Specifications for Sony Inzone H9 gaming headset
Compatibility: PS5, PC, Android, iOS
Drivers: 40 mm
Frequency response: 5 Hz – 20 kHz
Wireless: Yes
The Sony Inzone H9 gaming headset costs $ 300, and complements the Inzone M9 gaming monitor and PlayStation 5. While Sony has also released the Pulse 3D headset for its current generation console, the Inzone H9 is without a doubt the better accessory due to its richer features set.
Since the Inzone H9 is a Sony-produced product, it takes advantage of the PS5’s Tempest 3D audio technology to produce immersive sound. It is also suitable for PC, with an Inzone desktop app that allows you to create and adjust audio profiles. Because you can connect to PS5 and Discord at the same time, you will be able to hear game sounds while chatting with friends. And if you like the PS5’s black and white aesthetic, you’ll dig into this headset’s similar design.
In our Sony Inzone H9 review, we will go through the headset’s strengths and weaknesses, and see how it stands up to the competition. Although a little expensive at $ 300, it can be one of the best gaming headsets for some people.
Table of Contents
Sony Inzone H9 gaming headset review: Price and availability
The Sony Inzone H9 gaming headset was launched on July 7 for $ 300. It is available for order now from Amazon (opens in new tab). The device has digital noise reduction and soft leather padding, along with both wireless USB and Bluetooth connectivity. It is compatible with PC and PS5. Unfortunately, it does not support Xbox consoles, such as the Xbox Series X.
Two other Inzone headsets also hit the market alongside the H9: the $ 230 Inzone H7 and the $ 100 Inzone H3. These two devices lack digital noise reduction and leather upholstery. While the H7 has wireless and Bluetooth connectivity, the H3 is a wired headset that you can connect to a device via a 3.5mm headphone jack, or with an included wired USB adapter.
Sony Inzone H9 gaming headset review: Design
The Sony Inzone H9 looks more like a PS5 headset than even the Sony Pulse 3D headset. Like the console, the Inzone H9 is large, with oversized oval earbuds covered in white plastic. Most of the outer cover and boom microphone are white, while the soft leather upholstery and expandable arms are completely black.
You control the volume of the headset with a small scroll wheel on the left earpiece. A button to enable or disable digital noise reduction is located below the disc, along with a USB-C port for charging. The boom microphone is also located on the left earpiece. To the right you will find buttons for lowering or raising game or chat sound, Bluetooth pairing and a power button.
Due to the huge round earbuds, you will look somewhat stupid while wearing the Inzone H9. This became clear when I used the headset during a work meeting. Although it was comfortable, I looked pretty ridiculous. This will not be a problem if you are not close to other people, or if you simply do not care what others think of you. But if you are even a little self-conscious, you may want to use this headset when you are alone.
One design choice I appreciate is the swivel earrings. These make it easier to put the headset in the backpack, and also allow you to wear the Inzone H9 comfortably around your neck when you are not using it. Headsets like the Corsair Virtuoso RGB Wireless XT and Razer Barracuda X also have this feature.
Large size aside, I can not beat the Inzone H9 to stay on the mark with the design. You will not confuse it with anything other than a PlayStation headset.
Sony Inzone H9 gaming headset review: Comfort
Although I’m not a fan of how I look while wearing the Sony Inzone H9, I like its exceptional level of comfort. This headset is so comfortable that it is easy to forget that you are wearing it. That fact alone is a big selling point.
You can adjust the headset’s fit via its expandable arms and rotatable earbuds. If I can adjust the Inzone H9 to fit my big head, I’m sure you’ll be able to fit it to your own skull, regardless of size. Suffice it to say that I love how comfortable the Inzone H9 feels.
Sony Inzone H9 gaming headset review: Performance
Inzone H9 works well across a wide range of game genres on both PC and PS5. It takes full advantage of the latter’s Tempest 3D technology, which provides immersive sound. But PC users can also experience 3D sound thanks to the Inzone H9’s spatial sound technology.
On PS5, I tested Spider-Man: Miles Morales and Elden Ring. New York City’s ambient noise was evident in Miles Morales as I swung across the expansive metropolis. When problems arose, I heard the brutal sounds of Miles beating his enemies. Due to the spatial sound, it was easy to hear anyone trying to attack me from behind. This was also the case with the Fire Ring, where I could hear hidden enemies before they managed to ambush me.
