Sony INZONE H9 II vs Razer BlackShark V3 Pro vs Audeze Maxwell 2: Which Premium Gaming Headset Wins?
Three premium wireless headsets, three very different ideas. The Sony INZONE H9 II is light and has strong ANC. The Razer BlackShark V3 Pro chases battery life and latency. The Audeze Maxwell 2 bets on a large planar magnetic driver for sound.
Our pick for most players is the Razer. The Sony wins on weight and comfort, and the Audeze wins on sound. Each has a real weakness, and we spell them out below.
How We Built This Comparison
This comparison combines official specifications, independent measurements from SoundGuys and other outlets, and the product listings. We credit the source each time we quote a score or a measurement.
Our full reviews cover each headset in depth: the Sony INZONE H9 II review, the Razer BlackShark V3 Pro review and the Audeze Maxwell 2 review.
Sony INZONE H9 II vs Razer BlackShark V3 Pro vs Audeze Maxwell 2: Specs and Quick Verdict
Spec Comparison
| Spec | Sony INZONE H9 II | Razer BlackShark V3 Pro | Audeze Maxwell 2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Driver | 30 mm | 50 mm TriForce Bio-Cellulose Gen-2 | 90 mm planar magnetic |
| Weight | 260 g (273 g with mic) | 367 g | 490-567 g, by source |
| ANC | Yes, plus ambient | Hybrid, 4 levels, plus ambient | No (ANC model is $429) |
| Wireless | 2.4 GHz and Bluetooth LE Audio | 2.4 GHz and Bluetooth 5.3, at once | 2.4 GHz or Bluetooth 5.3, not both |
| Wired | 3.5 mm | USB and 3.5 mm | USB-C and 3.5 mm |
| Battery | 30 h rated | Up to 70 h PC, 48 h console | 80+ h rated |
| Mic | Detachable cardioid, AI | 12 mm HyperClear Full Band, detachable | Detachable hypercardioid, FILTER AI |
| Latency claim | Not stated | 10 ms | Not stated |
| Software | INZONE Hub, Sound Connect | Razer app | Companion app, 10-band EQ |
| SoundGuys score | 7.1 / 10 | 7.3 / 10 | 7.7 / 10 |
| MSRP | $349.99 | $249.99 | $329.99 ($349.99 Xbox) |
The weights for the Audeze vary by source: Audeze lists 560 g, SoundGuys measured 567 g and TechRadar reported 490 g. We explain the conflict in the Audeze review.
The Good and the Bad
👍 The Good
- ✔ The Sony is the lightest and has the strongest ANC of the three.
- ✔ The Razer has the longest PC battery, the lowest price and dual wireless.
- ✔ The Audeze has the best sound scores and a rated 80+ hour battery.
- ✔ All three offer 2.4 GHz wireless and a detachable microphone.
👎 The Bad
- ✘ The Sony has the shortest rated battery and the lowest sound score.
- ✘ The Razer is heavy at 367 g, and SoundGuys heard treble distortion.
- ✘ The Audeze has no ANC, a mediocre mic and no simultaneous wireless.
- ✘ Each headset costs at least $249.99 at launch.
Buy the Razer for the best overall balance, the Sony for the lightest ANC headset, and the Audeze if sound quality matters most.
Razer BlackShark V3 Pro on Amazon Sony INZONE H9 II on Amazon Audeze Maxwell 2 on Amazon
Design, Weight and Comfort
Weight separates these three more than any other spec. The Sony weighs 260 g without its mic and 273 g with it. The Razer comes in at 367 g, and the Audeze is somewhere between 490 g and 567 g.
Who Wins on Comfort
The Sony should be the easiest to wear for a long session. It is roughly half the weight of the Audeze. Reviewers still found the Razer padding comfortable, even though ProSettings notes it is about 50 g heavier than the V2 Pro.
The Audeze is the heaviest, so a trial fit matters. If you wear glasses or play for many hours, start with the Sony.
Short on time? Push Square’s video shows the Sony INZONE H9 II in a PS5 setup.
