Headsets are the PC gaming default, but they can’t reproduce the full scale of a modern game or film soundtrack. A speaker system can, and the best way to connect is through HDMI® technology, using the Enhanced Audio Return Channel (eARC).
Why speakers win for PC gaming
Real dynamic range. Games now mix with film-like range, from footsteps to collapsing buildings. Speakers reproduce those swings naturally, while small headphone drivers compress them.
Physical bass. Many games include a Low-Frequency Effects (LFE) channel for a subwoofer. Explosions and engines move air in the room and register in your chest.
True positional sound. Instead of virtualized surround, a 5.1, 7.1 or Atmos system places discrete channels around and above you.
Comfort and shared play. No clamping force or sweaty pads over long sessions, and local multiplayer partners and an audience of friends and family hear everything too.
The bonus: movies and streaming
Film soundtracks are mixed for large rooms with a dedicated subwoofer channel. With the right connection, your PC can deliver lossless Dolby TrueHD, Dolby Atmos and uncompressed multichannel PCM.
HDMI Licensing Administrator, Inc.
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