Unique Melody - MEST MKIII

I sold mine because it did not have enough bass for my liking, but at the current price you can get one at \~$800 it's definitely a steal!

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

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.

I think my sony ier z1r sounds dynamic it adds reverb to songs making the sense of space a bit big compared to my latest um mest it's 3dish sound but don't have the added reverb of the sony makes sense? 😅

I was really lucky to get a pair of blue UM MEST MKIII CF iems for 875$ used. They came with linsoul nymph cables and I bought the lizerlabs jijujet 3 eartips which make them sound like open back headphones. Everything is crystal clear and perfect when I listen to hifi audio. Did I make a good call buying these? It seemed like a good deal for 875$. These are my first iems, i didnt want to buy a bunch of crappy ones and have to listen around.

It really is. I’ve gone through about 15 IEMs over the past year and got completely caught up in the hobby, trying models from $400 to $2000. The MEST is still my favorite of them all. It’s crazy how, even five years after its release, it still sounds better than many newer and more expensive IEMs. Definitely a great deal for $900.

Tried a bunch and I like the stock tips - xlastic crystals. I do sometimes use wide bore divinus velvets

I have the IER Z1R, Anole VX and IE900. I also have some newer high end iems like the Valhalla and Mest MK3. Despite being old, those first are still just as good and arguably better than the new stuff. I don't think people will lose interest in them, but the used prices will continue to drop, that's the nature of the used market.

Can't say anything about other sets, but honestly, i would remove the Mest from that list.

Mest are great, just not what i would call a basshead set.

Mind blowing might be things like U12T and MEST MKIII, but for many the $100 planars will already be mind blowing imo. $100-$200 IEM with a tuning that suits you can definitely be endgame. 

For me only the MEST MKIII is worth it, there are other sets above 1k which I love like the U12T, but really, there isn't much that does that can't be done nearly as good by cheaper stuff like the Butastur. The MEST MKIII however was really the only IEM I've ever heard that sounded so damn wide that I was spooked and looked around me the first time I heard it. I've read other people saying they can't hear a thing different about it though, so YMMV.

Only reason I sold mine is it's not comfy for my small ears, and the venting is really bad, what a shame, genuinely spooky soundstage...

I was in Japan last week and I got to go to E-Earphone and I managed to try the MEST and a bunch of other IEMs. Man these are so cool. They make my U12T sound compressed somehow. They're nuts. I bought a used pair for $450. Should supress my desire to buy gear for another year.