Wireless headphones are a great option for listeners who like to game from their couch and don’t want a long, tangled cord running across the room from their console.
Sony PlayStation Pulse 3D Wireless Headset review
Sony’s so-called Tempest Engine does all of the hard work so that any standard pair of wired headphones can deliver immersive 3D sound when plugged into the DualSense controller. Sony has decided to visually tie the Pulse 3D headset to the controversial design of the PS5, opting for the same white finish for the headband as on the faceplates of the console. They include a rocker to adjust the balance between game audio and chat, a switch for turning monitor mode on or off (useful for ensuring you don’t speak too loudly), volume, mute and power on/off.
There’s no button to enable or disable the 3D audio feature as there was with the Platinum Wireless Headset, but that’s because the tech is built in more at a system level.
Battery life is 12 hours, which isn’t huge by Bluetooth headphone standards but should cover even the longest of gaming sessions. Surprisingly, despite all of the additional tech on board, the Pulse 3D headset more than stands its ground against sub-£100 wired headphones in most areas.
Dynamics are decent, too, with the headset able to convey subtle shifts as well as epic crescendos, and there’s more than enough detail for a pair of headphones costing this much. When music tracks become particularly busy, the Pulse 3D headset struggles to maintain a complete grip on each strand, and that can make these sections a little hard to follow.
Luckily, though, this timing issue isn’t apparent when gaming and the generally strong core sound quality translates well when you use the Pulse 3D headset for its intended purpose.
Switch to Call Of Duty: Black Ops Cold War and the 3D audio gives a real sense of the cavernous nature of the CIA safehouse, the distance of each character as they speak and the echo as their voices hit the interior walls of the warehouse.
The Pulse headset is surprisingly accomplished at creating a 3D soundfield, but the placement of effects is even better with a properly calibrated home cinema system. If you don’t have the money, space or circumstances for a home cinema system, this is pretty much the next best thing as far as PS5 gaming is concerned, and that makes it a great buy.
PS5 Pulse 3D Wireless Headset review
It offers decent stereo sound, an easy setup and a quality mic, plus it gives you a taste of Sony’s Tempest 3D AudioTech. The plastic build quality is a bit off-putting and the 12-hour battery life runs out fast, but otherwise this is a solid accessory that offers a lot for its $99 / £89.99 / AU$159 price point.
It offers decent stereo sound, an easy setup and a quality mic, plus it gives you a taste of Sony’s Tempest 3D AudioTech.
The plastic build quality is a bit off-putting and the 12-hour battery life runs out fast, but otherwise this is a solid accessory that offers a lot for its $99 / £89.99 / AU$159 price point. While it’s not without problems – its 12-hour battery runs out fast, its build quality isn’t the best and the 3D effect does take some tuning to get right – the Pulse 3D is a rock-solid PS5 headset and one that we’d recommend you pick up when you finally get your hands on the console. That said, if you’re looking for some alternatives, you could check out the Turtle Beach Recon 200 that’s compatible with the PS5 and priced at only $49.99 / £29.99 / AU$77.99, however you’ll be making a sacrifice in the sound performance department and overall feature set.
The cans themselves house medium-sized 40mm drivers and the clamping force of the headphones – i.e. how much pressure the cups put on your head – is just enough to keep them on without them falling off. Sure, going for silk and metal might’ve made them a bit cosier on the ears and sturdier, but the pleather stays relatively cool and comfortable after extended use and the plastic, while definitely not ideal, does keep the cost of the headset down.
If you’re planning on buying a pair of headphones you can take with you on the go, the PlayStation Pulse 3D Wireless Headset isn’t going to be it.
You can also plug the dongle into a PC’s USB port if you want to use it there, but you won’t get surround sound that way. Of course, what you’ll really want to buy the Pulse 3D Wireless for is its compatibility with Sony’s new Tempest 3D AudioTech that it’s implementing in all its first-party games that give them a more realistic and immersive sound quality. The list of games that support 3D Tempest AudioTech is fairly limited at the moment – in fact, it’s just Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales, Marvel’s Spider-Man Remastered, Astro’s Playroom, Sackboy: A Big Adventure and Demon’s Souls – but you can also expect support for Gran Turismo 7, Returnal, Destruction AllStars, Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart, Horizon Forbidden West, Resident Evil Village and more later down the road.
