Dell XPS 13 (2021): Main Discussion
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- 222120210
This is a planar magnetic headset and should be reviewed.
- 109890
Already some early unboxing vids on YT but they lack technical depth. Would love to see a frequency response chart. Sony bought Audeze in August ‘23 so I wonder if there are some acoustic similarities to Audeze products. Cheers
Edited 1 year ago: Reworded - 65450
I considered the previous Pulse headphone model, but ultimately decided not to get them. I used your review and compare tools to compare with the headphones I already used. The content around the new Pulse Elite leaves much to be desired in the technical aspects at the moment, and I will be holding off on making any new purchase decisions until the rtings team have worked your magic
- 76560
Test Pulse Elite please !
- 32120
You guys always just buy whatever headsets you think is going to be very popular. This is by far one of those. So please purchase it already before the 28 day cycle. Thank you and you guys do so much for the community!!!
- 98780
You guys always just buy whatever headsets you think is going to be very popular. This is by far one of those. So please purchase it already before the 28 day cycle. Thank you and you guys do so much for the community!!!
We anticipate buying it next week as we recognize it’s going to be a very popular product! :)
- 21010
We anticipate buying it next week as we recognize it’s going to be a very popular product! :)
Thank you guys! Besides the frequency response, I am most interested in the comparisons vs Blackshark V2 Pro 2023, Audeze Maxwell and Pulse 3D. Even vs the Sony wh-1000xm4 for sound and mic around the house and travelling. You guys rock!
- 32120
Already some early unboxing vids on YT but they lack technical depth. Would love to see a frequency response chart. Sony bought Audeze in August ‘23 so I wonder if there are some acoustic similarities to Audeze products. Cheers
Highly recommend this in the meantime - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=69CQ6mO6S7A
We’ve purchased the product and are waiting for it to arrive in our lab.
- 21010
Really excited and curious about your review. Sadly we‘ll wait 2-3weeks.
The product has arrived in our lab, and our testers will start evaluating it soon.
- 21010
Pre ordered in November. Using it since 22nd/feb. I really like it: light - comfort - great battery and overall great sound.
Edited 1 year ago: error - 43230
Can you test if they distort with loud sounds like loud explosions with a lot of bass. Also can you test the wireless connection within a congested area full of Wi-Fi signals please. Thank you.
- 43230
Once in the lab, what’s the approximate timeline before the review is available? Waiting on this before making a by decision.
- 43230
Once in the lab, what’s the approximate timeline before the review is available? Waiting on this before making a by decision.
In an ideal situation, we aim to schedule a product for testing within a week of delivery. We had a few other things going on, so this products didn’t meet that criteria. But we plan to start testing it on March 22nd assuming everything goes well!
- 32120
Really looking forward to this test. Particularly how they compare to their cheaper sibling the Pulse 3D (sound, comfort, mic, AI NC tech, PS5 integration, latency), but also against the other popular gaming headsets and Sony WH-1000XM5’s. A few unique tests required for this one with the whole Tempest 3D Audio and AI Mic NC.
Our testers have started testing this product; is there anything specific you’re looking to see? Let us know in this thread.
- 21010
It really needs to be compared to the Maxwell headset. In addition, I’m wondering how “tight” it is on the head compared to other headsphones.
- 21010
It really needs to be compared to the Maxwell headset. In addition, I’m wondering how “tight” it is on the head compared to other headsphones.
I’d agree would like to see a comparison to the Audeze Maxwells. Also, would love to see how the magnetic drivers stack up especially to high end headsets since this technology is considered “high end.” Thank you RTINGS!!!
- 43230
In some reviews, I learned that this product may have water droplet sounds or background noise. I’m curious to know if this is an issue with the product’s quality control or if it’s a signal interference problem (someone mentioned their PS5 near a router). Additionally, I’d like you to compare it with mid-range headphones like the Razer BlackShark V2 Hyperspeed.
- 32120
In some reviews, I learned that this product may have water droplet sounds or background noise. I’m curious to know if this is an issue with the product’s quality control or if it’s a signal interference problem (someone mentioned their PS5 near a router). Additionally, I’d like you to compare it with mid-range headphones like the Razer BlackShark V2 Hyperspeed.
I’m experiencing these issues as well. When the headphone is connected to the PS5 but no sound is playing, there is often a tinnitus-like whistling sound in the headphones. When the room temperature is high, there is also a water-dripping sound inside the headset. I took the headset I bought to a local Sony Store to have it tested, but the ambient noise in the store was too loud to hear the whistling. So the staff said they could not identify any problem with the headset and refused to provide me with a repair. The display sample in the store also had the same water-dripping sound, and the staff said it was probably a software issue with the PS5 and refused to offer me a repair as well. I suspect this may be a common problem with this headset which is due to the planar magnetic drivers these headsets use. But overall, these minor issues don’t affect normal use and the headset still sounds great!
Edited 1 year ago: forgot to delete some thing - 54340
In some reviews, I learned that this product may have water droplet sounds or background noise. I’m curious to know if this is an issue with the product’s quality control or if it’s a signal interference problem (someone mentioned their PS5 near a router). Additionally, I’d like you to compare it with mid-range headphones like the Razer BlackShark V2 Hyperspeed.
