PlayStation Pulse Elite Review: Great Sound Quality and Unbeatable Price

PlayStation creates one of the most impressive hardware ecosystems in recent generations. From devices like the PlayStation Portal to a good selection of audio devices. In this last segment, in 2023 the company acquired one of the most famous audio manufacturers on the market: Audeze. And finally we have the result: the new PlayStation Pulse Elite, headphones that we’ve already told you are the best available for PlayStation today. And why is it not a PlayStation?

Although there is no official mention anywhere of the PlayStation Pulse Elite that they are the result of an Audeze purchase, the truth is that just knowing that they have Planar drivers already gives us a clue as to where the shots are going. The truth is that before the Elite came out, the best gaming headphones you could buy were and the absolute standard for this task was Odessa Maxwell.

The only “problem” is that the latter’s price is double that of the Elite, so the release of PlayStation headphones represents a blow to the gaming table. Today, there are only a few headphones that surpass them in comfort and sound quality depending on situations – the Logitech Astro G A50X and the aforementioned Maxwell. Both cost well over €300, and only the first is compatible with PS5 game and chat.

The $150 PlayStation Pulse Elite combines some of Audeze’s best technology, incredible audio quality, and seamless PlayStation integration. Although they bear the seal of the new PlayStation Link technology, allowing them to connect directly to Portal, They are fully compatible with PC, Mac or even Switch. using the included adapter. And the main part of the PlayStation Pulse Elite lies in this adapter: it provides an ultra-fast connection to headphones, and most importantly: transmits lossless sound. Moreover, they are Bluetooth and it is at the same time: you can connect it to your mobile phone and PS5 at the same time and Listen to audio, even voice calls, at the same time.

Outstanding sound quality for gaming

Sound quality is excellent, although a warning for boaters: the Pulse Elite, like the Maxwel headphones and Planar magnetic driver headphones, offer much less dark sound than other types of headphones: bass and low frequencies are less pronounced, and high frequencies stand out. Quite a bit comes out, so if you’re using bass-heavy headphones, you’ll need some time to adjust.

To be clear, this is especially noticeable in the Pulse Elite. detail at almost all frequenciesThis means they provide high definition positional and 3D audio, making them ideal for video games. And this is especially noticeable in shooters like Warzone or Apex, which, despite the fact that their sound engines are nothing special, allow you to guess the location of enemies quite accurately.

However, they require a little EQ adjustment. This is a very personal section, but if you don’t know where to start, try raising the bass a couple dB and lowering triple a couple of points. If you are using PS5, this can be done using the built-in equalizer, which by the way records the equalizer in the headphones and is saved in other devices. If you’re going to use them on PC and don’t have a PS5 for equalizer, you’ll have to resort to solutions like APO EQ or apps like Sonar.

Pulse Elite: Great value for money.

Another important point is that the Pulse Elite does not have ANC, but the size and thickness of the ear pads is more than enough to isolate environmental noise. However, its design, or rather the materials, despite their particular comfort, make noise when you move your head, especially if they are “big” for you. so some users won’t like it. They’re made entirely of plastic, and while they seem quite durable and will last a long time, the truth is that sometimes the abrasion of their materials makes them feel like they’re less premium than they appear. This is a very personal opinion, but the truth is that this does not happen to the same level with headphones. cheap from PlayStation – Pulse 3D.

Where there is noise cancellation, there is a microphone, which, by the way, is retractable and works both folded and hidden, and also has a power button. dumb. It works automatically and does a great job of canceling out ambient noise that might get through the microphone. It’s pretty high quality, especially if you use it near your mouth rather than storing it, and it’s more than enough for any day of gaming with friends.

And a few more buttons. In addition to muting the microphone, the Pulse Elite also includes a volume control and a button that functions as on/off, PS Link, sync, Bluetooth, or even quick access to PS5 audio settings using the triple click. However, they do not have chat and game mixing buttons., and you will have to use the console for this. It includes a 3.5mm jailbreak jack that bypasses smart features and opens up compatibility with other consoles and devices, as well as a USB-C port for charging. It also includes a wireless charging system on top, compatible with the included adapter/hanger that can be attached to a wall, for example.

As for battery life, they promise 30 hours of battery life, but this will largely depend on whether it’s connected to Bluetooth and the volume you use it at. In our tests, the duration was quite uneven, but always closer to the promised autonomy than less. In any case, this is not a problem: The Pulse Elite has fast charging and with a 10-minute charge we will have another 2 hours of battery life.

PlayStation Pulse Elite, are they worth it?

In terms of quality and price, PlayStation Pulse Elite These are the best headphones you can buy if you have a PS5. or you use them exclusively for gaming.

The sound quality is amazing for gaming, they are extremely comfortable, and the simultaneous Bluetooth audio is extremely useful. It has an excellent battery, fast charging, a brutal addition and the detail of including a hanger with wireless charging in the kit does not go unnoticed.

The only drawback that can be noted is the lack of dedicated buttons for the combination of chat and game and a design that is very different from what we are used to in this segment.

As of now, we can’t think of recommending any other headphones other than the Pulse Elite if you’re going to use them for the PS5. At $150/€ they compete with headphones that are double or triple the price in sound quality, comfort and functionality.