Sony Working on Headphones that Can Connect to Two Devices at Once

Key Takeaways

Sony filed patents for headphones connecting to 2 signals at once.
Dual-receiver headphones aim to merge RF and Bluetooth for gamers, allowing for multitasking with various audio sources.
Sony’s potential new headphone tech could enhance gaming audio.

Sony Interactive Entertainment Inc. has filed a pair of U.S. patents for headphones capable of connecting to two different wireless signals simultaneously. Sony currently manufactures both wireless radio frequency headphones and wireless Bluetooth headsets, but no headphones that combine the two technologies.

Long a leader in the consumer and professional headphone market, Sony offers an array of audio products serving different industries and sectors. Its PlayStation-specific radio frequency headsets are considered some of the best available in console gaming, and the company makes some of the best noise-canceling wireless headphones available.

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In a November 2024 filing, Sony took its first concrete step forward in the exploration of dual-receiver headphone technology that would not only allow for two different types of wireless connections but enable the two signals to be mixed in the headset itself. This feature would differ significantly from current Bluetooth Multipoint devices, which can pair with multiple devices simultaneously, but only play one audio source at a time. While soundbars or other audio options are a better bet for some users, much of the gaming world relies on headphones for a low-latency, high-fidelity experience.

Merging Technologies Could Prove Crucial for Active Gamers

While other manufacturers make headphones that can simultaneously connect via a dedicated USB-C dongle and a standard Bluetooth signal, the merging of any such technology would be a first for Sony. Coupling RF headphones optimized for TV or USB-C-compatible gaming consoles with those capable of receiving a Bluetooth signal from a computer or smart device would open a broader level of connectivity for multitasking users.

In particular for gamers, a combo receiver would grant the ability to connect to social streams like Discord or Twitch while they play, all within the same set of headphones. If the fidelity of both sources and an agile ability to mix the two inputs can be maintained, the technology would represent a major upgrade within the Sony ecosystem. And, with Sony getting back into the handheld market, more versatile connection options could become even more crucial.

Sony has been on a bit of a patent-filing tear lately, so it’s tough to predict if the new tech is merely exploratory or something it fully intends to take to market. But, with Sony’s current line of gaming-specific headphones setting the gold standard for console audio, its new patent could put it at the forefront of gaming tech, combining its stellar headphone drivers and comfortable headsets with state-of-the-art connectivity.