Etymotic ER2SE vs Sony IER-M9

It comes across extremely effortless, allowing you to hear what I can imagine to be as close to what was made in the studio as possible. Both models p...

isolation: These block out 90% of outside noise in a normal environment. In the sound department I'm left wanting more. I don't feel any excitement in the music from these. But the comfort is so good i might just keep these to wear all day

Lets start with the sound: it follows the diffuse-field curve well, with some sub bass rolloff. Very good detail, and good soundstage, even for an IEM with this amount of isolation. Now, one of its major selling points, its noise isolation; best on the market as well. Sure, it needs a lot of insertion depth to sound correct and isolate correctly, but once you get it right, you'll be beating over ear noise cancelling headphones usually three times the price of this thing, with the sound qualityto boot

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

I cannot speak to the sound quality or anything else because I was so distracted by the fit of these earbud. They insert into your ears, slightly similar to earplugs. I could never get the right angle, and they never settled. I had not realized that they would be inserted quite so deeply - and cannot imagine wearing them ALL DAY

Someone was kind enough to lend me their Sony IER-M9 for a couple days!. For some context, the IER-Z1R is one of my favorite IEMs; Sony struck gold with whatever they did to achieve such coherency in a hybrid. And in a similar vein, Sony's really done something special with the M9's timbre. Coming off the VE8, it feels distinctly different - in a good way

I bought a replacement pair in 2021 after the right earbud stopped working. I did so because these are the only earbuds I've ever tried that fit in my ears comfortably and don't also sound like garbage. Now, as of Jul, 2022 the right earbud has gone out. I made it a point with this new pair to keep meticulous care of them

The one thing I learnt having owned Sony IEMs (N3, M9, Z1R) is that their build quality is seriously second to none. Anyway, I wanted to venture into high end closed back headphones, and wanted something that would definitely last.

While I can agree that this IEM might be too boring and lifeless to some EDM and bass-centric genres, being fun and engaging is not what it's about. You will buy this for its accuracy, very true to the recording nature at a very reasonable price!

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