The topic Sony brings high-end sound to budget gaming with its new open-back headset is currently the subject of lively discussion — readers and analysts are keeping a close eye on developments.
This is taking place in a dynamic environment: companies’ decisions and competitors’ reactions can quickly change the picture.
Sony has announced an expansion of its Inzone gaming gear that includes the M10S II 27-inch QHD 540Hz OLED gaming monitor, a new, cool-looking Glass Purple color for its Inzone Buds, and lastly, the H6 Air, a pair of open-back gaming headphones that are surprisingly reasonably priced and sound great.
Sony says the Inzone H6 Air feature precision-tuned drivers engineered with the same technologies as its popular MDR-MV1 headphones. The headphones’ back ducts are integrated into the unit to deliver better, more controlled bass, while still providing separation between highs and lows and spatially accurate audio, making them great for games where audio cues are important. Standard features like 7.1-channel surround sound and 360 spatial audio are supported, too.
The headphones themselves are super lightweight but still have a high-quality feel, including their detachable, very adjustable mic. They’re compatible with both the PlayStation 5 by plugging them into the console’s controller and with a PC via an included USB-C audio box.
I’ve used the H6 Air for a couple of days with my gaming PC (primarily with Marathon, a game where listening for footsteps is very important), and the clarity they offer has surprised me, especially given their $200 price tag. Open-back headphones have always felt very different acoustically, since you can still hear the world around you, and I definitely get that sensation from the H6 Air. I’m still plugged into my game, but the H6 Air’s crisp audio still pulls through, drowning out the outside world in a way I didn’t expect.
However, these aren’t the headphones for you if you’re easily distracted, since open-back headphones, by design, don’t feature noise cancellation.
Alongside the H6 Wired Air, Sony has also revealed its M10S II 27-inch QHD 540Hz OLED gaming monitor, the successor to the well-reviewed M10S.
The tech giant says that the monitor is “designed to minimize brightness loss while delivering a clearer image with Motion Blue Reduction (MBR) enabled.” MBR reduces the illumination time by half, pulling down motion blue considerably. Other key features include an anti-glare film that aims to minimize distractions.
The M10S’s key feature is its ability to switch between QHD 540Hz and 1080p 720Hz, depending on your gaming needs. Last year’s M10S was locked to a 480Hz refresh rate at 1440p.