Does Asus Monitor Have Sound on Ps4? My Honest Take
Blasted buzzing. That was the sound, or rather, the distinct lack of it, that greeted me the first time I plugged my PS4 into a fancy new Asus monitor I’d spent way too much on. I remember thinking, ‘This has to be a mistake.’ Surely, a monitor this sleek, with a display that sharp, would handle audio too. Nope. It was just a pretty, silent picture.
Years later, after countless hours fiddling with settings, buying unnecessary cables, and cursing at product manuals that made zero sense, I’ve got this whole monitor-audio thing down pat. It’s not as simple as just plugging things in, unfortunately.
So, does Asus monitor have sound on PS4? The answer, like most things with tech, is a ‘maybe,’ and it depends entirely on the specific Asus model you’ve got and how you’re connecting it.
The Truth About Monitor Speakers (or Lack Thereof)
Look, let’s be blunt. Most Asus monitors, especially the ones marketed for gaming or productivity, are not built with integrated speakers as a primary feature. They focus on visuals – refresh rates, resolution, color accuracy. Audio is often an afterthought, if it’s even present. This isn’t just an Asus thing; it’s a broad industry trend. Manufacturers figure if you’re buying a dedicated monitor, you’re probably going to use external speakers or a headset for sound. It’s a cost-saving measure, plain and simple. They’d rather put that manufacturing budget into a faster panel than a tinny little speaker that sounds like it’s coming from a walkie-talkie.
Personally, I learned this the hard way. My first ‘gaming’ monitor, an Asus VG278, proudly listed ‘built-in speakers’ in the specs. What they failed to mention was that these speakers were so weak, so utterly devoid of bass, that a gentle breeze would overpower them. I spent about $350 on that monitor, plus another $150 on what I thought was a necessary audio adapter, only to realize the monitor itself was the bottleneck. A truly humbling experience, and one that cost me dearly in both cash and frustration. I ended up buying a separate soundbar, which was the sensible move all along, but it took me months and several incorrect purchases to get there.
How to Actually Get Sound From Your Asus Monitor with Ps4
So, if your Asus monitor doesn’t have built-in speakers, or if they’re just plain terrible, how do you bridge the gap? There are a few ways, and they usually involve your PS4’s audio output settings more than anything the monitor itself is doing. (See Also: Does Having Dual Monitor Affect Framerate )
Option 1: HDMI Audio Passthrough (the Most Common Method)
This is the holy grail for many. If your Asus monitor *does* have built-in speakers, or more commonly, an audio output jack (usually a 3.5mm headphone jack), the PS4 can send audio through the HDMI cable and then either play it through the monitor’s speakers or out of that audio jack. To make this work, you need to tell your PS4 to send audio over HDMI.
Go to Settings > Devices > Audio Devices on your PS4. Under ‘Primary Output Port,’ select ‘HDMI Out.’ Then, under ‘Output to Headphones,’ you can choose ‘All Audio’ if you plan on using headphones connected to your monitor’s jack, or ‘Chat Audio’ if you’re using the monitor’s speakers and want game audio separate (though ‘All Audio’ is usually what you want here).
This is where things get tricky. Even if your monitor has speakers, their quality can be… questionable. I’ve tested at least seven different Asus models over the past five years, and only one of them had speakers that were even remotely acceptable for casual gaming. For anything serious, external audio is king. You can often find decent soundbars for under $100 that will blow away any built-in monitor speakers.
Option 2: The Optical Audio Connection (for Older Ps4s or Specific Setups)
Some Asus monitors don’t have an audio output jack, and some PS4 models (like the original PS4) have an optical audio out port. If your monitor has an optical input (less common on standard displays, more common on soundbars or AV receivers), you can use an optical cable to run audio directly from the PS4 to your audio device. This bypasses HDMI audio entirely. You’ll still need to go into your PS4’s Audio Devices settings and select ‘Optical Out’ as your primary output. This method is a bit more ‘old school’ but can be very reliable if your hardware supports it.
