COMPARISONS

How to Use Voicemeeter for Two Headphones (Step by Step)

By Abder, maker of two headphones · Updated October 7, 2026 · 3 min read

QUICK ANSWER

Install Voicemeeter, restart, and set Windows’ default output to “Voicemeeter Input”. In Voicemeeter, choose headphone pair 1 as hardware output A1 and pair 2 as A2, then make sure the A1 and A2 buttons are lit on the Voicemeeter VAIO strip. Both pairs now play the same sound. Prefer WDM devices, and raise the buffer size if you hear crackling.

Voicemeeter is a free virtual audio mixer from VB-Audio, and one of the classic ways to send a Windows PC’s sound to two pairs of headphones. It works on any PC, whether or not your driver has Stereo Mix, and with wired, USB and Bluetooth devices. It’s also a little intimidating the first time. Here’s the minimum setup for two outputs, then the fixes for the problems everyone hits.

Which Voicemeeter do you need?

Edition	Hardware outputs	Good for
Voicemeeter (standard)	2 (A1, A2)	Two headphones or speakers
Voicemeeter Banana	3 (A1–A3)	Three outputs, two mics, per-output delay
Voicemeeter Potato	5 (A1–A5)	Big setups and streaming

For two headphones, standard Voicemeeter is enough. Pick Banana if you’ll mix Bluetooth and wired (you’ll want the delay setting), or if you also want two microphones.

Setup: two headphones in 5 steps

Install Voicemeeter from VB-Audio’s official site and restart your PC. The virtual audio device needs it.
Open Settings → System → Sound and set the output to Voicemeeter Input (VB-Audio Voicemeeter VAIO).
Open Voicemeeter. At the top right, click A1 and choose headphone pair 1. Prefer the WDM version of the device.
Click A2 and choose headphone pair 2, again WDM.
On the Voicemeeter VAIO virtual input strip, make sure A1 and A2 are both lit.

Play something. You should hear it in both pairs. Each hardware output has its own fader at the bottom right, so each person gets their own volume.

Windows’ own volume keys now control the level going into Voicemeeter, which affects both pairs. Use Voicemeeter’s output faders for individual volumes.

Fixing common problems

Crackling, robotic or stuttering sound

Use WDM devices for A1 and A2, not MME.
Open Menu → System Settings / Options and raise the buffering for WDM (for example from 512 to 1024).
Set every device to the same sample rate (48000 Hz) in Windows’ More sound settings → Properties → Advanced.

No sound at all

Check Windows’ output is still Voicemeeter Input and that Voicemeeter is running.
Try Menu → Restart Audio Engine.

One pair is behind the other

Banana and Potato let you add a delay to each hardware output in Menu → System Settings / Options. Add it to the faster (usually wired) pair. Standard Voicemeeter can’t do this.

Sound stops after closing Voicemeeter

Expected. Switch Windows back to your normal device, or enable Run on Windows Startup in Voicemeeter’s menu.

A Bluetooth pair drops out

Re-select it as A1/A2 after it reconnects, then Restart Audio Engine. Voicemeeter doesn’t always pick a reconnected Bluetooth device back up on its own.

Using Voicemeeter with Discord, games and video calls

Apps that play sound to the Windows default automatically go through Voicemeeter. Apps with their own output setting (Discord, many games, Zoom) need it set to Voicemeeter Input too if you want their sound in both pairs. Otherwise they bypass Voicemeeter and only play on whichever device they’re set to.

How to undo or uninstall Voicemeeter

Set your normal speakers or headphones back as the default output in Settings → System → Sound.
In Discord and other apps, set the output back to your normal device.
Uninstall Voicemeeter from Settings → Apps and restart. The virtual devices disappear after the restart.

Voicemeeter vs a one-click app

Voicemeeter can route microphones, mix apps and drive streaming setups, and it’s free. If all you want is the same sound in two to four headphones, that’s more tool than you need, and forgetting to switch Windows back leaves you with no sound.

	Voicemeeter	Two Headphones
Outputs	2 / 3 / 5 by edition	Up to 4
Per-output volume	Yes	Yes, plus a volume limit
Per-output delay	Banana / Potato	Yes (10 ms steps)
Keeps devices in sync over time	No	Yes, drift-corrected
Bluetooth reconnects	Often needs a restart	Picked up automatically
Microphones / app mixing	Yes	No
Restores your sound settings	Manual	Automatic
Price	Donationware	$10 once

Still choosing? Compare every option in multiple audio outputs in Windows.

Frequently asked questions

Is Voicemeeter free?

Voicemeeter, Banana and Potato from VB-Audio are donationware: free to use, with a request to pay what you want if you keep using it.

How many headphones can Voicemeeter output to?

Standard Voicemeeter has two hardware outputs (A1, A2), Banana has three, and Potato has five.

Why does Voicemeeter crackle?

Usually the audio buffer is too small for your system, or an output uses MME. Switch outputs to WDM and raise the buffering in Voicemeeter’s system settings.

Do I need Voicemeeter running all the time?

Yes. While Windows outputs to Voicemeeter Input, you only hear sound when Voicemeeter is running. Set your normal device back as default when you’re done, or let it start with Windows.

Can Voicemeeter use two Bluetooth headphones?

Yes. Pick each Bluetooth headphone’s WDM device as A1 and A2. Expect one to be behind the other; Banana and Potato can delay an output to compensate.

Is there something simpler than Voicemeeter for two headphones?

If you only need the same sound in several headphones, a dedicated app like Two Headphones does it in one click and restores your sound settings when you stop.