Mac Mini sound output question

[DaveWT]

My previous iMacs had internal speakers of course, but when external speakers were plugged into the headphone jack, the internal speakers were muted and only the external speakers played. If they were switched off, there was no sound at all.

My new M2 Mac Mini still plays its internal speakers even with the external speakers plugged in (and whether these are switched on or off.) The only way to stop (normal) sound output is to go into Settings... > Sound and click on the Mute button. But even then, if in Settings... I have selected the clock to announce on the hour, it will do that even if the sound output is muted.

Does this match the experience of others?

 

[chas_m]

I haven't owned a Mac mini in many many years, but the Sound settings should obey whatever speakers you've chose for output -- with the exception of "system sounds" like the startup sound and beeps and such. Your Mac mini shouldn't be playing anything else through the internal speaker if you've chosen (and have turned on) the external speakers.

 

[DaveWT]

You are correct of course. My powers of observation were wrong, as I could have sworn I was hearing the internal and external speakers at the same time. Now that I have lived with the Mini a bit longer I have found that when I choose the external speakers as the output, switching them off (MOSTLY) silences the sounds. The exception (I think) is the announcement of the hour if I choose that setting. I still swear it plays with the external speakers chosen for output but turned off.