As the de facto PS5 headset, the Pulse 3D Wireless should be one of the first accessories you buy for the new console as it enhances the experience and allows you to talk with friends. While the Pulse 3D Wireless Headset does provide you the best bridge to Sony’s new Tempest 3D AudioTech, the results aren’t going to blow you away. If that sounds like you, too, you might want to wait for a longer-lasting headset to come out – or at the very least, keep the USB-C charging cable by your console at all times as a reminder.
Sony Pulse 3D review: koptelefoon is niet helemaal het geld waard
100 euro vragen voor een headset is een hoop geld, maar dan nog is de Sony Pulse 3D niet de duurste koptelefoon voor gamers. Je kunt de headset dus zowel draadloos als met een kabel gebruiken. Er is dus geen mic die uitsteekt, zoals op onder andere de JBL Quantum 400, die veelal zorgen voor een betere geluidskwaliteit. Hiermee pas je het balans tussen beide audiostromen aan. Wil je hem dus opladen of met een audiokabel gebruiken, dan moet je eveneens aan de linkerkant van de headset zijn. Het is goed om te zien dat Sony dezelfde designelementen naar voren geschoven heeft voor de Pulse 3D.
Review: Pulse 3D Wireless Headset
Niet heel gek, want Sony heeft ook tijdens de PS4 periode verschillende headsets uitgebracht. De review heeft even op zich laten wachten, maar eindelijk kunnen deze vragen beantwoord worden. Dat de Pulse 3D een zeer modern uiterlijk heeft, is misschien wel het minste wat ik ervan kan zeggen.
Daarbij moet wel gezegd worden dat de headset ergonomischer op je hoofd had mogen zitten en daarmee ook iets steviger. Het is natuurlijk strak om te zien, maar intuïtief is anders (een scroll wiel voor volume had meer onderscheid kunnen bieden). Voor sommige gamers kan dit overigens gerust als een pluspunt ervaren worden onder de noemer ‘zorgeloos gebruik’. Alles is helder en mooi te horen, van voetstapjes tot puin wat op de grond valt. Het is daarom zo jammer dat de lage en hoge tonen behoorlijk wat body missen.
De treble is helemaal bescheiden, dus je krijgt daardoor erg vol geluid dat redelijk warm klinkt.
The best PS5 headsets in 2021
The best headsets for PS5 provide a more intimate way to enjoy rich in-game sound, while letting you chat with friends (or enemies) over the included microphone. Granted, you’ll need to find where to buy the PS5 — Sony’s console is proving elusive, stock-wise — but luckily our picks of the best PS5 headsets are in much greater supply.
Read on below to find out more about these fine peripherals, which span premium models and affordable budget alternatives alike. Designed specifically for PlayStation consoles, it’s an excellent performer in every area: not just sound quality and microphone clarity, but comfort and connectivity as well.
SteelSeries Arctis 7P The best headset for PS5 overall Specifications Drivers: 40mm Frequency Response: 20 Hz – 20 kHz Wireless: Yes Battery life: 24 hours TODAY’S BEST DEALS View at Best Buy Prime View at Amazon 93 Walmart customer reviews ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ Reasons to buy + Solid connection + High sound quality in games + Comfortable fit Reasons to avoid – Music doesn’t sound as good as games – Hard to find stock The white, black and blue color scheme is a perfect match for the PS5 itself, and the elastic headband proves extremely comfortable for long gaming sessions. This realistically simulates the origin point of different in-game sounds in a 3D space around the listener, similar to the spatial audio feature on the Apple AirPods Pro. The featherweight frame and imitation leather ear cushions will let you play for ages without any agitation, which is all the more impressive considering how cheap the headset is.
A sturdy microphone arm and on-ear controls also help the Cloud Stinger give the impression of being a much more premium product than it actually is. This is an excellent wired headset and a good fit for the PS5, thanks in no small part to its rich audio quality and clear microphone performance.
The BlackShark V2 is also lighter and more compact than a lot of Razer headsets, which helps keep it comfortable when worn for long periods. Another thing worth pointing out is the virtual surround sound support, though this is primarily intended for PC games rather than the PS5.
