<![CDATA[The Shortcut: Best Settings]]>https://www.theshortcut.com/s/best-settingshttps://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!q5Dh!,w_256,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fbucketeer-e05bbc84-baa3-437e-9518-adb32be77984.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fec06c0c9-dd45-48b8-951a-f93f8d52d8b4_477x477.pngThe Shortcut: Best Settingshttps://www.theshortcut.com/s/best-settingsSubstackMon, 17 Aug 2026 04:11:39 GMT<![CDATA[Best Steam Machine settings for Resident Evil Requiem]]>https://www.theshortcut.com/p/best-steam-machine-settings-for-resident-evil-requiemhttps://www.theshortcut.com/p/best-steam-machine-settings-for-resident-evil-requiemFri, 07 Aug 2026 13:00:55 GMT
Best Steam Machine settings for Resident Evil Requiem
(Credit: Capcom)

Resident Evil Requiem is a fantastic entry in Capcom’s survival horror series, combining the best of both worlds into one stunning package. Thankfully, the game is well-optimized for PC, though you’ll want to use our best Steam Machine settings for Resident Evil Requiem if you want a smooth experience.

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Ray tracing is best left off, and a few settings need to be changed to manage the 8GB of VRAM available. We’re targeting 1440p with FSR 4.1.1 at 60fps for Resident Evil Requiem. Don’t miss the rest of our best Steam Machine settings for the following titles below:

Note: These Steam Machine settings target 1440p/60fps with VRR turned off. If you have a 4K/120Hz display with VRR, you can experiment with different refresh rates and unlocked frame rates.

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]]><![CDATA[Best Sony Inzone Buds EQ settings: a bit of fine-tuning makes a world of difference]]>https://www.theshortcut.com/p/best-sony-inzone-buds-eq-settingshttps://www.theshortcut.com/p/best-sony-inzone-buds-eq-settingsWed, 05 Aug 2026 10:02:59 GMT
Best Sony Inzone Buds EQ settings
(Credit: Adam Vjestica/The Shortcut)

Walmart: Inzone Buds

Best Buy: Inzone Buds

GameStop: Inzone Buds

Amazon: Inzone Buds

PlayStation Direct: Inzone Buds

After searching for a pair of wireless earbuds for gaming, I settled on the Sony Inzone Buds – but boy, do they need some serious EQ tweaks. The flat, out-of-the-box preset makes them sound metallic, lifeless, and as if the sound is completely contained within your head.

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The best Sony Inzone Buds EQ settings keep the earbuds’ surprisingly powerful bass intact, but also dull the sharp sparkle found in the high-end that can be overpowering and even painful‌. The tricky part is trying to achieve a wider soundstage without muffling the fine detail needed for gaming.

A few other things to note. If you’re using SteamOS or specifically the Steam Machine like I am, make sure you head into desktop mode and change the sound profile to digital instead of the default analog setting. You should also change the receiver to ‘PS5/mobile’ instead of PC. This EQ should also transfer over to the PS5, but make sure you complete the 3D audio setup to get the best spatial experience.

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]]><![CDATA[Best Steam Machine settings for Cyberpunk 2077]]>https://www.theshortcut.com/p/best-steam-machine-settings-for-cyberpunk-2077https://www.theshortcut.com/p/best-steam-machine-settings-for-cyberpunk-2077Wed, 29 Jul 2026 14:07:41 GMT
(Credit: Adam Vjestica/The Shortcut)

Cyberpunk 2077 remains a standout title on PC, and a showcase for those with high-end hardware. The Steam Machine may not be armed with the most powerful GPU or CPU, but our best Steam Machine settings for Cyberpunk 2077 still result in a gorgeous-looking game that delivers a smooth 60fps throughout.

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Ray tracing is off the cards here, and we’re targeting 1440p with FSR 4. Don’t miss the rest of our best Steam Machine settings for the following titles below:

Note: These Steam Machine settings target 1440p/60fps with VRR turned off. If you have a 4K/120Hz display with VRR, you can experiment with different refresh rates and unlocked frame rates.

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]]><![CDATA[Best Steam Machine settings for Monster Hunter World]]>https://www.theshortcut.com/p/best-steam-machine-settings-for-monster-hunter-worldhttps://www.theshortcut.com/p/best-steam-machine-settings-for-monster-hunter-worldWed, 29 Jul 2026 09:45:03 GMT
Best Steam Machine settings for Monster Hunter World
(Credit: Adam Vjestica/The Shortcut)

Monster Hunter World brought Capcom’s incredibly popular RPG to western audiences in a big way, and it remains extremely popular even though a sequel has been released. With our best Steam Machine settings for Monster Hunter World, you can focus more on hunting ferocious creatures and less time on fiddling with graphical settings.

