How To Connect Headphones To The TV Without Headphone Jack
By Robert Jones · 2020-11-26
Got a new TV with no headphone jack? Robert from SpeakersMag has spent 20 years testing gear and knows exactly how to get your favourite cans working, whether they're wired or wireless.
Right, so you've just settled down for a late-night flick, the kids are finally asleep, and you reach for your headphones. Only to realise your swanky new 4K TV hasn't got a sodding headphone jack. Frustrating, isn't it? I hear this complaint all the time, and after twenty-odd years kicking around in the audio world, I can tell you it's a common modern problem. Manufacturers seem to think we all live in mansions with dedicated soundproofed cinema rooms, rather than in semi-detached homes where a bit of quiet listening is a godsend. **Quick Verdict: Don't bin your TV, there's always a way to get those cans working!** I've had countless conversations with folks who are just baffled by the lack of a simple 3.5mm port on their brand new tellies. It's not just you. I've seen plenty of brilliant TVs come through my workshop at SpeakersMag.co.uk, packed with incredible picture tech, but missing that one tiny, crucial little hole. But don't despair, there are more than a few clever ways to get your favourite headphones hooked up, whether they're wireless or wired. We'll get you sorted, I promise. ### Who This Guide Is For: * Anyone with a modern TV missing a 3.5mm headphone jack. * People who want to watch TV or game without disturbing others. * Those looking for better audio quality through headphones than their TV speakers offer. * Anyone wanting to connect multiple pairs of headphones to their TV. ### Who Should Skip This Guide: * If your TV *does* have a headphone jack – just plug 'em in, mate! * If you're happy with your TV's built-in speakers or a soundbar and don't need headphones. * If you only ever watch TV during the day when noise isn't an issue.  *How To Connect Headphones To The TV Without Headphone Jack — tested in the SpeakersMag workshop.* ## The Bluetooth Approach: Often The Easiest Ticket Let's kick things off with Bluetooth. It's probably the first thing most people think of, and for good reason – it's usually the least faff. Most smart TVs these days, especially anything bought in the last five or six years, will have Bluetooth built-in. It's meant for connecting soundbars or game controllers, but it works just as well for headphones. I've got an LG C1 in my living room, and connecting a pair of Sony WH-1000XM4s was dead simple. ### How to Connect Bluetooth Headphones: 1. **Put your headphones into pairing mode.** This is important. Usually, it involves holding down a power button or a specific "Bluetooth" button for a few seconds until an LED starts flashing. Check your headphone manual if you're unsure. Every brand is a bit different, but they all have a pairing mode. 2. **Grab your TV remote.** Head into the TV's settings menu. On most Samsungs, it's a cog icon. LGs often have a similar symbol or a button labelled "Settings". Sonys might hide it under "Home" then "Settings". You're looking for anything that sounds like "Sound", "Audio Output", "Bluetooth Settings", or "Connected Devices". 3. **Initiate the search.** Once you've found the Bluetooth section, tell your TV to "Search for devices" or "Add device". It should then scan for nearby Bluetooth gadgets. You should see your headphones pop up in a list. Select them. 4. **Pairing and done!** Your TV will usually ask to confirm the pairing. Once confirmed, you should hear the TV audio through your headphones. Sometimes you might get a little on-screen notification saying "Device Connected". **Pros of Bluetooth:** * Completely wireless – no cables trailing across the room. * Simple setup if your TV has it built-in. * No extra boxes or adapters needed. * Great for solo listening or late-night viewing. **Cons of Bluetooth:** * **Latency (audio delay):** This is the big one. While modern Bluetooth standards (like aptX Low Latency) have improved, you might still notice a slight delay between the picture and the sound, especially on older TVs or headphones. Drives me mad sometimes. Imagine watching someone speak and their lips don't quite match the words – infuriating! Not ideal for fast-paced gaming. * **Only one pair at a time (usually):** Most TVs only let you connect one pair of Bluetooth headphones. Some high-end Samsungs or LGs might allow two, but it's rare. * **Battery