Sony Delays PlayStation Pulse Elevate Speakers Indefinitely Over Production Issue
Sony has pulled the Pulse Elevate wireless speakers from their November 12 launch after quality testing found a production issue, with no new release date given.
Sony has postponed the launch of its Pulse Elevate wireless speakers indefinitely, less than a week before they were due to go on sale. The company added a November 6 update to its original PlayStation Blog announcement, saying quality testing had uncovered a problem. Eurogamer reports the news was first spotted by IGN.
What Sony said
According to the PlayStation Blog update, Sony identified "a production issue with the product" during ongoing quality testing and decided to delay the launch. The company says the extra time will let it make sure the product delivers the experience it intended.
Sony apologized for the delay, thanked customers for their patience and said it looks forward to bringing Pulse Elevate to players "soon". It did not say what the production issue is, how long the fix might take or when a new date will be announced.
What happens to pre-orders?
Sony's earlier announcement said pre-orders would open on September 1 at 10am local time (10am ET in the U.S.). Eurogamer says it is unclear what happens to orders already placed, and that it will update its story when it learns more. The blog update does not address pre-orders.
About the Pulse Elevate speakers
Pulse Elevate is the first wireless speaker set made by Sony Interactive Entertainment for desktop gaming. It joins the Pulse Elite headset and Pulse Explore earbuds in the PlayStation audio lineup.
Sony's announcement lists these features:
- Planar magnetic drivers in each speaker, plus built-in woofers for bass.
- PlayStation Link connection for low-latency audio with PS5, PC, Mac and PlayStation Portal.
- Simultaneous Bluetooth, so a phone can play music or voice chat while the game audio comes through PlayStation Link.
- A microphone in the right speaker with "AI-enhanced noise rejection".
- A rechargeable battery for portable use, plus charging docks and a PlayStation Link USB adapter that works with USB-C ports.
The recommended price was $219.99, €219.99 or £199.99. Midnight Black was due to be sold globally through direct.playstation.com and participating retailers. The White version was limited to the U.S., U.K. and a list of European countries.
What it means for you
If you pre-ordered Pulse Elevate, the speakers will not arrive on November 12, and Sony has not yet said what will happen to your order. Check your retailer's order page or emails for updates. If you were waiting to buy, there is no date to plan around, so for now the speakers are simply not available.
Also read PlayStation Plus PC App Shuts Down December 10 as Under 0.4% of Eligible Members Use It
Quick answers
When will Pulse Elevate now be released?
Sony has not given a new date. It only says it hopes to bring the speakers to players "soon".
Why was Pulse Elevate delayed?
Sony says quality testing found a "production issue". It has not explained what the issue is.
Is the Pulse Elevate price changing?
The sources do not say. The last stated recommended price was $219.99, €219.99 or £199.99, and Sony's update does not mention any change.
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