TV and Headphones

Cardew

I am about to get a new TV.


My wife and children listen to the TV speakers. I listen most of the time using Sennheiser wireless headphones which give excellent sound, and I can set sound level, bass etc to my preferred settings. It also gives me the great advantage of not having to listen to my family's commentary during some programmes!! Another advantage is if either of us is reading, we can listen via the headphones with the TV muted.


I have seen TV models - notably Samsung, albeit 5 years ago, where plugging in a headset automatically mutes the TV speakers.


My Panasonic and Sony are OK


I have heard of other makes where headsets also mute speakers.


Does anyone know if Samsung, LG and John Lewis brand(which are LG) still mute speakers when headset is plugged in.


I have asked stores, and engaged in Live chat, and frankly they don't know the answer(not unsurprising). The full specification is no help either.

grumbler

IIRC I used AV to headphones adapter to keep both speakers and headphones on. The headphones remained on if the sound was muted.

almillar

You'll not get much joy online I don't think - it's not really a 'spec' that gets published. Best thing would be to stick to the brands that you know do, and goto Currys or something with your headphones and test it!
Some people like the flexibility of the '2' volume settings, some people think the volume should automatically mute.

DCFC79

I have these, the small round device has a usb connection for power and a headphone connector to plug into the headphone port on the tv, there's no muting involved like the pair you have OP.

There's just 1 option for volume so up or down. The headset runs on AAA batteries.

I bought them a couple of years ago but didn't pay the price on amazon, think I paid £30 from ebuyer as they were on special.

Cardew

DCFC79 wrote: »

I have these, the small round device has a usb connection for power and a headphone connector to plug into the headphone port on the tv, there's no muting involved like the pair you have OP.

There's just 1 option for volume so up or down. The headset runs on AAA batteries.

I bought them a couple of years ago but didn't pay the price on amazon, think I paid £30 from ebuyer as they were on special.

As I said in my first post, I have a brilliant(and expensive) set of Sennheiser headphones and they work exactly as I want on my Sony and Panasonic sets. i.e. plugging in the headphones does not mute the TV speakers.


I am trying to find out if anyone knows if Samsung, LG and John Lewis are the same as Sony.

McKneff

I have cordless headphones, all i do is put the reicever bit in the tv, it stays there permanently so i just put them on ears turn on and just turn the tv down . All done

esuhl

Many TVs will mute the internal speakers if you plug in a 3.5mm headphone jack.

But there are usually several other audio outputs, whether via SCART, phono plugs, optical, etc. Usually, you can use these audio outputs without the internal speakers muting. You'll need an amplifier to boost the sound levels and be able to adjust the headphone volume, though. Something like this, maybe:

http://www.richersounds.com/product/amplifiers-receivers/btech/bt928/bte-techbt928

Moneymaker

I use a Stereo Headphone Amplifier HPA01 which connects to the Scart or phono sockets on the TV and lets me use headphones of my choice.

buglawton

With my 6 year old Sony Bravia KDL-series TV, there's an option in the menu that controls how the headphone socket works. This way a 3.5 jack can be plugged in and the sound is not muted, and the volume of this socket can be controlled separately in the menu. However you only discover all these features by experimenting with the TV in your home.
Worth knowing also that the top Roku streaming boxes have an earphone socket in the remote for private listening. Works well for all channels catch-up apps but don't expect Sennheiser quality.

System

McKneff wrote: »

I have cordless headphones, all i do is put the reicever bit in the tv, it stays there permanently so i just put them on ears turn on and just turn the tv down . All done

I like the idea of that. I am a bit deaf (so my wife say's and am actually waiting for a hearing test). Ideally a pair of cordless headphone and the receiver connected to the TV seems ideal. Can you offer make/supplier/price etc please?.

I am constantly sitting with finger on volume control to increase or decrease etc.

McKneff

Sorry for the late Reply, I bought them a number of years ago I bought them, Philips, I think they were about £49 but they are really super and easy to use.

Just google cordless headphones and choose a decent make.

Good luck