Verdict
The Sony PlayStation Pulse Explore are technologically and sonically herculean with tight PS5 / Portal integration . This makes them a brilliant option for consecrated PlayStation gamers , despite a design that ’ll split persuasion . However , if you ’re only run to own one pair of wireless bud , a music - forward-moving alternative may be best .
Pros
Cons
Key Features
Introduction
PlayStation is becoming portable again in 2024 . Or , at least , more portable .
ThePlayStation Portalhandheld is now on the scene , albeit with the limitation enforced by a simpleRemote Playremit . Beyond that , Sony has some PlayStation - post straight wireless bud useable for the first time .
Sony already has arguably thebest dyad of wireless earphonesaround – theSony WF-100XM5 – and while the Sony PlayStation Pulse Explore earphones are sonically wakeless , the Pulse Explore set is designed with gaming at the fore .
Promising speedy association withPS5and its Portal hand-held similitude , low-down - response time play , and knock-down integrated mics for team chat and voice calls , PlayStation loyalist will get a answer tailor - made for the way they love to experience gaming . Let ’s put the Pulse Explore buds to the test .
Design and Features
The Sony PlayStation Pulse Explore earbuds , like thePS5console itself , are an acquired taste . They suffer somewhat from an awkward invention that ’s impractical for the interest of suffer out .
Although slightly larger , the slide case await sleek from the exterior , and it ’s a nice modification from the identikitAirPods - stylus living accommodations .
However , the bud do n’t palpate like a natural and seamless tantrum in the vitrine . The tilt earbud itself does n’t just glide into the capitulum . There ’s an insert - and - twist panache action that take some adjusting to , and somehow it does n’t count like a lifelike fit in the ear . In say that , once inclose , the scene feel secure and lightweight .
away from the PlayStation stigmatisation and PS5 design synergism ( inept or not ) , the key feature is thePlayStation Linktechnology that enable instant pairing with a PS5 console and promise the down latency , lossless audio and ‘ lifelike sound ’ .
To link up with thePS4or PS5 , the Link tech need an extra USB - A dongle that ship with the Pulse Explore bud – or is £ 25 to bribe separately if you have multiple machines you ’re hooking up to .
Once you pop out the dongle into the PS4 or PS5 and power on the console table , geminate is automatic and consistently speedy . This unlined audio synergism is utilitarian if hooking - up your PS5 with a speaker - less monitor , for instance .
However , did n’t Sony declare these bud around the same time it launch a major computer hardware refresh for PlayStation 5 console ? I discover it very strange that PlayStation Link has n’t been integrated within thePS5 Slimeditions , as it has with the PlayStation Portal handheld . This would have mean you would n’t need to annoy with the dongle .
Anyhow , the dongle is only about an column inch long , so inoffensive enough . It also works with a Mac or PC if you like to apply your laptop computer or desktop for Remote Play . Pairing with wandering equipment is through Bluetooth .
There are manual bulk controls on both buds , while pressing the multi - function clit on the underside of the Pulse Explore three times institute up an EQ menu on the PS5 for more granular audio controls and various audio profile .
Sony promise five hours of battery life sentence from the Pulse Explore and you’re able to get an additional two charges from the case . So , 15 hours of maneuver in total with some suspension for recharging . This play out in my testing .
However , when connecting to Bluetooth gimmick for music , I find that the battery drained much slower , plausibly have around 7 hours of podcast listening on Spotify . Recharging is rapid too . Just ten minutes will get you 90 minutes of gaming , and I was capable to fully refill my buds from 0 - 100 % in the casing in just 35 minutes .
Audio and microphone
Sony enunciate the planar magnetic drivers are behind what it says can reproduce in - plot sound with “ near complete accuracy across the entire audible spectrum . ”
In this context , I was genuinely impressed with the Sony PlayStation Pulse Explore , and it was n’t surprising consider this particular technical school is usually the preserves of high - end phone .
In - biz audio feel really immersive and wide - range when explore the immense and intricate world ofHorizon Forbidden West , for instance . Things kicked up a notch further when I enabled3D Audioon the console , which work on in tandem bicycle with Pulse Explore .
