Wired IEMs
Sony IER-M9
78Great
$1,500
Full review dataSony IER-M9 vs Thieaudio Valhalla: which should you buy?
On aggregated review scores the Thieaudio Valhalla comes out ahead with a HearWiki score of 81. The full breakdown - sub-scores, specs and what reviewers actually said - is below.
Our pick: Thieaudio Valhalla - Great overall at around $1999.
Wired IEMs
Thieaudio Valhalla
81Great
$2,000
Full review dataScore breakdown
Each axis is a 0–10 blend of what reviewers scored, not a lab measurement.
Sony IER-M9 leads on 2 of 4 measures.
- Sony IER-M9
- Thieaudio Valhalla
HearWiki score
78
81
Sound
9.0
9.0
Value
7.0
6.0
Price (USD)
$1,500
$2,000
Generation & platform
The scores rank quality. This is the other question: is the newer one actually newer technology, or the same platform in a new shell?
Same generation
The Thieaudio Valhalla is 7 years newer, but it is the same generation of hardware: nothing in the radio, the codecs or the noise cancelling separates them. Nothing separates them on convenience features either, so the choice comes down to tuning and price. For 7 years between them, that is a thin return - treat this as a restyle rather than a new platform.
- IER-M92018
- Valhalla20257 yr newer
Specifications
IER-M9Valhalla
- Type
- Wired IEMs
- Wired IEMs
- Price (USD)
- $1,500
- $2,000
- HearWiki score
- 78
- 81
- Released
- 2018
- 2025
- Availability
- Discontinued
- Sold new
- Driver
- 5BA
- 19× balanced armature
- Driver type
- balanced-armature
- balanced-armature
- Driver configuration
- 5BA
- -
- Drivers per side
- 5
- 19
- Impedance
- 20 Ω
- 9 Ω
- Sensitivity
- 103 dB/mW
- -
- Active noise cancelling
- -
- No
- Weight
- 11 g
- -
- Detachable cable
- Yes
- -
What reviewers said
Sony IER-M9
The Sony IER-M9 is a premium five-driver balanced-armature in-ear monitor that delivers a refined, reference-grade sound with a warm and coherent character. It offers strong technical performance, detailed midrange, and versatile tuning that suits both critical listening and everyday enjoyment, making it a benchmark in its price range. Its lightweight build and detachable cable add to its appeal as a polished all-rounder.
- Pro:Detailed and resolving sound
- Pro:Warm, coherent, and mature tuning
- Pro:Lightweight and comfortable fit
- Con:No noise cancellation
- Con:High price point
- Con:May lack aggressive excitement for some listeners
Thieaudio Valhalla
The Thieaudio Valhalla is a premium all-balanced-armature in-ear monitor that prioritizes technical clarity and precise sound staging. Its design focuses on delivering crisp, well-defined bass, transparent mids, and extended treble without harshness, making it a strong choice for analytical listening rather than a relaxed, warm signature. The build quality and fit are top-tier, reflecting its flagship status.
- Pro:Exceptional detail retrieval and instrument separation
- Pro:Clean, well-controlled bass with solid punch
- Pro:Neutral yet engaging tuning across the frequency range
- Con:Very high price point limits accessibility
- Con:Low impedance may require a quality source to avoid hiss
- Con:Not suited for listeners seeking a warm or laid-back sound
Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.
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