PlayStation 5 owners, get ready. A new system software update is hitting consoles, and it brings changes players have wanted. Rolling out globally starting April 24, 2025, this update focuses on improving how you hear your games and offers a nostalgic trip back in time for your console’s look.
Sony Interactive Entertainment announced the update, highlighting two major additions driven by player feedback: a new “Audio Focus” feature and the permanent return of classic PlayStation console UI designs.
Hear Every Detail: Introducing Audio Focus
Gaming soundscapes grow more complex every year. Developers craft intricate audio cues, immersive soundtracks, and detailed environmental sounds. But sometimes, specific sounds you need to hear get lost in the mix. Maybe dialogue gets drowned out by explosions, or crucial enemy footsteps are too quiet. This is where the new Audio Focus feature steps in, aiming to give players more control over their audio experience, especially those using headphones.
Audio Focus is designed as an accessibility tool, but any player using headphones can benefit from it. It works by allowing you to amplify specific types of sounds within the game or party chat audio mix. This helps ensure clarity and can make a significant difference in immersion and gameplay.
You find the Audio Focus settings tucked away in the Sound menu under Volume, or access it quickly through the Control Center during gameplay. Once enabled, you choose from four distinct preset options, each designed to boost a particular range of sound frequencies:
- Boost Low Pitch: This preset amplifies low-frequency sounds. Think the deep rumble of an engine, the heavy impact of footsteps from a large enemy, or the distant boom of artillery. If you love games with powerful bass or need to pick out those low-end environmental cues, this is your go-to.
- Boost Voices: For players who prioritize dialogue and communication, this preset focuses on middle-frequency sounds. This clarifies in-game character voices and, importantly, makes party chat voices stand out. No more asking “What did you say?” when the action heats up.
- Boost High Pitch: This option boosts high-frequency sounds. Crucial for competitive players or those exploring detailed environments, this helps you hear subtle but important sounds like distant gunfire, the sharp crack of a twig, or the distinct sound of footsteps on different surfaces.
- Boost Quiet Sounds: This preset amplifies low-volume sounds across a broader range of frequencies. This helps bring out softer details you might otherwise miss, increasing overall awareness and immersion in quieter game moments.
Each preset offers three adjustable levels – Weak, Medium, and Strong. This gives you granular control over how much of a boost is applied. You can experiment to find the perfect balance that suits your hearing preferences and the specific game you are playing. Furthermore, the feature lets you adjust the boost level separately for the Left and Right audio channels, offering even more personalized tuning for specific needs.
This level of audio customization is a welcome addition. It addresses a common challenge in modern gaming – balancing disparate audio elements – and empowers players to tailor their soundscape. It’s worth noting, as Sony confirms, that Audio Focus works when using headphones connected via USB or the standard analog jack. It does not currently support audio output through HDMI to TVs, AV receivers, or soundbars. While this limits its use for some setups, it provides valuable control for headphone users, a large segment of the gaming community.
A Trip Down Memory Lane: Classic UI Designs Return
Beyond the auditory enhancements, the new update delivers a dose of nostalgia many PlayStation fans craved. Sony is bringing back the classic console UI designs that were offered for a limited time during the PlayStation 30th-anniversary celebrations late last year.
These themes, which mimic the look and feel of the original PlayStation (PS1), PlayStation 2 (PS2), PlayStation 3 (PS3), and PlayStation 4 (PS4) interfaces, proved immensely popular. Players loved customizing their PS5 home screen with the iconic visuals and sounds of their gaming past. When the limited availability ended, the community voiced a clear desire for their permanent return. Sony listened.
Now, these beloved designs are back to stay. Accessible through a new “Appearance” setting under the console’s main Settings menu, players can swap between the modern PS5 interface and the nostalgic looks of previous generations whenever they wish.
Choosing the PS1 theme wraps your home screen in the familiar gray aesthetic, complete with that unforgettable boot-up sound (though reports indicate the change is primarily on the home screen/welcome tab, not the full boot sequence). The PS2 theme might evoke memories of the shimmering vertical lines, while the PS3 theme brings back the iconic XrossMediaBar (XMB) look to the background. Finally, the PS4 theme offers a more recent throwback, complete with its dynamic background capabilities.
For longtime PlayStation enthusiasts, this feature is more than just a cosmetic change. It’s a connection to their gaming history. Booting up your PS5 and being greeted by the PS2’s cube animation or the distinct PS1 startup chime triggers powerful memories of games played and moments shared over decades. It allows players to personalize their modern console with the aesthetics that defined their formative gaming years.
The return of these classic UI options underscores Sony’s attention to community feedback. While some players hoped for even deeper customization, like dynamic themes or the ability to organize games into folders directly on the main home screen (features popular on the PS4 that have yet to fully arrive on PS5), the permanent addition of these beloved retro looks is a significant step and a clear win for fan sentiment.
More Than Just Themes and Audio
While Audio Focus and the classic UI designs are the headline features, system software updates often include underlying improvements. Expect general enhancements to system performance and stability, tweaks to usability on certain screens, and potentially minor adjustments to other features based on ongoing development and user feedback. The phased rollout means not everyone will receive the update immediately, but it will become available for all PS5 users over the coming days.
This update demonstrates Sony’s commitment to refining the PlayStation 5 experience. By addressing specific audio needs and bringing back a highly requested personalization feature, they add practical benefits and cater to the emotional connection players have with the brand’s rich history. For many, customizing their PS5 with the look of their first PlayStation console while fine-tuning the audio to perfection makes the modern gaming experience feel a little more personal, a little more comfortable, and a lot more nostalgic.
