Use code TRYHARD33 at checkout to redeem this offer before code expires again.
Get 33% Off GAMES+ Subscription
Sony bets big on planar magnetic audio, again
If you've been waiting for Sony to push PS5 audio hardware further than the original Pulse lineup, the wait is nearly over. PlayStation has officially announced two new wireless headsets built around upgraded planar magnetic drivers: the Pulse Wireless and the Pulse Edge Wireless. Both are coming to PS5, and the gap between them is wider than a standard vs. premium split.
The announcement came from Joe Bentley, Vice President of Engineering at Sony Interactive Entertainment, who outlined the philosophy behind both headsets. The goal was larger planar audio drivers compared to previous Pulse models, producing what Bentley describes as "fuller, deeper bass" without sacrificing audio clarity. For PS5 players who care about how their games actually sound, that's a meaningful upgrade. If you want to get the most out of Sony's Tempest 3D audio on games like GTA 6, check out our GTA 6 PS5 exclusive features guide to see exactly how the audio stack works on Sony's console.
What separates the Pulse from the Pulse Edge
Here's the thing: these two headsets share a foundation but diverge in ways that matter depending on what you need.
The standard Pulse Wireless is the more accessible option. It carries 4 magnets per planar driver, connects to PS5 and PS Portal via PlayStation Link, and ships in White and Midnight Black. No active noise cancellation, no built-in game audio and chat balance control, and no carrying case. It's targeting the holiday season release window.
The Pulse Edge Wireless is the premium tier, and the spec differences are significant:
- 8 magnets per planar driver (double the standard Pulse)
- Active Noise Cancellation (ANC), a first for any PlayStation Pulse headset
- Detachable boom mic with AI-enhanced noise rejection
- Built-in game audio and chat balance control
- Dedicated carrying case
- PlayStation Link support
The Edge is targeting an early 2027 launch, so there's a longer wait attached to those extra features.
Why planar magnetic drivers in a console headset matter
Planar magnetic drivers work differently from the dynamic drivers you'll find in most gaming headsets. Instead of a voice coil moving a cone, a thin diaphragm with conductive wire across its surface sits between two magnetic arrays. When audio signal passes through the wire, the magnets create a field that moves the entire diaphragm at once, rather than just the center.
The result is lower distortion at high volumes and tighter bass response. The Audeze Maxwell line has proven this technology works in gaming contexts, and Sony's own Pulse Explore earbuds already used planar drivers before this announcement. The new Pulse lineup is an extension of that direction, not a departure.
For PS5 players running games with dense audio environments, like open-world titles with layered ambient sound or competitive shooters where positional audio is everything, the driver upgrade is relevant beyond spec sheet marketing. Games built around Tempest 3D audio are specifically designed to reward better hardware, and Sony knows that. If you're curious how PS5-specific audio features translate across different titles, our Starfield PS5 guide covers how DualSense and PS5 audio features work in practice.
Pricing and what comes next
Sony has not announced pricing for either headset. Bentley's blog post notes that pricing details are coming "soon," which puts both the Pulse (holiday season) and Pulse Edge (early 2027) in a holding pattern on that front. The Pulse Elevate wireless speakers, which also use planar magnetic drivers and are available to pre-order now at $219.99, give some context for where Sony is positioning this product family price-wise.
For PS5 players deciding between the two, the ANC alone may justify the Edge's premium, especially if you're gaming in noisier environments. The double magnet count is a genuine hardware difference, not a marketing distinction.
Pricing announcements should land before the Pulse's holiday release window. Keep an eye on our gaming guides hub for full coverage once specs and prices are locked in.
