How to Connect Speakers to Ps4 Monitor Guide
Look, I get it. You’ve got your PlayStation 4 humming, ready to pull you into another world, but the tinny built-in monitor speakers? They’re about as immersive as a rubber chicken being squeezed. It’s a common frustration, and figuring out how to connect speakers to your PS4 monitor can feel like deciphering ancient hieroglyphs if you’re not careful.
So many people just accept the built-in audio, or they get tangled up in a mess of cables that looks like a spaghetti junction gone wrong. I’ve been there, staring at a blinking cursor on a setup screen, wondering if I was smarter than the average houseplant.
Frankly, it’s not rocket science, but it’s also not always as simple as plugging a USB into a port and expecting miracles. There are a few solid ways to get decent sound pumping from your PS4 through your monitor, and most of them don’t require a degree in electrical engineering.
The Obvious (but Not Always Easy) Route: HDMI Audio Passthrough
This is the holy grail for many, and it’s where you’ll get the cleanest, most integrated audio experience. Your PS4 sends both video and audio signals through the HDMI cable. If your monitor has built-in speakers, it’s already interpreting that audio. The trick is getting that audio *out* of the monitor to a separate, better speaker system.
Here’s the kicker: Not all monitors are created equal when it comes to audio output. Some have an optical audio out, some have a headphone jack that works even when HDMI audio is active, and some… well, they just don’t. It’s like buying a fancy car and finding out the cup holder is just a sticker.
My first setup with a PS4 and a new monitor went sideways because I assumed the headphone jack would magically work. Nope. The monitor decided to prioritize its own puny speakers and completely ignored anything plugged into the headphone port when the HDMI was active. After about 45 minutes of futility, I nearly threw the whole thing out the window.
When Your Monitor Won’t Play Nice: The Optical Audio Out
This is where things get a bit more technical, but also more reliable if your monitor supports it. Many gaming monitors, especially those designed with consoles in mind, will have an optical audio output port (usually labeled ‘Optical Out’ or ‘Digital Audio Out’). This is a small, usually square-ish port that uses a fiber optic cable (TOSLINK) to transmit sound. It’s pure digital, so you get a really clean signal, free from interference. You’ll then need a speaker system that can accept an optical input, or an adapter to convert it to a standard RCA or 3.5mm analog signal if your speakers are older. (See Also: How To Connect Lenovo Yoga 910 To Monitor )
Honestly, this is the method I default to now. It bypasses the monitor’s internal audio processing entirely, which, let’s be real, is often mediocre at best. The sound quality you can achieve with a good optical setup is leagues beyond what most monitor speakers can deliver. It’s like switching from a kazoo to a cello.
What you’ll need:
- A PS4 console
- A compatible monitor with an Optical Audio Out port
- A TOSLINK (optical audio) cable
- A speaker system with an optical input, or an optical-to-analog converter
The process is straightforward: plug one end of the TOSLINK cable into the monitor’s optical out and the other end into your speaker system. Then, in your PS4’s audio settings, you’ll need to set the output to ‘Digital Out (Optical)’. It’s a simple flip of a switch, but crucial for getting the sound to where you want it.
The Headphone Jack Hack (sometimes)
This is the ‘maybe’ option, and it depends entirely on your monitor. Some monitors, bless their digital hearts, will allow you to output audio through the headphone jack *even when an HDMI source is active*. This is fantastic because it means you can plug a standard 3.5mm aux cable directly from your monitor’s headphone port into the AUX-in port on almost any powered speaker system. It’s the simplest solution if it works, but it’s a coin toss.
I’ve seen this work flawlessly on a few models, and then on others, it’s like the monitor just pretends the headphone jack doesn’t exist. My buddy Dave spent three hours trying to get this to work on his fancy new ultrawide, only to find out his specific model decided headphone jacks were purely decorative when an HDMI signal was present. He ended up using the optical out, which, thankfully, was available.
Why this is tricky: Monitor manufacturers often implement this differently. Some see it as a convenience feature, others as a legacy port that’s only there because the chip supports it. It’s often a gamble. (See Also: How To Connect Two Monitor In One Desktop )
Testing is key: Plug in some headphones to your monitor’s jack. If you hear game audio, you’re golden. If not, you’ll need to look into other options. Remember to check your PS4’s audio output settings; you might need to select ‘Headset Connected to Controller’ or something similar if the monitor isn’t passing the signal through the HDMI itself.
