If you are looking to purchase a new gaming wireless headphone, then you would be delighted to know that we have you covered. In this post, we are going to be looking at two unique models that two reputed brands in the market produce.
They are the Sony-INZONE H9 Wireless Noise Canceling Gaming Headset vs the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Multi-System Gaming Headset. These two models come from two phenomenal manufacturers that are known for producing outstanding headphones.
Sony has been in this business for a very long time. They know what they are doing and have justified the fan base that they have globally. Most of their headphones are known for their sublime design, terrific audio quality, and microphone performance.
The Sony Inzone H9 headphones provide you with incredible features in it. The model is infused with superb audio quality and compatible with the PS5. If you own a PS5, then that itself is sufficient for you to get the expensive model.
Unfortunately, it is somewhat costly. The model comes at around $300, which is above most of the headphones you can find on the market. If you are alright with it, then it should not be any bothered to you.
Working on the PS5 is a fantastic experience as you can use Tempest 3D audio technology. Now, you are given an eloquent audio performance. Besides, the headphone is immensely suitable for the PC and the laptop as well.
You can adjust the sound levels accordingly along with the PS5 and Discord. The microphone quality is simply fantastic as you can hear everything that you should. Besides, the design is genuinely splendid for blending with the PS5 console.
SteelSeries is another exceptional maker of headphones. The manufacturer has been producing several magnificent models of late. Their models are known for their robust build quality and decent features.
The SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro headphones are another interesting model. It has to be this unit when you want to experience optimum comfort and listening quality. The model provides you with a new benchmark in wireless gaming quality.
It comes with an eloquent design and top-notch build quality in it. You can consider using the headphone as a regular model that can handle all your communication needs and zoom conferences alike.
In this review, we have put the Sony and the SteelSeries models to the test. We want to find out their true capabilities and hidden weakness that we can point out to our readers. We can see how they stack up to each other in this post.
The Sony model is a bit pricey at $300, and the SteelSeries is lower at $250, but they may be the best for some of you. Let us read the post. We have mentioned the winner at the end of the review.
 |  |
|---|---|
| Sony Inzone H9 | SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro |
| PROS | PROS |
| The unit has a PS5-style design. The model is comfortable to wear for gaming sessions. It provides you with good spatial audio effects. It offers a strong bass. The product is compatible with PS5 and PC. | The model is very comfortable to use. The unit has plenty of excellent connectivity options. It comes packed with several features. It provides you with exceptional sound quality. The product has an excellent boom microphone ability. |
| CONS | CONS |
| The headphone has large earcups that look weird. | The headphone has inconsistencies in audio. |
| CHECK ON AMAZON | CHECK ON AMAZON |
Sony Inzone H9 and SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Specs
| Specifications | Sony Inzone H9 | SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Name | INZONE H9 Wireless Noise Canceling Gaming Headset | Arctis Nova Pro Wireless Gaming Headset |
| Brand | Sony | SteelSeries |
| Noise Cancelling (Active) | Yes | Yes |
| Connection Type | Wireless | Wireless |
| Wireless Connectivity | Bluetooth | Radio Frequency (RF), Bluetooth |
| True Wireless | No | No |
| Built-In Microphone | Yes | Yes |
| Headphone Fit | Over-the-Ear | Over-the-Ear |
| Adjustable Headband | Yes | Yes |
| Warranty | 1 year | 1 Year |
Sony Inzone H9 vs SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro: Design & Comfort
The Sony Inzone H9 headphones come with a good design & comfort. You can feel that the moment you put them on your head. They are quite comfortable and can withstand any amount of pressure that you put on them.
The unit is white & black, having a matte white plastic found on the external areas of the headphone. You can find some of them at the top too. There is some black plastic and a little leather at the model’s connecting ends.
You would delight in the fact that the headphone comes with earcups that have sufficient padding on them. There is also the circular RGB light that shows you the status of the model. This gives you a fantastic piece of headphones to wear and enjoy.
But we were not that impressed with it. The design has a lot to evolve. We know this is a Sony model out here. Sadly, that is how things are for the moment. There is the PS5 color scheme that you may prefer on it.
