If you have an AV receiver, the way your devices are connected affects which audio options are available, including headphone use.
Case A: All devices connect to the TV first (TV → Receiver)
The TV controls whether you can use headphones and the receiver at the same time.
- If using analog or optical outputs from the TV to the receiver, you may be able to split audio to multiple devices using a splitter.
- If using HDMI, check whether your TV can send audio to both the HDMI output and another output simultaneously. If not, an HDMI audio extractor can create an additional output for headphones.
Case B: All devices connect to the receiver first (Receiver → TV)
Check whether the receiver passes audio to the TV:
- Turn up the TV volume and turn down the receiver's volume. If you still hear nothing from the TV speakers, the receiver may be passing video only.
- Some receivers have a setting to pass audio to the TV. If the HDMI output is labeled "Monitor," this may not work.
- If your receiver has a Zone 2 output, you may be able to use this for TV or headphone connections.
- Zone 2 analog outputs play sound from analog inputs only.
- Zone 2 digital outputs pass sound from digital/HDMI inputs.
- A workaround: connect devices to the TV, then send audio out from the TV to the receiver and headphones as a final step.
If you have trouble
- Start with one simple setup (TV first or receiver first) and test headphones to find what works best.
- If headphones work but the routing is wrong, review your TV and receiver documentation for routing options.
- If unsure, contact a home theater installer for hands-on assistance.