diff --git a/Robust.Client/Animations/AnimationTrackPlaySound.cs b/Robust.Client/Animations/AnimationTrackPlaySound.cs
index be5051a4d8f..11f6a6e7434 100644
--- a/Robust.Client/Animations/AnimationTrackPlaySound.cs
+++ b/Robust.Client/Animations/AnimationTrackPlaySound.cs
@@ -40,11 +40,7 @@ public override (int KeyFrameIndex, float FramePlayingTime)
                 var keyFrame = KeyFrames[keyFrameIndex];
 
                 var audioParams = keyFrame.AudioParamsFunc.Invoke();
-                var audio = new SoundPathSpecifier(keyFrame.Resource)
-                {
-                    Params = audioParams
-                };
-                IoCManager.Resolve<IEntitySystemManager>().GetEntitySystem<AudioSystem>().PlayEntity(audio, Filter.Local(), entity, true);
+                IoCManager.Resolve<IEntitySystemManager>().GetEntitySystem<AudioSystem>().PlayEntity(keyFrame.Specifier, Filter.Local(), entity, true, audioParams);
             }
 
             return (keyFrameIndex, playingTime);
@@ -55,7 +51,7 @@ public struct KeyFrame
             /// <summary>
             ///     The RSI state to play when this keyframe gets triggered.
             /// </summary>
-            public readonly string Resource;
+            public readonly ResolvedSoundSpecifier Specifier;
 
             /// <summary>
             ///     A function that returns the audio parameter to be used.
@@ -69,9 +65,9 @@ public struct KeyFrame
             /// </summary>
             public readonly float KeyTime;
 
-            public KeyFrame(string resource, float keyTime, Func<AudioParams>? audioParams = null)
+            public KeyFrame(ResolvedSoundSpecifier specifier, float keyTime, Func<AudioParams>? audioParams = null)
             {
-                Resource = resource;
+                Specifier = specifier;
                 KeyTime = keyTime;
                 AudioParamsFunc = audioParams ?? (() => AudioParams.Default);
             }
diff --git a/Robust.Client/Audio/AudioSystem.cs b/Robust.Client/Audio/AudioSystem.cs
index 5dfd954bb4c..93aedbbdaa9 100644
--- a/Robust.Client/Audio/AudioSystem.cs
+++ b/Robust.Client/Audio/AudioSystem.cs
@@ -43,6 +43,10 @@ public sealed partial class AudioSystem : SharedAudioSystem
     [Dependency] private readonly SharedMapSystem _maps = default!;
     [Dependency] private readonly SharedTransformSystem _xformSys = default!;
     [Dependency] private readonly SharedPhysicsSystem _physics = default!;
+    [Dependency] private readonly IEntityManager _entityManager = default!;
+
+    public event Action<CaptionComponent>? OnSubtitledAudioStart;
+    public event Action<CaptionComponent>? OnSubtitledAudioEnd;
 
     /// <summary>
     /// Per-tick cache of relevant streams.
@@ -172,17 +176,23 @@ public void SetMasterVolume(float value)
 
     private void OnAudioPaused(EntityUid uid, AudioComponent component, ref EntityPausedEvent args)
     {
+        if (_entityManager.TryGetComponent(uid, out CaptionComponent? caption))
+            OnSubtitledAudioEnd?.Invoke(caption);
         component.Pause();
     }
 
     protected override void OnAudioUnpaused(EntityUid uid, AudioComponent component, ref EntityUnpausedEvent args)
     {
+        if (_entityManager.TryGetComponent(uid, out CaptionComponent? caption))
+            OnSubtitledAudioStart?.Invoke(caption);
         base.OnAudioUnpaused(uid, component, ref args);
         component.StartPlaying();
     }
 
     private void OnAudioStartup(EntityUid uid, AudioComponent component, ComponentStartup args)
     {
+        if (_entityManager.TryGetComponent(uid, out CaptionComponent? caption))
+            OnSubtitledAudioStart?.Invoke(caption);
         if (!Timing.ApplyingState && !Timing.IsFirstTimePredicted)
         {
             return;
@@ -247,6 +257,8 @@ private void OnAudioShutdown(EntityUid uid, AudioComponent component, ComponentS
         component.Source.Dispose();
 
         RemoveAudioLimit(component.FileName);
+        if (_entityManager.TryGetComponent(uid, out CaptionComponent? caption))
+            OnSubtitledAudioEnd?.Invoke(caption);
     }
 
     private void OnAudioAttenuation(int obj)
@@ -415,6 +427,16 @@ public float GetOcclusion(MapCoordinates listener, Vector2 delta, float distance
         return occlusion;
     }
 
+    private bool TryGetAudio(ResolvedSoundSpecifier specifier, [NotNullWhen(true)] out AudioResource? audio)
+    {
+        var filename = GetAudioPath(specifier);
+        if (_resourceCache.TryGetResource(new ResPath(filename), out audio))
+            return true;
+
+        Log.Error($"Server tried to play audio file {filename} which does not exist.");
+        return false;
+    }
+
     private bool TryGetAudio(string filename, [NotNullWhen(true)] out AudioResource? audio)
     {
         if (_resourceCache.TryGetResource(new ResPath(filename), out audio))
@@ -433,15 +455,15 @@ private bool TryGetAudio(AudioStream stream, [NotNullWhen(true)] out AudioResour
         return false;
     }
 
-    public override (EntityUid Entity, AudioComponent Component)? PlayPvs(string? filename, EntityCoordinates coordinates,
+    public override (EntityUid Entity, AudioComponent Component)? PlayPvs(ResolvedSoundSpecifier? specifier, EntityCoordinates coordinates,
         AudioParams? audioParams = null)
     {
-        return PlayStatic(filename, Filter.Local(), coordinates, true, audioParams);
+        return PlayStatic(specifier, Filter.Local(), coordinates, true, audioParams);
     }
 
-    public override (EntityUid Entity, AudioComponent Component)? PlayPvs(string? filename, EntityUid uid, AudioParams? audioParams = null)
+    public override (EntityUid Entity, AudioComponent Component)? PlayPvs(ResolvedSoundSpecifier? specifier, EntityUid uid, AudioParams? audioParams = null)
     {
-        return PlayEntity(filename, Filter.Local(), uid, true, audioParams);
+        return PlayEntity(specifier, Filter.Local(), uid, true, audioParams);
     }
 
     /// <inheritdoc />
@@ -477,21 +499,21 @@ public override (EntityUid Entity, AudioComponent Component)? PlayPredicted(Soun
     /// </summary>
     /// <param name="filename">The resource path to the OGG Vorbis file to play.</param>
     /// <param name="audioParams"></param>
-    private (EntityUid Entity, AudioComponent Component)? PlayGlobal(string? filename, AudioParams? audioParams = null, bool recordReplay = true)
+    private (EntityUid Entity, AudioComponent Component)? PlayGlobal(ResolvedSoundSpecifier? specifier, AudioParams? audioParams = null, bool recordReplay = true)
     {
-        if (string.IsNullOrEmpty(filename))
+        if (specifier is null)
             return null;
 
         if (recordReplay && _replayRecording.IsRecording)
         {
             _replayRecording.RecordReplayMessage(new PlayAudioGlobalMessage
             {
-                FileName = filename,
+                Specifier = specifier,
                 AudioParams = audioParams ?? AudioParams.Default
             });
         }
 
-        return TryGetAudio(filename, out var audio) ? PlayGlobal(audio, audioParams) : default;
+        return TryGetAudio(specifier, out var audio) ? PlayGlobal(audio, specifier, audioParams) : default;
     }
 
