Best MW3 audio settings to hear enemies clearly

While using the best weapons is crucial in MW3, it’s only a job half done as you’ll need the best audio settings to make sure you can pinpoint enemy locations.

Audio is especially important since hearing enemy footsteps is the optimal way to decide on your next play, so check out the best sound settings you need to use in Season 5.

Best audio & sound settings in Modern Warfare 3

Volumes

• Audio Mix: Headphones Bass Boost
• Master Volume: 70
• Music Volume: 0
• Dialogue Volume: 76
• Effects Volume: 100
• Voice Chat Volume: 50
• Cinematic Music Volume: 50

Voice Chat

• Voice Chat: On
• Game Voice Channel: Party Only
• Last Words Voice Chat: Off

Subtitles

• Subtitles: Default
  • Multiplayer: Off
• Subtitles Size: Default
• Subtitles Background Opacity: 0

Functionality

• Mono Audio: Off
• Reduce Tinnitus Sound: Off
• Juggernaut Music: On
• Hit Marker Sound Effects: Classic

You’ll also want to use headphones instead of a speaker. With headphones, you’ll have a much better idea of what’s going on around you and also be able to pick up directional cues that will give away the enemy’s position.

Audio settings explained

You’ll want to use the Headphones Bass Boost setting, as this makes footsteps clearer in a match and easier to track. Set the Master Volume to 70 so the game volume is still loud without drowning out your teammates in voice chat, but this can be adjusted to your preference.

Next, we recommend either muting or turning down any sound effects that don’t help with gameplay, so set Music Volume to zero and Dialogue Volume to 76. The key when it comes to audio settings is being able to hear gunshots and footsteps, so the Effects Volume should be cranked up to 100.

The remaining settings are mostly down to personal preference. I find MW3 hit markers to be a little loud, so I like to opt for the Classic Hit Marker Sound Effects from the original Modern Warfare 2.

Aside from these, it’s all about adjusting your own Voice Chat and Subtitle options to find the balance that works for you. With these audio settings as a starting point, you should have no trouble hearing the key information during a game.

How to turn on Loudness Equalization in MW3

1. Right-click the speaker icon on the taskbar.
2. Click ‘Sounds.’
3. Head into the ‘Playback’ tab.
4. Find your audio device and right-click.
5. Select ‘Properties.’
6. Head into the ‘Enhancements’ tab.
7. Set ‘Loudness Equalization’ to ‘On.’
8. Click ‘Apply’ to save the settings.

You can enable Loudness Equalization from the Playback tab, which appears when you right-click the speaker icon on your taskbar. This is a PC-only option that significantly increases the volume and clarity of footsteps, making them much easier to pinpoint.

Don’t forget to optimize your PC and FOV settings as well to produce the best results on the battlefield.