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We targeted 1440p at 60fps, and that means we can turn practically every setting up to high – though there is one graphical quirk that needs to be lowered or disabled completely. Don’t forget to check out our growing list of the best Steam Machine settings below, as we continue to test and share more optimized settings for popular titles.

Note: These Steam Machine settings target 1440p/60fps with VRR turned off. If you have a 4K/120Hz display with VRR, you can experiment with different refresh rates and unlocked frame rates.

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]]><![CDATA[Best Steam Machine settings for Stardew Valley]]>https://www.theshortcut.com/p/best-steam-machine-settings-for-stardew-valleyhttps://www.theshortcut.com/p/best-steam-machine-settings-for-stardew-valleyMon, 27 Jul 2026 14:51:12 GMT
Best Steam Machine settings for Stardew Valley
(Credit: Adam Vjestica/The Shortcut)

Stardew Valley has lit up the Steam most-played charts ever since its release, and it feels right at home on the Steam Machine. Our best Steam Machine settings for Stardew Valley will help you get the best experience when playing at 4K resolution, as you’ll need to do some menu tweaks.

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Don’t forget to check out our growing list of the best Steam Machine settings below, as we continue to test and share more optimized settings for popular titles.

Note: These Steam Machine settings target 4K/60fps with VRR turned off. If you have a 4K/120Hz display with VRR, you can experiment with different refresh rates and unlocked frame rates.

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]]><![CDATA[Best Steam Machine settings for Resident Evil Village]]>https://www.theshortcut.com/p/best-steam-machine-settings-for-resident-evil-villagehttps://www.theshortcut.com/p/best-steam-machine-settings-for-resident-evil-villageFri, 24 Jul 2026 09:07:43 GMT
Best Steam Machine settings for Resident Evil Village
(Credit: Adam Vjestica/The Shortcut)

Resident Evil Village continued Capcom’s return to form and is a gripping experience from beginning to end. With our best Steam Machine settings for Resident Evil Village, you can expect a crisp 1440p resolution at a locked 60fps, no matter how intense the action gets.

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Because of the increased demands of Resident Evil Village’s more open areas, ray tracing isn’t an option unless you lean heavily on FSR 1.0 and drop the resolution further. We decided against that as ray tracing doesn’t deliver much of a visual impact and is often impossible to notice. Check out our growing list of the best Steam Machine settings below.

Note: These Steam Machine settings target 1440p/60fps with VRR turned off. If you have a 4K/120Hz display with VRR, you can experiment with different refresh rates and unlocked frame rates.

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]]><![CDATA[Best Steam Machine settings for Resident Evil 7]]>https://www.theshortcut.com/p/best-steam-machine-settings-for-resident-evil-7https://www.theshortcut.com/p/best-steam-machine-settings-for-resident-evil-7Thu, 23 Jul 2026 12:07:26 GMT
Best Steam Machine settings for Resident Evil 7
(Credit: Adam Vjestica/The Shortcut)

Resident Evil 7 marked a return to form for Capcom’s survival horror series, and it’s just as skin-tingling scary today. Our best Steam Machine settings for Resident Evil 7 provide the best balance between image quality and a solid 60fps lock, meaning you can worry less about the frame rate and more about what lurks around the corner.

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Resident Evil 7 can hit 4K and 60fps pretty consistently, but sticking with a 1440p resolution offers more consistent results for those without a VRR display. Don’t forget to check our other best Steam Machine settings guides below.

Note: These Steam Machine settings target 1440p/60fps with VRR turned off. If you have a 4K/120Hz display with VRR, you can experiment with different refresh rates and unlocked frame rates.

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]]><![CDATA[Best Steam Machine settings for Palworld]]>https://www.theshortcut.com/p/best-steam-machine-settings-for-palworldhttps://www.theshortcut.com/p/best-steam-machine-settings-for-palworldThu, 23 Jul 2026 09:40:20 GMT
Best Steam Machine settings for Palworld
(Credit: Adam Vjestica/The Shortcut)

Palworld is one of the most popular games on Steam, and its 1.0 release after leaving early access means millions are jumping into the game for the first time. And with our best Steam Machine settings for Palworld, you can enjoy building your base and capturing Pals without worrying about performance.