     /// <summary>
@@ -499,9 +521,9 @@ public override (EntityUid Entity, AudioComponent Component)? PlayPredicted(Soun
     /// </summary>
     /// <param name="stream">The audio stream to play.</param>
     /// <param name="audioParams"></param>
-    public (EntityUid Entity, AudioComponent Component)? PlayGlobal(AudioStream stream, AudioParams? audioParams = null)
+    public (EntityUid Entity, AudioComponent Component)? PlayGlobal(AudioStream stream, ResolvedSoundSpecifier? specifier, AudioParams? audioParams = null)
     {
-        var (entity, component) = CreateAndStartPlayingStream(audioParams, stream);
+        var (entity, component) = CreateAndStartPlayingStream(audioParams, specifier, stream);
         component.Global = true;
         component.Source.Global = true;
         Dirty(entity, component);
@@ -513,22 +535,22 @@ public override (EntityUid Entity, AudioComponent Component)? PlayPredicted(Soun
     /// </summary>
     /// <param name="filename">The resource path to the OGG Vorbis file to play.</param>
     /// <param name="entity">The entity "emitting" the audio.</param>
-    private (EntityUid Entity, AudioComponent Component)? PlayEntity(string? filename, EntityUid entity, AudioParams? audioParams = null, bool recordReplay = true)
+    private (EntityUid Entity, AudioComponent Component)? PlayEntity(ResolvedSoundSpecifier? specifier, EntityUid entity, AudioParams? audioParams = null, bool recordReplay = true)
     {
-        if (string.IsNullOrEmpty(filename))
+        if (specifier is null)
             return null;
 
         if (recordReplay && _replayRecording.IsRecording)
         {
             _replayRecording.RecordReplayMessage(new PlayAudioEntityMessage
             {
-                FileName = filename,
+                Specifier = specifier,
                 NetEntity = GetNetEntity(entity),
                 AudioParams = audioParams ?? AudioParams.Default
             });
         }
 
-        return TryGetAudio(filename, out var audio) ? PlayEntity(audio, entity, audioParams) : default;
+        return TryGetAudio(specifier, out var audio) ? PlayEntity(audio, entity, specifier, audioParams) : default;
     }
 
     /// <summary>
@@ -537,7 +559,7 @@ public override (EntityUid Entity, AudioComponent Component)? PlayPredicted(Soun
     /// <param name="stream">The audio stream to play.</param>
     /// <param name="entity">The entity "emitting" the audio.</param>
     /// <param name="audioParams"></param>
-    public (EntityUid Entity, AudioComponent Component)? PlayEntity(AudioStream stream, EntityUid entity, AudioParams? audioParams = null)
+    public (EntityUid Entity, AudioComponent Component)? PlayEntity(AudioStream stream, EntityUid entity, ResolvedSoundSpecifier? specifier, AudioParams? audioParams = null)
     {
         if (TerminatingOrDeleted(entity))
         {
@@ -545,7 +567,7 @@ public override (EntityUid Entity, AudioComponent Component)? PlayPredicted(Soun
             return null;
         }
 
-        var playing = CreateAndStartPlayingStream(audioParams, stream);
+        var playing = CreateAndStartPlayingStream(audioParams, specifier, stream);
         _xformSys.SetCoordinates(playing.Entity, new EntityCoordinates(entity, Vector2.Zero));
 
         return playing;
@@ -557,22 +579,22 @@ public override (EntityUid Entity, AudioComponent Component)? PlayPredicted(Soun
     /// <param name="filename">The resource path to the OGG Vorbis file to play.</param>
     /// <param name="coordinates">The coordinates at which to play the audio.</param>
     /// <param name="audioParams"></param>
-    private (EntityUid Entity, AudioComponent Component)? PlayStatic(string? filename, EntityCoordinates coordinates, AudioParams? audioParams = null, bool recordReplay = true)
+    private (EntityUid Entity, AudioComponent Component)? PlayStatic(ResolvedSoundSpecifier? specifier, EntityCoordinates coordinates, AudioParams? audioParams = null, bool recordReplay = true)
     {
-        if (string.IsNullOrEmpty(filename))
+        if (specifier is null)
             return null;
 
         if (recordReplay && _replayRecording.IsRecording)
         {
             _replayRecording.RecordReplayMessage(new PlayAudioPositionalMessage
             {
-                FileName = filename,
+                Specifier = specifier,
                 Coordinates = GetNetCoordinates(coordinates),
                 AudioParams = audioParams ?? AudioParams.Default
             });
         }
 
-        return TryGetAudio(filename, out var audio) ? PlayStatic(audio, coordinates, audioParams) : default;
+        return TryGetAudio(specifier, out var audio) ? PlayStatic(audio, coordinates, specifier, audioParams) : default;
     }
 
     /// <summary>
@@ -581,7 +603,7 @@ public override (EntityUid Entity, AudioComponent Component)? PlayPredicted(Soun
     /// <param name="stream">The audio stream to play.</param>
     /// <param name="coordinates">The coordinates at which to play the audio.</param>
     /// <param name="audioParams"></param>
-    public (EntityUid Entity, AudioComponent Component)? PlayStatic(AudioStream stream, EntityCoordinates coordinates, AudioParams? audioParams = null)
+    public (EntityUid Entity, AudioComponent Component)? PlayStatic(AudioStream stream, EntityCoordinates coordinates, ResolvedSoundSpecifier? specifier, AudioParams? audioParams = null)
     {
         if (TerminatingOrDeleted(coordinates.EntityId))
         {
@@ -589,33 +611,33 @@ public override (EntityUid Entity, AudioComponent Component)? PlayPredicted(Soun
             return null;
         }
 
-        var playing = CreateAndStartPlayingStream(audioParams, stream);
+        var playing = CreateAndStartPlayingStream(audioParams, specifier, stream);
         _xformSys.SetCoordinates(playing.Entity, coordinates);
         return playing;
     }
 
     /// <inheritdoc />
-    public override (EntityUid Entity, AudioComponent Component)? PlayGlobal(string? filename, Filter playerFilter, bool recordReplay, AudioParams? audioParams = null)
+    public override (EntityUid Entity, AudioComponent Component)? PlayGlobal(ResolvedSoundSpecifier? specifier, Filter playerFilter, bool recordReplay, AudioParams? audioParams = null)
     {
-        return PlayGlobal(filename, audioParams);
+        return PlayGlobal(specifier, audioParams);
     }
 
     /// <inheritdoc />
-    public override (EntityUid Entity, AudioComponent Component)? PlayEntity(string? filename, Filter playerFilter, EntityUid entity, bool recordReplay, AudioParams? audioParams = null)
+    public override (EntityUid Entity, AudioComponent Component)? PlayEntity(ResolvedSoundSpecifier? specifier, Filter playerFilter, EntityUid entity, bool recordReplay, AudioParams? audioParams = null)
     {
-        return PlayEntity(filename, entity, audioParams);
+        return PlayEntity(specifier, entity, audioParams);
     }
 
     /// <inheritdoc />
-    public override (EntityUid Entity, AudioComponent Component)? PlayStatic(string? filename, Filter playerFilter, EntityCoordinates coordinates, bool recordReplay, AudioParams? audioParams = null)
+    public override (EntityUid Entity, AudioComponent Component)? PlayStatic(ResolvedSoundSpecifier? specifier, Filter playerFilter, EntityCoordinates coordinates, bool recordReplay, AudioParams? audioParams = null)
     {
-        return PlayStatic(filename, coordinates, audioParams);
+        return PlayStatic(specifier, coordinates, audioParams);
     }
 
