[DynamicEars]

I might prefer M7 over Z1R as well. I prefer a full-bodied mids over Z1R bass cannons. Even the Z1R is well controlled, mids are noticeably thin to me.

They are 2 different beast thats why i still wont let go my m7 even after I got Z1R.
Tuning wise i also prefer m7 with full bodied, warm mids than Z1R, that is thinner than m7/m9 but resolution, dynamic and again bass Z1R have their edge over M7.
Both are awesome IEMs

 

[costas23]

How are the mids compared between M7 & M9? Some write M7 is clearer and more forward others say the M9 is fuller and more refined... guess they are technically similar and the difference is just in the tuning?

 

[DynamicEars]

How are the mids compared between M7 & M9? Some write M7 is clearer and more forward others say the M9 is fuller and more refined... guess they are technically similar and the difference is just in the tuning?

M9 have slightly better resolution and details , thanks to 5th BA. Imaging is slightly better on M9 too. I have little experience on M9 since i dont have them myself (went for M7 that time then got Z1R later). I wont say M7 mids are clearer, just perceived as more forwarded mids because of the tuning and "not so emphasize treble" on M7. M9 have better treble extension and details, thats why you will hear treble details more and perceived that mids as not the star of the show. They have exactly same driver and similar tuning, just M9 perceived as brighter and more details because oh high mids - highs extension.
technically M9 is slightly above M7, but M7 is already great IEM, the gate to the TOTL world I would say, they already have very decent layering that never exist on midfi or budget class. accurate imaging.
If you tight on budget, M7 will satisfy you well, for nearly double the price M9 have slight better imaging and a step up highs extension and full magnesium alloy body if you care with build quality (M7 outer body is plastic). For me M7 hold better value.
I almost trade off my M7 with M9 but in the end I got Z1R since i got nice offer from a friend.

 

[surfgeorge]

How are the mids compared between M7 & M9? Some write M7 is clearer and more forward others say the M9 is fuller and more refined... guess they are technically similar and the difference is just in the tuning?

I listened to them side by side and the M9 grabbed my attention by being more lively and punchy. When A2A in Australia had the special offer on both last year it was easy for me to decide for the M9 over the M7, although in terms of pure value I agree with @DynamicEars that the M7 is excellent, offering a lot of the same SQ of the M9.
At the A2A special price the M7 is in the same price range as a Moondrop Blessing 2, and at least the M9 is technically much better than the B2. Soundstage, imaging, timbre, coherence and scaling with source quality is all superior. I also prefer the tuning of the M9, but that's more a personal preference. But I have the feeling that Sony has put much more effort into the fundamental development, phase coherence, resonances, whatever, they feel simply refined at a very, very high level. Blessing 2 is a good IEM using standard tools, design and components, it feels like very talented and enthusiastic people put together a really good product. M7/M9 feel like a large team of professionals worked on them for a long time to get the best results within their design parameters.

Back to the comparison between the M7 and the M9 - going by memory I suppose the M7 is the more relaxed option with maybe more vocal focus (especially male). I think the M9 has the upper hand with acoustic and classical tracks, very good recordings and sources, and ultimately is the more versatile and lively of the two.

 

[twiceboss]

Damn @DynamicEars and @surfgeorge descriptions on both M7 and M9 (added with b2) are on point af. Haven't read this accuracy quite awhile. M9 is superior in technicalities than M7 but mids is the star of the show on M7 that lets you focus on vocals more than M9. And definitely agree, M7 and M9 sounds like something produced by well experienced engineered working in a team, matured. Meanwhile, B2 is more toward a small team who has passion in audio.

All of them are great but im still leaning to Sony.

 

[costas23]

Big Thanks to @surfgeorge and @DynamicEars for your precise description!
I have a M9 on the way to me and wasn't sure before the purchase if I should have purchased the M7 instead, but the way you described them makes me think the M9 is more my thing. I have the previous Sony-DD-twins ex800 and ex1000, the way the M7 & M9 differ reminds me very much of those two classics. The differences in tuning seem to be similar and I prefer the ex1000 as it is more versatile, but technically they are on a similar level and many people prefer the ex800 over the twice more expensive brother due to the more midcentric tuning.
@surfgeorge your thought nails it, it really shows Sony have this huge R&D-team working on their products. I like their audio stuff as they show a certain kind of refinement and thought-out-character I rarely find in other iems. I guess I will end up with a z1r one day

 

[DynamicEars]

Big Thanks to @surfgeorge and @DynamicEars for your precise description!
I have a M9 on the way to me and wasn't sure before the purchase if I should have purchased the M7 instead, but the way you described them makes me think the M9 is more my thing. I have the previous Sony-DD-twins ex800 and ex1000, the way the M7 & M9 differ reminds me very much of those two classics. The differences in tuning seem to be similar and I prefer the ex1000 as it is more versatile, but technically they are on a similar level and many people prefer the ex800 over the twice more expensive brother due to the more midcentric tuning.
@surfgeorge your thought nails it, it really shows Sony have this huge R&D-team working on their products. I like their audio stuff as they show a certain kind of refinement and thought-out-character I rarely find in other iems. I guess I will end up with a z1r one day

exactly if you had EX 800 and EX1000, as you said, the M9 is like EX1000 while M7 is like EX600 i think, but dont expect the DD impact from those 16mm giant driver, sure they will be missed, but Z1R can replace them.
You will love the M9, except from DD bass impact and air, M9 beat EX-1000 almost in every aspect.

