Hi,
Just to share some additional comments from my experience on the new AK T9iE. I'm just a normal music lover and am not a highly experienced audiophile, so forgive me if I've said anything incorrectly.
I've had the new AK T9iE for over a week now and I think I have clocked in >24hrs on them so far. I'm still happy with it overall.
Not sure why that there're not much discussions on the AK T9iE. There are only a few published reviews that I found and their conclusions are generally good. There are also some who commented the T9 lack mid bass, some said the mid is missing, some said instruments lacked crispness/energy, etc. I guess everyone taste are different but I didn't observe any of these from the T9 that I've been listening for a week now.
Note that I have since swapped out the stock silver & copper hybrid cable to a silver-plated copper (SPC) cable. I preferred the SPC for everyday listening on pop, rock, edm and other modern genres, With the SPC, there are more detail, clarity and energy with a more airy presentation. The hybrid cable is more warmer and smoother with a bigger presentation; and is more suitable for classical, jazz, blues, etc. in my opinion. However, it depends on personal preferences.
On both cables, the performance of the low, mid and treble as well as other technicalities are quite similar, just a different presentation and preference. Overall, the T9's sound tuning is very balanced, smooth and enjoyable/musical. There are ample low which are tight, detailed and controlled with sufficiently fast response. The mid is very balanced as well, with a linear response across the lower and upper mid-range. Lower mid is good with male vocal having body and non-nasal sounding. Upper mid is clear with equal amount of energy with female vocal sounding warm and non-sibilant. Treble is well extended compared to average; percussions like cymbals, hi-hats, snares etc all have great texture and clarity. Both lower and upper treble has sufficient brightness yet are silky smooth ( not 64 Audio level treble, more like towards qdc type of treble I think... I like 64 Audio & qdc but can't afford them LOL ).
The soundstage is great, not the widest but better than average with a good depth and average height. I feel the SPC opens up the stage a bit more due to more airy presentation. Imaging and separation is also better with SPC in my option.
On non audio related, it comes with a nice case but is a bit on the big side. It's still portable though; and looks & smells like real leather. The stock hybrid cable is beautiful and supposed to be audiophile-grade, same as the one packaged with the AK T5p 2nd Gen headphone ( I heard that it originally took 2 years to design and was more difficult than designing DAP lol ). I'm happy with the MMCX connection (not too tight and not too loose) and mine have not popped loose easily. Stock tips comes in both silicone and foam tips. I feel the stock silicone tips are best sounding and they come in 7 sizes!. Due to unique oval-shaped nozzle and tips, they may not fit everyone properly. Personally, I get a good fit after some time with the stock tips but the seal breaks easily when there are movement. Good thing is aftermarket tips work well; and the T9 is very responsive to tips rolling, so it's a good thing. One nitpick is there are no markings on the form insert for the tips size. However, there are size marking on the individual tips at the base of the stem. Personally I have not much to complain on the packaging and accessories.
There is only one thing to point out - driver flex. Mine has it (both sides), as well as a couple of other new sets that I've tested. It is the sound of the driver movement (crinkling sound) when they are subjected to pressure such as during inserting and removing the iems from the ears. Other that that, there are no issues using and listening to the earphones. Personally, it should not be called driver flex and it's not an issue, unless it has developed into a serious problem. I believe all dynamic drivers have driver flex due to their nature. Some will have more and some less or none (not hearable but may still flex), depending on thinness of drivers, materials, venting design, etc). Mine makes the flex sound since day 1 every time I insert/remove/adjust the earpieces. So far no problem and I have been testing the earphones & tips rolling like crazy (finger crossed). I not too worried as the earphone is covered with 1 year warranty or 2 years depending on regions. I will update if there are any changes to this 'issue'.
To me, the T9iE is beautifully designed with a great sound quality (reference / neutral tuning). I'm very happy to have it and hope to have many enjoyable hours with it.
Cheers, and pardon me if anything is inaccurate. Below are some photos.
. This is, when proper venting is badly needed. Not talking about the T9ie though...because I have not heard them yet.