     /// <inheritdoc />
-    public override (EntityUid Entity, AudioComponent Component)? PlayGlobal(string? filename, ICommonSession recipient, AudioParams? audioParams = null)
+    public override (EntityUid Entity, AudioComponent Component)? PlayGlobal(ResolvedSoundSpecifier? specifier, ICommonSession recipient, AudioParams? audioParams = null)
     {
-        return PlayGlobal(filename, audioParams);
+        return PlayGlobal(specifier, audioParams);
     }
 
     public override void LoadStream<T>(Entity<AudioComponent> entity, T stream)
@@ -629,39 +651,39 @@ public override void LoadStream<T>(Entity<AudioComponent> entity, T stream)
     }
 
     /// <inheritdoc />
-    public override (EntityUid Entity, AudioComponent Component)? PlayGlobal(string? filename, EntityUid recipient, AudioParams? audioParams = null)
+    public override (EntityUid Entity, AudioComponent Component)? PlayGlobal(ResolvedSoundSpecifier? specifier, EntityUid recipient, AudioParams? audioParams = null)
     {
-        return PlayGlobal(filename, audioParams);
+        return PlayGlobal(specifier, audioParams);
     }
 
     /// <inheritdoc />
-    public override (EntityUid Entity, AudioComponent Component)? PlayEntity(string? filename, ICommonSession recipient, EntityUid uid, AudioParams? audioParams = null)
+    public override (EntityUid Entity, AudioComponent Component)? PlayEntity(ResolvedSoundSpecifier? specifier, ICommonSession recipient, EntityUid uid, AudioParams? audioParams = null)
     {
-        return PlayEntity(filename, uid, audioParams);
+        return PlayEntity(specifier, uid, audioParams);
     }
 
     /// <inheritdoc />
-    public override (EntityUid Entity, AudioComponent Component)? PlayEntity(string? filename, EntityUid recipient, EntityUid uid, AudioParams? audioParams = null)
+    public override (EntityUid Entity, AudioComponent Component)? PlayEntity(ResolvedSoundSpecifier? specifier, EntityUid recipient, EntityUid uid, AudioParams? audioParams = null)
     {
-        return PlayEntity(filename, uid, audioParams);
+        return PlayEntity(specifier, uid, audioParams);
     }
 
     /// <inheritdoc />
-    public override (EntityUid Entity, AudioComponent Component)? PlayStatic(string? filename, ICommonSession recipient, EntityCoordinates coordinates, AudioParams? audioParams = null)
+    public override (EntityUid Entity, AudioComponent Component)? PlayStatic(ResolvedSoundSpecifier? specifier, ICommonSession recipient, EntityCoordinates coordinates, AudioParams? audioParams = null)
     {
-        return PlayStatic(filename, coordinates, audioParams);
+        return PlayStatic(specifier, coordinates, audioParams);
     }
 
     /// <inheritdoc />
-    public override (EntityUid Entity, AudioComponent Component)? PlayStatic(string? filename, EntityUid recipient, EntityCoordinates coordinates, AudioParams? audioParams = null)
+    public override (EntityUid Entity, AudioComponent Component)? PlayStatic(ResolvedSoundSpecifier? specifier, EntityUid recipient, EntityCoordinates coordinates, AudioParams? audioParams = null)
     {
-        return PlayStatic(filename, coordinates, audioParams);
+        return PlayStatic(specifier, coordinates, audioParams);
     }
 
-    private (EntityUid Entity, AudioComponent Component) CreateAndStartPlayingStream(AudioParams? audioParams, AudioStream stream)
+    private (EntityUid Entity, AudioComponent Component) CreateAndStartPlayingStream(AudioParams? audioParams, ResolvedSoundSpecifier? specifier, AudioStream stream)
     {
         var audioP = audioParams ?? AudioParams.Default;
-        var entity = SetupAudio(null, audioP, initialize: false, length: stream.Length);
+        var entity = SetupAudio(specifier, audioP, initialize: false, length: stream.Length);
         LoadStream(entity, stream);
         EntityManager.InitializeAndStartEntity(entity);
         var comp = entity.Comp;
@@ -694,17 +716,17 @@ private void ApplyAudioParams(AudioParams audioParams, IAudioSource source)
 
     private void OnEntityCoordinates(PlayAudioPositionalMessage ev)
     {
-        PlayStatic(ev.FileName, GetCoordinates(ev.Coordinates), ev.AudioParams, false);
+        PlayStatic(ev.Specifier, GetCoordinates(ev.Coordinates), ev.AudioParams, false);
     }
 
     private void OnEntityAudio(PlayAudioEntityMessage ev)
     {
-        PlayEntity(ev.FileName, GetEntity(ev.NetEntity), ev.AudioParams, false);
+        PlayEntity(ev.Specifier, GetEntity(ev.NetEntity), ev.AudioParams, false);
     }
 
     private void OnGlobalAudio(PlayAudioGlobalMessage ev)
     {
-        PlayGlobal(ev.FileName, ev.AudioParams, false);
+        PlayGlobal(ev.Specifier, ev.AudioParams, false);
     }
 
     protected override TimeSpan GetAudioLengthImpl(string filename)
diff --git a/Robust.Client/ComponentTrees/CaptionTreeSystem.cs b/Robust.Client/ComponentTrees/CaptionTreeSystem.cs
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..886d45feb3d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/Robust.Client/ComponentTrees/CaptionTreeSystem.cs
@@ -0,0 +1,46 @@
+using System.Numerics;
+using Robust.Client.GameObjects;
+using Robust.Shared.ComponentTrees;
+using Robust.Shared.GameObjects;
+using Robust.Shared.Maths;
+using Robust.Shared.Physics;
+using Robust.Shared.Audio.Components;
+using Robust.Shared.IoC;
+
+namespace Robust.Client.ComponentTrees;
+
+public sealed class CaptionTreeSystem : ComponentTreeSystem<CaptionTreeComponent, CaptionComponent>
+{
+    [Dependency] private readonly IEntityManager _entityManager = default!;
+
+    #region Component Tree Overrides
+    protected override bool DoFrameUpdate => false;
+    protected override bool DoTickUpdate => true;
+    protected override bool Recursive => true;
+    protected override int InitialCapacity => 128;
+
+    protected override Box2 ExtractAabb(in ComponentTreeEntry<CaptionComponent> entry, Vector2 pos, Angle rot)
+    {
+        if (_entityManager.TryGetComponent(entry.Uid, out AudioComponent? audio))
+        {
+            var radius = audio.MaxDistance;
+            var radiusVec = new Vector2(radius, radius);
+            return new Box2(pos - radiusVec, pos + radiusVec);
+        }
+        return default;
+    }
+
+    protected override Box2 ExtractAabb(in ComponentTreeEntry<CaptionComponent> entry)
+    {
+        if (entry.Component.TreeUid == null)
+            return default;
+
+        var pos = XformSystem.GetRelativePosition(
+            entry.Transform,
+            entry.Component.TreeUid.Value,
+            GetEntityQuery<TransformComponent>());
+
+        return ExtractAabb(in entry, pos, default);
+    }
+    #endregion
+}
diff --git a/Robust.Server/Audio/AudioSystem.cs b/Robust.Server/Audio/AudioSystem.cs
index 981c01e770e..6d5bcc274eb 100644
--- a/Robust.Server/Audio/AudioSystem.cs
+++ b/Robust.Server/Audio/AudioSystem.cs
@@ -81,27 +81,27 @@ private void AddAudioFilter(EntityUid uid, AudioComponent component, Filter filt
     }
 
