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Sony simply launched its new flagship wi-fi gaming headset, the Inzone H9 II, alongside a brand new lineup of gaming peripherals and wired gaming earbuds. Priced at $349.99, the H9 II is offered now.
The brand new PC gaming headset is a part of an growth of Sony’s Inzone gaming lineup. The upgraded headset comes three years after the launch of the unique H9 mannequin and delivers some notable upgrades. Most significantly, the headset options the identical 30mm drivers because the latest flagship Sony XM6 headphones, which implies they sound simply pretty much as good because the greatest headphones accessible in 2025. I used to be shocked that Sony included these drivers in a product that prices $100 lower than the XM6, however I am not complaining.
I have been testing the brand new headset (and the brand new Inzone gaming peripherals) for the previous couple weeks, and up to now, I am impressed.
Meet the Sony Inzone H9 II noise-cancelling headset
Let’s begin with the fundamentals. The H9 II options upgraded specs in key areas in comparison with the unique H9 headset. Designed for pro-level gaming, the headset has 360-degree spatial audio and Sony’s signature energetic noise cancellation expertise. Sony says the headset was designed across the 30mm drivers from the brand new XM6 headphones, leading to high-quality, high-clarity audio throughout the sound spectrum.
The drivers contained in the Sony XM6 headphones.
Credit score: Timothy Beck Werth / Mashable
Key specs embody:
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Noise cancellation: Sure
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Driver: 30mm driver (similar as WH-1000XM6 headphones)
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Spatial sound: 360-degree spatial sound with FPS presets
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App linked: Sony Inzone Hub (PC) and Sound Join (cellular)
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Weight: 260 grams
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Ports: USB-C and three.5mm headphone jack
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Microphone: Unidirectional, removable
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Battery life: 30 hours
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Fast cost: 5 minutes provides you 1 hour of cost
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Journey case: Material pouch included
The H9 II was designed for skilled players
At a press briefing, Sony harassed that the brand new headphones had been examined with the esports crew Fnatic. Sony labored with skilled players in Tokyo and Berlin to design audio presets particularly designed for professional gaming and first-person shooters. Gamers can select between audio settings that emphasize refined appears like footsteps or deep rumbles from sound results. The EQ settings are additionally absolutely customizable, however because of the brand new driver, they sound improbable proper out of the field.
The H9 II was additionally redesigned for consolation. It is considerably lighter than the unique H9, 260g versus 330g, and in my testing, it is comfy for lengthy durations of time. The brand new cloth headband, foam cushions, and light-weight design make it extraordinarily comfy, placing it on par with the most comfy headphones from Bose.
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The brand new Sony Inzone H9 II headset (left) alongside the unique H9 (proper).
Credit score: Timothy Beck Werth / Mashable
For hardcore PC players, the Inzone Hub helps you to fine-tune the audio so you’ll be able to hear each element in your recreation. The headset delivers 7.1ch audio and 360-degree spatial audio. Gamers even have a number of connectivity choices, and you’ll plug in with included USB-C and three.5mm audio cables. You may also concurrently join by way of Bluetooth LE audio with the provided USB-C dongle, which offers a low-latency 2.4GHz connection and low-latency gameplay.
Lastly, the headset has a brand new slider lock system to regulate the scarf, and it is accessible in each white and black.
Sony Inzone H9 II: My first impressions
I am going to say this, my PC gaming days are lengthy behind me, so I can solely evaluation these headphones from an off-the-cuff gamer’s perspective. Nonetheless, I used to be in a position to demo the brand new headset throughout a Name of Obligation gaming session, and from what I heard, the headset delivers the total, wealthy audio Sony guarantees. You may hear a stunning quantity of element with the FPS audio presets.
So, the sound is improbable, however that is not a shock given what’s inside. The Sony drivers and noise cancellation are extraordinarily efficient, and so they make music, video games, and films sound unbelievable. In testing them on work calls, I’ve additionally discovered the microphone provides spectacular readability.
The headset is extraordinarily comfy, and I like the general redesign, however I anticipate the brand new look to be controversial. The material headset and slider-lock system is not as clean-looking as the unique H9 headset, although the tradeoff is improved consolation for marathon gaming periods.
Personally, I might go for the black headset, however to every their very own.
The brand new Sony PC gaming headset is available in white and black.
Credit score: Timothy Beck Werth / Mashable
Personally, I might go together with black.
Credit score: Timothy Beck Werth / Mashable
Is the Sony Inzone H9 II gaming headset value it?
Let’s discuss concerning the value: At $349.99, it is $100 cheaper than the flagship XM6 headphones. So, comparatively talking, that is not a foul deal. After all, that is nonetheless so much of cash. If you happen to’re a severe PC and PS5 gamer, then I may positively see this changing into your new day by day headset, particularly for those who care about audio high quality, noise cancellation, and luxury.
That being mentioned, Sony has been lagging on battery life these days. The H9 II options decrease battery life than its predecessor (the XM6 additionally did not ship battery upgrades). That could be as a result of Sony is prioritizing noise cancellation and luxury over bigger batteries, however you may must resolve if the trade-off is value it. Newer PC gaming headsets just like the HyperX Cloud Alpha 2 supply 250 hours of battery life, for comparability.
With a three-year wait because the unique H9 headset landed, the brand new mannequin positively provides sufficient new options to be worthy of an improve.
