The world of gaming headsets is notoriously crowded, often forcing players to choose between spectacular sound, seamless connectivity, or a budget that doesn’t require selling a kidney. Enter the PlayStation Pulse Elite, Sony’s latest entry into the audio arena. Priced at approximately $239 AUD, the Pulse Elite isn’t just a minor upgrade from previous models; it’s a completely different beast, incorporating high-end audio technology rarely seen in this price category. The result is a headset that might just redefine what players expect from console audio.
The Retro-Futuristic Design
The PlayStation Pulse Elite headset is a striking design exercise meant to visually and philosophically align with the PS5 console’s bold shape and tones. Its unusual swooping ear cup bands and domed profile give it a distinct, almost “retro-futuristic” look, reminiscent of something a pilot from “Star Wars” might wear. Functionally, this unique design serves two key purposes: comfort and convenience.
The headset incorporates a lightweight, automatically adjusting suspension headband that distributes weight evenly across the top of the head, ensuring long-session comfort despite the weight of the planar magnetic drivers inside. The extended, curved arms house and conceal the retractable boom microphone and integrated controls, maintaining a smooth, minimalist look when the mic is not in use.
While the design may initially take some getting used to, particularly around the movement of the suspension and cups, users quickly acclimate and appreciate the comfort and functionality. Although the design can make your head look a tad “pointy,” the device more than compensates with its audio performance.
Planar Magnetic Power
The single biggest drawcard for the Pulse Elite is the inclusion of genuine planar magnetic drivers. These drivers use a thin, flat diaphragm driven by magnetic fields, resulting in sound that is dramatically more detailed, accurate, and responsive than the conventional dynamic drivers found in most gaming headsets.
“The gaming audio is nothing short of spectacular. Sound cues are crystal clear, spatial audio is exceptionally precise, and the bass is tight and controlled, offering texture and detail rather than just the generic ‘rumble’ that often muddies the mix in cheaper cans.”
Whether pinpointing footsteps in a competitive shooter or soaking up the epic score of a story-driven RPG, the audio quality on the Pulse Elite is top-tier and punches well above its price tag. It provides a near-neutral sound profile that even dedicated music listeners can appreciate.
Seamless Switching with PlayStation Link
Connectivity is where Sony truly earns the “Elite” title. The headset utilises PlayStation Link technology, an internal wireless protocol offering low latency, lossless, and uncompressed audio over Wi-Fi. This is arguably the best connection available for gaming, ensuring you hear every critical cue the instant it happens without the minor delays common with standard Bluetooth.
The Pulse Elite also offers simultaneous dual-device connectivity. You can be fully immersed in your PS5 via Link and, at the same time, be connected to your mobile phone via Bluetooth. If your phone rings, the headset automatically mixes the call audio with your game sound, allowing you to take a conversation without pausing the action or removing the headset.
This feature provides a rock-solid connection and the best possible experience across the entire PlayStation ecosystem. The convenience of seamless switching highlights the advantages of staying within the same ecosystem, a preference Sony has long championed.
The Infinite Power of 3D Audio
The Pulse Elite is the ideal headset for maximizing the PS5’s Tempest 3D AudioTech, allowing it to render the console’s spherical, positional audio with exceptional detail and accuracy. This transforms directional cues into a true competitive advantage. While all PS5 titles support 3D audio, the Pulse Elite elevates the immersion and spatial awareness in titles like Returnal, Demon’s Souls, and the Spider-Man series.
There’s One Tiny Issue: The Mic
It’s a genuine pity that something delivering such exceptional audio performance is somewhat let down by a less-than-stellar microphone. The retractable boom mic, while functional, offers a voice quality that is “narrow” and “muddled.” If “podcast quality” is your goal, you’ll need an external option.
However, Sony’s AI-based noise rejection technology is a saving grace. This software does an outstanding job of filtering out background noise, allowing only your voice to pass through. So, while your voice might sound like you’re on a standard phone call, at least the listener won’t hear the chaos of your gaming area.
Powered For Long Play Sessions
For a device so thin and unique in shape, the Pulse Elite has genuinely impressive stamina. Sony officially rates the headset for up to 30 hours of continuous play, a figure that real-world testing shows is easily achievable. For long-haul gamers, this means multiple days of usage without worrying about a tether. The quick charging feature provides up to two hours of play from a brief ten-minute top-up.
Adding to the convenience is the smart charging hanger included in the box, which attaches neatly to a desk or wall, ensuring the headset is always displayed, powered, and ready to go without having to fumble with a USB-C cable after every use.
The Verdict: Is Elite Worth It?
With its unique aesthetic and average microphone sound, the Pulse Elite isn’t perfect. However, these drawbacks do not overshadow the fact that the PlayStation Pulse Elite delivers fantastic gaming audio at a competitive price. For any PS5 gamer who prioritizes detailed, accurate sound quality and seamless, low-latency connectivity, this headset is almost impossible to beat. It represents a masterful convergence of Sony’s gaming and audio expertise, making it the most elite first-party audio experience any console generation has offered.
