The Audio MIDI Setup alternative for Mac
Play Mac audio to two pairs of headphones at once, each with its own volume — without the fragile aggregate-device dance.
macOS can technically share audio to two outputs via Audio MIDI Setup's aggregate/multi-output devices — it's free, but manual, fragile, and gives you no per-device volume. noaux does it natively in a click, with independent volume per pair of headphones, for $9.99 once.
Audio MIDI Setup vs noaux
| Audio MIDI Setup | noaux | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free (built in) | $9.99 once |
| Setup | Manual aggregate device | One click |
| Per-device volume | No (shared) | Yes, independent |
| Survives reconnects | Often breaks | Yes |
| Account / cloud | None | None |
- One click instead of building and maintaining an aggregate device
- Independent volume for each pair of headphones (multi-output devices force a shared volume)
- Doesn't break when devices connect and disconnect
- Native CoreAudio multi-output, no aux splitter
- Free and already on every Mac
- Official Apple utility
- Fine for a one-off, static multi-output setup
you regularly share your Mac's audio to two pairs of AirPods or headphones and want per-device volume that just works.
you only need to share audio once in a while and don't mind configuring a multi-output device by hand.
Install noaux, pick your two outputs, and play. No aggregate device to build; you can delete any you set up previously.
Common questions
Can I share my Mac's audio to two AirPods without Audio MIDI Setup?
Yes — noaux plays your Mac's audio to two pairs of AirPods or Bluetooth headphones at once, each with its own volume, in a click. It uses native CoreAudio multi-output, so there's no fragile aggregate device to build.
Why not just use a multi-output device in Audio MIDI Setup?
You can, and it's free — but it's manual, forces a shared volume across outputs, and tends to break when devices reconnect. noaux gives you independent per-device volume and handles reconnects for $9.99 once.
Done renting Audio MIDI Setup?
noaux — audio sharing for mac. $9.99 once, no account, no cloud. Yours to keep.