     /// <inheritdoc />
-    public override (EntityUid Entity, AudioComponent Component)? PlayGlobal(string? filename, Filter playerFilter, bool recordReplay, AudioParams? audioParams = null)
+    public override (EntityUid Entity, AudioComponent Component)? PlayGlobal(ResolvedSoundSpecifier? specifier, Filter playerFilter, bool recordReplay, AudioParams? audioParams = null)
     {
-        if (string.IsNullOrEmpty(filename))
+        if (specifier is null)
             return null;
 
-        var entity = SetupAudio(filename, audioParams);
+        var entity = SetupAudio(specifier, audioParams);
         AddAudioFilter(entity, entity.Comp, playerFilter);
         entity.Comp.Global = true;
         return (entity, entity.Comp);
     }
 
     /// <inheritdoc />
-    public override (EntityUid Entity, AudioComponent Component)? PlayEntity(string? filename, Filter playerFilter, EntityUid uid, bool recordReplay, AudioParams? audioParams = null)
+    public override (EntityUid Entity, AudioComponent Component)? PlayEntity(ResolvedSoundSpecifier? specifier, Filter playerFilter, EntityUid uid, bool recordReplay, AudioParams? audioParams = null)
     {
-        if (string.IsNullOrEmpty(filename))
+        if (specifier is null)
             return null;
 
         if (TerminatingOrDeleted(uid))
             return null;
 
-        var entity = SetupAudio(filename, audioParams);
+        var entity = SetupAudio(specifier, audioParams);
         // Move it after setting it up
         XformSystem.SetCoordinates(entity, new EntityCoordinates(uid, Vector2.Zero));
         AddAudioFilter(entity, entity.Comp, playerFilter);
@@ -110,24 +110,24 @@ public override (EntityUid Entity, AudioComponent Component)? PlayEntity(string?
     }
 
     /// <inheritdoc />
-    public override (EntityUid Entity, AudioComponent Component)? PlayPvs(string? filename, EntityUid uid, AudioParams? audioParams = null)
+    public override (EntityUid Entity, AudioComponent Component)? PlayPvs(ResolvedSoundSpecifier? specifier, EntityUid uid, AudioParams? audioParams = null)
     {
-        if (string.IsNullOrEmpty(filename))
+        if (specifier is null)
             return null;
 
         if (TerminatingOrDeleted(uid))
             return null;
 
-        var entity = SetupAudio(filename, audioParams);
+        var entity = SetupAudio(specifier, audioParams);
         XformSystem.SetCoordinates(entity, new EntityCoordinates(uid, Vector2.Zero));
 
         return (entity, entity.Comp);
     }
 
     /// <inheritdoc />
-    public override (EntityUid Entity, AudioComponent Component)? PlayStatic(string? filename, Filter playerFilter, EntityCoordinates coordinates, bool recordReplay, AudioParams? audioParams = null)
+    public override (EntityUid Entity, AudioComponent Component)? PlayStatic(ResolvedSoundSpecifier? specifier, Filter playerFilter, EntityCoordinates coordinates, bool recordReplay, AudioParams? audioParams = null)
     {
-        if (string.IsNullOrEmpty(filename))
+        if (specifier is null)
             return null;
 
         if (TerminatingOrDeleted(coordinates.EntityId))
@@ -139,7 +139,7 @@ public override (EntityUid Entity, AudioComponent Component)? PlayStatic(string?
         if (!coordinates.IsValid(EntityManager))
             return null;
 
-        var entity = SetupAudio(filename, audioParams);
+        var entity = SetupAudio(specifier, audioParams);
         XformSystem.SetCoordinates(entity, coordinates);
         AddAudioFilter(entity, entity.Comp, playerFilter);
 
@@ -147,10 +147,10 @@ public override (EntityUid Entity, AudioComponent Component)? PlayStatic(string?
     }
 
     /// <inheritdoc />
-    public override (EntityUid Entity, AudioComponent Component)? PlayPvs(string? filename, EntityCoordinates coordinates,
+    public override (EntityUid Entity, AudioComponent Component)? PlayPvs(ResolvedSoundSpecifier? specifier, EntityCoordinates coordinates,
         AudioParams? audioParams = null)
     {
-        if (string.IsNullOrEmpty(filename))
+        if (specifier is null)
             return null;
 
         if (TerminatingOrDeleted(coordinates.EntityId))
@@ -163,7 +163,7 @@ public override (EntityUid Entity, AudioComponent Component)? PlayPvs(string? fi
             return null;
 
         // TODO: Transform TryFindGridAt mess + optimisation required.
-        var entity = SetupAudio(filename, audioParams);
+        var entity = SetupAudio(specifier, audioParams);
         XformSystem.SetCoordinates(entity, coordinates);
 
         return (entity, entity.Comp);
@@ -186,7 +186,7 @@ public override (EntityUid Entity, AudioComponent Component)? PlayPredicted(Soun
         if (sound == null)
             return null;
 
-        var audio = PlayPvs(GetSound(sound), source, audioParams ?? sound.Params);
+        var audio = PlayPvs(ResolveSound(sound), source, audioParams ?? sound.Params);
 
         if (audio == null)
             return null;
@@ -201,7 +201,7 @@ public override (EntityUid Entity, AudioComponent Component)? PlayPredicted(Soun
         if (sound == null)
             return null;
 
-        var audio = PlayPvs(GetSound(sound), coordinates, audioParams ?? sound.Params);
+        var audio = PlayPvs(ResolveSound(sound), coordinates, audioParams ?? sound.Params);
 
         if (audio == null)
             return null;
@@ -210,12 +210,12 @@ public override (EntityUid Entity, AudioComponent Component)? PlayPredicted(Soun
         return audio;
     }
 
-    public override (EntityUid Entity, AudioComponent Component)? PlayGlobal(string? filename, ICommonSession recipient, AudioParams? audioParams = null)
+    public override (EntityUid Entity, AudioComponent Component)? PlayGlobal(ResolvedSoundSpecifier? filename, ICommonSession recipient, AudioParams? audioParams = null)
     {
         return PlayGlobal(filename, Filter.SinglePlayer(recipient), false, audioParams);
     }
 
-    public override (EntityUid Entity, AudioComponent Component)? PlayGlobal(string? filename, EntityUid recipient, AudioParams? audioParams = null)
+    public override (EntityUid Entity, AudioComponent Component)? PlayGlobal(ResolvedSoundSpecifier? filename, EntityUid recipient, AudioParams? audioParams = null)
     {
         if (TryComp(recipient, out ActorComponent? actor))
             return PlayGlobal(filename, actor.PlayerSession, audioParams);
@@ -223,12 +223,12 @@ public override (EntityUid Entity, AudioComponent Component)? PlayGlobal(string?
         return null;
     }
 
-    public override (EntityUid Entity, AudioComponent Component)? PlayEntity(string? filename, ICommonSession recipient, EntityUid uid, AudioParams? audioParams = null)
+    public override (EntityUid Entity, AudioComponent Component)? PlayEntity(ResolvedSoundSpecifier? filename, ICommonSession recipient, EntityUid uid, AudioParams? audioParams = null)
     {
         return PlayEntity(filename, Filter.SinglePlayer(recipient), uid, false, audioParams);
     }
 
