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Customer Review
Reviewed in the United States on February 2, 2024
Sound Quality: 9/10 - I was surprised with the sound quality. The magnetic planar drivers definitely make more wider sound stage than Sony's WF-1004 or even Airpod Pro 2nd gen. It is very clear, perhaps clearer than the Airpods Pro or WF-1004. And with the latest PS5 firmware, there is an equalizer you can set on PS5 that will save to the earbuds permanently that carry over to the other devices (like your phone). For gaming clarity, this is probably one of the best for PS5/PS Portal. As for music sound quality, it is also great, however, there is no active noise canceling, and you can tell. If you crank up the bass on the PS5 EQ, it is bumpy with clear trebles and mids.
Features: 3/10 - This is the area where these buds lack greatly. No active noise canceling, physical controls do not change the tracks or volume on your android device. Volume buttons only work with Playstation devices. Only positives here are multi-connection (one for Playstation Link device and one for bluetooth) and the sounds are MIXed and are output to the buds. This is nice. You can be on the call on your phone and at the same time you can hear the game. The mic for the voice cancels out all other noise other than voice, which also works nicely (eating noise, dogs barking, toilet flushing all get canceled out so you don't have to mute). But as with the EQ addition with the PS5 firmware, as Sony updates firmware for the earbuds, these features may get added later.
Design: 5/10 - Okay I get the whole PS5 aesthetics, but the design is just.. okay. They fit okay, but it is not as comfortable as Airpods or even WF-1004's. Case is huge, but the slider opening mechanism feels pretty solid. The buds get a bit warm when using for prolonged period mostly due to silicone tips. The included silicone ear tips fit fine, but they are bit small (Even for the largest size). But it passively reduces background noise just fine.
Connectivity 8/10 - I am not sure why people are having issue with connectivity. When you plug the USB dongle (front USB port is best facing the earbuds) to the PS5 and take one bud out, PS5 immediately shows a notification that the Pulse is nearby. Then you press the PS button to connect right away. Also, with PS Portal it was straightforward following the instructions on the menu. I played until the battery died, and I had zero connectivty issues. PS Link will start cutting out if you go over 35ft or so. I went downstairs to get a drink, I could still hear the game. Perhaps the better connectivity is due to the latest firmware. The bluetooth connection is via AAC (android), therefore you can go pretty much anywhere in the house and it will still play connected to your phone. If you have trouble connecting to PS Portal on the first try, reboot the Portal and you will be fine.
Price: 5/10 - So the issue is the price. It is pricey for what you get. At this price, they should have included active noise canceling and proper android control via physical buttons. Some control over the earbuds via the Playstation android app would be nice. But note that these functionalities may come in the future via a firmware update.
First of all, I believe that all the negative views are based on the high price of the earbuds. If this was round $129 or so, it would be more favorable. This (and the upcoming PS Pulse overhead headphones) are the only sound devices you can link wirelessly and directly to PS Portal. I purchased solely for this purpose.
Sound Quality: 9/10 - I was surprised with the sound quality. The magnetic planar drivers definitely make more wider sound stage than Sony's WF-1004 or even Airpod Pro 2nd gen. It is very clear, perhaps clearer than the Airpods Pro or WF-1004. And with the latest PS5 firmware, there is an equalizer you can set on PS5 that will save to the earbuds permanently that carry over to the other devices (like your phone). For gaming clarity, this is probably one of the best for PS5/PS Portal. As for music sound quality, it is also great, however, there is no active noise canceling, and you can tell. If you crank up the bass on the PS5 EQ, it is bumpy with clear trebles and mids.
Features: 3/10 - This is the area where these buds lack greatly. No active noise canceling, physical controls do not change the tracks or volume on your android device. Volume buttons only work with Playstation devices. Only positives here are multi-connection (one for Playstation Link device and one for bluetooth) and the sounds are MIXed and are output to the buds. This is nice. You can be on the call on your phone and at the same time you can hear the game. The mic for the voice cancels out all other noise other than voice, which also works nicely (eating noise, dogs barking, toilet flushing all get canceled out so you don't have to mute). But as with the EQ addition with the PS5 firmware, as Sony updates firmware for the earbuds, these features may get added later.
Design: 5/10 - Okay I get the whole PS5 aesthetics, but the design is just.. okay. They fit okay, but it is not as comfortable as Airpods or even WF-1004's. Case is huge, but the slider opening mechanism feels pretty solid. The buds get a bit warm when using for prolonged period mostly due to silicone tips. The included silicone ear tips fit fine, but they are bit small (Even for the largest size). But it passively reduces background noise just fine.
Connectivity 8/10 - I am not sure why people are having issue with connectivity. When you plug the USB dongle (front USB port is best facing the earbuds) to the PS5 and take one bud out, PS5 immediately shows a notification that the Pulse is nearby. Then you press the PS button to connect right away. Also, with PS Portal it was straightforward following the instructions on the menu. I played until the battery died, and I had zero connectivty issues. PS Link will start cutting out if you go over 35ft or so. I went downstairs to get a drink, I could still hear the game. Perhaps the better connectivity is due to the latest firmware. The bluetooth connection is via AAC (android), therefore you can go pretty much anywhere in the house and it will still play connected to your phone. If you have trouble connecting to PS Portal on the first try, reboot the Portal and you will be fine.
Price: 5/10 - So the issue is the price. It is pricey for what you get. At this price, they should have included active noise canceling and proper android control via physical buttons. Some control over the earbuds via the Playstation android app would be nice. But note that these functionalities may come in the future via a firmware update.
