Ever wanted to play music on your speakers and headphones at the same time? Or maybe stream audio to an external device while keeping it on your main speakers? In Windows 11, it’s possible — but it takes a little tweaking. This guide will show you how to output audio to two devices at once without the headache.
Can Windows 11 Output Sound to Two Devices?
By default, Windows 11 sends audio to one output device at a time. But with a few settings changes (and sometimes third-party tools), you can make it play through two devices simultaneously.
Why Would You Want Dual Audio Output?
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Listening on speakers and headphones together
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Sharing music in a room without disconnecting your headset
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Recording or streaming content with multiple audio outputs
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Using a Bluetooth speaker while keeping PC audio active
Things You’ll Need
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A Windows 11 PC
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Two audio devices (headphones, speakers, Bluetooth devices)
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Admin access to your system
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Optional: Stereo Mix enabled or third-party software
Method 1: Use Stereo Mix to Duplicate Audio
Stereo Mix is a hidden feature in Windows that lets you route sound from one device to another.
Step 1: Enable Stereo Mix
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Right-click the speaker icon in the taskbar and select Sound settings.
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Scroll down and click More sound settings (opens old Sound Control Panel).
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Go to the Recording tab.
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Right-click and enable Show Disabled Devices.
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Find Stereo Mix, right-click it, and select Enable.
Step 2: Set Stereo Mix to Listen to Your Primary Device
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Double-click Stereo Mix to open Properties.
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Go to the Listen tab.
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Check Listen to this device.
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In the dropdown, select your second audio device.
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Click Apply and then OK.
Now audio will play through both your main device and the second one.
Method 2: Use Windows App Settings for Dual Output
Some apps (like Spotify or Zoom) let you choose an output device. If your goal is to send different sounds to different devices, you can do this:
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Go to Settings > System > Sound.
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Scroll down to Advanced > App volume and device preferences.
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Assign different output devices to different apps.
This isn’t true duplication, but it’s useful for multitasking.
Method 3: Use Third-Party Software
If Stereo Mix doesn’t work or you need more control, try tools like:
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Voicemeeter Banana (free, advanced routing)
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Audio Router (simpler alternative)
These apps let you route audio to multiple devices with more flexibility.
How to Output to Bluetooth and Wired Device Together
Windows 11 can struggle with Bluetooth sync, but with Stereo Mix or Voicemeeter, it’s possible to send audio to both a Bluetooth speaker and wired headphones.
Things to Watch Out For
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There might be audio delay between devices.
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Some devices may not support simultaneous output.
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Bluetooth adds extra latency compared to wired audio.
Can You Do This Without Stereo Mix?
Yes — if you use software like Voicemeeter or Audio Router. They give better results than the built-in method.
Performance Impact
Dual audio output doesn’t consume much CPU, but using third-party software can add minimal processing load. For most PCs, this isn’t an issue.
Reverting Back to Single Output
If you want to disable dual output:
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Go back to Stereo Mix properties.
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Uncheck Listen to this device.
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Or close the routing software.
Final Thoughts
Outputting audio to two devices in Windows 11 isn’t a one-click feature, but with Stereo Mix or third-party tools, it’s totally doable. Whether you want to share music, stream content, or multitask, these methods make it happen.
FAQs
1. Does Windows 11 support dual audio by default?
Not directly, but you can enable Stereo Mix or use third-party software.
2. Why don’t I see Stereo Mix?
It might be hidden or disabled by default. Enable it in the Sound Control Panel.
3. Is there any delay when using two devices?
Yes, especially with Bluetooth. Wired connections sync better.
4. Can I output audio to two Bluetooth devices?
Windows doesn’t support this natively, but some adapters or third-party apps can help.
5. Is Voicemeeter free?
Yes, Voicemeeter Banana is free and works well for audio routing.