Comparison of Game Consoles by Sound Capabilities

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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.

Exclamation-triangle-fill.svgDRAFT (WORK IN PROGRESS ARTICLE - PLEASE DO NOT RELY ON THE INFORMATION BELOW UNTIL MARKED AS COMPLETED)



Explanation of Terms

If you’re putting together 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 "channels", with each channel normally - but not always - corresponding to one physical speaker. (For example, there are plenty of exceptions such as soundbars and surround-sound headsets, so "channels" and "speakers" are not synonymous. While 2.1 might seem to indicate three separate speakers, this may not always be the case).

  • The first number (for example, the "5" in a 5.1 setup) defines how many primary channels there are in a setup, at ear level. Usually (but again, not always) this number also refers to the number of regular speakers in the setup. So for example, a standard 5.1 system will normally use five speakers: Front Left, Centre, Front Right, Surround Left and Surround Right. Each channel can receive a separate audio signal. So if the user is playing a game that has its audio mixed in 5.1 surround, the dialogue will probably be sent to the centre speaker, with the other speakers playing audio relative to the action on the screen. This will hopefully add greater immersion and give a more convincing experience.
  • The second number stands for the number of LFE (Low Frequency Effects) channels in a setup, which are commonly reproduced by subwoofer speakers. The woofers on regular speakers are not usually powerful enough to effectively reproduce very low-frequency bass sounds. So having the second number displayed separately (for example, the "1" in a 5.1 setup) indicates that this is not a normal speaker. For extra bass, some systems might even support x.2 or even x.4 speaker configurations.
  • The third number (for example, the last "2" in a modern 7.2.2 home theatre setup) is a relatively new innovation, and defines how many overhead or height channels there are, which are normally reproduced by ceiling-mounted or in-ceiling speakers. If your system has a third number, this indicates that it supports object-based surround sound formats such as Dolby Atmos or DTS:X, where sounds are recorded as individual objects in 3D space instead of traditional channels. However, it's not strictly necessary for an object-based setup to have actual ceiling speakers. Some standard speakers (or soundbars) have built-in upward-firing speakers that bounce audio off the ceiling, to simulate the effect that the audio is actually coming from above you.

Analog multichannel sound can be implemented as:

  • a discrete system, where each channel is delivered independently; (for example, a 5.1 system with 5 or 6 RCA connectors is, at least at that point in the chain, a discrete system)

or

  • a matrixed system, where algorithms are used to put multiple channels worth of sound into a lesser amount of physical channels (such as the two stereo RCA cables that were already commonly in use with most audio equipment from the 1970s through to the 1990s)

In digital audio, these terms are less commonly used, but comparable approaches are used depending on circumstances.

Sound System Year Introduced to Home Market Explanation Use in Retro-Gaming context
Mono sound logo.png Mono 1899 “Monaural sound” is simply a single audio channel. A mono signal can be sent from the source device to one, two or many speakers, and all the speakers will play the same sound regardless. While stereo signals can create the impression of hearing sounds from different locations/directions, mono cannot. Prior to the Turbo-Grafx16, all home video game consoles [1] either sent a mono audio signal to the television, or (in the 1st gen) utilised beepers and built-in speakers to produce simple action sounds. In some instances, stereo mods for these older consoles are available. (e.g. Atari 2600) [2]

In some modern consoles, the ability to enable mono audio (i.e. combining all audio channels into one) can be enabled as an accessibility option for players with single-sided deafness. [3]

Stereo-Audio-Sound-Signal-Round.png Stereo 1958 While mono signals are recorded and played back using a single audio channel, stereo sounds are recorded and played back using two discrete audio channels.

Stereo speaker setups are usually laid out in either a 2.0 (no subwoofer) or a 2.1 (with subwoofer) configuration - with a front left speaker and a front right speaker.

Since its introduction with the Turbo-Grafx 16 [4], Stereo is still the way that the majority of gamers experience sound in video games, although soundbars and surround sound headphones are projected to continue growing in popularity.
512px-Qs-r4-channel-stereo.svg.png Quadrophonic Sound 1971 This format had brief popularity in the 1970s, using two front and two rear speakers (all discrete channels). Most quadrophonic musical recordings were extracted from the original stereo mix, although some were mastered in four channels. Early Playstation 3 units (CECHA/B/C/E) are capable of reading Super Audio CDs (SACDs) which support Quadraphonic sound [5]. Regular SACD players with multichannel analogue outputs have been confirmed to be compatible with 1970s quadrophonic receivers, [6], although whether the PS3 supports this method of output has not been confirmed.

No confirmed use of quadrophonic sound in the audio mixes of any actual video games. By the time game consoles were beginning to move away from use of piezo beepers and built-in speakers, in favour of actually sending audio to the television for output (e.g. the Atari 2600 in 1977), quadrophonic sound had already faded from the mainstream.

Dolby Stereo Logo.png Dolby Stereo 1975 Dolby Stereo was developed in the 1970s for cinema sound systems, and was later adapted for the home as "Dolby Surround". [7] N/A - See Dolby Surround.
Headphones logo.png Binaural Audio 1978 Binaural sound is a technique that involves recording audio (usually using two microphones) in such a way that when the user listens to it back, it produces a 3D effect from the stereo signal. The effect arguably works best when listened to using a pair of noise-cancelling headphones.

