The fastest way to add sound to your Samsung Odyssey G8

The Samsung Odyssey G8 has built-in speakers, but they are small and not designed for gaming or movies. You can add external speakers three ways: plug them into the headphone jack on the back of the monitor, connect them through Bluetooth if your speakers support it, or run them through your PC's audio output and let Windows handle the routing. The headphone jack method is the simplest and works with almost any speaker.

Your choice depends on what speakers you already own and whether you want cables running across your desk. A wired connection through the headphone jack gives you the most reliable sound with no setup required. Bluetooth works if your speakers have it built in, but adds a pairing step. Running audio through your PC lets you control volume from Windows instead of the monitor.

Key Takeaways

  • The Samsung Odyssey G8 has a 3.5mm headphone jack on the back panel where you can plug speakers directly without any setup.
  • Bluetooth speakers will pair with the monitor if you hold the Bluetooth button on the back for three seconds, but not all speakers support this.
  • You can also route audio through your PC's sound settings and send it to external speakers while using the monitor for video only.
  • The monitor's built-in speakers stay active unless you physically unplug them or change your audio output in Windows.

Using the headphone jack on the back panel

The easiest method is to plug speakers into the 3.5mm headphone jack located on the back of the monitor, near the bottom right. This jack accepts any standard audio cable — the same type used for headphones. No pairing, no drivers, no Windows settings to change. Sound goes directly from the monitor to your speakers.

Locate the jack by looking at the back panel of the monitor. You will see several ports: HDMI, DisplayPort, USB, and a small circular jack labeled with a headphone symbol. Insert your speaker cable into that jack until you hear or feel it click. If your speakers have a power switch, turn them on. Adjust the volume using the buttons on the monitor itself or on the speaker if it has its own volume control.

This method works with powered speakers (speakers with their own amplifier and power cord) and passive speakers connected to an amplifier. It does not work with speakers that require a different connector type, such as XLR or RCA plugs — you would need an adapter cable for those.

Connecting Bluetooth speakers to the monitor

If your speakers have Bluetooth built in, you can pair them with the monitor wirelessly. The Samsung Odyssey G8 has Bluetooth capability, though it is not enabled by default. To turn it on, locate the small Bluetooth button on the back of the monitor near the headphone jack. Press and hold it for three seconds until you see a light blink on the monitor.

Once Bluetooth is active on the monitor, put your speakers into pairing mode. This usually means holding a button on the speaker for a few seconds until an LED blinks. The monitor and speakers should find each other within 10 to 15 seconds. Once paired, they will reconnect automatically when both are powered on.

Bluetooth speakers are convenient because they eliminate cables, but they add a pairing step and depend on the speaker having Bluetooth hardware. If your speakers do not have Bluetooth, this method will not work. Also note that Bluetooth audio can have a slight delay compared to a wired connection — usually not noticeable for gaming, but something to be aware of.

Routing audio through your PC instead of the monitor

Another option is to connect your speakers directly to your PC rather than the monitor. This gives you more control over audio settings and lets you use the monitor purely for video. To do this, plug your speakers into the headphone jack or audio port on your PC, then go to Windows Settings to make sure audio is routed to those speakers.

Open Windows Settings by pressing the Windows key and typing "Sound settings." Under "Output," you should see your speakers listed. Click on them to make them the default audio device. If your speakers do not appear, right-click on the speaker icon in the taskbar, select "Open Sound settings," and look for an option to add a new device or refresh the list.

This method is useful if you want to keep your monitor's audio separate from your PC's audio, or if you have multiple audio devices and want to switch between them easily. It also means you can adjust volume from Windows instead of hunting for buttons on the monitor.

Troubleshooting sound that does not come through

If you plugged in speakers but hear no sound, first check that the speakers are powered on and the volume is turned up. Then check the monitor's volume — use the buttons on the monitor's bezel to increase it. If the monitor shows volume at zero, that is likely your problem.

If the monitor volume is up but you still hear nothing, check Windows. Right-click the speaker icon in the taskbar and select "Open Sound settings." Make sure the correct audio device is selected as your default. If you see a red X on the speaker icon, Windows thinks audio is muted — click the icon to unmute it.

For Bluetooth speakers, make sure Bluetooth is actually on. The button on the back of the monitor should show a light when active. If the light is off, hold the button for three seconds again. If the speakers still do not appear, restart both the monitor and the speakers and try pairing again.

When to use each connection method

Use the headphone jack if you want the simplest setup with no configuration. Plug in, turn on, and you are done. This works with any speaker that has a 3.5mm input, and there is nothing to pair or configure.

Use Bluetooth if you want to avoid cables and your speakers support it. This is cleaner looking but requires a pairing step and works only with compatible speakers. Bluetooth is also useful if you move your speakers between devices frequently.

Use your PC's audio output if you want more control over which device gets sound, or if you need to switch between multiple speakers often. This method also lets you use the monitor purely for video while your PC handles all audio.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use both the monitor speakers and external speakers at the same time?

Yes. When you plug speakers into the headphone jack, the monitor's built-in speakers stay active. Both will play sound together. If you want only the external speakers to play, you need to mute the monitor's speakers through the on-screen menu or disable them in Windows audio settings.

What if my speakers use RCA or XLR connectors instead of 3.5mm?

The monitor's headphone jack only accepts 3.5mm cables. You can buy an adapter cable that converts 3.5mm to RCA or XLR, available at any electronics store for under $15. Plug the adapter into the monitor's jack, then connect your speaker cables to the other end.

Do I need to install drivers for external speakers?

No. Speakers connected through the headphone jack work immediately with no drivers. Bluetooth speakers may require a driver update if you are using an older version of Windows, but most modern systems handle this automatically.

Why is my Bluetooth speaker not showing up when I try to pair it?

Make sure Bluetooth is on by holding the button on the back of the monitor for three seconds and checking for a light. Then put your speaker into pairing mode — check your speaker's manual for how to do this, as it varies by brand. If it still does not appear, restart both devices and try again.

Can I adjust volume from my keyboard if speakers are connected to the monitor?

If your speakers are plugged into the monitor's headphone jack, you adjust volume using the monitor's buttons. If your speakers are plugged into your PC, you can use your keyboard's volume keys if your keyboard has them, or adjust volume in Windows Settings.