The IEM I like more than headphones - Mega5est

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[Written Review]: headphones.com/blogs/reviews/...
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00:00 - Intro
00:44 - Build, Design & Comfort
02:27 - Sound: Subjective
06:31 - Sound: Objective
08:33 - Conclusion

[@zenboy2000]

Great review dude, its very tempting, your description make these sound wonderful. I don't have a BA or EST based set yet, only planar and DD. But I am going to hold off a little to see how the IOAUDIO VOLARE stacks up.

[@marksr12]

Have heard so many positive things about these. I'm very impressed by your review and even more amazed by your gushing over these. For me my end game iems will be around $600, what my budget can take. Maybe these are the ones....

[@crelliseng]

Honestly, that is how I felt when I first listened to the IER-Z1R. They’ve been my default go to ever since.

[@miassenpai6057]

So glad I can demo this IEM as long as I want here in my country.. This is a bit better vocal IEM for me, than the Thieaudio Oracle Mk1

[@listener-reviews]

SO glad this is finally out. Mega5EST is MegaBEST!

[@moots27]

been waiting so long for headphones video review

[@NetZero11]

It’s great to see this hidden gem get the love you guys have give it.

[@sadpepe1838]

tui

[@bard1311]

Would be interesting to see you guys try the Mega5p as well. I tried both of them and the Mega5p sound really close and it's only $200.

[@KmtS9]

@@bard1311 ohhh i second this. Would love to get a comparison

[@patrick600]

Too bad my wallet is far too mega-empty for these.

[@daviddier9865]

Why do I feel this is the same type of guy to have 20 less than $50 iems. Lmao

[@FilipinaVegana]

@@daviddier9865, that is a non-sequitur.

[@jameskegen6812]

​@@FilipinaVegana he never made any conclusions. It is not a non sequitur. Your comment, however, is. LMAO

[@Cujobob]

I picked them up for $418 or so on an AliExpress deal.

[@FilipinaVegana]

@@jameskegen6812, would you mind if I asked you at which school you gained your training in logic and philosophy, Madam? The reason for my enquiry is so that I may avoid sending my OWN children to that same institution.

[@larrydunn4626]

I've never really considered low pinna gain IEM b/c I had assumed that low pinna meant recessed vocals. This vid inspired me to reconsider, in case I were wrong in that assumption I experimented today with my Canon2, 1up 1down switches... EQ to resemble the Mega5est... down 2db at 125 to get rid of the midbass hump, down 2.7db at 2k, down 1db at 4k, to experiment with relaxed pinna region. What a difference, in a good way. The vocals on the Canon2 are still forward, but they are more organic sounding and less sheeny. This lower pinna gain has the secondary effect of making horns sound more relaxed and enjoyable as well. Not sure if that is even realistic... not sure horns are supposed to be more relaxed sounding, but I prefer it anyway.

[@saschamilenkovic4320]

Very interesting. Need to try these.

[@marcobert6889]

So glad I got mine before this hit, such a fantastic IEM. Glad to see it is getting the hype it deserves. Honestly, I have not picked up any of my other items since receiving my pair. If the honeymoon phase lasts as you suggest, I can see myself selling off my stable. I am curious to see if any other reviewers do an OG Oracle comparison. Lol, company likely did a WTF with all the orders rolling in after this was posted.

[@coreyfreeman6226]

I have the OG Monarch that came out with OG Oracle, Meteor, IE600, etc etc. can't wait to compare. ordered today and it's great there's no tax from penon or Hisenior + free DHL shipping. Fantastic deal I say. If it's that good. Will be selling off everything else. I'm a simple man.

[@OmgWtfTsuji]

Great now I have another pair added to my wish list and it's already pretty full.

[@ZelothMix]

I own a Mega5p Ultra for more than 6 months and I love them. For 240$, I’m really pleased. Now I swap the sources and the tips to have a slight colour change. Used with DDHIFI st35 and Cayin RU7.

[@jemaglr5316]

AGREED! Loooooove my set sm! ❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥

[@olimphus26]

So fat the SA6 ultra has been my go to IEM, how do you think they compare?

