Sony Pulse Explore Review: Wireless Earbuds for PlayStation Gamers

Sony has entered the wireless earbuds market with a product that is aimed at PlayStation gamers: the Sony Pulse Explore. These earbuds are designed to work seamlessly with the PlayStation 5 and other devices, using Sony’s proprietary PlayStation Link wireless technology. They also feature planar magnetic drivers, which are known for their high-fidelity and low-distortion sound. But are they worth the $199.99 price tag? And how do they compare with other wireless earbuds on the market? Here is our review of the Sony Pulse Explore earbuds.

Design and Comfort

The Sony Pulse Explore earbuds have a distinctive design that matches the PlayStation 5 console. They have a black and white color scheme, with a curved white panel that wraps around the black body of each earbud. The white panel has a small PlayStation logo on it, and also houses the PlayStation Link button, which lets you switch between PlayStation Link compatible devices. The black body has a volume rocker on it, which lets you adjust the volume of your games and PS Link audio.

The earbuds are quite large and bulky, compared to other wireless earbuds. They also have thin and soft silicone eartips, which come in four different sizes. The eartips are prone to flipping inside out or falling off, and they do not provide a good seal or fit in your ears. This can affect the sound quality and isolation of the earbuds, as well as the comfort and stability. The earbuds can also put some pressure on the bottom of your ear canal and concha, due to their weight and shape.

The earbuds come with a charging case, which is also black and white, and has a slide-door mechanism. The case has a USB-C port for charging, and four LED indicators to show the battery level of the earbuds and the case. The case is fairly large and heavy, but it can fit in your pocket or bag. The case can provide up to 10 hours of extra battery life for the earbuds, which have a battery life of up to 5 hours per charge.

Sound Quality and Features

The Sony Pulse Explore earbuds have planar magnetic drivers, which are a type of driver that uses a thin, flat diaphragm to produce sound. Planar magnetic drivers are rare and expensive, and they are usually found in high-end headphones and audio equipment. They are praised for their ability to reproduce sound with high fidelity, low distortion, and wide frequency response. They can also handle high volumes without clipping or crackling.

The earbuds deliver crisp, clear, and detailed sound, with good balance and separation. They can reproduce a wide range of frequencies, from 10 Hz to 40 kHz, with high accuracy and minimal distortion. They can also deliver a satisfying punch in the low end, a clear and natural vocal in the midrange, and a bright and airy sparkle in the high end.

The earbuds are especially impressive when it comes to gaming audio, as they can create a realistic and immersive soundstage, with accurate positioning and directionality of sound sources. They also support 3D Audio, which is a feature of PS5 games that enhances the spatial awareness and depth of sound. With 3D Audio, you can hear sounds coming from above, below, behind, or in front of you, as well as from different distances and angles. This can help you locate enemies, allies, and objects in the game world, and also increase the sense of immersion and realism.

The earbuds also perform well when it comes to music listening, as they can handle different genres and styles of music, from rock to pop, from classical to jazz. They can reproduce the nuances and subtleties of different instruments and vocals, and also convey the emotions and moods of the songs. They can also handle complex and layered tracks, without sounding muddy or congested.

The earbuds have a good microphone quality, thanks to the AI-enhanced noise rejection technology. The microphones can capture your voice clearly and loudly, without any distortion or clipping. They can also filter out any background noise or interference, such as wind, traffic, or other people talking. This can help you communicate effectively with your teammates or friends, whether you are gaming, chatting, or calling.

The earbuds have two wireless modes: PlayStation Link and Bluetooth. PlayStation Link is a wireless technology that provides lossless and low-latency audio for PS5, PC, and Mac. You need to plug in the included USB dongle to use this mode, which also enables 3D Audio. Bluetooth is a wireless technology that lets you connect to your phone or tablet. You can use this mode to listen to music or take calls, while still hearing your game audio from PS Link. You can also switch between PlayStation Link and Bluetooth devices by pressing the PlayStation Link button on the earbuds.

Verdict

The Sony Pulse Explore earbuds are a great option for PlayStation gamers who want to enjoy high-quality wireless audio. They have planar magnetic drivers that deliver crisp, clear, and detailed sound, with good balance and separation. They also support 3D Audio, which creates a realistic and immersive sound field for PS5 games. They also have a dual wireless mode, which lets you listen to both PS Link and Bluetooth audio at the same time.

However, the earbuds also have some drawbacks, such as their large and bulky design, their thin and flimsy eartips, their lack of active noise cancellation, and their high price. They might not be very comfortable or secure for some users, and they might not provide enough bass or isolation for some applications. They are also quite expensive, compared to other wireless earbuds on the market.

If you are looking for wireless earbuds that are specifically designed for PlayStation gaming, and you don’t mind the size, fit, and cost, the Sony Pulse Explore earbuds might be worth a try. But if you are looking for wireless earbuds that are more versatile, comfortable, and affordable, you might want to look elsewhere.