EarphonesMid PriceReview

ToneKing Nine Tail (Nine Ways) Review – Natural

ToneKing Nine Tail—very natural sounding single dynamic really impresses with an expansive presentation and excellent overall coherence. Very solidly built; metal shells are heavy and unusual teardrop shape makes fit tricky, though comfort is quite good while isolation is slightly above average.

For my skewed tastes, these are tuned almost perfectly–tonality is slightly warm, with a rich note texture; signature is generally balanced, with some emphasis on the deep impactful low end. Very open/uncongested with a lot of air between instruments; stage has limited height and depth but beyond-your-head width; imaging is credible if not class leading.

Subass is near-basshead level and well defined, with considerable rumble, albeit without bleed; midbass likewise has a lot of body and control; acoustic bass is particularly well-rendered. Mids are fullbodied, but not aggressive or artificially boosted, there’s a live-in-performance feel to horns and reeds—these are great for jazz generally. Treble is not as extended or hyper-detailed as some of the multi-BA players—there’s a slight sweetening at the extremes—but these are also steer clear of the clinical, digital quality of many budget contenders. (Note that the various filters will enhance treble response, although the basic warm/balanced signature is generally preserved).

In general, these ToneKing Nine Tail are a marked upgrade from the once-formidable (ToneKing) TK12—less exhausting, with a more forgiving, natural presentation; the IT01 is likewise livelier but has less midrange presence and clarity than the Nine Tail, with a less linear, coherent presentation. The comparably-priced Simgot EM2 [my review here] are more “audiophile tuned” and revealing, with more treble-focus and detailed but significantly less bass thump and overall pace. A genuine keeper.

Non-Disclaimer: I bought these.

Author

  • Loomis T. Johnson (Chicago, USA)

    Head-Fier since 2014. Based in Chicago, Loomis T. Johnson is a practicing attorney, failed musician, and lifelong music fanatic and record collector. He has frequently contributed to such review sites as Headfi, Sound Advocate, and Asian Provocative Ear (as well as many other far less interesting non-musical periodicals). A former two-channel and vintage gear obsessive, he has sheepishly succumbed to current trends in home theater and portable audio. He’s a firm believer that the equipment should serve the music and that good sound is attainable at any budget level.

Loomis T. Johnson (Chicago, USA)

Head-Fier since 2014. Based in Chicago, Loomis T. Johnson is a practicing attorney, failed musician, and lifelong music fanatic and record collector. He has frequently contributed to such review sites as Headfi, Sound Advocate, and Asian Provocative Ear (as well as many other far less interesting non-musical periodicals). A former two-channel and vintage gear obsessive, he has sheepishly succumbed to current trends in home theater and portable audio. He’s a firm believer that the equipment should serve the music and that good sound is attainable at any budget level.

3 thoughts on “ToneKing Nine Tail (Nine Ways) Review – Natural

  • Jacob Kornerup

    I love my new 9Tail with similar observations as yours. Very organic and great for acoustic music.

    Which filters do you prefer on your 9Tail?

    Reply
  • Joel Keefer

    Great review Loomis, and I agree with you 100%. The Nine Tails just have a addicting tonality that keeps bringing me back to them, time after time.

    Reply

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