Between the IER-M9 and Nova, the IER-M9 comes out ahead in several specs, while the Nova wins on sensitivity and impedance. Overall, the IER-M9 scores 54.5 and the Nova scores 73.9 on our Mars Score.
Which should you buy?
The Nova is the clear pick on raw spec strength, leading by 19.4 points on the Mars Score. The margin is wide enough that the underdog only makes sense if its individual strengths line up with what you specifically need.
The IER-M9 doesn't pull ahead on any single popular-comparison spec — its strengths sit in the spec table groups rather than the headline advantages.
Pick the Nova if you care most about sensitivity and impedance. Its strongest claims are sensitivity, impedance.
Both ship with comparable driver count, detachable cable, so those specs don't separate the two — focus on the differences below.
Bottom line: the Nova is the safer default. The other model is the right choice only when its specific advantages line up with your priorities.
Why Sony - IER-M9 wins
- No decisive advantages.
Why Truthear - Nova wins
- ▲Sensitivity — 19.42% more. 123 dB vs 103 dB.
- ▲Impedance — 3.00 Ω less. 15 vs 18.
Spec comparison
Drivers
| Spec | Sony - IER-M9 | Truthear - Nova |
|---|---|---|
| Driver count | 5 | 5 |
| Driver types | 5 Balanced Armature | 1DD + 4BA Hybrid |
| Impedanceⓘ | 18 Ω | 15 Ωlead |
| Sensitivityⓘ | 103 dB | 123 dBlead |
Build
| Spec | Sony - IER-M9 | Truthear - Nova |
|---|---|---|
| Detachable cable | true | true |
| Connector | MMCX | 0.78mm 2-pinlead |
Frequently asked
Spec-level deep dives
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