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Partly. PULSE Explore earbuds can play audio from your phone over Bluetooth while connected to one PlayStation Link source, either a PS5 or a PC. They cannot play PS5 and PC audio together, because only one PlayStation Link connection can be active for listening at a time.
You can pair the earbuds with both a PS5 adapter and a PC adapter, then switch between those two destinations. Pairing both does not create a three-device audio mix.
What can play simultaneously?
PULSE Explore uses two different wireless systems. Your phone connects through ordinary Bluetooth, while a PS5 or compatible computer connects through PlayStation Link using a USB adapter. The earbuds support one active source from each system: one Bluetooth audio device and one PlayStation Link device.
| Device | Connection method | Can it play while another source is active? |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | Bluetooth | Yes, alongside one active PlayStation Link source |
| PS5 | PlayStation Link USB adapter | Yes, alongside Bluetooth; not alongside another PlayStation Link source |
| Windows PC or Mac | PlayStation Link USB adapter | Yes, alongside Bluetooth; not alongside another PlayStation Link source |
That means the supported three-device arrangement is a phone plus either the PS5 or the PC. For example, you can play game audio from the PS5 and hear music or a call from your phone. You can also use the phone while playing from the PC. You cannot hear PS5 and PC audio at the same time through the earbuds.
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- Box Contents: PULSE Explore wireless earbuds, PlayStation Link USB adapter, Charging case, 6 Earbud tips, USB cable, Printed Materials
- Next Generation Gaming Audio - Experience extraordinary lifelike sound in yur favorite games.
- Multi-Device Connectivity - Go where adventure takes you with the ability to wirelessly connect to a range of devices.
- Command and Control - Lead your squad to victory with crystal-clear voice capture and easy-access controls.
- Built for Adventure - Enjoy lifelike sound wherever you go with a portable design and charging case.
Sony says simultaneous Bluetooth audio does not affect the latency of PS Link audio. The phone remains a separate Bluetooth source rather than being mixed into the console or computer’s PlayStation Link stream.
How each connection is established
Phone: Bluetooth pairing
- Open the phone’s Bluetooth settings.
- Put the PULSE Explore earbuds into pairing mode according to the earbud controls.
- Select PULSE Explore in the list of available Bluetooth devices.
- Complete pairing and start playback from the phone.
After Bluetooth pairing, the earbuds also look for previously paired PlayStation Link adapters that are powered and ready. Bluetooth pairing does not replace the PlayStation Link pairing; the two connection types are managed separately.
PS5: the included PlayStation Link adapter
- Insert the included PlayStation Link USB adapter into the PS5.
- Turn on the console and make sure the adapter is detected.
- The adapter supplied with new PULSE Explore earbuds is already paired with them.
- Connect the earbuds to that adapter, then select the appropriate audio output on the PS5 if the console does not switch automatically.
The adapter is the wireless bridge between the console and the earbuds. Bluetooth on the PS5 is not the connection method described for this setup.
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Windows PC or Mac: a USB audio adapter
- Insert a PlayStation Link USB adapter into a compatible USB port on the computer.
- Power on the computer and the earbuds.
- Use the computer’s sound settings to select the PlayStation Link adapter as the active output if audio does not switch automatically.
- Start playback and confirm that the earbuds are connected to the computer’s adapter.
Sony states that the included adapter is pre-paired. A PC or Mac still needs to meet the adapter and system compatibility requirements, and some systems require you to choose the adapter manually as the output device.
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- Box Contents: PULSE Explore wireless earbuds, PlayStation Link USB adapter, Charging case, 6 Earbud tips, USB cable, Printed Materials
- Next Generation Gaming Audio - Experience extraordinary lifelike sound in yur favorite games.
- Multi-Device Connectivity - Go where adventure takes you with the ability to wirelessly connect to a range of devices.
- Command and Control - Lead your squad to victory with crystal-clear voice capture and easy-access controls.
- Built for Adventure - Enjoy lifelike sound wherever you go with a portable design and charging case.
Can you connect to a phone and PS5 at the same time?
Yes. This is the main simultaneous-use case supported by PULSE Explore. Connect the phone through Bluetooth and the PS5 through PlayStation Link. Game audio comes from the PS5 while phone audio can play at the same time.
When both systems are in use, the earbuds’ volume button controls the PlayStation Link audio level. Adjust Bluetooth audio with the phone’s own volume controls. These are separate volume paths, so changing the earbud volume does not necessarily change the phone’s Bluetooth volume.
The two streams are not equivalent to a software mixer with independent balance controls. If you need the phone quieter while keeping game audio prominent, set the phone’s volume lower on the phone and adjust the PS5 level with the earbud controls or console settings.
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Only in a limited sense. The phone may remain connected over Bluetooth while one PlayStation Link destination is active. The active destination can be the PC or the PS5, but not both.
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- ALL DAY COMFORT: Light and compact to give you all-day comfort and designed for the ideal fit, for an exceptional all-round listening experience.
- LONG BATTERY LIFE & QUICK CHARGING: Up to 11 hours of battery life (up to 22hrs with case) with quick charging (5 min charge for up to 1 hour of playback).
- MULTIPOINT CONNECTION: Quickly switch between two devices at once.
- STAY CONNECTED: Ambient Sound Mode keeps you aware of your surroundings.
- EASY HANDS- FREE CALLING: A built-in microphone provides you with hands-free calling. No need to even take your phone from your pocket.
For instance, these arrangements work:
- Phone Bluetooth + PS5 PlayStation Link.
- Phone Bluetooth + PC PlayStation Link.
- Phone Bluetooth connected while you switch the active PlayStation Link destination from PS5 to PC.
This arrangement does not work:
- PS5 PlayStation Link audio and PC PlayStation Link audio playing through the earbuds simultaneously.