Video: Push Square reviews the headset. Opinions in the video belong to the creator, so treat it as another point of view.
Sound Quality
SoundGuys scored the Audeze highest, at 7.7 out of 10, with a 4.3 out of 5 on its MDAQS test. The Razer scored 7.3 with a 3.7 MDAQS. The Sony scored 7.1 with a 3.1 MDAQS.
What the Numbers Mean
The Audeze uses a 90 mm planar magnetic driver, which suits music and cinematic games. The Razer uses a 50 mm Bio-Cellulose driver tuned for competitive play. SoundGuys flagged treble distortion on the Razer.
The Sony shares its 30 mm driver design with the WH-1000XM6, according to the listing. It scored lowest here, though it has FPS presets built with Fnatic. All three headsets reward some EQ work.
Noise Cancelling
The Sony leads. SoundGuys measured about 80% perceived reduction and gave its ANC 8.0. The Razer reached 77% and 7.7 in the same test, which is close.
The Audeze Maxwell 2 has no ANC. It relies on a closed-back seal. Audeze sells an ANC model at $429, but Tom’s Guide gave that version only 3.5 out of 5.
Microphone
The Razer has the strongest pitch. Its detachable 12 mm HyperClear Full Band mic is built for clear voice chat. The Sony offers a detachable cardioid mic with AI noise reduction.
The Audeze mic is the weak spot. TechRadar and SoundGuys both called its quality mediocre. If you stream or take many calls, rank it last.
Battery, Connectivity and Charging
The Audeze is rated above 80 hours, and a 20-minute charge gives about 25%. The Razer is rated up to 70 hours on PC and 48 hours on console, with 15 minutes of charging adding about 6 hours. The Sony is rated 30 hours.
Rated Versus Measured Battery
SoundGuys measured 48 hours and 32 minutes on the Sony with ANC off. That is well above the rating. The Sony quick-charge claim also conflicts between sources: Amazon says 5 minutes gives 1 hour, while SoundGuys says about 3 hours.
Wireless Flexibility
The Razer is the only one that runs 2.4 GHz and Bluetooth 5.3 together. You can take a phone call without leaving the game. The Audeze cannot do both at once, and its Amazon listing shows 3.8 out of 5 from 213 ratings with mixed connectivity feedback.
Software and Controls
The Sony works with INZONE Hub and Sound Connect. These apps offer EQ and the Fnatic-tuned FPS presets. The Razer uses its own app with a 4-level ANC control. The Audeze app includes a 10-band EQ.
All three support custom EQ. The Sony has the most gaming-focused presets, and the Audeze gives the finest manual control.
How Each Headset Fits Different Games
Your favorite genre should decide this purchase as much as the spec sheet does. A headset that shines in a quiet single-player game may feel wrong in a hectic ranked match.
Competitive Shooters
The Razer is the natural fit. Razer claims 10 ms latency on its HyperSpeed Gen-2 link, and Tom’s Guide gave it an Editor’s Choice award. ProSettings scored it 5 out of 5. PCGamesN gave it 8 out of 10.
The Sony is a good second choice. Its FPS presets were tuned with Fnatic, and ProSettings rated it 4.5 out of 5. The Audeze is less suited here because of its weight and its weaker mic.
Single-Player and Cinematic Games
Here the Audeze gets its moment. Its 90 mm planar driver and 4.3 out of 5 MDAQS result point to the cleanest sound of the three. A closed-back design also keeps the room quiet.
The Sony works well in this role too. Its ANC blocks household noise, so quiet scenes stay quiet. The Razer is solid, though SoundGuys heard treble distortion that may bother music fans.
Console, Phone and Travel
Console players will notice the Razer rating of 48 hours on console, which is still a big number. Phone users benefit most from its simultaneous Bluetooth link. Travelers should look at the Sony first, since it is light and has strong ANC.
The Audeze is the least travel-friendly. It is heavy and has no ANC. Its battery, though, can survive a long trip without a charger.