life:** Remember to charge your headphones! * **Range:** While usually decent, thick walls or other wireless interference can cause dropouts. * **TV compatibility:** Older "smart" TVs might not have Bluetooth, or it might only be for peripherals like keyboards, not audio output. *Robert's Take:* "Honestly, Bluetooth is fantastic for convenience. If you're watching a drama or the news, a tiny bit of latency isn't the end of the world. But for action films or gaming, that lip-sync issue can really pull you out of the experience. I usually stick to wired connections for serious gaming for this very reason. But for an hour of telly in bed? Cracking." ## Optical Audio (TOSLINK): The Reliable Digital Workhorse If your TV doesn't have Bluetooth, or if you're fed up with that annoying audio delay, an optical (or TOSLINK) connection is probably your next best bet. Almost every TV made in the last decade will have an optical digital audio output. It's a square port, often with a little flap, and it glows red when it's active. This port carries a high-quality digital audio signal, which is perfect for external devices. To get headphones working, you'll need an external digital-to-analogue converter (DAC) that has an optical input. Essentially, the DAC takes the digital signal from your TV and converts it into an analogue signal that your headphones can understand. ### How to Connect Using Optical: 1. **Get a DAC with optical input.** There are loads of these about. You're looking for one with a "TOSLINK In" port and a 3.5mm or RCA stereo output. Brands like FiiO, Topping, or even generic ones on Amazon for around £20-£50 will do the trick. I've got a cheap FiiO D03K in the spare room that's been running for years. 2. **Connect the optical cable.** Plug one end of the optical cable into your TV's optical output (often labelled "Optical Out" or "Digital Audio Out"). Plug the other end into the optical input of your DAC. 3. **Power the DAC.** Most small DACs need power, usually via a USB cable. You can often plug this into a spare USB port on your TV, or use a standard USB wall adapter. 4. **Connect your headphones.** Plug your wired headphones into the 3.5mm jack on the DAC. If your headphones have a larger 6.35mm (quarter-inch) jack, you'll need an adapter – most decent headphones come with one. 5. **Adjust TV settings.** Go into your TV's sound settings again. You'll need to tell the TV to output audio via "Optical" or "Digital Audio Out". Sometimes you also need to select the audio format, usually "PCM" (Pulse Code Modulation), as some DACs don't handle Dolby Digital or DTS without a licence. PCM is usually fine. 6. **Volume control.** Crucially, the TV's remote won't control the volume for the optical output directly to the DAC. You'll need to adjust the volume using the dial on the DAC itself, or if your headphones have their own volume control. **Pros of Optical + DAC:** * **Excellent sound quality:** Digital connection ensures a clean signal. * **No latency:** Because it's a direct wired connection, there's virtually no audio delay. Perfect for gaming or action movies. * **Reliable:** Once set up, it just works. No pairing issues. * **Versatility:** You can often connect multiple pairs of wired headphones using a simple splitter cable from the DAC's output. **Cons of Optical + DAC:** * **More equipment:** You need a DAC and an optical cable, plus power for the DAC. * **Wired connection:** Your headphones are tethered to the DAC, limiting your movement. * **Separate volume control:** Can be a bit annoying having to adjust volume on the DAC, not the TV remote. * **Setup can be slightly more involved** than Bluetooth. *Robert's Take:* "For pure sound quality and zero fuss once it's hooked up, optical is a winner. I use this method myself in the workshop when I'm testing headphones with a TV source. The lack of latency is a massive plus. If you've got a good pair of wired headphones, this is how you make them sing with your TV. Just remember that separate volume control – I've had a few heart-stopping moments blasting my ears out before remembering to turn the dial down!" ## HDMI ARC/eARC: Another Digital Option for Adaptors Your TV likely has at least one HDMI port labelled "ARC" (Audio Return Channel) or "eARC" (enhanced Audio Return Channel). These ports are mainly designed for sending audio *from* your TV *to* a soundbar or AV receiver, but you can also use them with specific adaptors to get headphone audio. These adaptors effectively strip the audio signal from the HDMI stream and convert it. ### How to Connect Using HDMI ARC/eARC: 1. **Get an HDMI Audio Extractor/ARC Converter.