[@hxhky]

Awesome review! - It will be interesting to see how it compares to the Dusk X, adjusted for the price. - And how well it scales with better amp/DAC. - Congrats on the new Mac? :)

[@dranek]

I received my set and just wanted to say that these are the real deal. Finally there’s an IEM that sounds detailed without being fatiguing. No shouty mids or scratchy highs. No weird BA timbre. Punchy bass from the biodyna driver. These just sound natural without noticeable coloration so you can listen to the music vs listen to some IEMs. These IEMs just get out of the way so you can plug your brain into some beats. I know you’ve gotten some crap for hyping these up but I’m glad you did because I probably wouldn’t have tried these if you hadn’t.

[@davdidit6]

Awww crap, I was going to buy a new Apple Watch and I already love my Senns IE200 with Dunu S&S tips, DMS recommendations have been spot on for me.

[@NetZero11]

The M5E is a great iem, the best iem I’ve owned or heard for around $500.

[@tor13128]

can u provide link to the eartips? the one on amazon says currently unavailable.

[@radiocalm1424]

Do you have a link to those ear tips that you liked with these? Just ordered the megafest, figure I’ll try those tips with it. Thanks. 😊

[@akros9333]

Its a pity I don't have the name you have. I have been saying the EST is good from the first gen model almost 2 years ago. That one had EJ07M vibes. Then the gen two came 10 months ago and that was better even.....smoother .....more musical.....with a magical seduction. This version which i hopefully will have next week is a Gen Two with a little extra gravy so i can only imagine good it is.

[@Grrrr3FKAGrrrrGrrrrGrrrr]

Those of us who know you respect your opinions

[@juanblanco7898]

These different generations are quite confusing, I don't like it at all. Is there a way to know which is which? I suppose the first gen had transparent shells with colourful faceplates which I find very beautiful in contrast to these.

[@1fareast14]

Yep, akros can't be beat for recommendations and comparisons

[@Abhi-wn7sw]

The problem is that you review all the junk and like everything 😂

[@juanblanco7898]

And now there's a third (Bass) version, apparently? FFS...

[@Flypt1d]

been a while since DMS reviewed an IEM.. was expecting a resolve's video hahaha

[@angelocortez6757]

Glad it wasnt resolve, dude hates every iem 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@kyon_kyonstar]

DMS yoinked thess before they could even get to resolve

[@ResolveReviews]

@@angelocortez6757 Accurate ;)

[@marlowe1537]

@@angelocortez6757 Plus, am I the only one who is bored to tears in examining--in minute detail!--every single squiggle on a FR chart? DMS uses these briefly and perfectly; Resolve is beyond overkill.

[@rene837]

@@angelocortez6757 Lies

[@kingkkool126]

You should make an overview video for the sub 500$ IEMs in the current state. So many good options now, some with more complex driver setups. (Mega5est, Dusk, Hype 4, IE600(when on sales, etc.)

[@sand9577]

I've been loving the Letshuoer S12 for the better part of six months, and I've wanted to step it up. I think this one will be it.

[@juanblanco7898]

It's going to be quite different, though

[@sand9577]

@@juanblanco7898 Different how? With more bass, similar resolution?

[@Tssukiii]

Could you compare them to the IE600?

[@camerondupuisbissonnette2937]

bought this and hes right this is the best thing ive ever heard

[@dranek]

The Bose QC Ultra earbuds play a sound to read and correct response of your ear canal when you put them in

[@bezchlebalukas1779]

Thanks for the video, do you recommend use dac amp for these? I have Moondrop dawm and i am not sure i should buy something like Cayin RU7 for these. Thanks for answer.

[@verbatim_transfer]

would a custom molded monitor remove length mode due to deeper insertion? or have i misunderstood length mode?

[@JoseFerreira-zb7wh]

Seems like a new trend has been launched. This one, then the Dusk (dsp default tuning) and now the Dunu Davinci are all very similar (FR graph). "Relaxed Harman", they call it. I guess I'll wait it continues to trickle down to a more budget friendly price range. 😀

[@jeffreybateman7314]

Aful Explorer, perhaps? Hope so.

[@Slyngelstaten]

The reason why I trust this review... Is that the claims he states are so wild, that if he was not completely sure that this was in fact the best product he ever tested "for him" the mistrust in his channel would be devastating.. And he would never risk that.... I'm in 👌😊

[@Daniel-lq5qq]

You should listen Variations with poweramp eq for perfect

[@matthewgoldenberg1435]

How do these compare to the ie 600 in terms of sound quality, performance, and durability? I am deciding between them!

