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.

theres no place where these lack, their built wel, they look great and they come with a lot of accessories. these go very well with spinfit w1 or dunu S&S, render tips are not good at all and azla exlastics sound a bit harsh. the sound is why you buy this, it sound good, very good at times scary good. resolution is good but not the best i've heard anything more than this will sound exaggerated like my ie600 which has more detail which i like but you might not, a very nice very noticeable step up from ier-m7s(i also own) that lacks detail. bass is good but flat, still very accurate and at times enjoyable but never stealing attention, well detailed and good enough texture. mids are great well detailed and placed, treble follows nice detailed and almost never sibilant. THE REASON TO BUY THIS, this iem has the best soundstage i and many others have ever heard as it has directionality to every note specially drums. this also goes for the best Imaging that i and many other have ever head in the product like it , imaging has dept so it sound deep and 3d to the max. the separation and layering is also outstanding. the price is steep but these are truly a great set, hard to drive as well but my phone had no issue running them. just don't forget that this can sound bad with music that isn't mastered correctly.

I am blown away by these amazing headphones, Bass is unreal, it puts over ear headphones to shame. pair it with a nice Sony Hi-Res player, and use the 4.4 mm Balanced connection for even better experience. highly recommended!

I've tried these on both my RME adi 2 and desktop amp, and they sound lifeless. Recently got a different portable amp and wow these come alive. These are my first pair of high end IEM's. The source you use matters a lot with these. Either use a good dap or something similar. Sound : before I drove these properly they sounded worse then a pair of moondrop chu's. After driving them properly they sound as I would expect them to sound, well tuned and warm with amazing imaging. 7.5/10 Comfort: These are a very light and you barely notice them. You are able to wear them for hours without fatigue. Just be careful sometimes they build up pressure. 8/10 Isolation: These block out 80% of outside noise in a normal environment with music playing. 8/10 In the sound department I'm satisfied I'll still be experimenting in the future. The comfort is very good I can just keep wearing all day. All my impressions are from 3.5se. I would like to try these balanced maybe in the future. As primary a headphone user I was surprised by these. If not driving properly these don't sound great. With a proper source these can be a joy to listen to.

These are expensive however, holy crap, some music is almost unrecognizeable as they expose layers of sound I was never able to hear with my current in-ear monitors. I am so glad I bought these even though I'll have to eat Kraft dinner for a few months to survive. You really are buying a high level of sound frequency sensitivity. I feel like new soundscapes have been opened.

Has one of the best imaging of any iem at any price range. Beating both Andromeda and Solaris in comparison. Despite not being particularly wide. It has depth. Good depth. Highly coherent and makes almost all genres sound organic. Needs more power than other iems beware. However, you get a highly coherent, warm yet neutral presentation. It is perfect for modern music. Its detailed without being sibilant.