Pros
Virtual {surround} sound for PS4 and PS3
Long battery life
Comfortable and sturdy design
Great customisable sound choices
Cons
Mobile cable is a bit fundamental
No VSS for PC or Mac
No Bluetooth
What is the Sony Wireless Stereo Headset 2.0?
In the gaming area you’ll uncover a sea of ear pads, surround-sound and brightly colored headsets that you simply’d be reluctant to showcase out on the open highway. And it’s turning into more and more troublesome to select a mannequin that may suit your wants – and your funds.
If you’re a PS4 gamer in search of a wi-fi headset with {surround} sound and a powerful design, then you need to significantly take into account Sony’s personal Wireless Stereo Headset 2.0. Built particularly for the PS4, they price simply £79.99, which is sort of a cut price in comparison with different PS4 headsets in the marketplace.
Although a black model of this headset has been round since early 2014, Sony has now launched a Glacier White mannequin to enhance the 2 principal iterations of the PS4 console. So, I believed I’d give them a re-evaluation.
Sony Wireless Stereo Headset 2.0 – Design
The Sony Wireless Stereo Headset 2.0 encompasses a minimalistic design that apes its console counterpart, with an angular headband that rests upon over-ear cups. It’s easy and smooth, complemented by the dearth of wires and the same old garish gaming headset detailing.
The set is out there in black or white, each that includes a placing inside blue band. Made of a sturdy matte plastic, you received’t be afraid to throw them right into a rucksack to cart round. The ear-cups themselves are completed in a faux-leather materials, with a cloth mesh over the audio system. In addition, they fold flat for added portability.
Although a leatherette end can often result in some sweaty ears after a protracted session, this isn’t one thing that I’ve skilled with the Sony Wireless Stereo Headset 2.0. Instead, I’ve discovered them extremely comfy to put on for lengthy intervals. My ears are effectively cushioned by the cups, but in addition free from any extreme strain from the headset clamping to my head.
You can regulate the scale of the headset by sliding the cups up and down the band, so each giant and small head sizes are catered for. See additionally: Best Gaming Headsets 2015Sony provides that the panels on the facet of the headset are interchangeable, with customised plates out there for personalisation. However, these plates are exhausting to come back by, with the one ones we have been in a position to observe down out there for InWell-known: Second Son – launched again in March, 2014.
What provides to the Wireless Stereo Headset 2.0’s svelte design is the dearth of enormous buttons and garish branding. Both sides characteristic a easy PlayStation emblem and the button symbols, whereas Sony has added some minimalistic buttons on the left cup for straightforward entry to quantity controls and different settings.
At the entrance of the left cup sits the facility change, which provides choices of “off”, “preset 1” or “preset 2”. On preset 1, you’ll get the essential VSS settings, which we’ve discovered greater than sufficient for all our gaming and film wants. Preset 2, alternatively, might be customised with your personal audio settings, or simply provides a little bit extra bass at manufacturing unit settings. More on that later, although.
Above the facility change is a toggle for switching management between chat and sound, which means you possibly can individually mute chat or sport audio and regulate the amount of each individually. See additionally: PS4 vs PS3Around the again of the left ear-cup is the mute button and a quantity rocker, which you should utilize to regulate the sound of chat and audio. There’s additionally a toggle for VSS, nevertheless I’ve by no means felt the necessity to flip it off because it enhances the audio expertise a lot.
At the very backside is the micro-USB port for charging the headset and a headphone jack for connecting the cable between the headset and some other cell system, together with PC, PS Vita and smartphones and tablets. The included cable is a little bit fundamental although, missing in-line controls. What’s extra, the headset’s buttons aren’t suitable with something apart from the PS4 and PS3.
That’s as a result of this isn’t a Bluetooth headset. It works with the PS4 and PS3 by way of a easy USB dongle. Once you’ve plugged it in although, the set-up course of is easy. Just change on the headset and also you’re able to play. See additionally: PS4 vs Xbox OneThe left ear-cup of the Sony Wireless Headset 2.0 homes an inside battery. Sony claims an eight-hours battery life from a single cost, however in apply, the headset surpassed each my very own and Sony’s expectations. After eight hours of use, the headset was nonetheless displaying two bars of battery life remaining.