Hi, I’ve the elite since their debut and yes, I’m experiencing a little “interference” noise (not big but it’s there)when I have no sound coming from sources. Hope that it’s only a bug. However, the performances during the active use are not affected.
Edited 1 year ago: add something - 21010
BTW, I’m also curious about how this model compares to the Inzone series. After the Inzone H5 replaced the Inzone H7, RTINGS didn’t conduct another review of the Inzone H5. I’m wondering if I should opt for one of Sony’s headphones for mid-range gaming, or perhaps consider other options instead?
- 54340
Two points I’d be particularly interested to see covered with this headset if possible:
Frequency response consistency for users with glasses as the earpads are uniquely soft and unusually shaped
Frequency response & harmonic distortion performance when used via 3.5mm vs wireless
Thanks!
- 21010
If you’re able to determine or test bluetooth codec support, hoping to see LC3 support.
- 21010
BTW, I’m also curious about how this model compares to the Inzone series. After the Inzone H5 replaced the Inzone H7, RTINGS didn’t conduct another review of the Inzone H5. I’m wondering if I should opt for one of Sony’s headphones for mid-range gaming, or perhaps consider other options instead?
I can already tell you these are significantly better than the Inzone line of headphones, especially if you use them wired. I tried a couple of the Inzone line of headphones, H7 and H3 and I’m not sure who would choose those over any other kind of headphones available out there with far better performance at better or similar price points.
The Inzone line of products has been a big wet fart as far as I’m concerned.
- 32120
In some reviews, I learned that this product may have water droplet sounds or background noise. I’m curious to know if this is an issue with the product’s quality control or if it’s a signal interference problem (someone mentioned their PS5 near a router). Additionally, I’d like you to compare it with mid-range headphones like the Razer BlackShark V2 Hyperspeed.
The water droplet sounds are apparently normal, considering that the planar magnetic drivers are by Audeze. My Audeze Maxwell does the same. Audeze themselves say it’s normal: https://www.audeze.com/pages/audeze-faqs
I still believe that it’s an issue with these certain Audeze drivers though, since I never had the problem with Hifiman etc. but oh well.
Early access to our full test results is now available for Insiders! Become an insider to check it out here.
- 21010
These early test results with the treble, imaging and sound stage are pretty much what I expected with them when I tried them out at launch.
Interested to see what the full review text says about everything as a whole.
Thanks for the hard work and accuracy you guys always provide!
- 10-12-2
These early test results with the treble, imaging and sound stage are pretty much what I expected with them when I tried them out at launch.
Interested to see what the full review text says about everything as a whole. Thanks for the hard work and accuracy you guys always provide!Can you tell me in advance what the result is? Does rtings have a high rating on the sound quality of this headset? Thank you very much
- 4324-1
Can you tell me in advance what the result is? Does rtings have a high rating on the sound quality of this headset? Thank you very much
I’d like to, but I gotta respect the Rtings team and support them with the Insider program and not leak early access reviews. They work hard and I like to pay them for their work!
- 32120
When review will be available?
- +[-2] hidden content
- 43230
Wow. I was not expecting those results. Evidence of how much work goes into making one of these. Has Sony implemented that ear mapping tech yet? If so, did you test that?
- 32120
Any update as to when the full review will be ready? Waiting in anticipation.
- +[-5] hidden content
- 4325-2
Wow. I was not expecting those results. Evidence of how much work goes into making one of these. Has Sony implemented that ear mapping tech yet? If so, did you test that?
Hi andre_ss6!
That’s a great question! These headphones support Tempest 3D AudioTech, which is a virtual soundstage feature, but it doesn’t currently offer ear mapping. At the moment, we currently report its features, but we don’t currently have a formal way to measure its impact on sound quality.
That said, this product comes from Sony Interactive Entertainment while the rest of Sony’s non-gaming lineup is produced by the Sony Corporation. Casual-use headphones like the Sony WH-1000XM5 have ear mapping through 360 Reality Audio, but this feature isn’t available to Sony Interactive Entertainment products.
I’m curious if you meant a different ear mapping technology though. If that’s the case, please let us know.
- 12111012-1
So are you guys purposely delaying releasing this particular review out of early access because it’s driving extra traffic to the site? I’ve never seen any other review take this long to be released. And I just realized that I’ve been checking in every day a couple times a day for this review, and I assume that I’m not the only one, so that made me consider the possibility that it’s being delayed purposely. It’s just really strange that this review is taking much longer than is typical to be released to the general public.
EDIT: Or perhaps it’s driving more people into the insider program.
Edited 1 year ago: Edit - 7657-1
So are you guys purposely delaying releasing this particular review out of early access because it’s driving extra traffic to the site? I’ve never seen any other review take this long to be released. And I just realized that I’ve been checking in every day a couple times a day for this review, and I assume that I’m not the only one, so that made me consider the possibility that it’s being delayed purposely. It’s just really strange that this review is taking much longer than is typical to be released to the general public. EDIT: Or perhaps it’s driving more people into the insider program.
