Improve Handheld Gaming PC Audio With These 7 Pro Tips

You've got the Steam Deck, the ROG Ally, or another beast of a handheld PC right in your hands. The graphics are stunning, the performance is unreal... but the sound? A bit thin, right? Those tiny built-in speakers just can't deliver the booming explosions and crisp footsteps you deserve. Before you resign yourself to tinny audio, know this: you can dramatically improve handheld gaming PC audio with a few clever tweaks and the right gear. Let's dive in.

MSI Claw 8 AI+ A2VM Handheld Touchscreen Gaming Console / Intel Core Ultra 7 258V / 32GB LPDDR5X RAM / 1TB NVMe SSD / 8" FHD+ (1920 x 1200), 120 Hz, Touchscreen Display / Intel® Arc 140V Graphics / 2 x USB Type-C (Supports Thunderbolt 4 / DisplayPort / Power Delivery 3.0) / 1 x Micro SD Card Reader / 1 x Headphone and Microphone combo jack / 1x Fingerprint Reader / Intel® Killer Wi-Fi 7 BE1750 Wireless LAN / Bluetooth 5.4 / Windows 11 Home (64bit) / 2 × 2W Speakers, Hi-Res Audio ready / 6-Cell, 80Whr Battery / 1 Year Warranty / CLAW-8-AI-A2VM-067ZA

R18999.00In Stock

Razer Wolverine V2 Pro Wireless Gaming Controller for PlayStation 5 / PS5, PC: Mecha-Tactile Action Buttons - 8-Way Microswitch D-Pad - HyperTrigger - 6 Remappable Buttons - Chroma RGB   - White- RZ06-04710200-R3G1

R5999.00In Stock

Razer Wolverine V3 Tournament Edition XBOX/PC, 6 Remappable Buttons to Outplay Them All, 1000Hz Polling Rate for Competitive Play on PC, Wired Esports Controller - Black / RZ06-05210100-R3M1

R2599.00In Stock

ASUS ROG Ally X Handheld Touchscreen Gaming Console / AMD Ryzen™ Z2 Extreme / 24GB LPDDR5X RAM / 1TB NVMe SSD / 7" FHD (1920 x 1080), 120 Hz Refresh Rate, Touch Screen, 100% sRGB(Typical), 500nits(Typical), IPS-Level Panel / AMD Radeon™ Graphics / 1x USB 3.2 Type-C / 1 x Thunderbolt 4 / DisplayPort / USB Type-C (w/ PD 3.0 Charging) / 1 x MicroSD Card Reader / 1 x Audio combo jack / Finger Print Sensor / 802.11 ax WiFi 6 Wireless / Bluetooth 5.2 / Windows 11 Home (64bit) / 2-Speaker System with Smart Amplifier Technology / 4-Cell, Li-ion, 80Whr Battery / 1 Year Warranty / 90NV00H2-M003E0

R18999.00In Stock

Xbox Series X/S Wireless Controller - Pulse Red / Enhanced Comfort / New Hybrid D-pad / Xbox Wireless and Bluetooth Technology / 3.5mm Audio Jack / QAU-00012

R1599.00In Stock

FORCE GC300 Wireless Gaming Controller - Black / 2.4 GHz Wireless, Bluetooth, USB 2.0 (USB-C) / Up to 20 hours (w/o vibration) Battery Life / Compatible Windows 10 & later, Android 8 & later / S10-43G0180-EC4

R799.00In Stock

Why Stock Handheld Audio Often Falls Short

It’s simple physics, really. Handheld gaming PCs are marvels of engineering, packing immense power into a compact form factor. But that small size leaves little room for large, powerful speaker drivers. The result is often audio that lacks bass, sounds compressed at high volumes, and fails to create an immersive soundscape. To get truly epic sound, you need to bypass those limitations. 🚀

7 Pro Tips to Improve Your Handheld Gaming PC Audio

Ready to transform your audio experience from flat to fantastic? These seven tips will help you optimise your handheld gaming PC audio for maximum immersion, whether you're at home or on the go.

PowerA Advantage Wired Xbox Controller - Sonic Style / 3-Way Trigger Locks / Officially Licensed for Xbox Series X|S / XBGP0229-01

R699.00In Stock

FORCE GC300 Wireless Gaming Controller - White / 2.4 GHz Wireless, Bluetooth, USB 2.0 (USB-C) / Up to 20 hours (w/o vibration) Battery Life / Compatible Windows 10 & later, Android 8 & later / S10-43G0240-EC4

R599.00In Stock

Logitech F710 Wireless Gaming Gamepad / 2.4GHz Wireless / Broad Game Support / Familiar Button Layout / 940-000142

R849.00In Stock

Razer Kishi V3 Mobile Gaming Controller - Phantom White / Full-sized Controller Form Factor / Full-sized TMR Thumbsticks / Unparalleled Case Compatibility / RZ06-03550200-R3M1

R2699.00In Stock

FORCE GC300 Wireless Gaming Controller - Black / 2.4 GHz Wireless, Bluetooth, USB 2.0 (USB-C) / Up to 20 hours (w/o vibration) Battery Life / Compatible Windows 10 & later, Android 8 & later / S10-43G0180-EC4

R799.00In Stock

Razer Wolverine V3 Pro 8K PC Wireless Controller / Hyper Polling Technology / Swappable Thumbstick Caps / 4 Back Paddles / RZ06-05540100-R3M1

R4699.00In Stock

1. Master Your Device's EQ Settings

The first and cheapest step is to tweak the software. Both SteamOS and Windows offer built-in equalisers (EQs). By adjusting these, you can boost bass frequencies, clarify dialogue, and create a sound profile that suits your ears. On Windows-based devices like the ROG Ally, you can often find advanced audio controls in the Dolby Access or Realtek Audio Console apps. It's a simple fix that makes a noticeable difference.

