Bluetooth headset and headphones in one

How To Connect Multiple Bluetooth Headphones On One Device Simultaneously

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Using headphones has become a widespread occurrence in this day and age. There is a myriad of different models of varying quality available on the market, all ready to be connected to your preferred device. Usually, one pair of headphones per device is enough, but what are we to do when that is not the case?

And there is another question related to this one. Knowing that one pair of headphones can be connected to multiple devices via Bluetooth, all thanks to Multipoint technology, is the reverse possible? Can we connect multiple Bluetooth headphones on one device at the same time?

The answer is: yes, yes we can.

In this text, we will learn how to connect multiple Bluetooth headphones on a single device. We shall explore the ways of effective connection of more than one pair of headphones on laptops/desktops and smartphones, some of them running on Android, iOS, or Windows OS.

Multiple Bluetooth Headphones On PC (Desktop/Laptop)

If you wish to connect more than one pair of Bluetooth headphones on your PC, you may not be able to do that with your existing, preinstalled Bluetooth device. This especially counts for laptops – apparently, the preinstalled Bluetooth device is not strong enough, so an external emitter would be a good solution.

Mind you, this solution works not only with desktops and laptops but also with any smart device with a headphone jack.

When buying the external Bluetooth signal emitter, make sure it can support at least two pairs of headphones, and that it has low latency. The lower the latency, the better the overall sound quality, and more importantly, you won’t suffer any sound delays. Latency also depends on the headphones you’re using, so the better the headphones are, the lower the latency is.

It would be a good idea to update your laptop/desktop’s Bluetooth drivers to avoid any potential software issues. After all that is done, we proceed further.

The device we will use as an example here is the Archeer 2 in 1 Bluetooth Transmitter/Receiver . This device can be connected with both laptops and desktops, but also with any other smart device with a headphone jack, be it a smartphone or a TV.

When using this particular mode, you need to make sure that the device is set in TX (transfer mode) – on one side of the device, there is a slider with TX and RX settings. Move the slider to the TX side, and you’re set.

When connecting it to your laptop, put the device in the AUX (auxiliary) mode. You can do this by using a different slider from the side of the device, and move it towards the AUX side then use the auxiliary cable to physically connect the transmitter to your laptop. Both the laptop and the transmitter have the appropriate jacks for you to plug the cable in.

When all this is done, take your Bluetooth headphones and put them into pair mode. On some pairs, this is done by holding the appropriate button, while others may require to simply press it. Then turn on the device, put in in the pair mode, and let the headphones and the transmitter get in sync.

Congratulations – you have just connected multiple pairs of headphones on one Bluetooth device!

Monopiece Bluetooth Splitter

Multiple Bluetooth Headphones For TV

The same Bluetooth transmitter we used in the example above can be used to connect multiple headphones on your TV set.

Instead of keeping the slider on the AUX side of the scale, slide it right and put the device into SPDIF mode. After doing this, take the SPDIF cable, and connect the device with your TV. When this is done, pair your headphones and your device, and enjoy your movie!

Do note, however, that this method works only with TVs that have SPDIF port! If your TV does not support SPDIF, you’ll need to find a Bluetooth device that does not require the SPDIF connection. Avantree Bluetooth 4.0 transmitter may be a good option for you.

This transmitter allows the connection of multiple Bluetooth headsets, and due to its adaptability, it works both on TVs that have a headphone jack, and on TVs that do not. The device itself is equipped with a long-lasting battery and a power cable you can either connect to your TV set’s USB port or use any other USB charger to recharge/power the transmitter if your TV does not have a USB port.

When you turn it on, put the device in AUX mode, connect it to your TV’s headset port. If your TV does not have it, you can connect the device and your TV via standard RCA audio output.

RCA audio output TV jack

When all is connected, turn the device on, and pair it with your headphones one at a time. It usually takes ten or so seconds for the connection to be established. After all, this is done, sit back, relax, and enjoy your movie!

Multiple Bluetooth Headphones For Android

When it comes to Android-powered smart devices, Samsung Galaxy S8 has the option you need – it allows connection to two pairs of Bluetooth headsets!

This is how we establish the connection. Once you activate Bluetooth on your smartphone, pair it with one pair of headphones, then the other. When the connection is established, you will receive a push notification – your phone will “ask” if you want to enable the Dual Audio option. Enable this feature, and enjoy sharing your favorite music and podcasts.

There is a tiny caveat, though. If you’re using this option inside your house or office, there won’t be any problem. But if you’re outside jogging or cycling, the signal quality may vary, so the connection between your headset and the device they are paired with can be disrupted if you get too far away from it.

Samsung Galaxy S8 with Bluetooth headphones and earbuds

But this is the option for connecting two pairs of headsets on Android OS only. If you wish to connect more than two pairs, purchasing a Bluetooth transmitter/splitter would be an appropriate solution. Those mentioned above should work well with your Android device.

