Why You Can Trust CNET Sony PS3 Wireless Stereo Headset review: Sony PS3 Wireless Stereo Headset
Sony PS3 Wireless Stereo Headset
It's interesting that after years of qualified third-party wireless headset offerings, Sony had never supplied PlayStation 3 owners with a first-party headset of its own. Sure, the company is known for the production of items that perhaps consumers aren't always necessarily clamoring for, but in the case of wireless gaming headsets, the demand has been consistent for years now.
The Good
The Bad
The Bottom Line
Regardless of the late timing, I was pleased to hear that Sony was set to release its own wireless headset specifically for PlayStation 3. It's logical to assume that if there's any team that could possibly squeeze out the most efficient and quality sound out of a PS3, it'd be Sony.
While the $100 PS3 Wireless Stereo Headset sounds and performs great, its most notable feature has got to be the insanely easy plug-and-play setup that gets you up and running out of the box in a matter seconds.
Design, setup, and performance
In terms of looks, the headset is a bit odd. At first glance it might appear like an over-the-top head unit, but when worn it really does rest comfortably. Its noticeable thick-edged design is most likely a way to fit in all the various sliders, buttons, and the rechargeable battery that all exist inside. All these features considered, the engineers really did do an impressively stylish job with the unit.
An adjustable brushed-metal headband connects the two earcups; each of which is flanked by a plastic backing. One of these backings is used as a power button and mic mute. It seems that every slider and port is "hidden" by the headset's design, which is certainly a welcome aesthetic compared with other headsets that just seem littered with intrusive switches.
Also, these camouflaged options also help with blind-adjustments, as their unique geographical location on the headset makes it easier to remember what does what. For example, the left earcup houses all the master volume controls, but the front ones are for game and chat balance whereas the rear ones control the overall master volume.
Most of the headset's controls are cleverly hidden yet easily accessible.
A telescoping boom mic juts out from the bottom of the left earcup, but while its length is adjustable, it doesn't bend like most microphones I've tested. Nevertheless, I didn't notice any real drop-off in clarity when it came to playing online multiplayer matches. From what I could gather, all of my teammates reported a clear performance from the PS3 headset.
For me, the most impressive feature of the PS3 Wireless Stereo Headset is without a doubt its simple-to-use-and-set-up interface. All players need to do is plug in the accompanying USB dongle, power on the device, and in a matter of seconds, you've got wireless sound from anything your PS3 is spitting out. It's not just games, either; Netflix, NHL Gamecenter, and any media file you play will stream to the headset.
Be careful with the included USB dongle. It looks a lot like any ordinary thumbdrive.
So how does the headset stack up in terms of actual sound performance? Well, here it's a mixed bag. Sure, I've been spoiled by the $200-plus wireless 5.1 surround-sound gaming headsets I've tested from brands like Astro and Turtle Beach that provide fantastic fidelity range and performance. The PS3 headset doesn't hit those notes, but it doesn't fall flat, either. Compared with every other similar product I've tested, the $100 headset performs far beyond what its price implies. It gives off an above-average sound with bass and treble seeming evenly mixed. It won't "wow" you with sound, but it also does a great job at handling a wide spectrum of noise.
Behind the top of the right earcup hides a virtual-surround-sound toggle switch, which Sony says will provide a virtual 7.1 effect. I'm going to have to recommend players steer clear of the effect. Not only does it probably drain the battery quicker, it just doesn't make that much of a difference where I wanted it on all the time. In fact, it really didn't seem to do anything except distort my spacial perception of objects on the screen. Long story short, the standard audio mode does a good enough job of sound location.
Finally, the internal rechargeable battery will net you around 5 to 7 hours of playback, which falls a bit shorter than I was hoping for. While that time seems like more than enough for a single session, there are a number of gamers out there who will want to use the headset for an extended period of time, and may find themselves needing to keep the headset charging when not in use. You'll need to bring your own USB cord for that, though; Sony doesn't include one in the box.
Conclusion
Overall the PS3 Wireless Stereo Headset is a surprisingly efficient and qualified entry into an already overcrowded gaming headset landscape. Its design is that of some really careful planning, and ease-of-use cannot be overstated. For $100, it really is worth considering for PS3 owners who want a foolproof way to play loud at night without waking the neighbors. Its virtual-surround function is mostly useless and it may be too late in its life cycle to dump $100 on a PS3 accessory, but this one performs well enough to justify a purchase.