It borrows its eye-catching design traits from the pricier A40 and A50 models, and backs up its looks with commendably high build quality, too. Performance-wise, the A10 is impressive, with the kind of punchy low-end audio that can really help action and sports games feel more exciting. HyperX Cloud Alpha A great-value PS5 headset Specifications Drivers: 50mm Dual Chamber Frequency Response: 13 Hz – 27 kHz Wireless: No Battery life: N/A TODAY’S BEST DEALS View at Best Buy Prime View at Amazon View at Walmart 568 Amazon customer reviews ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ Reasons to buy + Sleek, premium design + Comfortable + High sound quality Reasons to avoid – Earcups can feel snug – Microphone picks up background noise The mid-range Cloud Alpha is another PS5-friendly accessory that feels a lot more premium than the price suggests, with comfortable (if snug) ear cushions and a durable, grown-up design. The Cloud Alpha was also the first HyperX headset to use the company’s proprietary Dual Chamber Driver system, which separates the bass from the mids and treble. SteelSeries Arctis Pro + GameDAC A PS5 headset with audiophile-level sound Specifications Drivers: 40mm Frequency Response: 10 Hz – 40 kHz Wireless: No Battery life: N/A TODAY’S BEST DEALS Prime View at Amazon View at Dell Low Stock View at Walmart 144 Amazon customer reviews ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ Reasons to buy + Superb design and comfort + Lossless audio support + Great overall sound quality Reasons to avoid – Expensive – Made for the desk, not the couch
Another high-end option, the SteelSeries Arctis Pro + GameDAC is a step up from its stablemates, as it delivers Hi-Res Audio support up to 24-bit/96 kHz. In any case, the Arctis Pro + GameDAC sounds great in games, and its ClearCast microphone performs brilliantly.
The typical Arctis level of comfort is also present, and those who like their gaming peripherals with some extra visual flair will appreciate the RGB lighting on the earcups.
Razer Kraken X A cheap headset for PS5 with high-quality gaming sound Specifications Drivers: 40mm Frequency Response: 12 Hz – 28 kHz Wireless: No Battery life: N/A TODAY’S BEST DEALS Prime View at Amazon View at Best Buy View at Walmart 15 Amazon customer reviews ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ Reasons to buy + Sleek design + Comfortable fit + Good in-game sound Reasons to avoid – Can’t hide mic – Subpar music performance Its controls, in particular, are straightforward and highly intuitive: each button feels distinct to the touch, so there’s a pleasant lack of fiddliness when making adjustments on the fly. Mic quality, for one, is very good, and if you just want to sit down with a single-player game, the flexible boom arm is easy to remove.
Since a lot of people will also want to use their PS5 headset as a pair of headphones, especially wireless models, we’ll also listen to music to see how they cope here, too. We’ll also wear each headset for extended periods of time, as what might initially seem like a comfy design could become uncomfortable as the hours tick by.
Sony PlayStation Pulse 3D Wireless Headset review
Designed to tap into Sony’s proprotory 3D Audio Tempest engine that targets more immersive sound when gaming, the Pulse 3D Wireless Headset makes for a compelling first-party accessory for your PS5. It’s not as sleek as higher-end wireless headphones, like the Sony WH-1000XM4 , but equally for the price, the Pulse 3D headset is surprisingly refined.
This already makes the Pulse 3D a strong choice for PS5 owners who are put off by the traditional overly elaborate and brightly-lit ‘gamer’ aesthetic.
This feels like a consequence of Sony prioritizing the headset’s looks, since having the cramped controls means the outside of both ear cups are left plain.
It took me a long time to learn to do this consistently, since the limited gaps between the identical-feeling buttons make it hard to figure out where your fingers are. You can technically do this without wearing the headset as the LED flashes in different patterns to also show you a rough percentage.
Comparing this to the Audeze Penrose, a much more expensive headset, it was clear that the Pulse 3D isn’t quite as powerful in general, particularly when it comes to the low end of the mix. As you’d hope from 3D audio headphones, there was a well-designed surround effect, even though the Pulse 3D isn’t primarily designed for music or for use with a PC. After recording myself speaking through the Pulse 3D on a voice note app, I too would agree I sounded perfectly audible, with little to no popping. The 3D audio feature, the one the headset’s partly named after, isn’t available on all PS5 games but when it does, it works very well.
When sound behaves like it does in real life, coming at you from multiple directions instead of just in stereo, the game world makes more sense, and you can accept the soundscape as normal and get on with playing. While the name of the headset sounds like it’s a unique feature, keep in mind you can access the PS5’s 3D Audio system with any pair of wired or compatible wireless headphones.
Sony promises 12 hours of battery life from the Pulse 3D, and that seems pretty accurate from my experience having to charge it twice a week after spending my evenings replaying WipEout Omega Collection. It’s a common connection and filling up the headset’s battery only takes a short amount of time, even when plugged into a low wattage power source such as one of the USB ports on the PS5 itself. The wireless adapter means you’re able to easily switch the Pulse 3D between PS5 and PS4 consoles, or to Windows or Mac devices. I was plagued with constant disconnects during both video calls and gameplay on two separate days, but I’ve been unable to replicate the issue since. If you are afflicted with disconnects, or have simply forgotten to charge up the battery, then you have the option of connecting a 3.5mm jack cable for audio-only use. It makes for a good back-up option if you’ve forgotten to charge the headset, even while gaming since the DualSense controller features a 3.5mm port that you can route the audio through.