For supported games ( most of the big first - political party hits ) , there ’s a clean sense of spatial cognisance when combatting enemies , which enhance the realism . I could also hear supererogatory details more clearly such as the sound of the water rushing beneath your foot , the sound of incoming firing , and machines lurking ominously overhead .
In - secret plan dialogue is extremely crisp and utterly clear and I was peculiarly frantic about that . You ’re not going to neglect any of that important cutscene dialog .
However , these probably are n’t the earbuds for you if you ’re seeking to shut out the out-of-door world . There ’s no haphazardness cancelling ( active or otherwise ) on board which , at this price point , is a miss . The physical design is n’t such that your entire ear duct feels all shut off either . I was gage in the office at high volume , but I could hear my married woman chopping vegetable and talking to the dog in the kitchen .
For music I was gently slaked with the sound while streaming Neck Deep ’s fresh record album on Spotify via Bluetooth to my iPhone . However , the soundscape was a little lightweight , distorted and nowhere near as full and rounded as myAirPods Pro 2 . Bluetooth connectivity was choppy at times too .
The absence ofANCand a fluid app for ok tuning the EQ also mean they ’re limited headphone for music . Beyond that , the Pulse Explore skimps on canonical features .
It does n’t detect when you take out the buds and hence wo n’t pause the music automatically . The onboard physical volume controls did n’t even play gracious with my iPhone . These are introductory feature for earbuds in this price category and those much below . you’re able to believably look past their absence seizure if PlayStation gaming is the paramount use case with a bit of music on the side .
However , not everyone is go to desire ( or be able to afford ) a solidifying of wireless headphones for gaming and another for music , so press up your priorities before purchase .
Interestingly , euphony from the Spotify app from PS5 , when link to the Pulse Explore via PlayStation Link , was on a dissimilar planet to the Bluetooth connection . A truly detailed soundscape that felt spatially mindful and intricate and interesting across the gamy and low end .
The microphones are concealed within the buds themselves , so you are n’t going to get the same experience as you would from a boom microphone on the PlayStation Pulse elect headset , which plunge alongside the Explore .
The troupe is also using an AI - powered “ randomness rejection ” arrangement designed to capture only your voice and none of the sounds around you . I was tell the microphone sounded good and clear during multiplayer sessions and vocalism calls .
Speaking of voice calls , Pulse Explore can be connect to your PlayStation equipment via PlayStation Link and your telephone via Bluetooth at the same meter , mean you could be alerted to an incoming call while playing games . This is ready to hand if you want to stay rattling , or a incubus if you want to just focus on gaming .
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Should you buy it?
If you ’re a PS5 / PlayStation Portal gamer looking for a seamster - made solution for gaming on those machines , the Pulse Explore is the perfect portable pick .
If you game , but desire a set primarily for music , look atSony ’s WM-100HM5earphones on Android andAirPods Proon iPhone . There are plenty of set with better audio recording , noise cancelling and other staple fibre features that are MIA here .
Final Thoughts
The Sony PlayStation Pulse Explore radio earbuds impart rapid and reliable connectivity throughPlayStation Link , and high - calibre audio transmission with no noticeable latency . In - game audio sounds full-bodied , full and spacious , lift further on biz supporting 3D audio .
Yes , the design , build , and in - pinna positioning is unnecessarily uneasy , but it ’s very much in - fitting with the PS5 ’s expressive style . Even at £ 200/$200 these get a big ‘ yes ’ for dedicatedPS5 / Portal gamers who will use this product mostly for that purpose .
While there ’s handy dual - equipment connectivity and OK performance , those seeking a music - first , gaming second approach are much effective off look at theSony XM5earbuds orAirPods Profor a full - feature wireless earbud experience that can also hook up to your console . check off out ourBest HeadphonesandBest PS5 Headsetguides for further selection .
Trusted Score
How we test
We prove every set of headphone we brush up thoroughly over an extended period of time . We use manufacture - received tests to compare features properly . We ’ll always distinguish you what we find out . We never , ever , accept money to retrospect a product .
Find out more about how we test in ourethics policy .
FAQs
Yes . There is one USB - A dongle included . Others can be purchased separately
Yes it does . There is no need to associate the dongle to the handheld Portal car
