Sony PlayStation Pulse Explore Wireless Earbuds: A Detailed Review
The Sony PlayStation Pulse Explore wireless earbuds are designed to deliver high-quality detailed audio and easy setup. These earbuds utilize a type of driver known as a planar magnetic, which are known for their exceptional ability to reproduce sound with extreme detail and clarity. Sony has aimed to make these earbuds stand out from their existing line of wireless headphones, not just with their avant-garde design, but with their superior audio quality. But did Sony sacrifice too much in order to meet the $200 price point?
Design and Build
The Pulse wireless earbuds are larger than expected, with an overall girth that feels clunky both in the hand and in the ear. While the two-tone, swooped design looks excellent when worn, the weight distribution can put pressure on the ear canal and concha. They are slightly uncomfortable, especially for users with smaller ears, despite the inclusion of four different tip sizes. The charging case is also quite large, although the design is appealing. In terms of battery life, the Pulse earbuds offer five hours of playback per charge, with an additional 10 hours when using the case. This is considerably lower than some other wireless earbuds on the market.
Linked Up
The Pulse wireless earbuds are part of PlayStation’s new Link system, promising a fast, lossless audio connection. The Link connection can be established using the included USB adapter, or they can be used with Bluetooth, which offers outstanding multipoint support, allowing them to be connected to multiple devices simultaneously. This means users can easily swap audio between different devices. The buds can also maintain a connection with both Link and Bluetooth simultaneously, allowing for seamless multitasking.
Audio Quality
Ultimately, the most important aspect of gaming earbuds is how well they deliver game audio and transmit the user’s voice in a party chat. The Pulse earbuds perform admirably in this regard, offering clear sound quality and ensuring that the user’s voice can be easily heard by others in a chat. Sony has managed to create a set of gaming earbuds that deliver on their promise of detailed audio and high-quality sound reproduction.