Sony is adding a breath of literal fresh air to its Inzone line

Sony has just announced the upcoming Inzone H6 Air, and given its name, it's exactly what you think it is. The brand new headset sports an open-back design, which allows air (and the sound through it) to move more freely, creating more natural audio for players.

The upcoming best gaming headset contender is available now in the US for $199.99 and takes after Sony's widely used studio headset, the MDR-MV1s. They share the same tuned 40mm audio drivers and open-back form factor. However, while the MDRs are designed with audiophiles and musicians in mind, the new Inzone H6 Air is after that single-player game enthusiast who wants titles to sound as immersive as possible.

Sony H6 Air: $199.99 at Amazon

The new Sony Inzone H6 Air open-back headset is available right now and features an open-back wired design, with 40mm audio drivers adapted from Sony MDR‑MV1's headphones, a detachable cardioid boom microphone, and support for Inzone Hub software.

UK: £180 at Amazon (Pre-order)

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The upcoming headset has been engineered with the same tech as the MDR-MV1s, which includes the back ducts that have been integrated into the driver unit to help "deliver deep and controlled bass reproduction." Open-back designs are often adapted into gaming headsets to offer a more realistic soundstage, and Sony states that this design, along with the H6 Air's ability to maintain a clear separation of mid and low frequencies, helps achieve just that.

This more natural sound is being targeted towards fans of single-player games. While past headsets like the Sony Inzone H9 II were ideal for online gaming, Sony wants to produce a headset for single-player experiences that were "rich in sound detail." It's worked with sound designers from PlayStation Studios who create audio for PlayStation games to create an "RPG/Adventure" EQ profile, though Sony hasn't shared exactly what titles it was designed for. The audio profile recreates the "acoustic experience of a sound studio" and helps deliver a more immersive experience.

Besides its immersive natural sound, the H6 Air manages to keep things light, achieving a weight of just 199g. The super comfortable design of the Sony Inzone H9 II was one of my favorite features of the premium pair, so my interest was instantly piqued when Sony mentioned its practically weightless form factor.

The commonalities end when it comes to its price. The closed-back Sony Inzone H9 II launched for a whopping $349.99 / £299, whereas the Sony Inzone H6 Air is just $199.99 / £180 instead. This is a wired headset, though, which partially explains its cheaper price point.

If you want a more immersive wireless experience, you're better off trailing through the rest of Sony's Inzone lineup. Those who don't mind being at the mercy of a 2 metre 3.5 cable can check out the H6 Air now in the US, or on May 1 when it drops later in the UK.

• View all Sony Inzone headsets at Amazon

If the Sony Inzone H6 Air isn't the right fit for your setup, check out our guides to the best PS5 headset, the best Xbox Series X headset, and the best Nintendo Switch headset instead.