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Even though you can play Palworld comfortably at 1440p ‘Medium’ settings, we opted for 1080p to provide more overhead when things get busy. Don’t forget to check out our other best Steam Machine settings for more titles below.

Note: These Steam Machine settings target 1080p/60fps with VRR turned off. If you have a 4K/120Hz display with VRR, you can experiment with different refresh rates and unlocked frame rates.

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]]><![CDATA[Best Steam Machine settings for GTA 4]]>https://www.theshortcut.com/p/best-steam-machine-settings-for-gta-4https://www.theshortcut.com/p/best-steam-machine-settings-for-gta-4Wed, 22 Jul 2026 16:05:13 GMT
Best Steam Machine settings for GTA 4
(Credit: Adam Vjestica/The Shortcut)

GTA 4 is, for many, the best entry in the series, though everyone has their own personal favorites. Even today, Rockstar’s classic holds up incredibly well, and our best Steam Machine settings for GTA 4 let you play the game in 4K at an unwavering 60fps.

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Grand Theft Auto 4 was never the best PC port, but thanks to more powerful hardware, the game runs far better than ever before. It’s also still stuck at 720p 30fps on Xbox 360, as no remaster has been announced. Don’t forget to check out our other best Steam Machine settings below:

Note: These Steam Machine settings target 4K/60fps with VRR turned off. If you have a 4K/120Hz display with VRR, you can experiment with different refresh rates and unlocked frame rates.

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]]><![CDATA[Best Steam Machine settings for Metal Gear Solid 5: The Phantom Pain]]>https://www.theshortcut.com/p/best-steam-machine-settings-for-metal-gear-solid-5-the-phantom-painhttps://www.theshortcut.com/p/best-steam-machine-settings-for-metal-gear-solid-5-the-phantom-painWed, 22 Jul 2026 13:48:22 GMT
Best Steam Machine settings for Metal Gear Solid 5: The Phantom Pain
(Credit: Adam Vjestica/The Shortcut)

Metal Gear Solid 5: The Phantom Pain features expansive environments and beautiful visuals, all of which are rendered without issue on the Steam Machine. Valve’s compact cube can run the game at 4K/60fps with our best Steam Machine settings for Metal Gear Solid 5, which is better than the 1440p PS4 Pro version and a big bump over the muddy 900p resolution on Xbox One.

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Don’t forget to check out our other best Steam Machine settings for the titles below and keep a lookout for more games in the future.

Note: These Steam Machine settings target 4K/60fps with VRR turned off. If you have a 4K/120Hz display with VRR, you can experiment with different refresh rates and unlocked frame rates.

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]]><![CDATA[Best Steam Machine settings for Red Dead Redemption]]>https://www.theshortcut.com/p/best-steam-machine-settings-for-red-dead-redemptionhttps://www.theshortcut.com/p/best-steam-machine-settings-for-red-dead-redemptionTue, 21 Jul 2026 15:22:47 GMT
Best Steam Machine settings for Red Dead Redemption
(Credit: Adam Vjestica/The Shortcut)

Red Dead Redemption remains an all-time classic, and it’s PC release means players can enjoy Rockstar’s western epic with better visuals and smoother frame rates than Xbox 360 and PS3 fans had to endure. Our best Steam Machine settings for Red Dead Redemption work wonderfully, as the game has no trouble running at 1440p and ‘Ultra’ settings.

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There is headroom to hit 4K, but the 1440p native image looks so clear that you really don’t need to suffer the performance hit, especially if you want to keep a locked 60fps. Check out our other best Steam Machine settings to optimize your favorite game for Valve’s little black box.

Note: These Steam Machine settings target 1440p/60fps with VRR turned off. If you have a 4K/120Hz display with VRR, you can experiment with different refresh rates and unlocked frame rates.

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]]><![CDATA[Best Steam Machine settings for Yakuza 0]]>https://www.theshortcut.com/p/best-steam-machine-settings-for-yakuza-0https://www.theshortcut.com/p/best-steam-machine-settings-for-yakuza-0Tue, 21 Jul 2026 14:19:25 GMT
Best Steam Machine settings for Yakuza 0
(Credit: Adam Vjestica/The Shortcut)

Yakuza 0 is arguably one of the best entries in the series, and fans will be pleased to know it runs without a hitch on the Steam Machine. Our best Steam Machine settings for Yakuza 0 target a 4K resolution at 60fps, and by tweaking a few simple options and not going overboard, it’s easy to achieve.