 

[bhima]

I just wanted to come in here and thank you for the Starfield headphone EQ profile. pushing the treble to peak closer to 3K instead of 2K is really making the treble timbre of strings sound much more natural. Cheers!

EDIT: Now do the KBEAR Believe!

 

[gto88]

I read people keep saying about BA bass of M9, but in my hear, it is great bass and extension
not much behind Nio. And in some bass test track, I can hear M9 has clearer definition of bass
along with mid sound together.
To me M9 is definitely a keeper.

 

[bibit69]

Indeed, i found m7 is the most balanced and mid forward between the big Sony trio, its very balance and nice when you listen on higher volume. Just if you have listen to Z1R bass, ugh.. Definitely no way to go back.
Still love my m7 though

z1r is the most beautiful sounding IEM ever to me, but cannot stand being bombarded by the bass for hours, hehe

 

[eacl87]

Anyone listened to the Dunu SA6? How does it compare to the Clairvoyance? Thanks, guys!

 

[himaraya]

I read people keep saying about BA bass of M9, but in my hear, it is great bass and extension
not much behind Nio. And in some bass test track, I can hear M9 has clearer definition of bass
along with mid sound together.
To me M9 is definitely a keeper.

Noticeably slow & subbass-light to me, versus Z1R or even ER2XR. Nio bass meh, relatively.

 

[Precogvision]

Noticeably slow & subbass-light to me, versus Z1R or even ER2XR. Nio bass meh, relatively.

Hmm, I think that's an apples-to-oranges comparison. Expecting a BA to measure up to a DD is unrealistic; within the context of BA, the IER-M9's bass is quite good. In fact, the only BA IEM I've heard that I'd consider better for bass is the U12t.

Nio's more of a sub-bass specialist, trading some transient attack in the mid-bass for excellent texturing and slam down low. Yeah, sure, it's a bit slow, but some people like that quality to their bass. The ER2XR is more about control; it's snappy, but overly lacking in texture for a DD of its price. Even the Z1R, which most - myself included - would deem the king of bass, has its issues. It's transients are incredibly dense to the point of which it can be fatiguing (not helped by the massive amounts of lower-treble) and suspiciously one-note (lack of macrodynamic ability). And don't get me wrong, I like all these IEMs. What I'm getting at is that this is all relative; there are always trade-offs at play and some people might desire certain characteristics more than others

 

[himaraya]

Hmm, I think that's an apples-to-oranges comparison. Expecting a BA to measure up to a DD is unrealistic; within the context of BA, the IER-M9's bass is quite good. In fact, the only BA IEM I've heard that I'd consider better for bass is the U12t.

Nio's more of a sub-bass specialist, trading some transient attack in the mid-bass for excellent texturing and slam down low. Yeah, sure, it's a bit slow, but some people like that quality to their bass. The ER2XR is more about control; it's snappy, but overly lacking in texture for a DD of its price. Even the Z1R, which most - myself included - would deem the king of bass, has its issues. It's transients are incredibly dense to the point of which it can be fatiguing (not helped by the massive amounts of lower-treble) and suspiciously one-note (lack of macrodynamic ability). And don't get me wrong, I like all these IEMs. What I'm getting at is that this is all relative; there are always trade-offs at play and some people might desire certain characteristics more than others

Ergo, BA bass complaints. My take...
Z1R lower-treble spike sounds & looks non-existent. Fine transients & dynamics. Weak BA mids.
Nio mid-bass just sounds shoddy.
ER2XR texture sounds perfectly fine, just narrow. Speed, resolution & tuning make it a category killer.

 

[Precogvision]

Ergo, BA bass complaints. My take...
Z1R lower-treble spike sounds & looks non-existent. Fine transients & dynamics. Weak BA mids.
Nio mid-bass just sounds shoddy.
ER2XR texture sounds perfectly fine, just narrow. Speed, resolution & tuning make it a category killer.

Maybe we're using different words to describe different things, but you've lost me haha. The IER-Z1R graphs, on paper, with a strong 6kHz peak. It is there visually, and anecdotal listening corroborates its presence. To top it off, if you have a poor insertion with the IER-Z1R, the treble has been shown to be extremely bright (I believe Crin has a graph floating around). This is not to say it's bad treble - on the contrary, the Z1R's treble is a standout - but the peak's most definitely there.

I've also never heard of texture being described as narrow. Do you perhaps mean the staging? I was thinking of the Sony MH755 by comparison when I said the ER2XR's bass texture was lacking.