The PlayStation 4 lineup is undoubtedly a fantastic gaming console. Although I sometimes feel it’s overhyped as the Xbox tends to offer more features for less. This is open for debate, although you will agree that the PlayStation is one gaming console we all love to hate. This post will comprehensively discuss all PlayStation 4 external speakers connection methods.
Must read: How to triple your internet speed on your playstation 3 & 4 console
Why You Should Connect Your PlayStation 4 and 5 To External Speakers
There are a lot of fusses about connecting the ps4 to external speakers because, unlike the ps3, the ps4 doesn’t support manual audio output. In other words, you cannot use any improvised RCAs/AV cable to output from the PS4 or PS5. In this article, I will list the four methods by which you can connect your PS4 to an external console. However, keep it in mind that the ps4 slim is missing one very important Audio out port. The PS4 does not support RCA analog audio output.
PlayStation 4 External Speakers Connection
Which method is best for connecting external speakers to your PS4 console? Here are four options to consider.
I will list this in no particular order. However, I will give you the pros and cons of each method. Please read carefully.
1. Connect your Television to your speaker and output your audio
Your TV should use your speakers as its default audio output, though you may first need to select them from your TV’s input menu. This is the commonest means of connecting a PS4 to an external speaker. However, not all HDMI tv has an audio output port. Mine doesn’t have anyway.
2. Connection Through Digital Audio Optical Cable
This is the easiest and complete method of connecting your PS4 and ps4 pro to external speakers or sound systems. Unfortunately, the ps4 slim doesn’t support this because it has no Audio optical port. You only need to buy a good digital audio optical cable online or offline from a computer shop. I got mine for around $9 on Amazon. The connection is seamless and easy. You will get the true raw sounds from your PS4 using this method. No distortion as long as your speakers are good. In my case, I use a Home theatre system. Please check if your home theatre has an opt-in port. This method will work for you as long as you have a sound system with an optical in port. For your perusal, I have some pictures of a typical digital audio optical cable and how to connect it.
3. PlayStation 4 External Speakers Connection: Use Your original PS4 game controller
To pull this off, you need to buy an aux cable. The 3.5 mm audio cable to be precise. Yes, the exact type that comes with your wired headphones. Aux cables, or 3.5-millimeter male-to-male cables, are audio cables with headphone jacks on each end. You can find a 3.5-millimeter male-to-male audio cable at most automotive stores, tech departments, or online shops (e.g., Amazon).
Now the process of using this method
- Plug the auxiliary cable into your speakers’ “Audio In” port. This port will resemble a headphone port.
- Plug the other end of the cable into your controller.
- Turn on your PS4 and a connected controller.
- Now navigate to the settings on your PS4 console. Select Settings
- Scroll down to select Devices and press X. It’s near the bottom of the page.
- Select Audio Devices and press X. You’ll see this option near the top of the page.
- Select Output to Headphones and press X. This option is near the bottom of the page.
- If your aux cable isn’t connected to your PS4 controller, this option will be greyed out.
- Select All Audio and press X. This will ensure that all audio played on your PS4 comes through the headphone jack rather than the TV’s speakers.
The Cons of this method
I tried this method, and the total sound rendition was below par. Maybe my home theatre is INFERIOR.
4. Buy and use an HDMI Splitter with HDMI Audio Extractor + Optical and R/L Audio Output Powered Splitter 1 In 2 Out Signal Distributor Support 3D for PS4 Xbox One DVD Blu-ray Player HD TV Projector
This method suits both old and new speaker users. It supports RCA/AV cables, Optical audio output, and HDMI audio output.
- HDMI Splitter 1X2 automatically Distributes one HDMI input signal (Sky HD, Blu-ray, PS3, Xbox 360, 3D HDTV) to two HDMI output signal displays (HDTV, Plasma, LCD, Projector).
- HDMI to HDMI with Audio Extractor with SPDIF (Optical) Coaxial digital audio output(2CH/5.1CH Mode), and 3.5mm Stereo audio output(2CH Mode). It can extract the sound from the HDMI input source to your soundbar or speaker.
- High Resolution: Support 4K x 2K@30Hz (3840 x 2160 Resolution), backwards to 480i/ 576i/ 480p/ 576p/ 720p/ 1080i/ 1080P and 3D.
- HDMI Audio Output support DTS-HD/Dolby-True-HD/LPCM7.1/Dolby AC3/DTS/DSD
- Compatible with Roku or Chromecast without dedicated audio output as well as Blu-ray/ DVD/ HD player, cable/satellite box, Apple TV, PS3/4, Xbox, PC/laptop, HD camera, HD DVR, etc.
The one reviewed above was extracted from Amazon. It costs between 30 to 40 USD. I do not own one myself, but I will eventually do. Trust me. I see no Cons with this method other than the fact that buying the device is a bit more expensive and you can get an inferior sound compared to the direct connection to a speaker. I was then buying an aux cable or an optical cable.
The steps
- Buy an audio extractor. Audio extractors typically have two HDMI ports on opposite sides, as well as audio-out ports for either optical, 3.5mm stereo or RCA audio cables. You can find audio extractors online or in some local stores.
- Ensure your extractor’s audio output (e.g., RCA) matches your speakers’ audio input.
- Be aware that the audio quality you will receive from an audio extractor will be inferior to the quality you would receive from plugging into your speakers.
- Buy an audio cable to connect the extractor and your speakers.
- Buy an additional HDMI cable. The TV cable that came with your PS4 is an HDMI cable, but you’ll need an extra one to connect the audio extractor to the TV.
- Plug the PS4 into the audio extractor with the first HDMI cable.
- Plug the audio extractor into the TV with the second HDMI cable. This HDMI cable connects from the audio extractor’s “Audio Out” port to the TV’s HDMI port.
- Plug the audio extractor into the speakers with the audio cable. The audio cable will connect from the extractor’s audio output to the speakers’ audio input.
CONCLUSION
If you own a home theatre system that has the optical in port, please just go get the cable. If your tv comes with audio out ports, you can also use this. Obviously, if you want the most complete and hassle-free connection, go with the audio optical out option. PS4 Slim lacks the optical out port, so you must go with whichever method best suits you from the other 3. This will be based on your pocket, though. Also it may also depend on what you have on the ground vis a vis your type f tv or speakers.
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