My Unique Melody MEXT just arrived today. It’s too early to give my impressions yet but I enjoy it. Not perfect/endgame yet though (if you wonder why I didn’t go for MEST MK2 it’s because the treble is spicier). My Elixir still has a place and won’t be sold anytime soon.
I think I need to experience the best that EST has to offer? What’s the best EST implementation right now? It used to be Variations (& Annihilator) based on reviewers but I’m sure times have changed
My personal vote for best EST implementation I’ve heard goes to Yanyin Moonlight.
Woah even vs kilobucks like Monarch MK2 or MEST MK2? I’m considering either Moonlight or EJ07M
Monarch has “wonky”/uneven treble, and Mest has spicy treble. If you want more natural treble and like more bass then go 07M/Lava, and if you want more neutral-warm then moonlight. Best Treble I’ve heard so far are the U12T and Z1R.
After a sufficient time spent with my MEXT, I think it’s a very fun & engaging set, not relaxing as per a Head-Fier. Still not perfect, too much bass impact & too spicy treble even with KBear 07. I think I can’t handle UM treble so no MEST for me. Midrange/vocals I’d rate it below Elixir frankly speaking. One thing that’s sorely missing in Elixir is the vocal reverb/decay (with the same eartips), which is so much more enjoyable when I can hear it on my MEXT.
I guess what I look for is that slightly warm, lush tonality and a teeny bit dark (Elixir does both a bit too much). Elixir does come close but I wouldn’t count MEXT as a failure even if it strays from that description, because it makes me wanna jump & headbang like crazy.
Looks like EJ07M might not fit my preference, and maybe Moonlight as well but this could be a closer match
Monarch MKII was all over the place for me and didn’t seem to pair well with the overall tuning. Which I think was accentuated by the midbass dip. Mest MKII and Mext weren’t exactly spicey for me and treble definitely suited the overall tuning better to my preference vs Monarch. If you are bothered by MEXT treble I’d stay away from the Mest MKII. Same probably goes to EJ07M though I’ve never heard that only the Kinda Lava variant.
It’s hard to say this because it’s an extremely unique tuning. I’ve never personally directly recommended it. However, the Up sounds like it may be up your alley. It’s definitely warm vs slightly warm though. It has ESTs and you can tell they come into play but, it’s definitely the darkest presentation of ESTs I’ve heard. Also, if you want lush you’ll get it with Up in boat loads which for me I adore. As one reviewer mentioned it’s like swimming in warm goo. It’s such a gentle easy listening while still bringing in nice tight, clean and punchy bass.
Moonlights EST implementation isn’t spicy or dark. Just a touch enough to make it noticed. Overall tuning is warm with a slight tilt to neutral. The tuning appeals well for nearly all music. Up can be to warm at times, and while for me it’s a plus, many would probably say it’s weak point. For the EST though on Moonlight it cuts through tuning more than Up and gives a touch more energy to the mix.
I sort of rotate between the two based on my mood and time of day. Up would be my lush easy AM listen while relaxing and sipping a fresh cup of coffee. While bringing in the aroma of a fresh grinded brew and reminiscing of great memories. Moonlight is my mind is awake more and energetic state. But, still as a laidback listener and person doesn’t come across to strong. It gets me more in a dancing state. The details come out more on songs and my mind starts tripping into a euphoric state.
Thanks for taking the time to explain in details what you experienced. Looks XENNS UP is worth trying for to at least gauge how warm I want it to be. Also your description of the lushness it gives you sounds really tempting. I will look into the used market to see if there’s any for sale.
I was kinda avoiding them because some said it’s not as resolving which reminds me of Oracle - I don’t remember much from the short while I demoed it but I don’t think I like it. On the other hand, maybe I shouldn’t expect top tier resolution & clarity from this kind of tuning anyways. Probably I’ll pickup Moonlight if I find I need more in that department.
I agree if you that my preference is kinda weird, maybe owing to my treble sensitivity and my liking towards vocals and strings in general.
EDIT: looking at the graphs, XENNS UP is exactly similar to MEXT up until past 1kHz where the bone conduction driver does its thing. I don’t know if auto EQ can simulate UP.
EDIT 2: As I listen more on MEXT, I can conclude that I can’t enjoy the thumps for too long. It’s making my head sore if that makes sense & it distracts me from listening to the meat of the music (mids). I guess I wouldn’t proceed with the XENNS UP unless the midrange is wonderful. MEXT is a great bassy set but at this price point you might want to hunt for a used IER Z1R instead
You might enjoy the Serial if you are looking for milder treble and an atmospheric reverb effect
I have the LAVA sounds like you would enjoy the EJ07M as well. I would also try to listen to the Penon Volt?
I will have a chance to try the UP when I’m back in the US in about 10 days, and I’m very interested in what I’ll make of it as a huge Serial fan.
Serial:
Can’t wait to hear your thoughts.