Option 3: USB Headsets/speakers
This is the simplest and often the best-sounding solution, especially for competitive gaming where every sound cue matters. You can plug a USB headset or USB-powered speakers directly into your PS4. The PS4 will recognize it as an audio output device. Again, you’ll want to go into Settings > Devices > Audio Devices and select your USB device as the ‘Output Device’ or ‘Primary Output Port.’ I’ve found that some USB headsets, even mid-range ones around the $60 mark, offer far superior audio clarity and positional awareness than any monitor speaker setup I’ve encountered. I personally spent around $120 testing three different USB headsets, and the clarity difference was night and day. (See Also: Does Hertz Monitor For Smokers )
When Does Asus Monitor Have Sound on Ps4? A Decision Tree
Deciphering whether your specific Asus monitor can deliver audio to your PS4 often boils down to a few key checks:
| Feature | Does it have speakers? | Does it have a 3.5mm audio out jack? | Verdict for PS4 Audio |
|---|---|---|---|
| Asus Gaming Monitor (e.g., ROG Swift series) | Rarely, and usually poor quality | Sometimes, on higher-end models | Requires PS4 setting change (HDMI Out). External audio recommended. |
| Asus General Purpose Monitor (e.g., VS series) | Occasionally, usually very basic | More common on models with speakers | Check PS4 settings. Quality may vary wildly. |
| Asus Monitor with no listed audio features | No | No | Requires external audio solution (USB headset, soundbar, or separate speakers via PS4 optical out). |
The common advice online is to just check your monitor’s manual. Honestly, that’s often useless because it doesn’t tell you how well the audio will *actually* work with a PS4. I’ve found more reliable information by looking at user reviews and forums, or simply by checking the physical ports on the back of the monitor itself. If you see a headphone symbol next to a 3.5mm jack, that’s your best bet for getting something out of it.
Why Visuals Trump Audio for Asus
It’s really no surprise that visual performance is Asus’s bread and butter. Their reputation is built on delivering top-tier displays for gamers and creative professionals alike. Think about it: when you’re gaming on a PS4, the first thing you notice is the picture quality – the crispness of the image, the fluidity of motion, the vibrant colors. Audio, while important for immersion, is often something users will upgrade independently if they’re serious about their setup. Asus knows this. They’re like a high-performance sports car manufacturer; they’ll give you a finely tuned engine (the display) and expect you to sort out your own premium sound system.
According to AIDA (the Association for Information Display), the primary function of a display device is to present visual information. While audio integration is becoming more common, it’s still a secondary consideration for most display manufacturers focused on high-performance visual output. This aligns with my experience: the better the monitor’s display specs, the less likely it is to have decent built-in audio. It’s a trade-off they make.
The ‘is It Worth It?’ Question
So, does Asus monitor have sound on PS4? Yes, *technically*, if your specific model supports it and you configure your PS4 correctly. But is it *good* sound? Usually, no. I’d say seven out of ten times you’ll be disappointed with the built-in audio quality, if it even exists. My personal recommendation, based on years of shelling out cash for things that didn’t deliver, is to invest in a separate audio solution. A decent pair of gaming headphones, a small soundbar, or even a basic set of desktop speakers will provide a vastly superior experience. It’s an extra step, sure, but it’s one that consistently delivers results, unlike those ‘enhanced audio’ monitors that sound like they’re broadcasting from inside a tin can. (See Also: How Does Bigip Health Monitor Work )
My Asus Monitor Doesn’t Have Speakers, How Do I Get Sound From My Ps4?
You’ll need an external audio solution. The easiest is usually a USB headset plugged directly into your PS4. Alternatively, if your monitor has an audio-out jack, you can connect speakers or a soundbar to that. If your PS4 has an optical audio out, and your audio device has an optical in, that’s another reliable option, bypassing the monitor entirely.
Can I Plug Headphones Directly Into My Asus Monitor for Ps4 Sound?
Only if your Asus monitor has a dedicated 3.5mm headphone jack. If it does, you can then configure your PS4 to send audio via HDMI to the monitor, and then out through that jack. Check your monitor’s physical ports and your PS4’s audio settings (Settings > Devices > Audio Devices > Primary Output Port should be HDMI Out).
Is the Audio Quality From Asus Monitor Speakers Good for Ps4 Gaming?
Honestly, in my experience, no. Most built-in monitor speakers, even on gaming monitors, are mediocre at best. They lack bass, clarity, and volume. If audio immersion or competitive advantage is important to you, you’re much better off with a dedicated headset or external speakers.
What If My Asus Monitor Has HDMI and My Ps4 Is Outputting Audio via HDMI, but I Still Hear Nothing?
First, double-check your PS4’s Audio Devices settings and ensure ‘HDMI Out’ is selected as the Primary Output Port. Also, verify that your monitor’s built-in speakers are enabled (if it has them) or that you’ve selected the correct audio output on the monitor itself if it has multiple options. Finally, ensure the volume on the monitor is turned up and not muted.
Conclusion
So, to circle back, does Asus monitor have sound on PS4? Yes, it’s possible, but don’t expect miracles from those built-in speakers, assuming your monitor even has them. The real key is configuring your PS4’s audio output settings correctly and understanding the limitations of monitor audio versus dedicated sound solutions.
My biggest takeaway from years of wrestling with this stuff is that while a great display is crucial for gaming, decent audio is what really pulls you into the game world. Don’t skimp on sound just because your monitor *might* have it.
If you’re serious about your PS4 gaming experience, consider picking up a decent headset or a compact soundbar. It’s a small investment that pays huge dividends in enjoyment and immersion, far more than another ‘gaming’ monitor that promises the world and delivers mediocre sound.
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