I'm an Audio-Technica fan. In fact, it was my chance encounter with Audio-Technica's IM70 that led me down the wallet busting rabbit hole that high performance audio is.
Over the years I've collected various bit of AT gear like the M40x, E40, LS70 and MSR7.
Although the MSR7 is a great pair of cans, wearing them in the heat of the Australian summer can certainly strain the relationship.
So, off I went to Sydney's premiere headphone store, Minidisc, in search of something more portable, and hopefully, a bit cooler on the ears.
I tried the Etymotic ER3 and the ATH-LS200. Both sounded muffled and congested with little to no sparkle in the top end (yes, the MSR7 does ruin everything else for you). I was about to buy the ATH-M60X when I remembered the F9 Pro. I had a quick listen and, well, they live in my house now.
They are like mini MSR7s with very similar signature.
Packaging (AKA: Look at all those goodies!)
Inside the box you get 4 different kinds of tips, each with 3 pairs (S/M/L).
These are tip for enhancing voice, balance, bass and foam tips that reduce treble and enhance bass.
The changes are subtle but noticeable.
Perhaps I have freakishly large earholes, but most tips are way too small for me, except for the large bass ones.
Also in the box, you get two carry cases. A soft fabric pouch and a hard, waterproof plastic case for when you take your F9 Pros scuba diving with you, I suppose.
Inside the soft pouch you'll find two MMCX cables. One standard 3.5mm cable with a remote control and the word "Pro" written on it, in case you forget which F9 version you bought, and a braided balanced one.
Also, if you look carefully, you’ll find the actual IEMs sitting snuggly in a foam block. Remember not to throw these away as you might need them later on.
Physical Attributes (AKA: There's a metal alien bug in my ear and I'm cool with it)
The F9 Pros a completely made of aluminium with decorative ripples across the body of the IEM. It feels sturdy and it's all finished with a very high degree of polish. The metal grey colour looks elegant and serious, never betraying the fact that you're a middle aged man listening to Kyary Pamyu Pamyu.
These guys are tiny. Pictures don't give you the sense of scale. Sure, they are no Etymotics, but compared to my ATH-E40, these are practically microscopic, and with small size comes comfort. Oh, these boys are comfy!
I have worn them all day at work without the slightest hint of heat or discomfort. Even the dreaded over-ear wire didn't bother me.
Sound impressions (AKA: How much room is inside these thing?!)
I’m not going to give you a detailed breakdown of frequencies such as treble, bass, etc... because it means little to me. I’ll instead describe what I hear.
The first thing to hit me was the soundstage, it's bloody massive! There's a real sense of positioning and scale unlike any other IEM I've heard (mind you, I'm no expert). I had no idea an IEM could create such an expansive soundstage, not at this price anyway.
But what about the sound?
It’s an MSR7. That's about it.
Oh, you haven't heard the MSR7?
Well, it's bright and detailed with none of that mid bass hump that most consumer headphones have these days, and this is what the F9 Pro sounds like.
Voices, instruments and positioning is very easy to determine and it all sounds pretty natural to me with a real sense of air and presence.
Okay, maybe the mids are recessed, it's not as forward as the MSR7, but they do sound more natural. Unfortunately the sense of distance works against the F9 Pro when used in public as the voices seem to get lost.
There's no bass bleed in or distortion. Although it may appear bass light on your first hearing, bass can go pretty punchy and deep.
My only issue is the intensity of the treble. Depending on the tips you're using, It can pick up sibilance on badly recorded audio, like the MSR7, but harsher and more piercing. With the Bass and stock tips, it can be quite uncomfortable.
It doesn't happen all the time but if you're sensitive to sibilance, you can try the included clear silicon (vocal enhancement) or foam tips which tone down the highs a bit and brings more thump to the bass.
Another option is to get Comply T500 tips which get rid of sibilance completely. You do lose some sparkle though, but mind over matter. If you don't mind, then it doesn't matter.
Final thoughts
Is it perfect? Of course not. The treble is hot, most of the tips will get no use and some will want more bass, but then again, is there a perfect IEM?
What the F9 Pro is though, it's amazing value. It blew away some IEMs twice its price with its clarity and soundstage. At no point was I left wanting for something more. Your mileage may vary of course, but the next time you are IEM shopping, give the F9 Pro a listen, you may be surprised.
