[CoryGillmore]

Hey @CoryGillmore , do you mind sharing how/whether your Sony x Kimber balanced cable makes a difference compared to the stock one? I've been noticing a slight congestion on the low registers on the M9 and I wonder whether an upgrade cable makes a difference in this regard.

Meh I'm not sure anymore. When I first swapped over to it I felt like the music carried more weight. But then I swapped back to the stock cable after about a year of use and felt like there was no change. I still use the balanced Kimber as it's the only balanced cable I have for it anymore. The rubber on the ear hooks of my stock 4.4 cable is all gummy and sticky now.

 

[xaxaxa696969]

Tried going larger? Otherwise perhaps spinfit, haven't used w/ m9 but they work pretty well with z1r, bore diameter is similar, slightly larger I think.

which spinfit do you go for? I have no idea about their model numbers

 

[surfgeorge]

Hey @CoryGillmore , do you mind sharing how/whether your Sony x Kimber balanced cable makes a difference compared to the stock one? I've been noticing a slight congestion on the low registers on the M9 and I wonder whether an upgrade cable makes a difference in this regard.

You raised the topics of source influence and cables.
I find the M9 very revealing of the source SQ, which is why I listen to them mostly on the Chord Hugo 2. They really deliver the added definition, detail and soundstage/imaging the H2 is capable of.

I am using the M9 with the Z1R cable (don’t have the M9 cable at hand), but these days tested a cable from “electro acousti”, sold by CEMA on Aliexpress. It made a pretty clear difference, adding body, energy and clarity to the lower frequencies and smoothing our the mids and treble. It makes the M9 more fun and a bit cleaner, more vivid, but the mids do take a small step back in the balance.

It was impressive enough that I ordered another cable, this time with special Z1R/M9 MMCX connectors.
I considered the $400 Tianwaitian, which is rather famous (and looks great) but ended up buying a cheaper $160 PS series cable which uses similar conductor materials.
Bottomline - the M9 rewards both source and cable quality improvements, but both are expensive endeavors

 

[Scubadevils]

which spinfit do you go for? I have no idea about their model numbers

I've used CP100 successfully with the M9.

 

[teamdbatz]

 

[Raketen]

which spinfit do you go for? I have no idea about their model numbers

I've used CP100 successfully with the M9.

CP145 were the ones I've used w/ z1r. They have pulled off the nozzle once or twice when I didn't remove carefully (breaking seal first by pull up on ear or angling nozzle) so for people with deep canals or that are prone to the vaccum effect they might be bad idea. Maybe cp100 would be better choice for that IDK.

 

[angpsi]

(...) this time with special Z1R/M9 MMCX connectors.

So the Z1R/M9 doesn't wear regular MMCX connectors??

 

[ducnsh]

So the Z1R/M9 doesn't wear regular MMCX connectors??

Z1R/M9 use regular MMCX connector but they are in the hole so the connectors of cable must be smaller than this hole. I have used many cables and all of them are working with M9 perfectly

 

[surfgeorge]

So the Z1R/M9 doesn't wear regular MMCX connectors??

This photo from the CEMA shop on Aliexpress shows it nicely.
The connector itself is MMCX, but the housing is bigger. You can use any MMCX on the IER IEMs, but the dedicated Z1R connector will sit flush with the IEM shell.

PS: the CEMA MS cable I tested:
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005001398172252.html?spm=a2g0o.cart.0.0.2db33c00MrYzaj&mp=1

And this one I ordered specifically for the M9:
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005001665139746.html?spm=a2g0s.9042311.0.0.48d34c4d3dLfxv

 

[Scubadevils]

CP145 were the ones I've used w/ z1r. They have pulled off the nozzle once or twice when I didn't remove carefully (breaking seal first by pull up on ear or angling nozzle) so for people with deep canals or that are prone to the vaccum effect they might be bad idea. Maybe cp100 would be better choice for that IDK.

CP100 fit perfectly but I've actually gone back to Azla Shorts today and prefer them, I feel the warm M9 works really well with a wider bore. I also prefer the stiffer silicone on this Azla.

 

[angpsi]

Z1R/M9 use regular MMCX connector but they are in the hole so the connectors of cable must be smaller than this hole. I have used many cables and all of them are working with M9 perfectly

The connector itself is MMCX, but the housing is bigger. You can use any MMCX on the IER IEMs, but the dedicated Z1R connector will sit flush with the IEM shell.

PS: the CEMA MS cable I tested:
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005001398172252.html?spm=a2g0o.cart.0.0.2db33c00MrYzaj&mp=1

And this one I ordered specifically for the M9:
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005001665139746.html?spm=a2g0s.9042311.0.0.48d34c4d3dLfxv

Thanks for the info guys, much appreciated! For a moment there I became terrified that I had a case of FLC8s on my hands —that used a shorter UE10 2-pin plug which nobody made anymore!

@surfgeorge I've noticed CEMA making waves for some time now, I'm really eager to read your impressions once you receive the cable! My own experience with custom cables is limited to the classic Cardas smurf blue cable that I once used on my HD600 / 650, the Onso which I now use on the HD600 and the custom cable I made with Neotech NECH3001 for my HifiMan x Massdrop Edition XX, so pretty mainstream overall (Onso is a bit of a find, though)...

 

[surfgeorge]

@surfgeorge I've noticed CEMA making waves for some time now, I'm really eager to read your impressions once you receive the cable! My own experience with custom cables is limited to the classic Cardas smurf blue cable that I once used on my HD600 / 650, the Onso which I now use on the HD600 and the custom cable I made with Neotech NECH3001 for my HifiMan x Massdrop Edition XX, so pretty mainstream overall (Onso is a bit of a find, though)...

I'll post about my experiences!
When I put together a pretty high end stereo system I was surprised that I could hear pretty significant differences between different cables, both interconnect and speaker cables. In my experience IEMs are also very sensititve to cables. I experimented with commercial and DIY cables, so I have some cables to compare against. The CEMA MS impressed me with price/quality ratio, looking forward to the PS cable for the M9. I'll certainly report back once it arrives, which will take a couple of weeks....

 

[NewEve]

Sony IER-M9


Smooth yet Detailed


Puuurfection?​

Received them yesterday with a ZX507 — I missed my ZX300 too much not to give Sony another shot…

Very pleased so far. Just glad I had the Final E tips on hand — they saved these IEM for me as their nozzle is a bit on the short side.

Too bad these triple comfort tips are too short and remove some of the low-end for me… ‘cause the texture they have is just indecent

 

[angpsi]

I get the feeling that the M9 are getting (re)discovered as of lately...

 

[NewEve]

I get the feeling that the M9 are getting (re)discovered as of lately...

Yup, on sale as well which makes them very aggressively priced, and they perform really well, especially given their “age” so to speak. I mean my almost new Solaris 2020 are giving me the stink eye… and they know how much I like them… but I might love the M9 (note to self: stop talking about IEM like they were people).