I've always been wary of tech that claims to offer virtual surround sound. Without exception, whether it's hardware or software, it always sounds terrible—a kind of distant, overly compressed, oddly watery sound, as if you've dunked your head in a sink. So I admit I approached the Pulse 3D, Sony's official wireless PS5 headset, with some trepidation. The console's Tempest audio engine simulates spatial audio in supported games, creating the illusion of sound moving around you. It actually works with any headset—and, since the latest PS5 firmware update, standard TV speakers and soundbars. But having tested it through a bunch of different audio devices this week, including high-end Beyerdynamic monitor headphones and a Sonos soundbar, I was surprised to discover that it was the Pulse 3D—a $100 headset—that really made me a believer in the tech.

The effect is more understated than you might think. When you hear a sound coming from a particular direction—like, say, a character standing to your left and speaking—the sound of their voice isn't thrown for miles to the side to emphasise the 3D effect. It's shifted just slightly, but enough to create a sensation of depth. In a cutscene in Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart, a character walked around Ratchet as they spoke, and the position of their voice moved with them—which was one of the first times I really appreciated how subtly effective 3D audio can be. This restraint is one of the most impressive things about it. If the effect was more exaggerated, with sounds swirling dramatically around your head, it would be too much. The games I tested struck a nice balance, creating a palpable sense of scale and space, but not in a way that feels distracting.

Related: Gran Turismo 7 On PS5 Is A Perfect Fit For Ray Tracing

It's great for ambient sound too. This first hit me when I played Ghost of Tsushima Director's Cut, and found myself standing in the hot springs at the Hiyoshi Inn, listening to the water bubbling and trickling around me. Later, a storm rolled in while I was riding on horseback and the sensation of the rain falling and the thunder rumbling in the distance was incredibly transporting. Similarly, in Death Stranding Director's Cut, the lonely howl of the wind on the volcanic plains and the patter of timefall really drew me into the environment. I've always been someone who takes the time to appreciate sound design in video games, but with 3D audio I find myself stopping more than ever to just listen. For games like these, the 3D effect really enhances the feeling of being in a wide open space.

Sony Pulse 3D wireless headset 3D audio

I also enjoy the way it simulates directional audio—from something as simple as a dragon swooping over your head in Demon's Souls, to anticipating the approach of an enemy based on where the sound of their footsteps are coming from. The latter is an example of how 3D audio can actually impact how a game plays. Directional audio is nothing new in games, of course. Some of the earliest 3D games let you locate enemies based on sound. But with the 3D audio tech on PS5, the effect is richer and more dynamic, which makes for a more convincing and readable soundscape overall. After experiencing it, going back to a game that doesn't support it feels like a step back. It's spoiled my ears.

The design and construction of the Pulse 3D also contributes to the effectiveness of the spatial audio. It's incredibly light for one, and sometimes I forget I'm even wearing it—something not many gaming headsets can claim. It's delightfully unintrusive, which helps you get lost in the soundscape. This lightness makes it a little flimsy, but it's a worthy sacrifice for a headset you can wear for hours without discomfort. The closed back cups create a nice seal around your ears, blocking out background noise, and the soundstage is brilliantly wide and open—essential for making sound feel big. I really don't have a bad word to say about the 3D Pulse, and I'm extremely picky when it comes to audio gear. I return so many headphones.

PS5 consoles, DualSense, and Pulse 3D audio headset

It's integrated wonderfully into the PS5 hardware too, with functionality built in at an OS level, including an adjustable EQ and a battery meter on the dashboard—incidentally, you're looking at about 12 hours of play per charge, which is done via USB-C. There are better sounding headsets out there, especially if your budget stretches beyond the $100 mark. But the way the Pulse 3D works with the PS5 as an official peripheral makes it feel a bit more special than just plugging in a pair of random Sennheisers—and from my experience, the 3D audio just works better with it. Its aesthetic matches the PS5 nicely too, so if you're as into tech uniformity as I am, it looks nice sitting next to the console and DualSense.

The Pulse 3D wireless headset is available now for around $100, or possibly a little less if you shop around. Sony also released a midnight black edition recently if you don't like the standard colour. Now whenever a new PS5 game or upgrade is announced, the first thing I check is whether it has 3D audio support. That's how much I love it. If you're thinking about embracing it yourself, just remember to temper your expectations: it's a powerful effect, but a subtle one. It's not like jacking your ears directly into a high-end surround sound system. But it's enough to give the PS5 games that support it (see a complete list below) a satisfying injection of drama, scale, and immersion. Virtual surround sound has always been a pretty useless gimmick, but it seems Sony finally made it work.

PS5 games with 3D audio support

  • Anthem*
  • Assassin's Creed Valhalla
  • Astro's Playroom
  • Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War
  • Crash Bandicoot 4: It's About Time
  • Days Gone*
  • Death Stranding Director's Cut
  • Demon's Souls
  • Destruction AllStars
  • Devil May Cry 5 Special Edition
  • Dirt 5
  • Final Fantasy 14
  • Ghost of Tsushima Director's Cut
  • Gran Turismo 7
  • Horizon Forbidden West
  • Horizon Zero Dawn*
  • Immortals Fenyx Rising
  • The Last of Us Part 2*
  • Marvel's Avengers
  • MLB 19: The Show*
  • Nioh/Nioh 2 Remastered
  • No Man's Sky
  • Oddworld: Soulstorm
  • The Pathless
  • Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart
  • Resident Evil Village
  • Returnal
  • Sackboy: A Big Adventure
  • Spider-Man: Miles Morales
  • Spider-Man Remastered
  • Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1 + 2
  • Uncharted 4*
  • Uncharted: The Lost Legacy*

* PS4 games played via backwards compatibility

Next: I Finally Got A PlayStation 5 And It's One Of The Best First Days I've Ever Had With A Games Console