Hey friend! So you just got your hands on the amazing PS5 console. You’ve probably noticed that the audio from your TV speakers doesn’t quite do justice to the stunning 4K graphics on that baby.
You’re dying to pair your awesome Bluetooth speaker with your new PS5 so you can get fully immersed in your games’ soundscapes. But wait, why isn’t it connecting?
Yeah, I know right – it’s super annoying that Sony didn’t include built-in Bluetooth support on the PS5. But don’t worry, I got your back! In this guide, I’ll walk you through the easy workarounds to connect Bluetooth speakers to your PS5.
Trust me, adding a Bluetooth speaker will completely transform your gaming experience. The audio quality, flexibility in placement, and portability are total game-changers. Let’s dive in and get you set up!
Methods to Connect Bluetooth Speakers to Your PS5
There are a few different options for pairing Bluetooth speakers with your PS5. Let’s go through them one-by-one:
Using a USB Bluetooth Adapter
This is probably the easiest way to get Bluetooth up and running on your PS5. All you need is a little USB Bluetooth adapter – also called a Bluetooth dongle.
I’m a big fan of the Skullcandy USB adapter. It’s cheap but works flawlessly.
Here’s how to connect it:
- Plug the USB Bluetooth adapter into one of the ports on the front of your PS5.
- Turn on the adapter.
- Go to Settings > Accessories on your PS5. You should see the adapter show up here.
- Select the adapter to pair it with your console.
- Now follow the instructions for your speaker to pair it with the adapter. There will likely be a pairing button involved.
- Head to Settings > Sound and set the USB adapter as your Default Audio Device.
And that’s it! Pretty simple right? I like to use a bit of Velcro tape to attach the adapter to the back of my PS5. This keeps the wires tidy and out of the way.
The only small annoyance is that you’ll need to remember to charge the adapter every few days. But it’s a small price to pay for that sweet wireless audio!
Using an Aux Bluetooth Adapter
Here’s another easy option – use an Aux Bluetooth adapter designed specifically for the PS5’s DualSense controller.
The SONRU aux adapter works perfectly. It plugs into the headphone jack on your controller.
Here’s how to set it up:
- Plug the aux cable from the adapter into your DualSense controller.
- Turn on the adapter and make sure it’s fully charged.
- Pair your Bluetooth speaker to the adapter using the instructions.
- The PS5 should automatically switch audio output to the controller jack.
- Double check Settings > Sound to confirm.
I recommend getting a right-angled aux cable. It puts less strain on the controller port.
Again, just remember to charge the adapter as needed! But otherwise, this gives you wireless audio with minimal fuss.
Connecting Speakers Directly via HDMI
If you want to connect speakers directly to the PS5’s HDMI port, you’ll need an extra piece of hardware.
Your best option is an HDMI Audio Extractor. This allows you to splice the audio signal from the HDMI cable.
You’d hook it up like this:
- Connect the PS5 to the Input port on the Extractor via HDMI.
- Connect another HDMI cable from the Extractor’s Output to your TV.
- Finally, use an Optical cable to go from the Extractor to your speakers.
It’s not quite as elegant as a direct wireless connection. But it does let you bypass the TV’s built-in speakers entirely.
You could also use an HDMI splitter, but you may run into latency issues which aren’t ideal for gaming.
So while direct HDMI speaker connections are possible, I’d really recommend going the wireless Bluetooth adapter route if possible!
Choosing the Right Bluetooth Speaker for Your PS5
Okay, so now you know how to connect Bluetooth speakers to your PlayStation 5. But what about which Bluetooth speaker to get?
Here are some key factors to consider when choosing one:
- Audio Quality: You want clear highs, deep bass, and maybe even stereo sound. The audio experience should be an upgrade over your TV speakers.
- Range: Make sure the Bluetooth range is sufficient for your gaming setup. Long range (up to 100ft) is ideal so you can place the speaker anywhere.
- Size: Will this primarily be a desktop speaker, or a larger standalone unit? Measure the space you have available.
- Battery Life: For portable speakers, battery life of 15-30 hours is ideal so you’re not constantly charging.
Based on these factors, here are some of my top Bluetooth speaker recommendations for pairing with your PS5:
- Bose SoundLink Revolve – Incredible 360 degree sound in a compact package. Luxury audio brand. $199.
