Sony IER-M9 in-Ear Monitor Headphones Black

These IEMS hit all the right spots for me. They have top notch technical capabilities in separation, layering, and resolution, audio reproduction with natural timbre, and a warm-neutral sound signature. Together, these allow the IER-M9s to produce a supremely enjoyable and exquisite listening experience across all genres. Concerning comfort, the preformed ear-hangers and the provided different sized ear-tips keep the IEMs stably perched in my ears with no difficulties. The connection between the cable and the IEM body can swivel, so there should be no issues with awkwardness of positioning of the IEMs. I have found it easy to quickly put on the IEMs and get a good seal (common advice is to pull the lobes of the ears backwards and upwards slightly). These also provide good isolation, having used them on flights (yes, you can't really experience 'audiophile' quality music on a plane, but from experience, they're definitely still significantly better than the Sony WH-1000XM4s and Bose NC700s). For reference, I own the IER-M9s and the Focal Clears (a pair of over-the-ear headphones), and I use them for about ~20h and ~40h a week, respectively, switching to the M9s during the evenings when I typically prefer a warmer sound signature or when I wish to read in bed. These are the priciest personal audio devices I have ever owned (but not the priciest that I have tried), and I have no regrets for either of them. I should point out that I am not too concerned with large soundstages in my devices as I have used IEMs and headphones with larger soundstages in the past and found that I was not impressed with what they did to my music with the exception of orchestral pieces. The M9s also produce a palpable and pleasant rumbling in the sub-bass frequencies (with no strange balanced armature flavoring that I can discern), though they are not considered bass-heavy when compared to other top of the line IEMs. NB: Some readers may not consider the IER-M9s "top of the line". Apologies for the abuse of language.

Hearing my favorite songs through these "in-ear monitors" is a revelation for someone like me, accustomed to good but still mass-market headphones (price range: several hundred dollars). I hear instrumental details that I never discerned in 35 years of listening to some songs, first on vinyl or tape, and now in a CD-quality lossless format, with a variety of amplifiers and headphones. This is to say that I know the music well and find new pleasure in listening to it with these monitors. When you get the sizes right, the ear tips block most outside noise, making these monitors suitable for use even in public environments. An interruption-free listening session is best, because putting these on just right takes time. They're not like ordinary earbuds, which can be pushed in and pulled out quickly. The cables are of just the right length, and they don't tangle. The storage solution is overdesigned, requiring you to coil the cable around your fingers, squeeze the plastic holder, slip in the coiled cable, push in the monitors, and slide them down into the keyhole positions. If you look closely at that last page of the manual, the monitors are drawn backwards in the holder. It would not be possible to orient the ear hangers as shown, unless you turned the MMCX plugs each time you put the monitors away, and turned them back before listening. Dispensing with the clumsy plastic holder, laying the coiled cable in the case, laying the monitors on top of the cable, and closing the lid, seems to work just fine. Last but not least, it's preposterous that Sony provides only a 1-year warranty for a product as expensive as this. I haven't tried the balanced cable, but results with the conventional cable, using either my Sony digital music player or my Oppo headphone amplifier, are excellent.

Maybe I'll go for over ear from now on

My reference IEMs are typically: Earsonic EM-9, Sennheiser IE-300, Shure 846, and Aurisonic 2.5. I prefer lively, dynamic sound, with a mildly analytical side. The Sony manages to have several high-water marks: 1)Fine resolution of details: you will certainly find sounds in your recordings that you may not have found before 2) staging/imaging: pinpoint. Instruments have excellent coherency and placement. Stage is deep, holographic, and only a bit narrow compared to the best. 3) Tonality: Warm, but still resolving. Sound is non-fatiguing, but still visceral. Polite and smooth treble. Bass has weight and moderate 'slam'. Note edges are soft, rather than sharp, but not to the point of 'boominess'. Midrange is more dry than lush, but still conveys emotion. The midrange is the 'holographic' element of the soundstage. Treble, is extended but not sharp. Not airy, but also not dull. 'Balance' is the key word. 4) efficiency: Ok, here is a problem for some....you need an amp to drive these to realistic levels. I use a Dragonfly Cobalt and it works fine. Anything less.....the sound becomes 'meh'. Summary: highly recommended for those who like to have the lively Rock & EDM, but also need something to handle acoustic performances. W-shaped signature and solid dynamics.

The Z1R does sound better in several ways, but it is just impossible to actually use day to day due to the fact that they are damn near impossible to keep in my ears. The fit issues with the Z1R's are pretty bad. The M9's have no such fit issues. They are comfy and do not fall out. They sound awesome. Def one of my fav IEM's at any price. Easily the best IEM I have heard below $2000. The 64Audio U12T beats it but double the price. If you are concerned that they will not slam hard enough or have enough sub-bass energy, don't be. The M9's bass is fantastic.

If you are in search of a pair of BA earphone, its not a bass head and do not demand a perfect sound stage reproduction, this is the one to go. (A piece of advice, if you are looking an earphone the satisfy the last one, do not bother at all and look for cans instead or be prepared to spend a lot more than M9 (which is already costly) and sacrificing some fidelity.) Overall thumbs to Sony for finally producing a good pair of premium earphones. (and fewer of them for the price tag lel, thanks to AKG, K3003, consumers whoever have bought it for its original price and encouraged hawkish pricing and manufactures which follow the trend. ) Very accurate reproduction of voice and proper noise isolation if you can find a fitting eartip which Sony provide you many and properly insert earphones. Comfort is satisfying as well. You can wear this for hours without even noticing after getting used to it with the right ear tips, though not recommended for hearing protection. Below is me being mean xD. Maybe I am asking a bit more than what M9 is offering but given its $1000-ish price tag I wish M9 has a larger sound stage and slightly more bass without EQ but as a BA earphone it is doing everything right imo given that sound stage usually comes at the price of sacrificing some vocal reproduction, which is against the advertisement of M9.

I really really really wanna like these headphones. Finally a pair that fits perfectly and sounds great overall. But I mainly got them to produce music with and I can BARELY hear sounds around the 20-220Hz range. The description says it'll pick up from 10Hz but the sound is practically nonexistent. God I really wish these just picked up that range because I love these things otherwise

Before I say anything I have used these solely for music listening. Although I am a stage musician I do not personally find these suit my personal preference for on stage use. But regarding the sound of these they are among the most resolving sets I have ever heard. Maybe a bit better res than my SA6 Ultra and EJ07M. Tuning is mostly neutral but pretty slanted towards the low frequencies. Treble can get a tiny bit sharp but is so resolving that it can be forgiven. Overall I can see the warmth being a problem for some but that is the only major caveat I can think of. For the price I would give it maybe an 8.5/10 but I will say your money would probably be better spent on the slightly more expensive 64 Audio u4s which has nearly no weaknesses.