Trevor Baker
Are you a PS4 gamer looking to level up your gaming experience? If so, you might want to consider getting a mix amp. Mix amp is a device that allows you to control the volume and mix of audio signals in your gaming headset. This can be particularly useful for online multiplayer games where communication with teammates is crucial. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the best mix amps for PS4 and their purpose, and help you decide if it’s worth investing in one.
Factors to Consider when Choosing the Best Mix Amps for PS4(PS5)
So, you’re interested in finding the perfect mix amp, or DAC, for your gaming setup. Let me break down the essential factors to consider when choosing the right one for you.
Inputs
If you’re using a microphone while gaming, you’ll want an Amp with microphone input. Not all DACs or Amp have this feature, but it’s definitely worth considering if you don’t have another microphone source.
Audio adjustments
Some mix Amps let you tweak volume, treble, bass, and other settings directly on the device. This can be super helpful for making on-the-fly adjustments or fine-tuning your audio experience for specific games or music. You can also use a software equalizer for this, but having the controls on your DAC is a nice bonus.
Power and bitrate
You’ll want to ensure your DAC has enough power (measured in ohms) and bitrate (measured in KHz) to drive your headphones properly. While it’s not an exact science, it’s crucial to avoid under-powering your headphones. This can affect the volume and sound quality.
Virtual surround sound
This feature can really enhance your gaming experience by providing immersive audio. Some amplifiers have a built-in feature, such as Dolby Audio or some kind of customized 7.1 virtual surround sound, which can be a significant advantage.
Design
Last but not least, let’s talk about design. Aesthetics may not be a deal-breaker, but many gamers take pride in their setups. You might want a DAC that matches your preferred color scheme, or style, or even has some fancy RGB components. Keep this in mind when making your decision!
In summary, when choosing a gaming DAC or mix AMP, pay attention to microphone inputs, audio adjustments, power and bitrate, built-in virtual surround sound, and design.
5 Best Mix Amps for PS4 or PS5
Sound BlasterX G6
| Input | – optical/line-in and optical/line-out ports – Micro USB – 4-pole 3.5 mm jack – dedicated mic jack. |
| Audio adjustments | GameVoice Mix (single audio wheel for game audio/chat balance) |
| Power and bitrate | DAC – 24-bit / 192 kHz. Low output impedance 10Ω; 32 – 300 Ω headphone support |
| Virtual surround sound | Dolby Digital decoding* and 7.1 virtual surround sound |
Let me introduce you to the Sound BlasterX G6, a fantastic DAC designed to elevate your gaming experience.Â
First off, the Sound BlasterX G6 comes with a variety of inputs to cover your needs.
 It has the following inputs:
- optical/line-in and optical/line-out ports
- Micro USB
- 4-pole 3.5 mm jack
- and even a dedicated mic jack.
Which will allow you to connect most gaming devices. It supports PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and PC.
🎛 Audio adjustments in the G6 are designed for convenience, with a single audio wheel that controls both gameplay audio and mic volume for easy balancing. Buttons on the side let you switch between processing profiles and activate Scout Mode.
Switching between headphones and speakers is a breeze with the Sound Blaster Command software.
As for power and bitrate, the G6 doesn’t disappoint. It boasts a 130 dB, 32-bit / 384 kHz DAC, providing you with high-quality audio. The DAC utilizes an oversampled multi-bit modulator with mismatch shaping technology, eliminating distortion for the most detailed and faithful audio streaming. It also supports Hi-Res PCM and DoP audio formats.
Dolby Digital decoding* and 7.1 virtual surround sound ensure accurate reproduction of your opponents’ footsteps, gunshots, and other audio cues. And don’t worry, your gaming environment and music will sound fantastic too!
*Dolby Digital decoding is available via optical connection.
🕹 The G6 also supports Scout Mode, a tried and tested technology that gives you a tactical advantage in-game. It enhances essential audio cues like footsteps and weapon-switching sounds, allowing you to pinpoint your opponents’ location before they find you.
