You need something for constant use. Since this headset is wireless, you'll need to charge it every now and then, and unfortunately the charge-up time for this one is pretty slow. That point changes slightly when you’re playing a game that uses 3D surround sound instead of simulated 7.1 –again, Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End is the only one that offers it at the moment – and sound effects do have a better presence thanks to 3D Audio’s ability to create “100 virtual speakers”. It’s good news, then, that the core audio quality is so good – miles ahead of the competition, in fact. If you’re a PS4 gamer in need of a headset, this is the one to get, and even PC, Xbox and Switch players should seriously consider it. We’ve not heard a better alternative. You want more flexibility in your movement around your setup. Since the HyperX Cloud Alpha is a wired headset, you are slightly more restricted in how you can maneuver around your setup, which is worth considering.

PlayStation Platinum Wireless Headset review | TechRadar

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. The earcups are ringed by buttons and switches for power, volume, adjusting the audio/chat mix and switching on or off the headset’s surround sound features. They are virtually indistinguishable from one another to the touch, so even after months of regular use you’ll find yourself having to remove the headset find the button you’re after.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.

Headsets - PS4 and PS5 Gaming Headsets | Currys PlayStation Headsets - PS4 and PS5 Gaming Headsets | Currys

Of course, you may be tempted to enhance the atmosphere by switching on the VSS (Virtual Surround Sound), but that would be a mistake. While it opens up the soundstage and gives a sense of surround sound you otherwise don’t get, it also sounds over processed and unnatural, with voices and effects such as footsteps going distractingly awry. You may be drawn to the PlayStation Platinum Wireless headset for its promise of Virtual Surround Sound and 3D Audio, but the former is pretty poor in action and the latter is available on only a handful of games. Of course, that being said, there are headsets out there that offer more pronounced surround sound –one area that we felt the Platinum’s could’ve improved upon. Footsteps and gunfire imparted a general sense of directionality, but they didn’t have the same precision on Sony’s PlayStation Platinum as we’ve heard on other headsets. The free Headset Companion App on the PS4 lets you load a variety of preset and custom EQ modes to the headset wirelessly. The app offers a choice between a handful of different game, movie, and music genres with their own tweaked EQ settings, plus a few modes designed for specific games like The Last Guardian and Uncharted 4 . You can also create three different custom EQ settings with a three-stage (Bass, Mid-range, Treble), six-step equalizer. The headset can only hold two EQ presets at a time, assigned to the 1 and 2 positions on the power switch. Fortunately, it only takes seconds to load new presets onto it. 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.

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. 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. However, it is worth activating 3D Audio when playing a game that supports it. While there are still some occasions when the sound seems a little unnatural, voices in particular, the surround sound effect is much more convincing than VSS, with strong spatial placement of effects that seem to extend above and below you. Some will still prefer the unprocessed stereo delivery, but if you’re playing one of the few games that does support 3D Audio, it's well worth giving it a go. All said, though, it’s hard to find a better value headset that’s this easy to use and sounds this good overall. Those qualities definitely exist at a higher price, but if you’re looking for something you can set up without a fuss, Platinum is a gamer’s best friend. Much like the 'Gold' Wireless Headset 2.0, being a first party product also gives the Platinum headset several benefits. For one, HUD icons for battery status, microphone mute, and the surround sound mode in use are all integrated into the PS4 front-end (displaying next to the controller battery icon). It's a luxury third parties can't tap into, where most rely instead on LED flashes on the headset to gauge battery life. It gives it an edge, and likewise for the simplicity of setup - a wireless USB dongle is all you need, rather than routing to an external processing unit via an optical cable.

Platinum Wireless Headset | GAME PlayStation Platinum Wireless Headset | GAME

The current selection of EQ presets betrays the Platinum Wireless Headset's decidedly un-musical focus. The three music presets are Bass Boost, Hip Hop, and Techno, while the two movie presets are Action and Horror. The non-game-specific gaming presets are limited to only Fighting and Shooter, though in fairness those are the two most common console gaming genres that require a headset. Virtual SurroundLike that zombie about to bite into your brains that just stepped on a loose floorboard behind you.