Sony - INZONE E9 Wired In-Ear Monitor for Gaming - Black

I’ve worn wired earbuds for music but have never tried them for gaming until now as my Logitech G522 is my (wire-free) daily driver. With the Sony Inzone E9s, a no mic in-ear monitor makes for a unique need. Good: Cord Length USB-C DAC 3.5mm connection Comfort Software Case Extra Tips Meh: No Comms Easy to Tangle Fit at front/top of ear Shape/Style I have to say that these Sony INZONE E9 in-ear monitors are pretty nice. In the case, wound up and put under the magnetic inner flap keeps them together. Even though there is a decently long cord, the case keeps it all together. If you want more control over your sound, the USB-C DAC allows integration with the Sony Inzone Hub, so you can “EQ” it the way you want. It comes with a number of presets and a few FPS presets tuning for different things you may like: footsteps, shots, explosions or tune it yourself with the sliders. Either way, there are options. If you don’t need the extra tuning or software (eating up RAM), then a 3.5mm jack will work. I have tried the different ear tips and I found (for me) that the quiet tips fit the best over the foam and included with the E9s are different tips that have matching colors for the sizes. While both are comfortable, I didn’t stick with the foam for very long. Within the Inzone software, there are a number of FPS presets, but there isn’t a microphone for comms, so if you talk to your online team during your FPS games this needs an extra mic; I tried the one on my webcam but was told it wasn’t good, so I didn’t talk. I played some Forza and can see why this would be appealing. Solo gaming is probably what’s best here. A ‘fit’ observation: I found the front of the earbud, when the tips were positioned well for my ears, it leaned forward vs being wrapped around my ear. When corded and moving around in my chair, moving the cord had the earbud moved back and was breaking the good seal I had with the ear tips and forcing me to adjust them while playing. I have used the E9s for a number of hours; some hours at a time and some having shorter on/off gaming throughout the day. When going back and forth playing, I could never get the earbuds to a place where I didn't need to untangle them. It wasn’t a huge deal but figured I’d mention it because I regularly had to do it. For me, I can find myself going to these for that solo gaming I mentioned but when FPS games, flipping back to my other headset. Recommended!

The Sony INZONE E9 IEMs are lightweight and comfortable to wear. The cable is long (a little over 6 ft) and it comes in a hardcase with a strap and magnets inside to keep the cables down. Its companion software INZONE Hub is for the included DAC - very easy to use, but limited in some ways. While the ability to pinpoint the directionality of sound cues in game was good, the default (flat) and FPS presets sounded very mid-heavy, almost laptop speaker-like and uninteresting. Thankfully with IZONE Hub it was easy to create a custom sound profile and change it to something that I felt was more suitable and clear. For shooters like Counter-Strike 2 it sounded the most ideal for me with everything under 500 Hz pushed slightly down and everything above that slightly boosted (looking like a rising wave from left to right). This allowed me to focus on things like footsteps and enemy reload sounds more easily. However, for Overwatch 2 my custom settings didn’t work well at all - everything sounded muddy since there was a lot more going on at any given time. Back to the drawing board to create another custom profile. This made me look for per-game profiles in INZONE Hub, but that wasn’t a feature. Instead, I found myself keeping the software open at all times to switch between profiles - like using the Music/Video preset for single-player games, movies, and music. That being said, the ability to hear and perceive in-game sound cues of the earbuds work well - but with the limited software and somewhat lifeless sound out of the box, the value of the Sony INZONE E9 is a bit difficult to justify.

It's been a while since I've used in-ear monitors (IEMs), but I was curious about how a modern set would perform, particularly for gaming. My last experience with IEMs was about 15 years ago, with a Shure pair used for music. The E9s deliver impressive sound. The bass is punchy, and the sound separation is clear. I've primarily used them for gaming, but also for music and movies, and I've never been disappointed. While advertised for PS5 and PC, they work with any device featuring a headphone jack or USB-C port. Adjusting settings like EQ is limited to PC or PS5, but once tuned, you can use them anywhere. I do wish there was a button to switch between sound profiles. As an avid player of action RPGs and FPS games, I'm delighted with the in-game audio. My only minor critique is that they could be a touch louder; I often find myself increasing the volume more than with my wireless options. The sound isolation of the E9s is excellent. They don't have Active Noise Cancellation, but their passive noise cancellation is outstanding. Because they sit snugly in the ear, they effectively block out external noise, even outperforming some of my wireless earbuds with ANC. The only potential drawback is the lack of adjustability for this feature. The overall build quality is great. The cable is very long, and the adapter and earbuds store neatly in the included case. I appreciate the magnetic strap inside the case that helps keep the cable and adapter organized. The companion app is user-friendly and allows you to customize sound profiles for different games or media. As mentioned, it would be convenient to switch profiles without the app, but it's not a significant issue. I've been thoroughly enjoying the E9s. After finding my preferred EQ settings, I've been using them for gaming on my PS Portal, PS5, PC, Switch 2, and phone. They work seamlessly across all my devices, and it's refreshing not to worry about charging them. They're always ready to go. I also value the passive noise cancellation. I wholeheartedly recommend these in-ear monitors.

Inzone E9 IEM’s are a great choice for earbuds. The audio is amazing and the IEM’s are a nice alternative to headphones. The Inzone hub desktop app allows you to have spatial audio and change the EQ or use some of the EQ presets. The IEM’s are a comfortable fit and come with many different tips, case and USB-C adapter. The IEM’s are a really good choice if your feel uncomfortable wearing headsets for a long period of time. The IEM’s have amazing clear audio and feel great to use and don't have a loose fit and the around ear looped ends feel great and secure. During gaming sessions I felt aware of the footsteps and gunshots that surrounded me and felt knowledgeable of the enemies locations. I felt as if the more precise audio helped me understand the game more and made make educated plays throughout my usage of these headphones. I would recommend these to people who either have a mic and prefer a more free and less stiff head or people who enjoy playing solo and want a less clunky headset. These headphones are great and a must have for any competitive shooter.

I’ve tried several headphones and earbuds, and none have worked for my needs. I need something I can wear comfortably for more than 8 hours, without worrying about battery life, and that lets me focus on my music without outside noise. Samsung earbuds start hurting after a while, and Beats also become uncomfortable and run out of battery. The Sony INZONE E9 wired in ear monitors are the first pair that check all the boxes. Since they’re wired, I don’t have to worry about charging them. I can wear them for long periods without discomfort, and they let me listen only to my music so I can stay focused on my tasks. Sound not so good as the others.