What About USB Speakers or Soundbars?
This is where things get a little… convoluted. The PS4 doesn’t natively support most USB audio devices in the way a PC does. If you plug USB speakers directly into the PS4, they might be recognized as a general USB device, but often, they won’t output game audio. The PS4 is quite particular about its audio outputs.
For soundbars, it’s usually a similar story to connecting any external speaker system: you’ll be looking for an HDMI ARC connection (if your monitor and soundbar both support it, which is rare for monitors that aren’t also TVs), an optical audio connection, or a 3.5mm auxiliary input. HDMI ARC is the cleanest, but it’s almost non-existent on standalone monitors. So, optical or aux are your most likely bets. Trying to get USB speakers to work directly with the PS4 for game audio is a headache most people avoid after their first attempt.
A friend of mine, bless his heart, bought a set of USB-powered speakers that looked like they were designed for a spaceship, convinced they’d plug right into his PS4. He spent nearly an hour fiddling with settings before realizing the PS4 only really cared about the HDMI or the optical/headphone outs for audio. He ended up using a cheap Bluetooth adapter for his speakers in the end, which worked, but the latency was atrocious for fast-paced games.
| Connection Method | Pros | Cons | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| HDMI Audio Passthrough (via monitor’s headphone jack) | Simple, uses existing cables. | Monitor dependent, can be unreliable. Latency possible. | Good if it works, but don’t count on it. |
| Optical Audio Out (TOSLINK) | Excellent sound quality, reliable digital signal. | Requires specific monitor port and speaker input. May need converter. | Best bet for quality and reliability if available. |
| 3.5mm Aux Cable (from monitor headphone jack) | Very common speakers, easy to find cables. | Monitor dependent, signal can be weaker, potential for hum. | A decent fallback if optical isn’t an option. |
| USB Speakers (direct to PS4) | Rarely works for game audio. | PS4 doesn’t typically support USB audio devices for game output. | Avoid. A waste of time and money for this purpose. |
The Faq You’re Actually Asking
Can I Connect Any Speakers to My Ps4 Monitor?
Generally, yes, but the *method* of connection is what matters. You’ll typically be connecting speakers to the monitor itself, not directly to the PS4. This means your monitor needs an audio output (like a headphone jack or optical out) that can then feed into your speakers’ input (like an AUX-in or optical-in).
Will Connecting Speakers Improve My Ps4 Audio Quality?
Almost certainly. Even a basic pair of powered desktop speakers will usually sound significantly better than the built-in speakers found in most monitors. The quality will depend heavily on the speakers you choose, of course, but the baseline will be higher. (See Also: How To Connect External Monitor To Macbook Air M2 )
Do I Need a Special Cable to Connect Speakers to My Ps4 Monitor?
It depends on the output your monitor has. If your monitor has a 3.5mm headphone jack, you’ll need a standard 3.5mm aux cable. If it has an optical audio out, you’ll need a TOSLINK (optical audio) cable. If your speakers are USB-powered but have an aux input, you’ll still use an aux cable from the monitor to the speakers; the USB is just for power.
How Do I Change Audio Output Settings on My Ps4?
On your PS4, go to Settings > Devices > Audio Devices. Here you can select your Output Device (usually HDMI Out or Optical Out), set the Primary Output Port, and adjust sound formats. Make sure the PS4 is set to output audio in a format your speakers or monitor can handle.
Why Can’t I Hear Anything After Connecting My Speakers?
Several reasons: First, double-check all physical connections are secure. Second, ensure your PS4’s audio output settings are correct for the connection you’re using (HDMI, Optical, or Headset for controller/headphone jack). Third, verify your speakers are powered on and set to the correct input source. Lastly, confirm your monitor is actually passing audio through the port you’re using – this is the most common culprit with headphone jacks.
Final Verdict
So, when all is said and done, figuring out how to connect speakers to your PS4 monitor isn’t about finding a magic bullet. It’s about understanding what outputs your monitor actually offers.
Honestly, I’d prioritize the optical audio out if your monitor has it. It bypasses a lot of potential issues and gives you the cleanest signal. Failing that, a reliable headphone jack that actually passes audio when HDMI is connected is your next best bet.
Don’t be afraid to experiment, but also don’t waste hours on solutions that are unlikely to work. You’re trying to play games, not become a wiring wizard.
Recommended For You