Although binaural recording techniques have existed since the 1800s, it wasn't until 1978 that Lou Reed released the first commercially produced binaural pop record, "Street Hassle". [8]

When done correctly, the effect works very well with headphones and VR-based systems (such as Playstation VR).

The technique has also been used in certain games for the PSP and 3DS - for example, the dialogue in Corpse Party and Book of Shadows were both recorded using binaural recording. [9]

Yesterday spectral uncompressed.png LPCM (Linear Pulse Code Modulation) 1982 Not a brand of sound format - LPCM refers to raw, uncompressed sound data. LPCM can support any number of potential audio channels, from mono upwards.

LPCM's first home implementation was the lossless encoding of sound data in Audio CDs. [10]

The PlayStation 3 was first console to offer real-time 7.1 LPCM as an option for sound. Any modern AVR or pre-amp should be able to process these signals, but LPCM cannot be used for object-based sound. [11]
Dolby Surround Logo.png Dolby Surround 1982 Dolby Surround (i.e. "matrixed surround") was the first multi-channel surround decoding technology to be widely available for use with analogue movie formats and to a lesser extent, home video game consoles.

The format produces four audio channels (Left Front, Right Front, Centre and a single rear surround channel), but they're not discrete. The channels are extracted using a specially encoded signal that runs across the existing two stereo (red and white) RCA cables that were in use with a lot of customer audio equipment of this era.

In short, the user gets a centre, a front left and right and mono rear.

To access 4.0 surround (i.e., four channels), the user would need an AV amplifier capable of decoding and separating the regular stereo outputs to produce the pseudo-surround sound effect. Discrete left and right sounds still go to the Front Left and Front Right speakers, as per normal Stereo. However, the processor uses one of the front channels to carry a mono rear channel on its inverted phase - there maybe be two or more Rear surround speakers, the mono sound is played equally between them all at the same time. The other front channel is used to carry a centre channel on its inverted phase.

If the user’s amplifier could send audio signals below a certain frequency to a subwoofer (using a low-pass filter), the user also could access 4.1 surround. A setup like this would also be backwards-compatible with older formats – if the user had a regular 2.0 stereo setup, the Left and Right signals would play as normal, and if the console was plugged into an older CRT with a mono speaker, all the audio would be routed into that single channel.

THX logo.png THX 1983 THX is not its own sound format, but rather a rigid set of standards, originally intended to ensure that the theatrical experience of a movie was as close as possible to the director's intentions.

In the realm of home consumer hardware and VHS/DVDs/video games, THX certification signified that the mastering and duplication process was inspected by THX technicians and held to certain standards.

Approximately 40 games were THX certified, mainly on the PlayStation 2, original XBox, Gamecube, PlayStation 3 and PC. [12]
Dolby-Surround-Pro-Logic 1.png Dolby Pro Logic 1 1987 While Dolby Surround added a mono surround channel to the usual front left and front right - this was improved with Dolby Pro Logic 1, which added a centre channel, and used a more advanced algorithm to extract the extra channels, as well as improving the movement and discreteness between them. Note: *** Did Dolby Surround or Dolby Pro Logic 1 introduce the centre channel? TBC *** Also TBC - did any consoles explicitly support Pro Logic 1, or for our purposes, does Dolby Surround = Dolby Pro Logic 1?
QSound Labs logo.png QSound 1991 QSound is a format that provides greater separation between sound sources in a stereo mix, producing a kind of "fake" surround sound effect using only two speakers. The effect is built into the recording not the decoding, so all that is needed to access QSound is a stereo-capable receiver with two outputs. [13] According to Andrew Elmore (medium.com), QSound is utilised on several PlayStation games and is the only 3D audio option employed on the Sega Mega CD, Saturn, and Dreamcast. No official multi-channel surround sound options available on Sega platforms, with the exception of the NHL 2K games on Dreamcast. [14]
RSS Logo.png Roland Surround Space 1991 A 3D "sound space" technology created by Roland Corporation (similar to QSound), which attempts to create a "3D sound" using two regular speakers in a stereo configuration. It does not use speakers which "surround" the user, but attempts to direct sound around the room to give the illusion of depth. RSS was used in some video games of the early 1990s, but failed to match the support of QSound or Dolby Surround (which in turn were only supported by a small fraction of the market). From a Sega perspective, it was mainly seen in Mega LD games. (citation needed)
Dolby-Digital.png Dolby Digital (originally Dolby Stereo Digital) 1992 As technology progressed, it became easier to record multi-channel sound natively. Dolby Digital featured 6 discrete channels of audio in the ubiquitous 5.1 setup (5 speakers, 1 subwoofer). The first video game system to have real-time 5.1 Dolby Digital encoding was the original Xbox in 2001.
1280px-DTS logo.png DTS Digital Surround 1993 The original DTS system was a CD-based digital sound format that synced the compressed audio on a CD with whatever video frame was on-screen at a given time.

The theatrical version did not feature a discrete subwoofer, with a low-pass filter being applied to the surround channels instead and the subwoofer extracted from them. The home version however offered true 5.1 channel audio, with a discrete subwoofer.

Sony's PlayStation 3 and Microsoft's Xbox 360 are capable of DTS decoding and output via TOSLINK or HDMI as LPCM. However, HDMI output on the Xbox 360 is only found on the "Elite" model and newer models available since mid-2007, with the release of the Falcon motherboard revision. Also, the Xbox 360 cannot decode DTS from DTS audio CDs.