** This is a small box that plugs into your TV's HDMI ARC port. It has an HDMI input for other devices (if you want to pass through video) and then audio outputs like optical, coaxial, and crucially, a 3.5mm headphone jack or RCA stereo outs. Make sure it specifically supports ARC. 2. **Connect the HDMI cable.** Plug one end into your TV's HDMI ARC port. Plug the other end into the "HDMI ARC In" port on the extractor. 3. **Power the extractor.** Like the optical DAC, these usually need USB power. 4. **Connect your headphones.** Plug your wired headphones into the 3.5mm jack or RCA outputs on the extractor. 5. **Configure TV settings.** Go into your TV's audio settings and select "HDMI ARC" or "External Speaker" as the audio output. The TV's volume control *might* work with some of these adaptors, but often it won't, so you'll need to use the volume control on the extractor or your headphones. **Pros of HDMI ARC/eARC Adaptors:** * Can extract high-quality digital audio. * No latency if using wired headphones. * Potentially allows for TV remote volume control (check adaptor specs). **Cons of HDMI ARC/eARC Adaptors:** * More expensive than basic optical DACs. * Another box, another power cable. * Can be finicky with different TV brands and HDMI versions. * Might tie up your main ARC port if you also use a soundbar. *Robert's Take:* "I wouldn't say this is my go-to solution unless you've tried everything else or specifically need to use the ARC port. It's a bit more complex than optical and can be a bit hit-or-miss with compatibility. For most people, an optical DAC is simpler and cheaper." ## USB Audio: A Niche, But Possible, Path Some smart TVs (especially Android TVs or certain high-end models) will support USB audio output. This means you can plug a USB DAC directly into a USB port on your TV, and the TV will recognise it as an audio output device. It's not as common as optical or Bluetooth, but it's worth checking if your TV supports it. ### How to Connect Using USB Audio: 1. **Get a USB DAC.** These are plentiful and range from tiny dongles to full-blown desktop units. You're looking for one that's "driverless" or "UAC (USB Audio Class) 1.0/2.0 compliant" – meaning it doesn't need special software to work. Brands like AudioQuest Dragonfly or FiiO offer good portable options. Or even a cheap USB sound card for a few quid. 2. **Connect the USB DAC.** Plug the DAC into a spare USB port on your TV. 3. **Connect your headphones.** Plug your wired headphones into the 3.5mm jack on the USB DAC. 4. **Configure TV settings.** This is where it gets a bit varied. Go into your TV's sound settings and look for an option to select "USB Audio" or the name of your DAC as the audio output. If it's not there, your TV probably doesn't support USB audio output for headphones. 5. **Volume control.** Again, this will likely be on the DAC itself, not the TV remote. **Pros of USB Audio:** * Potentially excellent sound quality, depending on the DAC. * No latency. * Can be very compact (with dongle DACs). **Cons of USB Audio:** * **TV compatibility is hit-or-miss:** Many TVs only support USB for media playback, not audio output. * Another piece of kit. * Ties up a USB port. *Robert's Take:* "If your TV *does* support USB audio, it's a neat and often very high-quality solution. I've seen it work well on some Philips Android TVs, but it's definitely not a given. Don't buy a USB DAC just for this unless you've confirmed your TV supports it. You're probably better off with an optical DAC if Bluetooth isn't an option." ## RF Wireless Headphones: The Dedicated Solution Before Bluetooth became so prevalent, RF (Radio Frequency) wireless headphones were the go-to for TV listening. These systems come with a base station that connects to your TV and then transmits audio to dedicated RF headphones. They often boast superior range and lower latency than consumer Bluetooth. ### How to Connect RF Wireless Headphones: 1. **Connect the RF base station.** Most base stations will connect to your TV via optical, RCA stereo (red and white cables), or sometimes a 3.5mm jack. Optical is usually the best option for modern TVs without a headphone jack. Plug the cable from the base station into the appropriate output on your TV. 2. **Power the base station.