PS3 headset priced at $50 for North America

by Alexander Sliwinski { Sep 3rd 2008 at 7:00PM }

The PlayStation Blog has listed some details for North America about the new PS3 headset available this fall. The peripheral will be available in the $60 SOCOM: Confrontation bundle, or as a standalone peripheral for $50, similar to the price in Japan. Some features of the headset include:

"High-Quality" mode with use on PS3, offering noise cancellation and a better chat quality on the console.
The quality of the headset will allegedly allow for more accurate commands of AI-controlled squad mates in Confrontation. There will also be "voice animation" where the player's avatar will "mimic" them during voice chat.
There will be an in-game status indicator exclusive to the headset. It will display connection status, battery charge, speaker volume and mute status.
Cradling the set back on the dock will turn it into a "desktop microphone" while charging.

So, what say the headset purchasing vox populi? Is SOCOM worth spending an extra $10 for your fancy new Bluetooth PS3 headset?

Gallery: Official PS3 Bluetooth Headset

Tags: bluetooth, bluetooth-headset, ps3-headset, socom-confrontation

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)

Ranelar @ Sep 3rd 2008 7:06PM

If I didn't get the Warhawk bundle, I'd be all over this. Instead I just feel left out of the in-game-status-indicator-goodness :(

SimbaDogg @ Sep 3rd 2008 8:59PM

i'm with you...kinda, i got the warhawk bundle, and i dont really like the headset. I'd like to have one that has the mute button, and allow me to see the charge level on screen. I hate not knowing how much juice my headset has.

phinn @ Sep 3rd 2008 9:27PM

I got the $30 Warhawk versoin and glad I did, this looks perfect (even for my cellphone!). Who's gonna bother getting it for $50 though when it comes budled with SOCOM for $60! Wewt SOCOM here I come!

Tom18230 @ Sep 3rd 2008 7:07PM

If I had a PS3, I would buy this.

Bloo @ Sep 3rd 2008 7:25PM

I have a PS3. I'll pass.

philmcphail @ Sep 3rd 2008 7:07PM

TODAY KEEPS GETTING BETTER AND BETTER!

Ayrkain @ Sep 3rd 2008 7:08PM

You could buy the bundle and trade the game, hell, maybe even get the headset cheaper that way.

Jonah Falcon @ Sep 3rd 2008 7:10PM

$50 for a chatpad

$50 for a headset

$100 for something that is $45 combined on the 360.

Good job, Sony.

Jakka(Naked Peach Brigade) @ Sep 3rd 2008 7:15PM

Yeah.Something tells me that a PC Headset support would be far more useful than K/M will ever be.

philmcphail @ Sep 3rd 2008 7:17PM

Really? Last I checked (which was 10 seconds ago) the 360's WIRELESS Headset was $49.99.
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_gw/104-7718360-2902315?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=360+headset&x=0&y=0

Faar @ Sep 3rd 2008 7:17PM

You're not forced to buy this stuff you know...

Then again, MS at least used to charge 90+ bucks for the wifi dongle (not to mention the price for the 120GB HDD plastic tub), and live costs another 50 per year, so it's not as if you can't burn money with other consoles than sony-made ones as well.

Lucky me I got one of the early PS3s with 4 USB ports. Man, I wouldn't want to do with only 2... Mine better never go die on me, that'd suck.

Aex @ Sep 3rd 2008 7:19PM

@Jonah Falcon

You are opening a nasty can of worms with those kinds of idiotic comments... It is ridiculously obvious what is coming... XBL Gold subscription... WiFi adapter... HDD...

/sigh

@Jakka

I don't understand what you are trying to say...

Jakka(Naked Peach Brigade) @ Sep 3rd 2008 7:24PM

Few people talk on PSN because headsets are both rare(as in nowhere near as common as on 360) and expensive.PS3 would benefit a lot more from supporting generic headsets(Everybody has one!) then it currently does from supporting Mouse & Keyboard(It's only for hardcores!).

Hyams @ Sep 3rd 2008 7:29PM

The PS3 *does* support generic USB headsets. I know, I have one.

Aex @ Sep 3rd 2008 7:36PM

@Jakka

The PS3 DOES support generic USB headsets (UAC Device), It also supports generic USB cameras (UVC Device).

