Have you ever wanted to play sound through your speakers and headphones at the same time? Or maybe you need to output audio to two different devices for streaming, meetings, or presentations. Well, the good news is that Windows 11 makes it possible. While it may not be obvious at first glance, there are several methods you can use to achieve dual audio output.
In this guide, I’ll walk you through everything step by step. By the end, you’ll know multiple ways to output audio to two devices in Windows 11—without pulling your hair out.
Why Output Audio to Two Devices in Windows 11?
Before diving into the steps, let’s clear up why you might even want to do this.
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For Streamers: You might want to listen to music in your headphones while your audience hears it through your speakers.
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For Presentations: Teachers or professionals often need to share sound with a room full of people while keeping a headset connected for private monitoring.
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For Gaming: Some gamers like to split game sounds to headphones while music or chat plays through speakers.
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For Fun: Sometimes, it’s just cool to blast a song from speakers while still keeping your headphones plugged in.
Methods to Output Audio to Two Devices in Windows 11
There isn’t just one way to do this—Windows 11 gives you a few options. Let’s break them down step by step.
Method 1: Using the Stereo Mix Feature
The Stereo Mix option lets you duplicate sound across multiple devices. It’s one of the easiest ways, but it requires enabling a hidden feature.
Step 1: Enable Stereo Mix
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Right-click the sound icon in the taskbar.
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Select Sounds (you may need to go through Sound settings → More sound settings).
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Go to the Recording tab.
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Right-click an empty area and check Show Disabled Devices.
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Look for Stereo Mix → Right-click → Enable.
Step 2: Set Stereo Mix as the Recording Device
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Select Stereo Mix → Click Set as Default Device.
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Now, Stereo Mix will capture the output audio.
Step 3: Redirect Stereo Mix to Multiple Devices
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Double-click Stereo Mix → Open Properties.
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Go to the Listen tab.
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Check Listen to this device.
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From the dropdown, select your secondary audio device (for example, headphones).
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Click Apply → OK.
Now, your audio will play through both your main and secondary devices simultaneously.
Method 2: Use Windows Sound Settings (App-Specific)
If you only want specific apps to output to a second device (say, music on speakers while Zoom goes to your headset), Windows 11 has a neat trick.
Step 1: Open Sound Settings
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Press Win + I to open Settings.
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Go to System → Sound.
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Scroll down to Advanced sound options → App volume and device preferences.
Step 2: Assign Audio Devices
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You’ll see a list of apps currently using sound.
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For each app, you can choose a different Output device.
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Example: Set Spotify to “Speakers” and Zoom to “Headset.”
This method doesn’t duplicate audio across devices—it splits it. But it’s incredibly useful for multitasking.
Method 3: Use Third-Party Software (Voicemeeter Banana)
For more advanced control, third-party tools like Voicemeeter Banana or Audio Router can split and route audio any way you want.
Step 1: Install Voicemeeter Banana
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Download it from the official Voicemeeter website.
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Install both the app and the virtual audio drivers.
Step 2: Configure Output Devices
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Open Voicemeeter Banana.
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Under Hardware Out (A1, A2, A3), select your preferred devices (e.g., Headphones = A1, Speakers = A2).
Step 3: Set Voicemeeter as Default Device
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Right-click the sound icon → Sound Settings.
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Set Voicemeeter Input as your default playback device.
Step 4: Route Audio
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Anything playing on your PC will pass through Voicemeeter.
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You can choose which outputs get which sounds.
This method is perfect for advanced users, especially content creators.
Method 4: Use Audio Router (Lightweight Option)
If Voicemeeter feels overwhelming, try Audio Router (a free tool).
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Download and install Audio Router.
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Open it and select the app you want to duplicate.
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Right-click → Route → Select Device.
This is simpler but doesn’t give as much control as Voicemeeter.
Method 5: Use a Hardware Solution
Sometimes software isn’t enough. If you’re dealing with professional audio setups, an audio splitter or USB sound card can physically send output to multiple devices.
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Audio Splitters: One jack splits into two. Cheap but can reduce quality.
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USB Sound Cards: Adds a second sound device to your PC. Great for separating headphone and speaker output.
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Mixers: If you’re into podcasting or live streaming, a mixer gives maximum control.
Troubleshooting Dual Audio Issues
Even if you set everything up, things don’t always go smoothly. Let’s cover common problems.
Problem 1: No Sound from Second Device
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Check if the device is enabled in Sound settings.
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Try switching the default playback device and then reassigning.
Problem 2: Delay Between Devices
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Software duplication (Stereo Mix, Voicemeeter) can cause tiny delays.
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For perfect sync, a hardware splitter or mixer is best.
Problem 3: Audio Distortion or Low Volume
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Make sure volume levels are balanced in both Windows mixer and your app.
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Disable Enhancements in Sound Properties if distortion persists.
Tips for Better Dual Audio Experience
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Keep your audio drivers updated to avoid glitches.
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If you’re using third-party apps, restart your PC after setup.
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Test with different apps (music player, YouTube, Zoom) to confirm output.
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Use wired devices for better sync—Bluetooth often adds latency.
When Should You Avoid Dual Audio?
While cool, dual audio isn’t always practical. Avoid it when:
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Gaming competitively: Even a slight delay can ruin reaction time.
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Professional meetings: Background audio might leak into calls.
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High-quality music playback: Splitters and software duplication may reduce fidelity.
Comparison of Methods
| Method | Difficulty | Best For | Sync Quality | Flexibility |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stereo Mix | Easy | Casual users | Medium | Low |
| App-Specific | Easy | Multitasking | High | Medium |
| Voicemeeter | Hard | Streamers & pros | Medium | Very High |
| Audio Router | Medium | Light users | Medium | Medium |
| Hardware Splitter | Easy | Everyday use | Perfect | Low |
| USB Sound Card | Easy | Office setups | Perfect | Medium |
Final Thoughts
So there you have it—multiple ways to output audio to two devices in Windows 11. Whether you just want to blast a song on both speakers and headphones, or need a professional setup for streaming and presentations, there’s a method for you.
If you’re a casual user, Stereo Mix is the quickest fix. If you’re a pro or streamer, Voicemeeter Banana gives you maximum control. And if you want flawless sync without hassle, a hardware splitter or USB sound card is your best bet.
At the end of the day, it’s all about what works best for your setup and needs.
FAQs
Q1: Can I use Bluetooth and wired headphones together in Windows 11?
Yes, but Bluetooth may introduce a slight delay compared to wired devices.
Q2: Why don’t I see Stereo Mix in my sound settings?
It might be disabled by default. Right-click inside the Recording tab and check Show Disabled Devices.
Q3: Do I need third-party software to output to two devices?
Not always. Windows 11 has built-in options like Stereo Mix and app-specific outputs.
Q4: Will using a splitter reduce audio quality?
Yes, slightly. For casual listening it’s fine, but audiophiles may notice the difference.
Q5: Which method is best for live streaming?
Voicemeeter Banana is the most reliable choice for streamers since it offers detailed audio routing.