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Deal : Sony Inzone Buds vs Pulse Explore: Which gaming in-ears are better?

Sony has two pairs of gaming headphones on the market: the Inzone Buds and the Pulse Explore. The test tells you where the differences are and which ones are better in the end.

Table of contents

  • Sony likes it big
  • Really modern
  • PlayStation or PC

  • Inzone Buds vs. Pulse Explore: Who Sounds Better?

  • Two of the same breed
  • They have endurance
  • Sony Inzone Buds vs Pulse Explore: Conclusion

Sony’s PlayStation brand is now 30 years old and a fixture in the gaming market. But the Japanese have another iron in the fire with Inzone. However, this sub-brand is aimed at PC gamers. In addition to monitors, this also includes headsets. The newest addition is true to its name Inzone Buds and the plugs are two months ahead of the Sony Pulse Explore appeared. The manufacturer now has two true wireless headphones for gamers on the market. The comparison test reveals which in-ears are suitable for which systems, which sound better and have the most functions.

Sony likes it big

Both pairs of plugs definitely attract attention with their size. They have a fairly large body that ends in an elongated end piece. The Inzone Buds are reminiscent of the relatives WF-1000XM3, while the Pulse Explore is more oriented towards the PlayStation 5. Both appear to be of high quality, but they put a bit of pressure on your ears when worn. The Inzone Buds are still ahead when it comes to comfort, and the playful in-ears can withstand drops of sweat and water (protection level IPX4). Despite its adventurous name, users should keep the Pulse Explore away from water due to the lack of protection certification. A major point of criticism, however, is the uncomfortable fit. The plugs exert noticeable pressure on the inside of the ear. Good: Both models come with four rubber attachments of different sizes and cover almost every ear canal.

Really modern

The in-ears are both versatile when it comes to pairing devices. The in-ears come with a dongle that can be connected to the PlayStation 5 or the PC. While the Pulse Explore rely on a somewhat old-fashioned wireless stick with USB-A, the Inzone Buds are a little more modern with their USB-C dongle. It can also be connected to your smartphone or the Nintendo Switch put. A Bluetooth connection to the cell phone is also possible, but not without restrictions. The Inzone plugs are equipped with the new Bluetooth stand LE-Audio, which severely limits the number of compatible smartphones. The Pulse Explore, on the other hand, are fully compatible with all Bluetooth-enabled devices. They also have Sony’s own “PlayStation Link” standard on board, with which the earphones connect wirelessly to the PlayStation Portal.

PlayStation or PC

When it comes to operation, the Inzone Buds are clearly ahead. For example, the volume can be adjusted using the plugs. But the PC software is really great Inzone Hub (Windows only), you can use it to make many settings on the in-ears. The sound of the Pulse Explore can also be adjusted with an equalizer, but only in the corresponding audio settings of the PlayStation 5. In addition, the volume buttons only react in dongle mode. If the Pulse Explore is connected to a device via Bluetooth, the buttons are useless.

Inzone Buds vs. Pulse Explore: Who Sounds Better?

The winning streak of the Inzone Buds continues in the sound test: They deliver a powerful sound with clean bass and fine resolution. Explosions have a punch and voices sound nice and clear. The location of noise sources is also quite precise. When it comes to surround sound, the Pulse Explore are at a similarly high level and the directions of footsteps, shots or other noises can be easily determined. Unfortunately, the sound itself is quite weak, hollow and lacking in detail. There is a lack of bass and the mids are more wiry than rich.

Two of the same breed

As befits a headset, both in-ear pairs are equipped with microphones. These are also the biggest weak points in both models. Voices transmit the playful True Wireless overcast and occupied. The wearer is still understandable. The Pulse Explore also effectively blocks out background noise, meaning that loud console fans or keyboard typing cannot be heard by teammates. However, only the Inzone Buds have real noise-cancelling like we know from other wireless in-ears. This works effectively, although it doesn’t quite match the great noise cancellation of the related WF series.

They have endurance

In the test, both Sony in-ears delivered excellent battery life. While the Pulse Explore is already good at just over nine and a half hours (in Bluetooth operation), the Inzone Buds go beyond all limits with their 20 hours and 45 minutes (in dongle operation). That’s enough even for an extended LAN party. The charging case for the Inzone earphones also proved to be very practical. It’s a bit bulky, but nice and compact compared to its Pulse siblings. Good: The radio dongle also fits in the small box. The Explore carrying box looks a little fancier with its colored LEDs. However, due to its size, it is also less practical to transport.

Sony Inzone Buds vs Pulse Explore: Conclusion

In the end, the Inzone Buds emerge as the winners of the Sony duel. The in-ears deliver better sound, are easier to use and exceed all expectations with their long battery life. In addition, there is effective noise canceling, which protects gamers from annoying ambient noise. Due to their versatile compatibility, they are ideal for PS5 and PC gamers. However, owners of a Windows computer have more setting options. If you mainly play on your cell phone, you should turn to the competition.


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There is a problem with the price of the new PS5 Slim. Sony will charge European gamers up to 60% more for the same products


Sony has followed its usual strategy by announcing a review of its latest major console and two new PlayStation 5 models will be available before the end of the year. Although the company has avoided referring to these as ‘PS5 Slim’, the truth is that this is how it promises to be known by players. At the end of the day, it is still a review with a stylized design and small size. The movement is very similar to what the company has carried out in previous generations. There are many very interesting details in this novelty, which once again offers us an alternative with a disc reader and another completely digital one. However, it is easy to find a reason to raise your eyebrows.

