We’ve got the INZONE H9, the latest wireless gaming headset from Sony. It works with both the PS5 and PC, featuring Bluetooth capability, ANC, and up to 32 hours of battery life. But how does it sound? Is it better than the Pulse 3Ds and other gaming headsets out there?
Note: This article contains Amazon affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Unboxing and Design
When it comes to branding and colors, this headset is unlike anything we’ve seen from Sony or PlayStation before. I love the all-purple design; it has a distinct gaming look while still appearing clean and unique.
In the box, you get a 1.5-meter USB-A to USB-C cable for charging and updates. There’s also a small box with the manual setup instructions, some stickers, and a USB dongle, which we’ll use later to connect the headset to the PlayStation 5 or PC. And, of course, there’s the headset itself.
Although these are marketed as Sony gaming headsets rather than specifically for the PlayStation 5, they still have a PS5 style. The black and white design means they’ll easily fit into your PS5 setup as well as any PC setup.
The coloring works really well. Normally, I would go for an all-black headset, but these look great in white. Pair this headset with a white DualSense controller or the original PS5 console, and it looks awesome. I usually have black plates on my PS5, but I switched back to the white ones. I always forget how good it looks in white. Holding the headset in one hand, it feels really balanced.
Some headsets feel bulky and heavy, while others feel too light and cheap. This is often due to the hard plastic used in the frame instead of metal. The inside of the headband is really soft with a large padded area. I couldn’t find information on their website about the fabric, but it feels like synthetic leather.
The ear cups are more oval-shaped rather than round, resembling a pilot’s headset. I like that these ear cups can actually rotate. Unlike the Pulse 3D, which are fixed, these can be laid flat on your table or placed around your neck. The ear cups are soft and provide lots of padding for your ears.
Even though the headset works on PC, today I’m going to use it on the PlayStation 5. To set them up, take the USB dongle from the box and switch it from PC to PS5. Then, plug the USB into the front or back of the PlayStation 5, and it will automatically connect to the headset. Once connected, the front of the USB and the headset will light up white.
Controls
The buttons, they are split between both sides of the headset. On the left side, we have the USB-C port for charging and updates. Next to that are the NC (Noise Cancelling) and A and B buttons for noise cancelling. This allows you to easily switch between ambient sound and noise cancelling while gaming, which is an incredible feature.
There’s also the volume wheel. It doesn’t lock at the top and bottom, but it spins freely, which is great when adjusting the volume. As you use the volume wheel on the headset, the volume level will also show up on your PS5 screen, allowing you to see it on your TV. Additionally, the microphone on the side can rotate up and down for use.
On the right side, we have the game and chat buttons. These let you control the balance between game audio and party chat, so you can easily adjust which you want to hear more of directly from the headset.
There’s also a Bluetooth button that lets you pair the headset with your phone or laptop. When in normal wireless mode, the LED on the side shines white. When using Bluetooth, it turns blue, which is a cool feature. Finally, the power button is there, just press and hold to turn the headset on or off, and it will beep once connected.
Also Read: PS5 Camouflage Controller Review
Mic
There’s an external boom mic on the side that can be moved up and down, and it’s flexible enough to be positioned wherever you need it.
The mic is not removable, so it’s permanently attached. However, it also acts as the mute button. Since there is no physical mute button on the headset, you just move the microphone up until you hear it click to mute, and move it down again to unmute.
This feature, which I’ve seen on Astro headsets before, is very convenient. It’s easy to flick the mic down while chatting and then up if you need to sneeze or talk to someone in the room. The PlayStation 5 even shows a mute icon when you use it, so you know it’s definitely muted. Unfortunately, you cannot mute the headset from the DualSense controller similar to the Pulse 3Ds. It’s strange because the mute button works on other headsets like the ST series range, and you would expect it to work with Sony’s own headsets.
As for the mic quality, while you don’t often hear yourself, it’s important for online gaming. The noise cancellation on the mic is decent. It’s not the best I’ve heard, but it effectively reduces most background noises.
Audio Quality
Over the last year, I’ve used five or six headsets, ranging from cheap to expensive, and INZONE H9 really sit right in the middle in terms of price. You would expect them to be good, and they are clearly better than the Pulse 3Ds, which is a common comparison. The sound is fuller, with more bass and noticeably better detail. It feels like a very well-balanced headset.
