Sony Slips Audiophile Planar Magnetic Drivers Into Its New PlayStation Pulse Headsets

By: Ryan CalderPublished: Sep 16, 2026

When Sony bought Audeze back in 2023, the acquisition came as a bit of a surprise. Because why would a console maker need the boutique California outfit behind $4,500 planar magnetic headphones? Well, the 2024 Pulse Elite gave us our first answer when Sony snuck that same audiophile driver tech into a $150 gaming headset.

But now Sony is going all-in on the strategy with two proper successors, the PlayStation Pulse and Pulse Edge Wireless Headsets.

Planar Drivers, Now with More Magnets

Both headsets are built around custom planar magnetic drivers, a technology that historically lived in studio monitoring rigs and audiophile setups well north of $300. Sony has upsized the drivers this generation for fuller, deeper bass while keeping the surgical imaging that makes footsteps and reloads easy to place in competitive shooters.

The split between the two comes down to the magnets. The standard Pulse runs 4 per driver, while the Edge doubles that to 8, which moves air more evenly across the diaphragm for richer low-end without muddying the detail.

One Dongle to Rule Them All

Both ship with a USB-C PlayStation Link adapter for lossless, ultra-low latency audio, and it hops between PS5, PlayStation Portal, PC, and Mac without re-pairing. It’s also worth noting that Bluetooth runs simultaneously, so you can run Discord on your phone right alongside your game audio.

Sony also slimmed down the headband and rounded out the earcups, which now rotate to lay flat. Paired with the redesign, these look far more like lifestyle headphones than gaming peripherals, and that’s definitely what Sony was aiming for here.

Where the Edge Earns Its Name

The Edge is the first Pulse headset ever to pack active noise cancellation, and its boom mic detaches entirely, with a hidden backup mic taking over.

It also adds on-ear game and chat balance controls, an audio jack, premium materials, and a carrying case. Both models come in White or Midnight Black to match your console.

Spec Sheet

Models: PlayStation Pulse Wireless Headset / Pulse Edge Wireless Headset
Drivers: Custom planar magnetic (larger than Pulse Elite)
Magnets Per Driver: 4 (Pulse) / 8 (Pulse Edge)
Connectivity: PlayStation Link (USB-C adapter included) + simultaneous Bluetooth
Compatibility: PS5, PlayStation Portal, PC, Mac
Microphone: Integrated w/ AI noise rejection (Pulse) / Hidden + detachable boom (Edge)
Active Noise Cancellation: Pulse Edge only
Extras (Edge): Game/chat balance control, audio jack, carrying case
Colors: White, Midnight Black

Pricing & Availability

Sony is keeping pricing under wraps for now, though for reference, the outgoing Pulse Elite launched at $150. The standard Pulse arrives in select markets this holiday season, while the Edge makes you wait until early 2027.

PlayStation Pulse & Pulse Edge Wireless Headsets

Sony’s next-gen PS5 headsets go bigger on audiophile-grade planar magnetic drivers, with the flagship Pulse Edge adding active noise cancellation to the lineup for the first time.