of connecting two headphones to a single PC, including the use of a splitter cable, a headphone adapter, Bluetooth, and Virtual Audio Cable software. With this guide, you’ll be able to enjoy audio with a friend or partner, or share the sounds of your favorite games, movies, or music.
Different Ways to Connect Two Headphones to a PC
1. Splitting audio using a splitter cable
This is the simplest method of connecting two headphones to a single PC. A splitter cable has two or more audio jack outputs that allow you to connect multiple headphones to the same audio source. This method is perfect for people who don’t have Bluetooth-enabled headphones or an adapter. You only need to connect the splitter cable to your PC’s headphone jack, then connect each headphone to the splitter cable. However, be aware that the audio quality might not be as good as using other methods.
2. Using a headphone adapter
A headphone adapter is another simple method of connecting two headphones to a single PC. It works by splitting the audio signal into two separate audio jacks, allowing you to connect two headphones to the PC. This method is perfect for people who have a single audio jack on their PC and want to connect two headphones without using a splitter cable. Simply connect the adapter to your PC’s audio jack, then connect each headphone to the adapter. The audio quality will be better than using a splitter cable but might not be as good as using Bluetooth or a virtual audio cable.
3. Using Bluetooth
Bluetooth technology allows you to connect multiple headphones to a single PC wirelessly. This method is perfect for people who have Bluetooth-enabled headphones and want to enjoy high-quality audio without being tethered to their PC. To use this method, you’ll need a PC with Bluetooth capability and two Bluetooth headphones. Pair each headphone with your PC, adjust the audio settings to ensure that both headphones are playing audio, and you’re good to go.
4. Using Virtual Audio Cable software
Virtual Audio Cable (VAC) software allows you to create a virtual audio cable that acts as a virtual sound card. This method is perfect for people who want to enjoy high-quality audio and have complete control over the audio settings. To use this method, you’ll need to install VAC software on your PC and connect each headphone to the virtual audio cable. The audio quality will be better than using a splitter cable or an adapter and is on par with using Bluetooth.
Note: It’s important to keep in mind that the audio quality will depend on the quality of the headphones and the method used to connect them.
5. Loading Audio From Specific Applications On Two Computers
Discovering a New Way to Use Two USB Headphones on a Windows 10 PC
Customizing your playback devices can unlock the full potential of using two headphones on even the latest Windows 10 PC. With this method, you can change the audio output for specific applications, such as Skype or your web browser. Imagine listening to music through Firefox or Google Chrome’s Movie and TV App with your speaker and gaming with sound through your headphones – all on one device. In essence, this allows for alternate audio levels for individual apps on your Windows 10 PC.
Here’s how to do it:
Step 1: Right-click the speaker icon in your taskbar.
Step 2: Select “Open Sound Settings.”
Step 3: Navigate to the volume and user preferences for the desired app.
Step 4: In the settings tab, you’ll see a list of all your open applications. Find the one you want to adjust the playback system for and look for the “Performance” drop-down menu next to it.
Step 5: In the “Performance” drop-down menu, you’ll see a list of all your connected devices. Choose the one you want to use for that specific software.
It’s important to note that Windows 10 automatically saves your selected playback system for each app, so every time you open it, the sound will always come through your designated headphones or speakers. With this simple process, you can now use two headphones on your Windows 10 PC at the same time.
6. Use resources from the framework
Experimenting with Two USB Headphones on Windows 10
Do you want to connect two headphones without a splitter? This method may not work for everyone, but some users have found success by replacing the input device with a playback device. This means you should be able to use both headphones at the same time without any issues – in theory. Keep in mind that the headphones may not sync perfectly and you may experience a slight delay on the second playback device (and headphones in this case).
Here’s how to do it:
Step 1: Right-click the Sound icon in the notification area and select “Sounds.”
Step 2: Go to the Playback tab and select your first headphones as the default playback device.
Step 3: Switch to the Recording tab.
Step 4: Right-click in the empty area and select “Show disabled devices.”
Step 5: Right-click and activate “Stereo Mix.” If you can’t find it, install the latest Realtek sound drivers and codecs.
Step 6: Double-click on “Stereo Mix” to open Properties.
Step 7: In Properties, go to the Listen tab.
Step 8: Check the “Listen to this device” box and choose your second headphones from the dropdown list.
By following these steps, you can now use two USB headphones on Windows 10. While this method may have some limitations, it’s always worth a try to enhance your audio experience.
Pros and cons of each method
Splitting audio using a splitter cable is the simplest method, but the audio quality might not be as good. Using a headphone adapter is also simple and provides better audio quality than a splitter cable, but the audio quality might still not be as good as using Bluetooth or Virtual Audio Cable software. Bluetooth provides high-quality audio and allows for wireless connections, but it requires Bluetooth-enabled headphones and a PC with Bluetooth capability. Virtual Audio Cable software provides the best audio quality, but it requires you to install software on your PC and might be more difficult for some people to set up.
Conclusion
In this blog post, we discussed four different ways to connect and use two headphones on a PC: splitting audio using a splitter cable, using a headphone adapter, using Bluetooth, and using Virtual Audio Cable software. Each method has its own unique benefits and drawbacks, making it important to choose the right method that suits your needs.
In conclusion, the best way to connect and use two headphones on a PC will depend on your needs and preferences. If you’re looking for the best audio quality, then Virtual Audio Cable software is the way to go. If you’re looking for a simple and quick solution, then splitting audio using a splitter cable or using a headphone adapter will do the trick. And if you’re looking for a wireless solution, then using Bluetooth is the way to go. Whatever method you choose, make sure you have compatible headphones and the right equipment, and you’ll be able to enjoy audio with a friend or partner in no time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you use two headphones on a PC at the same time?
Yes, you can use two headphones on a PC at the same time by using a splitter cable, a headphone adapter, Bluetooth technology, or Virtual Audio Cable software.
How do you connect two headphones to a PC?
There are several ways to connect two headphones to a PC, including splitting audio using a splitter cable, using a headphone adapter, using Bluetooth, and using Virtual Audio Cable software.
Which is the best way to connect two headphones to a PC?
The best way to connect two headphones to a PC will depend on your needs and preferences. If you’re looking for the best audio quality, then Virtual Audio Cable software is the way to go. If you’re looking for a simple and quick solution, then splitting audio using a splitter cable or using a headphone adapter will do the trick. And if you’re looking for a wireless solution, then using Bluetooth is the way to go.
Can you connect wireless headphones to a PC?
Yes, you can connect wireless headphones to a PC using Bluetooth technology. To use this method, you’ll need a PC with Bluetooth capability and two Bluetooth headphones.
What is a splitter cable used for?
A splitter cable is used to split a single audio signal into multiple outputs, allowing you to connect multiple headphones to a single audio source.
What is a headphone adapter used for?
A headphone adapter is used to split a single audio signal into two separate audio jacks, allowing you to connect two headphones to a single audio source.
Is it possible to control the volume of each headphone separately?
It depends on the method you use to connect the headphones. If you’re using Virtual Audio Cable software, then you can control the volume of each headphone separately. If you’re using a splitter cable or a headphone adapter, then you won’t be able to control the volume of each headphone separately. And if you’re using Bluetooth, it depends on the Bluetooth headphones and the audio settings of your PC.