[@ricardocoloma-md]

i bought them and agree they are great, if you tip roll between the 3.9mm small bore ( neutral) and the wide bore short light blue tips provided (v-shaped fun/spicy) is where I am lost which is the metas of it, because the written review like the neutral better but the coffee tips of DMS are similar to the light blue one offered in the packaging of hisenior so up to each own I guess.

[@PEANUTGALLERY81]

Oh wow…. this is super high praise, even with all the caveats thrown in. I wasn’t in the market for one coz my wallets hurting….so I’m hoping these stay in production till Black Friday or 11.11 this year

[@paulosilva8200]

You recommend this to treble sensative and insane loud volumes?

[@ibiondo]

How do they compare with the UM Mest MKII?

[@syanhc]

Wow! I wanna listen❤

[@Elrics_Allenn]

It's a great set of IEM. Baited by the measurement and compliments from everywhere and after I tried it myself, it was one of the most well tuned IEM I've tried. Glad to see these half a grand priced IEMs like Mega5est and Dusk started to show TOTL tuning, can't wait to see the IEMs with TOTL tuning getting cheaper.

[@JoseFerreira-zb7wh]

they're already starting to appear. letshuoer cadenza 4 and sliivo 41 are not far off in terms of tuning. It's about time. Enough is enough (harman)

[@Rat0713]

Mega5est completely destroys the Dusk

[@larrydunn4626]

@@JoseFerreira-zb7wh yes, Sliivo41 came to mind as well. Haven't tried it but the pinna area is similar. on a graph

[@yesnt2801]

​@@Rat0713 have you tried both?

[@CaseyConchinha]

Same! Bought these after the rave reviews and I have to agree, amazing iems tuned to my preference and great for the money

[@JohnnyADi]

Would this be the IEM version of the ZMF atrium?? Should I use my DS Tungsten for technical and this for the purpose of the Atrium? I already have an Hd600, and I'll eventually buy the mm500 for my professional purpose of cinematic scoring.

[@nathanberger618]

I am watching this video listening to my Mega5-ESTs!

[@iScorpio1971]

You should compare them to Penon's 10AE & EPZ 530, I think you'll like those too.

[@coreyfreeman6226]

Rewatching this review on my fresh out of the box Mega5EST. Wow! This is an excellent IEM. Sounds very open with very good imaging as described with amazing natural lush sound. The vertical stage is also some of the best I've heard.

[@thaflybear]

what else have you heard?

[@aidencraft32]

Aren't the vocals too recessed? I tried to autoEQ my Artti T10s to the mega5 since I cannot demo them right now and the vocals sound a bit too recessed. Thoughts?

[@imarasnothere]

I bought it based on Listener's review + your praise for it on twitter and it's the best purchase I've made this year! The tuning and tonal balance is near perfect for me and the value is incredible (relative to what it costs). Thanks for uncovering a hidden gem!

[@paulgal]

Can I ask a question what do you use to listen to IEMs. Do you EQ them?

[@imarasnothere]

@@paulgal for PC, Topping DX1 DAC AMP. For mobile, Apple Dongle. I never EQ as I like to hear IEMs as the manufacturer intended. Thankfully the Mega5est sounds great stock!

[@williamsteven5613]

​@@imarasnothere "as the manufacturer intended". You'll be very embarrassed by that state in a couple years. I grantee it.

[@CaseyConchinha]

Same! Great iem with no need for EQ!

[@Daniel-lq5qq]

​@@williamsteven5613Yes No Tuning will BE ever perfect for Millions of people eq IS a must to make IT perfect

[@hungngngng]

Could you compare these to Dunu Mirai if possible? :) Thank you

[@yoloseabassswaggins9336]

could we get another tier list,but about best value headphones? I've heard iems have really good value when it comes to sound,but I also don't know much about them.

[@Patife_PT]

Wow, better than the subtonic storm?? That's a big claim! I have to try them now!🔥

[@henryclaudia5477]

I have just bought a mega5est. I own the hype 4, the elysian pilgrim and some cheaper models. The mega5est just blew my mind. I loved the hype 4 but the mega5 has cleaner bass and is much clearer with stunningly clear and substantial vocals. The treble is beautifully extended and never harsh. The hype 4 is great until you hear the mega5est. The pilgrim falls behind both and really only shines with vocals. The hype4 has the most bass but it has recessed vocals. The mega5est has detail retrieval on another level. I am just stunned... hype justified...