-    public override (EntityUid Entity, AudioComponent Component)? PlayEntity(string? filename, EntityUid recipient, EntityUid uid, AudioParams? audioParams = null)
+    public override (EntityUid Entity, AudioComponent Component)? PlayEntity(ResolvedSoundSpecifier? filename, EntityUid recipient, EntityUid uid, AudioParams? audioParams = null)
     {
         if (TryComp(recipient, out ActorComponent? actor))
             return PlayEntity(filename, actor.PlayerSession, uid, audioParams);
@@ -236,12 +236,12 @@ public override (EntityUid Entity, AudioComponent Component)? PlayEntity(string?
         return null;
     }
 
-    public override (EntityUid Entity, AudioComponent Component)? PlayStatic(string? filename, ICommonSession recipient, EntityCoordinates coordinates, AudioParams? audioParams = null)
+    public override (EntityUid Entity, AudioComponent Component)? PlayStatic(ResolvedSoundSpecifier? filename, ICommonSession recipient, EntityCoordinates coordinates, AudioParams? audioParams = null)
     {
         return PlayStatic(filename, Filter.SinglePlayer(recipient), coordinates, false, audioParams);
     }
 
-    public override (EntityUid Entity, AudioComponent Component)? PlayStatic(string? filename, EntityUid recipient, EntityCoordinates coordinates, AudioParams? audioParams = null)
+    public override (EntityUid Entity, AudioComponent Component)? PlayStatic(ResolvedSoundSpecifier? filename, EntityUid recipient, EntityCoordinates coordinates, AudioParams? audioParams = null)
     {
         if (TryComp(recipient, out ActorComponent? actor))
             return PlayStatic(filename, actor.PlayerSession, coordinates, audioParams);
diff --git a/Robust.Shared/Audio/Components/CaptionComponent.cs b/Robust.Shared/Audio/Components/CaptionComponent.cs
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..f39cfe865c4
--- /dev/null
+++ b/Robust.Shared/Audio/Components/CaptionComponent.cs
@@ -0,0 +1,30 @@
+using Robust.Shared.GameObjects;
+using Robust.Shared.Localization;
+using Robust.Shared.ViewVariables;
+using Robust.Shared.Physics;
+using Robust.Shared.ComponentTrees;
+using Robust.Shared.Serialization.Manager.Attributes;
+using Robust.Shared.GameStates;
+
+namespace Robust.Shared.Audio.Components;
+
+/// <summary>
+/// Stores the caption data for an audio entity.
+/// </summary>
+[RegisterComponent, NetworkedComponent, AutoGenerateComponentState(true)]
+public sealed partial class CaptionComponent : Component, IComponentTreeEntry<CaptionComponent>
+{
+    [DataField, AutoNetworkedField]
+    public LocId? Caption { get; set; }
+
+    [ViewVariables(VVAccess.ReadOnly)]
+    public string? LocalizedCaption => Caption != null ? Loc.GetString(Caption) : null;
+
+    public EntityUid? TreeUid { get; set; }
+
+    public DynamicTree<ComponentTreeEntry<CaptionComponent>>? Tree { get; set; }
+
+    public bool AddToTree => true;
+
+    public bool TreeUpdateQueued { get; set; }
+}
diff --git a/Robust.Shared/Audio/Components/CaptionTreeComponent.cs b/Robust.Shared/Audio/Components/CaptionTreeComponent.cs
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..5c38cb87e59
--- /dev/null
+++ b/Robust.Shared/Audio/Components/CaptionTreeComponent.cs
@@ -0,0 +1,14 @@
+using Robust.Shared.Physics;
+using Robust.Shared.ComponentTrees;
+using Robust.Shared.GameObjects;
+
+namespace Robust.Shared.Audio.Components;
+
+/// <summary>
+/// Samples nearby <see cref="CaptionComponent"/>.
+/// </summary>
+[RegisterComponent]
+public sealed partial class CaptionTreeComponent : Component, IComponentTreeComponent<CaptionComponent>
+{
+    public DynamicTree<ComponentTreeEntry<CaptionComponent>> Tree { get; set; } = default!;
+}
diff --git a/Robust.Shared/Audio/ResolvedSoundSpecifier.cs b/Robust.Shared/Audio/ResolvedSoundSpecifier.cs
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..e32e553dbcf
--- /dev/null
+++ b/Robust.Shared/Audio/ResolvedSoundSpecifier.cs
@@ -0,0 +1,90 @@
+using System;
+using JetBrains.Annotations;
+using Robust.Shared.Utility;
+using Robust.Shared.Serialization;
+using Robust.Shared.Serialization.Manager.Attributes;
+using Robust.Shared.Prototypes;
+
+namespace Robust.Shared.Audio;
+
+/// <summary>
+/// Represents a path to a sound resource, either as a literal path or as a collection ID and index.
+/// </summary>
+/// <seealso cref="ResolvedPathSpecifier"/>
+/// <seealso cref="ResolvedCollectionSpecifier"/>
+[Serializable, NetSerializable]
+public abstract partial class ResolvedSoundSpecifier {
+    [Obsolete("String literals for sounds are deprecated, use a SoundSpecifier or ResolvedSoundSpecifier as appropriate instead")]
+    public static implicit operator ResolvedSoundSpecifier(string s) => new ResolvedPathSpecifier(s);
+    [Obsolete("String literals for sounds are deprecated, use a SoundSpecifier or ResolvedSoundSpecifier as appropriate instead")]
+    public static implicit operator ResolvedSoundSpecifier(ResPath s) => new ResolvedPathSpecifier(s);
+
+    /// <summary>
+    /// Returns whether <c>s</c> is null, or if it contains an empty path/collection ID.
+    /// </summary>
+    public static bool IsNullOrEmpty(ResolvedSoundSpecifier? s) {
+        return s switch {
+            null => true,
+            ResolvedPathSpecifier path => path.Path.ToString() == "",
+            ResolvedCollectionSpecifier collection => string.IsNullOrEmpty(collection.Collection),
+            _ => throw new ArgumentOutOfRangeException("s", s, "argument is not a ResolvedPathSpecifier or a ResolvedCollectionSpecifier"),
+        };
+    }
+}
+
+/// <summary>
+/// Represents a path to a sound resource as a literal path.
+/// </summary>
+/// <seealso cref="ResolvedCollectionSpecifier"/>
+[Serializable, NetSerializable]
+public sealed partial class ResolvedPathSpecifier : ResolvedSoundSpecifier {
+    /// <summary>
+    /// The resource path of the sound.
+    /// </summary>
+    public ResPath Path { get; private set; }
+
+    override public string ToString() =>
+        $"ResolvedPathSpecifier({Path})";
+
+    [UsedImplicitly]
+    private ResolvedPathSpecifier()
+    {
+    }
+    public ResolvedPathSpecifier(ResPath path)
+    {
+        Path = path;
+    }
+    public ResolvedPathSpecifier(string path) : this(new ResPath(path))
+    {
+    }
+}
+
+/// <summary>
+/// Represents a path to a sound resource as a collection ID and index.
+/// </summary>
+/// <seealso cref="ResolvedPathSpecifier"/>
+[Serializable, NetSerializable]
+public sealed partial class ResolvedCollectionSpecifier : ResolvedSoundSpecifier {
+    /// <summary>
+    /// The ID of the <see cref="SoundCollectionPrototype">sound collection</see> to look up.
+    /// </summary>
+    public ProtoId<SoundCollectionPrototype>? Collection { get; private set; }
+    /// <summary>
+    /// The index of the file in the associated sound collection to play.
+    /// </summary>
+    public int Index { get; private set; }
+
+    override public string ToString() =>
+        $"ResolvedCollectionSpecifier({Collection}, {Index})";
+
+    [UsedImplicitly]
+    private ResolvedCollectionSpecifier()
+    {
+    }
+
+    public ResolvedCollectionSpecifier(string collection, int index)
+    {
+        Collection = collection;
+        Index = index;
+    }
+}
diff --git a/Robust.Shared/Audio/SoundCollectionPrototype.cs b/Robust.Shared/Audio/SoundCollectionPrototype.cs
index 350bfb85dcb..ff13451c23c 100644
--- a/Robust.Shared/Audio/SoundCollectionPrototype.cs
+++ b/Robust.Shared/Audio/SoundCollectionPrototype.cs
@@ -3,6 +3,7 @@
 using Robust.Shared.Serialization.Manager.Attributes;
 using Robust.Shared.Utility;
 using Robust.Shared.ViewVariables;
+using Robust.Shared.Localization;
 
 namespace Robust.Shared.Audio;
 
