Overview
- Sony announced the IER-M500 and opened preorders with a U.S. price of $119.99 and U.K. pricing around £99, with shipping estimated to begin in late August and broad availability expected in early fall.
- Each earbud uses a single 5mm dynamic driver with a published frequency response of 10 Hz–40 kHz and a 103 dB sensitivity rating for efficient playback from mixers and belt packs.
- The design centers on passive isolation via a fully sealed housing and large acoustic chamber rather than active noise cancellation, which lowers the need to raise stage volume.
- The IER-M500 ships with four sizes of polyurethane foam eartips, five interchangeable ear supports, a 1.6 m detachable cable with an L-shaped 3.5 mm plug, and an MMXC‑compliant moisture-resistant connector for cable swaps.
- Built with input from touring engineers, the model is pitched as an entry-level pro-audio option that could put stage-ready monitoring within reach of students, worship teams and gigging musicians and shift competition in the affordable IEM market.