Sony has started rolling out a new system update for PlayStation 5 consoles worldwide as of April 24, 2025. The update introduces two major features that players have been asking for: Audio Focus for headphone users and the return of classic PlayStation console themes for the home screen.
Audio Focus Gives Players Better Sound Control
The new Audio Focus feature lets PS5 owners adjust their headphone sound to better hear specific game elements. This is especially helpful for picking up important audio cues that might otherwise get lost in the mix.
Players can choose from four different sound presets:
- Boost Low Pitch: Makes deeper sounds like engines and explosions more noticeable
- Boost Voices: Highlights character dialogue and party chat voices
- Boost High Pitch: Emphasizes sounds like footsteps and metallic noises
- Boost Quiet Sounds: Amplifies softer background noises that add to game atmosphere
Each preset can be set to Weak, Medium, or Strong levels. Players can even adjust the balance between left and right ears separately, making it possible to create a sound profile that works best for their personal hearing needs.
To use Audio Focus, players need headphones connected through USB or the analog jack on the controller. The feature doesn’t work with sound coming through HDMI connections to TVs or sound systems.
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Classic PlayStation Themes Return Permanently
During PlayStation’s 30th anniversary celebration, Sony temporarily allowed PS5 owners to change their home screen to look like older PlayStation consoles. The response was so positive that Sony has now made these themes permanent.
Players can now customize their PS5 interface to resemble the original PlayStation, PS2, PS3, or PS4. These themes change how the PS5 home screen looks to match the visual style of each classic console.
The feature can be found in the Settings menu under “Appearance,” making it easy for players to switch between the modern PS5 look and these classic designs.
Player Feedback Drives Update
Shuzo Kikuchi, VP of Product Management at Sony Interactive Entertainment, confirmed that both features were added as a direct result of player requests.
“We continue to work behind the scenes to bring new enhancements to the PS5 experience, and today we are excited to announce two key additions based on player feedback,” Kikuchi stated on the PlayStation Blog.
The update is being released gradually across different regions, with the rollout beginning on April 24.
Online gaming communities have generally reacted positively to these additions, especially the return of the classic themes. Some players are also discussing what they’d like to see in future updates, such as the ability to organize games into folders—a feature that was available on PS4 but hasn’t yet made its way to PS5.
These new customization options show Sony’s willingness to listen to its player base while continuing to refine the PlayStation 5 experience more than four years after the console’s initial launch.