Over the past few months, Sony Interactive Entertainment has intensified its efforts to expand the range of accessories that can be associated with the PlayStation 5, its latest console. In addition to a new professional controller called Dualsense Edge, the official remote player called PlayStation Portal, and the accessibility controller Access, the company has expanded the range of Pulse headphones.
When Sony presented the sound ambitions of its PS5, with Tempest 3D audio technology, the Pulse 3D headphones stood out as their official solution. They are headphones designed for those who want a richer and more vibrant sound in their console sessions. Enjoying a beautiful game with sound gaining depth and even verticality is something that definitely transforms experiences, especially when they convey the ambitions of developers with greater authenticity.
Pulse Explore (€219)
If you had the opportunity to see our coverage of the Sony Inzone Earbuds, you know that I prefer an in-ear solution due to comfort. Over-ear headphones may have strong arguments in sound quality, but sometimes the discomfort they cause, especially in the summer, can make an in-ear option attractive.
**Key highlights:**
– Includes carrying and charging case
– Lightweight and comfortable
– Flat electromagnetic transducers to improve gaming sound quality
– PlayStation Link technology for lossless wireless connection
– Can be connected to two devices
– Improved microphone with noise rejection through AI
Compatible with various devices and with the possibility of using them indoors and outdoors, the Pulse Explore becomes an interesting option for owners of a PS5, especially because it includes strong arguments in the sound of gaming experiences. The flat electromagnetic transducer technology is the highlight and provides that feeling of “I’m hearing sounds I’ve never heard in this game before,” such is the purity of gaming sound. [Watch on YouTube](https://gamesdetails.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/hqdefault-249.jpg)
- Transportation case: The transportation case of the Pulse Explore allows you to take them outside of your home. Just finished playing on the PS5 and want to listen to music on your phone or laptop when leaving the house? The case allows for easy transportation to store them when you don’t want to listen to music anymore since it is relatively small and lightweight.
- Lightweight and comfortable: The Pulse Explore is exactly what you were looking for in terms of comfort. In-ear headphones that you can easily put in your ears and don’t bother you after several hours of playing. If you feel discomfort with the weight or temperature of over-ear headphones, this is an option to consider and brings to the PS5 what many already consider standard on mobile devices.
- Gaming sound quality: PlayStation aims to highlight the gaming sound of the Pulse Explore with the electromagnetic transducers, and the quality convinces. Even though it may be necessary to use an equalizer to enhance the bass and increase the volume due to the lack of noise cancellation, the gaming sound experience is very competent. The 3D sound effect and the feeling that you hear everything coming from a specific direction are present here and are their best argument.
- Connected to two devices simultaneously: One of the best features of the Pulse Explore is the ability to connect them to the PS5 via PlayStation Link and at the same time keep them connected to a phone or PC via Bluetooth. This allows you to play with good sound quality and answer calls, for example. You can also choose to play and listen to a podcast or music, which is very convenient for me when I’m simply “farming.”
- Microphone: Don’t expect to have the quality of a device specifically designed to capture your voice or even the same as a headset that positions the microphone closer to your mouth. The quality of your voice is far from ideal, capturing gameplay with your voice may make it very difficult to hear, but it manages to surprise by canceling out the noise around you. Even if the quality of your voice is poor, you won’t hear the noise from those around you.
- Compatibility: Yes, compatibility with PS5, PlayStation Portal, PC, Mac, and mobile devices is a good point in its favor. You can easily use it among various devices, and since they are so small and lightweight, you can use them conveniently both indoors and outdoors. For many, this may not be particularly important, but for others, it may be a kind of universal solution.
- Battery: The battery of the Pulse Explore doesn’t last long. When there are solutions on the market like the Sony Inzone Earbuds with a battery life of up to 12 hours, the Pulse Explore can only manage 5 hours of playtime. The case charges the earbuds and extends their life to double, but it is still insufficient. Even if your sessions don’t last that long, it limits the potential for use both at home and on the go, limiting its convenience. You will feel like you spend little time without recharging them.
- Noise Cancellation: While the sound quality is very good, as gaming earbuds, the lack of noise cancellation makes their arguments for use outside the home (whether watching movies or listening to music) completely fall apart. If you are going to use them solely at home for gaming, increasing the volume helps to eliminate much of the surrounding noise, but you will still be able to hear external sounds that break the immersion.
- The quality of the voice captured by the microphone leaves much to be desired
Main Drawbacks
Despite all the praise for the Pulse Explore, it is important to mention two specificities that decrease the overall quality of the experience. It is easy to use the Pulse Explore and feel that it presents good arguments wrapped in evident weaknesses, which end up having a strong impact on the overall experience:
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