Hardware Review: Sony INZONE H9 II – The Perfect Gaming Headset?

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We’ve spent the last month testing the Sony INZONE H9 II headphones, Sony’s high-end offering that promises exceptional sound quality. We wanted to see if these £300 headphones live up to the hype and are truly worth the investment.

What Is The Sony INZONE H9 II?

The Sony INZONE H9 II is the updated version of Sony’s excellent 2022 headset, offering wireless noise cancellation. It easily connects to your PS5 and PCs using a USB-C dongle, but also works with Bluetooth or a standard 3.5mm audio cable. A key feature is its flexible and removable boom microphone.

All of this will set you back £299.99/$349.99, making the H9 II a pretty pricey headset.

What’s In The Box?

Inside the H9 II box, you’ll find the headset, a separate microphone, a USB-C charging cable, a 3.5mm headphone jack, a few branded stickers, and a small carrying pouch.

Setting it up is incredibly easy – simply plug in the adapter and power on the headset. We were up and running in less than 30 seconds!

Build Quality and Hardware Features

The INZONE H9 II is incredibly lightweight and comfortable. Its headband is flexible and features soft padding on top, making it easy to find the perfect fit.

These headphones replace the original’s fake leather with a fabric material, making them much more comfortable and breathable. They feel lighter on your head, but are also more durable and stay in place better than the previous model.

On the left earcup, you’ll find everything you need: a USB-C charging port, a 3.5mm headphone jack, a microphone input, a switch to toggle between noise cancellation and letting outside sound in, a volume control, and a mute button on top.

The right earcup features a volume button – a single tap will tell you how much battery is left. You’ll also find a button for pairing with Bluetooth devices and a switch to adjust the balance between game audio and party chat.

The USB-C connection makes it incredibly easy to set up and use. There’s a switch to choose between your computer and devices like a PlayStation 5. Beyond that, all the essential features of the H9 II are built right into the unit itself.

You won’t have to mess with complicated settings. The PS5 does offer lots of audio customization if you want it, though.

We especially like the H9 II’s removable microphone. This, combined with the headset’s stylish black look, lets you use it just like a normal pair of headphones.

Gaming headsets often have a distinct, and not always stylish, look that makes them unsuitable for everyday wear. Plus, they can be quite pricey, leaving you with the dilemma of needing separate headphones for other uses. The H9 IIs break that mold with a design that’s versatile enough for both gaming and everyday life, giving you more value for your money.

Honestly, the biggest difference with the H9 II is the mic. It’s a huge step up from the original H9s, and even compared to other headsets I’ve tried in the same price range, the sound quality is amazing. I was actually getting compliments on how clear my voice sounded the first time I used it in a party chat – it was a really noticeable improvement!

One of the biggest improvements is the microphone’s ability to block out background noise. I tend to breathe heavily when I’m really focused on a game, and while the original H9 picked up every breath, the H9 II completely eliminates it. This makes a huge difference in call quality.

The Audio Experience

The Sony INZONE H9 II headset delivers excellent sound quality, making it ideal for gamers who want to be fully absorbed in their games. While testing it with the ‘From The Ashes’ DLC for Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora, we were impressed by how clearly we could hear even the smallest details in the game’s lush rainforest environment.

The sound quality isn’t a massive improvement over the original H9s – it’s perhaps slightly fuller – which might make current H9 owners, or those with comparable headphones, think twice about upgrading.

Actually, that’s a positive change. The H9’s sound quality was its strongest feature, and Sony has now brought that same great audio experience to a more comfortable headset – one that really shines with subtle sounds. It still performs well with fast-paced games like Battlefield 6 or ARC Raiders, though it’s not quite as loud as the previous model.

The good news is, noise cancellation means you won’t have to worry about things being too loud. The H9 II lets you adjust the level of noise cancellation – you can choose from three settings. This is useful for things like still being able to hear the doorbell when you’re expecting a delivery, or blocking out everything for total focus. While it’s not quite as strong as the noise cancellation on the previous model, we believe that’s because this version is lighter.

Should You Buy The Sony INZONE H9 II?

The Sony INZONE H9 II headset is expensive at £300, but it delivers a truly top-tier experience.

The sound quality is fantastic. While it doesn’t represent a huge leap forward from the previous model, almost everything else has been significantly improved. This headset is much more comfortable to wear, thanks to its light weight and breathable materials, making it ideal for extended use. The microphone is a major upgrade over the original H9, delivering clear, crisp audio and blocking out background noise.

What really makes the H9 II stand out is its design. It delivers excellent sound quality whether you’re commuting, working, or hitting the gym, and it also performs incredibly well as a gaming headset. That’s quite impressive!

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2026-01-14 16:08