Even while it isn’t a huge bargain, it is competitively priced, has decent appearance, and works well. Less impressive is the company’s audio division. The Inzone H9, which features active noise cancellation (ANC), Bluetooth connectivity, and simulated surround, is the company’s top-tier wireless gaming headset. Unfortunately, it doesn’t sound nearly good enough to justify the price, especially since the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless, our Editors’ Choice winner, outperforms it in every category. Gaming headphones from the INZONE range are the Sony INZONE H9 Wireless. This range is designed to go with the PlayStation 5 gaming system because they have a similar look and can’t be used with the Xbox because they don’t have an AUX connector. These are the most expensive models in this line-up and are loaded with features like Bluetooth, spatial audio, and active noise cancellation (ANC). They lack many features that would help them stand out from their rivals, and their build quality isn’t quite on par with other expensive gaming headphones like the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless.
Sony Inzone H9 review: Design
The design isn’t all that dissimilar from the Inzone H7 headset we previously examined. The PS5 design of the H9 is particularly slick, and the earcups are made of smooth plastic with tiny perforations for the ANC microphones. The actual earcups don’t feel empty and provide a sturdy frame. Given the similarity in price between the two products, comparisons to Sony’s flagship WH-1000XM5 are unavoidable. Additionally, given the clicky headband adjustment slider and headband design that they both appear to have, there is some crossover between the two. In terms of the material used on the earcups, this more upscale Inzone headset and the middle child H7 differ noticeably. The H9 features smooth leather instead of the incredibly soft fabric finish, which felt good on our head and ears, not to mention on the earcups. Although there is a good amount of padding to provide support and a cushioned feel, we discovered that the fabric ones are slightly more comfortable. Additionally, the leather earcups provide some of the best passive noise isolation we’ve experienced in a gaming headset. The Inzone H9, which weighs 330g, didn’t feel overly heavy on our heads and, unlike Turtle Beach’s Stealth 700 Gen 2 Max, didn’t feel constricting or apply an excessive amount of clamping force to our heads.
Sony Inzone H9 review: Comfort
Although we don’t like how we appear when wearing the Sony Inzone H9, we do appreciate its extraordinary level of comfort. It’s simple to forget you’re wearing this headset because of how comfortable it is. This information stands alone as a strong selling point. The headset’s rotating earcups and adjustable arms allow you to customize the fit. We are confident that you will be able to adjust the Inzone H9 to fit your head, no matter what size it is, if we can make it fit our large head. It’s sufficient to say that we adore how cozy the Inzone H9 is.
Connectivity
The Inzone H9 has respectable connectivity options, most notably the ability to connect simultaneously via Bluetooth and 2.4GHz (via a USB dongle). You can now play audio simultaneously from your console/PC, phone, or another Bluetooth device thanks to this convenient feature that has recently made its way to some high-end headsets. also you will learn our article on Sony Inzone H9 review. Holding the connecting button on the right ear cup allows for quick and easy Bluetooth pairing. We thought this was really handy because it allowed me to play a game from our PS5 or PC while simultaneously being on a Discord call with our buddies. Beyond pairing, the Bluetooth button performs three additional functions: pressing it once starts or stops a song, twice skips it, and three times resumes it. You may charge your device via the USB-C port located on the left side of the ear cup. The headset comes with a USB Type-A cable from Sony, but you can also use a USB-C to USB-C connection to charge it. Unfortunately, when we tested the headset on Windows and Mac, we were unable to get it to function over a wired connection. You must still use the USB dongle for connectivity if you need to charge the headset while it is in use. Unlike the Pulse 3D, there isn’t a 3.5mm jack either.
Sony Inzone H9 review: Noise Cancelling
Even while the implementation isn’t quite as effective as it is on the WH-1000XM5, noise cancellation and ambient settings are not commonly found in gaming headsets, so their existence here is unquestionably appreciated. However, considering the disparity in price and the diverse use cases, that is to be anticipated, and I have no issues with the H9’s handling of ANC. The noise cancellation is simple to switch between the two modes, and it effectively muffles outside noise so you can play without being distracted. We never missed a delivery while wearing the headset because ambient mode pipes in just enough outside noise to keep you aware of what’s going on at home, without impairing your ability to play video games. For clarity’s sake, we’d have preferred a clearer indication of the mode you’re in; a voice prompt would have been preferable to the two somewhat similar tones, but that’s just me being nitpicky.
