Sony - IER-M9

I kinda feel the same way. I got the M9 recently and love it. I'm more interested in trying studio iems like the se846 or the M7 which is supposedly more neutral than the M9. The mest is the only chifi iem I am slightly interested in demoing.

Sony IER-M9

Yeah you'll have to find a set secondhand. It's worth the effort.

I've had over 40 iems at this point (Assuming, I lost count a while ago) Only IEM to reduce me to tears was the Fiio FH3. Legit got them at work and slapped them in with the UTWS5 (Bluetooth earhooks) and for some reason the song I was listening to forced an emotional ass response. Was awkward. Anyways, imho worth blind trying at least. I've had The Blessing 2 dusks, which felt awkward af sounding (Low end thick bass and then mismatched highs?). The ier-m9 were so subdued. Hype 4's not even on the chart imho. If I want bass I want it to reach into my soul like the FH3's, even if there's not as much bass it needs to have that knack to it. PS. I know it's an old rec but fiio's goated asf imho

If you want neutral with a warm/lush tilt, then go with Sony IER M9, if you want brighter with a subbass presecnce, then go with Sennheiser IE600. The Mega5Est sits between those two in tonality.