Arranging For Audio For Only Headphones: How Please ? (imac Desktop)

[Robert4]

Hello,

Happy Holidays to all.

Blame old age now, very, but would really appreciate help with this:

Have a desktop imac.
Several years old.

Trying to figure out where and how to have audio
"only" come thru a pair of headphones I would like to use.

There are apparently 4 spigots in the rear, as well as a jack on the lower left edge of case.

Regarding the 4 jacks in the rear: 2 are labeled with the lightning symbol, 2 are totally unlabeled.

How do I go about (only) using Headphones ?
What do I change in Sound/Settings ? Anything else ?

I tried plugging headphones into the lower-left edge connector which I thought was for Audio Out.
But didn't appear to do anything. No headphone audio, and mac speakers still blarring.

Much thanks, most appreiative,
Bob

 

[HobeSoundDarryl]

The jack on the left side of the iMac IS the headphone jack. Normally, when one plugs headphones into that jack, the headphones take over all audio. Are you sure you have the right kind of headphone jack (3.5mm)? Are you sure you seated it fully into the jack? Maybe give the jack a hard blast of air to blow out any dust that might be in it?

If yes to all but still not taking over, you might have to go into "System Settings, Sound" or Control Center and choose the headphones for audio over using the built-in speakers. Assuming you will leave the headphones plugged in permanently, you will probably only have to do this ONE time.

If somehow your headphone jack is faulty- unlikely but possible- another option is to get a USB dongle to plug into one of the ports on the back into which headphones can then be plugged (one of MANY such options). Or better than that, you might get yourself a multi-port hub that includes a headphone jack so that the one port you fill on the back can then connect a variety of devices instead of only headphones (one of MANY such options). Such devices are pretty inexpensive and a good alternative to any single use dongle if you are going to spend some money. If you go hub, think about the connections you need and anticipate needing and seek out a hub that covers up to all such needs.

 

[Fishrrman]

If the headphones have a "mini-stereo" plug, you should be able plug them into the headphone jack.

If that isn't working, try opening the "sound" settings pane.
It should have a sub-panel for "output".

Select that, and see if the headphones "show up" there.
If they do, try clicking on them ("headphone port"?).

 

[Nguyen Duc Hieu]

Hello,

Happy Holidays to all.

Blame old age now, very, but would really appreciate help with this:

Have a desktop imac.
Several years old.

Trying to figure out where and how to have audio
"only" come thru a pair of headphones I would like to use.

There are apparently 4 spigots in the rear, as well as a jack on the lower left edge of case.

Regarding the 4 jacks in the rear: 2 are labeled with the lightning symbol, 2 are totally unlabeled.

How do I go about (only) using Headphones ?
What do I change in Sound/Settings ? Anything else ?

I tried plugging headphones into the lower-left edge connector which I thought was for Audio Out.
But didn't appear to do anything. No headphone audio, and mac speakers still blarring.

Much thanks, most appreiative,
Bob

I assume you'll need an adapter with your current headphone.
Reason: The 3.5 mm audio out port on the left-edge of iMac 2020 is designed for 4 poles jack, i.e. used for a headset with both microphone and stereo headphone/earphone functions.

Something like the items in the links below:

MAOYE 2 Pack Headset Splitter Adapter, U Shape 3.5mm 4 Pole Male to 2 x 3 Pole Female Headphone Y Splitter for Audio Stereo Headphone and MIC for Phones, Computers, MP3, Tablet Black Color

4-Pin 3.5mm to dual 3-pin 3.5mm Headset Splitter Adapter features one 3.5mm Male and two 3.5mm Female connectors Turns a 3.5mm combo headphone/microphone port into two distinct ports - one 3.5mm headphone jack and one 3.5mm microphone port Lightweight, yet sturdy design that can easily be plugged...

www.amazon.com

https://www.amazon.com/MillSO-Splitter-Headphones-Compatible-Microphones/dp/B07569QKQQ

Another option is to use a USB-C sound card. These cost more, but they offer multi-ports for sound recording and mixing as well as professional-class microphone, etc.
Be reminded that almost all USB-C to 3.5mm adapter will be labeled with "iPhone xx compatible" and they have 4-pins female socket as well, not usable for your audio-only headphone.