• An upcoming beta update for the PS5 brings personalised 3D audio and rest mode charging for owners of the slim version of the console.
• There is also a new way to set who can use Remote Play on your PS5.
• The updates are rolling out worldwide so keep an eye on your inbox if you are a PS5 owner.

As we await official word about the upcoming PlayStation (PS) 5 Pro, Sony has announced new features for the base PS5 coming to beta testers of the console’s software. The company has introduced customisable 3D headphone audio that you can set yourself, as well as changes to remote play and new adaptive charging for certain controllers.

“Thanks to feedback from our PlayStation community, we’ve introduced many new features and refinements over the past few years to enhance your gaming experiences on PS5,” writes Hiromi Wakai, VP of Sony’s product management in a blog post.

“While beta access is limited to invited participants in select countries, we plan to release the update globally in the coming months. If you’re selected to participate in the beta, you’ll receive an email invitation tomorrow when it’s available to download. Some features available during the beta phase may not make it into the final version or may see significant changes,” they explain.

Personalised 3D audio coming in the latest PS5 Beta

The first highlight from the upcoming beta update for the PS5 is “Personalised 3D Audio profiles” for headphones and earbuds, being made available for all PS5 models, base, digital only and slimline.

This feature allows your console to create a customisable 3D audio profile just for the player, as long as your headphones or earbuds support 3D audio. You will be able to run through a set of sound quality tests to analyse your exact 3D audio situation.

“In this generation, 3D audio is one of the key ways that creators have enhanced the immersive quality of games. As individuals, we all hear sounds differently based on the size and shape of our head, ears, and ear canals,” the blog post reads.

Setting your own 3D audio profile will let you better immerse yourself when gaming. “For example, your personalized 3D audio profile may enable you to better sense the positions of characters and objects in a game world more clearly than before, making the experience more immersive,” adds Wakai.

To create a personalized 3D audio profile for your headphones or earbuds, go to [Settings] > [Sound] > [3D Audio (Headphones)] on your PS5 console. Your audio profile will be saved on your PS5 per user, and you can also still select from 3D audio presets like before.

More remote play security

Sony says the latest beta for the PS5 will now let you adjust Remote Play settings per user, and choose who is allowed to connect to your console using Remote Play.

“So, if your friends or family members come over and sign in to your PS5 console with their account for PlayStation Network, you can easily modify who can continue to access your PS5 console using Remote Play when they leave,” the blog reads.

To adjust these settings, go to [Settings] > [System] > [Remote Play] > [Enable Remote Play], and choose which user you want to enable access to your PS5 console through Remote Play.

PS5 slimline users get adaptive controller charging

The latest beta update will allow adaptive charging during rest mode for owners of the slim version of the PS5. They can now charge their DualSense wireless controller, DualSense Edge wireless controller, PlayStation VR2 Sense controllers, and Access controller while connected on rest mode.

Sony explains, “Adaptive charging helps save power by adjusting the length of time that power is supplied to your controller based on its battery level. After your PS5 enters rest mode, if a controller isn’t connected, the power supply to the USB port will stop after a certain period of time.”

To use adaptive charging, go to [Settings] > [System] > [Power Saving] > [Features Available in Rest Mode], and then select [Supply Power to USB Ports] > [Adaptive].

“We look forward to hearing our beta participants’ response and introducing new features to our global community in the months ahead. Stay tuned for additional details, and as always, thanks for your valuable support and feedback,” concludes Wakai.

The beta software update has started rolling out the world over, so keep an eye on your inbox if you are a PS5 owner.