The PS5 can only output audio via HDMI or a USB audio device. If you want to use headphones or a sound system with other inputs, such as a jack, RCA, or Toslink, you can use an HDMI audio extractor. As explained below, this can transmit stereo audio, but not always multi-channel audio.
A sound system with HDMI ports is therefore ideal for use with a PS5. It's important to distinguish between the type of HDMI port.
Sound system with "normal" HDMI input
Classic AV receivers always have several real HDMI inputs and usually one HDMI output. Many soundbars have two HDMI ports (HDMI input and output). You can connect the PS5 directly to these sound devices. You can connect your TV or video projector to their HDMI output.
However, these sound devices often can't pass the PS5's best video formats. An HDMI 2.1 audio extractor can help. Use the AX211 if you primarily plan to use the PS5. Or the SW411 if you want to connect up to four players.
Sound system with a single HDMI port
Such a sound system is designed for direct connection to a television's HDMI input. The television must support ARC, meaning it can output audio via HDMI. Therefore, such a sound system does not have an HDMI input, but rather an HDMI output with support for HDMI-eARC or HDMI-ARC. This means that a standard HDMI splitter or similar device cannot be used.
Typical sound systems include:
- Sonos Soundbars Beam Gen2/ Arc / Arc Ultra
- Bose Smart Soundbar
- Devialet Dione Soundbar
- Bluesound Node Streamer*
- Sonos Amp*
- Teufel Cinebar One*
- Teufel Ultima 40 active loudspeaker*
*only deliver stereo sound on the PS5 because only HDMI-ARC is supported -not eARC.
Such a sound system can be operated via the AX310 on the PS5. If additional players are to be connected, the AX340 would be the right device.
Audio system without HDMI connection
Such a sound device can be operated with an HDMI audio extractor or an HDMI matrix switch with an integrated extractor. This definitely works with stereo sound (via analog RCA, jack, or digital Toslink connections). Many players allow you to play 5.1 sound via Toslink. Unfortunately, this is hardly possible with the PS5:
If the amplifier is only connected via Toslink or only supports Dolby Digital (AC-3), you will get true 5.1 sound under certain conditions.
What works and what doesn’t?
Works (5.1 possible):
| source | format | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Blu-ray Discs | Dolby Digital | Direct Bitstream 5.1 in Dolby Digital |
| DTS | Direct Bitstream DTS 5.1 | |
| Games | PCM | Only Stereo, Toslink does not support multichannel PCM |
| Transcoding | Game may output DD bitstream, but rarely |
Conclusion: Only Blu-rays with a DD soundtrack are guaranteed to output 5.1 sound via Toslink. For discs with a DTS soundtrack, the sound system must support DTS.
Does NOT work (stereo only):
| source | format | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Netflix, Disney+, Prime | Dolby Digital Plus | PS5 decodes to PCM → Toslink only outputs stereo PCM |
| Games (PS5) | PCM (standard) | Toslink → stereo PCM only |
| DTS on disc | DTS | PS5 ca n't convert DTS to DD , becomes stereo PCM |
What can you do?
Option 1: Force Dolby Digital
Go to:
Settings > Sound > Audio Output
- HDMI Device Type : Select AV Amplifier (with speaker position selection) or Soundbar
- Number of channels: 5.1 ch
- Audio format (priority) : Set to Dolby Audio (Bitstream)
But:
- This setting primarily affects Blu-rays
- Apps and games still mostly output stereo , because PS5 decodes internally to PCM → and PCM multichannel does not work via Toslink
Option 2: Additional streaming stick or TV
If you want to frequently use 5.1 from apps, you need a device that can convert the native streaming audio format Dolby Digital Plus to Dolby Digital, e.g. Apple TV or Fire TV 4K / Max / Cube (not Fire TV Lite / HD).
Some TVs also have this transcoding feature. Use their Toslink audio output.
Option 3: Other AV receiver with HDMI / DD+
If you want to upgrade at some point:
- A modern AV receiver or soundbar with HDMI inputs and DD+/Atmos can be connected directly to the PS5.
- Then you also get PCM Multichannel , Dolby Digital Plus and possibly Atmos directly
Setting up PS5 audio correctly
Both the PS4 and PS5 use two separate audio output systems: one for games and apps, and one for Blu-ray playback. These settings do not affect each other and must be configured separately for each.
For games and apps:
Go to System Preferences > Audio Output. There you have four options:
- Linear PCM: Uncompressed sound with the highest quality. However, you'll only get 5.1/7.1 audio with this if you've connected the PS5 to an AV receiver via HDMI or if your TV and sound system support HDMI eARC. Toslink or standard HDMI ARC connections only deliver stereo.
- Dolby Audio : The PS5 compresses the audio signal to approximately 640 kb/s and passes it on to your sound system. This way, you get true 5.1 sound even over Toslink.
- DTS : Similar to Dolby, but slightly more compressed (approx. 1.5 Mbps). Also works with 5.1 over Toslink.
- Dolby Atmos : The PS5 renders sound as object-based 3D audio in Dolby Atmos format—but only if the game or video supports it. Note: Your sound system will then display Dolby Atmos for EVERYTHING—even stereo or 5.1 content—because it's output in the Atmos container. This doesn't mean you'll always get true object-based Atmos sound. Atmos can only be transmitted via HDMI.
In most cases, switching to Dolby Audio or DTS has no effect.
If your system doesn't support PCM multichannel (e.g. because you're using Toslink), you should still choose Dolby or DTS to get 5.1 sound whenever possible.
It's best to select "AV Receiver" under "Audio Destination" - this unlocks additional options, such as channel configuration and speaker positioning.
For Blu-rays:
Start a movie and press the "Options" button on your controller. Under "Audio Output," you can choose between two modes:- Bitstream: The sound is passed directly to your sound system without any changes (e.g. Dolby Atmos, DTS:X) – ideal for high-quality multi-channel formats.
- Linear PCM: The PS5 decodes the signal itself and outputs it as an uncompressed PCM stream. This allows for 5.1/7.1, but not object-based formats like Atmos or DTS:X.
This Blu-ray setting is independent of the PS5's overall audio output. You only need to set it once, and it will stay the same.
