Do you need audiophile quality when kicking ass (or being kicked) in Street Fighter 6, dogfighting in the skies of Strangereal in Ace Combat 8, or thinning out adversaries in Call of Duty: Black Ops 7? Probably not. Directional audio is probably more critical, but that does not stop Sony from packing its next line of PS5 audio products, the PlayStation Pulse and Pulse Edge Wireless Headsets, with audiophile technologies.
Featuring studio-inspired planar magnetic drivers, these new gaming headphones promise to deliver rich, lifelike sound from the PS5 and supported devices. Also expect exceptional sound separation as well as spatial accuracy. The latter is exactly what gamers need over traditional audiophile-grade sound. It makes it easy for players to pinpoint directional cues, such as footsteps or reloads in competitive first-person shooters.
This is not the first time PlayStation has packed planar magnetic drivers into its headsets, though. It did so with the Pulse Elite, which also boasts PlayStation Link connectivity. However, the new PlayStation Pulse and Pulse Edge Wireless Headsets are spec’d with larger planar drivers, which also bring fuller, deeper bass to the table while retaining the clean sound players have enjoyed from the Pulse Elite.
As before, PlayStation Link is in the mix, providing lossless, ultra-low-latency audio along with the flexibility to switch seamlessly between devices that support PlayStation Link, including PS5 consoles, the PlayStation Portal remote player, PCs, and Macs. Moreover, the headsets support simultaneous connectivity to supported Bluetooth devices.
That’s not it. Both headsets also tout AI-enhanced noise rejection in their integrated microphones to filter out background noise. Rounding out the feature list for both headsets are updated form factors with decidedly less sci-fi aesthetics, designed for lasting comfort and durability. And yes, the headphones have rotating earcups so they can lie flat for transportation.
The Edge is the range-topper of the two. Where the Pulse packs four magnets per planar driver, the Pulse Edge has double the number, with eight magnets per planar driver. The differences do not stop there. The Pulse has an integrated microphone with the aforementioned AI noise rejection, while the Pulse Edge has a hidden, detachable boom microphone, also with AI noise rejection. The higher-end model also rocks built-in game audio and chat balance controls for PS5, active noise cancellation, an audio/microphone jack, and a carrying case.
The PlayStation Pulse Wireless Headset will arrive in select markets this holiday season, while the Pulse Edge Wireless Headset will launch in early 2027. They will be offered in white and Midnight Black. Prices have not been announced. Meanwhile, here are the promo videos and a few more looks.
Images: PlayStation.