Our Ranking
| Category | Winner | Runner-up |
|---|---|---|
| Overall value | Razer BlackShark V3 Pro | Sony INZONE H9 II |
| Comfort and weight | Sony INZONE H9 II | Razer BlackShark V3 Pro |
| Sound quality | Audeze Maxwell 2 | Razer BlackShark V3 Pro |
| Noise cancelling | Sony INZONE H9 II | Razer BlackShark V3 Pro |
| Battery life | Audeze Maxwell 2 | Razer BlackShark V3 Pro |
| Microphone | Razer BlackShark V3 Pro | Sony INZONE H9 II |
These rankings reflect source scores and specifications. Treat close calls as ties. The Razer review, the Sony review and the Audeze review explain each call.
Hardware Canucks tested the Razer BlackShark V3 Pro and kept its verdict cautious. The video is worth watching before you choose.
Video: Hardware Canucks reviews the headset. Opinions in the video belong to the creator, so treat it as another point of view.
Price and Value
The Razer is the cheapest at $249.99, although SoundGuys listed a box price of $279.99, and Amazon showed it at $219.99 when we checked. The Audeze launched at $329.99, or $349.99 for the Xbox version. The Sony is $349.99.
Cheaper Alternatives
Budget buyers should read our Arctis Nova 5X review, the HyperX Cloud III S Wireless review and the Nova 5X vs Cloud III S comparison. TechRadar says the older Razer V2 Pro now sells for under $180, and the first Audeze Maxwell costs about $100 less than the new one.
Building a whole setup? See our OLED gaming monitor comparison, the AULA AG75 Pro review, the Logitech G PRO X Superlight 2 review and our standing desk guide.
Which Headset Should You Buy
Choose the Razer BlackShark V3 Pro If
You play competitive shooters on PC or console. You want ANC, a long battery and wireless on two devices. You also want the lowest price. Read the full Razer review for the detail.
Choose the Sony INZONE H9 II If
Weight and ANC come first. You commute or share a room, and you want a headset that disappears on your head. The Sony review covers the trade-offs.
Choose the Audeze Maxwell 2 If
Sound quality is the priority and you play single-player games or listen to music. You can live with a mediocre mic and a heavy body. Our Audeze review explains the weight conflict.
Our verdict reflects published specs and reviewer findings. We will update it when prices or firmware change. The Razer official page is here and SoundGuys covers the Audeze in a separate review.
Razer BlackShark V3 Pro on Amazon Sony INZONE H9 II on Amazon Audeze Maxwell 2 on Amazon
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the best of the three premium gaming headsets?
For most players, the Razer BlackShark V3 Pro. It costs $249.99, lasts up to 70 hours, offers hybrid ANC and runs 2.4 GHz and Bluetooth together. Choose the Sony for the lightest body and the Audeze for the richest sound.
Which headset is lightest?
The Sony INZONE H9 II. It weighs 260 g without the mic and 273 g with it. The Razer is 367 g, and the Audeze is reported between 490 g and 567 g depending on the source.
Which has the best noise cancelling?
Sony, based on the reviews we read. SoundGuys measured about 80% perceived reduction and scored its ANC 8.0, compared with 77% and 7.7 for the Razer. The Audeze Maxwell 2 has no ANC.
Which headset has the best battery life?
The Audeze Maxwell 2 is rated above 80 hours. The Razer is rated up to 70 hours on PC and 48 hours on console. The Sony is rated 30 hours, although SoundGuys measured more than 48 hours with ANC off.
Can I connect to a phone and a PC at once?
Only the Razer BlackShark V3 Pro supports simultaneous 2.4 GHz and Bluetooth, according to the sources we read. The Audeze cannot do both at once, and we found no claim of it for the Sony.
Which headset has the best microphone?
The Razer has the strongest on-paper pitch, with a 12 mm HyperClear Full Band mic. The Audeze mic was called mediocre by TechRadar and SoundGuys. The Sony offers a detachable cardioid mic with AI noise reduction.
