Plug powered speakers into the 3.5mm jack on your DualShock 4 controller. Alternatively, connect the speakers to your TV’s audio output. For higher quality, use the PS4’s optical audio port (if available) to connect to a compatible receiver or soundbar.
The low growl started as a whisper. I was deep in the catacombs, my character’s health bar a sliver of red. I knew the creature was close, but the tinny speakers on my television offered no direction, no clue.
Was it left? Right? The sound was a flat, indistinct rumble.
A moment later, a shadow lunged from the darkness on my right. Game over. The frustration wasn’t just about losing; it was about the experience being robbed of its tension and depth by poor audio.
The world the game developers had so carefully built was flattened by my setup.
That evening, I decided to solve the problem. The roar of a dragon, the subtle crunch of snow underfoot, the soaring orchestral score of a final boss battle—these are not just background noises. They are vital parts of the story.
If you’ve felt that same disconnect, that sense that you’re missing something fundamental, you are not alone. Getting rich, immersive sound from your console is one of the biggest upgrades you can make to your gaming life. This is your definitive guide on how to connect speakers to your PS4 and finally hear your games the way they were meant to be heard.
Why Your PS4 Deserves Better Sound
The speakers built into most modern televisions are an afterthought. They are small, underpowered, and crammed into an increasingly thin frame, leaving no room for the components that produce rich, detailed sound. They do the bare minimum: they make noise.
But gaming audio is about so much more than noise. It is about creating a world. It is the difference between watching a storm and feeling the thunder shake the room.
When you rely on TV speakers, you lose the subtleties. The quiet dialogue in a tense cutscene gets lost beneath the action. The distinct sound of an enemy reloading their weapon down the hall becomes a generic click.
Directional audio, a key component in competitive games, is non-existent. You hear a sound, but you have no idea where it’s coming from. Connecting a dedicated set of speakers, whether it’s a simple pair of bookshelf speakers or a full-fledged soundbar, restores that missing dimension.
Suddenly, you can pinpoint the source of a distant footstep, feel the bass of an explosion, and lose yourself completely in a game’s atmospheric soundtrack.
The Tools of the Trade: What You’ll Need
Before you dive into the settings, it helps to have your equipment ready. Don’t worry, this isn’t a complicated list. Depending on your speakers and television, you will likely need one or more of the following items.
The most common tool is an optical audio cable, also known as a TOSLINK cable. Think of this as a dedicated highway for pure digital sound, running from your PS4 directly to your speakers or soundbar. They have a distinct square-shaped connector that often glows with a faint red light when active.
Another simple option is a standard 3.5mm audio cable. This is the same type of cable you would use for most headphones. It is perfect for connecting a set of computer speakers to your PS4 controller for a quick and easy audio upgrade.
For a more complex setup, especially if your TV or speakers lack the right ports, you might need an HDMI audio extractor. This small box sits between your PS4 and your TV. It cleverly intercepts the HDMI signal, splits the audio off to your speakers, and sends the video signal onward to your screen.
Finally, if you want to use a Bluetooth speaker, you will need a USB Bluetooth audio adapter. The PS4 has very limited native Bluetooth support for audio devices, and this little dongle is the key to getting around that limitation.
Connecting Your Speakers: A Step-by-Step Guide
With your gear in hand, it is time to make the connection. There are several ways to get audio from your PS4 to your speakers, and the best method depends entirely on the equipment you have. We will walk through the most common and effective options.
Method 1: The Direct Connection (Optical Audio)
This is the preferred method for most soundbars and home theater systems, delivering high-quality digital audio with minimal fuss. It provides a stable and reliable connection directly from the console.
First, locate the optical audio port on the back of your PS4. It is a small, square-shaped port labeled “Digital Out (Optical).” You will find a similar port on your soundbar or speaker system. Remove the small plastic caps from both ends of the optical cable and plug one end firmly into the PS4 and the other into your speakers.
Next, turn on your PS4. Navigate to the main menu and go to Settings, then select Sound and Screen. From there, choose Audio Output Settings.
Select Primary Output Port and change it to DIGITAL OUT (OPTICAL). You will then be prompted to select which audio formats your speaker system supports. If you are unsure, simply leave them all unchecked for now; your system will default to the most compatible format.
Your speakers are now the primary audio source.
Method 2: Using the Controller’s Headphone Jack
For a simple and surprisingly effective setup, especially for desktop gaming, you can use the 3.5mm headphone jack on the bottom of your DualShock 4 controller. This method works wonderfully with most computer speakers that have a standard headphone-style input.
All you need is a 3.5mm male-to-male audio cable. Plug one end into the headphone jack on your controller and the other into the audio input on your speakers.
Once connected, press and hold the PS button on your controller to bring up the Quick Menu. Go to Sound/Devices. Look for the option Output to Headphones and make sure it is set to All Audio.
