Activision Understanding sound is key to success in Warzone, as detecting enemy footsteps gives you a massive advantage on the battlefield, but you’ll need the best audio settings possible to do so.
Running a meta gun in Warzone is crucial if you want to win matches, but you won’t get very far if your settings aren’t on point. While the battle royale has often been criticized for its poor audio, there are setting changes that help address these issues, both in the game and out.
Here are the best audio settings in Warzone Season 3 to make sure you’re hearing footsteps clearly.
Best audio settings in Warzone
Volumes
| Master Game Volume | 90 |
| Gameplay Music Volume | 0 |
| Dialogue Volume | 40 |
| Effects Volume | 80 |
| Cinematic Music Volume | 0 |
Audio Device
| Enhanced Headphone Mode | Off |
Enhanced Headphone Mode is down to personal preference, but I’ve found the free “Universal” setting sounds worse than having it turned off. You’re welcome to try the free trial for the paid version to see if it improves things, but I’d recommend just sticking to the default audio.
Activision / DexertoGlobal
| Audio Mix | Treyarch Mix |
| Mono Audio | Off |
| Mute Licensed Music | Off |
| Asymmetrical Hearing Compensation | Off |
Functionality
| Reduce Tinnitus Sound | On |
| Hitmarker Preset | Classic |
Voice Chat
| Voice Chat Volume | 40 |
| Voice Chat | On |
| Proximity Chat | On |
| Body Shield Chat | On |
| Last Worst Chat | On |
| Game Voice Channel | All Lobby |
Microphone
| Microphone level | 100 |
| Open Mic Sensitivity | 70 |
ActivisionHow to improve audio in Warzone
If you’ve adjusted your Warzone audio settings to our recommended values and you still find yourself struggling in the game, then chances are your equipment might be to blame.
Whether you’re serious about improving in Warzone or just playing casually, there are a few key things you can do to boost audio quality, from investing in a good headset to minimizing surrounding noise.
Invest in a good headset
Many great gaming headsets provide improved audio for a relatively inexpensive price. If you’re used to the audio from your TV or monitor, upgrading to a dedicated headset for gaming is the biggest upgrade you can make to improve audio in Warzone.
How much you should spend depends on how much audio matters to you. If you just want to be able to hear footsteps better, headphones in the $50-60 price range will suffice. Those wanting the best audio possible can expect to pay over $200, though this won’t be necessary for most players.
Minimize surrounding noise
While this may sound obvious, surrounding noise from devices and other sources can hurt your ability to hear in-game sounds. Minimizing that noise as much as possible will allow you to pinpoint audio cues better.
Listen out for specific audio cues
Even if you have the best audio settings and equipment possible, you still need to know what to listen out for. This comes with practice, but train yourself to recognize distinct audio cues and their meanings.
While enemy footsteps will always sound vaguely similar, there are subtle cues you can pick up on that provide additional information. These cues can be used to judge an enemy player’s distance, whether they are running or walking, and if they are above or below you. More information is always a good thing, and audio is no exception.
How to use Audio Focus
- Open settings on your PS5.
- Head to Sound.
- Select Volume.
- Go to Audio Focus under Accessibility.
- Select ‘Boost High Pitch’ under Focus Type.
Audio Focus is a PlayStation 5-only setting that amplifies certain sounds, like footstep volume. It’s been a game-changer for PS5 players, letting them hear footsteps in a way they couldn’t before.
While Boost High Pitch works best for my headset, it’s best to test out all the different options to find what works best for you. To do so, it’s best to jump into a private match with bots, listen out for footsteps, then play with the setting until footsteps are as clear as possible.
How to use Loudness Equalization
- Right-click the sound icon on your taskbar.
- Select ‘Sounds.’
- Head into the ‘Playback’ tab.
- Find your audio device and right-click.
- Select ‘Properties.’
- Head into the ‘Enhancements’ tab.
- Check the box next to ‘Loudness Equalization.’
- Click ‘Apply’ to save the settings.
DexertoLoudness Equalization, or Loudness EQ, is a PC-only setting that makes footsteps easier to hear. It’s not available for console players, but if you’re on PC and want to hear footsteps as clearly as possible, you should give it a shot.
Having the best audio settings certainly helps, but there’s more to Warzone than just sound. You’ll also want to use the best PC settings and controller settings to streamline your experience.
