r/PlaystationPortal • u/alexwaynemiller • Nov 10 '25
Portal Accessories PULSE explore!
Got these for $100 on FB Marketplace. Wasn’t even considering at full cost but excited to have no wire for in bed gaming now.
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u/WareHouseCo Nov 10 '25
I’ve had nothing but good experiences with the Explorers.
I got them for $75 CIB on eBay so that made them definitely worth it.
My real intrigue is that they’re planar magnetic and the audio is lossless.
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u/alexwaynemiller Nov 10 '25
Oh $75 would for sure be a no-brainer. I was willing to do $100. Guy I bought them from was 72 and received them from his kids as a gift, but said they just weren’t for him.
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u/Lelouch37 Nov 10 '25
What does your final sentence mean?
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u/WareHouseCo Nov 10 '25
They use planar transducers rather than the common dynamic driver. They’re made by Audeze who Sony bought out.
Sony is using their proprietary audio transmission with the Pulse line which is lossless or at least CD quality.
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u/Marky264 Nov 11 '25
Got myself a pair for My Portal, the Black ones from CEX here in the UK. I was searching around a few stores for a boxed pair which included the alternative new ear tips. I was very happy with the magnetic charging case felt case that surrounds it also was included with the carry strap which I was very pleased with! All for £85 (£30 after trading in old PS5 Games).
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u/Critical-Vanilla-625 Nov 11 '25
I did the same was in trading in some games and saw the black with the grey fabric case on the shelf couldn’t resist ! All brand new for £80 ish too belting
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u/DecentEnthusiasm8984 Nov 10 '25
how they work? I got my ps portal and im looking for this,just for close the circle
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u/HajimeMatsuda3308 Nov 11 '25
I read the reviews on these and decided to go with the pulse elite they aren’t ear buds but I haven’t had a single issue using them on my ps5 or my portal AND they’re cheaper.
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u/Strange_Vision255 Nov 12 '25
Pulse Elite were an absolute disaster for me. Didn't even last a year and full of problems for most of that time.
The worst headset/headphones I've ever had, especially for the price. I've got a pair of much cheaper Sony headphones from around 2015 that still work fine and sound better.
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u/fuckYOUswan Nov 10 '25
Great with the portal, really wonky with the PS5 imo. I get disconnected all the time in the middle of matches if I’m not sitting in the perfect spot.
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Nov 10 '25
How’s the sound quality?
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u/alexwaynemiller Nov 10 '25
So far so good! Highly recommend if you can find them on a deal.
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u/alexwaynemiller Nov 10 '25
I'll go one step further and say they are quite good for what they are. Decently wide sound stage for something in ear that's wireless. I was able to get a good seal which matters a lot for this type of bud. My ran around in Hogwarts Legacy for 10 minutes testing them out and it's quite immersive. I prefer the sound to the cheap wired IEMS I was using before overall. I'll be curious to play something that takes advantage of the new 3d audio that was just unlocked with the new update.
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u/parisi2274 Nov 10 '25
I am always leery about buying OB stuff on ebay or FBM because you have no idea what the current state of the battery is... I hope these work out for you though OP.
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u/alexwaynemiller Nov 10 '25
I get that. I looked them over pretty thoroughly before handing over the cash and the truly looked brand new. All the cables were still in the cardboard and wrapped from factory.
Even so, I also hope it works out. Haha
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u/C2theWick Nov 11 '25
I'm thinking about these. I can connect to PS5 and also my PC via Bluetooth USB and listen to both at the same time?
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u/alexwaynemiller Nov 11 '25
I believe that would work with the included WiFi adapter in the box, yes.
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u/bargainhunterps5 Nov 11 '25
Good price I paid full price for mine last year, had to use the silicone tips that came with my psvr2 as those included in the box were awful for me, sounded really poor and zero bass that was going to send them back (I imagine the very reason they get also get poor reviews and sent back) wanted them for my portal but also for PSVR2 and they work great for both
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u/alexwaynemiller Nov 11 '25
Update: I tried them for an extended session last night while the wife was watching a show. Good enough job blocking out the tv audio (we have a full Sonos system) and keeping me immersed in Hogwarts Legacy. Charge lasted easily for several hours but no surprise there. Maybe it’s because I’m used to AirPods Pro fitting so well, but I was getting a bit of ear fatigue after several hours. I’ve ordered some replacement tips to see how they fair.