If it is set to “Chat Audio,” you will only hear other players’ voices through the speakers. This quick change routes all game sounds directly through your controller to your speakers. The main drawback is that this will drain your controller’s battery faster, so keep a charging cable handy.
Method 3: Navigating Bluetooth (With a Workaround)
Many people wonder if they can connect their favorite Bluetooth speaker to their PS4. The direct answer is, unfortunately, no. The PS4 does not support standard Bluetooth audio profiles for speakers or headsets, primarily to avoid audio lag and maintain quality control.
However, there is a simple and effective workaround: a USB Bluetooth audio adapter.
These small adapters plug into one of the USB ports on the front of your PS4. You will typically put your Bluetooth speaker into pairing mode, then plug the adapter into the console. Most adapters come with a small 3.5mm microphone dongle that plugs into the controller’s headphone jack to handle chat audio.
Once the PS4 recognizes the USB device, go to Settings > Devices > Audio Devices. Set the Input Device to the headset connected to the controller and the Output Device to the USB Headset (your Bluetooth adapter). This setup tricks the PS4 into sending its audio to the adapter, which then wirelessly transmits it to your speaker.
Method 4: For TVs Without an Optical Port (The HDMI Audio Extractor)
What if your speakers have an optical input but your television does not? Or perhaps you have an older set of speakers with only RCA (red and white) inputs. In these cases, an HDMI audio extractor is an excellent solution.
This device works by intercepting the signal on its way to your TV. You will connect an HDMI cable from the HDMI Out port on your PS4 to the HDMI In port on the extractor. Then, run a second HDMI cable from the extractor’s HDMI Out port to your television.
This ensures the video signal passes through uninterrupted. Finally, connect your speakers to the extractor using the appropriate audio output, whether it is optical or RCA. You will still need to go into your PS4’s audio settings and set the primary output to match the connection you used (e.g., Optical).
For an in-depth look at audio settings, you can check the official PlayStation support guide.
FAQ
Can I connect my Bluetooth speaker directly to my PS4?
No, the PS4 does not support the A2DP Bluetooth profile required by most speakers. While the console uses Bluetooth for its controllers, it does not allow direct pairing with audio devices for game sound. To connect a Bluetooth speaker, you must use a third-party USB Bluetooth audio adapter.
This adapter plugs into the PS4’s USB port and handles the wireless connection to your speaker, effectively bypassing the console’s built-in limitations.
Will USB speakers work with a PS4?
It depends on the specific speaker. The PS4 can recognize some USB audio devices, but compatibility is not guaranteed. If the speakers are designed to work with the console, they will usually be advertised as “PS4 compatible.” To check, plug them into a USB port and navigate to Settings > Devices > Audio Devices.
If the PS4 recognizes the speakers, you can select them as the Output Device. However, many standard USB computer speakers will not work.
What’s the best audio format to choose in PS4 settings?
When using an optical or HDMI connection, you will see options for Linear PCM, Bitstream (Dolby), and Bitstream (DTS). Linear PCM is the best choice if your speakers are connected directly, as the PS4 decodes the audio and sends an uncompressed signal. If you are running the audio through a receiver or soundbar that has its own advanced decoders, choose one of the Bitstream options.
Dolby and DTS are compressed formats that your audio system will decode, which can be better for surround sound setups.
Why is there a delay in my audio?
Audio delay, or latency, is most common with wireless connections, particularly Bluetooth. The time it takes to encode, transmit, and decode the audio signal can create a noticeable lag between what you see on screen and what you hear. A high-quality USB Bluetooth adapter with low-latency technology can minimize this.
For a completely lag-free experience, a wired connection via an optical or 3.5mm cable is always the most reliable option.
Can I connect my PS4 to a soundbar?
Yes, connecting to a soundbar is one of the most popular ways to upgrade PS4 audio. Most soundbars have an optical audio input, making it a perfect match for the PS4. Simply use an optical cable to connect the PS4’s Digital Out (Optical) port to the soundbar’s optical input.
Then, change the audio output settings on your PS4 as described in the optical connection method. This provides a significant improvement over television speakers with minimal setup.
Conclusion
Upgrading your audio is not just a technical tweak; it is a fundamental enhancement to your entire gaming experience. Whether you choose the crystal-clear quality of an optical cable, the simple convenience of the controller jack, or a clever workaround for your favorite Bluetooth speaker, the path to better sound is within reach. You no longer have to settle for the flat, lifeless audio that comes standard with your television.
The rich, detailed worlds that developers pour their hearts into creating are waiting for you to hear them in their full glory.
Now that the physical and digital connections are made, the only thing left to do is play. So, which game will you revisit first to discover its soundscape in a completely new way?
