Best Sony IEMs

A+

$1,700

Sony IER Z1R

Jays Audio: Best of the best in most areas, but vocals and mids can be thin due to fit issues. Insane bass texture/detail and HUGE soundstage. One of the best trebles I've heard.
Crin: Extended yet natural treble, realistic sub-bass focus and spacious imaging capabilities.
Precogvision: Top-tier bass, treble, and soundstage height and width. I don't approve of the midrange these days.
Tim Tuned: Incredible extensions on both ends Lower midrange
Smirk Audio: Visceral, hard-hitting bass, sparkly treble, and a large, spherical soundstage with impressive height. Fit may pose a challenge for many. Cons: Poor fit.
Shuwa-T: Fun sounding without going overboard with the subbass, organic timbre The fit is atrocious, treble can get spicy on hi-hats
Nymz: Recessed mids I can't approved but best bass tactility I've heard. One of the best stage I've heard. Top of the class treble. Fit is a massive problem for most - one of those that needs to be demoed...

Tuning: A+ Tech: A+ Bass: S Mids: B+ Treble: A Dynamics: A- Soundstage: A+ Details: A- Imaging: S-

V-Shaped 2DD+1BA

8.2

6.6

A-

$1,000

Sony IER-M9

Crin: Neutral tonality, highly coherent and decent detail pickup. The all-rounder of the IER lineup.
Precogvision: Boring, but you won't find anything more well-rounded for the price. Exceptional timbre for a BA IEM.
Tim Tuned: Just great accross the board, nothing to fault Not very special
Drew / Audionotions: Nice note weight, very balanced, shockingly good at imaging held back by finicky fit and vacuum seal - fit issues can be resolved by changing tips though (for me the stock silicone LL tips eliminated...

Tuning: A- Tech: A- Bass: A Mids: A+ Treble: A Dynamics: C+ Details: A+ Imaging: A-

Warm neutral 5BA

7.4

6.3

7.5

B+

$500

Sony IER-M7

Crin: Balanced across the board, though doesn't seem to excel in any particular area.
Tim Tuned: Very neutral tuning, great for audio work Can be very boring
Drew / Audionotions: Warm but not muddy. More dynamic than M9 but a slight step down in resolution and imaging. More fun to listen to than M9. Great build, great kit. Love it. Previously Owned

Tuning: B+ Tech: A- Bass: A- Mids: A+ Treble: A+

Warm neutral 4BA

6.5

6.6

B+

$700

Sony XBA Z5

Crin: All-rounder. Somewhat neutral both in FR and tonality.

Tuning: B Tech: B+ Bass: A+ Mids: A- Treble: B

"Balanced" 2BA+1DD>

6.5

5.9

B+

$300

Sony XBA-N3

Crin: Exceptional tonal balance only limited by its slightly smoothed over definition
Precogvision: Sinfully addictive tuning hampered only by a slight lack of detail and imaging performance.
Nymz: Tastefully done and now discontinued. Great coherency, timbre and overall tuning. Midbass bleeds a lot. Lacks resolution, layering and imaging chops.

Tuning: B+ Tech: C+ Bass: B+ Mids: B+ Treble: B+ Dynamics: B Details: C+ Imaging: C

Warm V 1DD+1BA

6.5

5.6

B-

$200

Sony WF-1000XM3

Crin: Proper tonality, solid technicalities yet with a consumer-friendly signature.

Tuning: B+ Tech: B-

V-shape n/a

5.8

B-

n/a

Sony MDR-EX1000

Crin: Outstanding imaging and detail retrieval though can be intense to listen to.
Precogvision: Excellent imaging, but midrange and treble tonality needs work.

Tuning: C Tech: A- Bass: B Mids: C- Treble: C- Dynamics: B Details: B Imaging: A+

Bright neutral 1DD

5.7

6.4

B-

$280

Sony WF-1000XM4

Precogvision: Use EQ and swap the tips. Overly dark and muddy otherwise.
Nymz: Best of the class technology (especially ANC). You can achieve good tuning with EQ, but stock is a bit congested/veiled. Too pricey. Best option if good tuning with great ANC is the priority and...

Tuning: D Tech: D Bass: D+ Mids: D+ Treble: D- Dynamics: C- Details: C- Imaging: D-

Warm neutral 1DD

5.6

3.3

C-

$6

Sony MH755

Crin: Clean notes, proper sub-bass extension and a tonal balance beyond expectations.
Precogvision: One of the best bass response you'll find under $500, but with too much upper-midrange and treble.
Nymz: Everything but bass falls short. You get what you pay for, but nonetheless, very good for price. Ghetto short cable.
Drew / Audionotions: Very fun tuning and sound for something that cost $6. Unfortunately build quality is among the worst. Shell comes apart when removing from ears. Impossible to find authentic units these days....