Mega5-EST 5-Drivers Hybrid IEM (Universal)

Tested nearly over 250+ iem, Impressed me positively or negatively recently, sorted by price Positive: KZ EDC Pro - for less than 10USD you get something easily rival up to $40\~$50 bracket KZ PR2 - first version with the mesh, toe to toe against my Z12 (S12 bass-boost variant) for less than half of its price EW300 - easily sounding like a $150 set for this, a must get for V-shape/treblehead around the budget Truthear Hexa - best in class neutral, imaging and technically for the price, extremely capable and non offensive but might sound "boring" to some Aful Explorer - best warm/relaxing sounding IEM at its price bracket, uniquely tune sound i would say its a rare find EPZ P50 - easily the best natural slight U shape signature at its price point Mega5EST (first version) - neutral, musical with good technically and resolution, one of the closer pre-end game set Negative (mostly are pricier sets disappoint me the most): Moondrop Chu - died after a month, replacement came then died after 2 months Kiwi Ears Quartet - its all bass, muddy, too warm. (Quintet is a lot better, i know its different) Softears RSV - tonality is wonky and the treble is a mess Softears Volume - combination of warm + popping midrange + peaky treble is not really what i prefer at all (i like the volume S by a lot more) Campfire Andromeda - never really get the hype for this back then. it just sounds awful, hollow, bassless, lifeless to me. Thieuadio Oracle Mk2 - identity crisis of the OG Oracle, sounds like a straight downgrade for me Thieaudio Monarch Mk 3 - weird tonality (its like W-shape sound), too technical and extremely fatiguing lastly of course its price tag (bass is SLAMMING in a good way though) These are what i can remember so far

Since you’re not picky abt the signature good pick near the price of the u6t would be the monarch mk4 more bit more neutral and less warm you have the option of a bass switch if you want it to be warmer/ bassier. A cheaper option would be a mega5est or a xenns top pro and under those would be the astrals me personally I like monarch the best and astrals then mega5est the top pro. Only thing to note is that the monarch shells are big asf so I’d demo if you can.

Peeps here touched on it. A GREAT IEM now…will still be a GREAT IEM in 20 years (if the unit lasts that long) Koss and Sennheiser each have headphone models and designs that have been popular and even revered for over 40 years. That said…IEMs like Truthear Hexa and/or Mega5est will have staying power because of their reputation at their “hyped” peak. I think AFUL Explorer will be one of those IEMs that will be talked about for a long time. It has a very warm, smooth, relaxed tuning (treble) that is not common at that price point. Am sure there are fans of kilobuck or expensive mid-fi IEMs that have their favorites that they’ll swear will stand the test of time. The IEM space is quite young still. Yes, musicians and artists have been using IEMs for a long time…but for those of us using IEMs for music/gaming it is still a young development. Good luck with your collection journey. Consider using a watch box to store and display your IEMs (if you are into that)

Sound Rhyme DTE500 or if you are after more clarity in the mids and highs I recommend the HiSenior Mega5est 7th Anniversary Edition (an amazing IEM that punches well above its price.)

Yeah, the RSV MKII are definitely a fun set, they are too dark for me, but it is still a great set overall, this hobby is very hard because pretty niche, in France we don't have shops where we can try IEMs, so it is always kind of a blind buy at the end. The Odyssey 2 is very good, and would be a good all rounder for sure, the Mge5Est is also a very safe pick, nothing special but also nothing to hate on it.

My pleasure, yeah the formulation 'nothing special and nothing to hate on' is not great but means that it's a very good all rounder set, averything will sound good on it, probably a better all rounder than the RSV or the Odyssey 2, which is a bit more contrasty

I was just thinking that it was interesting that ASMR doesn't get brought up on r/iems much. My recommendation is the dunu Braindance or a used Mest series. I have the Mest mkIII and it's perfect for comfort when falling asleep to ASMR, but a little out of budget. The Braindance is a little less spacious but is still comfortable for me. IEMs I've also tried for ASMR include: * Empire Ears Raven (too big but very nice rumble feeling) * Mega5EST (comfortable but not as spacious) * Thieaudio Monarch MK2 (too big) * Galaxy buds 3 pro (not nearly loud enough)

I have the mega5est and the meteors, I love the meteors, they are a warmer set, with a mildly recessed eargain and low treble, leading into a non fatigued mid and upper treble. They sound good, they are a non vented set so the pressure in your ears can affect comfort. The mega5est, well its the megabest. With a shallow insertion depth they can be a hair bright in the treble region so be sure to get a deep fit in my opinion, the mid range into the upper bass is amazingly natural and leads into a pretty decent bass boost. To me they are exactly how most would describe them, a nearly perfect neutral tuning with bass boost if you consider a 10db tilted target neutral. I love them. There my favorite set of 11. I still buy others for different flavor. The set i just got that is like the mega5est with just even more bass, the punch audio martillo is a hair brighter in the ear gain lower treble area, same great mid range and the bass starts at the same point leading up m, but it has several db more boost over all. Its a basshead/edm lovers set with great mids instead of the common dip i see around 3 too 500 hz. I have yet to hear the dunu set.