The Best 7.1 Surround Sound PS4 Gaming Headsets

For many PlayStation 4 owners, a gaming headset is an essential accessory for immersive audio. While a full speaker setup can be costly and impractical, a quality headset provides a convenient and personal surround sound experience, isolating the player from external noise. Several models on the market in 2015 offered 7.1 virtual surround sound, a technology that simulates a multi-speaker environment to help pinpoint the direction of in-game sounds like footsteps and gunfire.

PlayStation Official Headsets

Sony produced its own line of official headsets for the PlayStation 4, each supporting 7.1 Virtual Surround Sound. The primary models available were the PlayStation Silver Wired, the PlayStation Gold Wireless, and the PlayStation Pulse Elite Edition. A key feature for these headsets was the Headset Companion App, available as a free download from the PlayStation Store. This application allowed users to load custom audio profiles directly onto their headsets. These profiles were tuned by developers for specific games to emphasize the sound design as the creators intended. Titles with custom profiles included Batman: Arkham Knight, Destiny: The Taken King, The Last of Us Remastered, and Uncharted: The Nathan Drake Collection.

PlayStation Gold Wireless Stereo Headset: This model became the most recommended of the three for its balance of features, comfort, and price. It connected to the PS4 via a wireless USB dongle, offering a clean, cable-free experience. The design featured a hidden, noise-canceling microphone for clear voice chat and foldable earcups for easier storage and travel. On-ear controls allowed for adjustments to volume, chat mix, and virtual surround sound activation without interrupting gameplay. The internal rechargeable battery provided around eight hours of use.

In 2015, Sony also released a 20th Anniversary Edition of the Gold headset. This special version featured the same technical specifications but was styled in the classic grey color of the original PlayStation console, complete with the vintage multi-color PlayStation logo on the earcups. It was a popular choice for collectors and long-time fans of the brand.

PlayStation Pulse Elite Edition: The Pulse Elite was the premium offering, distinguished by its BassImpact technology. This feature used built-in motors in the earcups to create rumble and vibration that synchronized with low-frequency sounds, adding a tactile layer to explosions and other impactful moments. While it offered a unique and powerful audio experience, it received less ongoing support through the Headset Companion App compared to the Gold model. It connected wirelessly and featured a retractable boom microphone.

PlayStation Silver Wired Stereo Headset: As the entry-level option, the Silver headset provided a more affordable way to access 7.1 virtual surround sound. It connected directly to the DualShock 4 controller via its 3.5mm jack, making it simple to use. It was lightweight and featured a retractable boom mic and breathable ear cushions, but it lacked the wireless freedom and advanced features of its more expensive counterparts.

Turtle Beach DTS Headphone:X Options

Turtle Beach offered several PS4-compatible headsets that utilized DTS Headphone:X, an alternative and highly regarded virtual surround sound technology. This codec aimed to create a more spacious and cinematic audio field. Two prominent models were the Ear Force Stealth 500P and the Ear Force Elite 800.

Turtle Beach Ear Force Stealth 500P: The Stealth 500P was a fully wireless headset that delivered DTS Headphone:X 7.1 Surround Sound. It was positioned as a strong mid-range option, offering premium audio without the highest-end price tag. A key selling point was its impressive battery life, which was rated for over 15 hours on a single charge. The headset connected to the PS4 using a USB transmitter and included separate controls for game and chat volume. It also featured several EQ presets to tailor the sound for different types of games and media. The microphone was removable, allowing the headset to be used for listening to music without the mic in the way.

Turtle Beach Ear Force Elite 800: The Elite 800 was the company’s premium, top-of-the-line model. It was also fully wireless and featured DTS Headphone:X 7.1 sound, but it added active noise cancellation to block out ambient room noise. Unlike most gaming headsets, the Elite 800 used dual hidden microphones instead of a traditional boom mic, creating a sleeker look. The headset came with a stylish magnetic charging stand that also served as the wireless transmitter, eliminating the need to plug in cables for recharging. Its battery life was rated at around 10 hours. Owners of the Elite 800 were also granted membership into the Turtle Beach Elite Program, which provided benefits like an extended two-year warranty, access to a dedicated support team, and free extra accessories.

Astro Gaming with MixAmp Technology

Astro Gaming was well-known in the competitive gaming scene for its high-performance audio systems, which typically consisted of a headset paired with a separate MixAmp controller. The MixAmp was an external digital signal processor that handled the Dolby 7.1 Surround Sound processing, game/voice audio balancing, and equalization presets. This setup offered granular control over the audio experience.

Astro Gaming A40 TR Headset + MixAmp Pro TR: The A40 TR was a wired headset system designed with professional and tournament gamers in mind—the “TR” stands for Tournament Ready. The headset itself was an open-back design, which creates a wider, more natural soundstage, though it provides less noise isolation. The key feature of the TR system was its modularity. Users could purchase “Mod Kits” to swap out components like the ear cushions, headband, and microphone to convert the headset from an open-back to a closed-back, noise-isolating setup. The included MixAmp Pro TR provided all the core audio controls, including master volume and a prominent knob for quickly adjusting the balance between game audio and voice chat. It connected to the PS4 via optical and USB cables.

Astro Gaming A50 Wireless + MixAmp Tx: The A50 was Astro’s flagship wireless solution. It integrated the audio processing technology directly into the headset, offering a cable-free experience with Dolby 7.1 Surround Sound. The system included a small transmitter unit, the MixAmp Tx, which connected to the console and broadcast the audio to the headset using KleerNet’s 5.8GHz wireless technology for low latency. The A50 featured a precision microphone that would automatically mute when flipped up. The headset had a built-in rechargeable battery with a life of approximately 10 hours. While it lacked the A40 TR’s modularity, its wireless convenience and premium build made it a top choice for those seeking a high-end audio experience without being tethered to a controller or MixAmp.