Sony has been steadily establishing its presence in the gaming audio market through the Pulse series for PlayStation and the Inzone series for PC and multi-platforms. Among them, the Inzone H9 has garnered attention from console users as a flagship lineup with 360-degree audio, noise-canceling, and perfect compatibility with PlayStation 5.
The successor model, Sony Inzone H9 II, has been released, featuring the same 30mm carbon composite driver as Sony’s flagship headphones, the WH-1000XM6. It also boasts excellent noise-canceling technology, improved microphone performance, and a design that can be used in everyday life.
Let’s take a closer look at the features of the Inzone H9 II, the top model in Sony’s gaming headset lineup.
Specifications and Components
Product Specifications
Driver : 30mm Carbon Composite Driver (same as WH-1000XM6)
Weight : 260g (253g without microphone)
Battery : Up to 30 hours (ANC ON)
Connection Method : 2.4GHz Wireless (USB-C dongle), Bluetooth 5.3, Wired 3.5mm
Microphone : Detachable Super Wide Band Unidirectional Microphone
ANC : Supported
Compatible Devices : PS5, PC, Nintendo Switch, etc.
The package includes the headset itself and a USB-C type 2.4GHz dongle, allowing you to connect directly to a computer, PlayStation 5, or Nintendo Switch 2. It also includes a detachable boom microphone, a 3.5mm audio cable, and a USB-C charging cable.
A particularly notable feature is the luxurious pouch. The exterior is made of waterproof material, and the interior is finished with velvet to safely carry the headset. There is also a separate zippered pocket for storing cables, making it practical.
The LED stand provided as a group purchase event gift comes in white with RGB LED applied to the bottom. It includes a button to turn the LED on/off and change the RGB colors, and there is a USB port on the left side to connect dongles or other USB devices.
Appearance and Features
The Inzone Gaming Headset H9 II adopts a design that is similar yet different from the previous model. It boldly removes RGB lighting and features a matte texture finish in black, giving it a premium feel, and is designed for outdoor use like a portable headset.
The weight has been reduced by a whopping 70g compared to its predecessor. It weighs in at 253g without the microphone, which is quite light compared to most premium gaming headsets in the same price range that exceed 300g. This shows how much Sony has focused on weight reduction for gamers who enjoy long gaming sessions.
The headband features a leather strap beneath a fabric band woven like a rope, and you can adjust the slide to fit your body shape by pressing the oval textured buttons on both sides.
The ear pads are made of soft nylon material with a leather-coated inner rim. They are easy to attach and detach, making replacement convenient.
The driver uses the same 30mm carbon composite driver as Sony’s flagship noise-canceling headphones, the WH-1000XM6. This driver is known for covering a wide frequency range with minimal distortion and delivering deep, solid bass, especially in the low range.
Various control buttons are arranged on both sides of the housing. The left ear cup has a volume dial, ANC/ambient sound mode switch button, USB-C charging port, 3.5mm audio port, and microphone port. The right ear cup has a game/chat balance button, Bluetooth pairing button, and power button.
There is a microphone mute button at the top of the left ear cup. The microphone mute button is the most frequently used button during gaming, and its intuitive placement reflects a design that deeply considers user experience.
It supports 2.4GHz wireless (USB-C dongle), Bluetooth 5.3, and wired 3.5mm connections, and it supports low-latency Bluetooth LE Audio. You can connect both 2.4GHz and Bluetooth simultaneously, allowing you to listen to music or use Discord on your smartphone while gaming.
The usage time is up to 30 hours with noise-canceling on and 40 hours with it off. The short usage time is a bit disappointing, but you can use it while charging with a USB-C cable.
The microphone performance, which was pointed out as a drawback in the previous model, has been greatly improved. The detachable Super Wide Band unidirectional microphone uses a cardioid pattern that is most sensitive to sounds in front, minimizing unnecessary ambient noise.
Connection and Supported Devices
It’s very convenient to use with both PlayStation and PC with just one USB-C type dongle. When you need to switch devices, you just move the dongle, and you can select between PC and console with the switch on the dongle.
You can also connect it via a wired connection when needed. A 3.5mm audio cable is included, allowing you to connect directly to portable gaming devices or console controllers. It works seamlessly with not only PlayStation but also Nintendo Switch and UMPCs like the Steam Deck.
