To use both internal and external speakers on your Mac, you can create a multi-output device using the Audio MIDI Setup app. This allows you to play audio through multiple devices simultaneously.
Here’s a step-by-step guide:
1. Open the Audio MIDI Setup app on your Mac. You can find it in the Utilities folder within your Applications folder.
2. In the Audio Devices window, you’ll see a sidebar on the left. Click the Add button at the bottom of the sidebar.
3. From the drop-down menu, choose “Create Multi-Output Device.” This will create a new multi-output device in the sidebar.
4. By default, the newly created multi-output device will be named “Multi-Output Device.” You can rename it by selecting it in the sidebar and clicking the gear icon at the bottom of the window. Choose “Rename” from the menu and give it a descriptive name.
5. Now, you need to select the internal and external speakers that you want to use. In the sidebar, you’ll see a list of available audio devices. To include a device in the multi-output setup, simply check the box next to it.
6. You can also adjust the order of the devices by dragging them up or down in the list. The device at the top will be the primary output device.
7. Once you have selected the desired devices, close the Audio MIDI Setup app. The changes you made will be saved automatically.
8. To start using the multi-output device, go to the Sound preferences on your Mac. You can access it by clicking on the Apple menu and selecting “System Preferences,” then choosing “Sound.”
9. In the Sound preferences, click on the “Output” tab. You should see your newly created multi-output device listed there. Select it as the output device.
10. Now, when you play audio on your Mac, it will be outputted through both the internal and external speakers simultaneously.
It’s worth noting that the volume control for the multi-output device will control the volume level for all the connected speakers. If you want to adjust the volume for each speaker individually, you can do so using their respective volume controls or software options.
Using both internal and external speakers can be particularly useful in situations where you want to create a more immersive audio experience or need to amplify the sound in a larger room. For example, if you’re watching a movie or giving a presentation, having audio output from both sources can enhance the overall audio quality and make it more audible.
Remember that the availability and compatibility of external speakers may vary depending on the connections supported by your Mac. Some Mac models have built-in audio interfaces that support multiple outputs, while others may require additional hardware, such as USB or Bluetooth audio devices.
I hope this detailed guide helps you in using both internal and external speakers on your Mac. Enjoy your enhanced audio experience!