Sound Quality: 9/10 - I was surprised with the sound quality. The magnetic planar drivers definitely make more wider sound stage than Sony's WF-1004 or even Airpod Pro 2nd gen. It is very clear, perhaps clearer than the Airpods Pro or WF-1004. And with the latest PS5 firmware, there is an equalizer you can set on PS5 that will save to the earbuds permanently that carry over to the other devices (like your phone). For gaming clarity, this is probably one of the best for PS5/PS Portal. As for music sound quality, it is also great, however, there is no active noise canceling, and you can tell. If you crank up the bass on the PS5 EQ, it is bumpy with clear trebles and mids.
Features: 3/10 - This is the area where these buds lack greatly. No active noise canceling, physical controls do not change the tracks or volume on your android device. Volume buttons only work with Playstation devices. Only positives here are multi-connection (one for Playstation Link device and one for bluetooth) and the sounds are MIXed and are output to the buds. This is nice. You can be on the call on your phone and at the same time you can hear the game. The mic for the voice cancels out all other noise other than voice, which also works nicely (eating noise, dogs barking, toilet flushing all get canceled out so you don't have to mute). But as with the EQ addition with the PS5 firmware, as Sony updates firmware for the earbuds, these features may get added later.
Design: 5/10 - Okay I get the whole PS5 aesthetics, but the design is just.. okay. They fit okay, but it is not as comfortable as Airpods or even WF-1004's. Case is huge, but the slider opening mechanism feels pretty solid. The buds get a bit warm when using for prolonged period mostly due to silicone tips. The included silicone ear tips fit fine, but they are bit small (Even for the largest size). But it passively reduces background noise just fine.
Connectivity 8/10 - I am not sure why people are having issue with connectivity. When you plug the USB dongle (front USB port is best facing the earbuds) to the PS5 and take one bud out, PS5 immediately shows a notification that the Pulse is nearby. Then you press the PS button to connect right away. Also, with PS Portal it was straightforward following the instructions on the menu. I played until the battery died, and I had zero connectivty issues. PS Link will start cutting out if you go over 35ft or so. I went downstairs to get a drink, I could still hear the game. Perhaps the better connectivity is due to the latest firmware. The bluetooth connection is via AAC (android), therefore you can go pretty much anywhere in the house and it will still play connected to your phone. If you have trouble connecting to PS Portal on the first try, reboot the Portal and you will be fine.
Price: 5/10 - So the issue is the price. It is pricey for what you get. At this price, they should have included active noise canceling and proper android control via physical buttons. Some control over the earbuds via the Playstation android app would be nice. But note that these functionalities may come in the future via a firmware update.
Superb Sound, Lacks Features, Fimware Updates Makes Them Better
Reviewed in the United States on February 2, 2024
First of all, I believe that all the negative views are based on the high price of the earbuds. If this was round $129 or so, it would be more favorable. This (and the upcoming PS Pulse overhead headphones) are the only sound devices you can link wirelessly and directly to PS Portal. I purchased solely for this purpose.Reviewed in the United States on February 2, 2024
Sound Quality: 9/10 - I was surprised with the sound quality. The magnetic planar drivers definitely make more wider sound stage than Sony's WF-1004 or even Airpod Pro 2nd gen. It is very clear, perhaps clearer than the Airpods Pro or WF-1004. And with the latest PS5 firmware, there is an equalizer you can set on PS5 that will save to the earbuds permanently that carry over to the other devices (like your phone). For gaming clarity, this is probably one of the best for PS5/PS Portal. As for music sound quality, it is also great, however, there is no active noise canceling, and you can tell. If you crank up the bass on the PS5 EQ, it is bumpy with clear trebles and mids.
Features: 3/10 - This is the area where these buds lack greatly. No active noise canceling, physical controls do not change the tracks or volume on your android device. Volume buttons only work with Playstation devices. Only positives here are multi-connection (one for Playstation Link device and one for bluetooth) and the sounds are MIXed and are output to the buds. This is nice. You can be on the call on your phone and at the same time you can hear the game. The mic for the voice cancels out all other noise other than voice, which also works nicely (eating noise, dogs barking, toilet flushing all get canceled out so you don't have to mute). But as with the EQ addition with the PS5 firmware, as Sony updates firmware for the earbuds, these features may get added later.
Design: 5/10 - Okay I get the whole PS5 aesthetics, but the design is just.. okay. They fit okay, but it is not as comfortable as Airpods or even WF-1004's. Case is huge, but the slider opening mechanism feels pretty solid. The buds get a bit warm when using for prolonged period mostly due to silicone tips. The included silicone ear tips fit fine, but they are bit small (Even for the largest size). But it passively reduces background noise just fine.
Connectivity 8/10 - I am not sure why people are having issue with connectivity. When you plug the USB dongle (front USB port is best facing the earbuds) to the PS5 and take one bud out, PS5 immediately shows a notification that the Pulse is nearby. Then you press the PS button to connect right away. Also, with PS Portal it was straightforward following the instructions on the menu. I played until the battery died, and I had zero connectivty issues. PS Link will start cutting out if you go over 35ft or so. I went downstairs to get a drink, I could still hear the game. Perhaps the better connectivity is due to the latest firmware. The bluetooth connection is via AAC (android), therefore you can go pretty much anywhere in the house and it will still play connected to your phone. If you have trouble connecting to PS Portal on the first try, reboot the Portal and you will be fine.
Price: 5/10 - So the issue is the price. It is pricey for what you get. At this price, they should have included active noise canceling and proper android control via physical buttons. Some control over the earbuds via the Playstation android app would be nice. But note that these functionalities may come in the future via a firmware update.
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