PlayStation 3 consoles can bitstream DTS over HDMI, but cannot decode audio from DTS audio CDs. The newer "slim" models are able to bitstream DTS-HD MA as well, but also cannot decode audio from DTS CDs. (Link) (Note: need to confirm that the version of DTS applied on the PS3 is same as Jurassic Park in 1993).

Dts-es logo.png DTS: ES 1999 DTS: ES came out at the same time as Dolby Surround EX in the theatres and processed the centre surround in the same way (Note: expand on this) Confirmed supported on PS3 and XBox 360 (expand on this)
Dolby Pro Logic II.png Dolby Pro Logic 2 2000 Similar to Pro Logic 1 but with the addition of stereo surround channels. Better processing is taking place that tells the surround channels how to steer the sound around the user. Pro Logic II systems also feature a mode designed specifically for video gaming, and was frequently used in game titles for Sony's PlayStation 2, Nintendo's GameCube and Wii as an alternative to digital surround formats such as Dolby Digital, or DTS. Game mode is similar to Movie mode, except it redirects more bass to the LFE channel. (link)
Dts neo 6 logo.png DTS Neo:6 2000 From an analog perspective, DTS Neo-6 replicated what Dolby Pro Logic 2 accomplished from a stereo connection (expand) TBC - Neo:6 may not require a given console to explicitly "support" it, as this is a post-processing format. https://www.quora.com/What-is-DTS-Neo-6
Dolby-Pro-Logic-IIx.png Dolby Pro Logic IIx 2003 Can take two-channel stereo, Dolby Surround, and Dolby Digital 5.1 source material and then upscale it to 6.1 or 7.1 channel surround sound. TBC - is this another post-processing format? Couldn't find any consoles incorporating Dolby Pro Logic IIx signal processing.
DTSHD High Definition Audio logo.jpg DTS-HD High Definition Audio 2004 This was DTS's equivalent of Dolby Digital Plus. Confirmed supported by PS3 (expand!)
Dts-interactive-logo.png DTS Interactive 2005 DTS (DTS Interactive) had a four-channel format for the home that used Left, Right, Left Surround, and Right Surround speakers. This was the only discrete format (beyond Stereo) that the PS2 could process in real time, and a few games used this.
Dolby TrueHD.png Dolby TrueHD 2006 Continued improvement to the number of channels as well as maximum bit-rate and sample-rate. (confirm!) Unlike most audio formats, Dolby TrueHD is 100 percent lossless. This means that what you hear is bit-for-bit identical to the master recording. Confirmed to be supported by PS3 (more details TBC)
DTS-HD.png DTS-HD Master Audio 2007 This was DTS' equivalent to Dolby's TrueHD, and was also a lossless format. Confirmed to be supported by PS3 (more details TBC)
Dolby Pro Logic IIz.png Dolby Pro Logic IIz 2009 Expands on Pro Logic IIx with the addition of a height component, creating front height channels above the front left and right speakers, expanding a 5.1 or 7.1 system to 7.1 Height or 9.1. It identifies spatial cues in low-level, uncorrelated information, such as ambience and effects like rain or wind in the side and rear surround channels, and directs it to the front height speakers. The channels it adds are matrixed, not discrete. (link) ?
Dts neo x logo.png DTS Neo:X 2009 Replicates what Dolby Pro Logic 2z accomplished from a stereo connection (expand!) TBC
Dolby Atmos logo.png Dolby Atmos 2014 Dolby Atmos supports up to 128 audio objects (i.e. sounds) that are independent of a channel assignment. Sounds can be created independently and mapped to an exact specific location. The user can hear a spatially-accurate sound effect, no matter where they are sitting in the room. Dolby Atmos can use up to 24 independent speaker locations plus a subwoofer, and typically uses overhead speakers. The first console to have Dolby Atmos enabled (via a downloadable app) was the XBox One (more detail TBC)
DTS X B&W.png DTS:X 2015 DTS:X is DTS’s take on Dolby Atmos and uses object-based sounds and height channels in the same fashion as Dolby Atmos. Confirmed supported by XBox One (expand!)

Speaker Layouts

Speaker Layout Diagram
No speakers (blank template) Floorplan.jpg
1.0 Mono layout.jpg
2.0 Stereo layout.jpg
2.1 Stereo layout with subwoofer.jpg
3.1 3.1 setup.jpg
4.0 (Dolby Surround) Dolby Surround 4.0.jpg
5.1 IMAGE TBC
6.1 IMAGE TBC
7.1 IMAGE TBC
7.2 IMAGE TBC
7.1.2 IMAGE TBC
9.1 IMAGE TBC
9.1.2 IMAGE TBC
10.2 IMAGE TBC
13.1 IMAGE TBC

