Switcher for 27" iMac headphone port?

[The_Auryn]

Sorry for my awkward post description. Didn't know how else to describe it. I have a 27 inch 2020 iMac, which has the headset port on the rear. There are times I want to use headphones (like when my wife is sleeping), other times the iMac's speakers are fine. It's a massive pain to have to swivel the iMac around each time to find the port to stick in the headphones. Is there any sort of device I can buy where I can have the headphones inserted in the back all the time, but just need to toggle something in the front to switch from iMac speakers to headphones? Thanks in advance.

 

[DeltaMac]

Would a simple headphone extender work for you? (male end plugs into iMac, then you have a few inches, to a couple of feet of length, with a headphone port on the other end of the extender). The headphone port could then be quicker to use. I don't know if you can leave the extension plugged in all the time. That would be the only way it would work for what you want, so a little test would quickly decide if that will give you the solution. I don't have a cable like that to test. The problem would come if the extender cable disconnects the internal speaker - or if, as you want, the internal speaker is only disconnected when the headphone is plugged in to the extender cable. Again, I don't have a cable to test that out for sure. There's a few at Amazon, pick your length. Here's an example - https://www.amazon.com/CableCreation-Female-Extension-Adapter-Connector/dp/B01K3WYDIE

 

[Chuckeee]

Cannot you use the sound control panel in preferences to switch between the internal speakers and the headphone jack (while leaving the headphones plugged in all the time)?

I thought you you right click on the volume icon on the right side of the menu bar at select/change you audio output device too.

 

[DeltaMac]

Internal speakers are normally disconnected when you plug anything in to the headphone port.
That's how that usually works. It's an electrical connection, not a software choice.
I think that a headphone extender does the same thing, but connection to the internal speakers is maintained until you add headphones connected to the end of the extender.
Maybe someone can show me where I am wrong about that.

 

[arw]

I concur with @Chuckeee.
Simply select the internal speakers by clicking the menu bar icon or the sound section in the control center.
Not even a right-click is necessary nowadays.
I'd be really surprised if the internal speakers would be physically disconnected on an iMac as it works for all of my MacBooks and Mac Pros.

What I cannot do is, select the headphone port *unless* something is plugged in.

 

[DeltaMac]

When I plug in headphones, then headphones replace the internal speakers in the list, and the internal speakers do not exist until I unplug the headphones. This is a Mac mini.

 

[arw]

In case OP's iMac behaves the same way as said Mac mini, may a suggest a different approach to an extender cable or switch:
Instead of plugging your headphones into the internal headphone jack, connect them via Apple's USB-C to 3.5 mm Headphone Jack Adapter. It can be found for less than 8$ and definitely supports switching to the internal speakers via macOS. The adapter works even if connected through a USB hub or Type-A adapter.

Given Apple's switch to USB-C in all of their new iDevices, the adapter could also be repurposed otherwise.
(The adapter supports headphones with microphone (4-pin) and is extremely well priced for its sound quality.)

 

[Imac Sam]

I just sync

In case OP's iMac behaves the same way as said Mac mini, may a suggest a different approach to an extender cable or switch:
Instead of plugging your headphones into the internal headphone jack, connect them via Apple's USB-C to 3.5 mm Headphone Jack Adapter. It can be found for less than 8$ and definitely supports switching to the internal speakers via macOS. The adapter works even if connected through a USB hub or Type-A adapter.

Given Apple's switch to USB-C in all of their new iDevices, the adapter could also be repurposed otherwise.
(The adapter supports headphones with microphone (4-pin) and is extremely well priced for its sound quality

 

[Imac Sam]

If you sync a pair of AirPods to your Mac, it will do exactly as you want.