The Sony PS5 Pulse 3D Wireless Headset is one of the best headsets for the PS5. Its comfortable design, easy to access PS5 controls, optimisation for Sony’s new Tempest 3D AudioTech and its much lower price point make this headset, the PS5 headset to beat.
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Price:
Wireless gaming headsets are always more expensive than wired headsets. Their ease of use and the ability to move around untethered to your console is a sought after feature that demands expensive hardware that raises the price. With this in mind, the Sony PS5 Pulse 3D Wireless Headset is surprisingly affordable at NZ$180 (US$99.99; £89.99).
It’s significantly cheaper and more easily found than its PS5 dedicated competitors. The SteelSeries Arctis 7P isn’t sold in New Zealand and costs US$179.99 (£159.99). The Turtle Beach Stealth 700 Gen 2 costs NZ$300 (US$149.99; £89.99).
Sony’s PS5 Pulse 3D Wireless Headset is a great cheaper option for a headset primarily focussed on the PS5.
Design:
The PS5 Pulse 3D Wireless Headset compliments the PS5 console by having the same aesthetic. It has the same white, and black colour scheme found on the console, and it’s a sleek, minimalist style. Some gaming headsets tend to be bright and bold with flashing neon lights but not here. The look is simple while remaining elegant.
The headset is comfortable. The adjustable top-strap ensures that this headset can fit any size head and remain comfortable for prolonged periods of play, as it prevents the hard plastic frame from resting on the crown of your skull.
The comfort is also attributed to its weight. The PS5 Pulse 3D Wireless Headset weighs 295 grams. Compare this to the Turtle Beach Stealth 700 Gen 2 which weighs 453 grams and the SteelSeries Arctis 7P which weighs 421.84 grams and the Pulse is significantly lighter and more comfortable.
This weight does make the headset feel flimsy in comparison. The PS5 Pulse 3D Wireless Headset is plastic which is weaker than its competitors that incorporate metal frames, making them heavier. However, it is noticeably more comfortable for prolonged periods of play.
Sony has opted for rounded, leatherette, earcups that go over the ears, and they work well. I have relatively large ears, and I had no issues fitting them inside. The cups are soft and comfortable, and the headset doesn’t squeeze in on my head. It sits nicely without putting pressure on my skull. After several hours of intense competitive gaming on games like Rocket League and Rainbow Six Siege, the headset remained comfortable and unobtrusive.
The left cup is where the headset controls are. There are volume up and down buttons, a power switch, a mute microphone button, a microphone monitor switch and a chat/game audio adjustment rocker. These controls are implemented with the PS5 in mind. This is what sets the PS5 Pulse 3D Wireless Headset apart.
Obviously, volume and power buttons can be found on most headsets but where the PS5 Pulse 3D Wireless Headset outdoes the competition is with its microphone monitor switch and the chat/game audio adjustment rocker.
The microphone monitor allows you to hear yourself as you talk into the dual microphones on the headset. It’s a great way to quickly determine if your voice is being picked up and if you’re coming through clearly.
The chat/game audio adjustment rocker allows you to set audio priority. When playing with others, if they are hard to hear, you can prioritise chat audio, raising their volume and lowering the game volume. If the persons’ voice is too loud, you can prioritise game audio and turn them down.
Of course, this can be achieved within the console settings; however, being able to do it on the fly is extremely convenient, especially when playing with multiple people and switching games often.
There is also a 3.5mm port on the left earcup. You can connect the headphones to any 3.5mm compatible device with the included cable and use the headset on the go. This isn’t groundbreaking, but it will still provide 3D audio and it’s nice to have that option. However, this will drain the battery faster.
The PS5 Pulse 3D Wireless Headset works best with the included Bluetooth dongle. It’s simple to set up, plug the dongle into a USB slot and the headphones will connect via Bluetooth. This dongle allows for connections to compatible Windows and macOS computers, the PS4 and obviously the PS5. This is great if you are looking for one headset for all of your needs. Removing the dongle and putting it into another device is as easy as it sounds. Unfortunately, the headset doesn’t provide surround sound for computers, only the PS5.
There is also a USB-C charging slot for quick charging of the headset. A full charge will take around 3 hours.
Performance:
The sound that comes through the PS5 Pulse 3D Wireless Headset is excellent. It provides stereo sound and also simulated surround sound. It’s impressive. The sounds are bassy when they need to be, and it doesn’t drown out the more delicate tones. In games like God Of War, the action sounds were punchy and effective, while still clearly hearing dialogue and ambience.
Tempest 3D AudioTech support
The PS5 Pulse 3D Wireless Headset shines when playing a game that supports Sony’s new Tempest 3D AudioTech. The new Tempest Engine provides a much wider 3D sound by simulating audio from a mass number of directions. It’s impressive. Really impressive, in fact. Adding a distinct amount of realism and immersion to games.
Unfortunately, this cannot be used with all games; The Tempest Engine is audio tech that game developers need to support. Titles that currently support it are Spider-Man: Miles Morales, Spider-Man Remastered, Astros Playroom, Gran Turismo 7, Returnal, Destruction AllStars, Demon’s Souls, Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart, Sackboy: A Big Adventure, Horizon Forbidden West and Resident Evil Village.
When playing games that don’t support Tempest 3D AudioTech the stereo sound, although not nearly as immersive as Tempest 3D Audiotech, still sounds great with the PS5 Pulse 3D Wireless Headset.
Sony has stated that the PS5 Pulse 3D Wireless Headset is “fine-tuned,” for the Tempest Engine; however other headsets are still compatible with Tempest 3D Audiotech.
The PS5 Pulse 3D Wireless Headset has two hidden microphones inside. These microphones, for the most part, work well. My friend was able to hear me clearly when I was talking to him while gaming. It sometimes picks up background and ambient noise, which can be a problem if you’re in a busy room. This is because the microphones are not directly in front of your mouth. Headsets like the Turtle Beach Stealth 700 Gen 2 have a pull out microphone that sits in front of you making ambient noise quieter. Overall though, this was an uncommon issue. The ambient noise was minor and only took slight adjustments to remedy.
Battery:
Sony claims the battery for the PS5 Pulse 3D Wireless Headset is around 12 hours on a single charge. I found this to be accurate. This is a lot less than the Turtle Beach Stealth 700 Gen 2s 20 hours on a single charge and the SteelSeries Arctis 7Ps 24 hours. So if you’re the type who forgets to turn off your headset or plug it in to charge, this battery length may be an issue.
Verdict:
The PS5 Pulse 3D Wireless Headset is a great PS5 headset. It’s significantly cheaper than its competitors which in some cases, can reflect a lower performance, but not here; the PS5 Pulse 3D Wireless Headset has an excellent sound.
It’s comfortable for long periods of play and the controls optimised for the PlayStation on the left cup are handy and easy to use.
It’s also compatible with other devices, not just the PS5, and using this headset with a game that supports Sony’s new Tempest 3D Audiotech is incredibly immersive, making you never want to go back.
It is a bit flimsy with its plastic frame, and the battery life isn’t as good as its competitors, but overall this is one of the best gaming headsets for the PS5 at an even better price.