They’re clearly holding it trying to get insider subs, really gross. It’s been a week since they said end of the day/early next week.
- 4325-2
They’re clearly holding it trying to get insider subs, really gross. It’s been a week since they said end of the day/early next week.
Yeah, definitely really gross. The idea that they are just finalizing the review or editing the text is completely laughable at this point because of how long it’s been. They might as well just come right out and own it, be like… “yeah, we’re milking this particular one because it’s driving both traffic to our site and more people to our insider program”. Basically, it’s been dragged out so long that there’s no reason for them to try to deny it, because that’ll just make them look even grosser. Most likely they’ll just ignore our comments.
- 2102-1
My previous comment was clicked -1, but in fact I didn’t ask for detailed parameters. I just wanted to know if rtings had a positive comment on the headset. Of course, rtings also knows that the review of headphones is free, so they deliberately extend the public time.
- 4324-1
My previous comment was clicked -1, but in fact I didn’t ask for detailed parameters. I just wanted to know if rtings had a positive comment on the headset. Of course, rtings also knows that the review of headphones is free, so they deliberately extend the public time.
Yeah, I agreed that it’s gross of them to be doing this because they have already set a long time precedent for how long a review takes to go from insiders early access to the general public, which is 7-8 days, but with this highly anticipated review we’re almost at a full two weeks, 14 days tomorrow. Plus on top of that the Rtings employees misleading people about both when it’s going to be released and why it’s being delayed. Not a good look!
- 2105-4
So are you guys purposely delaying releasing this particular review out of early access because it’s driving extra traffic to the site? I’ve never seen any other review take this long to be released. And I just realized that I’ve been checking in every day a couple times a day for this review, and I assume that I’m not the only one, so that made me consider the possibility that it’s being delayed purposely. It’s just really strange that this review is taking much longer than is typical to be released to the general public. EDIT: Or perhaps it’s driving more people into the insider program.
Alright, I see what you guys are saying, but I think it’s fair to say that we should reserve judgment until we’ve seen the actual review. Wherever there’s a simpler possible explanation than conspiracy it’s usually best to simply wait for more information.
For example, it’s entirely possible that testing revealed an unusual result that is difficult to explain. It may have required more testing previously, and it would likely necessitate a disproportionate amount of work writing and editing the text portion of that section relative to a conventional result. Say they don’t have the luxury of writing multiple-page long explanations for technical phenomena as can be done in a standard review format; in this case, anybody who has ever edited written work should understand that condensing something complex into so few words can require a lot of work to publish.
That’s just one example, there are plenty more. Comments from insiders seem to have hinted at something unusual in the results, what if RTINGS reached out to Sony for comment, and didn’t receive a response until right before they were planning to publish?
The Audeze Maxwell review was in early access for a comparable amount of time - that was a review with strange test results, but it was the written explanation of the results that triggered a press release from the manufacturer attacking RTINGS’ credibility.
Given that experience and the huge interest in the review of this headset, I imagine they’d want to go through multiple passes of editing/approval if they felt that they were writing anything controversial.
Don’t get me wrong - if it turns out to have been business-as-usual with no indication of another cause for this long interval, I’d definitely raise an eyebrow at that. I’ve been checking in quite often myself, but I’m not going to allow impatience to rob me of my faculties and start jumping to conclusions of exploitation.
Let’s try to be better than the typical uncharitable internet comment section for now.
Edited 1 year ago: Typo - 21010
So are you guys purposely delaying releasing this particular review out of early access because it’s driving extra traffic to the site? I’ve never seen any other review take this long to be released. And I just realized that I’ve been checking in every day a couple times a day for this review, and I assume that I’m not the only one, so that made me consider the possibility that it’s being delayed purposely. It’s just really strange that this review is taking much longer than is typical to be released to the general public. EDIT: Or perhaps it’s driving more people into the insider program.
I check every couple of days and nothing
- 109890
Hi everyone,
I just wanted to give you all an update on this review. We’re basically done the review process now and will be posting the review later today. However, it’s not our intention to unnecessarily delay it or to create false expectations of when the review will be released. We’re sorry that this is taking a long time and we understand that you’re all eager to see the results. At the same time, when we release a review, we want to make sure it’s of as high of quality as possible, even if that means delaying publication.
The following is what’s been holding up the review; this isn’t to make excuses for not being transparent in our process but to give a bigger picture of what’s goes on during the review process. During testing, we encountered a lot of issues, which caused us to take more time to ensure the quality of our results. When we released the product into early access, it was Easter, so our team was on vacation. Following this, we released a new test bench last week, which further slowed us down. TB 1.7 required us to add new tests, retake measurements, and write new text to ensure that everything is aligned with our new results. Additionally, we had a company meeting, which caused us to delay the review by half a day.
We really thank all of you for giving your feedback and wanting to read our results. We’re sorry that things weren’t very transparent, but we hope to have the review out so that you’re able to check out our results. If you have any further questions or comments, don’t hesitate to leave them here. I’ll do my best to respond to all of you.