I'm a lifelong gamer and here are 3 ways I make sure bad audio doesn't ruin my PS5 experience

A black Razer BlackShark V3 Pro wireless gaming headset

(Image credit: Tom's Guide)

I'm an avid gamer. In my spare time, and as part of my job, I review a plethora of gaming peripherals — from controllers to speakers and headsets. One of the things I look for when I'm reviewing a headset is just how immersed it makes me feel in my favorite games. As most of us gamers know, audio can make or break a game, and to take full advantage of a title's sound design and direction, a good set of cans is a must... as is a pair of speakers.

There's a very good reason why the Razer BlackShark V3 Pro and Edifier G2000 Pro speakers are a permanent part of my gaming ecosystem. These accessories make my PS5 Slim games sound other-worldly, and they all serve their own purpose.

If I'm playing games with my partner, I use the speakers. If I'm alone and want an experience worthy of an audiophile's dream, I use the over-ear headset. So, without further ado, let me show you how these peripherals improve my gaming experience...

For audiophile-quality sound

The Razer BlackShark V3 Pro is one of only two headsets I've ever given a full 5/5 star rating to (alongside the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5). In my review, I said it felt like I was playing games at the movie theater — and even after a couple of months of using the BlackShark V3 Pro, I still feel the same way. It's the headset for audiophile gamers.

The BlackShark V3 Pro is extremely comfortable, featuring breathable and spacious memory foam earpads and a pressure-relieving headband that eliminates any pressure on the top of your head. This means that I can keep wearing the headset for hours on end so my immersion doesn't break when playing, say, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33.

Now, on to the sound quality. The headset features highly effective active noise cancellation that makes you feel isolated and immersed in the game, and the 50mm drivers produce powerful yet crystal clear audio. Its 12-28,000Hz frequency response range also means that I can hear the softest of footsteps and the loudest of explosions with exceptional clarity. The BlackShark V3 Pro is my go-to headset when I want to feel like the main character.

Further reading: Razer BlackShark V3 Pro review, and I gave the new Razer headset 5 stars — say hello to my dream gaming cans

For when I'm playing with another person

A pair of Edifier G2000 Pro gaming speakers with RGB lighting — (Image credit: Tom's Guide)

My partner and I play a lot of couch co-op games on both the PS5 and the Nintendo Switch. We love 51 Worldwide Games, Overcooked, Untitled Goose Game, Unravel Two, and whatnot. But when we're playing together, I, of course, can't be using headphones, and our TV's built-in speakers aren't the best either. The solution? The Edifier G2000 Pro speakers, which make games sound fantastic — and they look uber cool too.

Firstly, the G2000 Pro are fitted with 20 LED strips with 100 full-color LED beads, and they feature reactive lighting which synchronizes and dances with in-game sounds. The lights can easily keep up with high tempo music which is very impressive. Secondly, their sound profile is well-tuned and the speakers feature virtual surround sound which offers a truly immersive experience.

Both my partner and I love listening to our favorite games through these speakers. Whether it's our Yarnies taking soft steps in Unravel Two or our chefs chaotically trying to put out fires in Overcooked, the G2000 Pros make everything sound crisp and detailed. And watching the RGB lighting dancing along with the music is lovely — it's a sound and light show all in one!

Further reading: Edifier G2000 Pro review, and I’ve been testing these PS5 gaming speakers, and they offer outstanding sound and a mesmerizing light show

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Nikita is a Staff Writer on the Reviews team at Tom's Guide. She's a lifelong gaming and photography enthusiast, always on the lookout for the latest tech. Having worked as a Sub Editor and Writer for Canon EMEA, she has interviewed photographers from all over the world and working in different genres. When she’s not working, Nikita can usually be found sinking hours into RPGs on her PS5, flying a drone (she's a licensed drone pilot), at a concert, or watching F1. Her work has appeared in several publications including Motor Sport Magazine, NME, Marriott Bonvoy, The Independent, and Metro.

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