** It will need its own power adapter, usually a wall wart. 3. **Pair/Sync the headphones.** The headphones usually come pre-paired with the base station. If not, there's usually a "sync" or "connect" button on both units to establish a link. 4. **Configure TV settings.** Select the output you've used (e.g., "Optical" or "External Speakers") in your TV's audio settings. 5. **Volume control.** The headphones themselves typically have their own volume control. **Popular RF Headphone Brands:** Sennheiser, RS, Philips, Sony. **Pros of RF Wireless Headphones:** * **Excellent range:** Often 30-100 metres, much better than Bluetooth. * **Very low latency:** Specifically designed for TV watching, so lip-sync is rarely an issue. * **Dedicated system:** Often very comfortable and designed for long listening sessions. * Can often connect multiple pairs of headphones to one base station (check model). **Cons of RF Wireless Headphones:** * **Can be expensive:** A good system can set you back £100-£200+. * Another base station and power supply. * Headphones are usually proprietary to the base station – you can't use your favourite Bluetooth cans. * Can be susceptible to interference from other RF devices (though less common now). *Robert's Take:* "For a household where multiple people want to listen to the TV quietly, or for someone who needs to wander a fair distance from the telly, RF is a brilliant option. I've got a pair of old Sennheiser RS 185s in the house that are still going strong after years. They just work, and the sound is rock solid. Definitely worth considering if Bluetooth isn't cutting it or your TV is older." ## Multi-Headphone Solutions: Sharing the Quiet What if you and your partner, or a couple of mates, all want to listen to the TV through headphones without disturbing anyone? Most of the solutions above only allow one pair (Bluetooth TVs) or one wired pair (single DAC output). But there are ways around it. ### Using a Headphone Splitter with a DAC or RF Base Station If you're using an optical DAC, HDMI audio extractor, or an RF base station that has a 3.5mm or RCA output, you can simply plug a standard headphone splitter (a Y-cable with one male plug and two female sockets) into that output. You can then connect two pairs of wired headphones. Just be aware that the volume will be shared, so you'll both need to agree on a comfortable level, or use headphones with independent volume controls. ### Dedicated Wireless Multi-Headphone Systems Some high-end RF systems or even specific Bluetooth transmitters are designed to handle multiple headphones. For example, some premium Bluetooth transmitters can transmit to two pairs of headphones simultaneously. For RF, brands like Sennheiser offer base stations that can be paired with additional headphones from the same series. This is often the most elegant solution for multiple listeners. *Robert's Take:* "Trying to share a TV with different headphone volumes can be a nightmare. If you're going to do this regularly, investing in a proper multi-headphone system or a good splitter with independent volume controls on your headphones is key. Don't scrimp here, or you'll end up with arguments over who's listening too loud!" ## The Lowdown on Analogue Outputs: RCA and 3.5mm (If You're Lucky) Okay, I know the article is *about* TVs without a headphone jack, but it's worth a quick mention. Some older "smart" TVs, or even some budget new ones, might still have analogue audio outputs. This is usually in the form of red and white RCA jacks (often labelled "Audio Out") or, rarely, a 3.5mm line out. If you have these, it's incredibly simple: * **RCA:** You'll need an RCA to 3.5mm adapter cable, then plug your headphones into that. Some TVs will let you control the volume, others won't. * **3.5mm Line Out:** If you're truly lucky, you might have one. Just plug your headphones in directly. Again, volume control might be an issue. *Robert's Take:* "If you see these, you've hit the jackpot for simplicity! No need for extra boxes. Just remember to check if the volume can be controlled by the TV remote. If not, an inline volume control on your headphone cable can sort you out." ## Comparison Table: How to Connect Headphones to TV Without a Headphone Jack | Method | Pros | Cons | Latency | Ease of Setup | Cost (Adapter/System) | | :------------------- | :---------------------------------------------------- | :------------------------------------------------------------ | :------ | :------------ | :-------------------- | | **Bluetooth (TV)** | Wireless, no extra gear (if built-in) | Potential latency, one pair only | Medium | Easy | £0 (if built-in) | | **Optical + DAC** | Great sound, no latency, wired reliability | Wired, extra box, separate volume | Very Low| Medium | £20 - £70 | | **HDMI ARC Extractor** | High quality, no latency, wired | More expensive, extra box, potential compatibility issues | Very Low| Medium | £30 - £100 | | **USB Audio (TV)** | High quality, no latency, compact (some DACs) | Limited TV support, extra box | Very Low| Medium | £15 - £80 | | **RF Wireless** | Excellent range, very low latency, dedicated system | Expensive, proprietary headphones, another base station | Very Low| Medium | £100 - £250+ | ## Robert's Advice: Choosing Your Weapon So, which method should you go for? It really boils down to your TV, your headphones, and your budget. * **If your TV has Bluetooth:** Start there. It's the easiest and often good enough for casual viewing. If you notice latency, then consider other options. * **If you're a gamer or hate latency:** Go for an optical DAC with your favourite wired headphones. It's a solid, reliable, and relatively inexpensive solution for top-tier audio with no lag. * **If you need serious range or multiple listeners:** RF wireless headphones are your best bet. They're purpose-built for this job. * **If you have an older TV without optical or Bluetooth:** You might be out of luck with the digital options. Look for RCA outputs, or consider upgrading your TV (though that's a bit drastic just for headphones!). Don't forget about cables! You'll need an optical cable for the DAC or RF system, and possibly a short 3.5mm cable if your headphones aren't long enough. Good quality cables don't need to cost a fortune, but avoid the absolute cheapest ones you can find. A tenner for a decent optical cable from a reputable brand will save you headaches. ## FAQ: Your Burning Questions Answered ### Q: Can I connect multiple Bluetooth headphones to my TV? A: Most TVs only support one pair of Bluetooth headphones at a time. A few high-end models from Samsung or LG might support two, but it's rare. If you need multiple pairs, consider a dedicated RF wireless system or a Bluetooth transmitter designed for multiple devices. ### Q: Will connecting headphones affect my TV's soundbar or internal speakers? A: Usually, yes. When you select an alternative audio output (like Bluetooth, optical, or HDMI ARC), the TV will typically mute its internal speakers and often the soundbar connected via ARC. You'll need to switch back to your preferred output in the TV's sound settings when you're done with headphones. ### Q: What is audio latency and why does it matter? A: Audio latency is the delay between a sound being generated and you hearing it. On a TV, this means the picture and sound can get out of sync. For dialogue, it can be very distracting – lip-sync issues. For gaming, it means your actions might register on screen before you hear the corresponding sound, which can affect reaction times. Wired connections generally have zero latency, while Bluetooth can introduce some. ### Q: Can I use my TV's USB port for audio output directly to headphones? A: Not usually, no. While your TV's USB ports are great for playing media from a USB stick, most TVs don't support direct audio output to headphones via USB. You might get lucky with some Android TVs or specific high-end models that allow a USB DAC to be used as an audio output, but it's not a standard feature. Always check your TV's manual. ### Q: Do I need an expensive DAC for good sound with my TV? A: For most casual TV listening, a basic DAC (around £20-£50) that supports optical input will do the job perfectly well. You're converting digital audio to analogue, and for TV audio, you don't need anything audiophile-grade unless you've got seriously high-end headphones and can genuinely tell the difference. Focus on reliability and low latency more than extreme sonic purity for TV use. ## Final Word So there you have it. The lack of a headphone jack on modern TVs is a nuisance, but it's certainly not a showstopper. Whether you opt for the wireless convenience of Bluetooth, the rock-solid reliability of an optical DAC, or the freedom of an RF system, there's a solution out there for everyone. Don't let the manufacturers dictate how you listen to your telly. Get your headphones hooked up, enjoy your programmes, and keep the peace in your home. Happy listening!