Comparison of Game Consoles by Sound Capabilities

The purpose of this article is to categorize video game consoles according to their supported audio formats, and to consolidate advice on optimizing sound reproduction for each of those consoles.

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Explanation of Terms
If you’re getting started with optimizing a console setup for audio, there are some numbers that you’ll notice like 2.1, 5.1, 7.2.2 and so on. These numbers represent speaker channels, and they follow a specific format. The first number defines how many main speakers there are in the setup, at ear level. The second number stands for the number of subwoofer speakers in the setup, which are dedicated to low-frequency bass sounds. The subwoofers are commonly placed at floor level. In more modern home theatre setups (e.g., 7.2.2) there is a third number, which defines how many “Dolby Atmos” in-ceiling speakers there are to provide overhead sound.