How to get the best sound from your Nintendo Switch 2

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Some might not think to fine-tune their console’s settings once it’s plugged in – that’s something for PC gamers, right? While HDR and resolution settings are the most important console adjustments you can make, especially for new games, the Nintendo Switch 2 has some interesting audio settings to get the most out of your setup in both handheld and docked modes. No one wants to miss the subtle audio cues, crisp character dialogue, and the sound of Donkey Kong blasting sandbox levels.

Nintendo has built a few robust options into Switch 2 for several types of audio setups, which are hidden in the settings menu behind basic options that might not be immediately obvious. Clicking a few buttons is the only thing stopping you from getting the best sound from any speaker or headphone in your living room or on the go. Use the following tips as a quick fix to improve immersion and get the best audio performance from the Nintendo console, as well as some audio equipment to keep in mind for the best results. We understand that most people won’t choose the Nintendo Switch 2 for competitive gaming, so high-quality audio to hear the footsteps of nearby players isn’t a priority, but it’s worth it to get the sound immersion you paid for.

With the Switch 2 docked, start by heading to System Settings from the main HOME menu. Next, scroll down the left column and choose the Audio tab, then head to the TV Sound subsection. For gamers who use an external audio solution such as a soundbar, surround sound system, or Hi-Fi, it’s a good idea to upgrade from Auto and Stereo to Linear PCM 5.1 Surround. This feeds audio systems an uncompressed, lossless audio signal, providing the best way to get the most out of any audio system.

For portable players, they can optimize their portable experience within the same menu. Make sure to enable both Virtual Surround and Headphone Virtual Surround for the most epic morning commutes. Both of these Nintendo Switch 2 features use advanced equalizer to simulate an atmospheric effect via stereo setups. They also ensure that in-game audio remains deep and dimensional, even when players aren’t sitting in front of their soundbar. While the original Switch needs dongles like the Creative BT-W5 for high-quality audio, the Switch 2 only needs the right settings.

For gamers who don’t have external audio with their gaming TV setup, the PCM lossless audio feature on Nintendo Switch 2 won’t provide any benefit. In fact, it could make the stereo sound coming from the TV worse by compressing the audio due to the higher dynamic range. Compressed sounds artificially flatten the entire audio mix, negating the softening of lower ambient noise.

The key here is to find a soundbar or surround sound system that supports PCM lossless audio, which can be a challenge if you don’t know what to look for. For example, the Creative Sound Blaster Katana V2 is a fantastic soundbar and subwoofer combination, but it only supports compressed audio formats. We’ve found some of the best soundbars for replacing TV audio, but we need one that specifically supports uncompressed PCM audio.

Sonos Beam (Gen 2) is a solid choice for a soundbar that doesn’t break the bank while still supporting multi-channel PCM. Of course, it’s not the cheapest Switch 2 accessory, as new units cost $489 on Amazon while used ones cost around $370. But it also supports Dolby Atmos while connecting to smart home ecosystems to create the most excessive smart speaker. Since this isn’t a surround sound system, just be sure to use the soundbar’s standard mode rather than any gaming or adaptive modes to ensure there are no missing channels in the audio stream.