First generation of consoles

Console Pictures Year of Release Audio Hardware Supported Audio Formats Supported Speaker Layouts Notes
Magnavox Odyssey Magnavox Odyssey.png 1972 None N/A N/A The console cannot generate audio.
Magnavox Odyssey 100 S-l1600.jpg 1975 Piezzo beeper (Built-in speaker) Mono 1.0 The console didn't send audio to the tv, instead using an internal piezzo beeper which emitted primitive action sounds through a built-in speaker - for example, a "blip" when the tennis ball is hit by a player's paddle, or when the hockey puck hits the borders of the playing area.
Magnavox Odyssey 200 S-l1600 (1).jpg 1975 Piezzo beeper (Built-in speaker) Mono 1.0 The console's piezo beeper operated in the same manner as the Odyssey 100. The Odyssey 200 added an extra game called SMASH (i.e. squash); the buzzer would bleep whenever the ball hit the front "wall".
Magnavox Odyssey 300 Odyssey-300.jpg 1976 G.I. AY-3-8500 chip (Built-in speaker) Mono 1.0 As before, during play, a different audio tone (little more than a few bleeps and bloops) is generated each time the ball hits a player, a wall, or a point is scored. No provisions are made to turn the sound on or off, which emanates from a speaker in the Odyssey console itself.
Magnavox Odyssey 400 S-l1600 (2).jpg 1976 ? Mono 1.0 ?
Magnavox Odyssey 500 Odyssey500.jpg 1976 ? Mono 1.0 ?
Magnavox Odyssey 4305 Odyssey 4305 (1 of 8).JPG 1976/1977 ? Mono 1.0 The Odyssey 4305 is a 19” television (based on the chassis of the Magnavox T991 television) but with a built-in Odyssey. As with most CRTs of this era, the sound was an analog signal produced from small speakers installed inside the chassis. It produced sound in mono and action sounds were similar to other Odyssey series consoles.
Magnavox Odyssey 2000 Magnavox-Odyssey-2000-FL.jpg 1977 ? Mono 1.0 ?
Magnavox Odyssey 3000 Magnavox Odyssey 3000.jpg 1977 ? Mono 1.0 ?
Magnavox Odyssey 4000 Magnavox Odyssey 4000.jpg 1977 ? Mono 1.0 ?
Philips Odyssey 200 Philips ODYSSEY200 Konsole.jpg 1976 (released concurrently with U.S. Odyssey 200) ? Mono 1.0 ?
Philips Odyssey 2001 Philips Odyssey 2001.png 1977 ? Mono 1.0 ?
Philips Odyssey 2100 Philips Odyssey 2100.jpg 1978 ? Mono 1.0 ?
TV Tennis Electrotennis (Epoch) TV Tennis Electrotennis.jpg 1975 ? Mono 1.0 ?
Atari Home Pong (Model C-100) S-l1600 (3).jpg 1976 ? Mono 1.0 ?
Atari Super Pong (Model C-140) S-l1600 (4).jpg 1976 ? Mono 1.0 The console had a speaker built into the main unit, that could output a simple "bloop" noise every time the ball was hit.
Coleco Telstar ColecoTelstar.jpg 1976 ? Mono 1.0 ?
Coleco Telstar Classic Coleco Telstar Classic (1976) 2.jpg 1976 ? Mono. 1.0 ?
Coleco Telstar Deluxe (AKA World of Sports) Coleco Telstar Deluxe.jpg 1977 ? Mono 1.0 ?
Coleco Telstar Ranger S-l1600 (5).jpg 1977 ? Mono 1.0 ?
Coleco Telstar Alpha Coleco Telstar Alpha.jpg 1977 ? Mono 1.0 ?
Coleco Telstar Colormatic Coleco Telstar Colormatic.jpg 1977 ? Mono 1.0 ?
Coleco Telstar Regent Coleco Telstar Regent.jpg 1977 ? Mono 1.0 ?
Coleco Telstar Sportsman TBC 1978 ? Mono 1.0 ?
Coleco Telstar Combat! Telstar Combat.jpg 1977 ? Mono 1.0 ?
Coleco Telstar Colortron Coleco-Telstar-Colortron.jpg 1978 ? Mono 1.0 ?
Coleco Telstar Marksman Coleco Telstar Marksman Tietokonemuseo.jpg 1978 ? Mono 1.0 ?
Coleco Telstar Galaxy Coleco-Telstar-Gemini-power.jpeg 1977 ? Mono 1.0 ?
Coleco Telstar Gemini Coleco-Telstar-Gemini-power.jpeg 1977 ? Mono 1.0 ?
Coleco Telstar Arcade Coleco-Telstar-Arcade-Pongside-L.jpg 1977 ? Mono 1.0 ?
Nintendo Color TV - Game 6 Nintendo-Color-TV-Game-Blockbreaker-FL.jpg 1977 ? Mono 1.0 ?

Second generation of consoles

Console Pictures Year of Release Audio Hardware Supported Audio Formats Supported Speaker Layouts Notes
Atari 2600 Atari-2600.png 1977 Atari TIA

Mono (Stock)

Stereo (Modded)

1.0 "Stereo" mods exist which split the TIA's two audio channels into left and right audio
Magnavox Odyssey 2 Magnavox-Odyssey-2-Console-Set.jpg 1978 Intel 8244 Mono 1.0 ?
Philips Videopac G7000 (European release of Odyssey 2) Videopac-pete-screen-800px.jpg 1978 Intel 8245 Mono 1.0 ?
Mattel Intellivision File:Intellivision-Console-Set.jpg 1979 General Instruments AY-3-8914 Mono 1.0 ?
Mattel Intellivision II File:Intellivision-II-Console-Set.jpg 1983 General Instruments AY-3-8914 Mono 1.0 ?
Coleco ColecoVision ColecoVision-wController-L.jpg 1982 Texas Instruments SN76489AN

Mono (Stock)

Stereo (Modded)

1.0 ?
Atari 5200 (Four controller port model) * Atari-5200.png 1982 Atari POKEY Mono 1.0 ?
Atari 5200 (Two controller port model) * Atari-5200.png 1983 Atari POKEY Mono 1.0 ?
GCE/MB Vectrex Vectrex-Console-Set.jpg 1982 General Instruments AY-3-8912

Mono (Stock)

Stereo (Modded)

1.0 (Stock)

2.0 (Modded)

Vectrex uses a General Instruments AY-3-8912 sound chip to deliver surprisingly good music and sound effects, as well as limited voice synthesis, via a 3-inch built-in paper cone speaker. A mod is available to add compatibility with external stereo speakers.


