Abstract:
Sony recently announced a new generation of wireless gaming headset products for PlayStation 5, including PlayStation PULSE wireless headsets and PULSE Edge wireless headsets. Both new products use planar magnetic drive units for the first time in the PULSE series and support PlayStation Link wireless connection, focusing on improving sound separation, positioning accuracy and low-frequency performance in games.
Sony said that the core upgrade of this new product comes from a customized planar magnetic drive unit. This type of drive technology has been used in products such as PULSE Elite before. Compared with traditional moving coil units, planar magnetic drive units can provide higher accuracy in sound separation and spatial positioning, making it easier for players to determine the location of directional sounds such as footsteps and reloading sounds, which is especially practical for first-person shooting games.
Both the new PULSE and PULSE Edge use larger planar magnetic drivers to further enhance low frequencies while maintaining clear sound and detailed performance. Sony said that this design can bring fuller and deeper bass while continuing the clear sound performance that PULSE Elite already has.
Both headsets support PlayStation Link connectivity and come with an adapter with a USB Type-C interface. Through PlayStation Link, the headset can provide lossless, ultra-low latency wireless audio while supporting use between devices such as PS5, PlayStation Portal, PC and Mac. Both headsets also support Bluetooth and can be connected to compatible Bluetooth devices at the same time. Users can make calls or play music on their mobile phones while using PS5 to play games.
In terms of voice chat, both products are equipped with microphones with AI-enhanced noise reduction functions, which can filter environmental background noise and make in-game voice chat clearer. Sony also redesigned the overall structure of the headphones to improve comfort and durability. The earcups can be rotated and folded into a flatter state, making them easier to carry.
Both headphones are available in white and midnight black colors.
The higher-end PULSE Edge provides more functions based on the basic PULSE. Its planar magnetic drive unit uses 8 magnets on each side, while the ordinary PULSE uses 4 magnets on each side, which is equivalent to doubling the number of magnets. Sony says this design further enhances low frequencies while maintaining the advantages of planar magnetic drivers in sonic detail, clarity and precision.
PULSE Edge is also equipped with an active noise reduction function, which can reduce ambient noise and allow players to focus more on game sounds. In addition, it uses a detachable boom microphone and adds AI noise reduction function to provide clearer voice chat effects. When the boom microphone is removed, the headset can still make calls using the hidden built-in microphone.
PULSE Edge also supports adjusting the balance between game audio and chat audio directly on PS5, and is equipped with built-in volume control and audio and microphone interfaces. The product uses more advanced materials and comes with a special portable storage box to facilitate users to carry and protect the headphones.
In contrast, the regular version of PlayStation PULSE mainly provides basic functions such as planar magnetic drive unit, PlayStation Link, AI noise reduction built-in microphone and volume control. It does not provide active noise reduction, independent balancing of game audio and chat audio, portable storage box and audio/microphone interface.
From a positioning perspective, PULSE is mainly aimed at ordinary players who want a new generation of high-quality wireless gaming audio experience, while PULSE Edge further adds active noise reduction, detachable microphones, stronger planar magnetic drive units and more complete control functions, targeting players with higher requirements for audio experience.
Sony has not yet announced the specific price and official pre-order date of the two headphones. The regular PlayStation PULSE is scheduled to be available in select markets during the 2026 holiday shopping season, while the high-end PULSE Edge is scheduled to be available in early 2027. Sony said that the specific pre-order time, official release date and price will be announced later.
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