Hisenior Audio Mega5-EST

-HISENIOR FEBOS MEGA5EST 7TH Anniversary Edition review-



TONALITY: 8.5/10
TECHNICALITIES: 8.8/10
TIMBRE: 8.5/10
SOUNDSTAGE: 8.5/10
IMAGING: 8.5/10
MUSICALITY (subjective): 8/10
CONSTRUCTION: 8.5/10
ACCESSORIES: 9.5/10
SOUND VALUE: 8.2/10


INTRO

Hisenior is an IEM company from China that was established in 2016 and creates custom and universal fit earphones aimed for musicians, audio engineers and audiophiles.

They specialize in multi balanced armature IEMs at their beginning and then make hybrid and tribrid IEMs too.

I discovered them 5 years ago with the T2 classic, which I bought at full price, unlike other IEMs which were loan or review samples. The T2 was nothing less than a revelation of how high sound value can go in sub-100$ market, this is due to the fact it uses 2 high end knowles BA as well as being well tuned, monitor like way.

Since then, I've always follow Hisenior releases.

Today I have the opportunity to review the only tribrid they do (in 3 versions), the Mega 5EST 7th Anniversary Edition.

Priced 550$, the Mega 5EST is a tribrid using 1x 10mm bio cellulose diaphragm dynamic driver+2 balanced armature (knowless?)+2 session EST. It’s stated to be referred to as a harman tuning target, which I'm not supposed to be a fan of…

So let's see in this review how it turns out in terms of musical enjoyment and technical performance!

PS: The 7th Ann version has these ‘’upgrade’’

‘’What's New: (New Smaller shell/New Sound Nozzle/ New Inner Drivers-configuration/New Air Vent/ New Tuning Sound (Harman IEM target curve + Hisenior Exclusive Smooth Coherence from bass-treble))’’

CONSTRUCTION&ACCESSORIES


(i pull off the mesh to show 3 holes connected to tube, to note that HS include 2 extra mesh pair)


The construction is great, but will not wow anybody in terms of design aesthetic, which is sober and low profile, with a dark shiny back with silver lettering of Febos brand.

The quality is what 's important and thick medical grade resin plastic used is recomforting in terms of durability potential, the shell feels like molded in one piece, I'm not afraid of dropping this IEM on hard floor which already happens because of how smooth and slippy the plastic used.

The shell is chunky but not too big, it’s quite compact for a 5 drivers IEM in fact. 2 pin connectors are solidly embedded in the shell, not recessed, which have pros and cons in the sense pros is about versatility of cable fitting, con is about being cautious when you connect it so the pins are well aligned with female connectors.

Then, since these are light, have an ergonomic ‘’ear molded’ like shape, these are very comfortable for long time use and the passive isolation is above average too, again, surely due to thick high quality plastic used.



The included cables are nothing less than excellent, from all Hisenior IEM i’ve tested, this is the best for sure. This is the White Whale cable which HS sell 100$ in their store. It’s a 2 strands, 24AWG, coaxial shielded 290 cores OCC silver plated cable with thick strand that are smooth and flexible as well as 4.4mm balanced termination that is very sturdy (and sexy looking). Everything screams premium quality, and this cable is now in my top 5 favorite. Sure, I would have preferred a modular cable, but perhaps it would affect negatively long term durability. This one seems to promise years and years of carefree use.
Cable link: WhiteWhale In-ear Monitor Cable Premium UP-OCC(Silver Plated) 290Cores – hisenior


https://www.hisenior-iem.com/products/whitewhale
Finally, when it comes to package presentation, HS is minimalist in terms of eco unfriendly packaging and maximalist in terms of high quality, valuable accessories.
Let’s begin with the TOTL protective case that is included, which is my no1 carrying case for multiple reasons, including Invincibility.
It’s the 30$ 1010A Gen2 pelican protective case, it use hard thick ABS+5% GF polycarbonate plastic body that feel sturdier than sturdy, inside have PVC buffering layer to avoid IEMs get scratched, their an inner pouch with zip to put accessories too, it’s the army knife of portative case and the one infantry soldier will bring on their war zone too, since it’s shock and waterproof.
Link here:Hisenior 1010A Gen-2 Protective Case Waterproof Crushproof Drop-proof – hisenior
https://www.hisenior-iem.com/products/protect-pelican-case
Apart from an excellent case and cable, we have a generous amount of ear tips, 12 pairs of silicone in 6 models and 2 pairs of memory foam eartips. We have cleaning clothes and a nice cable clip too.

