For a more immersive horror game on PS5, test 3D audio against stereo, calibrate HDR for your actual display, and choose the game’s performance or resolution mode to suit your preference. There is no single best setup: the game, screen, room, audio equipment, and your own comfort all affect the result.
1. Set up audio for your headphones or TV speakers
Open Settings > Sound. Sony describes 3D audio as sound that can make you feel as if you are inside the game; whether it sounds better than stereo depends on the listener and the game. Compare both modes during play rather than assuming surround-style audio is automatically preferable.
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With headphones
Choose 3D Audio (Headphones) and create a personalized profile by listening to sounds from different positions and angles, or try one of the five preset profiles. Enable the profile you prefer, then compare 3D audio with stereo in your horror game. Sony documents both setup options in its PS5 3D audio setup guide.
If you already own suitable headphones, try them first; a new headset is not required. Sony’s PULSE 3D Wireless Headset manual includes instructions for selecting headphone audio output on PS5. The console also offers Audio Focus for headphones, which can emphasize quieter sounds in certain frequency ranges. Treat it as an option to test for subtle cues, not a guaranteed improvement for every person or game; see PlayStation 5 Support.
#1 Best Overall
- Haptic feedback - Feel physically responsive feedback to your in-game actions with dual actuators which replace traditional rumble motors. In your hands, these dynamic vibrations can simulate the feeling of everything from environments to the recoil of different weapons. .Operating temperature : 41 °F to 95 °F (5 °C to 35 °C)
- Adaptive triggers - Experience varying levels of force and tension as you interact with your in-game gear and environments. From pulling back an increasingly tight bowstring to hitting the brakes on a speeding car, feel physically connected to your on-screen actions.
- Built-in microphone and headset jack - Chat with friends online using the built-in microphone or by connecting a headset to the 3.5mm jack. Easily switch voice capture on and off at a moment’s notice with the dedicated mute button. Internet and account for PlayStation Network required.
- DualSense Controller PS5 and PC compatible. Not compatible with PS4.
- PS Remote Play requires Remote Play App connected to Wi-Fi, PS4 or PS5 console with the latest system software and compatible game. A PS4 or PS5 console with a wired connection via a LAN cable is recommended. Version 4.0 of the Remote Play App on iOS and iPadOS or version 4.1 on macOS is required for games to be playable with the controller over Bluetooth.
With TV speakers
Choose 3D Audio (TV) and follow the on-screen measurement using the wireless controller’s built-in microphone. Sit in your usual playing position. Compare the resulting 3D audio with stereo in the game, and repeat the measurement if you move your seat, change the TV, or significantly change the room.
If TV-speaker 3D audio sounds poor, check that the speakers are unobstructed. While troubleshooting, turn off TV sound processing such as surround sound, then compare again. These setup and troubleshooting options are covered in Sony’s 3D audio guide.
Rank #2
- Ultra Customizable Controls
- Mappable Back Buttons
- DualSense Wireless Controller Features Built In
- Replaceable Stick Modules and Caps
2. Match video output and HDR to your display
Go to Settings > Screen and Video > Video Output. The PS5 detects the connected display and selects an available resolution automatically. Check the HDMI device information to see the reported resolution and whether the display supports HDR or VRR. Keep the console’s output aligned with what both your display and the game support; Sony explains the available resolution and video-output options in its PS5 resolution guide.
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1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsChoose how the console handles HDR
Under HDR, On When Supported keeps games and apps that do not support HDR in SDR. Always On converts those unsupported games and apps to HDR output. Use Adjust HDR and follow the console’s on-screen calibration steps for brightness and HDR rendering. There is no universal slider value to use: the right result depends on the display and your picture preferences.
Rank #3
- Feel you in-game actions and environement simulated through haptic feedback
- Experience varying force and tension at your fingertips with adaptive triggers
- Chat online through the built-in microphone
- Connect a headset directly via the 3.5mm jack
- Switch voice capture on and off using the dedicated mute button
Use refresh-rate and latency options only when supported
VRR, 120 Hz output, and ALLM depend on a compatible display and supported content. They can affect smoothness or latency, but they are not universal settings for creating a particular horror-game atmosphere. Check the display and game’s support before relying on them.
3. Choose a game preset, then review the game’s own menu
Open Settings > Saved Data and Game/App Settings > Game Presets. Sony’s choices include Performance Mode, which targets smoother motion, and Resolution Mode, which targets higher graphic quality. Select the mode that best fits what the game supports and what you value more. Presets apply to PS5 games and may not apply to every title; see Sony’s game presets guide.
Rank #4
- Bring gaming worlds to life - Feel your in-game actions and environment simulated through haptic feedback*. Experience varying force and tension at your fingertips with adaptive triggers*
- Find your voice, share your passion - Chat online through the built-in microphone. Connect a headset directly via the 3.5mm jack. Record and broadcast your epic gaming moments with the create button
- A gaming icon in your hands - Enjoy a comfortable, evolved design with an iconic layout and enhanced sticks. Hear higher-fidelity** sound effects through the built-in speaker in supported games
- Multi-device connectivity - Connect using a USB Type-C cable or Bluetooth technology and easily play on more devices including Windows PC and Mac computers.
- Elevate PC gaming with advanced features like haptic feedback and adaptive triggers in a range of blockbuster PC titles.
Game presets can also cover first- and third-person camera movement, subtitles, audio language, and, where offered, difficulty. Check the horror game’s own settings menu as well: it may expose additional picture, camera, or sound controls. Brightness, motion blur, film grain, and camera options vary by title, so adjust them only if the game offers them and you have a reason to. Raising brightness by default can flatten the intended look of dark scenes.
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Immersion does not require turning off features that help you play comfortably. PS5 accessibility settings include options such as text size, high contrast, color correction, and reduced motion. Find them under Settings > Accessibility; Sony’s accessibility settings guide describes the available options.
Best Value
- Enjoy precise, comfortable control over 10,000+ supported Steam games.
- Easily pair the controller directly to your Windows PC via Bluetooth or play as you charge with the included USB Type-C cable
- Stay paired with up to four different Bluetooth devices, making it easy to enjoy the controller across Windows PC, Mac, PS5 consoles and smartphones. Discover more connection tips and tricks at playstation.com/pair-dualsense
- Access the latest available controller firmware directly from your PC with the free-todownload PlayStation Accessories app
- Play games streamed from your PS5 or PS4 console to your PC via the PS Remote Play App
Closed captions can display dialogue and, in supported content, provide text for audio cues. Availability and implementation depend on the game or media, so check the title’s own options. Color inversion reverses text and background colors, but it turns HDR off—a relevant trade-off if you use HDR.
5. Compare changes in the game you actually play
Horror games use sound, darkness, and movement differently, and console presets may not cover every title. Change one setting at a time and compare it in the same scene or situation. Keep the version that helps you notice spatial cues and enjoy the picture without making the experience uncomfortable or undermining the atmosphere the game is trying to create.
Quick Recap
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