New Sony Headphones

[Steven Holt]

Sony has released a new headphone, the Pulse Elite. Planar Magnetic drivers. 150USD Initial reviews seem to be favorable. So, does anyone have these? What do you think?

 

[Somafunk]

What do you think?

Seriously?………. you have to ask?

 

[paudio]

Definitely for gamers as it's a PS5 headset. Do they have these drivers in normal headphones yet?

Oh what? Sony bought Audeze? So these may be some sort of Audeze based planar driver actually.

 

[Dazerdoreal]

Oh what? Sony bought Audeze? So these may be some sort of Audeze based planar driver actually.

Indeed, they are.

I found measurements which are vaguely Harman-ish, including a +20db 15k peak which better should not exist in real life.
Not sure how reliable they are though.

Squiglink - IEM frequency response database by GadgetryTech

Compare hundreds of frequency response graphs between IEMs and earphones from manufacturers like Moondrop, Sony, 64 Audio, Fiio, and more.

gadgetrytech.squig.link

 

[Human Bass]

They actually seem pretty amazing for the price. It has lossless connection with the PS5 and Ldac with other devices.

So yeah, a good planar for 150 is already impressive, but wireless with ldac? Quite a steal.

 

[paudio]

Not sure I like it but maybe Sony will release something less PS5 like with the same drivers.

 

[TonyJZX]

this thread is a good example of pre existing prejudices

it seems like Sony are marketing this a "gaeming" headset but there's maybe inadvertently some decent DNA in the background there

reports out there show that is not even a mediocre set... its actually quite a reasonable piece of equipment

every so often they make a real gem. this is probably one of them

 

[MayaTlab]

reports out there show that is not even a mediocre set...

At low frequencies (up to a few hundred Hz), Rtings measure headphones on five actual Humans to test for consistency. This is not a good performance :

Sony PULSE Elite Wireless Review

The Sony PULSE Elite Wireless are Sony's first over-ear gaming headphones equipped with planar magnetic drivers, following their purchase of Audeze in 2023. They...

www.rtings.com

What this means is that the bass response you'll get on your own head belongs to the "unknown" and "unpredictable" categories and that you should expect quite a variety of opinions on that subject between people.

 

[Steven Holt]

What this means is that the bass response you'll get on your own head belongs to the "unknown" and "unpredictable" categories and that you should expect quite a variety of opinions on that subject between people.

What you say is true, and that is exactly why people should evaluate these 'phones without prejudice. I never let the words 'gaming headset' color my thoughts about headphones. They may be stinkers, they may be gems -- you never know until you LISTEN.