Third generation of consoles

Console Pictures Year of Release Audio Hardware Supported Audio Formats Supported Speaker Layouts Notes
Nintendo Entertainment System (US) NES.png 1985 Ricoh 2A03 Mono 1.0 "Stereo" mods exist, but these simply divide some of the 2A03's audio channels between left and right.
Nintendo Entertainment System (PAL) Neseuropean version.jpg 1986 Ricoh 2A07 Mono 1.0 "Stereo" mods exist, but these simply divide some of the 2A03's audio channels between left and right.
Famicom Famicom.png 1983 Ricoh 2A03 Mono 1.0 "Stereo" mods exist, but these simply divide some of the 2A03's audio channels between left and right.
Famicom Disk System DiskSystem.png 1986 Ricoh 2C33 Mono 1.0 The Famicom Disk System generates an extra wavetable audio channel which is mixed in with the Famicom's internal audio
Twin Famicom TurboTwinFamicom.png 1986 Ricoh 2A03 + Ricoh 2C33 Mono 1.0 ?
Sega SG-1000 SG-1000.png 1983 Texas Instruments SN76489AN Mono 1.0 ?
Sega SG-1000 II SG-1000II.png 1984 Texas Instruments SN76489AN (early revision)
Sega 315-5066 (later revision) 		Mono 1.0 ?
Sega Mark III MarkIII.png 1985 Sega 315-5124 Mono 1.0 ?
Sega Master System SMS.png 1986 Sega 315-5124 Mono 1.0 ?
Atari 7800 Atari-7800.png 1986 Atari TIA Mono 1.0 "Stereo" mods exist which split the TIA's two audio channels between left and right audio
Casio PV-1000 Casio-PV1000-Console-Set.jpg 1983 NEC D65010G031 Mono 1.0 ?
Epoch Super Cassette Vision File:Super-Cassette-Vision-Console-L.jpg 1984 NEC D1771C Mono 1.0 ?
Amstrad GX4000 Amstrad-GX4000-Console-Set.jpg 1990 Microchip Technology AY-3-8912 Mono 1.0 ?

