With the introduction of the Sony In-Ear Monitors IER-M7, M9, and Z1R in 2018, Sony improved their line of in-ear monitors. The M9 has received almost universal acclaim as a superb IEM that works best as a stage monitor.
The Z1R was a bit more divisive due to its astronomical price, uncomfortable fit, and harsh sound. The Z1R appeared to be the finish line for the select few who could make it function. But today I want to talk about the Sony In-ear Monitor [IER-M7], the lineup's ignored youngest child.
The M7 and M9 are extremely similar at first glance. Instead of five balanced internal armatures from Sony, it has four, which is nearly identical to the five in terms of shell design. The same incredibly extensive assortment of accessories is also included: 13 pairs of Sony tips, two cords, and a protective carrying case. Although the cable isn't particularly attractive, it performs flawlessly with no cable memory at all and very little cable noise. For me, isolation, comfort, and fitness were all excellent. These IEMs clearly were designed for usage on stages.
The M7 shells are composed of lightweight plastic, whereas the M9 is built of magnesium, which is the main difference between them. Additionally, the M9's carbon fiber faceplate. Since Sony sacrificed that portion of the premium on the M7, I can't help but feel disappointed after having the opportunity to hold them side by side. Perhaps there was a real engineering choice made here, but for an MSRP of $500, I would anticipate a little bit more.
Sony In-Ear Monitors Features
The Sony In-Ear Monitors IER-M7 is practically an exact replica of the M9 in terms of size, although it comes with a plastic housing and what looks to be a brass nozzle.
Four BA drivers and a film capacitor to reduce distortion are housed inside the plastic container along with a titanium chassis that is integrated into the design.
This model fits like a glove while wearing the M7, which is much lighter than the M9. Another excellent detail is the soft memory wire on the wiring, which never appears too stiff or too loose.
Two cables, one with a 4.4 mm balanced plug and the other with a 3.5 mm connector, both measure 4 feet (1.2 meters) and are included in the box.
Thirteen pairs of eartips are also provided with these earbuds, in addition to a carrying case, cable clip, and cleaning tool.
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Low End
For some reason possibly because of personal prejudice I had anticipated a low end with more bass. But I was pleasantly delighted to see that the Sony In-ear Monitors [IER-M9] was a bit more cautious in this area. The low end as a whole never gets too intense or insane, despite being detailed and interesting. This overall formula is followed by the bass response, which is sharp and precise but not over-emphasized. This frequency band sounds exceptionally precise and controlled overall, which may be good news for the rest of the sound as well.
Midrange
Smooth, clear vocals that have a bit of forwardness come through. Although there is still a lot of detail in the instrumentation, the separation and clarity still allow for strong contrast. No compression or distortion can be heard here; no matter what I pipe into the Sony In-ear Monitors [IER-M7], the sound is always rich and full. Sincerely speaking, I typically dislike mids on Sony headphones and earphones, but these are making me pretty agitated. You may rest assured that the M7 has the medicine you're craving if you're seeking for a nice, smooth (but yet expressive) midrange.
High End
The highs are slightly rolled off and enhance the sound of the lows and the mids, but they could need a little more detail in the highest highs. The end result is a more comfortable and opulent tone for female vocals. The little lack of complexity at the high end's upper bounds in terms of instrumentation, however, may annoy certain listeners. However, even when the strings surge to a crescendo, the high end never feels excessively piercing or uncomfortable.
Soundstage
Despite being in-ear, the Sony In-Ear Monitors M7's soundstage is greatly enhanced by the even tone and separation. Although not eargasm-inducingly open, there is definitely a tonne of depth and space here. This demonstrates appropriate placement of the instruments and vocals on all of my test tracks and gives them room to breathe.
Should You Buy It?
It's a bit of a hard pill for me to swallow with its MSRP of $500. On the one hand, despite having other IEMs waiting in line for a long time, I found myself reaching for the M7 often while writing this article. However, the M7's "nearly there but not quite" vibe does linger in the back of my mind, as does Sony's decision to appear to skimp on the build quality (albeit props for the generous accessory set). The "mid-fi desert," as I like to call it, makes this worse.
Sony In-ear Monitor in this price bracket must compete against used entry-level hi-fi IEMs or cheaper mid-fi IEMs like the Moondrop Blessing 2 in the ongoing price/performance arms race. It's a difficult situation to be in, particularly when newcomers on the market like the DUNU SA6 upend the already prestigious few mid-fi models. At its asking price, I don't think I can fully endorse the Sony In-ear Monitor [IER-M7]. However, if you can ever get a used one in decent condition for less than $300, I'd say its tradeoffs are tolerable and the sound quality is very delightful. It will work well as a stopgap until you decide to enter the endgame.
Final Analysis
The $799 Sony In-Ear Monitors IER-M7 offers a reliable IEM for those needing detail and accuracy with its thick and deep sound. The M7 nonetheless provides undeniable value for people who wish to hear music in its undiluted, most natural condition, even though the neutral, everyday sound may not be what every audiophile dreams of.