Multiple Bluetooth Headphones To iPhone

When it comes to its Bluetooth connectivity, Apple claims that their iPhone is able to provide connection to 7 Bluetooth devices. This practically means that connecting multiple pairs of headphones on an iPhone device is quite easy to do. The practical limit of their connectivity, however, is 3 to 4 devices, so do keep that in mind.

Connecting the headphones to your iPhone is a simple process. All you need to do is turn your Bluetooth signal on, allow your phone to synchronize with the headphones, and play your music.

The trouble with iPhone is that, although connectivity is stable, the sound can be played only on one pair of the connected headphones. In order to circumvent this, it’s a good idea for you to purchase a Bluetooth splitter for your iPhone. That way, you’ll be able to simultaneously use your headsets without a hitch!

Multiple Bluetooth Headphones To Mac

Mac OS offers a built-in way of connecting multiple headphones on one Mac device. A MacBook can support both wired and wireless connection between it and the headphones, and the process pretty simple.

What you need to do is to turn on the Bluetooth on your MacBook, and pair the device and the headsets. When the connection is established, go to Setup and Utilities, and run the Audio MIDI app. When the app opens you’ll see a “+” button on the lower left half of the window; press it, and choose the Create Multi-Output Device option from the menu displayed.

Once you do that, click on the Use This Device for Sound Output option, then simply click on the headphones you wish to use. You’ll see them on the list of audio devices.

All you need to do now is to select a Master Device, select the appropriate slave devices, and under Sound in System Preferences choose the previously set Multi-Output/Aggregate Device. It’s a bit longish process, but it is quick and effective. For connecting more than two headsets, Bluetooth splitters are always a good solution.

Multiple Bluetooth Headphones On Windows 10

Windows 10 has enabled the use of multiple audio output devices from the get-go, and this applies to wireless headphones as well. This is a godsend for audio editors, and especially gamers when having a guest during a game streaming session. Most of the options out there are for wired headsets, but there are for Bluetooth headphones as well.

As we have had a chance to see on the abovementioned examples, you cannot go wrong with Bluetooth splitters/transmitters when it comes to connecting multiple headsets on one device. The use of splitters comes is even more important when it comes to Windows 10. As said by Microsoft themselves, there is no way for you to connect multiple Bluetooth devices without a splitter!

If you’re looking for a good splitter, consider those mentioned above, and make sure they’re able to support at least two pairs of headphones. Hopefully, some of the incoming system updates might change this Windows 10 feature, or the option for connecting more than one pair of Bluetooth headphones might become a possibility in some of the future iterations of Windows OS.

FAQ

#1 — Can the latest incarnations of iPhone X provide simultaneous connectivity to multiple Bluetooth headphones?

No, they cannot. Even the newest iterations of Apple’s famous smartphone device do not support simultaneous connectivity of multiple Bluetooth headphones. Even they require a Bluetooth splitter or dongle for this purpose, and you’ll also need to acquire special adapters to use wired headphones, since iPhone no longer offers wired connectivity because they stopped using headphone jacks.

#2 — Can I play sound on my Bluetooth headphones and on my headset at the same time on Windows 10?

Yes, absolutely. There are no issues whatsoever with combining your wired and wireless headsets and using them simultaneously. Go to your sound settings after pairing the Bluetooth headset with your PC, pick your standard and your Bluetooth headset as primary sound output devices, and that is that.

Bear I mind, however, that sometimes a slight sound delay may occur, most often because of the system itself, so the reproduction may not always be on point.

#3- Will I be able to simultaneously use my Bluetooth speaker and my Bluetooth headset if I connect them on an iPhone?

You will be able to connect them simultaneously, yes, but sadly, you will not be able to use them at the same time. Some testers have already tried to bridge the issues of multiple headphone connectivity by using a speaker/headset combination, but the results are very much the same. Only one of the two connected devices can be used as an audio output, not two. Good question though.

#4- Do I need exclusively high-end headphones for the best sound quality?

Oh no. “High price – high quality” may be a general rule, but you do not need expensive headsets. There is a number of relatively low priced headsets out there with great sound quality. Or you can just use whatever you already have. The choice is yours.

Conclusion

As we can see, all smart devices and personal computers can provide some way of connecting multiple Bluetooth headphones on once device. Splitters have proven to be the foolproof option applicable on different operating systems, but the systems themselves may provide you with the option for such a type of connectivity.

TV sets as well, with a little help of splitters, offer you a way of enjoying your favorite movie/TV show in the company of your loved ones, with all of you wearing your Bluetooth headphones. Granted, there is some work to be done, but the results are more than worth the effort.

What is your preferred way of connecting multiple headphones on a single device? Do you have a useful alternative? Let us know in the comments below.

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