PS3 Bluetooth Headset gets reviewed

[Queasy]

I've seen people's interest in it but haven't seen any reviews on it until now. Didn't know about the stand mode. That sounds pretty interesting. Almost like the WiiSpeak where you could have multiple people talking together in the same room.

Though the launch of SOCOM: Confrontation may have been a disappointment which will have to wait until next week to be properly reviewed, the pack-in official Sony Bluetooth headset helped to alleviate the pain. Combined with the new headset features that arrived with the 2.5 firmware update in the high-quality chat mode, Sony has managed to bring a quality of voice chat that is at least on par with the competition, if not reaching VoIP evels of quality.

Admittedly, I wasn't entirely enamored with the new headset out of the box. While button placement and the general overall design of the headset is nice, it wasn't quite as firmly fitted as I was hoping it would be. Because the ear piece doesn't snap into place with any real pressure (as a result of it being removable and reversible), the headset simply dangles on your ear. For some, the speaker piece will fit snugly into the ear and keep the entire headset firm, but it took a bit of working and adjustment of the removal rubber guard to get the device on my ear securely.

After overcoming the comfort and stability issues, in-game headset testing proved to be impressive. In both SOCOM: Confrontation and Warhawk, the device performed admirably: far better than the Jabra BT headset I was previously using. While I only managed to sneak a few games in with SOCOM because of the server issues, the chat sounded crystal clear and loud in matches that weren't lagging. However, even slight amounts of latency caused the burst voice transmissions to come in with some distributing crackling. This can be largely attributed to the problems with SOCOM, though, as I had no such issue with Warhawk.

Where the headset really shines, though, is in stand mode. The headset comes with a small, pack-in stand which connects to the PS3 via a short USB cable. When the headset is placed in the stand, it begins charging but it also becomes an active standing microphone similar to the one on the PlayStation Eye. It appears that the headset draws extra power from the USB to extend its range, because testing proved that the distance on the standing headset was insane.

To test it out, I had a friend enter a voice chat with me and put his microphone in standing mode. The two of us started at our systems and began walking away while counting out loud. While I got to the opposite side of my awkwardly-designed apartment before he couldn't hear me, he managed to walk out of his living room, up a flight of stairs, and on to the second floor before I couldn't hear him. The quality remained at VoIP levels throughout as well when using the HQ mode. The lesson learned? Don't put it in stand mode if there's other stuff going on in your house.

Regardless of how you're using the headset, the new UI features are welcome. Switching from HQ mode to normal mode or muting the microphone, and altering the volume all have corresponding display notifications. Real-time notifications come as the headset gets low on batteries, as well.

Overall, the official PS3 Bluetooth headset and the associated firmware features for it are an excellent step towards a new age for voice chat on the system. The unit's build quality is respectable, battery life is on par with the controllers, and the sound quality is impressive. Sony's system has been lacking in the voice communication front since its launch, but these new tools go a long way towards fixing that problem.

Verdict: Buy (even if the game is broken for now)
Manufacturer: Sony
Price: $59.99 (SOCOM: Confrontation bundle) or $49.99 alone

 

[NikolaeVarius]

Holy crap. Thats a stupidly far distance to pick up noise. It must have amazing noise reduction tech to filter out back noise

 

[erwos]

So much for the SOCOM fanboys telling us how retail would be fine.

And, yes, I want that headset _so bad_.

 

[Trader05]

:Q $50 seperate!!!!

Amazon

 

[shingletingle]

Originally posted by: Trader05
:Q $50 seperate!!!!

Amazon

Um...that's old news.

 

[destrekor]

Originally posted by: erwos
So much for the SOCOM fanboys telling us how retail would be fine.

And, yes, I want that headset _so bad_.

eh?

I've never really played the SOCOM games, but with the BT standalone price at $50, and the game bundle at $60, I was instantly sold. I really only wanted the official BT for quality audio (most headsets out there right now produce messy audio through the online games), but for just a little more I could get the new game in a series that people have loved since it came out. So I figured what the hell, and got the bundle yesterday.
The headset is nice, and love that it has a stand. I'll probably never use the microphone mode of the stand, but it's a great charging cradle for storage.

The game seems pretty good too. Took awhile getting used to, because I'm not a big fan of third person shooters. And while I've adjusted to Warhawk when I play it from time to time, SOCOM is a lot slower than Warhawk. But I've liked what I've played so far, and voice communication is clear and great.

 

[Baked]

Wouldn't it be cheaper to just buy the PS3Eye for $33? That's what I'm debating on w/ chat on PS3. I could get the SOCOM + BT headset bundle for $60, or I can get the PS3Eye for $33 and get video in addition to audio. I don't think the PS3Eye is restricted to video chat.

 

[erwos]

Originally posted by: Baked
Wouldn't it be cheaper to just buy the PS3Eye for $33? That's what I'm debating on w/ chat on PS3. I could get the SOCOM + BT headset bundle for $60, or I can get the PS3Eye for $33 and get video in addition to audio. I don't think the PS3Eye is restricted to video chat.

Yes, definitely. However, my wife has an extreme phobia of webcams catching her in some state of undress, so they're banned from the house.

 

[Childs]

The problem with the Eye is that if you dont place it correctly the feedback will drive everyone else crazy. You can always tell when someone is using an Eye, and they usually get muted.

 

[zerogear]

how does this headset compare to the Jawbone?

 

[zerocool84]

Originally posted by: zerogear
how does this headset compare to the Jawbone?

Well seeing as the Jawbone is double the price, it better be better than the Sony one.

 

[Jules]

I picked this up on Tuesday and im loving the headset. The only issue im having is if i adjust the mic volume it sounds the same no matter if its 1, 2 or 5. Not sure why.

 

[Muadib]

Originally posted by: zerocool84

Originally posted by: zerogear
how does this headset compare to the Jawbone?

Well seeing as the Jawbone is double the price, it better be better than the Sony one.

This isn't true. The 1st Jawbone is $60.

You can find the Jawbone 2 for $99.

 

[zerocool84]

Originally posted by: Muadib

Originally posted by: zerocool84

Originally posted by: zerogear
how does this headset compare to the Jawbone?

Well seeing as the Jawbone is double the price, it better be better than the Sony one.

This isn't true. The 1st Jawbone is $60.

You can find the Jawbone 2 for $99.

Well sorry, I should have specified the Jawbone 2 which is double the price.

 

[Muadib]

Originally posted by: zerocool84

Originally posted by: Muadib

Originally posted by: zerocool84

Originally posted by: zerogear
how does this headset compare to the Jawbone?

Well seeing as the Jawbone is double the price, it better be better than the Sony one.

This isn't true. The 1st Jawbone is $60.

You can find the Jawbone 2 for $99.

Well sorry, I should have specified the Jawbone 2 which is double the price.

If you don't mind ebay, you can get the Jawbone 2 for around $70.
I got mine for $65 back in July when at&t had them on sale. Even at that price, it killed me to buy it, but the gf thought it would be prudent to get one, so I could be hands free on vacation.

I haven't had much success using it wth the PS3, but the only game I've tried it with is Madden. When I go online, it shows that I have a headset, but in the 3 times I've played someone who also has a headset, it hasn't worked. I don't know if there is actually a problem, or if they just don't want to talk.