Sony INZONE H9 review: The XM5 of gaming headphones

Within the electronics business, we regularly see producers department into new markets by leveraging their present merchandise and tech. Samsung’s finished it with the Odyssey line. LG’s finished it with UltraGear. And now, it is Sony’s flip. Form of.

Whereas the gaming sector is not uncharted territory for the PlayStation maker — and Sony has launched a quantity of gaming screens that we might like to neglect — the corporate’s new arm, dubbed INZONE, ushers in a brand new class of {hardware} devoted to PC and PS5 customers.

First to launch below the INZONE namesake is a trio of headphones: H3, H7, and H9. Priced at $99, $229, and $299 respectively, the three headsets marry the most effective options of Sony’s top-selling WH1000-XM5 with aesthetics that PlayStation customers will really feel at residence with.

I spent the previous two weeks testing the highest-end mannequin, INZONE H9, placing it by means of rounds of first-person shooters (FPS) like Counter-Strike: World Offensive, third-person shooters like Fortnite, and different genres that embrace NBA 2K22, Fall Guys, and League of Legends. This is how the brand new Sony headphones fared. 

Specs

Design

At first look, the H9 seems to be like a fancier, beefier model of one other Sony headset, the PlayStation PULSE 3D. From the two-tone end to the frosted white shell that surrounds the edges and high of the scarf, the brand new INZONE headphones look new however really feel acquainted. All three fashions are solely obtainable on this basic Sony white, which performs properly in any PS5 setup. I do not fault Sony for sticking with the one colorway, particularly for its first product below the INZONE model. 

Take a better take a look at the H9 headphones and you will additionally discover some design components from Sony’s WH-1000XM5. From the 10-click slider for peak adjustment to the gentle match leather-based that attire the earcups, Sony has taken what’s labored within the mass market and utilized it to the H9. (Observe that the soft-fit leather-based materials is barely obtainable on the H9 mannequin. The H7 and H3 use a mix of PU leather-based and plastic as a substitute.) When not in use, the headphones can rotate inwards and be laid face-down, similar to the XM5. 

Nevertheless, I’ve discovered myself laying the headphones face-up most of the time. Sadly, there are not any holes or perforations on the earcup cushions, so they don’t seem to be as breathable as a normal mesh materials. That implies that with simply an hour of gameplay, there is a noticeable quantity of sweat and moisture that must be wiped off the soft-touch material. I am unable to even think about what longer gaming classes entail. 

Over-ear headphones are the antithesis of glasses-wearers because of their encapsulating nature and stress that pushes towards the top. Add on the variety of hours that avid gamers spend on-line and you’ve got a recipe for complications (and a trendy dent in your hair). Sony alleviates the facet stress concern by prioritizing the scarf assist greater than how tight-fit the earcups are. The headscarf, which contains a versatile strip of black leather-based, does an efficient job of being a counterweight to the reasonably giant earcups. As somebody who wears glasses, I can attest to how comfy and cloud-like the headphones really feel. 

Extra: Sony leaps into PC gaming {hardware} with new INZONE line of screens and headsets

Just like the XM5, the H9’s shell is constructed with a light-weight plastic that, whereas sustainable, lacks the premium essence of a $299 headset. It is pure for us to affiliate weight with worth (suppose gold bars), however the alternative of fabric right here is questionable. Had I not recognized the value of the H9, I’d’ve estimated it to be between $100-$150 by the hand really feel alone. 

Maybe what’s extra necessary is how sturdy the H9 is. I do not anticipate the headphones to point out a lot put on or tear after two weeks of use and that is actually been the case. The white end makes scratches, if any, unnoticeable, and the ear cup cushions stay springy. These headphones are usually not licensed for mud or water resistance although, so I’d keep cautious of leaving drinks close by.

Extra: Sony WH-1000XM5 brings extra consolation and higher ANC

On the underside of the headphones, you will discover the facility button, Bluetooth pairing button, “NC/AMB” toggle, “Sport/Chat” toggle, USB-C port, and quantity rocker. An LED charging indicator sits beside the USB-C, given that is the ports solely operate. The H9 can pair to a PC or PS5 through the included 2.4GHz USB dongle or Bluetooth, however there isn’t a wired choice. 

Lastly, a growth mic that stems from the left earcup completes the gaming headset necessities for the H9. It isn’t removable however is malleable sufficient to twist, rotate, and flex to your preferrred microphone place. Sony additionally added a clicking mechanism to the mic in order that while you raise it again up, your audio output switches to mute. As for the enter high quality, there’s undoubtedly one thing left to be desired. On both connection channel, my voice sounded raspy and missing in readability. The H9’s microphone is not the worst that I’ve examined however falls behind the likes of the Corsair Virtuoso and Audio-Technica ATH-G1. 

Efficiency

One of the best ways for me to explain the sound high quality of the H9 headphones is wealthy and multi-dimensional. I used to be stunned to search out the default sound profile of the H9 to be sufficient and balanced excellent. However for those who’re extra in favor of a bass-heavy sound or need to emphasize the upper frequencies, Sony’s companion software program, INZONE Hub, helps you to tweak the equalizer settings of the headphones. Extra on the app later.

Spatial Sound

A key promoting level of all three INZONE headsets is Spatial Sound, Sony’s interpretation of encompass sound. For music listening and watching films, Spatial Sound matches the audio to the place topics are positioned and the path they’re headed. (Think about listening to a automotive zipping out of your proper headphone to the left.) This function is not new by any means, however it’s one of the vital practical and correct audio-tracking expertise that I’ve listened to shortly — and is totally realized while you begin gaming.