Over the years I've collected various bit of AT gear like the M40x, E40, LS70 and MSR7.
Although the MSR7 is a great pair of cans, wearing them in the heat of the Australian summer can certainly strain the relationship.
So, off I went to Sydney's premiere headphone store, Minidisc, in search of something more portable, and hopefully, a bit cooler on the ears.
I tried the Etymotic ER3 and the ATH-LS200. Both sounded muffled and congested with little to no sparkle in the top end (yes, the MSR7 does ruin everything else for you). I was about to buy the ATH-M60X when I remembered the F9 Pro. I had a quick listen and, well, they live in my house now.
They are like mini MSR7s with very similar signature.
Packaging (AKA: Look at all those goodies!)
Inside the box you get 4 different kinds of tips, each with 3 pairs (S/M/L).
These are tip for enhancing voice, balance, bass and foam tips that reduce treble and enhance bass.
The changes are subtle but noticeable.
Perhaps I have freakishly large earholes, but most tips are way too small for me, except for the large bass ones.
Also in the box, you get two carry cases. A soft fabric pouch and a hard, waterproof plastic case for when you take your F9 Pros scuba diving with you, I suppose.
Inside the soft pouch you'll find two MMCX cables. One standard 3.5mm cable with a remote control and the word "Pro" written on it, in case you forget which F9 version you bought, and a braided balanced one.
Also, if you look carefully, you’ll find the actual IEMs sitting snuggly in a foam block. Remember not to throw these away as you might need them later on.
Physical Attributes (AKA: There's a metal alien bug in my ear and I'm cool with it)
The F9 Pros a completely made of aluminium with decorative ripples across the body of the IEM. It feels sturdy and it's all finished with a very high degree of polish. The metal grey colour looks elegant and serious, never betraying the fact that you're a middle aged man listening to Kyary Pamyu Pamyu.
These guys are tiny. Pictures don't give you the sense of scale. Sure, they are no Etymotics, but compared to my ATH-E40, these are practically microscopic, and with small size comes comfort. Oh, these boys are comfy!
I have worn them all day at work without the slightest hint of heat or discomfort. Even the dreaded over-ear wire didn't bother me.
Sound impressions (AKA: How much room is inside these thing?!)
I’m not going to give you a detailed breakdown of frequencies such as treble, bass, etc... because it means little to me. I’ll instead describe what I hear.
The first thing to hit me was the soundstage, it's bloody massive! There's a real sense of positioning and scale unlike any other IEM I've heard (mind you, I'm no expert). I had no idea an IEM could create such an expansive soundstage, not at this price anyway.
But what about the sound?
It’s an MSR7. That's about it.
Oh, you haven't heard the MSR7?
Well, it's bright and detailed with none of that mid bass hump that most consumer headphones have these days, and this is what the F9 Pro sounds like.
Voices, instruments and positioning is very easy to determine and it all sounds pretty natural to me with a real sense of air and presence.
Okay, maybe the mids are recessed, it's not as forward as the MSR7, but they do sound more natural. Unfortunately the sense of distance works against the F9 Pro when used in public as the voices seem to get lost.
There's no bass bleed in or distortion. Although it may appear bass light on your first hearing, bass can go pretty punchy and deep.
My only issue is the intensity of the treble. Depending on the tips you're using, It can pick up sibilance on badly recorded audio, like the MSR7, but harsher and more piercing. With the Bass and stock tips, it can be quite uncomfortable.
It doesn't happen all the time but if you're sensitive to sibilance, you can try the included clear silicon (vocal enhancement) or foam tips which tone down the highs a bit and brings more thump to the bass.
Another option is to get Comply T500 tips which get rid of sibilance completely. You do lose some sparkle though, but mind over matter. If you don't mind, then it doesn't matter.
Final thoughts
Is it perfect? Of course not. The treble is hot, most of the tips will get no use and some will want more bass, but then again, is there a perfect IEM?
What the F9 Pro is though, it's amazing value. It blew away some IEMs twice its price with its clarity and soundstage. At no point was I left wanting for something more. Your mileage may vary of course, but the next time you are IEM shopping, give the F9 Pro a listen, you may be surprised.
It would be great to see such comparison , in my opinion, while talking about the "value".