Etymotic ER4XR vs Sony IER-M9

This mix sounds more crisp and bright than anything else, with Callahan's rich baritone receiving some definition in the high-mids and the guitar strums and higher percussive hits benefiting from the excellent high-mid and high frequency clarity.

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

I do like the fit and weight of the ER4XRs. They are very light as are the Denon's (Nuforce's are very heavy in comparison). I will continue to use them and maybe in time come to give a more favorable review.

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

Edimotic uses these triple flange ear tips to block out as much noise as possible. Now, whether they're comfortable for you is probably very dependent...

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

You see that right there? That's just going to disappear into the inside of your ear. The cable that they come with is, again, pretty utilitarian and ...

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

After a year or so of daily wear, the angled rubber on the MMCX connector wore through entirely; be careful taking these out or you could end up needing to spend $40 for a replacement.

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.