In a tactical shooter like Valorant, your ears are just as important as your eyes. If you can hear an enemy Omen dashing or a Cypher teleporting before they swing your angle, you have already won the gunfight. However, if your settings are configured incorrectly, you won’t be able to tell if those sounds are coming from in front of you or behind you.
The best audio settings for Valorant require you to enable HRTF (Head-Related Transfer Function) in the audio menu and completely disable any third-party 7.1 Surround Sound software in Windows. This ensures the game’s directional audio is processed flawlessly.
This is part of our complete Valorant Settings and Gear Guide (2026): see the full setup for mouse, keyboard, monitor, headset, and every settings recommendation in one place.
Even if you have the Best Headset for Valorant, incorrect software settings will ruin your spatial awareness. Here is exactly how to optimize your audio for maximum competitive advantage.
1. The In-Game Audio Settings
Riot Games has designed Valorant’s audio engine to be incredibly precise, but you must enable the right features. Open your in-game settings and navigate to the Audio > Audio Settings tab.
- Master Volume: 100%
- Sound Effects Volume: 100%
- Voice-Over Volume: 50% (You want to hear Ultimate voice lines, but you don’t want them drowning out footsteps).
- Video / Music Volume: 0%
- Speaker Configuration: Stereo
- Enable HRTF: Checked (ON)
Why You MUST Enable HRTF
HRTF (Head-Related Transfer Function) is the most important audio setting in Valorant. Without getting too technical, standard stereo audio only tells you if a sound is on your left or right. HRTF simulates how sound waves wrap around a human head, allowing you to tell if a sound is in front of you, behind you, or above you.
If you turn HRTF off, distinguishing between a player on A-Site Heaven and a player directly beneath them on A-Site Hell is physically impossible.
2. Disable Third-Party Surround Sound
The most common mistake new players make is using the “7.1 Surround Sound” feature that comes with gaming headsets (like Logitechi G-Hub or Razeri Synapse).
You must turn this off. Valorant’s HRTF is designed specifically for standard stereo output (2 channels). If you force a third-party 7.1 virtual surround sound filter over the top of it, the audio signals clash. This results in incredibly muddy audio where you cannot pinpoint the direction of footsteps.
3. Voice Chat Settings (Comms Win Games)
If you are playing Ranked, you must communicate with your team. Navigate to the Audio > Voice Chat tab.
- Output Device: Default System Device
- Input Device: Select your specific microphone.
- Incoming Voice Chat Volume: 70% (Do not let screaming teammates drown out game audio).
- Mic Volume: 80%
- Party Voice Activation Mode: Push to Talk
- Team Voice Activation Mode: Push to Talk
Crucial Tip: Never use “Voice Activity” (Open Mic) in Valorant. The loud “clack” of your mechanical keyboard will annoy your teammates and cause them to mute you. *(If your keyboard is too loud, read our guide to the 5 Best Linear Switches for Gaming to find quieter
Windows Sound Settings for Valorant
Your Windows audio settings process sound before it reaches your headset. If they are set incorrectly, they can interfere with Valorant’s HRTF and make directional cues less accurate.
We recommend turning off Windows spatial sound and all audio enhancements so Valorant’s HRTF is the only spatial processing applied to your audio.
Turn Off Spatial Sound
Open Settings, go to System, then Sound, and select your output device. Set Spatial sound to Off.
Options like Windows Sonic or Dolby Atmos for Headphones add their own virtualization. Stacking that on top of HRTF can blur the position of footsteps and abilities.
Disable Audio Enhancements
In the same device properties page, find Audio enhancements and set it to Off. On older Windows versions, this appears as a checkbox under the Enhancements tab in the classic Sound Control Panel.
Enhancements such as bass boost, virtual surround, and room correction change the frequency balance. They can also add small amounts of latency.
Sample Rate and Bit Depth
We suggest setting your output format to 24-bit, 48000 Hz. This matches the sample rate most games, including Valorant, use internally, which avoids unnecessary resampling.
Higher settings such as 192000 Hz do not improve in-game audio. They can increase CPU load and, on some devices, cause crackling.
Loudness Equalization: Pros and Cons
Loudness Equalization compresses the dynamic range so quiet sounds become louder and loud sounds become quieter. Some players use it to hear distant footsteps more easily.
The downside is that it reduces the volume difference between near and far sounds. That makes it harder to judge distance, and it can raise background noise along with useful cues. We recommend leaving it off and using EQ for clarity.