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If you’ve yet to play Yakuza 0 or simply want to replay Kiryu’s epic adventure, dial in our recommended settings. Don’t forget to check out our other Steam Machine settings below:

Note: These Steam Machine settings target 4K/60fps with VRR turned off. If you have a 4K/120Hz display with VRR, you can experiment with different refresh rates and unlocked frame rates.

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]]><![CDATA[Best Steam Machine settings for Persona 5 Royal]]>https://www.theshortcut.com/p/best-steam-machine-settings-for-persona-5-royalhttps://www.theshortcut.com/p/best-steam-machine-settings-for-persona-5-royalTue, 21 Jul 2026 10:04:59 GMT
Best Steam Machine settings for Persona 5 Royal
(Credit: Adam Vjestica/The Shortcut)

Persona 5 Royal is renowned for its stylish UI, toe-tapping soundtrack, and engrossing story, and it’s the perfect fit for Valve’s Steam Machine. It’s another game that runs at a crystal-clear 4K resolution without upscaling, and a rock-solid 60fps.

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Our best Steam Machine settings for Persona 5 Royal take the guesswork out of which settings to turn up or down, and ensures you’ll have a great time with Atlas’ classic turn-based RPG. Don’t forget to check out our other best Steam Machine settings guides:

Note: These Steam Machine settings target 4K/60fps with VRR turned off. If you have a 4K/120Hz display with VRR, you can experiment with different refresh rates and unlocked frame rates.

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]]><![CDATA[Best Steam Machine settings for Resident Evil 5]]>https://www.theshortcut.com/p/best-steam-machine-settings-for-resident-evil-5https://www.theshortcut.com/p/best-steam-machine-settings-for-resident-evil-5Tue, 21 Jul 2026 09:38:47 GMT
Best Steam Machine settings for Resident Evil 5
(Credit: Adam Vjestica/The Shortcut)

Capcom’s Resident Evil 5 remains a firm fan-favourite, and thankfully it runs flawlessly on the Steam Machine. It might be old, but running at 4K/60fps with every graphical setting matched out produces a visually gorgeous game, even after all these years.

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Our best Steam Machine settings for Resident Evil 5 target 60fps and a rock-steady frame rate at 4K. Don’t forget to check out our other best Steam Machine settings below:

Note: These Steam Machine settings target 4K/60fps with VRR turned off. If you have a 4K/120Hz display with VRR, you can experiment with different refresh rates and unlocked frame rates.

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]]><![CDATA[Best Steam Machine settings for Resident Evil 2 remake]]>https://www.theshortcut.com/p/best-steam-machine-settings-for-resident-evil-2-remakehttps://www.theshortcut.com/p/best-steam-machine-settings-for-resident-evil-2-remakeMon, 20 Jul 2026 13:30:26 GMT
Best Steam Machine settings for Resident Evil 2 Remake
(Credit: Adam Vjestica/The Shortcut)

Capcom’s Resident Evil 2 remake remains one of the best survival horror games ever made, and it runs great on the Steam Machine once you’ve dialed in the right settings.

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Our best Steam Machine settings for Resident Evil 2 remake achieve a solid 60fps throughout without sacrificing image quality. You can even keep ray tracing on, as it doesn’t have much of an impact on performance. However, there are a few settings that need to be tweaked to keep the action smooth. Don’t forget to check out our other Steam Machine best setting guides below:

Note: These Steam Machine settings target 1440p/60fps with VRR turned off. If you have a 4K/120Hz display with VRR, you can experiment with different refresh rates and unlocked frame rates.

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]]><![CDATA[Best Steam Machine settings for The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt]]>https://www.theshortcut.com/p/best-steam-machine-settings-for-the-witcher-3-wild-hunthttps://www.theshortcut.com/p/best-steam-machine-settings-for-the-witcher-3-wild-huntMon, 20 Jul 2026 12:54:15 GMT
(Credit: Adam Vjestica/The Shortcut)

CD Projekt Red’s The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt remains one of the most engrossing RPGs you can play, and with new content coming in 2027, the game will be a popular choice for Steam Machine players.

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With our best Steam Machine settings for The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, you can enjoy a crisp 1440p resolution at a rock-solid 60fps. The game still looks fantastic today, though compromises have to be made, as ray tracing and a 4K resolution are out of reach when running the game on Valve’s compact cube.

Note: These Steam Machine settings target 1440p/60fps with VRR turned off. If you have a 4K/120Hz display with VRR, you can experiment with different refresh rates and unlocked frame rates.

