Enhance Your Gaming Experience: How 3D Audio Works on PS5

One of the PS5’s qualities is the Tempest 3D AudioTech, which can bring a new layer of immersion to titles on the platform. 3D audio gives you immersive surround sound that makes you feel like you're inside the game. With realistic audio, you can actually hear footsteps from the exact direction that an enemy is approaching.

It may sound like a marketing buzzword, but there’s more to this gaming audio than meets the ear. Tempest 3D Audio doesn’t appear in every PS5 game, but since the console’s launch in 2020, developers have used the tech in more than 25 titles. It’s not limited to first-party exclusives third-party developers are implementing 3D audio, too, including in some of the best PS5 games.

PS5 3D Audio Explained: Setup and Best Games

How the PS5 3D Audio Works

3D Audio is a form of surround sound unique to the PS5 console. It all comes down to the Tempest 3D AudioTech engine located on the console’s custom AMD RDNA 2 microarchitecture Oberon GPU. This object-based audio engine simulates sound around you by running an accelerated algorithm that can emulate localized and distant noises from hundreds of sources from a 360-degree range.

It’s similar to what we’ve seen from the Dolby Atmos support available on the Xbox Series X or Windows Spatial that’s been a part of PC gaming for years now. The main difference is that Sony’s 3D AudioTech is exclusive to the platform and tailored for supported PS5 games, whereas the latter two options are more general in how titles support the virtual 7.1. You will pick up the nuances with a PS5 headset, such as the official Pulse 3D Wireless Headset, or a third-party option like the SteelSeries Arctis 7P+ Wireless.

The amount of PS5 3D audio-supported games has continued to increase since the console’s launch in November 2020. Over 25 games on the platform can now take advantage of the technology from both first and third-party releases. Some of the biggest names include Spider-Man: Miles Morales, Gran Turismo 7, and Horizon: Forbidden West. It can be utilized by some of the best gaming TVs through built-in speakers or localized through one of the best PS5 headsets. You don’t necessarily need any fancy sound equipment to make the most of it, though.

I’ve found that 3D audio was a definite improvement over stereo when playing games such as Spider-Man: Miles Morales and Ghost of Tsushima. Although the list of games that support the tech isn’t too extensive right now, it’s well worth experiencing as there’s no need for pricey hardware.

3D audio is an advanced form of surround sound that simulates hundreds of sources with its object-based engine instead of more general directions. Because the PS5’s GPU powers the Tempest 3D AudioTech, it can pick up more nuanced and subtle sounds for deeper, richer audio.

Setting Up 3D Audio on Your PS5

To set up 3D Audio on your console, go into the PS5 settings and the Sound section. There you will find two dedicated setup screens; ‘3D Audio for TV Speakers’ and ‘3D Audio for Headphones’.

3D Audio for TV Speakers

Use your TV speakers and the built-in mic on your wireless controller to measure your room acoustics. Sit in the same position you would when you normally use your PS5 console.

Go to Settings > Sound.
Select 3D Audio (TV) and follow the on-screen instructions to adjust the optimal 3D audio setting based on the measurement results.
After measurement is complete, you can listen to and compare both stereo audio and 3D audio to see which you prefer.

The next time you select Settings > Sound > 3D Audio (TV) and turn on Enable 3D Audio for TV Speakers, stereo audio switches to 3D audio. When you turn off this setting, 3D audio switches to stereo audio.

Whenever you change the position of your TV, your seating, or the room environment, you should measure your room acoustics again.

If you're having difficulty hearing the effects of 3D audio or you’d like to improve it, try the following:

Check that nothing is blocking the TV speakers.
If Apply 3D Audio Measurement Results is turned off, sit in front and center of your TV.
Watch your TV at a distance suitable for its size. Check with your TV's manufacturer for the recommended distance.
Disable any sound quality adjustment functions for your TV, such as surround sound.
The volume may change depending on the 3D audio effect. In this case, adjust the volume of your TV.

3D Audio for Headphones on PS5 Consoles

Listen to sounds played at different positions and angles to create an audio profile tailored to your hearing. There are two ways to create a profile:

Create a personalized 3D audio profile

Measure how you hear 3D audio to create an optimized experience.

Select from 3D audio presets

Select from 5 preset settings for an easy way to enjoy 3D audio.