All in all, I'm more than impressed by the number and quality of accessories included.


SOUND IMPRESSIONS


The tonality of Mega5est is a naturally balanced smoothen W shape that can be perceive as U shape without recessed mids in the sense we have notable sub bass boost, forwards, clean and open mids and a delicate and crisp treble that add air and extra attack definition, as well as fine micro details and percussions sharpness.
It’s not an aggressive sounding IEM, nor a pumped up in macro dynamic energy, it’s musicality is laidback and immersive, transparent and polished, timbre is spot on without the help of over coloring that will cream the tone too much, and not feeling lacking in texture even of details aren’t boosted and favor limpidity over abrasivity.

Refined musicality à la harman target like this might not be for everyone, even with this potent sub bass boost which is dense, vibrant and elastic, or the expressive presence of mid or sparkly treble on top, some might in fact find it boring, lacking in hard bass punch, mid range bite and macro dynamic loudness.

Logically, when we aren’t too warm or too cold musical territory, we are into lukewarmness. And this is the case here with Mega5EST, which in my dictionary is a statement of tuning talent and elegance, permitting a wide versatility yet not injecting extra fun or tonal bias to it.

Apart from this sub bass boost which avoids Mega to be considered plain neutral.

From my more than 500 IEMs testing experience,I consider their 3 types of musical dynamism, the contemplative (immersive yet balanced and non offensive), the pro-active (anything unbalanced and favoring specific freq range) and the plain static (dynamic less-ultimate neutrality).

The Mega5est is from the ‘’contemplative’’ crew, but not in a dull way, nor in a dynamic way. Sense of openness, natural timbre and bass slam and vibrancy as well as clean and sparkly treble induce a calm yet captivating experience were you can travel in vast airy spatiality fulfill with smooth sound layers, weighty dense but not wrongly resonant bass and focused, centered yet not compressed vocal and instruments, all complete with this understated but talented treble extension of 2 sonions electret.

In 2024, lot of audio companies aim some kind or other harman target, Mega5 has some of this DNA in them, but in a more refined way, it feel like gourmet harman, with it’s own persona since it don’t lack bass, upper mids aren’t shouty or plain thin and treble isn't rolled off or overly favorizing upper harmonic register.



The lower range is as noted more boosted in sub bass, the mid bass punch isn’t very dynamic when it come to acoustic music but can achieve round vibrant weighty slam with modern pop, electronic, R&B, soul etc, all type of music that benefit from sub bass boost and go more engaging and fun with proper bass dynamic.
This means in acoustic music, the bassist will be more focused than kick drum too, bass line fully extracted, tactile and dense, with proper vibrancy and grunt when needed.
One would think such bass boost can negatively inflict on instruments like cello, but in fact it benefits it, the presence is fully bodied yet keeps good transparency, which means it can cohabit well with piano or violin in classical music. Texture is delicate, definition is well delineated too, this isn’t muddy, overly warmed cello, it’s natural in tone and clean in timbre even if densified with air.
Back to kick drum, you feel the weight punch but the presence is dark and lean, punch is lighter than slam, if you can differentiate the type of impact: one is wider and more resonant, other is tighter and more define and fast hitting, so it’s no speedy textured round kick we get, not hard hitting headbanger, this can stole a bit of macro dynamic engagement for rock or even jazz music since bass line, vocal, guitar and near all instrument but kick drum and toms will be more highlighted.
I think this explains why some people find the Mega5est ‘’boring’’, some friends of mine listening mostly to rock and metal feel it lacks energetic thumping and I can understand why.
But this is an exception, not the rule of this IEM, since with electronic and even trap rap, we have plenty of wide weighty vibrant slam that can be impressive in how elastic it goes for infra bass transients. When this happens, it suddenly wakes you up and you wonder if you are listening to the same IEM as when you were enjoying classical or calmer pop or soul music.
The Mega5est offer both quality and quantity in bass department, and due to the special tubing, it stay layered in the back with mids presence kept clean above it, sure, when the slam is wide and blossom in whole headroom background, this will affect the air clarity around instrument a bit, but not the fine definition of sound layers.
I’ve heard the Mega5P in the past and didn’t like overly warm and notch muddy bass response, here the upgrade is big and the slam is better defined as well as extension clearer and cleaner and deeper.

