The range has been launched with two monitors, two cordless and one wired headset.

 

Sony has unveiled the Inzone products . The 27″ Inzone M9 monitor offers 4K resolution, VRR (variable refresh rate), HDR, and high contrast (via Full Array Local Dimming). The 144 Hz refresh rate (i.e. 144 FPS maximum) is coupled with a 1 ms GtG (Gray to Gray) response time, so you can see what you want to see with your controller/mouse keyboard almost instantly in the game. The 23″ Inzone M3 monitor can only handle 1080p resolution, but in return, it has a 240Hz refresh rate, so you can reach 240 FPS without any problems when using a sufficiently hefty PC in, say, Call of Duty. Let’s also not forget that the M3 has fewer HDR features (DisplayHDR 600 certification instead of DisplayHDR 400).

“The market has been expanding with a higher interest in gaming with the spread of esports tournaments and the advancement of gaming entertainment. With Sony’s strong history of high-end audio and visual technology products, we believe this new line will offer even more options for those looking to upgrade their current gaming systems. We are committed to contributing to the growth of gaming culture by providing PC and PlayStation® gamers with a wider range of options to enrich lives through gaming.  Also, Sony is proud to have a sponsorship with leading global esports leagues, Evolution Championship Series (Evo) 2022 and 2023, PGL DOTA2 Arlington Major 2022 and the VALORANT Champions Tour with our wish for further advancement of gaming culture.” said Yukihiro Kitajima, Head of Game Business and Marketing Office, Sony Corporation.

Monitors are designed for unique playing styles. Quoting the press release, “The unique, low depth tripod on both the Inzone M9 and Inzone M3 monitor stands provide total gaming comfort while optimizing desk space for peripherals. With a small monitor footprint, players can easily position an angled keyboard and large gaming mouse pad around or under the display. Additionally, Inzone M9 and Inzone M3 offer adjustable height and tilt, a selection of rear lighting colours and cable management for a clean desktop. The Inzone M9 monitor provides Auto HDR Tone Mapping8, which works with PlayStation 5 consoles to automatically recognize the monitor during the initial setup and optimizes HDR settings. Additionally, the monitor will automatically switch to Cinema Mode when watching movies on PlayStation 5 and Game Mode when playing games.”

A word about the three headsets: the Inzone H9 has a 32-hour battery life, and the H7 has 40-hour battery life. You can use them for up to an hour with a ten-minute quick charge. There’s also a wired model, the Inzone H3. “The Inzone H9 and Inzone H7 include an on-screen indication, so players can easily adjust settings on their headset and see the settings reflected on the screen in the PlayStation®5 Control Center, along with gaming and chat balance, allowing players to change the volume balance between game audio and voice chat from the headset. It also comes packed with features, including the ability to work with Tempest 3D Audio Tech, allowing players to enjoy the immersive sounds when gaming with greater spatial expression.

All three models have a flexible flip-up boom microphone with a mute function, allowing users to communicate effortlessly in-game with squad members. Sony’s 360 Spatial Sound for Gaming, activated by the Inzone Hub PC software, reproduces spatial sound from multi-channel audio signals as the game creators intended. This accurate sound reproduction boosts spatial awareness, enabling the player to hear footsteps and movements precisely. Additionally, with the smartphone app “360 Spatial Sound Personalizer,” headset users can get the spatial sound optimized to their ear shape for genuinely personalized gameplay.

Developed from Sony’s expertise in headphone technology, the diaphragms of the Inzone H9 and Inzone H7 have a unique shape that allows the headphones to reproduce highly high-frequency sounds with increased compliance and precise low frequencies for an immersive gaming experience. Ducts on the housing of all three headsets control and optimize low-frequency sound reproduction for powerful bass that makes deep sounds seem incredibly real.

The wide, soft headband cushion spreads the weight evenly across the player’s head for long-term comfort. The earpads are shaped to minimize pressure on the player’s ears by optimizing contact with the side of their head. From noisy heaters and PC fans to loud construction work outside, the Inzone H9 has multiple noise-cancelling microphones that prevent any performance-disturbing noise. To further the gaming experience, Sony has incorporated the same Dual Noise Sensor Technology used in the Industry-Leading 1000X series headphones for invincible gaming. Users will never miss critical ambient sounds such as a phone call, ringing doorbell, or a partner speaking while playing games with Ambient Sound Mode.”

Rick Thiher, General Manager of Evo – Evolution Championship Series (Evo) 2022 and 2023, said: “To make this announcement as part of the global launch of Inzone is another example of the momentum that is building for Evo 2022. We’re delighted to debut new technology for our attendees to experience fighting games with. Partners like Inzone from Sony support our mission of crafting great experiences for our players and fans.” Silviu Stroie, CEO of PGL – PGL DOTA2 Arlington Major 2022, added: “It is an honour for PGL to have a partner like Sony, and we are very excited about Inzone. The last DOTA 2 Major of the season, PGL Arlington Major 2022, will be a pivotal moment for the scene, and we believe it is the perfect moment for Inzone to break the ice in one of the most competitive tournaments of the year.”

Whalen Rozelle, COO of Riot Games Esports – Valorant Champions Tour, said: “We are excited to have Sony’s audio technology level up the experience at our global Valorant Esports events. Communication is a critical aspect of Valorant, and this partnership will enable us to bring our viewing audiences deeper into the most exciting moments of our biggest matches. Sony’s commitment to innovation will further elevate Valorant as a leading global eSport.”

Finally, the pricing: in the US, the Inzone M9 monitor will be $900, while the M3 will be $530. The H9 headset will be $300, the H7 $230 and the M3 $100. The difference between the M9 and the M7 lies in the noise cancelling and ambient sound modes. The products are all available in plastic-free packaging.

Source: Sony press release / WCCFTech