Sony INZONE Buds test: our full opinion –

The Sony Inzone Buds wireless headphones are positioned as the video game cousins ​​of the excellent WF-1000XM5 released earlier this year. Without being overtly PlayStation branded, these headphones are logically compatible with the Japanese giant’s console (and PCs).

Using the traditional in-ear format, these wireless headphones communicate using a dongle USB C, but also via the Bluetooth LE standard which limits compatibility somewhat. They integrate promising active noise reduction and are accompanied by a carrying case which logically acts as a charger and battery.

A real alternative to traditional gaming headsets, the Inzone Buds headphones are in direct competition with Razer’s Hammerhead Pro HyperSpeed ​​and are offered at the recommended price of 220 euros. Do they benefit from Sony’s know-how? Could they be a good replacement for a helmet? gaming ? Answer in our full test.

Sony INZONE Buds Technical sheet

This test was carried out using a product lent by the brand.

Sony INZONE Buds Sony headphones like the others

Once unboxed and opened, the Inzone Buds impress with the quality of their design and construction. We really feel that Sony has taken care of its copy and is offering here headphones that would have had their place in the XM range. In this way, they are visually similar to the XM3 and have that “premium” appearance usual for Sony products.

As in-ear headphones, they come with five pairs of tips of different diameters. A sign of a first difference with the XM models, the tips are relatively classic and are not made of a shape memory material. The headphones are relatively compact and feature a slightly thicker outgrowth in the extension of the part that slips into the hollow of the ear.

Our review unit is constructed entirely of matte black plastic, with a glossy touchscreen area on the exterior that also accommodates the microphones. A white version, very typical of PlayStation, is also offered, as on the brand’s headsets.

Once slipped into the ear, the Inzone Buds are quickly forgotten, both for the user and those around them, thanks to a compact, lightweight design (6.5 g) and more discreet than some competitors. Not personally being a big fan of in-ear headphones, I was pleasantly surprised by these Buds which last perfectly over time, without becoming uncomfortable.

The Inzone Buds headphones obviously come with a charging and carrying case. The latter is not as high quality as the latter and has this very plastic, almost toy-like appearance, which we find on less expensive models. However, it is very practical on a daily basis, although a little too thick to be carried around in the pocket of jeans for example.

The USB-C adapter necessary for the wireless operation of the headphones has a dedicated location in the carrying case and the various elements are held firmly in place by magnets. Wireless charging point integrated into this case since you will have to make do with the USB C port on the back, right next to the pairing button.

Sony INZONE Buds Very good battery life, but limited Bluetooth compatibility

Now let’s address a slightly frustrating point about these headphones: their connectivity. Indeed, for use dedicated to gaming, the use of dongle is not up for debate and this connection frankly rises to the occasion. Latency is imperceptible and range is almost as good as headsets offer gamingwhich traditionally pass through our hands.

On the other hand, we would have loved to be able to use these headphones with our phone or a computer via the integrated Bluetooth connection. However, the Inzone Buds headphones are only compatible with the Bluetooth 5.3 LE standard, which purely and simply prevents them from working with many smartphones. For example, it was impossible for us to make them work with an iPhone 13 Pro, a Pixel 5 or even a Windows PC (without the dongle ). Something to consider if you plan to use these headphones for anything other than gaming.

Sony announces a substantial autonomy of around 12 hours, supplemented by 12 additional hours thanks to the battery integrated into the case, and this, without noise reduction. We were able to validate these values ​​when the last Call Of Dutywhere the battery gave up the ghost after a little over 22 hours of use, with ANC. Then it only takes five minutes of charging to gain an hour of autonomy thanks to the integrated fast charging. The case itself needs two hours to be fully charged.

Sony INZONE Buds A particularly convincing sound performance

Sony does not disappoint on the audio part of the Inzone Buds which deliver a warm and generally balanced sound. The middle of the spectrum does not lack presence and the highs are also well transcribed. Only the low frequencies lack a little presence, without this being really problematic. In any case, this will be easily correctable via an equalizer.

As headphones gaming, the Buds perform admirably thanks to good stereophony and a soundstage wide enough to facilitate immersion and good localization of sounds. In-game, immersion is essential and the slight recess of the bass makes it easy to concentrate on the important sound elements.

The activation of spatial sound, although capricious, is really relevant for video game use or for watching a film. The soundstage takes on a little more depth and the sound is little distorted. This will have the main advantage of improving the sounds surround, and therefore immersion. Without being essential, this functionality is relatively effective.

Let’s not forget the active noise reduction which is simply excellent. Sony’s reputation is well established on this technology and the brand seems to have brought all its experience into the Inzone Buds. The vast majority of sounds are muffled and it’s a real pleasure to use. The transparency mode is also very convincing and appears relatively natural. In this aspect, the Inzone Buds are much superior to their competitors at Razer. As with its competitor, its only fault is to generate almost permanent white noise in quiet environments and at low volume.

Finally, the integrated microphones, without being bad, do not manage to match those fitted to traditional headsets. gaming.

Sony INZONE Buds Features at your fingertips

On PC, the Buds come with the Inzone Hub driver, which allows you to configure all aspects of the headphones. The application is extremely complete and allows you to go very far in customizing the options. The ten-band equalizer is still included and allows fine adjustment of the sound reproduction according to individual preferences. This equalizer comes with a dynamic range adjustment, which will especially make sense in gaming.

The sound spatialization is not customizable and therefore requires a simple switch. The latter is also rather capricious and it is sometimes necessary to do it several times for the change to be taken into account. It comes with two “automatic” settings allowing you to adjust the sound reproduction to the shape of the ear (via a mobile application) as well as check the choice of tips used. On these points, it is difficult to feel a real difference in the sound rendering…

Equipped with active noise reduction, the Buds therefore logically benefit from a dedicated menu in the Hub. Leaving the choice between the different modes while allowing them to be personalized, the application is thus closer to the settings found on more advanced products. mainstream. The different levels of broadcasting and recording are also customizable, notably with the game/chat balance made possible by the provision of two distinct audio outputs at Windows level.

The Sony Inzone Buds headphones are available at the recommended price of 220 euros.