Over on PC, I fired up Doom Eternal and Cyberpunk 2077. Doom Eternal’s extremely hard soundtracks sounded good on the Inzone H9 – so did the sound of tearing meat when I introduced demons to my chainsaw. Cyberpunk 2077’s Night City felt like a real place in the real world, thanks to the countless sounds coming from the filthy streets. Whether it was an online junkie selling his wares or hovering vehicles whizzing over his head, everything came through with crystal clearness.
Inzone H9 is also ideal for non-game content such as YouTube videos or music from Spotify. I listen almost exclusively to hard rock and heavy metal, and was impressed by how well these sometimes tiring genres sounded with Inzone H9’s standard sound profile. Of course, the music sounded much better after I adjusted the desktop settings (more on that in a bit). YouTube content from channels such as MKBHD and Gaming Historian also had rich sound.
Even though it sounded a bit thin and triangular, my voice came out loud and clear with chat partners on Discord and PSN. If people in a chat room can hear me, that’s all I need from a boom microphone. Still, for a $ 300 headset, I would have liked better voice quality from a microphone. My voice sounds much better on the Sennheiser GSP 370 under $ 150, which has been my daily driver since 2019.
Sony Inzone H9 gaming headset review: Features and battery life
On PC, you can customize the Inzone H9’s audio profile through the simple and minimalist desktop app.
On the Audio Profile tab, you can choose from a variety of preset settings, such as Bass Boost or Music / Video. You can also manually adjust the smoothing sliders to your liking and save different profiles. The desktop app even lets you enable or disable noise reduction, adjust the volume, and adjust the spatial sound.
The app works properly when it decides to work. But based on my experience, the app would not start properly about a third of the time, leaving me with an empty interface. As the situation is, it is frustrating to handle such a finnicky desktop app. Fortunately, the Inzone H9 works regardless of whether the app starts or not.
Using the headset on PS5 is even easier than on PC. Instead of an app, you control everything with the buttons of the Inzone H9. A user interface appears on the screen when you adjust the main volume or the game and chat sound. You will also see how much battery life is left. If you’ve used the Pulse 3D headset, you’ll be good at using the Inzone H9 on the PS5.
The Inzone H9 differs from the other Inzone headsets because it is the only one capable of digital noise reduction. This feature worked quite well and is useful if you like to play in high environments. But if you need to hear what’s going on around you, you can turn on Ambient Noise.
You can connect the Inzone H9 to your PC via the included USB dongle or Bluetooth. One of the biggest selling points of this device is that you can connect Discord and PS5 at the same time and hear the separate audio channels on the headset. Headsets like the Turtle Beach Stealth 700 Gen 2 and the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro also have this feature. This is a big plus for people like myself, who use Discord to chat while playing on consoles.
Sony claims that the Inzone H9 has 32 hours of battery life. I used the headset for just over two weeks before I saw the battery drop below 30 percent. This is not exactly scientific, but it seems that the headset reaches the promised battery life, since I used it for about three to four hours per day on weekdays. For everyone except power users, 30 hours is enough, although it may not be enough for those who always wear headsets while playing.
Sony Inzone H9 gaming headset review: verdict
The Sony Inzone H9 gaming headset, like the Inzone M9 gaming monitor, sees Sony further entrench itself in the PC gaming space. Releasing previous PlayStation exclusives, such as God of War, Uncharted, Days Gone, Horizon Zero Dawn, on PC was just the beginning. Since Sony is already selling headphones like the Sony WH-1000XM4 and the aforementioned Pulse 3D headset, the launch of the Inzone H9 should come as no great surprise.
As for the headset itself, I found the superior Pulse 3D equipment. Both devices are the same in terms of sound quality, but the Inzone H9 is more comfortable to wear and has a stronger microphone. I’m not happy with the way the oversized headset looks on my head, and I wish the PC app and Bluetooth connection were more reliable. Although there is no fixation on the physical attributes of the Inzone H9, Sony can remedy the other issues with firmware and software updates. If the software issues are resolved, the Inzone H9 may be the PlayStation headsets available.
If you’re looking for a more budget-friendly headset, you can not go wrong with the excellent SteelSeries Arctis 7P Wireless Gaming Headset – which is currently at the top of the list of best PS5 headsets. The $ 100 Pulse 3D headset is also a solid PS5 headset, as is the SteelSeries Arctis 1. The upcoming Inzone H7 and Inzone H3 may also be worth considering, if digital noise reduction is not something you need.