Fourth generation of consoles

Console Pictures Year of Release Audio Hardware Supported Audio Formats Supported Speaker Layouts Notes
NEC TurboGrafx 16 TurboGrafx16.png 1989 Hudson HuC6280
  • Mono
  • Stereo
 Stereo audio is available from the expansion port but it must be amplified. Notable as the first home console to offer stereo audio. (Citation needed)
PC Engine PC-Engine.png 1987 Hudson HuC6280
  • Mono
  • Stereo
  • Roland Surround Space (RSS)
 Stereo audio is available from the expansion port but it must be amplified. There were several titles on the PC-Engine that used RSS, including Dracula X and Ys IV. (Link)
NEC PC Engine CD PCEngineCDROM.jpg 1988 OKI M5205 (ADPCM)
Red Book CD audio
  • Mono
  • Stereo
 ?
NEC TurboGrafx-CD * TurboGrafxCD.png 1989 OKI M5205 (ADPCM)
Red Book CD audio
  • Mono
  • Stereo
 ?
NEC SuperGrafx SuperGrafx.png 1989 Hudson HuC6280
  • Mono
  • Stereo
 ?
NEC TurboExpress/PC Engine GT TurboExpress.png 1990 Hudson HuC6280
  • Mono
  • Stereo
 The system only has a single speaker but stereo out is available from the headphone jack
NEC TurboDuo/PC Engine Duo TurboDuo.png 1991 Hudson HuC6280
Oki M5205 (ADPCM)
Red Book CD audio
  • Mono
  • Stereo
 ?
NEC Super CD-ROM2 SuperCDROM2.jpg 1991 Oki M5205 (ADPCM)
Red Book CD audio
  • Mono
  • Stereo
 ?
NEC PC Engine LT PC Engine LT.jpg 1991 Hudson HuC6280
  • Mono
  • Stereo
 The system only has a single speaker but stereo out is available from the headphone jack
NEC PC Engine Duo-R/Duo-RX DuoR.png 1993 Hudson HuC6280
Oki M5205 (ADPCM)
Red Book CD audio
  • Mono
  • Stereo
 ?
Sega Genesis (model 1) Genesismodel1.jpg 1989 Yamaha YM2612 (FM + PCM)
Sega VDP (PSG)
  • Mono
  • Stereo
 The AV connector only has mono out but stereo out is available from the headphone jack
Sega Mega Drive (model 1) Genesis Model 1.png 1988 Yamaha YM2612 (FM + PCM)
Sega VDP (PSG)
  • Mono
  • Stereo
 The AV connector only has mono out but stereo out is available from the headphone jack
Sega Genesis (model 2) Genesis Model 2.png 1994 Yamaha YM3438 core (FM + PCM)
Sega VDP (PSG)
  • Mono
  • Stereo
 ?
Sega Genesis 3 Genesis Model 3.png 1998 Yamaha YM3438 core (FM + PCM)
Sega VDP (PSG)
  • Mono
  • Stereo (with mod)
 Can be modified for stereo sound
Sega Mega Jet Sega mega jet.jpg 1994 Yamaha YM3438 core (FM + PCM)
Sega VDP (PSG)
  • Mono
  • Stereo
 ?
Sega Nomad Sega Nomad.png 1995 Yamaha YM3438 core (FM + PCM)
Sega VDP (PSG)
  • Mono
  • Stereo
 The system only has a single speaker but stereo out is available from the headphone jack and AV out
Sega CD Sega CD Model 1.png 1991 Ricoh RF5C164
  • Mono
  • Stereo
  • Roland Sound Space (RSS)
 'Snatcher' and 'Shadow of the Beast 2' confirmed to support RSS. (Link)
Sega 32X Sega 32X.png 1994 Sega 315-5818
  • Mono
  • Stereo
  • QSound
 ?
Sega/Victor Wondermega RG-M1 Wondermega.jpg 1992 ?
  • Mono
  • Stereo
 ?
Sega CDX Sega CDX.png 1994 ?
  • Mono
  • Stereo
 ?
JVC X'Eye/Victor Wondermega RG-M2 Wondermega rG-M2.jpg 1993 ?
  • Mono
  • Stereo
 ?
Sega Game Gear * Game Gear.png 1990 ?
  • Mono
  • Stereo
 The system only has a single speaker but stereo out is available from the headphone jack
Nintendo Game Boy Game Boy.png 1989 Sharp LR35902
  • Mono
  • Stereo
 The system only has a single speaker but stereo out is available from the headphone jack
Nintendo Game Boy Pocket Game Boy Pocket.png 1996 CPU MGB
  • Mono
  • Stereo
 The system only has a single speaker but stereo out is available from the headphone jack
Super Nintendo (US) SNES.png 1991 ?
  • Mono
  • Stereo
  • Dolby Surround
Super Famicom * Super Famicom.png 1990 ?
  • Mono
  • Stereo
  • Dolby Surround
 ?
Super Nintendo (PAL) * SNES Jr Europe.png 1992 ?
  • Mono
  • Stereo
  • Dolby Surround
 ?
SNK Neo Geo AES * Neo-Geo-AES-Console-Set.png 1990 Yamaha YM2610
  • Mono
  • Stereo
 The AV connector only has mono out but stereo out is available from the headphone jack
SNK Neo Geo CD Neo-Geo-CD-TopLoader-wController-FL.png 1994 Yamaha YM2610 + Red Book CD audio
  • Mono
  • Stereo
 ?
Pioneer LaserActive LaserActive.png 1993 ?
  • Mono
  • Stereo
  • Roland Sound Space (RSS)
 ?

Fifth generation of consoles

Console Pictures Year of Release Audio Hardware Supported Audio Formats Supported Speaker Layouts Notes
Commodore Amiga CD32 Amiga-CD32-wController-L.jpg 1993 Commodore Paula
Red Book CD audio
  • Mono
  • Stereo
  • Roland Surround Space (RSS)
  • 4 × 8-bit PCM channels
  • Stereo audio (RCA)
  • 3.5mm headphone jack
  • RSS was used on Xenon 2 for the Amiga CDTV and CD32 (Link)
Panasonic 3DO Panasonic 3DO FZ-1.png 1993 ?
  • Mono
  • Stereo
  • Dolby Surround
  • 16-bit stereo sound
  • Stereo CDDA playback.
  • 44.1 kHz sound sampling rate
  • Supports 4-Channel Dolby Surround sound
  • Custom 20-bit digital signal processor (DSP) – 20-bit accumulator with 16-bit parameter registers for extended precision, embedded in the CLIO chip.
  • 13 DMA channels of digital input, to be sampled, and distorted by the DSP.
Atari Jaguar * Atari-Jaguar.png 1993 Motorola SC414201FT/Atari Jerry
  • Mono
  • Stereo
  • CD-quality sound (16-bit stereo)
  • Number of sound channels limited by software
  • Two DACs (stereo) convert digital data to analog sound signals
  • Full stereo capabilities
Atari Jaguar CD * Atari-Jaguar-CD-wPro-Controller.jpg 1995 Red Book CD audio ? ? ?
Bandai Playdia * Bandai-Playdia-Set-R.jpg 1994 Asahi Kasei AK8000
Red Book CD audio
  • Mono
  • Stereo
 The console has a standard red/white right/left audio output socket and yellow composite video output (Source: Adam Koralik - Bandai Playdia - Fifth VideoGame Generation Recap)
Sega Saturn Saturn Model 1.png 1994 Yamaha YMF292/Sega 315-5687
Red Book CD audio
  • Mono
  • Stereo
  • QSound
  • Dolby Surround
 ?
Sony PlayStation PS1.png 1994 Sony SPU
Red Book CD audio
  • Mono
  • Stereo
  • Dolby Surround
 ?
Sony PSone PSOne.png 2000 Sony SPU
Red Book CD audio 		? ? ?
NEC PC-FX PC-FX-Console-Set.jpg 1994 Hudson HuC6230
Red Book CD audio
  • Mono
  • Stereo
 16-Bit Stereo with 2 ADPCM channels and 6 sample channels at 44.1kHz.
Casio Loopy Casio-Loopy-Console-Set.jpg 1995 ?
  • Mono
  • Stereo
 The console has a standard red/white right/left audio output socket and yellow composite video output (Source: Adam Koralik - Casio Loopy - Fifth VideoGame Generation Recap) Mono accessed via Left/white output.
Apple Pippin Bandai-Apple-Pippin-Console-FL.jpg 1996 ?
  • Mono
  • Stereo
 RCA composite left/right stereo, 16-bit 44 kHz sampled, and headphone output jack
Nintendo 64 N64.png 1996 Nintendo RCP-NUS
  • Mono
  • Stereo
  • Dolby Surround
 TBC - Dolby surround confirmed with Ocarina of Time and unreleased Dinosaur Planet http://archive.thegia.com/n64/dino/dino.html