They also support 360 spatial sound. While playing Warzone, I could pinpoint exactly where the enemies were. Many headsets can do this, but the clarity here was exceptional, with sounds not getting lost in the game. The same goes for explosions or engine noises in Gran Turismo. The bass is present but not muddy or excessively heavy.
I’d say the focus is more on the mids and highs rather than the lows, which isn’t a bad thing for a gaming headset. You can control the audio levels directly from the headset, and this will show up on screen too. Whether it’s the volume controls or the in-game chat balance, you can adjust it on screen.
For story-driven games where you want to feel immersed, like The Last of Us Part One, you can really appreciate the detailed sound. As you walk around and listen to the ambient noises, the headset’s quality becomes evident.
Noise Cancelling and EQ Setting
The noise cancelling button lets you toggle between three different modes. You can have noise cancelling on to block out background noise, ambient sound on to let ambient noise into the headset, or both modes off for a normal experience. This is controlled by the noise-canceling microphones on the outside of the headset.
I was genuinely impressed with how well the noise cancellation worked. It’s not as intense as the Apple Pro Max headset, but it’s decent. You’ll still hear some background noise if you’re not listening to anything through the headset, but once you start gaming, it does a great job of reducing those sounds. I could easily play my game without hearing the TV behind me.
However, when using it with the PlayStation 5, there’s no option to adjust or edit the EQ settings. This was similar to the Pulse 3D at launch, but Sony later added the ability to adjust EQ settings on the PS5.
If you use INZONE H9 headset with a PC, you can take advantage of the INZONE Hub software. This software unlocks the full capability of the headset, allowing you to control the EQ settings and use available presets. The software looks great, but unfortunately, it is limited to Windows.
Comfort and Bluetooth
When comes to comfort, the INZONE H9s are some of the coziest headphones I’ve used. The top band has a nicely padded cushion that sits comfortably on your head. The ear pads are extremely soft, and the ear cups rotate freely, allowing you to adjust them snugly over your ears. Adjusting the headset is easy—simply pull the band up or push it down to secure it in place.
For Macbook users like myself, note that you won’t be able to install specific software. The H9s not only work with a 2.4 GHz wireless dongle but also have built-in Bluetooth. This means they can connect to your phone, laptop, or TV without needing the USB receiver.
Moreover, you can listen to Bluetooth audio from your phone simultaneously with the wireless audio. This allows you to play games or chat on PlayStation while listening to music or taking phone calls via Bluetooth.
Battery Life
As H9 is a wireless headset, it will need to be charged regularly. A full charge takes a few hours and provides up to 32 hours of use. If you find the headset completely drained, a quick 10-minute charge will give you about one hour of use. The headset comes with a USB charging cable in the box. Simply plug one end into the front of your console and the other end into the headset.
You can continue using the headset while it charges, as long as you have an available USB port on your PlayStation 5. You can plug the dongle into that port and charge the headset simultaneously.
While there is no battery indicator on the headset itself, the charging status is visible on the PS5 Dashboard, allowing you to monitor when it needs charging.
Comparison
Comparing it to other INZONE headsets like the H3 and H7s, the main differences with the H7 and H9s are the noise cancelling feature and leather ear pads instead of cloth. Those are the primary distinctions.
On the other hand, the H3s are the most affordable in the range. They are wired (not wireless), lack Bluetooth and noise cancelling, and have a more basic appearance. However, they serve as a good entry-level headset.
Verdict
So, are the INZONE H9 worth buying? They’re priced between £220 to £250, or about $298. That’s a significant investment for a gaming headset, but considering the features we’ve discussed today, I believe they justify the price.
If you’re looking for a headset compatible with PlayStation 5 and PC, with Bluetooth capability, wireless connectivity, long battery life, and good sound quality, then these are a solid choice. The main drawbacks are that the mute button doesn’t work on the controller, and there are no EQ settings available when using it with the PlayStation 5.
If you’re upgrading from the Pulse 3Ds, you’ll notice a significant improvement in quality and comfort. However, the lack of EQ settings might be a concern for some. If you don’t need noise cancelling, you might consider the H7 instead. They are cheaper by £40 to £50 and still offer good value.