@@ -13,6 +14,9 @@ public sealed partial class SoundCollectionPrototype : IPrototype
     [IdDataField]
     public string ID { get; private set; } = default!;
 
+    [DataField]
+    public LocId? Caption { get; private set; }
+
     [DataField("files")]
     public List<ResPath> PickFiles { get; private set; } = new();
 }
diff --git a/Robust.Shared/Audio/SoundSpecifier.cs b/Robust.Shared/Audio/SoundSpecifier.cs
index f88254edc23..3378d34f8ad 100644
--- a/Robust.Shared/Audio/SoundSpecifier.cs
+++ b/Robust.Shared/Audio/SoundSpecifier.cs
@@ -27,6 +27,9 @@ public sealed partial class SoundPathSpecifier : SoundSpecifier
     [DataField(Node, customTypeSerializer: typeof(ResPathSerializer), required: true)]
     public ResPath Path { get; private set; }
 
+    override public string ToString() =>
+        $"SoundPathSpecifier({Path})";
+
     [UsedImplicitly]
     private SoundPathSpecifier()
     {
@@ -52,6 +55,9 @@ public sealed partial class SoundCollectionSpecifier : SoundSpecifier
     [DataField(Node, customTypeSerializer: typeof(PrototypeIdSerializer<SoundCollectionPrototype>), required: true)]
     public string? Collection { get; private set; }
 
+    override public string ToString() =>
+        $"SoundCollectionSpecifier({Collection})";
+
     [UsedImplicitly]
     public SoundCollectionSpecifier() { }
 
diff --git a/Robust.Shared/Audio/Systems/SharedAudioSystem.cs b/Robust.Shared/Audio/Systems/SharedAudioSystem.cs
index 4d79ff0e3d0..8498253745e 100644
--- a/Robust.Shared/Audio/Systems/SharedAudioSystem.cs
+++ b/Robust.Shared/Audio/Systems/SharedAudioSystem.cs
@@ -271,33 +271,60 @@ public float GetAudioDistance(float length)
     }
 
     /// <summary>
-    /// Resolves the filepath to a sound file.
+    /// Resolve a sound specifier so it can be consistently played back on all clients.
     /// </summary>
-    public string GetSound(SoundSpecifier specifier)
+    public ResolvedSoundSpecifier ResolveSound(SoundSpecifier specifier)
     {
         switch (specifier)
         {
             case SoundPathSpecifier path:
-                return path.Path == default ? string.Empty : path.Path.ToString();
+                return new ResolvedPathSpecifier(path.Path == default ? string.Empty : path.Path.ToString());
 
             case SoundCollectionSpecifier collection:
             {
                 if (collection.Collection == null)
-                    return string.Empty;
+                    return new ResolvedPathSpecifier(string.Empty);
 
                 var soundCollection = ProtoMan.Index<SoundCollectionPrototype>(collection.Collection);
-                return RandMan.Pick(soundCollection.PickFiles).ToString();
+                var index = RandMan.Next(soundCollection.PickFiles.Count);
+                return new ResolvedCollectionSpecifier(collection.Collection, index);
             }
         }
 
-        return string.Empty;
+        return new ResolvedPathSpecifier(string.Empty);
+    }
+
+    /// <summary>
+    /// Resolves the filepath to a sound file.
+    /// </summary>
+    [Obsolete("Use ResolveSound() and pass around resolved sound specifiers instead.")]
+    public string GetSound(SoundSpecifier specifier)
+    {
+        var resolved = ResolveSound(specifier);
+        return GetAudioPath(resolved);
     }
 
     #region AudioParams
 
-    protected Entity<AudioComponent> SetupAudio(string? fileName, AudioParams? audioParams, bool initialize = true, TimeSpan? length = null)
+    [return: NotNullIfNotNull(nameof(specifier))]
+    public string? GetAudioPath(ResolvedSoundSpecifier? specifier)
+    {
+        return specifier switch {
+            ResolvedPathSpecifier path =>
+                path.Path.ToString(),
+            ResolvedCollectionSpecifier collection =>
+                collection.Collection is null ?
+                    string.Empty :
+                    ProtoMan.Index<SoundCollectionPrototype>(collection.Collection).PickFiles[collection.Index].ToString(),
+            null => null,
+            _ => throw new ArgumentOutOfRangeException("specifier", specifier, "argument is not a ResolvedPathSpecifier or a ResolvedCollectionSpecifier"),
+        };
+    }
+
+    protected Entity<AudioComponent> SetupAudio(ResolvedSoundSpecifier? specifier, AudioParams? audioParams, bool initialize = true, TimeSpan? length = null)
     {
         var uid = EntityManager.CreateEntityUninitialized("Audio", MapCoordinates.Nullspace);
+        var fileName = GetAudioPath(specifier);
         DebugTools.Assert(!string.IsNullOrEmpty(fileName) || length is not null);
         MetadataSys.SetEntityName(uid, $"Audio ({fileName})", raiseEvents: false);
         audioParams ??= AudioParams.Default;
@@ -305,6 +332,15 @@ protected Entity<AudioComponent> SetupAudio(string? fileName, AudioParams? audio
         comp.FileName = fileName ?? string.Empty;
         comp.Params = audioParams.Value;
         comp.AudioStart = Timing.CurTime;
+        if (specifier is ResolvedCollectionSpecifier collection && collection.Collection is string collectionID)
+        {
+            var caption = ProtoMan.Index<SoundCollectionPrototype>(collectionID).Caption;
+            if (caption is not null)
+            {
+                var capt = AddComp<CaptionComponent>(uid);
+                capt.Caption = caption;
+            }
+        }
 
         if (!audioParams.Value.Loop)
         {
@@ -383,8 +419,9 @@ public void SetVolume(EntityUid? entity, float value, AudioComponent? component
     /// <summary>
     /// Gets the timespan of the specified audio.
     /// </summary>
-    public TimeSpan GetAudioLength(string filename)
+    public TimeSpan GetAudioLength(ResolvedSoundSpecifier specifier)
     {
+        var filename = GetAudioPath(specifier) ?? string.Empty;
         if (!filename.StartsWith("/"))
             throw new ArgumentException("Path must be rooted");
 
@@ -417,7 +454,7 @@ public TimeSpan GetAudioLength(string filename)
     /// </summary>
     /// <param name="filename">The resource path to the OGG Vorbis file to play.</param>
     /// <param name="playerFilter">The set of players that will hear the sound.</param>
-    public abstract (EntityUid Entity, Components.AudioComponent Component)? PlayGlobal(string? filename, Filter playerFilter, bool recordReplay, AudioParams? audioParams = null);
+    public abstract (EntityUid Entity, Components.AudioComponent Component)? PlayGlobal(ResolvedSoundSpecifier? filename, Filter playerFilter, bool recordReplay, AudioParams? audioParams = null);
 
