Sony’s Latest Gaming Headset Is a Lot Just like the WH-1000XM6

When it involves the lively noise cancelling headsets, two huge names are at the moment vying for the highest slot: Apple and Sony. I’ve used each, and every simply affords extra dependable noise discount than anyplace else, drowning out each excessive and low frequencies with little concern. The downside? If you need the most effective every model has to supply—whether or not that is the AirPods Max or the Sony WH-1000XM6—you need to shell out upwards of $400. That’s why every firm additionally affords step-down fashions, just like the Beats Studio Pro wi-fi headphones from Apple.

Unfortunately, Sony’s step-down fashions have not been as compelling to me, coming in cheaper than the Beats but additionally missing in sound high quality and additional options. Now, although, there’s lastly a good mid-range WH-1000 collection various—and of all issues, it is a gaming headset.

Announced in the present day as Sony’s newest PC gaming headset, the Inzone H9 II can also be a beautiful mid-budget substitute for the WH-1000XM6. It’s costlier than the cheaper ULT collection, however finds the midpoint between finances and luxurious that Sony’s been missing.

Updated drivers

Three updates make the H9 II price listening to as a WH-1000 collection various. The first, and most blatant, is that it makes use of the identical audio drivers because the WH-1000XM6, and the identical ANC sensors.

That means the core audio playback and noise cancelling expertise will probably be almost an identical to Sony’s most premium headset, which I am unable to say of the ULT collection and the earlier H9 headset. Those fashions, whereas technically having larger drivers at 40mm versus 30mm, prioritized bass, whereas the WH-1000XM6 and H9 II have a extra balanced soundstage. Since this can be a gaming headset, which means it will likely be simpler to listen to high-frequency seems like bullets, but additionally, music will sound a bit extra impartial, leaving you extra room to advantageous tune your settings with an equalizer. That’s one thing my colleague Daniel Oropeza appreciated when he reviewed the XM6. Basically, earlier cheaper Sony headsets determined how your audio would sound for you, however this provides you extra room to experiment.

A detachable microphone

Credit: Michelle Ehrhardt

Recommending a gaming headset as a substitute for an on a regular basis listening headset raises an enormous query: What in regards to the microphone? I’m the kind of one that will fold an connected increase mic up and away when not in use, however I acknowledge that others aren’t as unafraid of showing cringe. Luckily, the H9 II’s microphone is totally detachable.

That microphone, which has been upgraded to be unidirectional, plugs into the headset by way of an ordinary headphone jack, which means avid gamers get full, latency-free connectivity whereas it is in use, however everybody else can merely unplug it after they wish to take the headset out of the home. And taking the microphone off truly makes the headset lighter. While the prior H9 was 0.73 kilos, this mannequin is 0.6 kilos with the microphone connected and 0.57 kilos with it indifferent. Not too unhealthy, on condition that the WH-1000XM6 weighs 0.56 kilos. Plus, there’s additionally a brand new headband construction, which is meant to distribute weight extra evenly in your head. I did not discover a lot of a distinction, however I assume high-level esports gamers will admire this extra.

At any price, with out the microphone connected, the H9 II does not look very like a gaming headset, particularly as a result of it is available in each white and black, so you do not have to stay to PlayStation colours.

Mobile app connectivity

Setting up sound profiles or equalizer settings for the earlier H9 headset was a little bit of a ache, since whereas it did have spatial sound and equalizer help, you would solely entry these via the Inzone Hub app for PC. That’s not nice if you wish to hear on the go, which is why this time, Sony has thrown in help for the Sony Sound Connect mobile app. That means you’ll alter the equalizer on the go, and whereas there are bodily controls for noise cancelling on the headset, you will additionally be capable to flip it on and off via the app.

To assist with this, there’s additionally LE Audio help for connecting to units that help the brand new Bluetooth commonplace, which reduces latency and energy draw. And for anybody nonetheless mad at Apple for eradicating the audio jack on the iPhone, the H9 II provides a brand new 3.5mm aux jack for plugging into another machine to hearken to sound instantly.

What do you lose from the WH-1000XM6?

Credit: Michelle Ehrhardt

On the floor, it seems like this new gaming headset is actually simply an XM6 in numerous clothes. While I’d say that is not too far off from the reality, there are nonetheless just a few concessions right here.

First, these do not fold up for straightforward storage like on the XM6, and the included carrying case is a delicate bag relatively than a sturdy hardshell. Second, some superior software program options, like adaptive sound management, aren’t current. That means no computerized swapping between ANC or ambient mode relying on in case you’re sitting or strolling round exterior. Third, you probably have the removable increase mic eliminated, you are not going to have the ability to make calls—there aren’t any built-in beamforming microphones like there are on the XM6.

Still, whereas this is not the very same expertise, relying on how you utilize your headset, you may not really feel the loss. The estimated battery life is even the identical, at about 30 hours. While I have never drained them totally but, I can say {that a} fast cost of 5 minutes is all you want for about three hours of play.

Gaming first options

Credit: Michelle Ehrhardt

While I’m positioning this as a mid-budget various to Sony’s finest headphones, it is price remembering that these are being bought to avid gamers first. That means there’s just a few further goodies right here in case you prefer to click on heads in your spare time.

First, Sony labored with esports group FNATIC to pre-equip the H9 II with three equalizer presets particularly for first individual shooters. These can be found each within the Inzone Hub PC app and the Sony Sound Connect cellular app, which means you’ll use them with each PC and console, and I discovered them particularly handy. Testing them out in Apex Legends, I undoubtedly observed bullets and footsteps extra simply with them on, and I’m unsure I might have been in a position to tune the equalizer myself to get these settings.

Second, not like on the WH-1000XM6, there is a USB-C dongle included. While that is largely to maintain latency low for gaming, it additionally makes it simple to hearken to audio from any machine with a USB-C port, which will be useful for protecting a number of connections lively, or for when a tool does not help Bluetooth.

Price and availability

Credit: Michelle Ehrhardt

Now, it is time to rip the bandage off. Remember that this can be a cheaper headset, however not a budget-oriented one. Available for pre-order now (with an official launch date set for a while this fall), the Sony Inzone H9 II prices $350, whether or not you go for black or white. That’s definitely a fairly penny, however on condition that the WH-1000XM6 prices $450, and that the H9 II has a lot of the identical tech, I’d say it nonetheless lastly hits that mid-range Sony headphone worth level I’ve been ready on.