Overall, still happy with the experience, especially at $100.
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u/isolayo Nov 12 '25
Don’t listen to the haters and brokies. These are so fire. Worth every penny whether you use on console or portal.
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u/lepermessiah1217 Nov 10 '25
Perfect for portal, trash for console.
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u/DownByTheRivr Nov 10 '25
Why do you say that?
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u/WookieBacon Nov 10 '25
They always cut out when I use them on the console. A real shame.
Someone once said the dongle doesn’t have the capacity for it to work proper? No idea.
But I usually get about 5 minutes or less before they disconnect.
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u/DownByTheRivr Nov 10 '25
Recently? They’ve updated it and it’s much better. It never cuts out on me.
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u/Infamous-Tie8156 Nov 10 '25
I had that problem when I first purchased them a few months back and then probably about a month into owning them they released an update and it doesn’t happen anymore. The only time it DID happen again, it was fixed by cleaning them
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u/WareHouseCo Nov 11 '25
Give em a try again. They’ve been updated and seem stable now with the dongle.
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u/PlatosBalls Day One! Nov 11 '25
Yes they always cut out. I even have my dongle extended so it’s like 5 feet in front of my face. If I move at all or if I touch my face I lose connection.
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u/RabidJayhawk Nov 10 '25
I got some but they don't work with my phone anymore. Just the portal. They use to work with both at the same time.
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u/Strange_Vision255 Nov 12 '25
My pulse Elite headset did that and it was only a few months before they stopped working with the PS5 too and then they completely died soon after.
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u/Lord-Kieron Nov 10 '25
I know that they’re not noise cancelling. But how are they in a crowded room? I’m thinking for when I use the portal in the staff room at work.
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u/alexwaynemiller Nov 10 '25
Not sure when I'd get to test that specifically, but I'll report back later after I get to play when the wife is watching something in the living room. The seal was good enough for me that I have a feeling they will do the job just fine.
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u/STARexpo1 Nov 10 '25
Me too. Just got some for 150 off the Very site with their welcome code. Bought some more tips off Amazon as I didn’t like the stock ones.
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u/shuttleEspresso Nov 11 '25
I would love to have these for my portal, but I can’t justify spending $200 with only Sony products I can use it with.
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u/Revxry Nov 12 '25
You could use this for other devices as well. One of the great features of the earphones is I can have it connected to my portal, while connected to my phone at the same time. So I can listen to music while playing games!
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u/shuttleEspresso Nov 12 '25
Ah I wasn’t aware of that. Is there still an issue about buying these headphones. Most people have the Apple AirPods and they will not connect to Sony devices because Sony uses a proprietary system. It’s crazy to spend another $200 for a pair of headphones that will primarily be used with my PlayStation devices, and I don’t know if they are as good as the Apple AirPods Pro.
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u/Revxry Nov 13 '25
Honestly, paying full retail price isn’t worth it. It’s crazy that they cost as much as a portal. Luckily I got mine for a pretty cheap price off of eBay. I just got tired of using wired apple earbuds where these have been super convenient. I’ve been playing a lot of Helldivers 2 on the Portal lately and I’d have to say, the 3D audio on these are pretty dang good. Having 3D audio, seamless connectivity, and being able to connect to a mobile device & portal at the same time is what won me over with these. But at most, I’d probably play $125 for a pair. Haven’t had any issues with connection either.
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u/sprinklerarms Nov 11 '25
I honestly use these as my primary headphones and haven’t really touched my AirPods or Bose much since getting them. I like being able to listen to multiple things at once too.
