Buy now £269, Sony.co.uk
- Rating: 8/10
- Type: Over-ear gaming headset
- Noise Reduction: Yes
- Weight: 330g
- Battery life: 32 hours (NC off)
- Connection type: Bluetooth 5, USB wireless
- Bluetooth Codecs: A2DP, AVRCP, HFP, HSP
- Advantages: Extremely comfortable, good microphone quality, excellent PS5 integration, multi-device connectivity
- cons: Expensive, no dedicated mute button
Design
Even from a respectable distance, the Inzone H9s are clearly designed to sit next to PlayStation hardware and accessories with a textured white housing and blue light on each earcup. Both features help to give the headphones a premium finish.
It also has a well cushioned headband that sits comfortably on the head. Instead of using an adjustable strap over the headband, both joints articulate at the pinna junction, meaning that while the fit felt firm and balanced over the head, it couldn’t be loosened or tightened if desired.
That said, with the large oval design on each head, the headphones fit comfortably around each ear, giving them plenty of breathing room without overheating. We wore these headphones (more or less) for a full eight-hour workday and never felt the need to take them off because of their breathability.
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Under the left cup was a rocker, which could be used to adjust the volume and a button to toggle between the various ANC and ambient sound settings, with the right cup featuring the power button, bluetooth connectivity and game/chat switch for different audio inputs. It took some getting used to adjusting the settings when the headset was on, but the two-way button made it easy and quick to adjust the volume.
The headset’s microphone can also be flipped up and down, with the up position automatically muting the microphone. Both states were palpable with a satisfying click around the 45-degree angle of the boom, but a lack of a dedicated mute button might put some people off, especially if they don’t want to constantly flip the mic during an intense gaming session.
Sound quality
Like most gaming headsets, the Inzone H9 greatly favors those bassier frequencies, where all the thumps, pops, and thumps of modern video games are most in the audio spectrum. But even under a hectic sound mix there was still a lot of clarity and distinction between elements, especially at the higher frequencies as opposed to those deeper tones. That’s especially true when listening to music tracks, as that clarity is maintained without ever getting stuck in bass.
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At the moment Sony is arguably the industry leader when it comes to its noise canceling technology, with the WH-1000XM5s being crowned the best headphones by our in-house team. And undoubtedly Sony hopes to capitalize on that reputation with the Inzone H9.
While active noise cancellation is achievable, it doesn’t outshine its flagship counterpart – although it does a good job of reducing a stable noise profile like the constant hum of a PC or Playstation fan, which is exactly where the ANC’s capabilities come in. are most valued for their intended use.
Where it does excel, however, is the dedicated 3D audio capabilities on the PS5. While not every title will take full advantage of this technology, Playstation’s dedicated first-party titles are a good measure of what it can do, spreading an audio profile across a seemingly 360-degree space. Planes flying over Astro Bot .’s playroom or cars overtaking Gran Turismo 7 really help sell that promise. And while, arguably yes, this can already be experienced with other headsets, such as Playstation’s own Pulse 3D wireless, using it in combination with ANC works in favor of the H9.
Battery
The charging point of the Inzone H9 is located on the bottom of the left cup and can be charged during use. The battery life for the headphones has been advertised by Sony as 30 hours and in our week where we used them on a single charge with consistent regularity, there was no need to recharge them.
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There’s a lack of display or indication of the current battery level outside of the PS5’s interface, which would have been a welcome addition, if only to monitor how much power it’s consuming after a normal day of use.
Connectivity
In addition to Bluetooth connectivity, the Inzone H9 headset can also be connected to a separate USB transceiver with a 2.4GHz wireless connection, which helps reduce input lag. The H9 can also connect to both at the same time, which is ideal for connecting the device to a PC/PS5 and a mobile phone at the same time. In practice, this means users can quickly switch between game audio and chat via apps like Discord while playing games at the same time.
For PC, Sony has created an “Inzone Hub” that allows users to customize the settings of their headphones, with custom EQ balances and presets, which can be used to create individual sound profiles.
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On PS5, H9 functionality is understandably built into the back of mind, with the volume rocker and mic/mute settings visible on the screen. The game/chat sound mix can also be adjusted for a better balance between chatting with friends or hearing gameplay over the chaos of the lobby.
The Verdict: Sony Inzone H9 Noise Canceling Wireless Gaming Headset
Sony’s Inzone H9 gaming headset is a strong push into a new market, but one that may be hard for gamers to embrace. The Inzone brand is clearly trying to set itself apart with a high price tag, and while the headphones are of excellent quality, in terms of build and features on offer, they are a tougher sell for dedicated PC gamers.
As for PS5 players, the H9s are certainly the best, highest quality gaming headphones on offer with the console, but they also offer similar features to the much cheaper alternatives already available under the Playstation brand.
What sets the H9 apart, however, is its bold and unique design that minimally approaches appearance while maximizing features and enviable sound quality. The added comfort they provide also ensures that gaming sessions are not interrupted by the dreaded “hot ear” problem that many cheap gaming headsets can cause.
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