Unique Melody - MEST MKII

I own Monarch MK2 and UM Mest MK2. Ive owned $100-$200 IEMs as well..I did notice a difference when I first got the Monarchs but to say mind blowing not really. The Mest on the other hand are kinda mind blowing to me because of the Imaging and Soundstage, which I personally love since I listen to so many Instrumentals.

+1 I prefer it over my annihilator and mest mk2

I like 64audio solo, probably endgame for vocals. I prefer those over mest mk2

Mest mk2 for me :D

Mest Mk2 has the perfect balanced bass for me. Not too much boomy but feel tactile and high quality

Having originally got into the hobby to improve my audio cues in Hunt Showdown; objectively changing the source of the audio in relation your ears/eardrums has an advantage. I looked over the recommendations and originally landed on the Tea Pros and could easily get better positional awareness from my DT990s on the same DAC/Amp. My new favorite for music is the MEST Mk2, cannot game with them in the same way because of unique tuning but if you want to FEEL in the game there is no replacement. While I will use the MEST almost for everything other than games . The Tea Pros have a very accurate representation of direction and distance in relation to the sound source which is great for gameplay.

I have tried the mid and high range of headphones, personally owned some mid range ones, then a jaw injury made headphones painful to wear, but I needed something for FPS, Cyberpunk at the time and general music/media. So I got some cheap moondrop starfields, enjoyed, got some Fiio FD5 second hand because they were recommended for gaming, enjoyed, but they werent that big a step up. Then I used the money I saved for a high end set of headphones on IEMs, got the UM Mest MK2, kept trying headphones again but it always ended up painful, so never going back. The MEST MK2 blew my mind, and they changed sound a little with tips, so I didnt have to chase a dozen sets of IEMs I could just change tips and get a little more bass, or smooth out the treble, or just more comfort. The way I explained it to someone recently. Headphones are like watching a movie in a home cinema, great experience, some will say best way to watch a movie, you get enough detail and contrast, blacks (bass) arent perfect but great experience, immersive. Then IEMs its more like watching a movie with a 4K OLED TV, its not the expansive cinema lite experience, BUT, you get inky ass blacks, tons of detail and texture you may have missed before, and all the image is before you in one blob rather than having to sort of reach out and find those details you want. Neither is a wrong way to watch a movie, or, listen to music. Neither is "better" than the other, they just both have their charms and sometimes one suits a person more than the other.

musictek is great! try absolutely everything they have on offer, no matter the price. must trys: nostalgia camelot, alphaomega omega, ve7, custom art fibae 5 do try out the cables theyre selling too and make your opinion on them based on your experience compared to reddit, asr, and reviews im guessing youre talking about the um mest ii? forget the mk 1 and 3, both are terrible. the mk2 is quite good, especially for the second hand prices theyre going for now the only 64 audio iems i like are the u12t and 18s, the latter being not versatile at all but terrific for rock. quite overpriced but at least theyre an industry giant, and for the ear pressure system

I wouldnt say any of the Trailli nor MEST have a neutral tuning…they got really bloated bass

1. Focal Clear OG: very transparent and thumpy in a good way. I didn't like it at first but it grew on me. 2. Sennheiser HD560s: the daily driver. Comfortable, good for all day long calls. I can recommend this one for everyone. 3. Sennheiser HD6xx: sounds very natural but I always get sad when I change to Focal and notice how veiled everything are. 4. Sennheiser HD800s: just not my jam. Trying to trade in some Hifiman 1. Unique Melody MEST MKII: detailed, crazy amount of sub-bass. I just can't use IEMs for too long. 2. Moondrop Blessing 2: a good reference to go back.

