Best Black Ops 6 audio settings to hear enemy footsteps

One of the best ways to be successful in Black Ops 6 is by using the best audio settings, so here is how to maximize sound throughout the game and hear enemy footsteps more easily.

It’s a given that using the meta weapons or locking in the optimal controller and PC settings give you a big advantage, but having the best audio settings possible is equally important, as they allow you to locate enemies before you even see them.

Here is our rundown of the best audio settings to use in this year’s Call of Duty to give you the best chance at hearing enemy footsteps and getting the jump on them.

Best audio settings in BO6

Dexerto/Activision

Be sure to use headphones in Black Ops 6 when optimizing your audio setup to help you hear footsteps. Even when using the best audio set-up without headphones, it will be much harder to hear, as sounds from the game will be more muddled when using your TV or monitor’s speakers. This is especially true for directional audio, which is key for locating enemy footsteps.

Assuming you have a suitable pair of headphones, these are the best audio settings to use in Black Ops 6:

Volumes

• Master Volume: 100
• Music Volume: 0
• Dialogue Volume: 0
• Effects Volume: 100
• Cinematic Music Volume: 0

Audio Device

• Speakers/headphones Game Sound Device: Your desired audio output
• Enhanced Headphone Mode: Off

The Enhanced Headphone Mode was controversial before launch, with its paid tier sparking pay-to-win concerns. Now that it’s available, it doesn’t seem like there was anything to worry about in the first place.

At least for multiplayer, this setting actually sounds worse, with everything sounding muted compared to simply having it off. The paid tier is slightly better, but it’s not worth the $20 required. Most players are better off simply disabling this option entirely.

Global

• Audio Mix: Headphone Bass Boost
• Mono Audio: Off
• Mute Game When Minimized: Off
• Mute Licensed Music: Off
• Asymmetrical Hearing Compensation: Off

Functionality

• Reduce Tinnitus Sound: On
• Hit Marker Sound Effects: Default

Turning Reduce Tinnitus Sound on won’t give you any in-game benefits, but it’ll get rid of the high-pitched ringing in your ears when Flashbangs and Stun Grenades go off, so it’s a nice setting to have, especially on more chaotic modes like Nuketown 24/7 and Face Off.

Voice Chat

• Voice Chat Volume: 50
• Voice Chat: On
• Proximity Chat: On
• Body Shield Chat: On
• Last Words Voice Chat: On
• Game Voice Channel: All Lobby
• Voice Chat Output Device: Your desired audio output

Dexerto / Activision

Microphone

• Microphone Level: 100
• Test Microphone: Off
• Microphone Mode: Push to Talk
• Mute Yourself When Connecting to Channel: Off
• Microphone Input Device: Your desired audio input

These are the recommended audio settings to get the most out of your Black Ops 6 experience. Feel free to alter these depending on your own preferences and needs, but be wary that any adjustments may make footsteps more difficult to hear.

How to enable Loudness Equalization on PC 

1. Search Control Panel.
2. Select Sound settings.
3. Double-click on your headset.
4. Head into the ‘Enhancements’ tab.
5. Check the box next to ‘Loudness Equalization.’
6. Click ‘Apply’ to save the settings.

Dexerto

Loudness Equalization is an audio feature for PC users that significantly increases footstep clarity. However, this particular audio enhancement is unavailable for PlayStation or Xbox users.

These audio settings and tips will make it much easier to pick out the enemy’s footsteps in all game modes when playing Black Ops 6 and maximize your chance of success.

You can also check out the best mouse and keyboard and FOV settings to get ahead, as well as the fastest-killing guns that will help you always come out on top.