:p

Jakka(Naked Peach Brigade) @ Sep 3rd 2008 7:54PM

Didn't know that.Either way, I was thinking about them Pink Voice Input ones...

sirpilf @ Sep 3rd 2008 8:00PM

$100 for a bluetooth keypad, and a bluetooth headset. 360's keypad only works with a 360 controller, not bluetooth, has a wired CRAPPY headset.. and the nice headset is $50 just like ps3's, but once again, not bluetooth. so in reality, you pay more for ps3's stuff, but atleast they are BETTER.

plus, 360 owners are probably beter off buying their cheaper, crappier peripherals.. they gotta save money so they can afford a $100 wifi adaptor, $60 a month every year for online... heck MS even charges for WALLPAPERS!!

i hope they change that, I know I was dumb enough to buy a few wallpapers with my left over points (funny thing is the one i ended up using was the cabelas africa one hah) but now that sony is offering free themes and wallpapers every week, id hope MS followed.

Al2x @ Sep 3rd 2008 8:01PM

@Jakka:

More people who have a PS3 would have a USB headset, since I'd say around %60 of PS3 owners have/do own a PS2. And most people with a PS2 used to play some online games that would require the cheap PS2 USB Headset.

There's more of a chance that someone that owns a USB headset (because of older consoles) that owns a PS3 rather than those that own the 3.5mm headsets (because those are used for PC gaming).

Aex @ Sep 3rd 2008 8:04PM

I'd like Sony to create a wired headset you can plug into the top of your PS3 controller, similar to the Xbox 360 Headsets...

I think that would be an excellent Idea, and if they could do it cheaply, I'd love for them to send those to people, or package them in with the system/games

SoCoolCurt (PSN: KillaKornbread) @ Sep 3rd 2008 8:17PM

yea what are you guys talking about? you dont have to buy this stuff. you can easily use that USB (or Bluetooth) headset and keyboard you already have laying around. you just wont get all the extra noise canceling, and incorporated status indicators.

sure this stuff is expensive but they are just high options. there are plenty of less expensive solutions.

philmcphail @ Sep 3rd 2008 8:24PM

Wait what? Falcon are you saying that the 360 Wireless Head Set(50.00) plus the chat pad(30.00) equals $45 dollars combined? I know the PS3 Wireless Headset ($50.00) the the chat pad is ($50.00). I know you save 30 bucks but...What? WTF!?! Am I in BIZZARO WORLD AGAIN?!!??!

Sheppy (of the Fidlious Clan of Wong) @ Sep 3rd 2008 8:30PM

Yeah, hate to say you're misinformed, Jakka, but yeah... you're misinformed. ANY USB headset works with PS3 so long as it adheres to PC standards. Likewise, all headsets from PS2 work as I frequently use my Karaoke Revolution headset. Hell, that cheapo headset giving out with UT 2004 on PC? That works too. More than likely, if you have a bluetooth headset for your cellphone, that works as well.

PS3 is an open platform... it's nice.

philmcphail @ Sep 3rd 2008 8:38PM

Wait I got now, Falcon are you comparing the price of a standard wired (connect into controller) 360 head set ($15 bucks) to the PS3's WIRELESS headset ($50.00)?

So ($15) 360's wired headset + ($30) 360's chatpad = ($45) Okay I see! :p I thought I was insane a second ago!

WhoMe @ Sep 3rd 2008 8:42PM

Are you sure you want to do this? Ok.

360: Wifi dongle
PS3: built in

360: proprietary HDD
PS3: standard 2.5" HDD

360: proprietary memory cards
PS3: USB stick/flash card/external HDD

360: proprietary power cable
PS3: standard power cable

360: proprietary controller charging cradle
PS3: standard USB cable

360: proprietary keyboard
PS3: USB keyboard/BT keyboard/sony's keyboard

360: proprietary mic
PS3: USB mic/BT mic

360: pay to play online, with ads
PS3: free online play, zero ads

I'm sure I missed a few.

Anyway, the 360 does a lot of things right, but accessories and shit ain't one of them. 100 bucks for WiFi? For a new HDD? Get real man.

Gman @ Sep 3rd 2008 8:48PM

Still, its not like the 360 comes with wi-fi, blu-ray, a browser, etc. And, Sony never said you need to use this or the chatpad. Remember ANY headset and ANY USB keyboard works perfectly fine. Try that on a 360.

philmcphail @ Sep 3rd 2008 9:10PM

@ Gman @ Whome @ Aex @AL2x

I think you guys are missing the point, hes comparing the WIRED 360 headset ($15) to the PS3's WIRELESS HEADSET ($50)! Big Difference. So hes doing like
360:
$15 wired headset + $30 chatpad = $45 total.
PS3:
$50 wireless set + $30 chatpad = $100 total.

