There was a big push for binaural audio when it came to the PlayStation 5, including the PlayStation 5 PULSE Explore Wireless Earbuds. It was a big part of showing the console off—a breakthrough in its surround sound audio, and when they announced the PULSE 3D wireless headset, it seemed to hold to that promise.
The general consensus was that it was a great sound at a premium price. CGM said, “The Pulse 3D Wireless headset delivers an incredible experience to your ears you won’t find in many other places. These were made to showcase Sony’s Tempest 3D audio engine, which was built directly into the PS5. 3D sound is no overhyped buzzword, it’s the real deal. You have to hear it to believe it. Playing PS5 exclusives in these tin cans is an amazing experience, but everything else just sounds the same.” Giving it a 4.5 out of 5 rating. Read that full review here.
It can certainly be said that PlayStation has adopted its new, interesting design to its accessories in the current generation of hardware. This doesn’t change with the PlayStation 5 PULSE Explore wireless earbuds. They have a peculiar, artsy design to them, and this makes them kind of strange to look at.
“With dual device connectivity, AI-enhanced noise reduction, and Planar Magnetic Drivers that allow for a more defined sound, the PlayStation 5 PULSE Explore wireless earbuds have a lot going for them.”
The charging case is nice and sleek, although the all-white colouring scheme makes it stick out against everything I own. While this was okay for the PlayStation 5 console itself, the bright nature of these accessories is starting to wear thin on my OCD. The side sliding case is a nice touch, giving the PlayStation 5 PULSE Explore wireless earbuds that premium feel every time you open them, which doesn’t hurt. I just can get over the design of the bud themselves.
Looks aside, the sound quality is incredible. I mostly used them during my time with Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth and The Last of Us Part 2 Remastered. You get a real sense of location with them. The number of times I was able just to lose myself in the goings-on of the environment. The Last of Us Part 2 Remastered gained the most beneficial bump here as sound is a big key tied into the gameplay loop in its Listen Mode.
Moving around the world as Abby and Ellie, you can really take everything in. With the amount of pressure that comes from being able to pinpoint clicker locations and having whistles more fine-tuned from the scars, the PlayStation 5 PULSE Explore earbuds really managed to elevate the game.
My usual gripe with wireless headphones returns once again in the form of the microphone quality. While the output is spectacular, the input is rather dismal and distant sounding. This doesn’t bode well for players who spend most of their time in multiplayer games. Not to mention the only five-hour battery life, with an extra ten hours of charge coming from the charging case. This will last roughly the same amount of time as the controller, so even though it’s not the best, it is passable when up against Sony’s own DualSense controllers.
The on-ear controls are very limited to your basic volume control, and that’s about it. It can feel pretty barebones. Considering most other $199 headphones like the Jabra Elites and Pixel Buds have other features such as ear detection and active noise cancellation, you won’t find those features in the PlayStation 5 PULSE Explore wireless earbuds. This is a shame because when paired with my phone, they also provided an excellent music experience, elevating the listening experience once again. It’s a shame the onboard volume control buttons didn’t work when using my phone.
What I found with the PlayStation 5 PULSE Explore wireless earbuds is that they excel when it comes to single-player gaming experiences, which Sony and its partners have delivered time and time again. Sounds are crisp, the 3D audio effect is incredibly precise, and the comfort is surprisingly really good for such a unique design. That being said, with a $199 price tag, it lacks some of the core features I look for when choosing my daily earbuds.