The mid range is the center of the show and main highlight of the mega5EST, but it doesn't steal sub bass dynamic nor treble crispness. Talk about versatile mids that can deliver all instruments and vocals clearly, with a good sense of openness and transparency as well as well defined but not aggressive attack.
And most of all: a realistic and natural tone that doesn't necessitate coloring sugar coating to get pleasant to the ears.
I’m known to be warm mid range lover, lush and thick and forwards but well rounded in upper mids, the Mega5 go into lukewarm mix of lower to higher harmonic, it’s a statement of musical knowledge to me since I listen alot to piano, female vocal, violin, cello, saxo and acoustic guitar, which all sound life like with these IEM.
From lower to upper mids, freq is fully covered with a peak in upper mids that is well polished and avoids sibilance and harshness, avoiding timbre noise artefact too, but might be a bit too loud for those very sensitive to pina gain. I’m sensitive to this yet this pass, even if yes, i would prefer 2db less around 3khz.
But would overall clarity be as effortless? I think bass would affect more the readability of center stage if so.
What's fascinating with these IEM is that even if it sounds crisp and open, the female vocal is densified by natural warmth, not a thick euphonic coloring, but the real air vibration inherent to low register female vocal, or male vocal. Presence is wide and airy, forwards and focused, but don’t hide other instruments due to transparency of presence which keep inner micro details clean too, so this means you don’t lack attack lead for wind instruments like sax or trumpet.
Piano has similar rendering, but not the weightiest note attack, it’s light but note are full and clean, it’s not dry distant piano nor warm mushy one, we have natural note resonance release for proper reading of pianist sustain pedal use. Another sign of resolution superiority, unforced way.

I could have written that upper range is a highlight of these IEM if it was more aggressive and upfront, since both bass and mids are more dynamic; some might not even fully appreciate the sonion electret advantage, which to my capricious ears are a very evident-well balanced way.
The highs don,t scream their presence when the track doesn't ask for it, while with music like folk, classical, jazz and anything with finely recorded guitar or percussions will show what the EST are capable of, and to my ears: this is sublime.
Treble is crisp, shinny, brilliant, sparkly and airy with a clean and natural note release that fulfill realist rendering of harp, clavichord, guitar and upper range percussions. It’s delicate yet super speedy and snappy, with a slightly lean extension.
This isn’t spiky or trebly sounding highs, they are always there, with their own layered space, just in back of another instrument as it is in real acoustic space.
Folk music tend to have lot of highs, from percussions, to acoustic guitar and sometime violin, and the musical experience i get with Mega5est was master chief, i suddenly appreciate great amount of micro details and fine texture in acoustic instrument timbre and attack, the percussions has plenty of air around it and spatiality was vastly open, so these EST don’t only extend treble further adding air on top and sparkle for metallic instrument attack, but enrich texture of timbre as well as abrasivity of attack lead, for example, the violin is well define and energetic in attack yet wide in presence too. In classical quartet, I can easily spot the strings position even if it’s not a monitoring or analytical rendering. I know when the box hits the string with bite.
But the real marvel is acoustic guitar which is sharply defined in soundscape, widely layered, not darken with euphonic warmth, fast in sustain with a long natural resonance full of shimmer. From Jessical Pratt to Gillian Welch to Marissa Nadler, I suddenly enjoy not only vocalist but talented guitar playing of those artists too, with revealing readability and clean open stage.
But does this mean EST timbre perfectly matches the one of other drivers? Well, cohesiveness is there but presence is a bit thinner as well as attacking snappier, faster. It’s not thick crunchy highs, it’s airy and graceful around silky forwards mids which feel more mono than stereo treble response, which add a sense of holographic openness to the spacious soundstage.

