Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Audio / Video
  3. News

Sony’s new open-back gaming headset could be a budget surprise

Sony is preparing a cheaper open-back headset for gamers

Add as a preferred source on Google
Sony InZone H9 II headphones on a blue and green background
Sony InZone H9 II Sony / Digital Trends

Sony might be expanding its Inzone gaming lineup, with a new model that focuses on affordability.

The company is apparently working on a new pair of gaming headphones that feature an open-ear design that should come in at a lower price than Sony’s more premium gaming audio products. Open-back headphones are still relatively niche, and often priced higher than standard closed-back alternatives. So the new model might be worth watching for.

What we know so far

According to Notebookcheck, citing leaker billbil-kun, the upcoming gaming headset may be called Inzone H6 Air. Sony might be doing something a little different from the usual with this model, which could be a cheaper alternative to the existing Inzone H9 II headsets. But it might make a shift to an open-back design.

Recommended Videos

This combination is interesting on its own, since open-back models tend to be more of an enthusiast thing. It is especially true for players who care about a wider soundstage. However, these are typically not available as a “budget” option.

Its release might be imminent

The report says Sony is expected to launch the Inzone H6 Air on April 14, although deliveries may start a few days later. Pricing is where this gets even more interesting. Sony is reportedly planning to charge $199.99 in the US, which would make it a more affordable entry in the Inzone over-ear lineup.

The full hardware specifications are still unknown, but the early details suggest Sony is making some notable compromises to hit that lower price. So while you are getting an open-back design, it might only support wired connection, with no Bluetooth or 2.4GHz wireless connectivity.

This also means that it is not shaping up to be a direct rival to Sony’s more premium wireless gaming headsets. But it sounds more like a simpler, cheaper option for players who care more about sound character than convenience.

Vikhyaat Vivek
Vikhyaat Vivek is a tech journalist and reviewer with seven years of experience covering consumer hardware, with a focus on…
Dell UltraSharp 52 Thunderbolt Hub Monitor review: A workstation in a single display
A massive 52-inch display, Thunderbolt docking and thoughtful productivity features make the Dell UltraSharp 52 much more than just another oversized monitor.
Computer Hardware, Electronics, Hardware

See at Dell

Quick Recap

Read more
Insta360 just made its flagship 360 camera seriously hard to ignore
The X6 packs bigger sensors, smarter AI, and a serious boost in processing power.
Insta360 camera hero image

Insta360 launched its newest flagship today, and the X6 isn't just a spec bump over the outgoing X5. The new 360 camera has been built from the ground up and uses an entirely new sensor, packing serious computational hardware and AI features to help you edit your videos. Here’s everything you need to know about the latest Insta360 camera. 

What makes the sensor such a big deal?

Read more
Google TV now has 10,000 free movies and shows waiting for you
Freeplay adds a massive on-demand library to Google TV, supported by ads ofcourse
The default Google TV homescreen, as seen on the Onn 4K Pro.

Streaming services seem to be getting more expensive by the year, but Google is giving Google TV users another reason to see how far they can get without paying for yet another subscription.

Google TV Freeplay, which has until now focused largely on free live television, is adding video-on-demand for the first time. The service now offers more than 10,000 movies and TV shows that you can watch whenever you want, alongside its growing collection of free live channels.

Read more