[@TannerDuran]

@henryclaudia5477 I'm glad I found someone finally comparing the Mega5EST directly to the Hype 4! I've been on the fence about which of these two to get, and my main concern was the amount of bass on the Hype 4, as I am definitely not a bass head, but still like there to be enough present when needed for a track. Will more than likely be grabbing the Hiseniors.

[@JohnClarkW]

I am falling down the flathead rabbit hole, and saving up some money for either project Omega, or a TGXear Desolation Sound.

[@ubacow7109]

Wish he talked about staging beyond the FR. That to me is what seperates the A/B tier iems from the S tier IEMs

[@calvinchann1996]

For me, the most important thing is comfort given that I seem to have small ears and narrow ear canals. To date, the most comfortable IEM's that I have found are the Sennheiser IE range with the small tips and I have tried many others. Size and nozzle wise, how do these compare? Or should I just accept that my IE600's are end game? I'm waiting for my Dusk pre order to be fulfilled.

[@FilipinaVegana]

You should try the DITA "The Answer". They are similar fitting to the Sennheiser but sound far superior.

[@Rat0713]

You have small ears and narrow ears canals and bought the Dusk which is thick af? lol

[@chikaboot]

I have tried these from a friend and they're awesome. Almost made me want to sell my Zero Reds and upgrade to this pair. If only I have spare money for these I definitely would have lol

[@Slyngelstaten]

I have a pair on the way... what did you like about them?

[@TechieFelixLP]

​@@SlyngelstatenI like how the instrument separation is pretty good and compared to the Variations it is more versatile.

[@dustind9242]

Seems to check all the boxes, which makes them an incredible value.

[@CakeSublime]

Maan, I just bought the Mangird Xenns Top for just a little under what these cost. They are great though.

[@h1a8]

Excellent review! I was going to order the new X Crinacle dusk but this now got me confused. Can you give us a quick comparison between these and the cheaper x Crinacle dusk (dsp default and maybe the V setting) please? Is it possible to eq the dusk to sound as good as the mega5 est?

[@rherbm]

You can't eq sets to sound like other sets

[@h1a8]

@@rherbm Not exactly. But I have eqed sets to sound like better versions of more expensive sets. For example, I can do wonders with the quintet.

[@STAYCBias]

​@@h1a8, bro ! Trust that guy he is right!

[@cdotwu]

Would be interesting to hear Precog's take on this as well..

[@bruno_mart]

Precog never likes anything

[@lokrj]

Dude prefers U12T, nahhhhhhh hell no

[@wind016]

Precog prefers the U12t over everything. The U12t was really underwhelming in all categories IMO especially for the price point.

[@raikenninja4843]

​@@wind016 I think he sold his U12T for the U4S.

[@juanblanco7898]

​@@bruno_mart Ahahaha. He liked Subtonic Storm, if I'm not mistaken. And Variations. He just has good standards. As well as specific taste.

[@proffessasvids]

Yo dms.. are you using alac on your ipod? Will your classic run any tracks above 24bit/48kz? Xx

[@crazy_afghan]

You are expecting a response to this question?

[@CsTruth]

can't wait for your review on the new dusk

[@Karsolan]

Where can I find a case that fits an ipod like the one you have. It looks like a great kit with these IEM.

[@CaseyConchinha]

That's the case that comes with them!

[@kdelavirgen]

Are these worth picking up for reference monitoring/studio use if I already have the U12Ts?

[@TechieFelixLP]

I think the Mega5EST has less midbass compared to the U12T. But that's just based on a 15 seconds listening session of the U12T. For me, the U12T sounds a little veiled. The Mega5EST sounds cleaner with Subbass emphasis.

[@Abhi-wn7sw]

No. Don't waste your money. Precog said these are like RSV-good tuning but not very technical

[@Grrrr3FKAGrrrrGrrrrGrrrr]

What are those tips called?

[@elba_magellan]

I wish you had gone into more detail about length mode and how the response characteristic would be to your ear canal very specifically and making a semi general rec on that without caveats would be disingenous. You just got lucky. I hope im wrong on this interpretation - please let me know so I could pick these up next :) I appreciate all your reviews and esp the effort you put into audio.

[@edenekendahl1791]

Are these useful for music producers/mixers or are they making everything sound good?