It outlasted two PS4 controller batteries and was nonetheless going robust.
What’s extra, the Sony Wireless Stereo Headset 2.0 takes beneath two hours to completely cost, which implies you’ll be able to go very quickly.
The profit of getting an official PS4 headset is native in-menu help, which implies on-screen headset standing shows for quantity, chat toggle and battery degree. You can see what’s happening along with your headset at a look with the press of the buttons. It’s handy and a characteristic that was included on all console gaming headsets.
As I discussed earlier than, this headset is out there in black or white. Unless you may have the white PS4, I’d advocate choosing the unique black. The white headset picks up grubby marks all too simply, and provides it a extra worn look extra rapidly. See additionally: PS4 controller battery life – How to make your DualShock 4 last more
Sony Wireless Stereo Headset 2.0 – Audio Quality
The Sony Wireless Stereo Headset 2.0 is provided with a pair of 40mm drivers, giving the headset a splendidly rounded sound. If pushed, there’s a little bit weak spot within the bass, particularly on audio tracks listened to by way of my iPhone 6, the place it’s stereo sound solely. There’s a slight lack of heat and bass in sure tracks which were obvious by different headphones.
But, what it lacks a little bit in bass, Sony’s PS4 headset makes up for in readability. Its sound signature can rival some top-of-the-range headphones.
However, the most important plus is that this headset’s help for as much as 7.1 digital {surround} sound on each the PS3 and PS4. The Sony Wireless Stereo Headset 2.0 is ready to remix something as much as a 7.1 {surround} sound sign, with the VSS making certain that the sounds are all in the appropriate locations for headset audio.
It’s usually all the way down to the person video games to take full benefit of this functionality, although, with some titles’ sound combine falling a little bit flat compared to blockbusters similar to The Last of Us, Batman: Arkham Knight and Metal Gear Solid V. See additionally: Best GamesWhat makes issues a little bit simpler for audio inexperienced persons is that the Sony Wireless Stereo Headset 2.0 comes with a complimentary app for tweaking audio settings. The Headset Companion App might be downloaded from the PlayStation Store.
It’s right here that you could fine-tune the audio settings and add your preferences to preset 2 on the headset. You can select to do that manually or decide from a wide range of Sony-created presets. There are choices for particular sport and film genres, or you possibly can choose a particular sport.
Currently there are particular audio profiles for the next:
I attempted out Driveclub, The Last of Us and Batman: Arkham Knight profiles, which you add to the headset by plugging it into the PS4. It takes solely a second to add and I instantly observed delicate variations within the sound for every sport profile. The engine’s growl was particularly throaty for Driveclub, and utilizing the Last of Us profile for Metal Gear Solid V periods meant I may catch the footsteps of the patrolling guards as I lay in wait, tenting out behind a crumbling wall with tranquilliser gun prepared.See additionally: Metal Gear Solid 5 ideas and tricksI additionally love the truth that the Sony Wireless Stereo Headset 2.0’s microphone is in-built; there’s no increase mic in want of fixed adjustment. My PSN buddies have been in a position to simply hear me whispering expletives crystal clear.
The solely subject I had was with the wi-fi vary, which is a little bit restricted. It’s wonderful in the event you’re staying in the identical room because the PS4, however if you wish to maybe journey a little bit additional round the home – to the following room, for instance – I discovered that the sound cuts out every so often.See additionally: Best PS4 Games
Should I purchase the Sony Wireless Stereo Headset 2.0?
For an ideal all-round PS4 headset you may have two decisions. You both go for the Sony Wireless Stereo Headset 2.0 – an excellent, inexpensive and devoted PS4 headset. Or, you fork out for the Turtle Beach Elite 800.
The Elite 800 headset is Bluetooth suitable so it would work with a wide range of units, has a charging dock and DTS Headphone: X 7.1 {surround} sound amongst different options that makes it the superior headset. But it’s greater than thrice the price of the Sony at a whopping £250.
Verdict
The Sony Wireless Stereo Headset 2.0 is an inexpensive, well-designed wi-fi headset with a characteristic set that you simply’re unlikely to search out in headsets costing beneath £100.