Hello, Up until now I have been using the mega5est as my main iems(been using them for 7 months). But I can help but feel a little dissatisfied. While undoubtedly the best iems I’ve ever tried im looking for something with more “sparkle” or detailed and exciting high end as they can feel quite boring in that regard as a more balanced signature. But that also retains clarity for male vocals ( as I listen to quite a lot of hip hop mainly, and also rock) while avoiding the irony sound of headphones like the tin t2s(Which I have previously tried) I will be running them of a luxury and precision w4, and as for fit the mega5est have by far fit my head the best out of any other items. My budget is anywhere from 800 to 1200 usd. Any recommendations are appreciated.
BGVP Astrum was one of the belles of the ball two weekends ago at CanJam LA:
Another lauded set at CJLA was the EarAcoustic VSA PM-Crown: https://penonaudio.com/EarAcoustic-VSA-PM-Crown
Have you tried PEQ?
You don’t say what you’re using to drive the mega5est but I find Wavelet exceedingly useful to alter the sound using a combo of curated AutoEQ profiles and the other adjustments like multi-band EQ to add a bit of upper freq shine or bass adjustment to add or remove a bit of sub bass, etc depending on mood or mastering differences between albums/tracks. I can’t imagine any single transducer playing back the extreme differences in mastering…even within a single genre or style let alone other genres.
Squiglink is a very powerful tool well worth the time it takes to master its use to create AutoEQ profiles of all sorts allowing you to shape the sound of the very already capable IEM you own and it won’t cost you a dime.
astrum was pretty good, I enjoyed it in the 3 songs that I heard.
Monarch MkIV may fit the bill on the upper-end of your budget (or less if you wait for a used set). I think that the Balanced setting is already great but you could also use the Bass setting for more lowend and a small lift to the lower mids.
MMK4, Glacier(on sale), SR DTE 264, NO Uranium, Archangel…
LS Mystic 8 gets my 
I second experimenting with EQ, especially to figure out if you’re looking for more airy sparkle (like around 12k) or if youre looking for more energy in the treble around 6-8k.
Have you considered Xenns Top Pro? It’s below your budget but might be worth a try! Brings more of that upper treble energy around 12k.
I’ve heard MMK4, Dunu Glacier, and Letshuoer Mystic 8 and wouldn’t recommend any of them to you based on my experience. (I’ve posted full impressions on all if you search my profile or the IEM Discussion thread)
- Mmk4 will be more vocal forward, so feel less sparkly in comparison
- Glaciers will definitely bring the sparkle, but I think you will find the male vocals thin.
- Mystic 8, again male vocal will likely sound thin and you’ll miss bass
Maybe wait for more impressions of Aful Dawn X and for it to go on sale. Based on the graph alone, it might also be a good fit. Upcoming Letshuoer Serenade could also be a contender but its still a ways off from release I imagine (months), they’ve just been demoing it at shows.
I’ve been listening to Moritz Enzo the past couple weeks too, and was really impressed with it in the DD switch position (the least V shaped tuning). At retail I think its a bit expensive but if you find one on sale around 1k I’d recommend that one too! Lots of sparkle, great bass (liked it better than mmk4), vocals sound good still have enough presence.
The Sound Rhyme SR8 is an exciting high detail set. Been out a little while. You can probably pick one up for not too much.
5 minutes ago I was listening to Metallica’s Unplugged and James was singing with extraordinary clarity and intimacy in my ear.Where I see a thin male vocal, I don’t know 
…
Moritz Enzo- planar treble 
… mmmmm, maybe, but if it’s made by Campfire.
After eqing theres a dip around the 12k mark on the mega5est my ears do not enjoy! I’ll probably be going with the xenns top pro. Since I’ve had the tea 2 before and it was amazing. Thank you so much
Great! Let us know how they work out for you! 