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]]><![CDATA[Best Steam Machine settings for Doom (2016)]]>https://www.theshortcut.com/p/best-steam-machine-settings-for-doom-2016https://www.theshortcut.com/p/best-steam-machine-settings-for-doom-2016Mon, 20 Jul 2026 10:38:37 GMT
Best Steam Machine settings for DOOM (2016)
(Credit: Adam Vjestica/The Shortcut)

Doom may have released in 2016, but it still looks incredible and runs at a locked 60fps on the Steam Machine with the right settings.

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Ripping through hordes of demons with practically every setting turned up to max makes the game well worth revisiting or playing for the first time on Valve’s little black box, and our best Steam Machine settings for Doom (2016) will ensure you’re getting the right balance of visuals and performance.

Note: These Steam Machine settings target 1440p/60fps with VRR turned off. If you have a 4K/120Hz display with VRR, you can experiment with different refresh rates and unlocked frame rates.

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]]><![CDATA[Best Steam Machine settings for Mass Effect: Legendary Edition]]>https://www.theshortcut.com/p/best-steam-machine-settings-for-mass-effect-legendary-editionhttps://www.theshortcut.com/p/best-steam-machine-settings-for-mass-effect-legendary-editionMon, 20 Jul 2026 10:17:41 GMT
Best Steam Machine settings for Mass Effect: Legendary Edition
(Credit: Adam Vjestica/The Shortcut)

Mass Effect: Legendary Edition runs wonderfully on the Steam Machine with the right settings. You can essentially enjoy the game with everything turned up to max at 60fps, though running the game at 1440p is certainly the sweet spot for the Steam Machine.

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With our best Steam Machine settings for Mass Effect: Legendary Edition, you can stop obsessing over the frame rate and experience three of the best sci-fi RPG games ever made from the comfort of your couch.

Note: These Steam Machine settings target 1440p/60fps with VRR turned off. If you have a 4K/120Hz display with VRR, you can experiment with different refresh rates and unlocked frame rates.

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]]><![CDATA[Best Edifier G5 Max EQ settings: get even better sound with these simple tweaks]]>https://www.theshortcut.com/p/best-edifier-g5-max-eq-settingshttps://www.theshortcut.com/p/best-edifier-g5-max-eq-settingsMon, 13 Jul 2026 13:36:26 GMT
Best Edifier G5 Max EQ settings

Amazon: Edifier G5 Max

The Edifier G5 Max features excellent sound quality, brilliant battery life, and is incredibly comfortable to wear for hours at a time. For $150, they’re a great pick for audiophiles, but you’ll want to dial in our best Edifier G5 Max EQ settings to take them to the next level.

While the default ‘Game’ preset is perfectly fine, the Edifier G5 Max can be enhanced by heading into the EQ and enabling some features like THX Spatial audio if you’re on PC. For media and music, I found the ‘Music’ preset was more than serviceable, but you can also change the stock settings to your liking.

Want to see more best setting guides? 🥇 To unlock exclusive content and help keep our work ad-free, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

Don’t forget to check out our Edifier G5 Max review to find out why this is one of the best-sounding headsets we’ve tested in quite some time.

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]]><![CDATA[Best Nacon RIG R8 Spectre Pro HS EQ settings: get the most out of the headset’s graphene drivers]]>https://www.theshortcut.com/p/best-nacon-rig-r8-spectre-pro-hs-eq-settingshttps://www.theshortcut.com/p/best-nacon-rig-r8-spectre-pro-hs-eq-settingsWed, 29 Apr 2026 15:29:37 GMT
Best Nacon RIG R8 Spectre Pro HS EQ settings
(Credit: Adam Vjestica/The Shortcut)

Amazon: RIG R8 Pro HS

Best Buy: RIG R8 Pro HS

The Nacon RIG R8 Spectre Pro HS is a great option for those looking for a gaming headset that includes every feature you’d want, and costs less than $200. However, you’ll want to try our best Nacon RIG R8 Spectre Pro HS EQ settings to improve the headset’s stock audio quality.

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Out of the box, the Nacon RIG R8 Spectre Pro HS is tuned for first-person shooters. And while that’s fine for picking out audio cues like footsteps and reload sounds, it isn’t the best for more immersive games or general media consumption. Our EQ aims to address this imbalance and also helps make the headset a little louder.

Don’t forget to check out our Nacon RIG R8 Spectre Pro HS review for more information about the headset.

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