Sony INZONE E9 in-ear monitors review

I've been going through Sony’s recent drops of audio tech, and the latest has been supremely interesting. In-ear monitors aren't something new to the market, but they are new to me. Supposedly, these are fantastic for competitive play, but with all the high-end gear I've used so far, including the recent INZONE launches, can they measure up? Especially with fewer features?

Opening up the smallish box, you’ll find the INZONE E9 in-ear monitors and INZONE USB-C adapter inside a carrying case, along with a bunch of ear tips to get the right seal for your particular ear. The carrying case is well designed and quite nice. On one side, you can drop the USB-C adapter in, and the other houses your E9s. There’s a magnetic strip running through the middle of the case, which makes cable management easy – putting them away is as simple as taking them out. You’ll also find a handy INZONE cable tie, pre-attached for keeping your E9 wire untangled.

Putting them in my ears was much more comfortable than I expected. The monitors hang from a loop designed to go around your ear, and you barely know the wire and monitor are there. Sure, long sessions can wear on your ears, but for the most part, gaming with these has been a good time.

The E9’s best quality lies in the passive noise cancellation provided. Once inserted, the in-ear monitors have an incredible seal on your ear canal, blocking out incoming noise. While it's not flawless, as soon as you're listening to whatever sound your device is playing, you're immersed in it. My only qualm is in hearing my own voice in the same way you do when putting your fingers in your ears, that hummy tone I don't like. It makes calling out in a competitive game somewhat distracting, especially if you're listening for information cues in your audio.

This is where things take a bit of a turn for the average. After using the INZONE H6 Air and Buds, I expected the sound to be top-notch. Instead, I found something solid, but nothing spectacular. Don't get me wrong, these work well, but I'm disappointed in audio quality that isn't as impactful as I would like.

Playing competitive Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 on PC via the hub, I found my audio to be a bit tinny. One of the reasons I've been opposed to Turtle Beach’s “Superhuman Hearing” is because it sounds like you're in a can. Although the E9’s audio is fuller and more detailed, it takes on this kind of quality, and that's the case no matter what EQ software I've put it through. I can't put an exact finger on it, but due to its nature, I have a hard time picking out the detail from it as well, which is something I found in the other INZONE gear, but to a lesser extent. They're close to the Buds, yet far enough away for me to recommend those over the E9s.

It's largely the same with more immersive experiences on the PlayStation 5. I put the other INZONE devices through the Saros test, so it made sense to do the same here. Saros sounds good, but something is missing. It could be lower frequencies – the bass is subpar. At any rate, I can be content with what's being delivered – it sounds fine – but it could be better.

On the plus side, you can use these just about anywhere. Compatibility all comes down to the 3.5mm jack available, which will plug into your controller or handheld easily. If not, the INZONE USB-C adapter is there to offer another connection. With nearly six feet of cable, there's more than enough slack to “chip in” where you need.

One area I could see the E9 in-ear monitors excelling is VR, specifically the PlayStation VR2 and Meta Quest line. A downfall of playing VR with a gaming headset is the heft; you already have the VR headset on your head. Earbuds aren't always a great option, as they can fall out during your movements. With the E9s, the loop around your ears keeps them steady, and the passive noise cancellation helps pull you into the world. Although we've already discussed the okay audio, the previous points elevate this set as a great option for VR.