Both adapters can be paired with the earbuds, but pairing records destinations; it does not create another active radio stream.
How to switch between PS5 and PC
Switching is useful when the PS5 and PC are in different locations or both are part of your regular setup. The destination you want to use must be powered on, and its PlayStation Link adapter must be inserted.
- Stop or pause audio on the current PlayStation Link source if necessary.
- Power on the PS5 or PC you want to use and insert its paired adapter.
- On the earbuds, hold the PS Link button for about two seconds.
- Use the destination adapter’s PS Link button, or follow the on-screen prompt on the PS5, to complete the connection.
- On Windows, you can also use the Disconnect option in the PS Link PC Driver quick menu before connecting to the other adapter.
- Start playback on the newly selected device.
If the intended destination is switched off, the earbuds return to the last device that was connected. Turn on the correct console or computer before attempting the switch so the target adapter is available.
One adapter or two?
You can move the included adapter between the PS5 and PC, or keep an adapter in each device and pair both with the earbuds. The choice changes convenience, not the number of simultaneous sources.
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- SECURE AND COMFORTABLE FIT: Experience feather-light comfort and a secure, ergonomic fit designed for all-day wear. Customizable Pair with the Air Fitting Cushions to ensure the earbuds stay comfortably in place, so you can enjoy your music and calls without distraction.
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- LONG BATTERY LIFE WITH QUICK CHARGING: Keep your music and calls going all day with up to 37 hours of battery life (up to 9 hours with the earbuds and up to 28 hours with the charging case). A quick 3-minute charge gives you up to an extra hour of listening, so you’re always ready for what’s next.
| Setup | How it works | Advantage | Limitation |
|---|---|---|---|
| One adapter | Unplug the adapter from one device and insert it into the other before switching | No additional adapter required | Physical unplugging and replugging is required |
| Two adapters | Leave one adapter in the PS5 and another in the PC, then switch destinations on the earbuds | Faster changes and no cable swapping | Requires a second PlayStation Link USB adapter; PS5 and PC are still mutually exclusive audio sources |
Sony describes a second adapter as a convenience option. It avoids moving the included adapter but does not add a second simultaneous PlayStation Link stream and does not turn the earbuds into a three-source mixer.
Pairing capacity and what the numbers mean
Sony’s support information lists up to eight paired PlayStation Link USB adapters and up to ten paired Bluetooth devices. Those figures describe remembered pairings, not simultaneous playback.
- Up to eight PlayStation Link USB adapters can be paired with the earbuds.
- Up to ten Bluetooth devices can be paired.
- Only one PlayStation Link source can be active for listening at a time.
- Only one Bluetooth device can be connected and playing audio at a time.
You could therefore remember several adapters and phones, but the active combination remains one Bluetooth audio device plus one PlayStation Link source.
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Separate volume controls
With Bluetooth and PlayStation Link active together, the earbud volume control adjusts the PS Link stream. Change the phone’s Bluetooth level from the phone itself. If phone audio appears too loud or too quiet, adjust that device rather than repeatedly changing the earbud buttons.
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- Note : If the size of the earbud tips does not match the size of your ear canals or the headset is not worn properly in your ears, you may not obtain the correct sound qualities or call performance. Change the earbud tips to ones that fit more snugly in your ear
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PlayStation Link latency
Sony states that the latency of PS Link audio is not affected by simultaneous connection with Bluetooth audio. In practical terms, connecting a phone does not add the Bluetooth phone’s delay to the PS5 or PC PlayStation Link path. The phone stream itself still has the behavior expected of Bluetooth audio.
Calls and notifications
A phone connected over Bluetooth can provide music, calls or notification audio while the active game or computer audio remains on PlayStation Link. The exact way a phone handles an incoming call, media pause or notification depends on the phone’s operating system and its Bluetooth settings. If the phone takes exclusive control of Bluetooth audio during a call, that is a phone behavior rather than a second PlayStation Link connection.
Troubleshooting connection and switching problems
The phone connects, but PS5 audio does not
- Check that the PlayStation Link USB adapter is inserted into the PS5 and the console is on.
- Confirm that the earbuds are not still connected to the PC’s adapter.
- Use the PS Link button procedure to select the PS5 adapter.
- Check the PS5 audio-output setting if the console has not selected the adapter automatically.
The PC is connected but produces no sound
- Verify that the adapter is inserted into a compatible USB port.
- Open the computer’s sound settings and select the PlayStation Link adapter as the output device.
- Make sure the earbuds are connected to the PC adapter rather than the PS5 adapter.
- On Windows, open the PS Link PC Driver and use its quick-menu connection controls if another adapter is holding the active connection.
The earbuds keep returning to the wrong device
The earbuds return to the last connected device when the intended destination is unavailable. Turn on the target PS5 or PC, insert its adapter, then initiate the switch. Leaving the other device off can also make the desired destination easier to select.
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That is expected behavior. Pairing both adapters enables switching only. There is no supported mode for mixing PS5 and PC PlayStation Link audio into one simultaneous stream.
Bluetooth audio is missing after changing PlayStation Link sources
Check the phone’s Bluetooth status and confirm that PULSE Explore remains the selected audio output. If needed, reconnect the phone from its Bluetooth settings after the PlayStation Link switch. Only one Bluetooth device can play at once, even though several may be remembered.
Compatibility cautions
Sony warns that not every device is compatible. For a computer, follow the PlayStation Link adapter’s Windows or Mac compatibility requirements and use a supported USB connection. A successful Bluetooth pairing with a phone does not guarantee that every computer configuration will work with the PlayStation Link adapter.
Support instructions and firmware behavior can change. The connection model described here reflects Sony’s published support and product information available in October 2026; check the current device support page if your operating system, console software or adapter behaves differently.
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