In conclusion, the Sound BlasterX G6 is a fantastic choice for gamers looking to enhance their audio experience. With its wide array of inputs, convenient audio adjustments, powerful specs, immersive virtual surround sound, and additional features, it’s an investment worth making.
Creative Sound Blaster GC7
| Input | – optical/line-in and optical/line-out ports – USB-C – 4-pole 3.5 mm jack – dedicated mic jack. |
| Audio adjustments | – GameVoice Mix (single audio wheel for game audio/chat balance) – 4 programmable buttons – EFX Control panel |
| Power and bitrate | DAC – 24-bit / 192 kHz. Low output impedance 10Ω; 32 – 300 Ω headphone support |
| Virtual surround sound | Dolby Audio decoding* and 7.1 virtual surround sound |
Next on the list is Creative Sound Blaster GC7. This DAC packs all the features that gamers and audiophiles alike will love, so let’s dive into what makes it so great.
🔌 The connection options included in the GC7 are incredibly versatile. It comes with Optical-in, Line-in, Optical-out, Line-out, USB-C ports as well as 4 pole 3.5 mm jack and dedicated mic jack – meaning you can connect to just about any device and get crystal clear audio quality no matter your setup.Â
The GameVoice Mix feature is an absolute game changer – it lets you control the balance of your game and chat audio without ever leaving your game screen or even opening mixer settings! So whether you need to focus on in-game audio cues or team chatter, adjusting levels is simple as turning a knob.
Four programmable buttons make customizing how you use this mix amp super easy – assign shortcuts to launch applications or toggle streaming settings – even personalize its RGB lighting to match up with your gaming space style perfectly (bonus points for backlit LEDs for those late-night gaming sessions).Â
But that’s not all. The GC7 offers easy-access controls for audio, microphone, and surround mode adjustments, allowing you to toggle between Super X-Fi audio holography, Sound Blaster Acoustic Engine Surround, SXFI BATTLE Mode, or Scout Mode with just the press of a button.
Power and bitrate are no issues for the GC7, as it features an audiophile-class AKM4377 DAC. With a low noise floor at < -120 dB, low distortion, and distinct individual sound effects, you can enjoy high-quality audio at up to 24-bit / 192 kHz PCM playback from any source.
The virtual surround sound on the GC7 is equally impressive. With support for Dolby Digital decoding* and 7.1 virtual surround sound, it reproduces in-game audio cues like footsteps and gunshots with remarkable accuracy, giving you an immersive experience that extends to environments and music as well.
*Dolby Digital decoding is available via an optical connection.
This mix amp also has the Scout Mode feature I wrote about above.
All these goodies are backed by industry-leading audio processing technologies including 7.1 Surround Crystallizer Bass etc., which can be further customized via the Sound Blaster Command software suite available on PC. If you are looking for a real-life level upgrade in terms of gaming (or music) experience then don’t look past Creative Sound Blaster GC7 – the ultimate mix amp choice one could make today.
ASTRO Gaming MixAmp Pro
| Input | – TOSlink – USB micro-B (audio/power) – 3.5mm Stream Output |
| Audio adjustments | – single audio wheel for game audio/chat balance – total volume – ASTRO COMMAND CENTER SOFTWARE |
| Power and bitrate | Frequency Response: 10Hz-24,000 Hz |
| Virtual surround sound | Dolby Audio |
Hey there! Today, I want to share my thoughts on the ASTRO Gaming MixAmp Pro TR, which is designed for PS4, PS5, and PC gamers. Developed in collaboration with esports athletes, it’s built to satisfy their high standards for audio fidelity, voice communication, and durability.
ASTRO MixAmp Pro TR features Dolby Digital Surround Sound processing, which means you’ll get an immersive, 3D gaming audio experience. Plus, it delivers the game sound and voice communication to the headset without any lag or interference.
One thing I love about this mix amp is its simple controls. You can easily adjust the game-to-voice balance settings, deciding the perfect mix between game sound and voice chat.
It also offers four different EQ modes optimized for various game genres, and of course, master volume control.
The included ASTRO Command Center software is a game-changer for pros and live streamers. With this software, you can fine-tune every input and output parameter, ensuring it’s perfectly configured for your specific setup.