[@themeggy]

Can anyone tell me what model/brand the thin tips he's using are? I think they would suit me also and would like to buy some.

[@ACE112ACE112]

how does it sound with default tips?

[@charliebaker1427]

curious if youd tried storm or mad24 dms?

[@Tssukiii]

He said he tried Storm and it was great, but he also said he liked Mega5est better (not relative to price, but in a direct comparison)

[@charliebaker1427]

@@Tssukiii gotcha probably a fairly preference thing there but good to know

[@bk_panther_]

How does this compare to something like the THIEAUDIO Oracle?

[@Prxyshj]

What’s the best portable DAC / AMP for these? It would not work with a Qudelix 5K because it is using 4.4 right?

[@Slyngelstaten]

you can ask for 3.5mm cable instead

[@KmtS9]

Yup, saving up for these. Gonna avoid any and all audio purchases for them. They are actually only about $460 where I am (considering dollar conversion rates), so imho, a steal. It's really between these and the Hype 4, but I think these are probably a tick better.

[@Slyngelstaten]

Where is the price so low? I just bought from Aliexpress seller for 470usd

[@juanblanco7898]

​@@Slyngelstaten It's just $10 less, basically the same amazing price for these

[@jill4470]

It's $425 here (after applies voucher), gonna get one for sure

[@Thevikingcam]

Had to buy them... Let see 😮

[@thaflybear]

did you try them yet?

[@Thevikingcam]

@@thaflybear Not yes, ill be back home after 5 weeks only and then few days ill need to "drive in my ears" for them.

[@MykWazowski]

I own the Monarch MK3 and MEST MK2. I enjoy the MEST for its fun, holographic presentation, especially with Rock, and POP. The Monarch for more vocal, laid back, better mixed, and mastered music. I'm curious where the Mega5est falls. Does it offer anything more, Does it do anything better than the MEST and Monarch? Or should I save my money? Cheers.

[@ACE112ACE112]

How good are these for gaming?

[@keithb5612]

Does anyone know how this set compares to the Thieaudio Oracle og iem?

[@c0348whn]

Was that measurement the nozzle lip or indent

[@FilipinaVegana]

Indent, from what I could see.

[@Greg.Siucrazyforaudio2016]

is this an end game iem , I hope this is what i'm looking for !

[@pithyginger6371]

kinda don't fully understand the length mode thing. Can anyone explain like i'm 5?

[@cadmiumpureland]

I am thinking, are u serious? But when I look back at most of your reviews, u were critical in your assessment and I believe u really mean it. 😊

[@nivaldosiqueira5178]

vs Oracle OG? Any thoughts would be appreciated.

[@FabioKasper]

Hype. Hype. Hype.

[@Prxyshj]

What is written on the shell? I cannot read it clearly.

[@juanblanco7898]

It says "febos".

[@Prxyshj]

@@juanblanco7898 What does that mean? I thought it might mean something in a different language but can’t find anything. Seems weird it wouldn’t say Hisenior or the model

[@juanblanco7898]

@@Prxyshj Honestly, I have no idea. I gave it a quick Google search, but nothing meaningful came up.

[@jill4470]

@@Prxyshj "Feel the Beauty of Sound". That's what written on the box of the iem so I guess that's what it's supposed to mean

[@Prxyshj]

@@jill4470 got it thanks. That explains why headphonesty said it is a confusing *acronym* in their review

[@TonyZEHS]

leap of faith.

[@robertolujan-fremaint]

Wonder how they will compare to the monarch mk3

[@tor13128]

When talking about matching your sound profile, can you explain more? because most other positive reviews still consider this a very good mid-fi at most and even one positive review states "Not very detailed for its price range" and not airy enough. It seems to be around a B grade from HBB. It appears to almost everyone else, their sound profile doesn't match yours, so more info on that would be appreciated. At first after watching this video, I almost blind buy.

[@flowstatelabs]

Same. Good call. Also what genres are best?

[@TechieFelixLP]

I tested them for awhile and liked it. Yes, it does came out not as detailed as something like the Variations. However, I personally find the Mega5EST more versatile than the Variations due to the Midbass dip.

[@tor13128]

@@TechieFelixLP tyvm for sharing some more realistic impressions. i've been reading more positive reviews and impressions on the Mega5EST, and they all seem to match with each other, whereas DMS is the onlyperson hearing it 10x better. I think DMS's unique personal sound profile might mean he can't review IEMs for us because apparently his is very rare. i wish i could try it for myself but it's just not possible unless i buy it.

