Disclaimer: I am not an audiophile, musician, or sound engineer. My review is for general users.
Received on December 23rd. Have been using for only two days.
I have been using Shure e2c (e2c) for all these years. Since Apple Music has introduced Hi-Res Lossless music, I want to fully experience the marvel. After debating between Shure SE865 (865) and Sony IER-M9 (M9), I decide to get M9. M9 provides both balanced 4.4 mm and unbalanced 3.5 mm ends. At a similar price, M9 has one more driver than 865. For DAC, I use THX Onyx for its portability.
I completely understand that it is unfair to compare e2c with M9, but that is what I have. I have a low-end Asus Cerberus gaming headphone and Apple EarPods with lightning connector, but they are a lot worse than Shure e2c. I also have Airpods Pro, but all bluetooth earbuds are lossy.
When I use e2c and M9 to listen to the same lossless music, some instruments that I did not notice before with e2c become more obvious with M9. In other words, M9 provides more details in the music.
M9 has stronger treble and bass than e2c for sure.
M9 has a higher quality cable than e2c.
M9 is much more expensive than e2c.
Both e2c and M9 have strong mids.
Both are comfortable to wear for a long time.
Both have a similar level of noise-attenuation from external environment.
E2c is louder than M9 with the same volume setting.
Ironically, when I listen to another lossless music with M9/THX Onyx vs the default, build-in speakers of my MacBook Pro (16 inch, 2019), I can hear more details with the default speakers (set at 24 bits, 96 kHz) than M9/THX Onyx (set at 24 bits, 192 kHz). For example, I can hear the unintentional background noise in the studio during recording with the build-in speakers but not with M9/THX Onyx. When the musician slides his fingers on the strings of a guitar, the sliding is also more pronounced with the build-in speakers than M9/THX Onyx. Perhaps THX Onyx filters out some details?
I then unplug M9 from THX Onyx and plug M9 directly to the 3.5 mm audio out (set at 24 bits, 96 kHz) on my MacBook Pro and got similar results. The default, build-in speakers of my MacBook Pro still provide more details than M9. Perhaps the 3.5 mm audio out loses some details?
Just to be fair with M9, the bass of M9 is stronger than the build-in speakers.
Lastly, I plug M9/THX Onyx to my iPhone. Yes, I have a lightning to USB camera adapter from Apple. THX Onyx LED changes color according to the sampling rate of different songs. M9/THX Onyx performs similarly as the two forementioned conditions.
Bias: after spending a grand on M9, I feel obligated to give M9 five stars for every category on Amazon review.
4 stars and above
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Compare with similar items
 | Sony IER-M7 in-Ear Monitor Headphones Black | Sennheiser Pro Audio In-Ear Audio Monitor, IE 500 Pro Smokey Black Smoky | Moondrop Blessing2 1DD 4BA Hybrid Technology in-Ear Monitor Earphone Silver | Sennheiser IE 800 S In-Ear Audiophile Reference Headphones - Sound Isolating Ear-Canal Fit With XWB Transducers and D2CA Technology, Detachable Cable, Includes Balanced Cables, 2-Year Warranty (Black) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Customer Rating | (43) | (52) | (62) | (210) | (50) |
| Price | $999.00 | $498.00 | $599.00 | $319.99 | $549.99 |
| Sold By | Secondipity | Crutchfield | TheCameraBox | SHENZHENAUDIO | B&A Marketing |
| Color | Black | Clear | IE 500 Pro Smokey Black | Silver | Black |
| Fit Type | Over-Ear | Over-Ear | In-Ear | In-Ear | In-Ear |
| Item Dimensions | 8.75 x 3.5 x 6.53 inches | 8.75 x 3.5 x 6.63 inches | 8.7 x 5 x 2.4 inches | — | 9.1 x 5.9 x 2.8 inches |
| Item Weight | 1.00 lbs | 1.00 lbs | 0.72 lbs | 1.10 lbs | 0.30 ounces |
| Special Features | Sony IER-M9 In-ear monitor headphones | Sony IER-M7 In-ear monitor headphones | Lightweight | — | Lightweight |
From the manufacturer
Preformed ear hanger for ease and stability
The IER-M9 In-ear headphones stably fit your ears through the universally shaped ear hanger. With firm fit and optimal housing shape, each ear bud stays in the right position.
13 variation of ear buds
Our earbuds come in thirteen variations – six triple comfort and seven hybrid silicon. So you can find a snug fit for all kinds of ear shape. Combining hard silicone rubber and specially-developed formed silicone, they are comfortable to wear for long lengths of time.
Sony In-Ear Monitor Headphones
 IER-M7 |  IER-M9 |  IER-Z1R |
|---|---|---|
MaterialHousing (Resin), Inner Housing (Magnesium), Rear Cover (Aluminum) | MaterialHousing (Magnesium), Inner Housing (Magnesium), Rear Cover (Carbon Fiber) | MaterialHousing (Zirconium alloy), Inner Housing (Magnesium), Rear Cover Zirconium alloy |
Driver Unit1 tweeter, 1 high-mid, 1 low-mid, 1 woofer | Driver Unit1 magnesium diaphragm super tweeter, 1 tweeter, 1 high-mid, 1 low-mid , 1 woofer | Driver Unit12mm Dynamic, 5mm Dynamic,1 magnesium diaphragm super tweeter |
Frequency Range10 - 40,000 Hz | Frequency Range5 - 40,000 Hz | Frequency Range10 - 100,000 Hz |
Cable StylePre-formed ear hanger | Cable StylePre-formed ear hanger | Cable StylePre-formed ear hanger |
Cable PlugGold plating MMCX | Cable PlugNon-magnetic + Gold plating MMCX | Cable PlugNon-magnetic + Gold plating MMCX |
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Reviewed in the United States on December 25, 2021
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Top reviews from other countries
Alejandro Rosas
One of the Best pure BA item in the market.
Reviewed in Canada on May 8, 2020Basile Barbazanges
exceptional sound quality and comfort
Reviewed in Canada on November 4, 2021
