Ok do me a favor, watch these 2 videos with decent headphones. One will be on PC, the other on Console (doesn't matter which). Listen for the audio cues to see if you can tell the direction and position of footsteps, gun fire, etc.
Now I want to make it clear that Youtube isn't the best way to demonstrate audio quality in this fashion, I know this. However, the distinction is so clear to me in the video below I wanted to provide it as an example as it resembles my own experience. Also, it's my understanding that PS4 encodes audio at 128kbps at 48kHz which is standard on the PC audio like Realtek, Sound Blaster, etc (unless you select something very low).
This is the PC version with unknown setup. Start at 6:00 minute market.
This is PS4. Start at the 9:07 mark.
I try to use the same maps which is why I have starting points on each video. Put on some decent headphones. Take note of the audio cues which would cause you to move your head left, right, front, back when looking for the enemy between PC vs PS4. Another caveat is that the audio position would technically be better on both PC and Console vs what's compressed to work with Youtube so keep that in mind as well. If there was a better way of demo'ing this example I'm all "ears" (LOL). Jokes aside, before I updated my audio, the PC version is very similar to what I heard in the PC video. I
can hear gunshots, footsteps, and other ambient sounds. But I
couldn't always tell the position of the enemy player as they run by. Regardless of Boost, Boost Low, Boost High.
Here is another example on the PS4, I believe.
Listen to the 1st 10 seconds . You should be able to hear the footsteps but also can tell that they sound very soft, when far away, to loud, "fuller" the pitch of the audio cue changes just before the enemy becomes visible. If you look at the player, he actually backs up just before the enemy is visible. Which is a natural thing to do. Unfortunately, again, this is youtube, and can't really audio ping the player for a pint point position. But on console, you certain can pinpoint the enemy position audibly. Well, at least I can with my Sennheiser.
This is the disadvantage I'm seeing as a PC player when I play against console players in Modern Warfare 2019 (cross platform). Right now I'm getting well over 100+ FPS at 1440p yet they are one up'ing me by being able to audio ping me as I get close to them. And was the #1 reason why I stayed away from 2v2 matches. They can sound ping me and know exactly were you are within ear shot of about 20'-25' or so. While on my end, I hear them...and get a general idea of where they are but cannot pin point them. Well, until I upgraded my audio. And found some good use for using LatencyMon while playing MW2019
.
So, lets say I upgrade to the 6800 series card. I now get over 140+ FPS at 120Hz at 1440p. Sure, that would be better from my point of view. But if I didn't upgrade my audio and/or get better audio fidelity from the game's engine for these PC ported game I'm at a disadvantage playing against console players.
This isn't black and white though. One most factor in skill, weapon used, teammate, etc.