     /// <summary>
     /// Play an audio file globally, without position.
@@ -426,7 +463,7 @@ public TimeSpan GetAudioLength(string filename)
     /// <param name="playerFilter">The set of players that will hear the sound.</param>
     public (EntityUid Entity, Components.AudioComponent Component)? PlayGlobal(SoundSpecifier? sound, Filter playerFilter, bool recordReplay, AudioParams? audioParams = null)
     {
-        return sound == null ? null : PlayGlobal(GetSound(sound), playerFilter, recordReplay, audioParams ?? sound.Params);
+        return sound == null ? null : PlayGlobal(ResolveSound(sound), playerFilter, recordReplay, audioParams ?? sound.Params);
     }
 
     /// <summary>
@@ -434,7 +471,7 @@ public TimeSpan GetAudioLength(string filename)
     /// </summary>
     /// <param name="filename">The resource path to the OGG Vorbis file to play.</param>
     /// <param name="recipient">The player that will hear the sound.</param>
-    public abstract (EntityUid Entity, Components.AudioComponent Component)? PlayGlobal(string? filename, ICommonSession recipient, AudioParams? audioParams = null);
+    public abstract (EntityUid Entity, Components.AudioComponent Component)? PlayGlobal(ResolvedSoundSpecifier? filename, ICommonSession recipient, AudioParams? audioParams = null);
 
     /// <summary>
     /// Play an audio file globally, without position.
@@ -443,7 +480,7 @@ public TimeSpan GetAudioLength(string filename)
     /// <param name="recipient">The player that will hear the sound.</param>
     public (EntityUid Entity, Components.AudioComponent Component)? PlayGlobal(SoundSpecifier? sound, ICommonSession recipient, AudioParams? audioParams = null)
     {
-        return sound == null ? null : PlayGlobal(GetSound(sound), recipient, audioParams ?? sound.Params);
+        return sound == null ? null : PlayGlobal(ResolveSound(sound), recipient, audioParams ?? sound.Params);
     }
 
     public abstract void LoadStream<T>(Entity<AudioComponent> entity, T stream);
@@ -453,7 +490,7 @@ public TimeSpan GetAudioLength(string filename)
     /// </summary>
     /// <param name="filename">The resource path to the OGG Vorbis file to play.</param>
     /// <param name="recipient">The player that will hear the sound.</param>
-    public abstract (EntityUid Entity, Components.AudioComponent Component)? PlayGlobal(string? filename, EntityUid recipient, AudioParams? audioParams = null);
+    public abstract (EntityUid Entity, Components.AudioComponent Component)? PlayGlobal(ResolvedSoundSpecifier? filename, EntityUid recipient, AudioParams? audioParams = null);
 
     /// <summary>
     /// Play an audio file globally, without position.
@@ -462,7 +499,7 @@ public TimeSpan GetAudioLength(string filename)
     /// <param name="recipient">The player that will hear the sound.</param>
     public (EntityUid Entity, Components.AudioComponent Component)? PlayGlobal(SoundSpecifier? sound, EntityUid recipient, AudioParams? audioParams = null)
     {
-        return sound == null ? null : PlayGlobal(GetSound(sound), recipient, audioParams ?? sound.Params);
+        return sound == null ? null : PlayGlobal(ResolveSound(sound), recipient, audioParams ?? sound.Params);
     }
 
     /// <summary>
@@ -471,7 +508,7 @@ public TimeSpan GetAudioLength(string filename)
     /// <param name="filename">The resource path to the OGG Vorbis file to play.</param>
     /// <param name="playerFilter">The set of players that will hear the sound.</param>
     /// <param name="uid">The UID of the entity "emitting" the audio.</param>
-    public abstract (EntityUid Entity, Components.AudioComponent Component)? PlayEntity(string? filename, Filter playerFilter, EntityUid uid, bool recordReplay, AudioParams? audioParams = null);
+    public abstract (EntityUid Entity, Components.AudioComponent Component)? PlayEntity(ResolvedSoundSpecifier? filename, Filter playerFilter, EntityUid uid, bool recordReplay, AudioParams? audioParams = null);
 
     /// <summary>
     /// Play an audio file following an entity.
@@ -479,7 +516,7 @@ public TimeSpan GetAudioLength(string filename)
     /// <param name="filename">The resource path to the OGG Vorbis file to play.</param>
     /// <param name="recipient">The player that will hear the sound.</param>
     /// <param name="uid">The UID of the entity "emitting" the audio.</param>
-    public abstract (EntityUid Entity, Components.AudioComponent Component)? PlayEntity(string? filename, ICommonSession recipient, EntityUid uid, AudioParams? audioParams = null);
+    public abstract (EntityUid Entity, Components.AudioComponent Component)? PlayEntity(ResolvedSoundSpecifier? filename, ICommonSession recipient, EntityUid uid, AudioParams? audioParams = null);
 
     /// <summary>
     /// Play an audio file following an entity.
@@ -487,7 +524,7 @@ public TimeSpan GetAudioLength(string filename)
     /// <param name="filename">The resource path to the OGG Vorbis file to play.</param>
     /// <param name="recipient">The player that will hear the sound.</param>
     /// <param name="uid">The UID of the entity "emitting" the audio.</param>
-    public abstract (EntityUid Entity, Components.AudioComponent Component)? PlayEntity(string? filename, EntityUid recipient, EntityUid uid, AudioParams? audioParams = null);
+    public abstract (EntityUid Entity, Components.AudioComponent Component)? PlayEntity(ResolvedSoundSpecifier? filename, EntityUid recipient, EntityUid uid, AudioParams? audioParams = null);
 
     /// <summary>
     /// Play an audio file following an entity.
@@ -497,7 +534,7 @@ public TimeSpan GetAudioLength(string filename)
     /// <param name="uid">The UID of the entity "emitting" the audio.</param>
     public (EntityUid Entity, Components.AudioComponent Component)? PlayEntity(SoundSpecifier? sound, Filter playerFilter, EntityUid uid, bool recordReplay, AudioParams? audioParams = null)
     {
-        return sound == null ? null : PlayEntity(GetSound(sound), playerFilter, uid, recordReplay, audioParams ?? sound.Params);
+        return sound == null ? null : PlayEntity(ResolveSound(sound), playerFilter, uid, recordReplay, audioParams ?? sound.Params);
     }
 
     /// <summary>
@@ -508,7 +545,7 @@ public TimeSpan GetAudioLength(string filename)
     /// <param name="uid">The UID of the entity "emitting" the audio.</param>
     public (EntityUid Entity, Components.AudioComponent Component)? PlayEntity(SoundSpecifier? sound, ICommonSession recipient, EntityUid uid, AudioParams? audioParams = null)
     {
-        return sound == null ? null : PlayEntity(GetSound(sound), recipient, uid, audioParams ?? sound.Params);
+        return sound == null ? null : PlayEntity(ResolveSound(sound), recipient, uid, audioParams ?? sound.Params);
     }
 
     /// <summary>
@@ -519,7 +556,7 @@ public TimeSpan GetAudioLength(string filename)
     /// <param name="uid">The UID of the entity "emitting" the audio.</param>
     public (EntityUid Entity, Components.AudioComponent Component)? PlayEntity(SoundSpecifier? sound, EntityUid recipient, EntityUid uid, AudioParams? audioParams = null)
     {
-        return sound == null ? null : PlayEntity(GetSound(sound), recipient, uid, audioParams ?? sound.Params);
+        return sound == null ? null : PlayEntity(ResolveSound(sound), recipient, uid, audioParams ?? sound.Params);
     }
 
