Playsonic 3 Headset Review

Wrapped in its solid blue cardboard, the Playsonic 3 headset from Prif, a new UK-based accessory maker, proudly announces that it’s compatible with PS4, PC, Vita, Mobile and the new Xbox One controller. It could simply say “anything with a 3.5mm jack socket” but that would in turn miss the audience that they’re clearly aiming for – the poor old Wii U misses out on a mention, despite it also being a perfectly well suited accessory for Nintendo’s humble home console.

Visually, first impressions are good, with the largely black headset accentuated by metallic red rings on the earpieces and soft, bright red padding beneath the headband. Both in the hand and after putting the headset on, it turned out to be very light despite its size, which bodes well for extended wear.

In fact, the dimensions of the Playsonic 3 are very similar to Sony’s own Pulse headsets, but without the weight of batteries and the electronics for wireless use. I was able to wear them for a number of hours without causing any discomfort at either the top of my head or to my ears, and their size leaves ample room for those with glasses.

The left earcup initially plays home to the adjustable boom mic, though this can be switched to the other side very easily, moved out of the way or removed entirely, if you prefer. You can then cover over the exposed connection socket with the supplied rubber covers, though our review unit only seemingly shipped with one, leaving a socket exposed when the mic was taken away completely.

I love headsets where you can completely remove the mic arm, as I don’t tend to use them on a regular basis. It’s worth pointing out that the mic arm is also fully adjustable itself, with it’s flexible metallic coil allowing you to put it in a variety of positions, whether you need the full Britney experience or something more avant-garde.

The in-line powered amplifier features a micro-USB charging socket, for which a cable is thankfully included, as well as a power button, volume wheel, and a switch to silence the microphone. There’s also a spring-loaded clip on the back so you can attach it to your clothes to prevent it from hanging loose, and given that there’s only 25cm between it and the headset, it feels like a necessary addition.

I initially connected the headset without powering the amplifier up, and the resulting sound was warm and bass-heavy, though higher frequencies cut through relatively well enough, if uninterestingly so. It was certainly acceptable though, and if your headset were to run out of power it means you can happily keep going without having to reach for the charger.

Turning the amp on however gives everything a clear boost, with punchier bass and increasingly crisp trebles making games and music much more engaging. However, I was left wanting a touch more up top, with the overall sound still leaning towards the bottom end and no option to push the higher frequencies beyond what’s available on your chosen devices.

Saying that, considering it’s at the cheaper end of the gaming headset spectrum, the performance is very good indeed and would be worthy of a headset that costs more than the Playsonic’s sub-£40 price point. Clearly, these aren’t a pair of headphones that are aimed at audiophiles, but they don’t require anywhere near the same investment.

Considering the light build and plastics, I do wonder about the strength of the unit’s connecting arms and its rotating joints, which do feel like they could have a problem with undue stress. I often fall asleep with headsets on, but I deliberately didn’t with the Playsonic 3 for fear of damaging them. However, for day-to-day use the lighter weight was definitely a boon, making longer play sessions easier, and a diligent owner should have no problems.

The Playsonic 3 is a comfortable, attractive and great-value headset, and for those who are looking to make their first foray into a gaming set-up they’re a fantastic option, offering performance far-exceeding my expectations.