European gamers pay more to enjoy PlayStation 5

As rumors suggested, the digital model of this PlayStation 5 ‘Slim’ will arrive with the possibility of adding an external disk reader. “If you buy the PS5 Digital Edition, you can add the Ultra HD Blu-ray disc reader later, as it will be sold separately,” the company announces. The truth is that it is good news by offering even more options to the consumer. The idea also seems very well resolved in terms of design since the external reader can be integrated in an almost imperceptible way. However, there is a problem with the price. We are not referring to whether it is too expensive or well adjusted, but rather that European players will have to pay a very considerable extra.

While the external drive reader will be sold at a price of $79.99 (75.3 euros) in the United States, European players will have to shell out 119.99 euros to get it. A extra cost close to 60% which becomes almost a luxury tax for consumers on the continent. It must be taken into account that this situation will affect all countries in the euro zone and, to a lesser extent, the United Kingdom. Although British consumers are better off than their neighbors, they will also pay 99.99 pounds (115.7 euros) for a total amount much higher than that of North American customers.

The PS5 external reader is very well integrated into the design of the console.

The price difference It will also affect new models of Playstation 5. Buyers in the United States, United Kingdom and Spain will pay almost the same when they try to get the digital model (the price is around 449.99 euros in the three regions). However, the same will not happen with the version that includes a reader. While in North America this edition will be available for $499.99 (470 euros) in our economic zone and the British territory will cost around 550 euros. Although the price difference is not so considerable in percentage terms, it is still another extra cost to take into account.

This situation with respect to Sony products has been common throughout the current generation of consoles. Without going any further, the United States was spared from the increase in PlayStation 5 prices that took place last year. Also the increase in the price of exclusive games announced in 2020 focused on European players. In this sense, the conclusion is clear. Although the purchasing power on our continent is lower, purchasing the company’s products is much more expensive. The company defends it by referring to “the global economic context”but a 60% extra cost seems very difficult to understand.

The vertical support of the new PlayStation 5 will be sold separately

In the announcement of the console, Sony has also confirmed that the new model of the machine It will not include a support for vertical placement. This little gadget, which avoids placing the PS5 directly on its case, will be sold separately at a price of 29.99 euros ($29.99 in the United States). The console will include a horizontal support as standard, now perhaps easier to take advantage of since the size has been reduced by 30%.

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Sony plans to drop the Xperia brand in 2024 due to low demand for smartphones


According to Notebookcheck sources, Sony may soon announce the cessation of production of smartphones under the Xperia brand. The reason for this is the weak competitiveness of the Japanese technology giant in the mobile device market.

This information is confirmed by a Zackbuks insider, who previously accurately predicted new products from Sony. He claims that the company’s latest flagship, which will be called Xperia, will be released in 2024. After this, Sony will focus on developing other products such as gaming consoles, TVs and cameras.

However, Sony has no plans to completely abandon the smartphone market. In 2025, the company plans to introduce a new flagship smartphone with innovative under-screen front camera technology. This will allow Sony to compete with other industry leaders such as Samsung, Apple and Huawei.

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Sony is already announcing free PlayStation Plus games for November

Sony is remarkably early this month in revealing the free PlayStation Plus games for November. Normally this is announced the Wednesday before the first Tuesday of the following month, but there is already an image on the official PlayStation site showing two of the free games for November.

First of all, Bulletstorm: Full Clip Edition, the over-the-top shooter that was released in 2011 on the previous generation of consoles. This remaster was released last year and can be downloaded for free from next month, provided you have a PlayStation Plus subscription.

The other free game is Yakuza Kiwami. It is the remaster of the very first Yakuza game, but given a new look with today’s graphics. This well-received game has also only been on the market in the West for a year, so once again a great gift from PlayStation.

Most likely, the rest of the free games list will be revealed later this month, as the PlayStation 3 and PlayStation Vita normally also get two free games. Don’t forget to get the free games from PlayStation Plus this month, including Friday the 13th: The Game.

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Price of PS5 in the Netherlands is being increased by Sony

If you don’t have a PlayStation 5 at home yet, you have to pay even more money for it now. Sony has increased the price of the PS5 in various markets, including the Netherlands.

It’s no secret that global inflation is a problem for consumers. The price of groceries, gasoline and energy are all going up at a record pace. That also has a lot of influence on companies. For example, it has become more expensive to produce products and transport them all over the world.

Sony has therefore decided to increase the price of the PlayStation 5 in selected markets. Unfortunately, this also includes the Netherlands. The price of the normal PS5 goes up to 549.99 euros, while the PS5 Digital Edition costs 449.99 euros from now on. The price change takes effect immediately.

  • Check the availability of the PlayStation 5 now!

The Netherlands is not the only country where the price increase will take effect, the rest of Europe must also believe it. The other countries where the price of the PS5 is going up is the United Kingdom, Japan, China, Australia, Mexico and Canada. There will be no price increase for the United States.

More price increases for tech products

Sony is not the first company to decide to raise the price of its products. Meta has previously made the choice to raise the price of the Meta Quest 2. That was only a bit more controversial, because it concerns two-year-old VR glasses and the price has been increased by no less than 100 euros.

In any case, potential buyers of the Nintendo Switch need not worry. Nintendo has recently said that the price of the console will not go up, because the company considers ‘maintaining momentum’ more important.