Batman: Arkham Knight Custom Audio Mode Added to PlayStation Headsets

A custom audio mode for Batman: Arkham Knight was released for several official PlayStation headsets. Timed with the game’s launch on June 23, 2015, the profile became available through the free Headset Companion App on the PlayStation 4. Owners of the PlayStation Gold Wireless Stereo Headset, PlayStation Silver Wired Stereo Headset, and the PlayStation Pulse Elite Edition Wireless Stereo Headset can now use a sound profile tuned specifically by the game’s developers.

The Headset Companion App

The Headset Companion App is a free application on the PlayStation Store that allows users to download and apply custom audio profiles to their compatible headsets. When launched, the app automatically checks for and downloads the latest available modes. These profiles are not simple equalizer presets; they are audio mixes created by game studios to highlight the sound design of their titles. Studios can emphasize dialogue, sharpen environmental cues for stealth, or boost the impact of explosions and music to match their artistic intent.

Before the release of the Arkham Knight mode, the app already supported a library of profiles for other major titles. Games like inFAMOUS Second Son, Destiny, and The Last of Us Remastered had their own custom audio modes, making this part of an ongoing initiative by Sony to offer a more tailored audio experience for first-party headset owners. Users can store one custom profile on their headset at a time, switching between them as they play different games.

Supported PlayStation Headsets

The Arkham Knight audio profile supports three specific models. The PlayStation Gold Wireless Stereo Headset was the primary wireless model for the PS4 at the time, offering 7.1 virtual surround sound and a hidden noise-canceling microphone. It connected to the console via a USB dongle and also included a 3.5mm audio cable for use with the PlayStation Vita and other mobile devices.

The PlayStation Silver Wired Stereo Headset was a more affordable, wired alternative. It connected directly to the DualShock 4 controller and also featured 7.1 virtual surround sound when used with a PS4 or PS3. It included a retractable boom microphone for voice chat.

The third compatible device was the PlayStation Pulse Elite Edition Wireless Stereo Headset. Originally released for the PlayStation 3, this premium headset maintained compatibility with the PS4. Its signature feature was BassImpact technology, which used small motors in the earcups to create vibrations that synchronized with low-frequency sounds, adding a physical dimension to in-game audio.

Sounds of Gotham City

Batman: Arkham Knight was the first game in the Rocksteady Arkham series developed for the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One generation. The game’s soundscape is a critical component of its atmosphere, from the persistent rain drumming on Gotham’s rooftops to the thunderous roar of the Batmobile’s engine. A custom audio mode allows the sound designers to ensure these key elements are presented with clarity and impact. The profile can balance the mix to make enemy chatter more audible during stealth sequences or to give combat sound effects and the musical score more weight during large-scale brawls.

Sony also announced a 20th Anniversary Edition of the PlayStation Gold Wireless Stereo Headset at E3 2015. This special edition featured the same light grey color scheme as the original 1995 PlayStation console to commemorate its North American anniversary. It was scheduled for a September 2015 release and was functionally identical to the standard black model, offering another option for players looking to use custom audio modes.