For years, my audio journey was anchored in the vibrant world of Chi-Fi IEMs—budget-friendly gems like the KZ ZS 10 pro, Moondrop Arias to Multi kilobuck killer - Monarch mk2/3, Mest, QDC VX. These in-ear monitors delivered thrilling soundscapes with their bold price to performance value, punchy bass, and sparkling treble. Yet, curiosity led me to the Westone Mach 80, a flagship renowned for its clinical precision and studio-grade neutrality. The transition wasn’t just an upgrade; it was a paradigm shift—a rediscovery of what music could be. Build and Comfort: From Plastic to PrecisionMy audio journey and experience, while impressive in sound, often felt utilitarian in build—oversized shells, hefty cables, and fit that demanded frequent adjustments. The Mach 80, by contrast, felt like a bespoke instrument. Its SUPER LIGHTWEIGHT (Yes in Caps), ergonomic design, molded from lightweight medical-grade resin, disappeared into my ears. The over-ear cabling and deep-seated fit provided a seal so secure and isolating like a Custom IEM that subway commutes became silent even without music playing. Westone’s decades of expertise in pro-audio ergonomics shone through; these were IEMs built for marathon listening sessions, not just casual use. Sound Signature: Chaos to ClarityThe first listen was… jarring. Gone was the bombastic bass slam or the polished midrange bloom. The Mach 80 greeted me with a stark, unapologetic neutrality. Bass was lean and taut, not thunderous. Treble was detailed but never sibilant. Mids? They weren’t “forward” or “recessed”—they just were, pristine and uncolored. It felt like swapping a neon-lit carnival for a sunlit art gallery. * Bass: The Mach 80’s 8 balanced armatures delivered bass with surgical control. Sub-bass rumble in electronic tracks like Jacques Greene’s “Feel Infinite” was textured and articulate, not bloated. Double kicks in metal tracks retained their speed but lacked the visceral “thump” I’d grown accustomed to. This wasn’t a deficiency—it was accuracy. The Mach 80 revealed how much of most of the iems was bass boosted. * Mids: Vocals and instruments emerged with startling realism. On Norah Jones’ “Don’t Know Why,” her voice floated with breathy intimacy, free of the midbass bleed that muddied my Chi-Fi sets. Acoustic guitars on John Mayer’s “Neon” showcased string plucks and finger slides I’d never noticed—a masterclass in microdetail, its surgically incredible! * Treble: Cymbals on TOOL’s “Pneuma” shimmered without piercing, and orchestral highs in Holst’s “The Planets” retained their airiness. The Mach 80’s treble wasn’t “exciting,” but it was ruthlessly honest, it’s very very smooth to listen. Soundstage and Imaging: From 2D to 3DThe Mach 80’s soundstage felt expansive and holographic, a stark contrast to the intimate, head-filling presentation of my Chi-Fi collection. Listening to Hans Zimmer’s “Blade Runner 2049” soundtrack, synths swirled around my head with pinpoint placement, while the decay of reverb tails in a jazz club recording felt almost tactile. Instruments weren’t layered—they occupied distinct spaces, like actors on a stage. The Adjustment Period: Learning to Listen AgainFor days, I mourned the loss of “fun.” Tracks that once felt anthemic now sounded restrained. But gradually, my ears acclimated. The Mach 80 didn’t impose its personality—it revealed the recording’s personality. Well-mixed tracks (think Daft Punk’s “Random Access Memories”) became transcendent, while poorly mastered songs laid bare their flaws. This wasn’t an IEM for mindless head-bobbing; it demanded engagement, rewarding critical listening with revelations. The Chi-Fi Rat raceNowadays everyone is chasing the best of the best while many companies are releasing new items week in and week out, and we often forget to slow down and appreciate music more. And often with massive waves of iems releasing we often overlooked some of the brands that do not come out new model very often. Conclusion: A New BenchmarkThe Westone Mach 80 isn’t for everyone. If you crave bass heft, WOW factor or euphonic coloration, it might underwhelm. But as a tool for understanding music—for dissecting mixes, savoring acoustic textures, or simply hearing your favorite albums anew—it’s peerless. The is the most resolving IEM I have ever heard in any price range and I have heard a lot; and it’s redefined what I expect from them—and from music itself.

Currently in a honeymoon phase with mest MKII and can confirm being spooked when I heard a bird chirping behind me haha