The 360's WIRELESS headset was actually $50 which for some reason Falcons not comparing.

phinn @ Sep 3rd 2008 9:29PM

$180 for hard drive, $100 for WiFi, $50 a year to play games online. $330 combined for something that's FREE for PS3. X3650 = fail.

Saria the Cat @ Sep 4th 2008 2:19AM

@WhoMe:

360: Large, diverse, quality game library
PS3: Coming soon...

Okay, I know I'm being a stupid fangirl, but I couldn't help it... :P

horngreen @ Sep 3rd 2008 7:13PM

So SOCOM is a $10 game? Should be good!

j.howlett @ Sep 3rd 2008 10:12PM

if it's anything like it's predecessors, which still have very dedicated active communities, it will be great.

WRE @ Sep 3rd 2008 11:56PM

No, you fool! Joystiq posters HATE $10 games, just ask Wii Play.

Aex @ Sep 3rd 2008 7:13PM

If I can ONLY use it for the PS3... I'll probably pass, unless for some reason SOCOM PS3 amazes me...

Then I'll just pay the extra $10.

Ranelar @ Sep 3rd 2008 7:21PM

Aex, it's not only for the PS3, it's standard bluetooth technology, so it'll work for any other purpose.

Aex @ Sep 3rd 2008 7:16PM

Hah, Looks like it is Bluetooth Headset and works fine with other Bluetooth enabled items (phones, pcs, etc.. etc..)

Draco @ Sep 3rd 2008 7:18PM

You can use it on most cell-phones... I'm not sure what else.

Titanium_Orchid @ Sep 3rd 2008 7:19PM

Noise cancellation! Uh-oh, I might have to cut Far-Cry from my to-buy list and replace with this headset.

Vcize @ Sep 3rd 2008 7:26PM

Well, that should assure that there continues to be an utter lack of communication and teamwork on PSN.

Why oh why can't they just release an official Sony headset for sub $20 to get it out there to more people?

Hyams @ Sep 3rd 2008 7:31PM

There's plenty of teamwork on Warhawk, even without voice chat. People have figured out ways to work together without talking. (eg. Shooting at a friendly jeep to tell them to stop so you can use the mounted machine gun.)

Wah-hah-ha! @ Sep 3rd 2008 7:36PM

I gotta side with Vcize, at least in the respect of games that require teamwork

While, like Hyams said, people will always make adjustments to the shortcomings of the software, they shouldn't have to

Its another issue for competitive individual multiplayer. All chat does there is encourage trash talk

Sheppy (of the Fidlious Clan of Wong) @ Sep 3rd 2008 8:34PM

In most teamwork based games on 360 that I played online, there wasn't chat pertinant to the game but how "fucking high they were" or "dude, that guy sounds gay."

Really depends on your preference. Do you like chatting with fucking idiots 90% of the time? Or do you prefer those who have headsets actually have something to say?

j.howlett @ Sep 3rd 2008 10:17PM

i got a couple sub $20 headsets online laying around for phones. we got mostly because of cell phone driving laws but only need one at a time

Aex @ Sep 3rd 2008 7:45PM

FIRST!

... To downrank [-]

Lionbacker @ Sep 3rd 2008 7:47PM

No.

Lionbacker @ Sep 3rd 2008 7:51PM

Ooh, looks like you beat me to the punch, aex. Well played sir, well played.

JJ Rooster @ Sep 3rd 2008 7:55PM

I see that's your first and only post and I don't expect you to be back, but I SAY BAN HIM ANYWAY!

LAZoftheTamarinds @ Sep 3rd 2008 7:56PM

Screw getting that separately! I'm getting myself the Socom Confrontation with the headset pack.

Lee @ Sep 3rd 2008 8:27PM

That's definitely worth it, the feature of becoming a directional microphone whilst charging sounds most appealing, depending on how good it is. With the 8-10 hour battery life I don't charge my 360 one after every use, and if I forget and it runs out of batteries I can't use it whilst charging.

Sony want to keep with the aesthetic of having higher quality first party stuff, so there's nothing wrong with bringing out one at this price especially considering how universal the PS3 is with headsets.

My current PS3 headset is a £15 Sony Ericsson bluetooth one that I also use with my phone, whilst my current 360 headset is the £35 one is the £35 official wireless one. Cheap alternatives ARE out there, I can get a USB one for £5, it's the lack of headsets out of the box that stop people talking.