Pulse Explore review: good headphones for the PS5

In 2023, Sony has increased its PlayStation accessories. Its online store is now full of products 100% designed for the PS5. A DualSense Edge pro controller, a remote access device (PlayStation Portal), the PlayStation VR2, a controller for people with disabilities and, since December, a pair of headphones, the Pulse Explore: the Japanese multinational offers choice, knowing that it also launched the PS5 Slim.

What do headphones do in a range of console accessories? This question deserves to be asked if we refer to the habits that we have observed for years: to play, gamers prefer a headset and the market is oriented this way. But some people might prefer a more comfortable format. This is the case with headphones, which will never crush the top of your head, even after several hours of play. This is why Sony offers the Pulse Explore, capable of ensuring a dual connection.

A less generic design for PS5 headphones

If the Pulse Explore can be used with your smartphone to listen to music, we challenge you to embrace their atypical design in the public sphere. Housed in a case closed by a sliding drawer, these headphones are quite imposing. Each earpiece is extended by a large stem which points forward. It makes it easier to remove the Pulse Explore from their compartment, and to integrate buttons to manage the volume when playing. Despite everything, they prove to be very comfortable, with a contained weight (there are four tip sizes).

The Pulse Explore matches the fairly futuristic design of the PlayStation 5, as well as the finishes combining white and black (no 100% black version at the moment). At least we can recognize Sony’s consistency in the range: all the products really seem to belong to the same family. Too bad if it’s not always consensual: the designers have found a DNA and they stick to it. The most observant will also notice that the Pulse Explore features the small grip made up of several stacked PlayStation buttons (like the sleeves of the DualSense controller).

The double connection is an asset

The Pulse Explores come with a USB key to plug into your PS5 (or your PC, or your Switch) to take advantage of the PlayStation Link protocol (natively integrated into the PlayStation Portal). At the same time, the headphones can also connect via Bluetooth to your smartphone or tablet. Better still, they can provide dual connection, which means that you can, for example, answer a phone call in the middle of a game, without needing to remove the headphones.

The connection with the PlayStation 5 is perfect, knowing that the console is capable of automatically switching to the speakers of your television if you are not using the Pulse Explore (without needing to remove the USB key, which is plugged into the back and we forget). The headphones are obviously compatible with 3D Audio technology, for increased immersion in video games (settings available in the settings).

Important note to keep in mind: although the Pulse Explore can connect to your smartphone, they are unable to manage playback or volume. The buttons only work with PlayStation Link, which relies on the included USB drive. It is sold separately for €25, if you have several devices to connect.

Amazing sound for the format

For the acoustic part, Sony relies on “planar magnetic drivers”, supposed to offer minimal distortion. We tested them with God of War Ragnarok, noting with astonishment to what extent the Pulse Explore manages to go into great detail. Coherent and balanced, the soundstage is reproduced with sufficient precision, all while maintaining a good reserve of power (you can push them without being drowned out). The bass is a little recessed, proof that the engineers sought clarity first. As for 3D audio rendering, the Pulse Explores do not work miracles: we can perceive some attempts to accentuate the depth, but the bubble effect is difficult to convince – logical for this format.

Quite frankly, the Pulse Explore have little to envy of the Pulse 3D headset, certainly sold at half the price and marketed since the release of the console in November 2020. We will see what the Pulse Elite headset will do, too. equipped with planar magnetic drivers.

For listening to music, the Pulse Explore doesn’t do too badly, even if we feel that it’s more of a backup solution. We feel Sony’s know-how in the service of versatility, but the Pulse Explore will hardly replace a pair of more specialized headphones. They also ignore active noise reduction, which makes them ideal for use at home, in a quiet environment.

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