Audio Performance
The Inzone H9 employs 40mm drivers to deliver music and has a few intriguing design elements that, according to Sony, improve audio quality. Greater control over low frequencies is provided by ducts on the outside of the earcups, and the diaphragm utilized has a special shape that makes it easier to articulate high-pitched sounds. However, we had a mixed reaction to the music on the Inzone H9. It can deliver powerful, impactful bass without a doubt, but the clarity with which it does so is a little lacking. Gaming soundtracks like that of the roguelike Hades’ basslines felt overstated and lacked finesse, in contrast to in-game explosions like those of grenades in Star Wars Battlefront II, which were visceral and appropriately dramatic. Gaming headphones frequently emphasize low-end reproduction, but the H9 did so with an excessive amount of passion in our opinion. Dialogue would occasionally suffer as a result; in Horizon Forbidden West on the PS5, conversations between Aloy and members of the large supporting cast weren’t as clear as we’d have liked, and vocals on musical numbers suffered as well. On PC and console, though, spatial audio is outstanding. Using Sony’s 360 Spatial Audio Personalize app, which requires you to take a few photos of your ears and is then used to adjust audio accordingly, the experience can be improved. Even though it only works when playing PC games and we didn’t notice much of a difference after creating our own profile, the way the H9 positions sound around your head is impressive regardless of the gaming platform.
Sony Inzone H9 review: Software
The Inzone Hub companion app for the Sony Inzone H9 works with both Windows and Mac devices. Three settings are the main focus of Inzone Hub: Sound, Device, and App Sync. You can change the Ambient Sound and Noise Canceling settings, or you can disable both altogether. In order to set up the customization features, you must scan a QR code with your smartphone and take pictures of your left and right ears. Spatial Sound can also be enabled in the app. There are also three settings for Dynamic Range: High, Low, or disabled. Additionally, the microphone levels can be changed. It’s interesting to note that you cannot adjust the mic’s volume or use other features, like turning on auto gain, when the mic is raised and not where your mouth is. You can modify the headphones’ equalisation on the Sound Settings page. Although the EQ options aren’t as extensive as those on the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro, which allow you to adjust the mixer, game, and chat levels, there are still plenty of things you can fiddle with. The Inzone Hub has a few presets, including ones for watching videos or listening to music, for a standard sound, and for amplifying the bass. However, if your headset is set to “Inzone H9 – Chat” in your Sound Settings, the equalizer adjustments you make won’t be usable, so you must make sure each time you pair the device on Mac or Windows that it is recognized as “Inzone H9 – Game.” The EQ presets that are already prepared in the Inzone Hub each have a unique tone. There is room for experimentation, but the chart layout will probably intimidate and confuse you if you are not familiar with how to change the frequency for an audio device.
Battery and charging
Sony claims that the Inzone H9’s battery life can last up to 32 hours. In our tests, we were able to use the device for roughly 30 hours before deciding to plug it in to recharge. Your battery life is not clearly displayed on the Inzone H9 headset itself. No display indicator or even a blinking LED will let you know when the battery is running low. Checking battery life requires a connection to a PC or PS5, and even then it only displays a three-bar icon on the PS5 to show how much juice is left in the battery rather than an exact percentage or estimated time. you can read our article on Sony Inzone H9 review.
Sony Inzone H9 review: Price and Availability
Along with the H9, two additional Inzone headsets—the $230 H7 and $100 H3—also entered the market. Leather cushioning and computerized noise cancellation are absent from these two gadgets. The H3 is a wired headset that can be connected to a device using a 3.5mm headphone jack or with a wired USB adapter that is included, as opposed to the H7 which has wireless and Bluetooth connectivity.
Conclusion
For wireless gaming, the Sony H9 are adequate. You cannot use them on your Xbox because they were created for PC and PS5. If that’s not a concern for you, they offer a wireless dongle with very low latency that keeps your music and graphics in sync and a battery that can run constantly for more than 22 hours. Their boom mic makes sure that your voice is audible even in fairly noisy areas if you enjoy playing video games with others. Their default sound profile is boomy, which can help highlight sound effects like footsteps, but you can adjust their sound to your preferences using the graphic EQ and presets in their companion app.