Sixth generation of consoles

Console Pictures Year of Release Audio Hardware Supported Audio Formats Supported Speaker Layouts Notes
Game Boy Advance Game Boy Advance.png 2001 ?
  • Mono
  • Stereo
 The system only has a mono speaker but stereo out is available from the headphone jack
Game Boy Advance SP Game Boy Advance SP.png 2003 ?
  • Mono
  • Stereo
 The system only has a mono speaker but stereo out is available from the headphone/charging connector
Game Boy Micro Game Boy Micro.png 2005 ?
  • Mono
  • Stereo
 The system only has a mono speaker but stereo out is available from the headphone jack
Sega Dreamcast Dreamcast.png 1998 ?
  • Mono
  • Stereo
  • QSound
  • Dolby Surround
 ?
Sony PlayStation 2 (original) PS2.png 2000 ?
  • Mono
  • Stereo
  • Dolby Pro Logic II
  • DTS Interactive
 The PlayStation 2 was the first game console to output digital audio, in this case via an optical connector.

Four-channel DTS Interactive was the only discrete format (beyond Stereo) that the PS2 could process in real time and this was used by nearly a dozen games, including Grand Theft Auto: Vice City and Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines. The PS2 could also send a 5.1 Dolby Digital stream, but only during cut scenes where the audio didn't have to be dynamically generated on the spot.

Sony PlayStation 2 (slim, SCPH-7xxxx) PS2 Slim.png 2004 ?
  • Mono
  • Stereo
  • Dolby Pro Logic II
  • DTS Interactive
 ?
Sony PlayStation 2 (slim, SCPH-9000x) PS2 Slim 2.png 2007 ?
  • Mono
  • Stereo
  • Dolby Pro Logic II
  • DTS Interactive
 ?
VM Labs Nuon Samsung Nuon N2000.png 2000 ?
  • Mono
  • Stereo
 32-megabyte 8-bit Fast Page DRAM at 33 MHz, 512-kilobytes sound RAM and 24-kilobytes programmable ROM
Microsoft Xbox Xbox.png 2001 ?
  • Mono
  • Stereo
  • Dolby Pro Logic II
  • Dolby Digital / AC3
 Digital output only officially available with certain cables
Nintendo GameCube GameCube.png Panasonic Q.png 2001 ?
  • Mono
  • Stereo
  • Dolby Pro Logic II
 Panasonic Q version of the Gamecube may have been the first console in history to support the native use of subwoofers, mainly for DVD playback as opposed to in-game use. Digital audio available from digital output (but not officially used).

Seventh generation of consoles

Console Pictures Year of Release Audio Hardware Supported Audio Formats Supported Speaker Layouts Notes
Nintendo DS series incl. DSi DS.png 2004 ?
  • Stereo
  • Headphone
  • Surround
 Most titles with sound options have said choices for simulated surround. A few others have a forced mono option instead.
Sony PSP (except N1000/Go) PSP-1000.png 2004 ?
  • Binaural
 ? Most PSP software only offers plain stereo (except for the XMB's media player, which offers EQ presets available by short pressing the "sound" key only with external phones/speakers). PSP E1000/Street has a single mono speaker. PS1 software keeps original sound capabilities.
Sony PSP-N1000 series (Go) PSP-Go.png 2009 ? ? ? First console to support Bluetooth for general purpose audio output.
Nintendo Wii Wii.png 2006 ?
  • Mono
  • Stereo
  • Surround (Dolby Pro Logic 2)
 ?
Microsoft Xbox 360 series Xbox 360.png 2005 ?
  • Analog stereo
  • Stereo LPCM (TOSLINK and HDMI)
  • Dolby Digital 5.1 (TOSLINK and HDMI)
  • Dolby Digital with WMA pro (TOSLINK and HDMI)
 Fat models require a suitable video cable for optical audio, Slims (S) also have Toslink built in, while Superslims (E) don't offer it at all.
Microsoft Xbox 360 E Xbox 360 E.png 2013 ?
  • Mono
  • Stereo
 ?
Sony PlayStation 3 PS3-Fat.png 2006 ?
  • Mono
  • Stereo
  • LPCM
  • 5.1
  • 7.1
 Audio output formats

A/V-Multi Analog stereo TOSLINK LPCM 2ch 44.1 kHz, 48 kHz, 88 kHz, 176.4 kHz Dolby Digital 5.1 DTS 5.1 AAC HDMI LPCM 2ch, 5.1ch, 7.1ch 44.1 kHz, 48 kHz, 88 kHz, 96 kHz, 176.4 kHz, 192 kHz DTS-HD Master Audio Bitstream (slim models only)* Dolby TrueHD Bitstream (slim models only)* Dolby Digital 5.1 DTS 5.1 AAC \*All models can decode Dolby TrueHD and as of firmware 2.30 DTS-HD Master Audio, to be output as LPCM. Output of the raw undecoded stream is limited to slim models.[6]