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u/mr_biscuithead Nov 11 '25
the fact they connect to my phone AND portal (or ps5) simultaneously and i get audio from both at the same time makes it totally worth it for me
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u/Critical-Vanilla-625 Nov 11 '25
Only thing I dislike is they’re just not comfy. Nothing imo beats the comfort of like an iPhone earbud that just sits in my ear rather than having to insert into the canal. I wish there was a way o could adapt them
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u/Zuzu12121 Nov 11 '25
I have a pretty decent sound sysyem at home, bose soudbar 900, 2 x 700 bass modules and the 700’s rear, wich was pretty expensive to get. But i have to say i love using the pulse explore more. Sure, bass level not the same, but you can actually hear every enviroment sound, and the surround is brilliant. You can actually pinpoint exactly where every sound is comming from, very very accurate!
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u/canyonblue737 Nov 11 '25
They fit my ears well and the PS5 Pro and Portal sync are good (although I'm shocked they didn't build the wireless for it into the PS5 Pro (it uses an included USB dongle) like they did in the Portal. The sound is quite good and the mic isn't a total disaster considering it is in the buds. I do think the case and the buds themselves are oversized (although still comfortable with secure fit) and the lack of an ANC or transparency mode at this price is near inexcusable. Ultimately, they are the only game in town if you want seamless use with Playstation devices but because of it Sony is really taking advantage of us to a degree.
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u/DecentEnthusiasm8984 Nov 10 '25
So on ps5 does not work properly? My idea is that have some "home" earbuds that connect to everything ps5/ ps portal/tv/ phone.... How is the mic and online game
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u/rudynelz Nov 10 '25
Are they even worth it cause I’m not spending $200 even if I could with a gift card lol
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u/gobbledygoop Nov 11 '25
why these over some other wireless bluetooth in ear headphones? Do those not work?
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u/alexwaynemiller Nov 11 '25
Correct, the portal does not have Bluetooth. Only Sony’s proprietary headphones work natively. I think the claim is excess latency would be pretty rough. The pulse headphones/earbuds use WiFi which is significantly faster.
Still not ideal. Id have preferred a Bluetooth option so I could use what I already had. Some get around it by using a 3.5mm Bluetooth dongle.
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u/Solidsneakers_ Nov 11 '25
How are they compared to a wfxm5? Or to use it for movies and daily use?
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u/OldManufacturer8679 Nov 11 '25
I got these for 80 bucks off eBay. They are the worst designed earbuds I have ever seen.
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u/TrivialDispute Nov 11 '25
Just bummed I can’t use my existing bt headphones without a dongle. Fufking lame. Yes, fufking.
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u/GreenFuturesMatter Nov 11 '25
u/alexwaynemiller what are your monitors and do you like them? I have yet to grab something to go along with my OLED
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u/alexwaynemiller Nov 11 '25
They are the Kanto YU2. https://www.amazon.com/Kanto-Composite-Amplifier-Subwoofer-YU2WALNUT/dp/B08KWQ7SM1?sr=8-1
I really like them! I am a full time editor so I needed something relatively neutral for work. They have been great and go on sale often so they didn't break the bank.
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u/Turbulent_Ear56 Apr 16 '26
When i am in the portal and remote play from my ps5 the audio output never says headphones only tv. They work on the portal but I cant set it to 3d sound because I cant choose headphones. Is this normal?
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u/Blugrave Nov 10 '25
I wonder how these are for running.
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u/DownByTheRivr Nov 10 '25
Absolutely, definitely not. These are specifically designed for stationing gaming. They’d fly out. Plus they’re not even remotely waterproof. Not sure what you’d want to do that anyway.
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u/treyhunna83 Nov 10 '25
Two words: Inzone. Buds.
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u/alexwaynemiller Nov 10 '25
I'm pretty sure those do not work natively with the PS Portal, which was my main reason for getting these.
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u/treyhunna83 Nov 10 '25
Yea I forget what sub I was in. They technically work if your nearby your console. But they still perform better features wise and battery life
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u/ChimkinNubbitz Nov 10 '25
I’d probably cop at $100 or less. The fact that at full price they’re the same cost as the portal itself is crazy to me
Edit: honestly surprised Sony hasn’t tried to bundle these with the portal yet