The soundstage is very impressive, especially for an IEM that isn’t open back nor has a lot of venting holes. It’s very wide and deep with good tallness too. It feels like being in a big concert hall but in the first row since mids aren’t distant. This is more evident with live or acoustic music, since when bass slam and rumble occur with modern pop, rap etc, it steals depth but can stretch even more the wideness too, depending on rumble release.

With all those assets like great resolution ,big soundstage, fast treble etc, it would be abnormal to get bad imaging and while the sub bass boost can be detrimental for monitoring use, the Mega5est are as expected excellent in accurate instrument positioning and transparent sound layering. Apart from sometimes kick drums, I can easily position instruments. It’s easier in lateral positioning than background one, since the sound layers while transparent are near each other and wide in presence, which make it harder to position than sharper sounds like percussions, guitar, vocal. Piano too in a busy track can be harder to position because of softer attack energy. I try very hard to be nitpicky here.


COMPARISONS CRAZE



VS LETSHUOER EJ07M (1DD2BA4EST-650$)

EJ07M is more U-shaped, brighter and crisper.

Bass is cleaner and speedier, but thinner and less dense and rumbly, lighter in attack too, more textured for bass instrument but not as lush for cello, nor as natural in tone, nor as elastic so notch too boomy too.

Mids are sharper, brighter, dryer and more prompt to shout, thinner and more textured, less wide and transparent in presence, less natural and organic in timbre. Note weight is lighter, attack has more bite and crunchy lead.

Treble is more aggressive and analytical, more vivid in percussion and micro details, more holographic and multi-layered. It’s notably more upfront and less lean in extension too.

Soundstage is less wide, tall, but a bit deeper.

Imaging is crisper and more monitoring-like, even if their less space in lateral separation presence being brighter-grainier make positioning easier.

All in all, we have slightly similar tonal balance leaning between U and W shape for both of these but EJ07M is more aggressive, less natural in tone, less smooth in balance, more analytical and risky for upper mids sensitive people. The fact it uses 4EST explains superior details retrieval and more energetic dynamic perhaps but at the cost of a more spiky balance. I love both, but certainly prefer the mid range tone and vocal of Mega5 as well as thicker rumbler bass response even if I wish kick was as textured than EJ07M.

VS Hiby Zeta (1DD4BA4EST-1200$)

Zeta is brighter and more V shape, notably bassier too and legit as a basshead contender for those richy rich people.
But that’s about it, since technical performance is messed up with an excited attack in the whole range where Mega5 is better control and more cohesive in balance, more natural and refined in musicality, less fatiguing both bass and upper mids wise too.

Bass is more boomy and resonant, yet not as dense and lush in rumble, bass lines are muddier, more exciting and dryer in tone, cello sound near metallic with Zeta while natural and bodied with Mega. Zeta packs more punch, but not in a way I find pleasing since I even consider them U shape because sub bass is more boosted and excited than punch. So overall bass of Mega still is rounder, but not as free in speed.

Mids aren’t thinner, but they are shoutier and more spicy in bite and texture detail, presence is more centered and compressed so vocals don’t widen and envelop the listener. Timbre isn’t as natural, it’s more noisy and grainy, more BA timbre to be found, less transparent layering, more bass masking tool for bass heavy busy track.

Treble is more aggressive and alive, more crunchy, not as brilliant oddly but sure more thick ,round and full sounding, with greater sense of attack snap energy, at they end it’s evident with both these and EJ07M that more there ESTs, better is dynamic and overall performance but i feel Zeta go a bit more splashy and don’t have this clean and lean natural resonance, so sense of brilliance is more boosted with the Mega, this mean acoustic guitar are sparklier but thinner too.