Eighth generation of consoles

Console Pictures Year of Release Audio Hardware Supported Audio Formats Supported Speaker Layouts Notes
Nintendo 3DS/2DS Series incl. New 3DS.png 2011 ?
  • Mono
  • Stereo
  • Surround
  • Binaural
 "Surround" is simulated 3D sound. O2DS has mono speaker.
Sony PS Vita Vita.png 2011 ?
  • Stereo speakers
  • Microphone
  • 3.5 mm headphone jack,
  • Binaural
  • Bluetooth
 ? ?
Sony PS Vita TV PSTV.png 2013 ?
  • 2 channel LPCM
 ? ?
Nintendo Wii U Wii U.png 2012 ?
  • Mono
  • Stereo
  • 5.1 linear PCM
  • Analog stereo
 ?
Sony PlayStation 4 (original) PS4.png 2013 ?
  • Mono
  • Stereo
 ?
Sony PlayStation 4 (slim) PS4 Slim.png 2016 ?
  • Mono
  • Stereo
 The optical audio port was removed on the PS4 slim models.
Sony PlayStation 4 Pro PS4 Pro.png 2016 ?
  • Mono
  • Stereo
  • Dolby Digital
  • DTS
 When setting your console up, as you’ll need to change it to set your sound from the standard PCM to bitstreaming Dolby Digital or DTS. The PS4 Pro also only supports Dolby Atmos for compatible Blu-ray movies, it does not support Atmos for games.
Microsoft Xbox One Xbox One.png 2013 ?
  • Mono
  • Stereo
  • 7.1 surround sound
  • Dolby Atmos
  • DTS:X
Microsoft Xbox One S Xbox One S.png 2016 ?
  • Mono
  • Stereo
  • 5.1
  • 7.1 surround sound
  • Dolby Atmos
  • DTS:X
Microsoft Xbox One X Xbox One X.png 2017 ?
  • Mono
  • Stereo
  • 5.1
  • 7.1 surround sound
  • Dolby Atmos
  • DTS:X
Nintendo Switch Switch.png 2017 ?
  • Undocked: Linear PCM 2.0 ch stereo speakers (with pseudo-surround)
  • Docked: Linear PCM 5.1 ch
 ?

Ninth generation of consoles

Console Pictures Year of Release Audio Hardware Supported Audio Formats Supported Speaker Layouts Notes
Sony PlayStation 5 PS5.png 2020 Tempest Engine audio chip
  • Mono
  • Stereo
  • Custom Tempest Engine 3D Audio
  • Dolby Atmos & DTS:X (Blu-ray video & UHD Blu-ray video)
  • 7.1 surround sound
 The PS5 does not support Dolby Atmos, instead using Sony's tempest engine, which does not support high channel speakers.
Microsoft Xbox Series S Xbox Series S.png 2020 CFPU2 processor/ MOVAD Opus decoder / Logan audio engine
  • Mono
  • Stereo
  • Custom Project Acoustics 3D Audio
  • Dolby Atmos
  • DTS:X
  • 7.1 surround sound
 The Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S are the first consoles ever to enable gaming in both Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos.
Microsoft Xbox Series X Xbox Series X.png 2020 CFPU2 processor/ MOVAD Opus decoder / Logan audio engine
  • Mono
  • Stereo
  • Custom Project Acoustics 3D Audio
  • Dolby Atmos
  • DTS:X
  • 7.1 surround sound
 The Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S are the first consoles ever to enable gaming in both Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos.

External links

  1. ↑ https://forum.digitpress.com/forum/showthread.php?24851-The-first-home-video-game-system-with-stereo-sound-was
  2. ↑ https://forums.atariage.com/topic/199461-atari-2600-stereo-mod/
  3. ↑ https://support.xbox.com/en-IE/help/account-profile/accessibility/listen-in-mono#:~:text=On%20an%20Xbox%20console&text=Press%20the%20Xbox%20button%20%EE%8F%A3,and%20then%20select%20Mono%20output.
  4. ↑ https://forum.digitpress.com/forum/showthread.php?24851-The-first-home-video-game-system-with-stereo-sound-was
  5. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AcBO3wHwdWE&t=1172s
  6. ↑ https://www.quadraphonicquad.com/forums/threads/playing-sacds-with-quad-receivers-buying-sacds.27674/
  7. ↑ https://entertainment.time.com/2013/09/16/how-did-dolby-sound-change-the-movies/
  8. ↑ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Street_Hassle
  9. ↑ https://www.reddit.com/r/vita/comments/2spzqk/dont_play_corpse_party_in_the_dark_with_headphones/
  10. ↑ https://www.loc.gov/preservation/digital/formats/fdd/fdd000011.shtml
  11. ↑ https://www.ps3blog.net/about/ps3-specs//
  12. ↑ https://thx.fandom.com/wiki/List_of_THX_Certified_Video_Games
  13. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vI9UUjrpNVs&t=388s
  14. ↑ https://medium.com/@AndrewElmore/did-you-know-these-retro-game-consoles-are-capable-of-surround-sound-70336b760252
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