Exclusive Mode
Under the Advanced tab in the classic Sound Control Panel, you will find two exclusive mode options. These allow an application to take full control of the audio device.
For most players, leaving both boxes checked is fine. If you hear Discord or other apps cutting out while Valorant is running, unchecking “Allow applications to take exclusive control of this device” can help.
EQ for Footsteps
An equalizer lets you raise or lower specific frequency ranges. A light adjustment can make important cues easier to pick out without changing how positioning works.
Which Frequencies Carry Key Sounds
Footsteps in Valorant sit mostly between about 1 kHz and 4 kHz, with some low thud around 100 Hz to 250 Hz. The sharp, detailed part that helps with direction is in the upper range.
Reload sounds, weapon handling, and many ability cues sit in the 2 kHz to 6 kHz range. Gunfire and explosions carry a lot of energy below 250 Hz, which can mask quieter sounds.
A Simple Starter EQ Curve
Use this as a starting point and adjust based on your headphones:
- 60 Hz and below: reduce by 2 to 3 dB
- 125 Hz to 250 Hz: reduce by 1 to 2 dB
- 500 Hz: leave flat
- 1 kHz: raise by 1 dB
- 2 kHz to 4 kHz: raise by 2 to 3 dB
- 6 kHz to 8 kHz: raise by 1 dB, or leave flat if it sounds harsh
- 10 kHz and above: leave flat
Keep boosts small. Large boosts can cause distortion and listening fatigue over long sessions.
You can apply EQ through your headset’s software, your audio interface, or a system-wide tool such as Equalizer APO. Avoid using more than one EQ at the same time.
Headset vs IEM for Valorant Audio
Both headsets and in-ear monitors (IEMs) can work well for Valorant. The best choice depends on comfort, sound signature, and how you use voice chat.
Headsets
Headsets usually include a built-in microphone, which simplifies setup. Open-back models tend to offer a wider sense of space, while closed-back models block more outside noise.
Some gaming headsets have a heavy bass tuning. That can make explosions louder while making footsteps harder to hear, so EQ may be needed.
IEMs
IEMs sit inside the ear canal and block outside noise well when the ear tips fit properly. Many have a balanced tuning with clear mids and treble, which suits footstep detection.
You will need a separate microphone, such as a desktop mic or an attachable boom mic. Fit also matters, so trying different ear tip sizes is worth the effort.
How to Test Your Setup in the Range and Custom Games
Testing your settings in a controlled space helps you confirm changes before playing ranked matches.
Testing in the Range
The Range lets you hear your own footsteps, reloads, and abilities. Walk and run on different surfaces and listen for consistent volume and clarity.
Use the training bots and the ability practice area to check how utility sounds from different directions. Turn your camera slowly and confirm that sounds move smoothly from one side to the other.
Testing in Custom Games
Custom games with a friend give you a more realistic test. Ask them to move around you at different distances, behind walls, and on different floor levels.
Close your eyes or look away and try to point toward their position. Then compare near and far footsteps to make sure you can tell distance, not just direction.
Repeat the same test after each change. Adjusting one setting at a time makes it easier to see what helped.
Troubleshooting Common Audio Problems
Audio Cutting Out
Check that your headset or USB DAC is connected directly to the PC rather than through a hub. Update your audio drivers and the chipset drivers for your motherboard.
If you use a wireless headset, keep the receiver close and away from other wireless devices. Also confirm that your Windows sample rate is not set higher than your device supports.
Sounds Feeling Flat
Flat or distant audio is often caused by stacked processing. Confirm that Windows spatial sound, audio enhancements, and any headset virtual surround are all off.
Check that your EQ is not cutting too much in the 2 kHz to 4 kHz range. If the problem continues, reset your EQ to flat and rebuild it with small changes.
Mic Bleed
Mic bleed happens when your microphone picks up game audio from your headphones. Lowering your headphone volume slightly or moving the mic farther from the ear cups can reduce it.
In Valorant’s voice chat settings, adjust the input sensitivity or use push-to-talk. Noise suppression in your mic software or in Discord can also filter out leaked sound.
If you use open-back headphones, some bleed is expected. A closed-back headset or IEMs will reduce it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should HRTF be on in Valorant?
What volume settings are best in Valorant?
Should I use 7.1 surround sound in Valorant?
More Valorant guides: 5 Best Monitors for Valorant in 2026 (Eliminate Motion Blur), Best Video Settings for Valorant (Maximize FPS & Visibility), Best Valorant Keybinds (Pro VCT Settings & Movement).