- Anker Soundcore Flare – Fun party speaker with customizable lights. Great value. $59.99.
- JBL Charge 5 – Feature-packed portable speaker with 20 hour battery life. $149.95.
- Razer Leviathan – PC-style compact soundbar designed for gaming. $199.99.
- Sony SRS-XG500 – Large Bluetooth speaker with club-like audio power. $348.
I’d suggest thinking about your priorities in terms of audio quality vs portability. Do you want a small speaker near your couch? Or serious stereo separation with a larger setup?
You really can’t go wrong with top brands like Bose, JBL, Sony and others. Read some reviews online to make sure any model pairs well with the PS5 specifically.
And remember – no need to spend a fortune here. Even an affordable speaker will sound much better than your TV!
Optimizing Your PS5’s Settings for Bluetooth Audio
You’ve got your Bluetooth speaker paired up and rocking. But let’s optimize a few settings on the PS5 itself to get the most out of it.
Here are some quick tips:
- Double check that your Bluetooth adapter is set as the Default Audio Device under Settings > Sound.
- For adapters connected directly to PS5, set the HDMI Device Type to AV Amplifier instead of Sound Bar.
- Select the number of speakers you have in the Adjust Speakers menu. This enables 3D spatial audio.
- Set the Audio Format Priority to Linear PCM for direct connections, or Dolby/DTS for pass-through setups.
- Disable TV speakers to prevent duplicate audio outputs.
Tweak these settings to suit your speaker setup. It’s worth playing with to get the best possible audio performance while gaming.
And that’s about it! With those settings adjusted, you can now sit back and enjoy your games with amazing wireless sound.
Troubleshooting Tips for Bluetooth Connections
Of course with any wireless technology, you might encounter the odd hiccup when connecting your Bluetooth speaker to the PS5.
Here are some troubleshooting tips if you face any issues:
- Reboot both the PS5 and speaker. Turning it off and on again fixes most problems!
- Make sure the speaker is charged. Low batteries can mess with connectivity.
- Re-pair the devices in case the connection was lost.
- Check for interference from other devices, and move them further away from the PS5 and speaker.
- Try moving the speaker closer to the console if you face frequent dropouts.
- Disable any other Bluetooth connections not being used.
- As a last resort, reset your speaker to factory settings and set up the pairing again from scratch.
With a bit of trial and error, you should be able to sort out any pesky Bluetooth gremlins! A solid wireless connection is definitely achievable with the PS5.
Other Audio Options for Your PS5
While this guide has focused specifically on Bluetooth speakers, I wanted to briefly mention a couple of other audio options for your PS5.
Many PS5 gamers also choose to connect a soundbar via HDMI directly to the console. Soundbars provide a major audio upgrade in a simple all-in-one package. Popular picks like the Sonos Beam, Bose Solo 5, and Polk Signa S2 work great with the PS5.
For the ultimate immersive experience, you could even connect the PS5 to a multi-speaker AV home theater receiver and surround sound setup. This takes more effort to configure, but gives you room-filling audio for serious cinematic gameplay.
Down the road, the upcoming PSVR 2 headset will offer cutting-edge 3D spatial audio built-in. The wireless headphones will connect directly to the VR headset rather than the PS5.
But for now, a quality Bluetooth speaker gives you wireless audio in a simple plug-and-play package. And it works with all your PS5 games, not just VR titles.
So get ready to amplify your gameplay to the next level!
Conclusion
Phew, we covered a lot of ground here! Here are the key takeaways:
- Connecting Bluetooth speakers to the PS5 is totally possible using a USB or Aux adapter.
- Choosing a speaker with great audio quality and long range is key. Plenty of excellent options available.
- Optimizing the PS5’s audio settings takes things to the next level.
- Troubleshooting any connectivity issues is usually quick and easy.
- Alternatives like soundbars and surround sound are awesome too for serious audiophiles!
I hope this guide has given you all the info you need to take your PS5 audio experience into new territory! Let me know if you have any other tips or tricks for connecting Bluetooth speakers.
Now get that wireless speaker firing on all cylinders and immerse yourself in next-gen gameplay. Just try not to annoy your housemates with explosions and gunfire at full volume!