Understanding sound is key to success in Warzone, as detecting enemy footsteps gives you a huge advantage on the battlefield, but you will need the best possible sound settings for that.
Like most things in Warzone, sound settings largely depend on personal preferences, but there are some options that players should try. Several are essential even for participating in high-skill competitions, although even the most inexperienced players benefit from using optimized settings.
Most Warzone professionals, focused primarily on hearing footsteps, use the same sound settings. These meta-settings provide the best chances to hear enemies before they have a chance to kill you.
Footsteps are not the only thing you want to hear. The ability to distinguish the surroundings and pick out small details can often be the difference between glory and disgrace. And again, this is only possible with the best sound settings.
How to change audio settings
Changing audio settings in Warzone is quite simple. All you need to do is follow these instructions to find the right menu:
- Launch Modern Warfare 3 or Call of Duty HQ on any platform of your choice.
- In the main menu, select Warzone.
- Press «Start» on the controller or use the mouse to navigate to the settings tab, represented by a white gear in the top right corner. Those playing on a controller can use RB/R1 to access this tab.
- Finally, select «Audio» to access the sound settings.
Best audio settings
Here are the best sound settings that will help you easily hear enemy footsteps:
Global
Volumes
Voice chat
Microphone
Subtitles
Functionality
How to improve audio in Warzone
If you have set the audio settings in Warzone to our recommended values, but the game still poses challenges, the issue is likely with your equipment.
Whether you are serious about improving your skills in Warzone or just playing casually, there are a few key things you can do to enhance sound quality:
Use the Flex perk
Introduced in Warzone alongside the integration of MW3, Flex is a perk that is used with the sole purpose of improving sound. Located in perk slot 4, its description is as follows: «Delay explosives trigger during sprint, warning of nearby enemy equipment, and reduction of combat noise».
It’s the «reduced combat noise» that holds the most value, as it removes much of the ambient noise that would otherwise drown out footsteps. By removing unnecessary background noise, it is much easier to hear enemy footsteps.
Invest in a good headset
Many great gaming headsets provide enhanced sound at a relatively low price. If you’re used to playing with sound from a TV or monitor, upgrading to a dedicated gaming headset is the biggest audio improvement you can make in Warzone.
How much you should spend depends on how important sound is to you. If you just want to hear footsteps better, headphones in the $50–$60 range will be good enough. Those looking for the best possible sound can expect to pay over $200, although for most players, this won’t be necessary.
Minimize surrounding noise
While this may seem obvious, ambient noise from devices and other sources can negatively impact your ability to hear sounds in the game. Minimizing this noise as much as possible will allow you to better discern audio cues.
After all, footsteps in Warzone are quite subtle, especially if you’re not using Flex. Any additional background noises only serve to mask enemy footsteps, increasing the likelihood of another player attacking you.
Listen out for specific audio cues
Even if you have the best audio settings and equipment, you still need to know what to listen for. This comes with practice, but train yourself to recognize individual sound cues and their meanings.
While enemy footsteps will always sound vaguely similar, there are subtle clues you can pick up on that provide additional information. These cues can be used to assess the distance to the enemy player, whether they are running or walking, and whether they are above or below you. More information is always good, and audio is no exception.
Having the best audio settings certainly helps, but Warzone is not just about sound. You’ll also want to use the best PC and controller settings to optimize your experience. Similarly, outfitting your loadouts with meta builds that take advantage of the best assault rifles and sniper rifles will give you a significant edge over competitors.
