PS5 Audio Output – How to Connect Headphones, a Soundbar or an AV Receiver Correctly
The PlayStation 5 outputs audio exclusively via HDMI or a USB audio device. If you want to use headphones, an amplifier or a sound system with analog inputs (3.5 mm jack or RCA) or an optical Toslink input, you will usually need an HDMI audio extractor. This allows stereo audio to be output without any issues. However, there are some technical limitations when it comes to multichannel audio that you should be aware of.
This article is intended for users who want to play the PS5 audio through a separate sound system.
PS5 Connected Directly to a TV
If your PS5 is connected directly to a TV and you are using the built-in TV speakers, no special settings are required.
PS5 with a Soundbar or AV Receiver Connected to the TV
Many users connect their soundbar or AV receiver to the TV. Modern TVs can convert the PS5 audio signal to match the connected sound system if necessary. The best audio quality is achieved when both the TV and the sound system support HDMI eARC. In this case, the PS5 outputs uncompressed multichannel audio, such as Linear PCM 5.1, Linear PCM 7.1 or Dolby MAT for Dolby Atmos. These audio formats can only be transmitted in full via HDMI or HDMI eARC.
Older connections such as HDMI ARC or Toslink do not support these uncompressed multichannel audio formats. The signal must therefore be converted, which may introduce a noticeable delay between picture and sound. Dolby Atmos is not possible with the PS5 unless you use HDMI eARC or a direct HDMI connection to the sound system.
Which Sound System is Best for the PS5?
For the best possible audio quality, we recommend using a sound system with HDMI connectivity. However, it is important to distinguish between the different types of HDMI connections. Devices with HDMI eARC or a true HDMI input can receive the PS5's uncompressed audio signals directly and provide the highest audio quality. This is not possible with HDMI ARC.
If your TV does not have an HDMI eARC port, or if you are using a video projector or monitor instead of a TV, there are alternative connection options. With a suitable HDMI audio extractor or HDMI eARC switch, the PS5 can also be connected optimally to a soundbar or AV receiver in these setups.
Sound System with a Standard HDMI Input
Traditional AV receivers always feature several genuine HDMI inputs and usually one HDMI output. Many soundbars have two HDMI ports (one HDMI input and one HDMI output). You can connect the PS5 directly to the HDMI input of these devices. The TV or video projector is then connected to the HDMI output, allowing the PS5 video signal to pass through the sound system.
Many existing sound systems cannot pass through the PS5's latest video formats. In this case, an HDMI 2.1 Audio Extractor is the ideal solution, as it sends the audio signal separately to the AV receiver. Use the AX211 if you mainly use a PS5. Choose the SW411 if you also want to connect up to three additional HDMI source devices.
Sound System with a Single HDMI Port
Typical examples include:
- Sonos Beam Gen 2 / Arc / Arc Ultra
- Bose Smart Soundbar
- Devialet Dione Soundbar
- Bluesound Node Streamer*
- Sonos Amp*
- Teufel Cinebar One*
- Teufel Ultima 40 Active Speakers*
*When connected via an extractor, these devices often receive only stereo audio from the PS5 because they support HDMI ARC only.
A sound system with an HDMI eARC/ARC port can be used with the AX310. If you also want to connect additional HDMI source devices, the AX340 is the right choice.
Audio System Without HDMI
Older sound systems or stereo receivers do not feature HDMI inputs. Instead, they usually provide analog inputs or an optical digital input (Toslink), and in some cases a coaxial digital input. Such systems can be connected using an HDMI audio extractor or an HDMI matrix switch with an integrated audio extractor. Stereo audio works reliably via analog RCA, 3.5 mm jack or optical Toslink. With many source devices, 5.1 audio can also be transmitted via Toslink. However, DTS or Dolby Digital bitstream output is only available if the respective game or app supports these formats.
Configuring PS5 Audio Correctly
Both the PS4 and PS5 use two separate audio systems: one for games and apps, and another for Blu-ray playback. These settings are independent and must be configured separately.
For Games and Apps:
Go to Settings > Sound > Audio Output. You can choose between four audio formats:
- Linear PCM: Uncompressed audio with the highest sound quality. However, you will only get 5.1 or 7.1 audio if the PS5 is connected via HDMI to an AV receiver, or if both the TV and the sound system support HDMI eARC. Over Toslink or standard HDMI ARC, only stereo is available.
- Dolby Audio: The PS5 compresses the audio signal to approximately 640 kb/s and sends it to your sound system. This allows true 5.1 surround sound over Toslink via an extractor or through a compatible TV.
- DTS: Similar to Dolby Audio but with a higher bitrate of approximately 1.5 Mb/s. It also supports 5.1 over Toslink. However, many TVs do not pass DTS through.
- Dolby Atmos: The PS5 renders supported games and videos as object-based 3D audio in the Dolby Atmos format. Please note that your sound system will display "Dolby Atmos" for all content—including stereo or 5.1 audio—because everything is transmitted inside a Dolby Atmos container. This does not necessarily mean that you are always hearing true object-based Atmos audio. Dolby Atmos can only be transmitted over HDMI.
If your system does not support multichannel PCM (for example, because you are using Toslink), you should select Dolby Audio or DTS to receive 5.1 surround sound whenever possible.
Under Audio Device, it is recommended to select AV Receiver, as this unlocks additional options such as speaker layout and channel configuration.
For Blu-ray Discs:
Start a movie and press the Options button on your controller. Under Audio Output, you can choose between two modes:
- Bitstream: The audio is passed unchanged (for example Dolby Atmos or DTS:X) directly to your sound system. This is the recommended setting for high-quality multichannel audio formats.
- Linear PCM: The PS5 decodes the audio itself and outputs it as uncompressed PCM. This supports 5.1 or 7.1 audio but does not preserve object-based formats such as Dolby Atmos or DTS:X.
This Blu-ray setting is completely independent of the general PS5 audio output setting. You only need to configure it once, and it will remain stored.
