Sony has concocted an affordable, sleek wireless headset for enthusiasts of its hardware, and much like the PS4 console itself, benefits from a clear focus on gaming - with no bloat to crank up the costs. It might miss the mark for those wanting to spread their surround-sound experience to PC, for example, but the stereo function in that case is a sturdy alternative - and underpinning it all is a bold, crystal clear quality of sound. We're equally impressed that promises of eight hours battery life hold up to scrutiny. Even with volume at maximum we clock just over seven hours total, while recharge times are respectable too, at just under two hours to fill to capacity.
Whether the goal is to isolate the sound from a gaming session or to ramp up your alertness during multiplayer, the headset gets a lot right. Given that most competing headphones with an equivalent feature list go for above the £100 mark, particularly with a rechargeable battery, Sony surprises us with the value proposition here. This is especially encouraging in the face of its other, pricier launch peripherals. By virtue of being the official solution, there are some unique benefits to consider too: the Headset Companion app on PS3 and PS4 being a helpful way to adjust its settings, if a bit ineffective in working around a slightly subdued bass response. It's perhaps a touch light-footed for music with a heavy kick then, but if a surround sound gaming headset is your main concern, this is a very well-rounded package indeed.