If you aren’t looking for a gaming headset with all the possible bells and whistles, the Pulse 3D delivers the basics, on the whole, at their most finely tuned. Sony’s making a great case for buying extra PlayStation-branded gear with this handsome, great-sounding pair of wireless headphones, even if it’s not too hard to get much more impressive performance if you spend a little more for something like the Steelseries 7P .
Best PS5 headset: the finest audio companions for your PS5
Turtle Beach Recon 500 A terrific wired Turtle Beach PS5 headset Specifications Acoustic design: Closed Back, over ear Drivers: 60mm Eclipse Weight: c.600g Compatibility: PC, PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Switch, Mobile TODAY’S BEST DEALS Prime View at Amazon View at Best Buy View at Walmart Reasons to buy + THAT excellent sound + No ‘gamer aesthetic’ flare or design quirks + Zero distortion Reasons to avoid – Nothing special about its construction materials What you do find, crucially, is sound so good it takes you aback, and offers a PS5 headset experience that is terrific in quality, and not too hard on the wallet. Not one for perennial tweakers then, but those who enjoy simplicity and fundamentally great audio should scout out this new Recon as one of the latest best Turtle Beach headsets to appear. SteelSeries Arctis 7P A comfortable, well-built wireless PS5 headset Specifications Acoustic design: Closed Back, over ear Drivers: 40mm Neodymium Weight: 354g Compatibility: PS4, PS5, PC, Switch, Mobile TODAY’S BEST DEALS View at Best Buy View at Best Buy Prime View at Amazon 93 Walmart customer reviews ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ Reasons to buy + Excellent audio quality and detail + Very comfortable + Excellent battery life + SteelSeries quality in build and audio Reasons to avoid – Bass is a bit lacking
I would really like a bit more oomph at the bottom of the audio spectrum though – there’s a noticeable lack of bass sometimes which can, at times, lead to an overwhelmingly alarming amount of treble that’s being thrown straight into your brain. Sharing the same design language and aesthetic that the PS5 and its accessories have, the Pulse 3D headset maintains a subtlety in its form – there’s no extruding boom mic, and all the tech is discreetly hidden.
Underneath the stylish frame, however, you’ll find all the necessary tech to immerse yourself in the PS5’s Tempest 3D AudioTech, with the Pulse 3D headset being the best way to get the most from your new console’s audio. Initially only available in white, Midnight Black Pulse 3D headset pre-orders are now live ahead of the October 29 release date.
Turtle Beach Stealth 700 Gen 2 A superb and confirmed-wireless Turtle Beach option Specifications Acoustic design: Closed Back, over ear Drivers: 50mm Nanoclear Weight: 382g Compatibility: PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PC Prime View at Amazon View at Walmart View at Best Buy 237 Walmart customer reviews ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ Reasons to buy + Doubles battery life from the previous generation + Incredibly comfortable + Great microphone accuracy Reasons to avoid – Might be a tight fit for some The Stealth 700 Gen 2 has had a design upgrade from the previous incarnation with a subtler aesthetic, and a flip-to-mute mic that folds neatly into the earcup. The redone design makes the headset incredibly comfortable, with supple memory foam cushions with Aerofit cooling gel being a highlight, ensuring you can wear them for hours at a time with no aches or strains, or pains. The Superhuman Hearing feature is a worthy inclusion too and can give you the edge in online shooters, while the bass boost can provide some serious rumble during a heart-pumping campaign mission.
Razer Kaira X for PlayStation A strong first PS5 headset from Razer Specifications Acoustic design: Closed Back, over ear Drivers: 50mm Razer TriForce Weight: 283g Compatibility: PlayStation, Xbox, PC, Switch, Mobile TODAY’S BEST DEALS Prime View at Amazon View at Walmart View at GameStop Reasons to buy + Excellent audio quality + Comfortable fit + Good value Reasons to avoid – Ear cups get a bit hot – A little quiet by default The sound quality provided by Razer’s TriForce 50mm drivers within the headset is excellent and uncompromising – full bass, rich middles, and tight, exquisite highs.
The mic is solid, but doesn’t quite have the warmth and overall richness to more premium headsets – like the Kaira Pro; of which currently only an Xbox variant exists but a PS5 one is surely coming.