The model looks somewhat weird with the ridiculously large earcups and appears almost alien-like. The SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro headphones appear somewhat eloquent and supernatural compared to the Sony unit.
The colors, shape, and molding have been done quite exceptionally. The model is quite similar to the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless that can be used to play on your Xbox. The plastic frame comes with a sublime headband design on it.
It has a comfortable fitting, and the unit does not clamp too hard on your head. That is a good thing to know. However, the bulky design is something that you would want to think hard about.
Besides, the padding is quite soft, and you may be able to feel the plastic edge on your earcups. There is the ski hand design that can be slightly enhanced depending on the size of your head. This is a good point for those having large heads.
The control scheme of things is good. It is portable, but since the size is somewhat large, problems may be faced when taking them in a small backpack. You can swivel the earcups but can’t fold the headphones if you want.
Sony Inzone H9 vs SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro: Build Quality
The Sony Inzone H9 does come with excellent build quality. Yes, we were not keen on the design of the model. But the comfort and the build quality are two aspects that Sony has always managed to tick.
Some users have commented that the unit is light and that they forget they are wearing something. That is an excellent thing to note. Perhaps, that could be a huge selling point. The unit can be adjusted as you like using the expandable arms and rotatable earcups.
Some elements are similar to their own WH-1000XM5. The leather material is present only on the H9 and not on the H3 or the H7. So, if you are looking for a leather plush kind of material, then you will want to make use of these headphones.
Our tester learned that the earcups do not come with proper ventilation. That can be slightly annoying when you want to play for an extended session. However, the headband on the model reduces the balance issue you can have on other units.
The durability of the headphone is also commendable here because it is able to do a fantastic job at that. It does not wear down after some time of usage. You can make use of it for many years without any problem.
Due to the white finish, you can find some scratches on the headphone. However, they can be noticeable if you look carefully. Additionally, the model does not come water-resistant certified, and you will want to be careful when the water and other liquids are near them.
The SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro headphones come with excellent build quality in them. Consumers would want to know that it is produced from plastic. But the major USP of the SteelSeries models is that they are incredibly durable.
Moreover, the microphone can be retracted, and you can get rid of the ear plates if you want them to. We may not recommend that you wear these for physical activities like running and jogging around.
Sony Inzone H9 vs SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro: Audio Performance
The Sony Inzone H9 headphones come with exceptional audio performance. You would be delighted to know that it can work on a wide range of games on the laptop and PS5 consoles. There is the PS5 Tempest 3D technology that offers an immersive audio quality.
However, if you are using it on your laptop, then you can make use of the 3D audio performance thanks to the spatial sound technology. It helps you when you are playing games so that you can find out if somebody is trying to attack you from any side.
Our tester played games like Doom and Cyberpunk. He was happy & satisfied with what he heard. You can listen to all the details that you should, which is a good thing. We are not sure about the YouTube videos, though.
The sound profile is excellent and opulent. You can listen to all the beats clearly. Thanks to the boom microphone, you can speak properly and listen to others clearly. That is a good thing to know.
However, some other models were much better; they should have done better for a $300 unit. The maker provides you with a 32-hour battery life claim. We did not test that out. However, in real working conditions, you can get at least more than 20 hours quickly.
We are being realistic, and you can get more. The SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro headphones are a second to none unit that offers you with eloquent sound performance. However, when you do not make use of the ANC, then you may not be able to hear what you want.
This is a fantastic choice for those wanting to play games in a noisy environment. When the ANC is on, you can barely hear anything. You may not even hear the conversations in the room. It can provide you with an impressive and enjoyable listening experience.
Sony Inzone H9 vs SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro: Microphone Performance
The Sony Inzone H9 headphone comes with a decent boom microphone. You can listen to the noises outside opulently using the active noise cancellation feature. Sony does have one of the best ANCs in the market.
That is a fact. But in this model, our tester thought it was just not up to the mark. The microphone provides you with an exceptional audio performance that is not detailed. You can hear what the other person is saying to you, and the receiver can listen to your voice well.
The SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro provides you with a spectacular microphone that has a performance that is much better than the Nova Pro Wireless headphone. It comes infused with a frequency response range of (100-10000Hz) that immensely enhances your voice as a result.
When you turn off the noise on the model, your voice still sounds pretty good and straightforward to understand to the person at the other end. However, you can use the companion software that offers you the ClearCast AI Noise Cancellation and Noise Gate On.
Sony Inzone H9 vs SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro: Compatibility
The Sony Inzone H9 headphone provides you with good compatibility. That is because of the Bluetooth and 2.4GHz connections; it came with no delays. You would know that Sony only accepts Bluetooth and USB connectivity simultaneously.
When you want to pair the headphone to your PS5, then you can do so effortlessly. Moreover, you can also get support for the Tempest 3D Audiotech, on-screen indicators, mic status, etc.
The SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro headphone comes with outstanding compatibility. When you compare any headphones to a Sony unit, then it is the latter that usually gets all the accolades. Here, it was not the case.
It is due to the infusion of the SteelSeries GG and Sonar, the companion software. Besides, Nova Pro has 2 USB cables to connect them to a console. You can also use a laptop at the same time.
Sony Inzone H9 vs SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro: Price
The Sony-INZONE H9 Wireless Noise Canceling Gaming Headset is priced under $299. This model is kind of expensive. It would help if you thought are you ready to spend close to $300 for a pair of headphones.
But it is a Sony unit, and you can expect some fireworks from it. However, we found the earcups just to be ridiculous. It takes away all the hard work the makers have done to infuse the model with outstanding features.
The SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Multi-System Gaming Headset is priced under $250. So, the SteelSeries model is cheaper by almost $50, which is a pretty decent amount to think about. The SteelSeries models are always known for their rugged built quality.
The unit did not provide you with much sound feedback, which may cost the unit in the end. We will need to wait and see about that. However, the microphone features and the connectivity aspects are superb.
Sony Inzone H9 vs SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro: Verdict
We have ended our comparison review on the Sony-INZONE H9 Wireless Noise Canceling Gaming Headset vs the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Multi-System Gaming Headset. We hope that you liked what you read and were able to make your decision.
Now, both the models are solid contenders for the title. But there can be only one winner. The Sony Inzone H9 headphone provides you with excellent, powerful, and simulated surround audio.
You also get a middling microphone, but for an expensive quote. We felt that Sony, on this occasion, has failed to deliver on their prime segment. The design & the built quality is good, and there are plenty of elements that you may like in there.
We were not entirely convinced that the noise cancellation technology was not up to the mark. That was kind of surprising for us. Yes, there is also spatial audio processing, but for the pricing, they could have done more to it.
There are several other units that can perform much better than the Sony Inzone H9 model. When you are keen to use a PS5 headphone, then you consider the Astro Gaming A10 wired model.
On the whole, it is a solid gaming headphone that can work well for your laptops & PS5. Although the unit is world-class, there are a few things that the maker needs to work on to ensure that it is wholly perfect.
The SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro headphone comes with stunning features. The manufacturer has not only delivered you with headphones for gamers, but it is a multipurpose model for use in meetings, online classes, and gaming.
The unit provides you with the optimum in comfort and built quality. It is safe to say that they have been able to set a prime benchmark in the gaming headphone segment here. However, the price quote may be the sole factor that could push is somewhat back.
Our winner in this comparison review between the Sony Inzone H9 vs SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro headphones would be the Nova Pro unit. That is right. Typically, we could close our eyes and opt for the Sony model.
However, it was a different scenario this time. The price of the Sony model, the sound quality, and the other elements was just not enough this time. The SteelSeries model came with better sound quality and breathtaking performance.
James Smith has always been intrigued by electronic products since his childhood. After his post graduation in electronics from a popular university, he decided to pursue a career in the electronics sector. But his calling for writing about these marvellous pieces of work got the better of him. That is how UBG was started. With a writing career spanning more than 12 years, James has worked on several hundred product reviews. During his free time, he like to spend time with his pet dog and relax in the swimming pool.