Unique Melody - MEXT

This is the thing with the Mest MK II - they're super impressive technically & when I first bought them I was absolutely blown away (they were my first north of $300 IEM). The soundstage is still the best that exists in IEMs, and they sound 'supersonic' - I am very aware that this isn't a remotely technical term 😅😅😅😅, but they just do... the EST's are super well implemented & they're really impressive... BUT they are really hit & miss with music & can get very fatiguing. They eventually got relegated to gaming (they are second only to the Sennheiser HD800 headphones for gaming - and so so so easy to drive youmcab plug them directly into a PS5 controller 😅😅😅). I recently picked up a second hand set of UM Mext (just as excellent build quality - only around $450 second hand in most places) & they are a far more well rounded experience with much better bone condition. They're also only about half the price of the Mest II new. They don't have that initial wow factor but they are definitely better as a long term option - that said - I do think owning the Mest II for a while is a good experience, because they sound like nothing else & can sound mindblowing with certain tracks. But if you play games, you need to try that. I'll absolutely buy another set purely for gaming when they eventually hit $300 2nd hand.

I'd look on the second hand market & get a set of UM Mext. There is a set on Head-Fi classifieds for $440 now (theyre about $1100 new). They have absolutely incredible build quality - a super strong resin that really looks & feels ultra premium, even with a few scratches. They were released a couple of years ago, but they truth is there isnt anything new under $700 that competes for the kind of sound you seem to be talking about. The Thieaudio Hype 4 are really decent & on a similar path, but not a patch on the Mext in either sound or build... and having been into audio gear since the 90s, I've really learnt how important build quality is. My personal favourites new at $500 (if you're lucky - most places are selling for $700 now a they're so difficult to find & I believe they're out of production) are the Moondrop Variations & they won a poll here a few months ago as the best in that price bracket - but I don't think they'll be your thing. Good luck! Always remember: music >>>>>>> gear.