Sony just dropped the INZONE H9 II, and honestly, the internet is already kind of confused. Some folks are calling it a "PS5 headset for pros," while others are scratching their heads at the $350 price tag. Look, if you’re just checking the spec sheet, you might think you’re paying for a paint job and a new logo. You'd be wrong.
I’ve been tracking Sony’s audio gear since the original Gold Wireless days. They have this habit of taking their best tech—the stuff in those $400 XM-series noise-canceling headphones everyone wears on planes—and trying to shove it into a gaming frame. Sometimes it works. Sometimes it’s a mess.
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With the Sony INZONE H9 II, they basically gutted their flagship WH-1000XM6 headphones and rebuilt them for people who spend six hours a day in Valorant or Apex Legends.
The weight loss is the real story
The biggest shock when you actually hold the INZONE H9 II is how light it feels. The original H9 was a bit of a tank at 330 grams. It wasn’t "heavy," but you definitely knew it was there. This new version? It’s roughly 260 grams. That’s a massive 17% drop.
Sony achieved this by redesigning the headband. Instead of that thick, padded leatherette bar that eventually flattens out, they went with a thin steel frame wrapped in braided fabric with a suspended cushion. It looks a bit more "industrial," but the comfort is leagues better. You basically forget it’s on your head after twenty minutes.
The XM6 DNA and why it sounds "weird"
Here’s the part where the marketing gets tricky. Sony is touting that the INZONE H9 II uses the same 30mm carbon composite drivers found in the WH-1000XM6. Naturally, people assume these will sound exactly like high-end music headphones.
They don't.
Sony worked with the eSports team Fnatic to tune these. If you plug them in and expect a warm, bass-heavy "movie theater" sound, you’re going to be disappointed. Out of the box, they’re tuned for competitive shooters. Everything is focused on "spatial awareness." The treble is boosted to make footsteps and reload sounds pop. The bass is controlled so it doesn't drown out the mid-range.
If you want them to sound like the XM6s for music, you have to use the INZONE Hub on PC or the Sony Sound Connect app on mobile. Once you tweak the EQ, the potential of those carbon drivers actually shows up. But by default? They are tools for winning, not for relaxing.
Noise canceling that actually works (Finally)
Most gaming headsets have "noise cancellation" that is basically just thick foam. Sony is different. They’re using the Dual Noise Sensor technology from their flagship audio line.
It’s scary good.
I’ve tested these in a room with a loud AC unit and a PC fan pinned at 100% speed. The H9 II just... deletes it. It’s easily the best ANC in the gaming market right now, beating out the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro. If you play in a noisy dorm or a living room where people are watching TV, this is probably the only reason you need to buy them.
The Mic: No more "flip-to-mute"
The old H9 had a permanent plastic flip-up mic. It was fine, but it looked a bit dorky if you wanted to use the headphones for anything else. The INZONE H9 II finally goes detachable.
It’s a unidirectional cardioid mic, which is a fancy way of saying it only picks up what’s directly in front of your mouth. Sony also added AI noise reduction to the microphone itself. It filters out clicks from your mechanical keyboard or your dog barking in the background without making your voice sound like a robot. It’s a massive step up for Discord.
The "PS5 Problem" and some weird quirks
Okay, let’s talk about the annoying stuff. Because there’s always annoying stuff.
Surprisingly, the H9 II has less native integration with the PS5 than the original. Some users are reporting that the on-screen overlays for volume and game/chat balance don't show up like they used to. You can still adjust them using the physical buttons on the earcups, but it’s a weird step backward for a "first-party" Sony accessory.
Also, the battery life is just okay. Sony says 30 hours. In the real world, with ANC turned on and simultaneous Bluetooth/2.4GHz connections going, you’re looking at closer to 20-22 hours. In a world where the HyperX Cloud III Wireless lasts for 120 hours, Sony’s numbers feel a bit dated.
Connectivity: The hidden superpower
One thing Sony nailed is the simultaneous connection. You can have the USB-C dongle plugged into your PS5 or PC for low-latency game audio, and simultaneously be connected to your phone via Bluetooth.
You’ve probably been there: you’re mid-raid and your phone rings. With these, you just answer the call. The game audio stays in the background. It’s seamless. They also added a 3.5mm jack this time around, which the first H9 didn't have. So, if the battery dies, you aren't just holding an expensive paperweight—you can just plug them into your controller.
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Should you actually buy the INZONE H9 II?
It depends on what you value.
- Buy them if: You play FPS games competitively, you have a noisy environment, and you care about weight more than anything else. These are the most comfortable high-end cans on the market right now.
- Skip them if: You just want a casual headset for single-player games or you need a battery that lasts a whole week without a charge.
Actionable Next Steps:
If you do pick these up, the first thing you should do is download the INZONE Hub software. The "Flat" profile is a bit boring, so try the "Bass Boost" or "Music" preset for anything that isn't a competitive shooter. Also, make sure to toggle the "Sidetone" setting in the app; the default is way too low, and you'll end up shouting because you can't hear your own voice.