Sony is launching three new headsets designed above all to interest PC gamers. Here are the Sony Inzone H9, Inzone H7 and Inzone H3.
Sony wants to seduce PC gamers. After launching some of its exclusive PlayStation games on Steam and the Epic Games Store, the Japanese brand is now launching into PC gaming hardware. His first accessories are therefore monitors and three helmets called Inzone H9, Inzone H7 and Inzone H3, also compatible PS5. The first two are wireless, the third is wired.
The spatialization of sound for all
Sound has become an essential component of video games, especially when it comes to online games. Situating your enemies precisely by ear and being able to communicate with your team members are definite advantages on the virtual battlefield. With its new helmets, Sony, already a specialist in audio helmets, is interested in the question of spatialization.
Sony wants to improve four points in particular to give the impression that the sound comes from everywhere. The Inzone H9, H7 and H3 thus emphasize the natural sensation of the noise, the surrounding side to properly identify its movement, the precision of the distance, as well as the reproduction of fine sounds that are sometimes not very audible. The goal is to virtually convert two-channel stereo signals into signals surround 7.1.
The virtualization of sound nevertheless poses some technical difficulties since all ears are not formed in the same way. Sony has therefore used its expertise in audio to offer a system aimed at adapting the sound experience using a photo of the user’s ears, via a dedicated application. A generic profile nevertheless remains present for those who do not wish to use this option.
In addition to this 360 Spatial Audio technology for PC, there is also the Tempest 3D on PS5, already present on the Pulse 3D.
A design thought to balance the pressure
Another essential point for a good headset: the pressure. Too much pressure and the helmet will be unpleasant to wear in the long run, too little pressure and the insulation will be less good, as well as the acoustics.
To improve comfort and sound quality, Sony has chosen to equip its Inzone H9 with the same soft leatherette earpads as the Sony WH-1000xM5. For their part, the H3 and H7 have nylon pads.
This is not the only advantage of the H9 compared to its two little brothers since there is also active noise reduction (ANC). A nice addition for those who play for long hours and want to reduce the noise of their PC fan or the crackling of a fridge, for example. Light effects are also included.
Helmets designed for team play
gaming headset obliges, we find on the three models a microphone, unidirectional on the Inzone H3, bidirectional on the H7 and H9. The pole is both flexible to position itself correctly in front of the mouth and retractable for storage. In addition to the “mute” button on it, raising this rod automatically mutes the outgoing sound.
The Inzone H7 and H9 connect via 2.4 GHz Wifi via a dongle USB provided, but can also be paired via Bluetooth to a telephone. This makes it possible, for example, to manage discussion groups from your phone, but also to make a call during the game. A button on the side of the headsets also makes it possible to balance the sound of the game compared to that of the voice chat. The three helmets are also certified Discord.
A shared range
On the pricing side, they’re pretty consistent for the H3 and H9, but the Inzone H7’s price seems harder to justify.
At 100 euros, the Inzone H3 looks like a good high-end wired headset. The Inzone H9 is planned for 300 euros, with a rather correct autonomy (no more) of 32 hours without active noise reduction. We will have to wait for the test to find out how long it can resist with the ANC activated. Fortunately, 10 min of recharging is enough to regain 1 hour of use and it is possible to use it while recharging.
Finally, the Inzone H7 is 250 euros. Admittedly, it offers 40 hours of autonomy, but for only 50 euros more, we would rather tend at first glance to advise its big brother. To be checked when they have all passed into the hands of the editorial staff. For now, we don’t have tested than the Sony Inzone H7.
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