Sony IER-M9 VS Symphonium Helios SE

IEM Comparison: Expert & Community Scores Side-by-Side

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Sony IER-M9 and Symphonium Helios SE use 5BA and 4BA driver setups respectively. Sony IER-M9 costs $1,000 while Symphonium Helios SE costs $1,150. Symphonium Helios SE is $150 more expensive. Symphonium Helios SE holds a clear 0.7-point edge in reviewer scores (7.4 vs 8). Sony IER-M9 carries a user score of 7.5. Sony IER-M9 has better bass with a 0.5-point edge, Symphonium Helios SE has better treble with a 0.5-point edge, Symphonium Helios SE has significantly better dynamics with a 2-point edge and Symphonium Helios SE has better imaging with a 0.5-point edge.

Insights

Metric Sony IER-M9 Symphonium Helios SE
Bass 7.5 7
Mids 8 8
Treble 7.5 8
Details 8 8
Imaging 7 7.5
Dynamics 5 7
Tonality 7.1 7.9
Technicalities 7.4 7.9

Sony IER-M9 Aggregated Review Score

Average Reviewer Scores

Precogvision Tim Tuned Crin
Audionotions

Average Reviewer Score:

7.4

Generally Favorable


Symphonium Helios SE Aggregated Review Score

Average Reviewer Scores

Precogvision
Jays Audio Nymz

Average Reviewer Score:

8

Very Positive


Sony IER-M9 User Review Score

Average User Scores

Average User Score:

Based on 1 user reviews

7.5

Strongly Favorable

Symphonium Helios SE User Review Score

Average User Scores

Average User Score: n/a

Based on 0 user reviews

No user reviews yet. Be the first one who writes a review!

Sony IER-M9 Gaming Score

Gaming Score & Grade

  • The gaming score is prioritizing technical capabilities of the IEM (Separation, Layering, Soundstage) and good value.

Gaming Score

6.3

Gaming Grade

B

Symphonium Helios SE Gaming Score

Gaming Score & Grade

  • The gaming score is prioritizing technical capabilities of the IEM (Separation, Layering, Soundstage) and good value.

Gaming Score

6.9

Gaming Grade

B+

Sony IER-M9 Scorings

Average Technical & Tuning Grades

Average Tunign Grade

A-
  • Pleasing tonal balance with good technical control. Minor quirks present but not distracting. Demonstrates decent genre versatility.

Average Technical Grade

A-
  • Competent technical presentation. Handles separation and detail well in most tracks, with modest soundstage and acceptable imaging capabilities.
Bass A
Strong, well-defined bass with good texture. Delivers satisfying punch and rumble without overwhelming other frequencies.
Mids A+
Superb midrange that's rich and resolving. Exceptional transparency and micro-details with perfect vocal/instrument balance.
Treble A
Excellent treble: airy, extended and well-controlled. Great micro-detail retrieval without sibilance or harshness.
Dynamics C+
Decent dynamic performance. Good macro-contrast but micro-dynamics could be more nuanced. Satisfactory impact.
Details A+
Exceptional resolution that uncovers the deepest layers. Retrieves even the most minute details while maintaining natural timbre.
Imaging A-
Excellent imaging: precise and stable placement. Instruments occupy specific points in space with tangible positions.
Gaming B
Decent spatial awareness for fundamental positioning. Creates satisfying atmosphere in story-driven games while handling basic directional cues. Bad value-to-cost for gaming purpose - not recommended

Symphonium Helios SE Scorings

Average Technical & Tuning Grades

Average Tunign Grade

A
  • Well-executed tonal character. No major flaws with good technical control. Smooth presentation works with multiple genres.

Average Technical Grade

A
  • Good technical performance. Clear separation and decent detail retrieval across various tracks. Soundstage shows reasonable width and depth.
Bass A-
Strong, well-defined bass with good texture. Delivers satisfying punch and rumble without overwhelming other frequencies.
Mids A+
Superb midrange that's rich and resolving. Exceptional transparency and micro-details with perfect vocal/instrument balance.
Treble A+
Superb treble: effortless extension with crystal clarity. Perfect balance of sparkle and smoothness with exceptional detail.
Dynamics A-
Excellent dynamics with great contrast and speed. Transients are crisp and micro-details are clearly articulated.
Details A+
Exceptional resolution that uncovers the deepest layers. Retrieves even the most minute details while maintaining natural timbre.
Imaging A
Excellent imaging: precise and stable placement. Instruments occupy specific points in space with tangible positions.
Gaming B+
Respectable environmental presentation favors atmosphere over precision. Detects obvious directional cues while conveying game world ambiance. Bad value-to-cost for gaming purpose - not recommended

Sony IER-M9 Reviews

Reviewed by: Audionotions

Audionotions 8 Reviewer Score
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 fit issues for me but YMMV). At used prices today, it's a steal. Previously Owned

Audionotions original ranking

Website (Audionotions)

Reviewed by: Precogvision

Precogvision 7.4 Reviewer Score
A- Tuning
B+ Tech
Boring, but you won't find anything more well-rounded for the price. Exceptional timbre for a BA IEM.

Precogvision original ranking

Precogvision Youtube Channel
Bass: A- Mids: A+ Treble: A- Dynamics: C+ Details: A+ Imaging: A-

Reviewed by: Tim Tuned

Tim Tuned 7 Reviewer Score
A- Tuning
A+ Tech
Just great accross the board, nothing to fault Not very special

Tim Tuned original ranking

Tim Tuned Youtube Channel
Bass: A+ Mids: A+ Treble: A+

Reviewed by: Crin

Crin 7 Reviewer Score
A- Tuning
A Tech
Neutral tonality, highly coherent and decent detail pickup. The all-rounder of the IER lineup.

Crin original ranking

Crin Youtube Channel

Symphonium Helios SE Reviews

Reviewed by: Jays Audio

Jays Audio 8.5 Reviewer Score
S- Tuning
S- Tech
Best Treble around it's price. Super airy but still smooth. Bass-scoop isn't as bad as I thought, but those who want mid-bass - avoid it.

Jays Audio original ranking

Jays Audio Youtube Channel

Reviewed by: Nymz

Nymz 8.1 Reviewer Score
A+ Tuning
A+ Tech
Limited to 50 units. A huge improvement fit wise versus the original. Great TOTL all-rounder. Great sub, upper mids and treble. Mid-bass is an improvement but still not boosted. Great technical chops while fixing the sense of plasticness the original had.

Nymz original ranking

Nymz Website

Bass: A- Mids: A+ Treble: S Details: A+ Imaging: A+

Reviewed by: Precogvision

Precogvision 7.4 Reviewer Score
A- Tuning
A- Tech
See Helios but with more mid-treble and mid-bass.

Precogvision original ranking

Precogvision Youtube Channel
Bass: A- Mids: A+ Treble: A- Dynamics: A- Details: A+ Imaging: A-

Sony IER-M9 User Reviews

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Makavelian
7.5

Worth it at used prices for neutral warm all rounder.

Pros
Great all rounder tuning, imaging, comfort.
Cons
Bit lacking in engagement, bass typical of BA drivers.

Symphonium Helios SE User Reviews

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