Go to Settings > Sound.
Select 3D Audio (Headphones) > Create Personalized 3D Audio Profile and follow the on-screen instructions.
Listen to sounds and answer questions about the position and direction of the sound to set up your personalized 3D audio profile.

Once your personalized 3D audio profile is created you can enable Apply Personalized 3D Audio Profile. When you turn off this setting, the preset 3D audio profile will be used for 3D audio.

The next time you select Settings > Sound > 3D Audio (Headphones) and turn on Enable 3D Audio for Headphones, stereo audio switches to 3D audio.

Adjusting Audio Settings on Your PS5 Console

Find out how to customize the PlayStation®5 console audio output for your TV, headset or AV system.

Go to Settings > Sound. Select Audio Output and then adjust one of the following settings.

Output Device: Select an audio output device to use. You can also change your output device from the control center by selecting Sound.
Switch Output Device Automatically: Turn on to switch output devices automatically when an audio device, such as a headset, is connected.
HDMI Device Type: Choose the type of device connected via HDMI cable to your console, and select the appropriate options. For example, if you select AV amplifier as your HDMI device type, you can set the number of channels and adjust speaker positions. You can only view these options if the HDMI device type is selected as AV amplifier.
Number of Channels: Select the number of channels your AV amplifier uses.
Adjust Speaker Positions: Move your speakers to get the right balance of sound.
Output to Headphones: Select what audio is heard through headphones.
Mono Audio for Headphones: Play the same audio from both your left and right headphones.
Home Screen Music: Turn on/off the music that plays in the background on your home screen.
Sound Effects: Turn on/off the sounds heard during some functions such as scrolling.
Sidetone Volume: Set how loud your voice is heard through your headset. This setting isn't available for all headsets.
Audio Format (Priority): Set the audio output format for games and video apps. Some apps, such as the disc player, have their own audio settings that should be prioritized.

Available settings may vary depending on your devices and audio settings configuration.

Adjusting Mic Settings on Your PS5 Console

Press the PS button to access the control center, and then select Mic. Select one of the settings below to change input devices, mute and unmute your mic, and adjust your mic level.

Input Device: Set your audio input device by choosing from a list of devices with mics you can use.
Adjust Microphone Level: Adjust the microphone level so that when you speak into the microphone, your input volume is in the Good range.
Microphone Status When Logged In: When turned on, you can use voice input immediately after you log in. To use your mic only when necessary, configure this setting to Mute.
Microphone Status When Starting Voice Chat or Broadcast: To prevent unintentional hot-mic situations, you can choose to have your mic turn off automatically when you start a voice chat or a broadcast.
- If you select Don't Change, you retain your current mic function when you start a voice chat or broadcast.
- If you select Switch to Mute, your mic turns off automatically when you start a voice chat or broadcast. When you want to use your mic, turn it on from the respective cards.

For information about headset compatibility and use, check with your device's manufacturer. Not all devices work with your console.

Adjusting Volume Settings on Your PS5 Console

Go to Settings > Sound > Volume.

Adjust the volume of the Headphones or Controller Speakers.

You can also adjust the volume from the control center by selecting Sound.

Press the MUTE button on your controller to mute your mic and speakers. The button blinks, your mic is muted, and sound output to all speakers turns off. Press the button again to return to the original state.

Adjusting Equalizer Settings on Your PS5 Console

Adjust equalizer and 3D audio settings to make your PULSE Explore wireless earbuds, PULSE 3D wireless headset, or PULSE Elite wireless headset sound just the way you want.

An equalizer adjusts the relative strengths of different audio frequencies. It lets you customize your audio output. For example, you can increase the bass frequencies for a "bass boost" effect.

Before using your headset, set up the equalizer to create your preferred audio output.

Press the PS button to access the control center, and then select Sound.

Select EQ Presets to adjust your equalizer settings.

A) Switch between audio modes

Standard: Sound that balances low and high frequencies.
Bass Boost: Sound that emphasizes bass frequencies for more pronounced bass.
Shooter: Sound that emphasizes shooting and footsteps during gameplay.

If you choose one of these modes, Audio Mode 1, Audio Mode 2, or Audio Mode 3, you can adjust the sliders in C to customize the relative strength of each frequency band in your selected audio mode.

B) More

You can do things like rename or reset your customized audio settings.

C) Slider

Move the slider to adjust the frequency settings to your preference.

D) Audio Preview

Preview your selected audio mode.