Just caught this thread. Like someone mentioned, getting the basics right is huge, but honestly, I was really disappointed with the stock experience after spending so much on my own setup. The built-in speakers on those thin OLEDs are just not as good as expected and they really kill the immersion during big cinematic games. Also, the battery life on the DualSense is kinda trash for long sessions in my experience. You should definitely look into these to keep things reliable:

• Sony DualSense Charging Station - it saves your consoles USB ports from constant wear and tear and keeps you from being tethered to the wall while playing.
• <a href=" https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?Ntt= SteelSeries+Arctis+Nova+7P+Wireless&BI=8941&KBID=10361&SID=12345&DFF=d50" target="_blank" rel="nofollow sponsored">SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7P Wireless - the 3D audio is way better than the TV speakers and helps with spatial awareness in-game. Its way better to grab these now so you arent constantly frustrated by dead controllers or muddy sound. Feel free to ask if you need help with the audio settings tho, they can be a real pain to get right.

I'd be careful about power spikes in Chicago. I once lost a TV during a summer storm because I plugged straight into the wall like a rookie. I would suggest getting a Belkin BoostCharge Pro 12-Outlet Surge Protector to keep your gear safe. Also, dont waste money on cables... the HDMI that came with your PS5 is already high-speed.

^ This. Also, you really need to be careful with the cables connecting that PS5. Using generic ones might cause signal drops or flickering at 4K 120Hz. I would suggest the Zeskit Maya 8K 48Gbps HDMI Cable because it is officially certified and reliable. Compare that to the AudioQuest Cinnamon 48 8K-10K 48Gbps HDMI which offers better shielding but costs significantly more. Make sure whatever you get actually says Ultra High Speed on the packaging.

Regarding what #1 said about power spikes, hes right. Chicago grids are chaotic. Is your room super bright? TL;DR: Light control is the best low-cost upgrade for those OLED blacks.