UP may not be resolving but, in no other way do I believe it should be compared to the Oracle. The Oracle was the set that reviewers had me dead set on thinking I’d love. Instant no go on first listen. I can’t really describe why with detail other than I found it extremely boring. I didn’t even give second thought to selling it. If your treble sensitive I also don’t think Canon would be a good fit. Treble came off as to hot for me. I could tolerate it and loved the tuning but, I fatigued real quick with it. Didn’t find it worth its price to only be limited to short listening sessions.
Concerning the bass on UP I find the chart deceiving. I’d expect by graph comparison for it to be way more elevated in sound than Moonlight and fairly close to the Mext. But, it’s not even close to how I hear it. Mext definitely was more pronounced with bass and oddly the Moonlight often sounds to be the one with more bass compared to UP. My only conclusion is that it’s how higher frequency interact with lower frequencies to your ears; if that makes sense.
Can you compare the MEXT to the Vulkan? Is the MEXT really worth around 2.5x the price of the Vulkan?
IMO I don’t think any IEM is worth 2.5x after you’re past $100. For example, Tea ($260) or Dusk ($320) is not 2.5-3x better than the Olina ($100). At best it’s around 15-20% depending on your library and tuning preferences. To me, certain genres like pop actually plays “better” on the Olina than Tea.
Additionally, EJ07M is also not twice as good as the Tea. Again, maybe 15% at best. And the U12T and Z1R is not 3-4x better than the 07M; at that level you’re running into very high diminishing returns; at best they’re 15% better than the 07M. Now is it worth paying 3-4x more to get the best there is to offer? Well that’s entirely up to you. But personally I’d suggest just saving up for an endgame IEM instead of jumping around, or if you’re satisfied with you’re current set, then maybe you’ll be fine with missing that last bit of refinement.
Those two IEMs in no way are comparable. Both have completely different tunings. For what it matters I did own the Vulcan temporarily. Had the MEXT around longer though. Is one worth it over the other would really come down to your preference. I think from a budget standpoint if you have to ask the question to yourself the answer should always be no.
As @VIVIDICI_111 mentioned the diminishing returns hit hard and steep. My price point to diminishing returns seems to kick in closer to $225 but, their point is still valid. Take for example the OG Tea which for me is amazing. I do prefer the Moonlight over it most times. Is it 2x better than the Tea absolutely not. I mean there’s even days I prefer the Tea over the Moonlight which makes it a better value for its money.
The far end of the spectrum is the U12T which I owned for a bit and bought new. I’d pick the Moonlight, Up or even the Tea over it anyday. All way cheaper. Was it’s techinals better than those? Probably but, it didn’t hit the sweet spot for tuning to me. Not even making it a consideration as a keeper if it were $500 and it sure wasn’t nearly 8x better than the Tea. I’d argue that for me because the Tea brings so much enjoyment with its tuning it’s 8x better than the U12T.
Yup, @MMag05 nailed it. When I say “15% better” I mean in terms of separation and dynamics, but that goes out the door if you don’t like the tuning. As mentioned, the U12T may be slightly better technically than the Tea, but if you don’t like it’s tuning then it won’t be close to being worth it’s price. Just a reminder that IEMs are tools to enjoy music, and if you don’t enjoy how a set presents your music then it doesn’t matter how good its technicalities are.
So to answer your question, no, technicalities wise I highly doubt that the MEXT is 2.5x better than Vulcan, which is already a very good set. But again, really depend on the tuning.
“Take for example the OG Tea which for me is amazing. I do prefer the Moonlight over it most times. Is it 2x better than the Tea absolutely not. I mean there’s even days I prefer the Tea over the Moonlight which makes it a better value for its money.”
How do you find the Moonlight vs OG Tea? After dabbing with a bunch of Moondrops and Penon, I stumbled on the Tea cult. Bit the bullet and bought the OG Tea blind.
Turns out…I really really like the OG Tea. Sold off my Variations, FH7s and others in the collection.
I also picked up a pair of OG EJ07 per @nymz’s recommendation and find them to be an excellent complement to the OG Tea.
Of course, hanging out in this forum gives me major GAS lol …not to mention the fact that I’m always on the lookout to try units recommended by members of the tea cult.
Thanks for the info. I’m really wondering where exactly IEM diminishing returns kick in hard. From my perspective you really shined light on this matter.
From my pov the Dunu Vulkan (380$) is all I need, I doubt there is anything significantly better. As I am also bought in heavenly into room speakers. If I compare my top notch Polk Reserves, Triangle and Teufel to the raw IEM sound I doubt there is anything worth >500$ that’s worth it.
From my highly subjective view, all that is needed for the ultimate audiophile experience is these 3 IEMs:
If anyone has a recommendation that I didn’t cover please say so. I am only a average Joe that has 30+ IEMs below 500$.
Personally if you already find a lot of joy at that price you’ve probably found your diminishing returns point. Especially if you like their tuning and find happiness listening. I wouldn’t venture to far past that range. And if you do just realize that your enjoyment of the music isn’t going to double, just because the price did, if your already 95% happy. Double the price might only get you to 96%. Which for alot of us in the this forum we’ll never hit 100%. Just decide how much your willing to spent to possibly hit 98%. Besr regards the IEM hunt.
You’ve reach end game. Run while you can 
