PS5 3D Audio – How To Enable & Set Up Correctly

Sony has added 3D Audio to the Playstation 5 for any player with a TV or compatible headset. It makes listening to sound games such as Ghost of Tsushima or No Man’s Sky a treat without needing a 7.1 surround system.

With 3D Audio enabled on your Playstation 5, not only will you where sounds come from horizontally, you will be able to hear sounds vertically too. This makes for a fully 3d and sound-rich game experience.

In this article, we’ll show you step-by-step how to set up PS5 3D Audio for your TV or compatible headset. We’ve also included plenty of screenshots to make it easier for you.

What is PS5 3D Audio?

3D audio is a technique used by the Tempest Engine on the Playstation 5 that delivers sound to players in a 3D space. With 3D audio, players can hear game sounds with direction and distance.

Why Enable 3D Audio?

Players will want to use 3D audio for two reasons: competitive advantage and game immersion.

For players looking for a competitive edge, being able to pinpoint enemies with the help of enhanced sound could be the difference between a win or loss.

For single-player games like Ghost of Tsushima, standing in the field with the blowing feels much more satisfying when the wind sounds like it’s coming from all directions.

Regardless of preference, most players will have good reason to enable 3D audio.

How to Set Up 3D Audio for Compatible Headphones on PS5

1. Find the Sound Menu from Settings

From the top row of the Home Screen select “Settings” shown by the Gear Icon in the top right corner of the screen between the search option (magnifying glass) and your PS Plus picture.

ps5 home menu screen with settings icon highlighted

Next, scroll halfway down the screen and select “Sound”. It will be immediately after “Storage” and at the bottom of the screen.

ps5 sound section highlighted in settings menu

Last, choose “Audio Ouput” and change “Output Device” to your wireless headphones.

ps5 sound settings with audio output and output device highlighted

 

2. Enable 3D Audio for Headphones

Navigate down the same menu to find the “Headphones” section and enable your headphones. The “Headphones” section is after “AV amplifier” and before “General”.
sound settings with enable 3d audio for headphones section highlighted

 

3. Test 3D Audio and Adjust If Necessary

Select [Adjust 3D Audio Profile] to test your 3D Audio and adjust if needed.
ps5 sound settings with adjust 3d audio profile highlighted
 
You will immediately hear a sample sound of running water to test the ear level of the PS5 3D Audio.
 
1 Press Triangle to switch between that and a sample of a rattling sound.
 
2. To toggle between left, right, or both ears, press left or right on the D-Pad or Left Analog Stick.
 
3 From here, adjust the 3D audio by selecting 1 of 5 sound height profiles, Types 1-5, with Type 3 selected as default as the middle of all the profiles. 
adjust 3d audio profile menu with settings highlighted
 
Type 1 has the highest ear level while Type 5 has the lowest ear level.
 
Select the profile that is heard closest to your level.
 
And that’s it. You’re ready to hear your PS5 games in 3D audio through your wireless headset.

How to Set Up 3D Audio for TV on the PS5

Find the Menu

From the top row of the Home Screen select “Settings” shown by the Gear Icon.

ps5 home menu screen with settings icon highlighted

Next, scroll halfway down the screen and select “Sound”. It will be immediately after “Storage” and at the bottom of the screen.

sound section highlighted in settings menu

Last, choose “Audio Output” and change “Output Device” to your TV or connected speakers.

sound settings with audio output menu selected and output device highlighted

Also, make sure that the PS5 microphone input is set to “Microphone on Controller”. This option can be found under “Microphone” then “Input Device”.

sound settings with microphone menu selected and input device highlighted

Enable 3D Audio for TV Speakers

Navigate down the same menu to find the “TV” section and enable 3D Audio for the TV speakers. This section will be after “HDMI Device Type” and before the “AV amplifier” section.

sound settings with enable 3d audio for tv speakers toggled on

Measure Room Acoustics Using TV Speakers

Select “Measure Room Acoustics Using TV Speakers”.

sound settings with measure room acoustics using tv speakers highlighted

On the next screen, you’ll be given further instructions

measure room acoustics page 1

Make sure your controller is updated with the latest software and not plugged into the USB.

Select “Next” for one last set of instructions:

measure room acoustics page 2

  • Hold the wireless controller at face level
  • Keep the room as quiet as possible
  • Disconnect all cables and accessories from your controller, as well as headphones from your TV.
  • If the microphone on your controller is muted, unmute it.

Select “Start Measurement” once you’ve followed all the instructions above.

You will hear a series of beeps and see a progress bar on the screen. Hold the controller at face level until both are finished.

Apply Measurement Results to 3D Audio

Within the TV section of Sound settings, toggle “Apply Measurement Results to 3D Audio” to enable the room acoustic results from the previous test.

ps5 sound settings with apply measurement results to 3d audio toggled on

And that’s it. You’re ready to hear your PS5 games in 3D audio through your TV Speakers.

Playstation 5 Games with 3D Audio

Below are a handful of games on the PS5 that have 3D audio:

  • Ghost of Tsushima
  • Gran Turismo 7
  • Astro’s Playroom
  • Spider-Man: Remastered
  • Returnal
  • No Man’s Sky
  • Horizon Forbidden West

PS5 3D Audio FAQ

Most players will be able to hear sound direction more clearly when compared to stereo sound. Players will also get more out of 3D Audio with higher-end headphones.

For headphones, adjust the audio profile in the sound settings menu and toggle through the 5 sound profiles. Players with compatible headphones will hear a noticeable height difference between each profile.

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