Use TV Speakers and Headphones – Avantree Support

TV Speakers + Headphones

Can I Hear the TV Speakers and Headphones at the Same Time?

Yes, if your TV supports simultaneous audio output. Your TV determines whether its built-in speakers can stay on while sending audio to your headphones.

This depends on your TV.

Some TVs can play through their built-in speakers and an external audio output at the same time. Other TVs automatically turn off their speakers when an external audio output is active.

Try This First

If your headphones use an Avantree transmitter connected to your TV, try the setup below first.

Connect the transmitter to your TV

Connect your Avantree transmitter to a compatible audio output on your TV.

Keep the TV speakers selected

In your TV's sound settings, leave the built-in TV speakers enabled unless your TV provides a dedicated simultaneous-output option.

If using Optical, set the TV audio format to PCM

If your TV provides a Digital Audio Format setting, select PCM instead of Dolby or DTS.

Play TV audio and check both

Check whether you can hear sound from both the TV speakers and your headphones.

BOTH HAVE SOUND

Your TV supports this setup

You can continue using the TV speakers while listening through your headphones.

TV SPEAKERS TURNED OFF

Check your TV's audio settings

Your TV may require a simultaneous-output setting, or it may not support both outputs at the same time.

TV Speakers Stay active if your TV supports simultaneous audio

TV Audio Output Sends TV audio to the transmitter

Headphones Receive the TV audio from the transmitter

Watch the Video

Watch the original video below for a visual walkthrough.

If the TV Speakers Turn Off

Check your TV's Sound or Audio settings for an option that allows more than one audio output at the same time.

Look for a setting such as:

TV Settings → Sound / Audio / Sound Output

Dual Audio Output
Multi-Output Audio
TV Speaker + Audio Output
TV Speaker + Optical
Simultaneous Audio Output

Using Optical? Check PCM.

For best compatibility with many Avantree TV transmitters and headphone systems, set the TV's Digital Audio Format to PCM when using Optical. PCM helps the transmitter receive compatible audio, but it does not determine whether the TV speakers can remain on.

I don't see a simultaneous audio setting

Keep the TV speakers enabled and test whether the TV continues sending audio through the output connected to your transmitter.

Some TVs can output audio through both automatically even when there is no setting specifically labeled “Simultaneous Audio.”

My TV speakers turn off when I select Optical or External Speaker

Some TVs automatically disable their built-in speakers when an external audio output is selected.

This behavior is controlled by the TV rather than the headphones or transmitter.

The TV speakers work, but my headphones have no sound

First confirm that the transmitter is connected to an active audio output on the TV.

If you are using Optical, check the TV's Digital Audio Format and select PCM if available.

My headphones work, but the TV speakers have no sound

Check the TV's Sound Output settings and look for an option that allows the TV speakers and external audio output to work at the same time.

If the TV does not provide this option, simultaneous audio may not be supported directly by the TV.

If Your TV Does Not Support Simultaneous Audio

Depending on your equipment, another option may be to use an external speaker or soundbar together with a compatible Avantree transmitter that supports audio pass-through.

TV Audio OUT Provides the TV audio signal

Compatible Transmitter Sends audio to the headphones

External Speaker Uses a supported pass-through connection

This alternative requires a transmitter and external speaker setup that supports the appropriate audio pass-through connection.

Not Sure If Your TV Supports This?

If you're unsure whether your TV can play through its speakers and headphones at the same time, contact Avantree Support and include your exact TV brand and model.

Contact Avantree Support →