[@TechieFelixLP]

@@tor13128 that is no problem bro. perhaps he just like it very much hahahha

[@humanbass]

I would love a review of the Cadenza 4. They seem to be a more affordable neutral king Studio 4. 200usd cheaper and a DD doing the low end instead of a BA.

[@DaddyYanToTe]

How about Sliivo SL41

[@joebest6582]

This also uses a DD.

[@JoseFerreira-zb7wh]

also up for that!

[@tylerstravis]

Why can't we get an estat / dynamic hybrid driver full-sized headphone?

[@supernaut7946]

Im only seeing the anniversary edition on their site. Does anyone know if they sound different than these? Ive seen a graph thay looks pretty different

[@shaunbrady15]

These are the anniversary edition

[@TechieFelixLP]

Every Mega5EST now is the 7th Anniversary Edition.

[@KristianK42]

What is a "length mode"? 🤔 At 3:05.

[@nyverinorlyth9555]

I think it's the resonance that is generated due to the space between the eardrum and the IEM tip. If we get a resonance from the canal, it creates a sometimes undesired peak in the sound. Please take this with a grain of salt, I'm not audio engineer, and this is mostly 2nd hand information

[@IcarsisTV]

Instead of using a 4.4mm to 3.5 adapter. Could I just switch out the cable with any other 2mm 0.78 pin cable?

[@Tssukiii]

Should work!

[@TechieFelixLP]

Yes

[@aceofspades6667]

So these vs ie600 from a technical performance perspective? I don’t mean objective frequency response curves. I mean detail retrieval, timbre, bass slam, texture, thin vocals, and spacial information.

[@CaseyConchinha]

I have both, these are my impressions: IE 600 the detail is more in your face but the on the Mega5est it's detailed but not fatiguing so I find myself noticing details more. Better timbre and bass slam on 5est. They don't soundstage as wide but its more realistic, 5est stage similar to headphones imo, and theres height and depth.

[@user-fc6dk4sz8e]

@@CaseyConchinhaI never find my ie600 fatiguing, but I also don’t own the mega5est. You think it’s worth having both?

[@CaseyConchinha]

@@user-fc6dk4sz8e they are very different sound signatures, so I would say yes! I like both I just prefer the mega5est now that i have them!

[@camerondupuisbissonnette2937]

is the 7th anniversary edition tuned different at all?

[@TechieFelixLP]

No, the new one is the 7th Anniversary Edition.

[@camerondupuisbissonnette2937]

@@TechieFelixLP just colour change?

[@danrussell9357]

Better than Subtonic STORM - High Praise!

[@FatOnAxis]

STORM is terrible anyway just a way for the reviews to make a few bucks.

[@Xmvw2X]