2. The Ultimate Upgrade: A Quality Gaming Headset

There is no substitute for a dedicated headset. This is the single biggest step you can take to improve your handheld gaming PC audio. A good headset provides superior stereo separation, powerful bass, and noise isolation that tiny speakers can't match. Whether you prefer a wired connection for zero latency or the freedom of wireless, a proper gaming headset is your best bet for hearing every enemy footstep and cinematic score.

3. Go Portable with High-Fidelity Earbuds

Don't want the bulk of a full headset? A quality pair of gaming earbuds is an excellent, ultra-portable alternative. Modern earbuds offer incredible sound quality, and many feature active noise cancellation (ANC)—perfect for blocking out distractions during a commute or a bout of load-shedding. You can find some fantastic options in our range of gaming accessories that deliver powerful sound in a tiny package.

Razer Wolverine V3 Tournament Edition 8K PC Wired Controller / Hyper Polling Technology / Swappable Thumbstick Caps / 4 Back Paddles / RZ06-05550100-R3M1

R2699.00In Stock

FORCE GC300 Wireless Gaming Controller - White / 2.4 GHz Wireless, Bluetooth, USB 2.0 (USB-C) / Up to 20 hours (w/o vibration) Battery Life / Compatible Windows 10 & later, Android 8 & later / S10-43G0240-EC4

R599.00In Stock

Xbox Series X/S Wireless Controller - Pulse Red / Enhanced Comfort / New Hybrid D-pad / Xbox Wireless and Bluetooth Technology / 3.5mm Audio Jack / QAU-00012

R1599.00In Stock

Microsoft Xbox Wireless Controller - Shock Blue / Hybrid D-Pad / 3.5mm Stereo Headset Jack / Textured Triggers And Bumpers / Compatible for Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Windows 10, Android And iOS / QAU-00010

R1599.00In Stock

Microsoft Xbox Wireless Controller - Carbon Black / Hybrid D-Pad / 3.5mm Stereo Headset Jack / Textured Triggers And Bumpers / Compatible for Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Android And iOS / QAT-00009

R1599.00In Stock

MARVO GT-88 WIRELESS GAMING GAMEPAD / Compatible With PC / Analog Mini Sticks With Xbox Positioning / Double Triggers And Analog Mumpers / Rapid Fire With Turbo Mode / Dual Motors For Vibration Feedback / Soft, Sweat-resistant Coating / GT-88

R499.00In Stock

4. For the Audiophiles: Use a Portable DAC/Amp 🔧

If you're serious about sound, a portable DAC (Digital-to-Analogue Converter) and amplifier is the way to go. Your handheld's built-in audio hardware is decent, but a dedicated external DAC bypasses it entirely to provide cleaner, richer, and more detailed sound. It’s a niche upgrade, but for those who want the absolute best audio quality, it's a must-have. You'll find some great options among our other tech essentials.

5. Dig Into In-Game Audio Settings

Don't forget to check the settings in the game itself! Most games have audio profiles like "Headphones," "TV," or "Hi-Fi." Selecting the "Headphones" profile will optimise the sound mix for stereo listening, often making directional audio cues much clearer. It’s a small change that can give you a real competitive edge.

6. Keep Your Drivers Updated

This sounds basic, but it’s crucial. Outdated audio drivers can cause bugs, poor performance, and other weird sound issues. Regularly check for updates through your device's official software (like Armoury Crate for ASUS or Legion Space for Lenovo) or Windows Update to ensure you have the latest fixes and performance optimisations.

Razer Wolverine V3 Pro Wireless Gaming Controller: Licensed for Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Windows PC - 6 Remappable Buttons - Fast Triggers - Customizable Thumbsticks - Wired Tournament Mode - Black / RZ06-05200100-R3M1

R4999.00In Stock

Steelseries Nimbus+ Gamepad / Apple Gaming Controller / 50 hour Battery Life / Dedicated Navigation Buttons / Built-in Rechargeable Battery / Designed specifically for Apple Gaming / 69089

R1799.00In Stock

Razer Wolverine V3 Pro Wireless Gaming Controller: Licensed for Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Windows PC / 6 Remappable Buttons / Fast Triggers / Customizable Thumbsticks / Wired Tournament Mode - White / RZ06-05200200-R3M1

R4999.00In Stock

Razer Kishi V3 Gaming Controller / Supports Android and iPhone / Full-Sized Console-Style Controller / Dual mouse-click back buttons / Razer Sensa HD Immersive Haptics / RZ06-03550100-R3M1

R2999.00In Stock

Xbox Rechargeable Battery + USB-C Cable - SXW-00002

R649.00In Stock

FORCE GC300 Wireless Gaming Controller - Black / 2.4 GHz Wireless, Bluetooth, USB 2.0 (USB-C) / Up to 20 hours (w/o vibration) Battery Life / Compatible Windows 10 & later, Android 8 & later / S10-43G0180-EC4

R799.00In Stock

7. Check Your Storage Speed… Seriously

Here’s a tip you might not expect. In massive open-world games, audio files are streamed directly from your storage drive. If your drive is slow or nearly full, it can struggle to keep up, leading to audio stuttering or cutting out. Ensuring your OS and games are running on a fast drive by grabbing one of the best SSD deals in SA can solve these frustrating performance hiccups.