TV & Home Theater

[rswc90]

I am trying to get my 32" 310NA17 to allow me to use headphones (with independent volume control) at the same time as TV speakers. The Best Buy sales guy assured me that it would work. I do not see 2 different headphone jacks. I do see a digital out for DVD player and it has an RCA mono for sound - but all options are tied to the TV volume. Are there any headphones out there that will work independently from the TV volume? Thanks...

[Mariah-BBY Retired: Social Media Specialist]

Hello, rswc90,

Thank you for posting to our community! Connecting a pair a headphones but still using the TV speakers can take a bit of research. I’d be happy to help you see how I can help you achieve this!

What kind of headphones are attempting to connect? I’d be happy to verify they’re compatible with your TV. I’d highly recommend checking out these items here on BestBuy.com, if you don’t already have a pair. I look forward to your reply.

Respectfully,

[rswc90]

This worked perfectly on my old Dynex TV for 9 years (until lightening struck a couple of months ago and fried the TV!) 

The headphones are Sony IR240R - when I shopped at bestbuy, the young saleman assured me that this would work.

The only way it "works" is to have it connected to a splitter and then connected to external speakers via a tuner.  Now, the TV volume must ALSO be up to have the headset volume working.  

The headset has independent volume control but because it is connected to the splitter, it's dependent on the TV volume.  If I plug the headset into the TV alone, it shuts off the TV volume from speakers and ONLY allows sound thru the headset. 

Thanks for your reply. Maybe the salesman was clueless as to what I wanted but never said so ;-(

[Mariah-BBY Retired: Social Media Specialist]

Hello, rswc90,

Thanks for your prompt reply! I’d be happy to continue to help you. I’m sorry that the agent you were working with in store may not have familiar with using headphones and TVs together.

Most TVs aren’t able to have the internal speakers and something plugged into the headphone jack at the same time anymore. In particular, it’s not a feature available on your TV.  Using something that acts as a middle man like you do with the splitter would be the best option available. However, I understand that it’s frustrating that you’re not able to really control the volume separately.

I’ve seen many people use an external speaker and pair of headphones that operate off of a base that acts as the middle man like noted above. I took a peek into the Sony IR240R and they do appear to be base operated. I also took a peek into the manual for your TV and it doesn’t provide much insight either.

Are you able to connect your headphone base directly into your external speaker using the headphone port ? Then you’d connect your external speaker to your TV. (You’d make sure your TV is set us the external speaker in this scenario.) I’ve seen many customers have success connecting this way with similar headphones. I look forward to your reply!

Kindly,

[rswc90]

Thanks for the suggestions. This did not work. The best work-around is to use the splitter I have plugged into the TV and then the headphones - with 1 line going to the tuner. I can turn the tuner up loud enough so that there's limited crackling from the headphones. The TV volume and volume on the headphones will work together. The tuner volume can then be manouvered so that the speakers are down lower than the TV (running theu the headphones. I will just make do. I appreciate your attempts! Thak you.