Xbox Series X - no optical audio port?

zer0fuchsgiven · Mar 17, 2020

I have just seen the new released info about the Xbox Series X. Although more than impressive one thing stood out - the box does not appear to have optical audio s/pdif port.

What are your opinions on this one? Personally I find it very disappointing considering I am hoping to use my legacy set which does not support hdmi. This is a crucial factor for me buying the console.

Am I one of the few people thinking this may alienate a lot of potential buyers? I just can't see why such premium product will strip out a widely used feature like this.

:)

Unstable Chimp

There are multiple articles stating audio compatibility via USB. If optical is necessary, there are various HDMI to optical devices available which you may need to add.

https://news.xbox.com/en-us/2020/09/02/designed-for-xbox-new-look-continuous-compatibility/

"Some gaming headsets that utilize an optical cable may require a firmware update to support game and chat audio over USB on Xbox Series X. Soundbars and headsets that do not receive updates may be connected
directly to your televisions optical port."

https://wccftech.com/xbox-series-x-audio-usb/

"Xbox Series X to Support Wireless Audio and Voice Chat Over USB, Astro Gaming Confirms"

ROBIN H 25

I'm in a similar situation...

I use astro a50 gen 2 headset for my audio through optical port, without the optical port on the Series X my £299 astro headset is useless, just had order and spend another £299 for the astro a50 gen 4 to work with the Series X,

I would have rather have paid an extra £5-£10 more for the Series X console for it to have an optical port than having to pay out £299 for a new headset

I use a 4K monitor but it has no speakers, so I'm stuck with no audio at all for the Series X until I get my new headset.

stuart mcb

https://www.google.co.uk/amp/s/www....-series-x-to-audio-devices-via-optical-ports/

Onyx Is Here

Hello Deborah, sorry to hear you're having trouble.

It depends on the console. If he has an Xbox up to the One X then there should be an Optical Port on the back. Most sound bars will offer an optical in option for this as they offer a really good audio option for the console. If he's using the Xbox Series X or S then the Optical Port is not a feature so he would need to purchase either an Xbox compatable Wireless headset or a wired headset that can plug into his controller.

[Farscape]

well the xbox series x has one HDMI port, so you would need to either upgrade your audio kit, connect tv via optical if supported or by a hdmi to hdmi/optical splitter which would then not pass through any hdmi 2.1 features.

Xbox Series X - no optical audio port?