Soundstage is on par with both, very wide and tall.

Imaging is more analytical with Zeta even if more basshead in tuning.

All in all, Zeta sure pack more fun but this depend how you like your bass tone, these remind me of Legato bass which i can’t stand, it’s resonant and boomy, excited in speed, quite meatless too, which isn’t the case with more mellow sounding Mega5 which certainly feel more mid centric and mature in balance, superior in cohesiveness and ultimately more musical even if less basshead. Let's just say my ears get violently assaulted after smoother Mega5 listening for hours…i need to lower volume quite a lot (not only cause Zeta is easier to drive)...vocal shout at me, treble too then the bass helps me. For tone and timbre lovers and those listening to a wide range of music including with real acoustic instruments, their no doubt Mega5est is superior and not as intensely over priced.

VS SOUND RHYME DTE500 (1dd2BA2EST-460$)

Ok, this is a favorite of mine when it comes to high sound value musical sounding tribrid with 2ESTs, but this is quite different tuning wise, so we can see this as a good complement to more neutral with sub bass boost to U shape Mega5 vs more V shape and energetic sounding DTE500.

The bass is more punchy and speedy in mid bass as well as better rounded and weightier with DTE500, but sub bass is more rolled off and compressed, not as wide in slam nor as long in rumble nor as vibrant for cello and bass line. Their warmth is going in the mid range too.

Which mean mids are notch lusher, more upfront and bodied, wider but less transparent in presence with DTE500, while Mega5 has more open and organic mids, more transparent, more linear too, as well as less prompt to slight harshness or sibilance in upper presence region, so instrument has less bite too. DTE500 has weightier note attack, piano is wider and warmer in presence, this is due to greater lower mids boost.

And that’s due to the more relaxed and linear treble response of Mega5est, which is more polished and clean sounding, as a mature bassy IEM should be. Violin, vocal, and saxo have more attack lead emphasis with DTE500, it tends to extract a bit more timbre texture to the cost of adding opacity to sound layers. Percussions are crisper but thinner, less forwards in macro dynamic, which make DTE500 feel more W shape in balance of attack energy. So, you have a bit more brilliance with Mega5 but subdued way, while treble is more energetic and crunchy with DTE500.

The soundstage is wider and deeper with Mega5, while taller and more out of your head with DTE500.

Imaging is near on par, but more transparent layering of Mega5 makes it more stable for accurate positioning, bass will not interfere as much with space clarity separation of instrument too.

All in all, these are on par in technical department, or 5% better for Mega5est in term of imaging and bass attack control…when it come to musicality, macro dynamic is more lively and engaging with DTE500, bass is more punchy and mids a notch lusher, treble is more lively too, so it hit my musicality enjoyment more but in a more guilty pleasure way than more refined and polished tonality of Mega5est which is less colored timbre wise too. To be noted: DTE500 is way easier to drive ... .so that might be a plus for some. Again, both these IEM are good to me.

VS TSMR X (2DD+4BAs-400$) (tuning set 020)

The X is more V shape, notably bassier, thicker sounding and more energetic and fun in macro dynamic balance.

Mega5EST is more U shape to smooth W shape, crisper and sparklier on top, cleaner overall too.

X Bass is rumbler, offers weighter slam, rounder and denser mid bass punch and more vibrant and tactile bass line. Mega5EST slam is lighter, mid bass is more scooped and their less warmth mixing into mid range.

Mids are more upfront and dense, timbre is less transparent bit more grainy yet lusher still, resolution is darker, more opaque and mushy in macro rendering, timbre is more natural overall with the Mega5, less colored, smoother but notch thinner too, presence is wider tough and less energetic, leaner, safer, lighter.

X treble is thicker, rounder and more holographic but not as airy and crisp and clean, it’s crunchier and not as snappy and speedy in attack, yet more dynamic still, not as delicate as Mega5, which offer better resolved percussions but not as upfront, attack sustain-release of highs can mix more with X, top is airier and overall treble more extended-leaner way with Mega5.

