Sony isn't so known for its PC gaming accessories, but it's trying to change that by leveling up and broadening its Inzone line with five new accessories. These include the upgraded flagship Inzone H9 II wireless headset ($350), Inzone E9 in-ear monitors ($150), Inzone KBD-H75 keyboard ($300), Inzone Mouse-A gaming mouse ($150) and two mousepads, all of which were developed in collaboration with the prominent esports team Fnatic, and are optimized for first-person shooters. They're available now for preorder.
At a preview event in New York, a few CNET editors got to play around with the new accessories, and I've been testing the Inzone H9 II headset for a few days at home. It has the same drivers as Sony's flagship $450 WH-1000XM6 headphones and comes with a low-latency 2.4 GHz USB-C dongle that allows you to use the headset wirelessly with Sony's PlayStation 5 and the Nintendo Switch and Switch 2 (it also has Bluetooth connectivity). The H9 II is equipped with active noise canceling and a new detachable boom microphone (the original H9's boom mic was not detachable).
Enlarge Image Sony's broadened its line of Inzone PC gaming accessories with its first keyboard, gaming mouse, in-ear monitors and two mouse pads to go along with its new flagship H9 II wireless headset and entry-level H3 wired headset. Sony
Weighing 260 grams and featuring a redesigned headband "structure" that reduces pressure on the top of your head, the first thing you notice about the headset is how light and comfortable it is. Part of me wishes the WH-1000XM6 were designed like this, but the headset doesn't fold up like the XM6 does (it just folds flat). I did like the soft carrying pouch that's included -- it has a side pocket for the boom microphone, dongle and corded cable. I also liked the layout of the control buttons, which include a scroll wheel for volume control and a mic mute button at the top of the left ear cup that's easy to locate by feel.
Sony's touting the Super Wide Band microphone's performance, saying it can deliver clearer, more natural sound and also filter out background noise with "AI-optimized precision" so teammates can hear your voice better. Also, the Inzone Hub for PC gaming allows you to adjust your audio profile and EQ settings with virtual 7.1-channel surround sound and 360 spatial sound. Battery life is rated at up to 30 hours on a single charge.
The mute button is on top of the left ear cup. Screenshot by David Carnoy/CNET
From my few days using the Inzone H9 II, it seems like a fairly substantial upgrade from the original H9, which sells for as low as $190 on Amazon. I'm a fan of Sony's Pulse Elite gaming headset for the PlayStation 5, which features planar magnetic drivers and only costs $150. But the Inzone H9 II has better build quality and is a swankier headset overall.
My co-worker Tyler Graham was impressed with the H9 II's noise canceling, but had some gripes with the volume control and microphone performance. At the launch event for the new Inzone accessories, he played a couple of pick-up games of Marvel Rivals while waiting for our colleague Mike Sorrentino to join him at the mock internet cafe Sony had set up. While playing, he looked over and was startled to find Mike sitting five feet away from him, trying to get his attention. Tyler said he literally couldn't hear anything except for enemy footsteps and ultimate voicelines throughout the game.
Once Mike got set up to play, they tested the microphone functionality. With the the H9 II Wireless Headset designed in collaboration Fnatic for pro-level play, it's supposed to hold up during LAN parties like the one at the launch event. But they only found the microphone performance serviceable in the noisy environment.
Unlike the original H9's fixed boom microphone, the mic on the H9 II is detachable. David Carnoy/CNET
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