Sony Inzone M9 II Review: A Solid 4K Gaming Monitor with Some Caveats

The Sony Inzone M9 II has made its mark as a 4K gaming monitor with excellent detail and motion handling. It features a clever stand and a user-friendly on-screen display (OSD), but its overall performance varies depending on the preset mode selected. While it provides a good experience, especially with local dimming, it faces stiff competition from OLED monitors that offer better overall image quality.

Pros and Cons of the Sony Inzone M9 II

Pros:

• Solid detail with great motion handling
• Clever stand with lots of adjustment options
• OSD offers an extensive list of options

Cons:

• Image quality not as strong as OLED rivals
• Middling built-in speakers

Key Features of the Sony Inzone M9 II

• 27-inch 4K 160Hz LCD panel: Provides detailed visuals and smooth motion, enhanced by local dimming.
• Large port selection: Includes DisplayPort 2.1, HDMI 2.1, and a three-port USB hub.
• Adjustable stand: Offers height and tilt adjustments for ergonomic comfort.

Introduction

The Sony Inzone M9 II is an update to the brand’s first gaming monitor, the original M9. Released at a time when OLEDs were gaining dominance in the gaming monitor space, the M9 II enters a competitive market. Priced at £899/$799, it offers a 27-inch 4K LCD panel with a 160Hz refresh rate, but its price puts it close to higher-end OLED options like the Philips Evnia 32M2N8900.

While the M9 II brings some unique features such as Full Array Local Dimming (FALD), its price and performance place it in a challenging position compared to OLED rivals. I’ve spent the last few weeks testing the monitor to see how it stacks up.

Design

Inoffensive, matte black frame
Clever rotating stand
Excellent port selection

The Sony Inzone M9 II departs from the bold design of the original M9, opting for a more subdued matte black frame reminiscent of older PlayStation displays. While not as sleek as competitors like the Samsung Odyssey OLED G8 (2024), the design is functional and durable, fitting well in various environments.

The standout feature in terms of design is the rotating stand, which is easy to maneuver and makes adjustments simple. The stand offers height, swivel, and tilt adjustments but does not support portrait orientation. The build process is straightforward, and the monitor attaches to the stand without the need for tools.

The port selection is one of the monitor's highlights. It includes a 3.5mm headphone jack, two USB-A ports, a USB-B port for powering the hub, two HDMI 2.1 ports, and a DisplayPort 2.1. This makes it a versatile option for connecting multiple devices.

Image Quality

Solid brightness and black levels
Much better with Full Array Local Dimming (FALD) enabled
Excellent motion handling and detail

Out of the box, the Sony Inzone M9 II defaults to its FPS preset with 80% brightness, which results in a black level of 0.41 and a color temperature of 8300K. Switching to the “Standard” preset improves image quality significantly, with a black level of 0.24 and a perfect 6500K color temperature. Peak brightness in this mode reaches 358.1 nits.

The monitor performs much better with FALD enabled, boosting vibrancy to 435 nits in SDR and improving the contrast ratio to 1220:1. This makes for a more dynamic and visually appealing experience, especially in games like Counter Strike 2 and Cyberpunk 2077. The 160Hz refresh rate ensures smooth motion handling, and color accuracy is excellent with 100% sRGB coverage, 92% DCI-P3, and 84% Adobe RGB.

Software and Features

Convenient OSD
Lots of competitive gaming features
Weak built-in speakers

The Sony Inzone M9 II shines with its intuitive on-screen display (OSD), navigated via a joystick on the rear of the monitor. The OSD provides access to a wide range of settings, from basic brightness controls to advanced features like local dimming and on-screen crosshairs.

One of its unique features is the ability to switch to a 24.5-inch mode, which shrinks the displayed image for competitive gamers who prefer sitting closer to the screen. However, this mode disables both variable refresh rate and local dimming.

Unfortunately, the built-in 2W speakers are underwhelming. They lack bass and sound thin, so you’ll likely want to invest in external speakers or use a gaming headset for a better audio experience.

Final Thoughts

If the Sony Inzone M9 II had been released a year or two ago, it might have been easier to recommend. However, with OLED technology becoming more affordable and accessible, the M9 II faces tough competition. While it performs well in terms of detail, motion handling, and color accuracy, it falls short compared to OLED monitors like the Philips Evnia 32M2N8900 and Samsung Odyssey G8 (2024), which offer better brightness, deeper blacks, and more dynamic range.

That said, the Sony Inzone M9 II is still a solid choice for gamers who want a 4K LCD monitor with a clever stand, excellent port selection, and decent image quality. However, if you're looking for the pinnacle of modern gaming monitors, OLED options may be a better investment.

Where to Buy

If you're interested in purchasing the Sony Inzone M9 II, you can find it on Amazon by clicking here.

Additionally, you can check out some of its competitors:

• Philips Evnia 32M2N8900: Available on Amazon here.
• Samsung Odyssey OLED G8 (2024): Available on Amazon here.

For more gaming monitor reviews, check out our list of the best gaming monitors we've tested.

FAQs

What is the Sony Inzone M9 II’s resolution?
The Sony Inzone M9 II features a 4K (3840×2160) resolution across a 27-inch screen size, offering excellent detail for gaming and general use.

Looking for more reviews? Check out our in-depth analysis of the LG UltraGear Dual-Mode 4K OLED (32GS95UE-B) and other top gaming monitors.