PlayStation’s latest first-party headset uses Bluetooth to connect with PlayStation 5, PC, and mobile.
It sounds very good on PC, but it excels on PS5.
The headset is so tight its picking up on the blood running at frightening rates to my head.
There are many things to like about the Pulse Elite headset. Unfortunately, the pads are a dealbreaker for me.Photo: Kyle Barr / Gizmodo
Its not a pleasant feeling.
Its uncomfortable, bordering on painful.
We received the unit for pre-launch access so that headset software could receive some updates in the near future.
Photo: Kyle Barr / Gizmodo
Thats fine because it wasnt the software that was the problem with the Pulse Elite.
If you only care about sound quality, then the Pulse Elite does the job admirably well.
Its another example of a competent yet overly-designed product from Sony.
Photo: Kyle Barr / Gizmodo
PlayStation Pulse Elite Headset Comfort
Stop Hurting Me, like… Theres nothing actually adjustable about the headset save for the microphone bead.
Still, after hours of taking the Pulse Elite headset on and off, I have a headache.
When I first put them on, I thought to myself, Oh, theyre a bit tight.
Photo: Kyle Barr / Gizmodo
Then they kept shrinking and shrinking, and then I could hear the blood pumping to my brain.
When you dare walk around with them, every shudder and rumble of your feet rebound in your ears.
The gadget has a snakeable microphone that can go in and out of the left headset arm.
The equipment comes with a single USB-C port for charging and an additional headphone jack.
Theres a volume switch as well as the power/connection button on the headsets right arm.
The PlayStation Link USB dongle works with both PlayStation 5 and PC.
This worked, but only so much, as it requires even more cable management than usual.
The Pulse might also work as a multi-gadget headset thanks to its simultaneous Bluetooth and Link connection capabilities.
I wish the USB dongle had some case or a cap to protect its 2.1 head.
I also wish it didnt have to be USB-A at all.
Its just more unnecessary hassle.
What is neat about thePulse Eliteis the wall-mounted charging station that comes packed inside the box.
It works well and will fit in rather welldecor-wise with your existing PlayStation hardware.
PlayStation promised the battery would last a full 20 hours before needing a full recharge.
I used it for several days in a row, twice on multi-hour-long gaming sessions with friends.
The sound quality is marginally better when using the Link dongle on a PC.
But for the true Pulse experience, Sony obviously wants you to use this with the PS5.
Thats how you get into the Elites full spatial audio and bass capabilities.
The headset can be a treat on some games more than others.
Again, Sony could always offer software updates to the headset to finagle the audio drivers.
What they cant possibly update are those non-removable pads.
I wish I could say this was a good option for those Sony diehard fans, but I cant.
I wanted to love these.
Still, Im now dealing with a pressure between my ears that hasnt gone away after writing this review.
Its never a good sign once you start thinking your own body is as malleable as a cartoon character.
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