I’m starting a running program with my family. Part of the fun is building a shared playlist and listing to cues together. I’d like to run the audio off one phone and have it go simultaneously to 4 headsets. I see there’s phone apps that do today but my kids don’t have phones. Is there a hardware device that can do this?
There are apps that will synchronize audio, like snapcast. But yes, you would need individual devices.
You can also find a device that is capable to send two BT signals but I’m guessing one that sends 4 might be pro audio level.
If you have a Mac of some kind, you can pair and output to multiple headphones:
https://support.apple.com/en-au/guide/audio-midi-setup/ams7c093f372/mac
Doesn’t help you with android of course, but if you dont find a solution that might be worth looking at.
How is a mac connecting to multiple bt devices help while running outdoors? Do you carry the mac along?
Auracast is basically what you’re after but not out yet. I think a couple of transmitters and a headphone splitter is your best bet. There are products like this but you need to use their headphones and figure out power for the transmitter. It is USB C though, looks like a power bank would work.
My old Samsung phone could output to two Bluetooth devices at the same time, but it wasn’t exactly synchronized. I don’t think Bluetooth is good at getting the timing just right.
Incoming infodump. I agree with another commenter that Auracast ist exactly what you want, problem: barely available.
Bluetooth is split into 2:
Bluetooth Classic
Bluetooth Low Energy
Auracast is a very new standard using BLE Audio. I’ve seen some aliexpress sellers selling Auracast hardware for silent discos. But from well known brands I haven’t seen a thing
Most BT headphones you buy use Classic, and cannot achieve multiple connections. So no built in solution.
Obviously there are proprietary Technologies that had custom transmitters/recievers for this exact usecase.
TLDR: If your Phone can do BLE Audio you could gamble on some Auracast hardware from aliexpress. Else, look for premade solutions not using Bluetooth
