New PS5 system update finally makes the Sony Pulse 3D Wireless Headset a must-buy

Date:
Fri, 06 Aug 2021 10:05:20 +0000

Description:
The upcoming PS5 system update makes some pleasing quality of life improvements, but it also makes the Sony Pulse 3D Wireless Headset a worthwhile purchase.

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Sonys upcoming PS5 system update is set to deliver a number of pleasing changes that vastly improve the overall user experience. From expanding the internal storage with an SSD for PS5 to vertical Trophy lists, Ive been testing out a beta version of the system update for the past few days and I must admit, many of the qualms I had with the PS5s UI have mostly been resolved.

But what I didnt expect this new system update to dramatically improve was
the PS5 Sony Pulse 3D Wireless Headset . In fact, it makes such a difference that I believe anyone who owns Sonys official PS5 headset will greatly benefit, and it means I can now strongly recommend the Pulse 3D to those who might be considering picking up a PS5 headset in the future. And that wasnt previously the case.

Id purchased the Pulse 3D Wireless Headset in the past on a whim, only to
send it back due to the headsets volume being frustratingly quiet. This isnt just a problem related to Sonys official headset, though: Ive consistently found that headsets are quieter overall on PS5 compared to the likes of Xbox Series X and PC, which can make some headsets more difficult to drive, and often leaves me wanting more oomph from certain cans when gaming. Best PS5 headsets : treat your ears Best Dolby Atmos Xbox Series X games : hear the difference PS5 vs PS5 Digital Edition : which is right for you?

As a result of the Pulse 3D Headsets noticeably subdued volume level, I was fairly unimpressed with how they handled 3D Audio in general, and spent an exorbitant amount of time and money trying to find the right headset that would get the most out of Sonys proprietary spatial audio technology (the Philips SHP9500, EPOS H3 and Razer Barracuda X are my personal favorites).

Thankfully, though, the PS5s upcoming system update not only improves 3D
Audio from a system level and includes a handy new sample sound to help you pick the right 3D Audio profile for your ears but it also adds EQ presets
for the Sony Pulse 3D Wireless Headset, something which you wont find with
any other headphones connected to PS5. For that reason, I bought the Pulse 3D Headset once again to test this out first hand. Listen up (Image credit: Future)

My initial first impressions of the Pulse 3D Wireless Headset were exactly
the same as before: it was painfully quiet, even when listening at max
volume, which meant that games like Resident Evil Village and Returnal
sounded far more muted than I would have liked.

After finding the new equalizer presets, which can be found by going to Sound in the PS5s Control Center, the EQ presets available include Standard, Bass Boost, Shooter and three customizable slots called Audio Mode. After flicking between Bass Boost and Shooter, one thing immediately stood out: the headset was noticeably louder. However, it wasnt as dramatic as Id like, which led me to creating my own Audio Mode preset.

What followed was a slight Eureka moment. Crank it (Image credit: Future)

While Id never usually commit the cardinal sin of sliding every EQ band up to max, the PS5s equalizer doesnt really impact the headsets sound signature as clearly as the Xbox Wireless Headsets EQ does. But what it does do is significantly increase the volume of the headset whenever you raise each slider. And thats proven to be a game changer.

After settling on a V-shaped style EQ, which essentially helps to boost the low and high-end frequencies, Ive found that its helped bring some of my favorite PS5 games to life in the audio department, particularly those with native 3D Audio support. More importantly, theres the flexibility to lower
and raise the volume depending on the game Im playing without maxing out.

The combination of being able to tailor the frequencies of the 3D Pulse Headset as well as it resulting in a much-needed boost to overall volume has suddenly made Sonys official headset my go-to cans for gaming on PS5.
Resident Evil Village can now make the hairs on my neck stand on end with its chilling audio, and I can pick out threats in Returnal far easier simply
using sound alone. Switching back to the Standard EQ only serves to outline just how damn quiet Sonys cans were before. Bass facts

One caveat thats worth mentioning, though, is that bass is still pretty limited on the 3D Pulse Headset, particularly compared to the eardrum
thumping lows that the Xbox Wireless Headset can provide. The new EQ wont fundamentally change that, however, Ive found that spatial audio benefits
most when the higher end frequencies arent drowned out by too much low-end.
So ultimately, that isnt a deal breaker for me.

Sonys system update brings more pleasing changes to PS5 owners, but if you care about 3D audio and have lamented the Pulse 3D Wireless Headsets subpar volume level, things are about to get a lot louder in the near future. PS5 vs Xbox Series X : the two consoles compared



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Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/news/new-ps5-system-update-finally-makes-the-sony-pu lse-3d-wireless-headset-a-must-buy/


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