Best audio settings for Call of Duty: Warzone

Understanding sound is key to success in Warzone, as detecting enemy footsteps gives you a massive advantage on the battlefield, but you’ll need the best audio settings possible to do so.

Like most things in Warzone, audio settings involve a lot of personal preference, but there are some options that players ought to try. A few are even essential to compete in high-skill lobbies, though even the most casual players benefit from using optimized settings.

Focused primarily on hearing footsteps, the majority of Warzone professionals use the same audio settings. These meta settings provide the best chance possible to hear enemies before they get the chance to down you.

Footsteps aren’t the only thing that you’ll want to hear. Being able to pick up on your surroundings and tell apart the small details from one another can often be the difference between glory and shame. Once again, doing so is only possible with the best audio settings.

How to change Audio Settings

Changing your Audio Settings in Warzone isn’t difficult at all. All you need to do is follow these instructions to find the correct menu:

• Launch either Modern Warfare 3 or Call of Duty HQ on your platform of choice.
• On the main menu, select Warzone.
• Press start on your controller or use your mouse to navigate to the settings tab, represented by a white cog in the top right corner. Those playing on a controller can use RB/R1 to navigate to this tab.
• Finally, select ‘Audio’ to access audio settings.

Dexerto

Best Audio Settings

These are the best audio settings to use to make hearing enemy footsteps as easy as possible:

Global

Audio Mix	Headphone Bass Boost
Speakers/Headphones Game Sound Device	Default System Device
Speaker Output	Stereo

Volumes

Master Game Volume	50
Gameplay Music Volume	0
Dialogue Volume	60
Effects Volume	100
Cinematic Music Volume	0
War Tracks Volume	0
Voice Chat Volume	25

Voice Chat

Voice Chat	On
Game Voice Channel	All Lobby
Last Words Voice Chat	On
Proximity Chat	On
Voice Chat Output Device	Default System Device

Microphone

Microphone Mode	Personal Preference
Push To Talk	Default System Device
Microphone Level	50

Subtitles

Subtitles	All On
Campaign Subtitles	On
Multiplayer Subtitles	On
Warzone Subtitles	On
Zombies Subtitles	On
Subtitles Size	Larger
Subtitles Background Opacity	50

Functionality

Mono Audio	Off
Mono Amount	N/A
Reduce Tinnitus Sound	On
War Tracks As a Passenger	Off
Juggernaut Music	Off
Hit Marker Sound Effects	Personal Preference
Mute Game When Minimized	Personal Preference

How to improve audio in Warzone

If you’ve adjusted your Warzone audio settings to our recommended values and you still find yourself struggling in the game, then chances are your equipment might be to blame.

Whether you’re serious about improving in Warzone or just playing casually, there are a few key things you can do to boost audio quality:

Use the Flex perk

Introduced to Warzone alongside MW3’s integration, Flex is a perk that is used for the sole purpose of making audio better. Found in Perk Slot 4, its description is as follows: “Delay triggered explosives while sprinting, warns of nearby enemy equipment, and reduces combat noise.”

It’s the “reduced combat noise,” that matters most, as this removes the majority of environmental audio that would otherwise suppress footsteps. With the unnecessary background audio removed, it is much easier to hear enemy footsteps.

Invest in a good headset

Many great gaming headsets provide improved audio for a relatively inexpensive price. If you’ve gotten accustomed to playing using the audio from your TV or monitor, then upgrading to a dedicated headset for gaming is the biggest upgrade you can make to improve audio in Warzone.

How much you should spend depends on how much audio matters to you. If you just want to be able to hear footsteps better, headphones in the $50 – $60 price range will suffice. Those wanting the best audio possible can expect to pay over $200, though this won’t be necessary for most players.

Minimize surrounding noise

While this may sound obvious, surrounding noise from devices and other sources can have a negative impact on your ability to hear in-game sounds. Minimizing that noise as much as possible will allow you to pinpoint audio cues better.

After all, footsteps in Warzone are fairly subtle, especially if you aren’t using Flex. Any additional background noises only serve to conceal enemy footsteps, making it more likely another player will get the jump on you.

Listen out for specific audio cues

Even if you have the best audio settings and equipment possible, you still need to know what to listen out for. This comes with practice, but train yourself to recognize distinct audio cues and their meanings.

While enemy footsteps will always sound vaguely similar, there are subtle cues you can pick up on that provide additional information. These cues can be used to judge an enemy player’s distance, whether they are running or walking, and if they are above or below you. More information is always a good thing, and audio is no exception.

Having the best audio settings certainly helps, but there’s more to Warzone than just sound. You’ll also want to use the best PC Settings and Controller Settings to streamline your experience. Equally, kitting your classes with meta loadouts that take advantage of the Best Assault Rifles and Sniper Rifles will give you a big advantage over the competition.