Sony debuts Inzone true wireless gaming buds and lightweight H5 over-ears

Sony is stepping up its support for gamers with the launch of two new Inzone branded gaming headphones, including its first wireless noise cancelling buds with spatial 3D audio.

Designed primarily for PC gamers, but also compatible with PlayStation 5, the Sony Inzone Buds can be personalised to individual users and feature 12 hours of battery life with low latency; a supplied USB-C dongle connection provides latency of less than 30ms. Only Bluetooth LA Audio is supported.

Also announced, its Inzone H5 wireless headset offers 28 hours of uninterrupted gameplay.

Both new models feature improved voice chat clarity. We’re told the improved noise reduction has been made possible using AI machine learning using more than 500 million voice samples. The result is better ambient noise suppression.

Using a unique spatial sound virtualizer on the Inzone Buds, players will be able to hear the location and direction of opponents, says Sony.

By taking photos of your ears using the 360 Spatial Sound Personaliser smartphone app, Sound Field Optimisation is used to create a personalised hearing profile.

Utilising advanced personalisation techniques, the Buds analyse not only the shape of the outer ear, but also the acoustic characteristics of the ear canal.

With Sound Tone Personalisation, the earbuds play test sounds from driver units and use feedback microphones to measure how the sound fills your ear canal. Based on the subsequent acoustic analysis, the sound is then personalised using the Inzone Hub PC application.

The buds utilise the same Dynamic Driver X first heard on the WF-1000XM5 True Wireless music earbuds. The diaphragm structure, which utilises different materials for both the dome and edge, reduces distortion.

A low power consumption L1 processor provides up to 12 hours of battery life, with up to 24 hours total battery life with the charging case.

The more traditional over-ear Inzone H5 gaming headphones boast a lightweight build, just 260g compared to the H3’s 299g, with lower side pressure for prolonged gaming and a soft, thickly cushioned headband.

The lighter design is seen as a big deal. Sony research indicates that more than 30 per cent of game headset users feel discomfort when gaming, due to excessive side pressure.

A step up from its cheaper H3 model, the new H5 also features advanced spatial reproduction, using 360 Spatial Sound, and a bidirectional boom microphone.

In addition to 28 hours of wireless use, there’s also the option of going wired with a 3.5 mm plug option.

The company has also announced a black edition of its flagship £269 (€300) H9 noise cancelling gaming headphone, due to consumer demand.

Available from this month, the Sony Inzone Buds sell for £180 (€200), while the Inzone H5 retails for £130 (€150).