The LED stand provided as a gift is not just for storing the headset but also serves as a great desk accessory. The white color with softly glowing RGB LED adds a touch to the gaming environment. It has a USB port for connecting dongles or charging the Inzone H92.
Software
When connected to a PC for various FPS games, detailed settings can be made in the dedicated software, INZONE Hub. A web-based version is also available, so if installing a program is burdensome, you can use it directly from the browser.
In INZONE Hub, you can create a custom 10-band EQ, and various presets are provided. Notably, there are three FPS presets. These settings were developed in collaboration with pro esports teams like FNATIC’s Valorant and Apex Legends players, optimized to emphasize important in-game sounds like footsteps and gunshots.
Sony’s spatial sound technology is also supported, allowing you to experience more accurate 3D sound localization, which helps in identifying enemy positions in games.
You can easily switch between noise-canceling, ambient sound mode, and normal mode, and adjust the game and chat volume balance instantly with hardware buttons.
In addition to the PC program, you can manage the headset through the Sony Sound Connect app on your smartphone. It offers almost the same features as INZONE Hub, and if you save the EQ settings in the mobile app, they are stored in the headset itself, allowing you to use the same EQ on PlayStation or Nintendo Switch.
You can also utilize the 360 Reality Audio feature. By installing the dedicated app, you can enjoy music and concerts produced in 360 Reality Audio, experiencing immersive sound as if you are in the middle of a concert hall.
When listening to Tea’s “Beautiful Dreamer” and Kenta Dedachi Acoustic Live “Cozy notes” in 360-degree audio, each instrument occupied its own position in the space, giving the feeling of being in the middle of a concert hall.
Sound Test
Since it features the same driver as the Sony WH-1000XM6, I had high expectations for the sound quality. When playing music with the “Flat” preset, the overall sound was excellent. It felt well-balanced, featuring deep and tight bass, satisfying mids, and crisp highs. For music, I also recommend switching to the “Tight” setting in the app or the “Music/Video” preset in the INZONE Hub.
Gaming Performance: FPS Focus
I tested the headset with PUBG and Valorant. Using the “FPS-1” preset, footsteps and gunfire were clearly separated. In PUBG, it was much easier to distinguish between footsteps inside and outside of buildings, and in Valorant, I could pinpoint exactly which direction enemies were approaching from. Since the default tuning is optimized for FPS, you may need to adjust the custom EQ for other genres.
Noise Canceling Test
I simulated a subway environment with 80dBA of noise for testing. Simply wearing the headset reduced noise significantly due to the earpads’ insulation. Once Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) was turned on, the low and mid-range humming was almost perfectly eliminated. As expected from Sony’s technology, the ANC performance is truly outstanding.
Microphone Quality Test
The microphone quality is quite impressive. Although I haven’t experienced the previous model, the improved performance not only captures the voice clearly but also flawlessly filters out keyboard clicking sounds.
Hands-on Experience
I used the SONY INZONE H9 II as my main headset for 2-3 days. The most striking feature was the comfort; thanks to its ultra-lightweight design of 253g, I felt no strain on my neck or head even after long gaming sessions.
While sound preferences might vary by genre, a bit of custom EQ tweaking makes it suitable for any content. The default FPS presets are more than enough for shooters, and for music, a slight adjustment to the Flat preset provides a great listening experience.
I would say the microphone quality is among the best I’ve tested for a gaming headset. As seen in the previous test video, it delivers better quality than many of the mid-range condenser or dynamic microphones I have reviewed in the past.
Final Verdict
The SONY INZONE H9 II is a flagship headset that brings the audio technology of the WH-1000XM6 into a gaming-focused design, featuring an everyday-friendly look and an ultra-lightweight build.
Pros: Deep bass, clear highs, and detailed sound thanks to the flagship drivers. Excellent FPS-specific tuning and industry-leading ANC.
Cons: The 30-hour battery life is a bit disappointing, likely a trade-off for the lightweight design.
Recommendation: If you primarily play FPS games, use both PS5 and PC, and want a single device for both gaming and music, this is an incredibly attractive choice.
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