Review of the Sony Inzone H5 headset for PC and PS5: comfort and lightness

When you’re a sprawling company like Sony, there are sometimes oddities in the catalog. This is how the multinational offers PlayStation accessories, but also gaming accessories under the Inzone brand – compatible with its consoles. A double positioning which may seem strange. In reality, it is quite easy to explain: PS5 owners will turn to PlayStation products when others may be interested in gaming products, in order to benefit from Sony’s know-how.

Another paradox: the Inzone range turns out to be much more complete than that of PlayStation. There are four headset models (compared to just one for the PS5), a pair of headphones and even screens (like the Inzone M9). It is true that it is designed to address a wider audience, particularly PC users. Some are less demanding than others. Numerama was able to test the Inzone H5 headset, available since October 10, 2023 at a price of €150, by connecting it to a PlayStation 5. It corresponds to the mid-range, with an emphasis on a very important criterion for gamers: comfort.

Strong points

• Impeccable comfort
• Convincing 3D audio rendering
• Discreet design

Weak points

• We would like a little more pep
• Non-removable microphone
• A not PlayStation headset better than the PlayStation headset

260 grams of comfort for the Sony Inzone H5

What is striking when you hold the Inzone H5 in your hands is its lightness. It weighs only 260 grams, making it the lightest in the range (even the H3 under €100 is heavier). We then understand that Sony wants to offer an accessory that can be used for hours and hours without fear of fatigue. We can confirm it: we wore the H5 for an entire evening and no pain on the top of the head was felt. The weight distribution is ideal, the nylon pads are very flexible and the headband padding is thick enough to provide good cushioning.

We also appreciate the design, very sober – more, in any case, than that of the PlayStation 3D Pulse headset, which takes up the futurism of the PS5. The H5 embraces a slightly more lifestyle and discreet philosophy, close to the WH-1000XM5 (the high-end consumer model). It is barely betrayed by its microphone connected to a stem which does not detach (it is located on the left ear, under the volume wheel). Either way, it can only connect to a PC or PS5, so it’s intended for sedentary use.

Although it is not a product bearing the PlayStation brand, the H5 still has the finish of the PS5, with white combined with black (there is also a 100% black version). Proof that Sony nevertheless seeks to ensure a form of continuity between its products.

Perfect integration, correct sound

To operate the H5, you must plug the USB dongle provided into the desired device (PC or PS5). Please note, the dongle in question has a PC or PS5 switch and you must be careful to position it correctly before turning on your headset. Communication between the H5 and the dongle is perfect. We plugged it into a rear USB port on the console, without experiencing any interruptions. Of course, Sony promises imperceptible latency, and it does. The sound perfectly follows what is happening on the screen.

Unlike the H9 (priced at €300), the H5 does not offer active noise reduction functionality. It still benefits from good passive isolation, thanks to earpieces that fit the ear well. For acoustic performance, the main argument of the H5 is to offer 360 Spatial Sound for Gaming technology. As its name suggests, it offers 360-degree listening, which is appreciable when you know that video games offer quite rich soundtracks (the sound effects can come from everywhere). The effects are precise and correctly spatialized, with a nice cut between what is happening on the right and on the left. For immersion, improved by the PS5’s Tempest 3D Audio engine, it’s great.

On the other hand, we will be a little less careful about the power of the headphones and its fairly flat signature (bass register a little behind). We feel that Sony preferred to focus on the intelligibility of the effects rather than the grand spectacle. For precision, it is preferable, especially if you are a fan of online gaming. Good point: you can choose to balance the balance between the game and the chat (including on PS5). Here again, this is a big plus for multiplayer games on the internet.

In terms of autonomy, Sony promises up to 28 hours of use on a single charge, knowing that 10 minutes of charging is enough to get 3 hours more happiness and that a jack cable is provided.

Price and availability

Sony’s Inzone H5 headset has been available since October 10, 2023, at a price of €150.

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