Sony says that the INZONE H9 works finest with FPS video games like Counter-Strike: World Offensive, in order that’s the place I headed first in my testing. Within the recreation, maps like Inferno and Mirage have loads of obstacles and homes, that means spatial consciousness performs a major position in surviving. With Spatial Sound turned on, the path of gunshots and footsteps grew to become really easy to differentiate that I felt like I used to be dishonest.

The identical mechanic was demonstrated once I performed Fortnite, a cross-platform battle royale that emphasizes figuring out the place your enemies are and catching them once they’re most weak. Between listening to footsteps to chests being opened, the H9’s Spatial Sound made a Fortnite newbie resembling myself really feel assured sufficient to strike the unsuspecting. That stated, whereas Sony recommends the H9 for FPS titles, I would extremely counsel third-person shooters as properly, because the 360-degree digital camera panning provides one other dimension to the audio monitoring. 

Extra: Greatest gaming headsets

Noise canceling

One other function that Sony touts is Digital Noise Canceling, which is unique to the highest-end INZONE mannequin. Whereas I haven’t got the WH-1000XM5 to match with, Sony says that the H9 makes use of the identical noise-canceling expertise that is on the fifth-generation headset. 

From listening, the H9 actually does an efficient job at blocking out ambient noise and protecting you targeted on in-game audio. There’s just one stage to the noise cancellation which, in my residence workplace, managed to cowl up the sound of my air conditioner, the reverberant barks of my neighbor’s canines, and the occasional aircraft that lifts off from the airport miles away.  

What’s significantly spectacular to me is how the white noise — typically used to counteract inbound soundwaves — is hardly noticeable. On cheaper noise-canceling headphones, you will hear a hissing sound when there is not any audio enjoying. That is fortuitously not been the case with the H9.

Reversely, the INZONE H9 additionally has an Ambient Sound function that amplifies exterior noise, whereas protecting your in-game audio intact. That is particularly helpful if a household or good friend is looking you whilst you’re gaming, otherwise you simply need to keep conscious of what is occurring round you. Throughout my in-person briefing for the H9, a Sony consultant spoke to me about its varied options whereas I examined the headset. To my shock, I used to be capable of comprehend what the product individual was saying with out lacking out on the gameplay.

Extra: Greatest noise-canceling headphones

Connection options

Bouncing between the two.4GHz and Bluetooth connections, there wasn’t any noticeable delay or issues with latency, which is nice for a wireless-only headset. In reality, Sony encourages pairing the H9 to each the USB dongle and Bluetooth concurrently; utilizing one channel for recreation sound and the opposite for voice chat.

Should you’re pairing the H9 to a PlayStation 5, you will even achieve assist for Tempest 3D Audiotech and on-screen indicators for quantity and battery ranges, mic standing, and recreation/chat stability. Observe that the overlays are solely obtainable for the H9 and H7 fashions.

Software program

Past the scope of bodily settings buttons, the H9 could be modified through Sony’s INZONE Hub. As companion apps ought to, this system permits you to fine-tune the equalizer settings of the headset, its noise-canceling modes and power, quantity ranges for the grasp channel and recreation/chat channel, and extra. The Spatial Sound setting is turned off by default, so be sure you toggle it to get the immersive gaming expertise that I praised earlier.

INZONE Hub is delightfully exhaustive, with further settings for app sync and Sony’s 360 Spatial Sound Personalizer. The latter of which is an app that allows you to seize photos of your ears in order that the H9 headset can modify its sound profile to your form. It is a magical service that makes the INZONE expertise all of the extra user-focused. The one concern that I had with the 360 Spatial Sound Personalizer was the way it paired seamlessly with my Android machine, however took a number of makes an attempt on an iPhone. That appears to be a reoccurring concern based mostly on different customers’ critiques. 

Battery

The INZONE H9 is rated for 32 hours of battery life, which is on par with the 30-hour vary of competing gaming headsets. After utilizing the headphones for 2 weeks — hovering between noise-canceling and Ambient Sound for 2 hours a day — INZONE Hub estimates that I’ve 1/5 of the battery left. That is ample sufficient for an ANC headset. My solely criticism is that there is not any approach to see the precise battery share, not even within the software program. 

Backside line

There’s loads to love in regards to the INZONE H9, together with its sound efficiency, clear design, and software program assist. It helps immensely that Sony carried over key options from its WH1000-XM line, together with the identical noise-canceling tech that earned the XM5 a high spot on ZDNet’s headset rankings. 

Is that this the proper gaming headset? Nearly. I would like to see Sony implement some type of vibrational suggestions within the INZONE H9, very similar to Razer’s HyperSense expertise on its high-end headphones. That, paired with the PS5’s DualSense controller would make the H9 the undisputed accent to purchase for PlayStation homeowners. 

Options to contemplate

The Sony INZONE H9 is priced to compete, which suggests there are many formidable alternate options that you could be additionally need to take into account: 

Should you’re looking for a flagship gaming headset that helps a wired connection, try the HyperX Cloud Alpha S. At present sitting atop ZDNet’s finest gaming headset listing, the Cloud Alpha S delivers a encompass sound expertise that rivals that of the Sony INZONE H9.

Just like the Sony, the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Professional is a wi-fi gaming headset that comes with twin connectivity, totally customizable audio, and noise cancelation. It is also constructed with a metal body end that provides it a extra premium really feel.

Earlier than there was INZONE, there was the Pulse 3D, a wi-fi headset devoted to PlayStation 5 customers. The headset is considerably cheaper at $99, helps Sony Tempest 3D, and sports activities a design that’s arguably cleaner than the H9.