Sony INZONE H9 II

Forget the bulky and somewhat clumsy design of the first series: with the INZONE H9 II, Sony It performed a veritable cosmetic and functional surgery. The goal wasn't just to update the hardware, but to redefine the concept of the "ultimate headset" for gamers, according to Sony, who doesn't want to compromise between a competitive session on Valorant and a work call on the damned Teams.

The Fnatic team's professional expertise is evident in every choice, from the complete removal of unnecessary LEDs to save weight to the fine-tuning of the drivers. In 2026, this is a product that seeks to justify its premium price not with RGB lighting, but with engineering that focuses on maximum performance.

The Heart of the Beast

When it comes to the components, Sony has made a bold move by using 30mm carbon composite drivers derived directly from the WH-1000XM6 (yes, the ones that dominate the ANC market). But the figure that most surprised us in the official specifications is the electrical behavior: the impedance goes from just 21 ohms when the headphones are off to a whopping 440 ohms once they are on.

This means that the internal processor takes full control of the signal, applying aggressive DSP (Digital Signal Processing) that radically transforms the sound output. On the connectivity front, support for the LC3 codec via Bluetooth 5.3 ensures reduced latency and superior stability, while simultaneous support for the 2.4GHz dongle allows you to manage game and smartphone audio without annoying manual switches.

I hear them light

The structure is lightweight: a mere 260 grams of weight is distributed across a string-suspension headband that replaces the traditional static padding. The earcups deserve praise for their choice of materials: inside, we find a dense mesh fabric to promote breathability, while the outside is covered in soft fabric to ensure the acoustic seal that's essential for the ANC to work properly. However, we must admit that the headband, despite being extremely light, is a bit lacking in padding at the top (although, given the weight of the headphones, you'll potentially have to wait hours before you feel any discomfort). The USB-C dongle, unfortunately, remains a rather bulky rectangle that protrudes uncomfortably from thin laptops or portable consoles, a small flaw in an otherwise excellent design.

From the hell of Doom to the Forgotten Realms

We tested the H9 II with a selection of titles that showcase its different facets. In Doom Eternal, the speed of the carbon drivers is impressive: the sounds of side-charging demons are placed with surgical precision in the soundstage. In Destiny 2, the bass reproduction is powerful and punchy, perfect for explosions, although the factory audio profile has the highs a bit too muted.

Fortunately, the INZONE Hub software helps correct this by restoring clarity to the mids and highs. On Baldur's Gate 3, we appreciated the ambient isolation: the ANC is so effective that it completely "sucks out" the noise of a mechanical keyboard or a noisy air conditioner in the same room. The microphone, now removable and featuring an expanded frequency range of up to 14 kHz, captures a warm, natural voice, almost completely eliminating annoying pops thanks to the included foam filter.

Bottom line

Unlike what was seen on the Mouse-A The H9 II's management software is more mature and offers a good level of control over everything, from game/chat balance to customizing spatial sound via in-ear imaging. Priced at CHF 267 (on Digitec), these headphones are positioned in a competitive range, offering rare versatility thanks to the return of the 3.5 mm jack (essential for connecting to an Xbox controller or an external DAC). While battery life with ANC active isn't the best on the market, we've spent several days with them, and it's more than sufficient for almost any type of user. This is a headset for those seeking absolute silence and a comfort that allows them to forget about technology, leaving room only for total immersion in the game.