🔌 As for the specs, the MixAmp Pro TR has inputs for TOSlink, USB micro-B (audio/power), and a 3.5mm stream output. It also features a headset connector, 3.5mm aux in, and two digital daisy chain ports on the front.
The frequency response ranges from 10Hz to 24,000 Hz, and it has a power input of 250mA at 5V. The power output is 100dB SPL at 125Hz (80% at 0dBFS), ensuring enough power to drive your headphones.
In conclusion, the ASTRO Gaming MixAmp Pro TR is an outstanding choice for gamers who demand top-notch audio quality, customization, and ease of use. With Dolby Audio, simple controls, and the ASTRO Command Center software, it offers a fantastic gaming audio experience. If you’re a professional gamer or just someone who’s passionate about gaming audio, you should definitely check this mix amp out. Happy gaming!
Fosi Audio K5 Pro
| Input | – USB-C – Optical – Coaxial – 3.5 mm mic |
| Audio adjustments | – Master volume/bass/treble control – input mode switch |
| Power and bitrate | DAC – Up to 24 bit/192 kHz 16 – 300 Ω headphone support |
| Virtual surround sound | – |
Fosi Audio K5 Pro is a versatile 24-bit DAC and headphone amplifier that’s perfect for upgrading your audio experience on various devices, including your PC, gaming system, phone, tablet, and TV.
🔌 The K5 Pro offers a range of input options, including USB-C, optical, coaxial, and a 3.5mm microphone input. With these versatile input options, it’ll work perfectly with your PS5, PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, or PC.
🎛 This mix amp comes with master volume, bass, and treble controls, as well as an input mode switch, giving you complete control over your audio experience. You can easily fine-tune the sound to match your preferences, whether you’re gaming, listening to music, or watching movies.
The K5 Pro has everything you need in terms of power and bitrate. It supports a USB sampling rate of up to 24-bit/96 kHz and an optical/coaxial sampling rate of up to 24-bit/192 kHz. And it can comfortably drive headphones with an impedance of 16-300 Ω.
The Fosi Audio K5 Pro doesn’t come with built-in virtual surround sound, so if that’s a feature you’re looking for, you might want to consider other options. However, its premium 24-bit DAC and headphone amp capabilities will still provide you with high-quality audio that can significantly enhance your gaming and multimedia experiences.
💻 It’s easy to set up and doesn’t require any additional software, making it a hassle-free addition to your audio setup.
Although it lacks virtual surround sound, you can still achieve a fantastic audio experience with an equalizer and the high-quality audio output it provides.
SteelSeries GameDAC
| Input | – USB – Optical – 2 x 3.5 mm |
| Audio adjustments | – ChatMix – 10-band equalizer – Hi-Res mode – Stream Mixer(game, chat, mic, and aux audio) |
| Power and bitrate | 44.1 – 96 kHz, 16 – 24 bit 16 – 80 Ω headphone support |
| Virtual surround sound | – |
SteelSeries GameDAC, is an upgrade that’s just waiting to take your headset and gaming experience to the next level. With this little gadget, your PS4 or PC will turn into a high-performance audio system, leaving behind those low-quality DACs found in console controllers, USB headsets, and PC sound cards.
This SteelSeries is universally compatible, featuring a 3.5mm jack that works with an Arctis headset, a high-end pair of headphones, or any other gaming headset you might have. This means you can easily hook up your favorite gear without any hassle.
It offers a built-in 10-band equalizer, allowing you to tweak each frequency via the OLED screen. No software is required, so you can effortlessly craft the perfect sound on the fly.
Plus, you can easily find the perfect balance of the game and chat audio with the ChatMix feature.
Quality is ensured by the legendary ESS Sabre 9018 Reference DAC, known for its amazing audio quality, boasting 121 dB of dynamic range.
This means you can expect tighter bass, more distinct individual sound effects, and pinpoint accurate positional cues.
The next generation of DTS-renowned surround sound technology – DTS Headphone:X v2.0 provides incredibly accurate positional cues without making it sound like you’re in a tunnel.
