Whether you are a late-night gamer and would like to continue playing on your PS4 while everyone else is asleep, or you simply enjoy having a pair of headphones on your head and listening to the sound of your game this way, connecting a set of headphones to a PS4 can be very useful.
While Sony has developed a quality headset that officially supported the PS4 console, these headphones can be expensive, making them inaccessible to some people who own a PS4 and would like to use headphones while playing games.
Many people who want to have this feature are not aware of the fact that you can actually connect any type of headset or headphones that comes with a 3.5mm audio jack to a PS4 and continue enjoying that game, even when everyone else has gone to bed.
In this guide, we are going to take a look at how you can use almost any set of headphones you own with your PS4 – whether you wish to enjoy games or chat with friends while you are playing.
Using A 3.5mm Line With The PS4
The easiest way to connect a pair of headphones with a 3.5mm audio jack to your PS4 console would be to use your official DualShock 4 controller.
Many people do not realize this, but your PS4 controller actually has a built-in audio jack that you can use to make the connection.
The first step would be to find the audio jack on your PS4 controller. Note that it is best to use this technique with an original DualShock 4 controller for the best performance and experience.
The audio jack is located on the bottom of the controller – between the area where the analog sticks are located.
Once you have identified the audio jack, the next step is to connect your headphones. You can use any type of headphones that have an appropriate 3.5mm adapter – simply place the adapter into the audio jack on your DualShock 4 controller.
After making the connection, you should note that you will not be able to enjoy all the sound through the headphones immediately.
There are still a few steps to be taken before sound will stream through your headphones instead of through your television or sound system.
Now that you have connected the headphones to the PS4 controller, you will need to adjust certain settings on your PS4 console in order to configure the sound appropriately and to ensure the console knows where the sound should be emitted to.
Press and hold the PlayStation button on your DualShock 4 controller. After a few seconds, the Quick Menu will pop up. This menu allows you to adjust different types of settings on your PlayStation 4 console – including the sound options.
Once the Quick Menu has appeared on your television, navigate to the section that reads “Sound/Devices.” Once you have reached this menu item, press the X button on your DualShock 4 controller.
A new menu will appear, which will allow you to configure your sound options. In this menu, you will adjust the settings accordingly to ensure sound will be sent to the headphones you have plugged into your PS4 controller, instead of to the television or to your sound system.
In the “Sound/Devices” menu, use the d-pad of the controller to navigate to a menu item called “Output to Headphones.” Once you land on this menu item, press the X button on your DualShock 4 controller.
A sub-menu will appear once you press the X button – here, you will be able to choose the types of sounds that should be sent to your headphones.
You are able to configure the settings in such a way that you will only hear people you want to chat with via the headphones. In this case, the sound from the game you are playing will still stream through your sound system.
If, on the other hand, you select the “All Audio” option, then your PS4 console will send all of the sounds that are produced within the game, as well as your chat, to the headphones that you have connected to your controller.
This is all it takes. Once you have followed these instructions, you will be able to enjoy playing games without sound emitted from the television, or from your sound system. Instead, all sound will be delivered to you through the connected headphones.
Connecting Bluetooth Headphones To Your PS4
You’re probably aware by now that Sony has disabled the support for A2DP. A2DP stands for Advanced Audio Distribution Profile – which includes the regular Bluetooth audio signal.
The reasoning was most Bluetooth signals have latency problems. Regular Bluetooth signals have a delay around 100-200ms. Which doesn’t seem like much, but it can be very noticeable during game play.
However, Bluetooth low-latency aptX essentially solves this issue. This is why some Bluetooth headsets are compatible with PS4. Hopefully, you’ve purchased a headset that is compatible. If you’re unsure, head over to the manufacturer’s website to check.
To set it up simply go to Settings > Devices > Bluetooth Devices.
Find the name of your headset and you should be able to connect without any issues.
Using A USB Adaptor
If the above option hasn’t worked for you then your next best choice will be to use a USB adaptor.
- [BLUETOOTH STREAMING] Add a BT sound device to your PC, laptop, Mac, PS4 or Switch. Stream audio to your speakers/headphones. (NB: 1. only for audio, not for mouse/keyboard/game controllers. 2. BT connects via the Leaf acting as a soundcard, not your PC.)
- [A GAMERS DREAM] Leaf allows for simultaneous music and voice while gaming when paired with a pair of Avantree headphones enabled with FastStream technology. e.g. Avantree DG59 Set ANC031, ANC032 or HS063.
Plug this directly into the front of your PS4 and pair it with your Bluetooth headphones.
Note, you really need to have low-latency aptX compatible headphones for this to work. You won’t be able to get away with just any set of Bluetooth headphones.
To set it up go to Settings > Devices > Audio Devices > Output Devices and select USB Headset.
Next, click Output to Headphones, and select All Audio. You can adjust the volume in volume control.
Using A Bluetooth Transmitter
Your final option will be to use a Bluetooth adaptor. This is the one I recommend.
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It’s the same one most people use for Bluetooth to T.V. adaptors.
The reason I suggest this one is you are going to be plugging it into your controller so you need something that is lightweight.
Once you have your Bluetooth transmitter just plug it into the AUX port on your controller, the same way you would connect regular headphones.
Pair your Bluetooth headphones to this transmitter and you will be ready to go. Follow the directions I provided above in the 3.5mm line section to set the settings for output.
Similary to the USB adaptor, you need low latency Bluetooth headphones in order for this solution to work. If you don’t have any, here are the ones I have – they are amazing.
Conclusion
Using a pair of headphones with a PS4 console can be very helpful, especially if you enjoy playing games late at night and do not want to bother those around you who are trying to sleep.
Some people also enjoy playing games with the sound directly at their ears, while others would like to connect headphones to their PS4 so that they can easily talk to other players who are playing the same game as they are playing.
Whatever the reason, if you are unable to afford the official PS4 headset, then this guide provided you with a walkthrough on how you can use a standard set of headphones or earphones with your PS4.