Gaming is an extremely enjoyable pastime that brings people from around the globe together in one immersive experience. But to fully immerse oneself in it all, you need quality audio! But what happens if your monitor does not have built-in speakers?
This guide will show how to get audio for a PS4 or Xbox One gaming setup without speakers built into its monitor display.
To get sound from a monitor without speakers with your PS4 or Xbox One, you can use headphones, external speakers, a soundbar, and a DAC, or HDMI audio extractor.
Read on to learn more.
Option 1: Headphones
One of the simplest and most cost-effective solutions to playing audio from a monitor without built-in speakers is headphones.
They come in all sorts of styles and prices to meet everyone’s needs; choose between over-ear headphones, in-ear headphones, or wireless options depending on what works for you!
To use headphones with your PS4 or XBox One controller, plug them directly into its audio jack.
Most headphones will fit without issue; it is always wise to check specifications prior to purchasing headphones.
If you want to use wireless headphones with your PlayStation 4, be sure they are compatible.
Some come equipped with a USB dongle that plugs directly into the console; others use Bluetooth connections which you can set up through settings on the PS4 or Xbox One.
Option 2: Connect External Speakers
If you prefer listening to audio through external speakers instead, your PS4 or Xbox One makes this connection easy.
The first step should be locating and labeling the audio output port labeled “DIGITAL OUT (OPTICAL).”
After connecting the PlayStation4 to speakers via an optical audio cable, connect an optical audio extractor between these and speakers that have no optical input (if applicable) so as to transfer their signal through.
You could also use an HDMI audio extractor which splits and sends its signals through cable television directly into speakers with optical input jacks or splitters that translates these into the right format for your speakers.
Once your speakers have been connected to the PS4 or Xbox One, it’s important to customize their audio output settings.
Navigating to Settings > Sound and Screen > Audio Output Settings, you must then change “Audio Format (Priority).” For maximum quality sound choose Bitstream (Dolby) followed by Dolby Digital 5.1ch”.
Option 3: Use a Soundbar
A soundbar can help improve audio quality without taking up too much room in your living area since they’re compact and simple to set up – they also deliver higher audio performance than most built-in speakers!
To use your soundbar with PS4 or XBox One, connect it with an HDMI cable by plugging one end into the output port on PS4 or XBox One and another end into its input port on the soundbar.
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Once your soundbar and PS4 or Xbox One have been connected, you must modify its audio output settings. Navigating to Settings > Sound and Screen > Audio Output Settings will reveal “Primary Output Port.” For audio through the soundbar choose HDMI Out.
Option 4: Utilize a Digital-to-Analog Converter (DAC).
A DAC converts digital audio signals into analog waves which can then be played back through speakers for optimal audio playback quality on any monitor without built-in speakers. A great choice if audio quality matters to you!
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To use a DAC with your PS4 or Xbox One, connect it with an optical audio cable by plugging one end into its digital output port on the console, followed by your speakers using analog cables plugged into an analog output port on your DAC; many DACs provide either RCA or 3.5mm output ports which you can then plug directly into speakers for optimal use.
Once your speakers and DAC are connected, the next step should be changing the audio output settings on PS4 or Xbox One.
Go into Settings > Sound and Screen > Audio Output Settings, select Primary Output Port for audio through your DAC and “Digital Out (Optical).”
Option 5: Consider Utilizing an HDMI Audio Extractor
An HDMI audio extractor is a device that extracts audio signals from an HDMI cable and sends them directly to speakers without optical input ports. It’s ideal if the speakers you have don’t support optical audio signals themselves.
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To use an HDMI audio extractor with your PS4 or Xbox One, connect it using an HDMI cable – with one end plugged into the PS4’s output port and another into its input on the audio extractor.
Attach an analog cable from your audio extractor to your speakers using an audio extractor with RCA or 3.5mm output ports to link with them directly.
Once your audio extractor is connected to speakers, it’s important to change its audio output settings on PS4 or Xbox One.
Head to Settings > Sound and Screen > Audio Output Settings and select Primary Output Port or HDMI Out. Choose HDMI Out if audio should come through an extractor device.
Conclusion
Integrating audio into a monitor without built-in speakers for PS4 or Xbox One gaming setup does not need to be complicated or expensive.
You have multiple options depending on your personal taste and budget that could work just as effectively for you – whether headphones, external speakers, a soundbar, DAC, or an HDMI audio extractor might provide better audio quality than what built-in speakers could ever deliver.
Norvan Martin is the founder of BoomSpeaker.com. He is a professional Electronics Engineer and is passionate about home theater systems and AV electronics. BoomSpeaker was created as an online hub to share his knowledge and experiences as it relates to home theaters and home audio electronics.
My email: admin@boomspeaker.com
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