ASUS ROG Cetra True Wireless SpeedNova vs Sony PULSE Explore
ASUS ROG Cetra True Wireless SpeedNova (#2) vs Sony PULSE Explore (#5): in our Earbuds for Gaming scoring the ASUS ROG Cetra True Wireless SpeedNova totals 9/10 and the Sony PULSE Explore 8.5/10. At $117.04 versus $199, the ASUS ROG Cetra True Wireless SpeedNova costs $81.96 less.
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TopsFive comparison scores
Side by side
| ASUS ROG Cetra True Wireless SpeedNova | Sony PULSE Explore | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $117.04 | $199 |
| Latency | ~30ms (SpeedNova 2.4GHz) | Ultra-low via PlayStation Link |
| Audio Quality | 24-bit/96kHz (Hi-Res certified) | — |
| Battery | 11h / 46h total | 5 hours only |
| Platforms | PC, PS5, Switch, Mobile | PC, PS5, Mobile (no Xbox, no Switch) |
| Unique Feature | — | Native PlayStation Portal (dongle-free) |
How they differ in real use
Built from our earbuds gaming scoring, each product's published specifications, and verified owner feedback — not hands-on testing.
Both the ASUS ROG Cetra True Wireless SpeedNova and the Sony PULSE Explore made our Top 5 Earbuds for Gaming, at #2 and #5. Best microphone quality with boom mic option, plus hi-res audio support for the best-sounding gaming earbuds. Best-in-class PlayStation integration with lossless PlayStation Link—the premium choice for PS5/Portal owners.
We score earbuds for gaming on Latency (35%), Positional Audio (25%), Microphone Quality (20%), Platform Support (10%) and Battery Life (10%). On that basis the ASUS ROG Cetra True Wireless SpeedNova totals 9 out of 10 and the Sony PULSE Explore 8.5. The widest gap is Microphone Quality, where the ASUS ROG Cetra True Wireless SpeedNova scores 9.5 against 8 for the Sony PULSE Explore — voice clarity for team chat. Platform Support also separates them: 8 for the ASUS ROG Cetra True Wireless SpeedNova versus 6 for the Sony PULSE Explore. The Sony PULSE Explore claws back ground on Latency.
On paper, the specifications that actually differ: Latency — ~30ms (SpeedNova 2.4GHz) on the ASUS ROG Cetra True Wireless SpeedNova versus Ultra-low via PlayStation Link on the Sony PULSE Explore; Battery — 11h / 46h total on the ASUS ROG Cetra True Wireless SpeedNova versus 5 hours only on the Sony PULSE Explore; Platforms — PC, PS5, Switch, Mobile on the ASUS ROG Cetra True Wireless SpeedNova versus PC, PS5, Mobile (no Xbox, no Switch) on the Sony PULSE Explore.
Pricing as of August 12, 2026: $117.04 for the ASUS ROG Cetra True Wireless SpeedNova and $199 for the Sony PULSE Explore, a $81.96 difference in the ASUS ROG Cetra True Wireless SpeedNova's favor. Owners praise the ASUS ROG Cetra True Wireless SpeedNova for ~30ms latency (SpeedNova 2.4GHz) and 24-bit/96kHz Hi-Res certified; the most common complaint is no Xbox support. Owners praise the Sony PULSE Explore for planar magnetic drivers (Audeze tech) and distortion-free at max volume; the most common complaint is only 5-hour battery.
ASUS ROG Cetra True Wireless SpeedNova
- ~30ms latency (SpeedNova 2.4GHz)
- 24-bit/96kHz Hi-Res certified
- Bone-conduction microphone
- Dirac Opteo spatial sound
- No Xbox support
- Expensive at $249
- RGB drains battery
Sony PULSE Explore
- Planar magnetic drivers (Audeze tech)
- Distortion-free at max volume
- Native PS5/Portal integration
- Lossless via PlayStation Link
- Only 5-hour battery
- PlayStation ecosystem only for optimal use
- No Xbox/Switch support
Which should you buy?
The ASUS ROG Cetra True Wireless SpeedNova is the better fit for team communication priority and hi-res audio gamers — it is the higher-scoring pick here, chiefly for Microphone Quality and Platform Support. The Sony PULSE Explore is the better fit for playStation ecosystem users and portal owners, and the stronger choice if Latency matters more to you than the overall score. Since the ASUS ROG Cetra True Wireless SpeedNova is both the higher scorer and $81.96 cheaper, the Sony PULSE Explore only makes sense for playStation ecosystem users. The ASUS ROG Cetra True Wireless SpeedNova is a poor fit for xbox users; the Sony PULSE Explore is a poor fit for multi-platform gamers.
Choose the ASUS ROG Cetra True Wireless SpeedNova if
- Team communication priority
- Hi-res audio gamers
- PC/PS5 players
Skip it if
- Xbox users
- Budget gamers
Choose the Sony PULSE Explore if
- PlayStation ecosystem users
- Portal owners
- Audiophile PS5 gamers
Skip it if
- Multi-platform gamers
- Battery-priority users
Common questions
Is the ASUS ROG Cetra True Wireless SpeedNova better than the Sony PULSE Explore?
In our Earbuds for Gaming ranking the ASUS ROG Cetra True Wireless SpeedNova scores higher overall, 9 to 8.5, with the biggest advantage in Microphone Quality. The Sony PULSE Explore is stronger on Latency, so it is the better pick if that matters most to you.
How much more does the Sony PULSE Explore cost than the ASUS ROG Cetra True Wireless SpeedNova?
$81.96 more as of August 12, 2026: $199 for the Sony PULSE Explore against $117.04 for the ASUS ROG Cetra True Wireless SpeedNova. Prices move, so the merchant page shows the current figure.
What is the main difference between the ASUS ROG Cetra True Wireless SpeedNova and the Sony PULSE Explore?
The headline spec difference is Latency: ~30ms (SpeedNova 2.4GHz) on the ASUS ROG Cetra True Wireless SpeedNova versus Ultra-low via PlayStation Link on the Sony PULSE Explore. In use, the gap that matters most is Microphone Quality (9.5 vs 8 in our scoring): voice clarity for team chat.