Review PlayStation Platinum Wireless Headset

PlayStation Platinum Wireless Headset :

Is it the best PS4 headset money can buy?

First things first, though: Sony’s commitment to style and design really shines through in the Platinum headset. Aside from the rather annoying diamond-shaped USB dongle taking up another precious USB slot on the front of your PS4, the Platinum headset is exceptionally well designed.

A mix of brushed stainless steel and the same matte-black plastic the PS4 is made from, the Platinum really nails the high-end feel. Its clean lines, sturdy build and smart placement of discrete audio controls mean these could easily pass for a pair of normal over-ear headphones. They fold away neatly, too, and come with their own carry pouch for easy storage and transportation.

And you’d be hard-pressed to find a pair that feels as comfortable to wear, with cosseting ear cushions that are soft enough that you rarely feel any pressure against the side of your head, even when wearing glasses, while a suspended headband relieves pressure on the top of your head.

Those ear cushions are subtly angled, too, so that they fit snugly over your ears without pushing the speaker cone right up against them. A small detail, but a welcome one, and it makes the headset comfortable to wear for long periods.

Chat and battery

Despite all the features, Sony’s Platinum headset isn’t strictly intended for the pro-level player. Instead, it’s for gamers who want the best audio experience for casual or semi-serious play.

So, if you're looking for the perfect gaming microphone for team play, you might be disappointed by what the Platinum has to offer. You do get noise cancelling, and this works just as effectively as it does on other headsets on the market. Because the Platinum headset uses integrated mics as opposed to a boom mic, however, you’re left feeling like you’re just talking into a room.

It also means your voice isn’t channeled directly into the headset's twin microphones, so it can sometimes sound muffled and quiet on the other end. But for your average player the microphone quality is perfectly fine, and an improvement over the mono chat headset included with the PS4.

Sound quality and features

Design is only part of the reason you pick a headset, however. The most important factor is sound quality and, thankfully, Sony’s Platinum headset delivers that in spades.

Using large, 50mm drivers, the PlayStation Platinum headset is capable of delivering crisp highs and punchy bass, and the virtual 7.1 surround sound makes a big difference when playing titles such as Destiny and Battlefield 1.

Guns have weight; melee attacks have true presence; you can hear the rustling of grass around you and the crunching of boots on gravel. Don’t worry if shooters aren’t your thing, either: every game on the PS4 benefits from the 7.1-channel virtual surround-sound tech in the Platinum headset. Sony has also been working with developers to create bespoke sound profiles for some games. At the time of writing, only Uncharted 4 and The Last Guardian have profiles, but both make a drastic difference to how you experience them.

In The Last Guardian, those cavernous rooms feel truly empty: you hear the echo of footsteps resonate in your ears, and you can hear the sound of creaking wooden walkways as they bend and strain in the wind,The PlayStation Platinum headset also supports a mode called “3D Audio”. While 7.1 surround sound may seem like more than enough, 3D audio somehow manages to rip you out of your sofa and put you into the action more than you would have ever thought possible.

Currently only available in Uncharted 4, although slated to appear in more games soon, 3D audio works by placing you within spherical sound spaces, plotting sound effects and audio in the space around you, a bit like Dolby Atmos but for headphones.

Verdict

The Platinum headset isn’t Sony’s first 7.1 virtual surround-sound headset. That would be the Gold wireless headset, which launched a couple of years ago. If you’re on a tighter budget, the Gold headset is still definitely worth looking at. The chief difference between the Platinum and the Gold is driver size and 3D-audio compatibility.

The Gold’s 40mm drivers still deliver impressive sound, but having used both during my Platinum headset review, it’s clear that Sony’s higher-end headphones have the edge on sound quality.