Can you use the Beats Solo3 as a PS4 microphone?
Can you use the Beats Solo3 as a PS4 microphone?
Best answer: The short answer is no. Beats Solo3's are not meant to work with the PS4 as a headset. I'd recommend you get the PlayStation Gold Wireless Headset instead.Amazon: PlayStation Gold Wireless Headset ($80)
Why the Beats Solo3 don't work on PS4
The short answer is the Beats Solo3's are a non-supported device on PS4. PlayStation makes official headsets for the PS4 that obviously work perfectly well, and there are some licensed third-party manufacturer's out there as well; however, Beats is not one of them.
There are a few dongles out there that claim to let you use any Bluetooth headset with your PS4, but these dongles are not licensed to work with the PS4, so trusting them to be reliable is risky.
I saw a YouTube video that said Beats Solo3's worked on PS4
If you do a quick Google search, you may see that some people claim to have Beats Solo3's to work as a headset for the PS4. However, it's very unclear whether or not it may work for you specifically.
Supposedly, the older DualShock 4 controllers would allow the Beats Solo3's to work just fine for both audio and microphone, but the newer DualShock 4 controller does not. On top of that, you have a lot of folks claiming newest update to the PS4 caused their Beats Solo3 to stop working even with the older controller. Remember, these are all just claims from consumers and nothing official.
If you already own a pair of Beats Solo3's you can certainly try to make them work with your PS4 — a quick search on Google or Youtube will show you a bunch of different people claiming to have a solution, which you can try at your own risk. However, if you're looking to buy a pair of Beats Solo3's and use them with a PS4, you're better off getting something else. That way, you know your headphones will work out of the box.
Why the PlayStation Gold Wireless Headset
Sony offers two wireless headsets for its PS4 system, the Gold and Platinum, and the Gold offers just about everything the Platinum does for about $50 cheaper.
PlayStation Gold Wireless Headset is a large headset that Sony has designed with PlayStation VR also in mind. The ear cushions are huge, soft, and completely cover the ears, while the whole thing is nice and light so you can comfortably play for extended periods.
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The party piece is the companion app on the PS4 that allows you to tune the headset specifically to certain games. You're getting 7.1 virtual surround sound, too, which for the price is astonishing. Just don't lose the USB dongle, because you can't buy a replacement.
Official and reliable
Sony's official headset for PS4 offers gamers a great experience for chatting and listening to game audio. The big plushy ear cushions make it easy to wear the headset for long periods of time and the noise-canceling microphone will make sure you sound clear every time. Plus, you're getting 7.1 virtual surround sound, too, which for the price is astonishing.
Luke Filipowicz has been a writer at iMore, covering Apple for nearly a decade now. He writes a lot about Apple Watch and iPad but covers the iPhone and Mac as well. He often describes himself as an "Apple user on a budget" and firmly believes that great technology can be affordable if you know where to look. Luke also heads up the iMore Show — a weekly podcast focusing on Apple news, rumors, and products but likes to have some fun along the way.
Luke knows he spends more time on Twitter than he probably should, so feel free to follow him or give him a shout on social media @LukeFilipowicz.