This article explains how to connect a pair of external speakers to a PlayStation 4. You can do this by making a direct connection, that is, connecting the speakers directly to the PS4 with an optical audio cable or an HDMI audio extractor. Alternatively, you can use earphones or headphones that will be connected to the audio port of the controller. Connecting a Bluetooth speaker to your PS4 isn't possible, but you can get around this by purchasing an additional cable to connect to the controller.
Steps
Method 1 of 4: Use an Optical Audio Cable
Step 1. Purchase an optical audio cable
This type of cable features a hexagonal plastic connector with a small jack in the center. It can usually be purchased at any electronic store or online for example on Amazon.
The PS4 Slim does not have digital audio output, so if you have this type of console you will not be able to use this method to connect
Step 2. Connect one end of the optical cable to the appropriate communication port on the speakers
The optical audio port is very similar to the connector on the end of the cable. It should be placed on the back of the central unit that manages the loudspeakers.
If the speakers you're using don't have an optical audio port, you'll need to purchase an adapter. For example, if your speakers have an RCA port (featuring the classic red and white circular connectors), you will need to purchase an adapter that converts the PS4's optical audio output into two RCA connectors
Step 3. Connect the other end of the audio cable to the optical port on the PS4
It is located on the left side of the back of the console.
Step 4. Turn on the PS4
At this point, the PS4 menu sound effect should play directly from the speakers you connected it to.
If you don't hear any sound, try adjusting the volume of the external speakers
Method 2 of 4: Using an HDMI Audio Extractor
Step 1. Purchase an audio extractor
Normally this device has two HDMI ports, an optical audio output, a 3.5mm jack or an RCA port. You can buy this type of device directly online or in some electronics stores.
- Make sure that the audio output of the extractor you want to buy is compatible with the input your speakers are equipped with (for example RCA).
- Remember that the quality of the audio signal processed by the extractor will be slightly lower than the original one generated by the PS4 and that you would get by connecting the speakers directly to the console.
Step 2. Purchase an audio cable to connect the extractor to the speakers
You must purchase a cable that is compatible with the audio output of the extractor and the input that the speakers have.
Step 3. Purchase an additional HDMI cable
The cable that currently connects the TV to the console is fine, but in order to use the audio extractor you must have a second HDMI cable available.
Step 4. Connect the audio extractor to the PS4 using the first HDMI cable
Connect the cable to the "HDMI" port on the left side of the back of the PS4 and to the HDMI port labeled "Audio In" on the extractor.
Step 5. Now, connect the audio extractor to the TV using the second HDMI cable
In this case, you need to connect the cable to one of the HDMI ports on the TV and to the port labeled "Audio Out" on the audio extractor.
Step 6. Now connect the speakers to the extractor using the appropriate audio cable
You will need to connect the extractor's audio output port to the speaker input port.
Step 7. Turn on the PS4
At this point, the PS4 menu sound effect should play directly from the speakers you connected it to.
If you don't hear any sound, try adjusting the volume of the external speakers
Method 3 of 4: Use Earphones or Headphones
Step 1. Purchase an audio cable
It is a cable with two 3.5 mm jacks that will be connected to the appropriate ports on the headphones and on the PS4 controller.
- If you are using earbuds or headphones that already come with 3.5mm audio cable, you can skip this and the next step.
- You can buy an audio cable with two 3.5mm male connectors at any electronics store or on the web, for example at Amazon.
Step 2. Connect one end of the audio cable to the appropriate headphone jack
It is usually placed at the bottom of one of the two headphones.
Step 3. Now connect the other end of the audio cable to the controller jack
The PS4 controller's audio output port is located on the front, between the two analog sticks.
If you have a pair of earphones or headphones with a built-in audio cable, simply plug the jack into the appropriate port on the controller
Step 4. Turn on the PS4 and the controller
Push the button PS controller paired with the console.
Step 5. Select the user account to use and press the X button
This will log you into the PS4 with your profile.
Step 6. Scroll the page up
The PS4 main menu bar will appear.
Step 7. Select the Settings icon and press the button X.
The icon Settings It's located on the far right of the PS4 menu bar.
Step 8. Scroll down the menu to be able to select the Devices option, then press the button X of the controller.
It is one of the last items on the menu.
Step 9. Choose the Audio Devices item and press the button X.
It is located at the top of the newly appeared menu.
Step 10. Select the Play audio through headphones option and press the button X of the controller.
It is displayed at the bottom of the page.
If headphones or earphones are not currently connected to the controller jack, the indicated option will not be selectable
Step 11. Choose the All Audio item and press the button X of the controller.
This way, you can be sure that all sound and audio effects are playing from the PS4 through headphones or earphones plugged into the controller jack and not through the speakers on the TV.
Step 12. Press the PS button on the controller
The audio signal of any multimedia content played by the PS4 will now be sent to the headphones.
Method 4 of 4: Use a Bluetooth Speaker
Step 1. Purchase an audio cable
Unfortunately, Sony has chosen not to allow users to connect an external Bluetooth speaker directly to the PS4. However, you can work around this limitation by using a 3.5mm audio cable to make a wired connection.
- Other than buying a Bluetooth adapter, which may not be compatible with the PS4, there is no way you can connect a wireless speaker to the console via Bluetooth connectivity, other than to use a regular audio cable.
- Normally, all Bluetooth speakers are equipped with a 3.5mm audio jack to be able to establish a wired connection should the need arise. If your speaker doesn't have a 3.5mm port to make a wired connection (or if the jack is broken or not working), you won't be able to connect it to your PS4.
Step 2. Connect the audio speaker to the PS4 controller
Plug one of the two 3.5mm connectors of the audio cable into the console controller port, then plug the other end of the cable into the "Audio In" (or "Line In" or similar) port of the Bluetooth speaker.
Step 3. Turn on the PS4 and log in
Push the button PS of the controller you have paired with the console, choose your profile and press the button X.
Step 4. Enter the "Settings" menu
Scroll the page up, then move the cursor to the right to be able to select the icon Settings (similar to a toolbox) and press the button X.
Step 5. Scroll down the menu and select the Devices option
It is located approximately in the middle of the "Settings" menu.
Step 6. Choose the Audio Devices item
It is displayed at the top of the newly appeared menu.
Step 7. Select the Output Device option
It is displayed at the top of the "Audio Devices" menu.
Step 8. Choose Headphones connected to the controller
It is located on the right side of the screen.
Depending on your PS4 configuration settings, the indicated option may already be selected
Step 9. Select the Play audio through headphones option
It is displayed at the bottom of the page.
Step 10. Choose the All Audio item
This way you can be sure that all sound and audio effects are played from the PS4 through the wireless speaker connected to the controller jack and not through the speakers on the TV.
Step 11. Activate the Bluetooth speaker
Press the appropriate "Power" button
. Now the PS4 menu sound effect, music and game audio will be played from the wireless speaker you connected to the controller.
If you disconnect the Bluetooth speaker from the controller, the PS4 audio output should automatically switch to the default (for example your TV speakers)
Advice
- If you have a PS4 Slim, the best option is to connect the external speakers to the TV and connect the console directly to the TV using the appropriate HDMI cable. The TV will use the external speakers as the default audio output, but in some cases you will first need to select the appropriate setup option from the TV main menu.
- Some HDMI to optical input audio extractors are also equipped with an RCA port that allows you to use older speakers as well.
