Excluding ARC/eARC HDMI connections, audio flows one way: from a device's output to the next device's input. If your TV has multiple inputs, it can often pass sound from those inputs to headphones or a soundbar.
Scenario 1: Headphones only hear one external device
The transmitter may be connected to a single external device (e.g., a cable box), so headphones only pick up sound from that device.
- If possible, connect your headphones to the TV's audio outputs to hear all audio routed to the TV.
- If you cannot connect to the TV's outputs, use an AV switching box (hub). Connect all external devices to the hub, and the hub outputs sound to both the TV and the headphones.
- Limitation: A hub will not pass audio from streaming services that run inside the TV itself.
Scenario 2: Audio format mismatch
All external devices are connected to the TV, but different digital audio formats (Dolby, PCM) cause compatibility issues.
- Most Sennheiser headphones with a Digital Optical (TOSLINK) connection support PCM only. Set the TV's digital audio output to PCM.
- If using HDMI inputs, you may need to change the HDMI input settings or the audio format on the connected devices.
- If using built-in streaming apps on the TV, the app's own audio settings may override the TV's output settings. Change the app's audio format to PCM directly in the app or its settings hub.
- If needed, a Digital-to-Analog (D/A) decoder can translate audio signals outside the TV.