Wired earbuds have experienced a resurgence in popularity recently, and I often spot people opting for these over wireless buds on my commute. I can see why: music sounds better, more detailed through a good pair of wired earbuds, and they enable you to stream hi-res audio. But when you think of gaming and audio, your mind may naturally wander to the best wireless gaming headsets — but you also shouldn't underestimate wired buds, especially in-ear monitors.
In-ear monitors, or IEMs for short, are ideal for detailed listening and for moments when you want to be able to spot details easily. IEMs in gaming are growing in popularity, and Sony has ventured into that sphere with the launch of the Sony Inzone E9s.
The Inzone E9s are outstanding, and I couldn't help but award them 4.5/5 stars in my review. They're designed for FPS gaming, and they're fit for purpose and they're extremely comfortable too. But have they permanently replaced my on-ear headphones? No. It isn't because they're not good — they're great but they're not for everyone... or everything.
Tiptoeing behind you
Sony has designed the Inzone E9s specifically for first-person shooters and for competitive esports tournaments. Not only do they utilize 5mm dynamic drivers to deliver superior sound for FPS accuracy, but they also boast great noise isolation via specific eartips so you can concentrate on the task at hand. In games like Battlefield 6, Apex Legends, Cyberpunk 2077 and Borderlands 3, you can hear every gunshot, every footstep, every tiny movement.
The Inzone E9s feature directional audio too, which means that sound travels from the left to right ear (and vice versa) depending on in-game positioning. I heard bullets whiz past my left ear, enemies sneaking up on me in my right ear, and all of this helped me strategize better. I could easily and quickly turn around to counter/block if I was fighting an enemy but heard someone else running towards me.
Thanks to a wide frequency range of 10-20,000Hz, you can hear most frequencies too. In Alan Wake 2, I could clearly hear the Shadows walking softly around me when playing as Alan, and cultists scuttering loudly from left to right behind me when playing as Saga.
These IEMs have thoroughly impressed me, and you can read all about the in-depth testing I conducted in my full Sony Inzone E9 review.
For all-day gaming
Picture this. You excitedly buy a pair of earbuds or a set of headphones. You put them in your ears or on your head. And that's when it hits you: you've just wasted your money on a headset that's so uncomfortable that it gives you an instant headache. We've all been there.
Now imagine the complete opposite of that. You put a pair of earbuds in your ears. They fit snugly. They are, in fact, so comfortable that you end up wearing them for eight hours straight without feeling any pain. They become a part of you. That's exactly what using the Sony Inzone E9s feels like.
Sporting an earhook design, the Inzone E9s hook over your ears and stay in place, and not once in my testing did they fall off. The hooks themselves are comfortable and don't dig into or poke the skin behind or around your ears. Also, the earbuds weigh just 0.16oz — that's very light. So if it's comfortable earbuds you're after, these are it.
One tiny problem...
I love the Sony Inzone E9 IEMs. They sound fantastic and they're very comfortable; what's not to love? Well, there's one tiny problem. The Inzone E9s have a very specific use-case: they're designed for FPS gaming only. While you can, of course, play your favorite RPGs, racing games, platformers, and other titles, I wouldn't recommend doing so, only because Sony hasn't designed them for non-FPS games.
If you want a fantastic all-purpose headset, we've got you covered. We've ranked the best PS5 headsets, so whether you're looking for the best 3D sound or the best value, there's something for everyone.
You see, the Inzone E9s don't pack punchy bass, which means they have a fairly hollow-sounding profile, and that isn't ideal for story-driven RPGs (my favorite genre). Playing games like Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 and Ghost of Yotei through the Inzone E9s didn’t evoke much emotion from me, and I didn't feel immersed in them. Background music didn't sound exciting and neither did emotional dialogue.
My issue with the Inzone E9s relates to their price too. They're good value for money at $149 / £129, but if a person who is on the hunt for their first-ever gaming headset, they might see that price and assume it's a general, all-purpose pair of earbuds. And it isn't. If you do decide to buy the Inzone E9s, I'd recommend doing so as long as you have another all-purpose pair.
Sorry Sony, but the Inzone E9s won't be replacing my Razer BlackShark V3 Pro anytime soon.
Follow Tom's Guide on Google News and add us as a preferred source to get our up-to-date news, analysis, and reviews in your feeds. Make sure to click the Follow button!
More from Tom's Guide
- Best PS5 headsets in 2025
- I just tested Sony’s first-ever gaming in-ear monitors — and they impress in nearly every way
- I gave the new Razer headset 5 stars — say hello to my dream gaming cans
You must confirm your public display name before commenting
Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.
