Sony has launched the InZone Buds in the US, a pair of true wireless earbuds that are focused on gaming. According to the company, these earbuds are designed to offer a long battery life, deliver audio at low latency, and remain comfortable even after long hours of usage. These earbuds also come with spatial audio and AI-based noise cancellation, similar to the Galaxy Buds 2 Pro. Sony has priced the InZone Buds at $199 in the country. Pre-orders are live and Sony will start shipping the earbuds this month.
According to Sony, the InZone Buds have a “lightweight build” and a “low-pressure” design so that they remain comfortable in your ear even after using the earbuds for a long period of time. Speaking of which, the company claims that the InZone Buds offer 12 hours of battery backup on a single charge and you get an additional battery life of 12 hours with the charging case. Sony says that it was able to offer 24 hours of total battery life with the help of the L1 processor, which consumes a low amount of power.
Low audio latency of just 30 milliseconds
Then comes audio latency. The company claims that the InZone Buds have an audio latency of less than 30 milliseconds, which is one of the lowest in the industry. However, you’ll get the audio at low latency only when you use the earbuds with the supplied USB Type-C dongle. That’s right. The Sony InZone Buds come with a USB Type-C dongle in the box.
Once you plug this dongle into your smartphone, tablet, laptop, PC, or gaming console (such as PS5), it will transmit the audio to the earbuds over radio frequency (RF), which, in theory, offers lower audio latency than Bluetooth. However, you can also connect the InZone Buds to your device directly, thanks to the integration of Bluetooth LE.
Uses the same audio driver as the Sony WF-1000XM5
The InZone Buds feature the Dynamic Driver X, the same audio driver that is used in the brand’s flagship true wireless stereo (TWS) earbuds, the WF-1000XM5. According to Sony, it has used different materials for the diaphragm’s dome and edge to “ensure minimal distortion and a clear sound quality, delivering an unparalleled level of auditory realism”. “By faithfully reproducing every sound within the game, from powerful explosions to subtle footsteps, you’ll feel transported into the world of the game,” the company adds.
Spatial audio can be tailored to your hearing characteristics
As mentioned earlier, these earbuds also feature 360-degree spatial audio. Sony calls it the 360 Spatial Sound. According to the company, it allows you to hear “the direction and distance of your opponent, so you’ll always be one step ahead of the competition”. What’s interesting is that the surround sound from these earbuds can be optimised for your hearing characteristics.
“With Sound Field Optimisation, you can create a personalised hearing profile by taking photos of your ears using the 360 Spatial Sound Personaliser smartphone app. Then you can enjoy your game with unmatched spatial accuracy. By analysing not only the shape of the outer ear, but also the acoustic characteristics of the ear canal, INZONE Buds offer more precise spatial sound”.
Features AI-based noise cancellation
According to Sony, the InZone Buds can be optimised for your ear canal with the help of Sound Tone Personalisation. The company says, “The earbuds play test sounds from driver units and use feedback microphones to measure how the sound fills your ear canal. Based on the acoustic analysis, the sound is then personalised using the INZONE Hub PC application, ensuring a truly own spatial listening experience”. There’s also AI-based noise cancellation onboard to block background noise so that you can focus on your game.
The InZone Buds also have touch-sensitive controls that are customisable. The earbuds are available in two colour options: Black and white. If you are looking for the best TWS earbuds overall, you can't go wrong with the Galaxy Buds 2 or the Galaxy Buds 2 Pro, depending on your budget. However, if you want earbuds that you can use with gaming-focused devices, such as the Galaxy Book 3 Ultra or the Sony PlayStation 5 (PS5), the Sony InZone Buds will suit you better, at least while you are gaming.
