Shaun McCance
shaunm@gnome.org
Michael Hill
mdhillca@gmail.com
Ekaterina Gerasimova
kittykat3756@gmail.com
Connect speakers or headphones and select a default audio output device.
David Aguilera
david.aguilera.moncusi@gmail.com 2011

# Use different speakers or headphones

You can use external speakers or headphones with your computer. Speakers usually either connect using a circular TRS (tip, ring, sleeve) plug or with USB.

If your speakers or headphones have a TRS plug, plug it into the appropriate socket on your computer. Most computers have two sockets: one for microphones and one for speakers. Look for a picture of headphones next to the socket. Speakers or headphones plugged into a TRS socket will usually be used by default. If not, see the instructions below for selecting the default device.

Some computers support multi-channel output for surround sound. This usually uses multiple TRS jacks, which are often color-coded. If you are unsure which plugs go in which sockets, you can test the sound output in the sound settings.

If you have USB speakers or headphones, or analog headphones plugged into a USB sound card, plug them into any USB port. USB speakers act as separate audio devices, and you may have to specify which speakers to use by default.

# Select a default audio input device

Open the Activities overview and start typing Sound.

Click on Sound to open the panel.

In the Output tab, select the device that you want to use.

Use the Test Speakers button to check that all speakers are working and are connected to the correct socket.