Sony’s Latest Gaming Headset Looks a Lot Like the WH-1000XM6
When it comes to active noise-canceling headphones, there are currently two big names vying for the top spot: Apple and Sony. I’ve used both, and each offers more reliable noise cancellation than the other, easily blocking out both high and low frequencies. The problem? If you want the best of what each brand has to offer — whether it’s the AirPods Max or the Sony WH-1000XM6 — you’re going to have to shell out more than $400. That’s why each company also offers more affordable models, like Apple’s Beats Studio Pro wireless headphones.
Unfortunately, I haven’t been as impressed with Sony’s cheaper models, which are cheaper than the Beats but lacking in sound quality and extra features. But now there’s finally a worthy alternative to the mid-range WH-1000 series — and, surprisingly, it’s a gaming headset.
Sony’s latest gaming headset, the Inzone H9 II, also makes for an attractive mid-range alternative to the WH-1000XM6. It’s more expensive than the cheaper ULT series models , but it’s the sweet spot between budget and luxury that Sony has been missing.
Updated drivers
Three upgrades make the H9 II worth considering as an alternative to the WH-1000 series. The first, and most obvious, is the use of the same audio drivers as the WH-1000XM6, and the same active noise-cancelling sensors.
This means that the audio quality and noise cancellation will be almost identical to Sony’s most premium headset, which is more than I can say about the ULT series and the previous H9 headset. Those models, while technically having larger drivers at 40mm versus 30mm, prioritized bass, whereas the WH-1000XM6 and H9 II have a more balanced soundstage. Since this is a gaming headset, that means it will be easier to hear high-frequency sounds like bullets, but it will also make music sound a little more neutral, giving you more room to fine-tune the settings with the EQ. This is something my colleague Daniel Oropeza appreciated when he reviewed the XM6 . Essentially, Sony’s previous cheaper headsets decided how your audio would sound for you, but this one gives you more room to experiment.
Detachable microphone
When recommending a gaming headset as an alternative to a regular headset for listening to music, an important question arises: what about the microphone? I’m one of those who folds the boom mic when not in use, but I understand that others aren’t so concerned about looking awkward. Luckily, the H9 II’s microphone is completely detachable.
That microphone, which has been upgraded to be unidirectional, connects to the headset via a standard headphone jack, meaning gamers get a full, lag-free connection while in use, but everyone else can simply unplug it when they want to take the headset out of the house. And removing the microphone actually makes the headset lighter. Where the previous H9 weighed 0.73 pounds, this model weighs 0.6 pounds with the microphone attached and 0.57 pounds without it. Not bad, considering the WH-1000XM6 weighs 0.56 pounds. Plus, there’s also a new headband design that should distribute the weight more evenly across your head. I didn’t notice much of a difference, but I imagine high-level esports players will appreciate it more.
Either way, without a microphone attached, the H9 II doesn’t really feel like a gaming headset, especially considering it comes in both white and black, so you don’t have to stick to PlayStation colors.
Connecting to a mobile application
Setting up sound profiles and EQ settings on the previous H9 headset was quite a hassle, as despite supporting spatial audio and an EQ, they could only be accessed via the Inzone Hub PC app. That’s not great if you want to listen to music on the go, so this time around Sony has added support for the Sony Sound Connect mobile app . This means you’ll be able to adjust the EQ on the go, and while there are physical controls for noise cancellation on the headset, you’ll also be able to turn it on and off via the app.
To do this, there is LE Audio support for connecting to devices with the new Bluetooth standard, which reduces latency and power consumption. And for those still angry at Apple for removing the audio jack from the iPhone, the H9 II has a new 3.5mm AUX jack for connecting any other device and listening to audio directly.
What are you missing out on compared to the WH-1000XM6?
At first glance, it might seem like this new gaming headset is essentially the XM6 in a different guise. While that’s not far from the truth, there are a few tradeoffs.
First, they don’t fold up for easy storage like the XM6, and the included carrying case is a soft bag rather than a durable hard case. Second, some advanced software features like Adaptive Sound Control are missing. That means no automatic switching between Active Noise Cancellation and Ambient mode depending on whether you’re sitting outside or walking. Third, if you remove the detachable microphone, you won’t be able to make calls—there’s no built-in beamforming microphone like the XM6.
However, while it’s not exactly the same, depending on how you use the headset, you may not notice a difference. The estimated battery life is even the same, at around 30 hours. While I haven’t completely drained them yet, I can say that a quick five-minute charge is enough for about three hours of play.
First gaming features
While I’m positioning these as a mid-budget alternative to Sony’s best headphones, it’s worth remembering that these are primarily aimed at gamers. That means there are a few extra perks for those who like to click their heads in their spare time.
Firstly, Sony has teamed up with esports organisation FNATIC to equip the H9 II with three EQ presets specifically for first-person shooters. They’re available in both the Inzone Hub PC app and the Sony Sound Connect mobile app, meaning you can use them on both PC and console, and I found them particularly handy. When testing them out in Apex Legends , I definitely noticed that they made bullets and footsteps more audible, and I’m not sure I could have tweaked the EQ on my own to achieve those settings.
Second, unlike the WH-1000XM6, there’s a USB-C adapter included in the box. While this is primarily designed to minimize lag in games, it also makes it easy to listen to audio from any USB-C device, which can be useful for maintaining multiple active connections or when your device doesn’t support Bluetooth.
Price and availability
Now it’s time to take off the blindfold. Remember, this is a budget headset, but it’s not a budget one. The Sony Inzone H9 II is available for pre-order now (the official release date is set for this fall) and costs $350, regardless of whether you choose the black or white color. That’s certainly not a small amount of money, but considering the WH-1000XM6 costs $450 and the H9 II packs in virtually the same tech, I’d say it’s finally hitting the mid-range Sony headphone price point I’ve been waiting for.