So...this is weird... I decided to give these a try. I've spent about 15 years in the pursuit of the perfect IEM, so why not. They arrived a couple days ago, and I've been doing some listening, and I found something very interesting. I'm just not sure if it was their intent...so...it's kind of weird. I don't think these are meant to be listened to a high power source. It sounds like these were tuned for a general use audience, more specifically for folks listening to them on the common hardware they have, like a cell phone. And with most modern phones, that's a Snapdragon onboard audio setup that's, well, fine. It lacks a number of elements like appreciable power, dynamic range, and is kind of bad with sound stage separation and presence for it. But, it favors a product TUNED for it. And I think that's what they did. MANY (most) IEMs benefit from a good DAC and available amperage overhead. There's very few I've used that don't benefit to some degree. But the Mega5-EST is different. It seemed tuned for a mid-fi source device. On a desktop DAC/amp, on a portable player with high power overhead, the MEGA5-EST is low frequency dominant. The bass driver is loose and tuned deep. It also doesn't specifically have the motor for it, nor the motor for high control and articulation when given power. It just gets kind of boomy. With a highly competent source, the bass is both unbalanced and oddly out of place with the rest of the presentation. You can EQ down the bottom end a bit to dial out a chunk, but then it loses that depth and needs more than a couple bands to really tune it well. It's oddly a bad woofer in this use case, and I'd think there'd be better options if higher end hifi was truly the target. But I don't think it was targeted for this. The IEM has a lot of clarity but is uncharacteristically thin in note versus other options. The transparency is high, clarity is high, it's clean but not analytical, not articulate, not super detailed. The sound stage is excellent, extremely good, especially with slight EQing to round it out for how my ears affect the response curve, although I could also likely tune this a bit with tip changes to dial that in. The bass may also be a part of that too. The too much bass driver without the motor to really back it up, the light and clean mids and highs that don't make significant use of high power sources, the level of detail forgiveness that softens lesser quality source material and artifacts, it all caters to being tuned for something else. And that something else is a mid-fi source like a common cell phone or similar device. Lower power, lower dynamics, a flattening of the dynamic range and sound stage, weaker bass and especially deep bass, and all the little bits just come together on the MEGA5-EST. Every shortcoming on a high level source is a strong point on a lesser source. The cleanliness and thinness spreads out and sounds more natural. The bass especially balances out and the bottom end is no longer overpowering, nor tonally unbalanced. The tuning actually works with low power. It also acts like an automatic Loud feature because it will enhance at quiet volumes and then level off at higher volumes presenting a pretty consistent tonal and range response at a wide volume selection. More importantly, the motor and suspension design works well at low power. It retains good control and definition and doesn't get muddy and poorly controlled like a whole lot of other IEMs. It's GEARED for it, which is super interesting. It feels planned. It feels deliberate. I've listened to more than 50 different IEMs and none are configured like this. This feels like it was designed specifically for this consumer use case. Every aspect of the design balances out, sounds natural, and feels appropriate. There's many high end IEMs that scale really well with the source device, magical on a very high end source. But these work the opposite. They don't sound good on a high end source. They sound off and odd. But on a middle of the range source like a common cell phone, holy cow these dial right in to one of the better balanced and sounding IEMs on that kind of device. I have better IEMs that sound worse in that application. So, yeah, it's kind of weird. And I'm really curious if it's by design. It feels like there were very specific choices made for very specific reasons and a very specific audience it was aimed for. Weird right? But give it a try if you've got a pair and a variety of source devices.

[@johnm5131]

what few IEMs do today, is represent the dynamic impact of live music. Many just load up on soft low bass, and then add a spiky treble peak for "balance". One hopes that this IEM fights against that trend. One more observation: you should let the viewer know what music you listen to. There is some dude called "Precog" that only listens to EDM, so how does that tell us anything about an IEM's sound??

[@hpfctif7tx7t]

Try it on a tube amp ✨✨

[@TannerDuran]

I wanna get as many opinions on the Hisenior Mega 5 EST vs the Thieaudio Hype 4, thank you to anyone who chimes in!

[@GawainDragon]

The Graph looks kinda like the Kiwi Cadenza. I wonder if that's why it's good😁

[@blorg8206]

It's really not, nothing like it. Don't know where you're seeing that.

[@GawainDragon]

@@blorg8206 Squiglink

[@blorg8206]

@@GawainDragon Don't take this wrong but you may not have a good handle on how to read graphs. They are very very different, and anything that graphs this different is going to sound different. Cadenza is much more V-shaped, this is more neutral/flat. I have the Cadenza and I have other stuff that is tuned similarly to this in the bass and upper mids and they sound very different. Normalized at 500Hz, there's 2dB difference 20-400Hz and then 3-4dB difference 1k-5k. And then the high treble is also different. Hisenior the lower mids are totally flat 200-1kHz, Cadenza they are recessed (as is typical for a V-shape). The similarity is only insofar as both have a bass boost and both have a rise in the pinna gain, but this is true of almost every IEM, this is the norm of IEM tuning.

[@DaveRessler]

Would these be a logical step from my AFUL P5?

[@nyverinorlyth9555]

They are differently tuned, wouldn't be a direct upgrade path. But I prefer it to them

[@ic2433]

Have you tried the Pula PA02? Still can’t believe how good they are.

[@Anything_For_Science]

so far the audeze lcdi3 is closest iem i heard to headphones while the lightning dsp lasted

[@dujankees]

It graphs very similar to the Thieaudio Oracle, just with more sub bass boost

[@kool_thing]

Damn, you're right. Loved my Oracle, too bad they died on me :(

[@larrydunn4626]

and the Oracle is legendary for vocals.

[@kazumasatou6124]

I have both, can definitely confirm. My oracle measures with a bass boost tho 😅

[@disforia1]

Are we talking Oracle mk1? And how do they compare in sound quality?