Was the Samsung smartphone sufficient to drive these earphones?

I had to push them up pretty high, to around 85/90 so I guess it is possible, but perhaps not the most ideal.

Is it easy to use the new winding mechanism they include with he case? That thing is reminiscent to what they give to the EX1000 line, at least that case is much better than what they gave to A3 and Z5....

Thanks for your review! That was wonderful. Especially the comparison with CA Andros helps a lot.

Such an easy to read and concise review; thank-you.

When you push volume to 85-90 on the Samsung phone, did the sound quality suffer as the phone is under powered to drive these earphones vs the DAPs?

Thanks as I’m looking at getting the M9s but will be using them with my iPhone X

Thanks! Very very helpful! Have you ever listened to the XBA-Z5, would be nice to see how they compare against each other!

@elevensheep - it wouldnt suffer as a result of the lack of power, though dynamics and other details may not come across as clearly. Having said that, using the dongle to connect the M9 to your iPhone would definitely cause a drop in sound quality because of the dongle.

@UncleGrandpa - I haven't listened to it enough to do a comparison :/

@Sp12er3 - I haven't really used the case so I can't comment

Could you help to do a brief comparison between m9 and ex1000. Do you think m9 is an upgrade to ex1000 in terms of sound? What are the areas you think ex1000 could be better at than m9?

Nice review mate, I totally agree with what you said and at this price point it gives a hard fight with even the so loved Andromeda S (Ps.: just discovered that the best tips for the Andromeda are the Triple confort from my M9 ). The details, lower end, transparency...all at the right amount. I still have the IER-Z1R on my love list to own. but no regret in getting this Sony M9.