The “Blackout” in this question is Call of Duty: Black Ops 4’s battle-royale mode, not a purchasable headphone preset. There is no single magic setting that gives a player information the game does not output. The sensible goal is to make cues such as nearby movement, reloads, doors, vehicles and gunfire easier to separate without raising the volume to an unsafe level. In Black Ops 4, start in the Audio menu and make one controlled change at a time.
Start with headphones, then compare the mix
Use a wired or wireless headset that is correctly seated and set the game to the headset output you actually use. Blackout players most commonly compare Headphones, Supercrunch and High Boost. “Headphones” is the safe neutral baseline for a stereo headset. Supercrunch makes many gameplay sounds more prominent, which is why it became popular for footsteps, but it can also make explosions and general action tiring or muddy. High Boost is a good second test if Supercrunch feels too aggressive: it emphasises higher-frequency detail while reducing low-end weight.
Do not judge a mix by one kill-cam or a noisy late-circle fight. Enter several matches, stand still indoors, run over different ground, open doors, reload, listen to a teammate move and then compare distant vehicles and gunfire. If a preset makes one sound spectacular but makes direction hard to judge, it is not the better competitive choice for your ears and headset.
A practical Blackout baseline
Begin with the Headphones preset at a comfortable master volume. Set music low or off during competitive play so menu and dramatic music do not mask short cues. Keep effects high enough to preserve movement and interaction sounds. Set dialogue/announcer and voice chat only as high as needed to understand teammates; an over-loud squad channel can cover a door or footstep just as effectively as music. Controller speaker audio is optional, but turning it down or off can remove a second, distracting sound source.
After two or three matches, test Supercrunch with the same master volume—not a louder one. If the top end becomes fatiguing or explosions drown out position cues, return to Headphones or try High Boost. Community recommendations differ because headsets, platform audio processing, hearing and room noise differ. That disagreement is a reason to test, not evidence that one setting is objectively best.
Stereo, surround and external processing
Do not stack every “surround,” virtualiser and EQ switch at once. First test Blackout in plain stereo with the game’s selected mix. Then enable one platform or headset spatial option and repeat the same test. Virtual surround can improve the presentation for some listeners but can also smear left/right cues or change distance perception. Keep whichever version lets you identify a repeatable cue most reliably; disable the rest.
External EQ should be conservative. Reducing excessive bass can make it easier to hear details, but large boosts can create hiss, distortion and hearing fatigue. Avoid copying a five-band graphic from a different headset: its driver response and software are not yours. If an equaliser has a preamp control, leave headroom rather than boosting every band.
What audio cannot solve
Blackout’s audio has received updates to ambience and footstep behaviour, and game situations still affect what you can hear. Gunfire, vehicles, water, buildings, elevation, perks and other players can make a cue seem closer, farther or less distinct than expected. A preset cannot reliably reveal a player using Dead Silence, replace visual scanning or make a distant sound exact. Treat sound as one information channel alongside sight, map knowledge and teammate calls.
Safe-volume routine
Set a volume at which normal movement is audible but explosions are not painful. If you need to turn the system up repeatedly to hear cues, take a break rather than escalating volume. Ringing, muffled hearing or discomfort after a session are signs to lower the level and rest. Competitive advantage is not worth damaging hearing.
Recommended order of testing
- Headphones preset, low music, balanced effects and voice.
- Repeat the same landing area with Supercrunch.
- Try High Boost only if the first two leave footsteps buried or Supercrunch is harsh.
- Change one external spatial-audio or EQ option, then retest.
- Keep notes on directional clarity and fatigue, not just loudness.
For most Blackout headset users, Headphones is the most sensible baseline; Supercrunch is the first competitive comparison, and High Boost is the alternative for listeners who prefer a brighter, less bass-heavy presentation. The best preset is the one you can localise with accurately at a safe volume.