     /// <summary>
@@ -529,7 +566,7 @@ public TimeSpan GetAudioLength(string filename)
     /// <param name="uid">The UID of the entity "emitting" the audio.</param>
     public (EntityUid Entity, Components.AudioComponent Component)? PlayPvs(SoundSpecifier? sound, EntityUid uid, AudioParams? audioParams = null)
     {
-        return sound == null ? null : PlayPvs(GetSound(sound), uid, audioParams ?? sound.Params);
+        return sound == null ? null : PlayPvs(ResolveSound(sound), uid, audioParams ?? sound.Params);
     }
 
     /// <summary>
@@ -539,7 +576,7 @@ public TimeSpan GetAudioLength(string filename)
     /// <param name="coordinates">The EntityCoordinates to attach the audio source to.</param>
     public (EntityUid Entity, Components.AudioComponent Component)? PlayPvs(SoundSpecifier? sound, EntityCoordinates coordinates, AudioParams? audioParams = null)
     {
-        return sound == null ? null : PlayPvs(GetSound(sound), coordinates, audioParams ?? sound.Params);
+        return sound == null ? null : PlayPvs(ResolveSound(sound), coordinates, audioParams ?? sound.Params);
     }
 
     /// <summary>
@@ -547,7 +584,7 @@ public TimeSpan GetAudioLength(string filename)
     /// </summary>
     /// <param name="sound">The sound specifier that points the audio file(s) that should be played.</param>
     /// <param name="coordinates">The EntityCoordinates to attach the audio source to.</param>
-    public abstract (EntityUid Entity, Components.AudioComponent Component)? PlayPvs(string? filename,
+    public abstract (EntityUid Entity, Components.AudioComponent Component)? PlayPvs(ResolvedSoundSpecifier? filename,
         EntityCoordinates coordinates, AudioParams? audioParams = null);
 
     /// <summary>
@@ -555,7 +592,7 @@ public abstract (EntityUid Entity, Components.AudioComponent Component)? PlayPvs
     /// </summary>
     /// <param name="filename">The resource path to the OGG Vorbis file to play.</param>
     /// <param name="uid">The UID of the entity "emitting" the audio.</param>
-    public abstract (EntityUid Entity, Components.AudioComponent Component)? PlayPvs(string? filename, EntityUid uid,
+    public abstract (EntityUid Entity, Components.AudioComponent Component)? PlayPvs(ResolvedSoundSpecifier? filename, EntityUid uid,
         AudioParams? audioParams = null);
 
     /// <summary>
@@ -592,7 +629,7 @@ public abstract (EntityUid Entity, Components.AudioComponent Component)? PlayPvs
     /// <param name="filename">The resource path to the OGG Vorbis file to play.</param>
     /// <param name="playerFilter">The set of players that will hear the sound.</param>
     /// <param name="coordinates">The coordinates at which to play the audio.</param>
-    public abstract (EntityUid Entity, Components.AudioComponent Component)? PlayStatic(string? filename, Filter playerFilter, EntityCoordinates coordinates, bool recordReplay, AudioParams? audioParams = null);
+    public abstract (EntityUid Entity, Components.AudioComponent Component)? PlayStatic(ResolvedSoundSpecifier? filename, Filter playerFilter, EntityCoordinates coordinates, bool recordReplay, AudioParams? audioParams = null);
 
     /// <summary>
     /// Play an audio file at a static position.
@@ -600,7 +637,7 @@ public abstract (EntityUid Entity, Components.AudioComponent Component)? PlayPvs
     /// <param name="filename">The resource path to the OGG Vorbis file to play.</param>
     /// <param name="recipient">The player that will hear the sound.</param>
     /// <param name="coordinates">The coordinates at which to play the audio.</param>
-    public abstract (EntityUid Entity, Components.AudioComponent Component)? PlayStatic(string? filename, ICommonSession recipient, EntityCoordinates coordinates, AudioParams? audioParams = null);
+    public abstract (EntityUid Entity, Components.AudioComponent Component)? PlayStatic(ResolvedSoundSpecifier? filename, ICommonSession recipient, EntityCoordinates coordinates, AudioParams? audioParams = null);
 
     /// <summary>
     /// Play an audio file at a static position.
@@ -608,7 +645,7 @@ public abstract (EntityUid Entity, Components.AudioComponent Component)? PlayPvs
     /// <param name="filename">The resource path to the OGG Vorbis file to play.</param>
     /// <param name="recipient">The player that will hear the sound.</param>
     /// <param name="coordinates">The coordinates at which to play the audio.</param>
-    public abstract (EntityUid Entity, Components.AudioComponent Component)? PlayStatic(string? filename, EntityUid recipient, EntityCoordinates coordinates, AudioParams? audioParams = null);
+    public abstract (EntityUid Entity, Components.AudioComponent Component)? PlayStatic(ResolvedSoundSpecifier? filename, EntityUid recipient, EntityCoordinates coordinates, AudioParams? audioParams = null);
 
     /// <summary>
     /// Play an audio file at a static position.
@@ -618,7 +655,7 @@ public abstract (EntityUid Entity, Components.AudioComponent Component)? PlayPvs
     /// <param name="coordinates">The coordinates at which to play the audio.</param>
     public (EntityUid Entity, Components.AudioComponent Component)? PlayStatic(SoundSpecifier? sound, Filter playerFilter, EntityCoordinates coordinates, bool recordReplay, AudioParams? audioParams = null)
     {
-        return sound == null ? null : PlayStatic(GetSound(sound), playerFilter, coordinates, recordReplay, audioParams);
+        return sound == null ? null : PlayStatic(ResolveSound(sound), playerFilter, coordinates, recordReplay, audioParams);
     }
 
     /// <summary>
@@ -629,7 +666,7 @@ public abstract (EntityUid Entity, Components.AudioComponent Component)? PlayPvs
     /// <param name="coordinates">The coordinates at which to play the audio.</param>
     public (EntityUid Entity, Components.AudioComponent Component)? PlayStatic(SoundSpecifier? sound, ICommonSession recipient, EntityCoordinates coordinates, AudioParams? audioParams = null)
     {
-        return sound == null ? null : PlayStatic(GetSound(sound), recipient, coordinates, audioParams ?? sound.Params);
+        return sound == null ? null : PlayStatic(ResolveSound(sound), recipient, coordinates, audioParams ?? sound.Params);
     }
 
     /// <summary>
@@ -640,7 +677,7 @@ public abstract (EntityUid Entity, Components.AudioComponent Component)? PlayPvs
     /// <param name="coordinates">The coordinates at which to play the audio.</param>
     public (EntityUid Entity, Components.AudioComponent Component)? PlayStatic(SoundSpecifier? sound, EntityUid recipient, EntityCoordinates coordinates, AudioParams? audioParams = null)
     {
-        return sound == null ? null : PlayStatic(GetSound(sound), recipient, coordinates, audioParams ?? sound.Params);
+        return sound == null ? null : PlayStatic(ResolveSound(sound), recipient, coordinates, audioParams ?? sound.Params);
     }
 
     // These are just here for replays now.
@@ -653,7 +690,7 @@ public abstract (EntityUid Entity, Components.AudioComponent Component)? PlayPvs
     [NetSerializable, Serializable]
     protected abstract class AudioMessage : EntityEventArgs
     {
-        public string FileName = string.Empty;
+        public ResolvedSoundSpecifier Specifier = new ResolvedPathSpecifier(string.Empty);
         public AudioParams AudioParams;
     }