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Welcome to my review of the Sony-INZONE H3 Wired Gaming Headset. As an avid gamer, I am always on the lookout for the best gaming headphones that provide immersive sound quality and a comfortable fit. I came across the Sony-INZONE H3 Wired Gaming Headset while searching for a new pair of headphones for my PlayStation 5. After using it for a few weeks, here are my thoughts on the product.
The Sony-INZONE H3 Wired Gaming Headset is a mixed bag. While the 360 spatial sound provides precise rival detection and enhances the gaming experience, the noise-canceling feature is underwhelming. I found the microphone quality to be poor, and the flip-up boom microphone with mute function didn’t work well. The headphones’ focus on low frequencies sacrifices the accuracy of mid and high frequencies, which is critical for simulated 3D audio. The INZONE Hub software personalizes the experience, but it isn’t necessary for everyday use. While the headphones are comfortable for extended use, they suffer from being overpriced.
Spatial Audio and Audio Quality
The Sony-INZONE H3 Wired Gaming Headset promises a personalized 360 Spatial Sound for gaming, providing precise rival detection. However, some users have found the spatial audio quality to be lacking. The audio quality, in general, is also not exceptional, with a focus on low frequencies that can result in the loss of accuracy for mids and highs. This can be problematic for 3D audio from stereo headphones, as sound cues draw attention to important elements in games like footsteps or cars, requiring accurate spatial audio.For simulated 3D audio, high-frequency accuracy is crucial, and the Sony-INZONE H3 may not meet the industry standard of Dolby Atmos over Stereo headphones. Sony’s algorithm for 3D audio is about 30-40% less accurate than Atmos. While it’s possible that Sony may improve their algorithm in the future, it’s been nearly three years since its release, and there have been no changes. Additionally, games need to support pulse 3D audio for any effect other than stereo, but so far, not many games do.
Active Noise Cancelling
The Sony-INZONE H3 features Active Noise Cancelling (ANC) that uses exterior microphones on the headphones to record what’s going on around you and then uses the opposite sound waves from the headphones speaker to cancel most of that sound out. However, the ANC on these headphones is quite lacking, with only 19db of noise cancelling, putting them on par with $120-50 Sony xb910n’s with the same sound profile. The Pulse 3d headphones from Sony, on the other hand, don’t have noise cancelling but do have slightly better audio quality, which also means better 3D audio, even if it’s not nearly as good as Atmos headphone simulated 3D audio.
Microphone Quality
The Sony-INZONE H3 comes with a flexible flip-up boom microphone with a mute function. However, some users have found the microphone’s audio quality to be quite poor, especially if the room has noise like an air-conditioner or fan, or others talking. Friends could hear the user’s Dyson bladeless fan on setting 3/10, and it was nine feet away, not pointing anywhere near the user’s direction. The microphone is also too sensitive and needs to be of higher quality for the asking price.
Price and Value
The Sony-INZONE H3 Wired Gaming Headset is priced at $78.00 on Amazon, with a rating of 4.3 stars and 866 reviews. Some users have found the headset to be overpriced for what it offers, while others have found it to be a good value. The headset’s audio quality is decent, but not exceptional, and the microphone quality can be poor. However, the headset’s ANC and battery life are satisfactory, making it a good choice for some users. Overall, the value of the headset is subjective and depends on the user’s needs and preferences.
Comfort and Design
The Sony-INZONE H3 Wired Gaming Headset promises to provide hours of gaming comfort, with a soft headband and smooth ear pads. While some users have found the comfort to be satisfactory, others have found it to be mediocre. The design of the headset is based on the Sony WH1000XM series, which may be misleading for some users expecting a similar level of quality. The overall design is not exceptional, but it is functional.
Connectivity and Compatibility
The Sony-INZONE H3 Wired Gaming Headset is compatible with PC and PlayStation 5 and can be personalized through the INZONE Hub software. However, some users have found that the headset does not connect to Android mobile devices, even though they have the same Bluetooth version as the headphones. This can be problematic for users looking for proper Bluetooth connectivity with their Android mobile devices. It is essential to check compatibility before purchasing the headset.
Pros:
- Personalized 360 Spatial Sound for Gaming provides precise rival detection.
- Soft headband and smooth ear pads for comfortable gaming for hours.
- Ergonomically designed controls for effortless operation.
Cons:
- Poor quality boom microphone with low audio quality.
- Only 19db of noise cancelling, putting it on par with cheaper Sony headphones.
- Overpriced for what it offers, especially compared to other brands.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Sony-INZONE H3 Wired Gaming Headset is a decent pair of headphones, but it doesn’t live up to its price. It’s not worth the $78 price tag, considering there are cheaper headphones with better features and sound quality. If you’re looking for a gaming headset, the Sony Pulse 3D headphones are a better option, especially if you don’t need noise-canceling. Overall, I wouldn’t recommend the Sony-INZONE H3 Wired Gaming Headset.
Questions & Answers:
Question: How does the 3D audio compare to other formats?
Answer: According to the reviewer, the algorithm used by Sony for spatial audio is about 30-40% less accurate compared to industry standard formats like Dolby Atmos.
Question: How does the noise cancelling compare to other Sony headphones?
Answer: The noise cancelling on these headphones is only 19db, which is the same as the cheaper Sony xb910n headphones.
Question: Is the microphone on the headset good quality?
Answer: No, the boom microphone has poor audio quality and is sensitive to background noise like fans or air-conditioners.