Yes, the Kaira X for PlayStation is a wired headset and this is a big reason that this is a budget option, but it’s a braided cord, has a strong right-angle connection, and is the ideal length for having enough slack but without being overly long.
Audeze Penrose Awesome audio and quality – but at a premium Specifications Acoustic design: Over-ear, closed-circumaural Cable length: Wireless (c.50″ / 127cm aux cable) Drivers: 100mm Planar Magnetic Weight: 11.3oz / 320g Compatibility: PS5, PS4, Nintendo Switch, PC, Mac, Mobile TODAY’S BEST DEALS Prime View at Amazon Reasons to buy + Excellent sound quality and detail + Comfortable + Good battery life + Solid design and build Reasons to avoid – More expensive than most top PS5 headsets – Buzzing when using while charging The headset is well built and has an agreeable design aesthetic draped over a sturdy and robust build, all of which factor into what is a comfortable bit of kit to wear for hours at a time. The surround sound is spot on and beautifully poised, the detail is exquisite with wind, footsteps, and chatter clearly audible – and at a distant, and the balance is great, with highs that don’t squeal, and bass that is not muddy at all, but boomy and robust. Sony PlayStation 4 Platinum headset The official and premium PS4 headset is a solid pick for PS5 Specifications Acoustic design: Closed Back Battery life: 6 hours Drivers: 50mm Weight: 318g Compatibility: PS4, PS5 TODAY’S BEST DEALS Low Stock View at Walmart Check Amazon 731 Amazon customer reviews ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ Reasons to buy + Designed exclusively for the PlayStation 4 + Super comfortable + Stylish look Reasons to avoid – Companion app is fairly redundant
The battery life and wireless connection range might see it overtaken by other more modern competitors in the near future but it’s still a fine headset and one I’m personally am looking forward to taking into the glorious world of PS5.
Turtle Beach Stealth 600 Gen 2 The best mid-range wireless headset Specifications Acoustic design: Closed Back, over ear Drivers: 50mm Battery life: 15 hours Weight: 580g Compatibility: PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PC TODAY’S BEST DEALS Prime View at Amazon View at Walmart View at Best Buy 100 Walmart customer reviews ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ Reasons to buy + Solid battery life + Comfortable for glasses wearers + Excellent audio and microphone accuracy + Next-gen compatible Reasons to avoid – Plastic across headband feels cheap – Ear cups started to hurt after long-term wear This is certainly a great choice for gaming on a budget, as the sound quality is top-tier and the microphone sensitivity is ideal for those who want to communicate without shouting. EPOS | Sennheiser GSP 300 Great value Sennheiser audio excellence Specifications Acoustic design: Closed-acoustic, over-ear Cable length: 2m Drivers: N/A Weight: 10.2oz Compatibility: PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Switch, PC, Mobile, Mac TODAY’S BEST DEALS Prime View at Amazon View at Walmart View at Best Buy 1 Walmart customer review ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ Reasons to buy + Sennheiser-quality audio + Excellently clear mic + Comfy + Affordable (for Sennheiser) Reasons to avoid – No chat/game audio balancer – Limited features – Design is OK
The audio is so good that everything comes through excellently and of the same quality and volume, which means it’s not that easy to discern between incoming voices when you’re playing in a team of three or more, and it’d be nice to have some more features but the stripped-back approach helps to keep the costs down. ASUS ROG Delta S A great PS5 headset for wired setups Specifications Acoustic design: Closed back Cable length: 1.5m Drivers: 50mm Neodymium Weight: 300g Compatibility: PC, Mac, PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X, Xbox One, Android mobile TODAY’S BEST DEALS Prime View at Amazon Reasons to buy + Lightweight and comfortable + Plenty of customization options + Excellent audio performance… Reasons to avoid – … once the EQ is sorted
Straight out the box things are geared very much towards the higher ranges, which means bass lines can flatten out under dialogue-forward scenes. However, that EQ software allows for an incredibly in-depth set of controls which means you can adjust levels across the entire spectrum, making this a great feature in one of the best PS5 headsets for gaming.
All of the audio excellence and software customisation opportunities are housed in a sturdy yet lightweight shell, with durable plastic cups lined with clean (and easily personalized) RGBs and heavy memory foam cushioning. The cups themselves sport a unique triangular shape inherent to the Delta design, but aside from standing out to the eye they also provide plenty of support while remaining roomy enough to withstand longer sessions.
Be First to Comment