Soundstage is as wide but deeper with Mega5est.

Imaging is slightly superior with Mega5, its due to cleaner soundscape and less excited bass impact and warmth, but it’s a bit static too, not edgy in definition which is smoothen compared to more dynamic sound layers projection of X, which as noted go macro mushy, so harder to position correctly than Mega5est.

All in all there is no doubt the X pack more punch and fun, offer less mature and balanced musicality, warmer thicker mids and notch less technical sound too. While Mega5est is cleaner, crisper, more versatile for different styles of music-high fidelity bassy docile way.




CONCLUSION



The Hisenior Mega5est 7th Anniversary is a statement of tuning refinement that aims for near neutral musicality with extra sub bass boost to inject extra dynamism to an overall smooth, open, transparent and organic tonality.

The timbre is top notch natural, without the help of euphonic coloring, which is a tour de force in its own right. Vocal lovers like me are well spoiled with these mid range maestros, and that even if i tend to prefer thicker and lusher, more colored mids.

Unlike spectacular sounding IEM that can become annoying to listen to once you get used to its ‘’wow effects tricks’’, the Mega5est grows on me more and more with time, as well as source pairing since these benefit from good amping. Sure, the macro dynamic isn’t the most engaging, and even the bass can be hit or miss in term of fun factor in the sense it’s not hard thumpy mid bass but dense vibrant slam and bass line tactility…yet, this balance permit the mid range to be clean and open, vast and captivating in a contemplative way that don’t mean it’s recessed or lacking presence push towards listener.

Am I becoming a mature listener because I'm 41y old? Well, i always been both, depending of music style i listen too, so i’m very happy to find a versatile tribrid IEM that can deal with a lot of my music genre from Classical to Jazz to Folk to R&B to Soul to Pop to even some electronic like IDM, everything but music that need more aggressive dynamic from mid bass and treble section.

All in all, this IEM is so well tuned it’s near impossible to find cons in timbre and tonal section, but if I go out of my subjectivity, I think, weirdly, some will find them too bassy and others not enough bassy.

Hisenior is a superior IEM company from China that was there before the chifi world dominated the audio industry, their experience in acoustic is evident and I can’t wait to discover what they will bring in 2025. After having tested T2, T4, Okavango, Mega5P and these, its evident success is near their door step. Musicians are their fan base, we will see if audiophiles will follow too!

----------------------------------


PS: I want to thanks Hisenior for sending me this review sample that will now take part of my grand collection. I sincerly want to thanks them for respecting freedom of opinions and sound impressions, which wasn't most positive for latest review i did (Okavango). This is a proof of seriousness and true care about audio products improvment over marketing strategy priority. And this is very very rare and precious in nowadays influencers puppies world.

The Hisenior Mega5est 7th ann can be bought for 550$ here (non affiliated link):
https://www.hisenior-iem.com/produc...MDkwHHWkn0gz1JX5i0_ecjkyse9kUxCj3QWV-urQDmRrm

Hisenior Mega5EST 7th Anniversary Review: WORTH THE CELEBRATION?​

Total Score: 7.36/10​

Enjoyment Score: 7/10​

Price: $549​

PROS:​

• One of the most versatile-tuned IEMs I’ve heard
• Superb tonal balance
• Fantastic timbre and coherency
• Rich but non-overwhelming tone
• Smooth, fatigue-free but provides fine detail retrieval
• Great instrument and vocal separation and layering
• Comfortable fit and great seal
• Very sturdy case
• Good quantity of accessories
• Good stock cable

CONS:​

• Can sound too “safe” for people who want a fun sounding IEM
• Quality of inclusions is sub par
• Case internals feel too cramped
• Lacks low end texture

WHO THIS UNIT IS FOR:​

• People who want a non-distracting listening experience
• People who want the most versatile sounding IEM
• People who like the Meta target

WHO THIS UNIT ISN’T FOR:​

• People who want a more engaging and fun sounding IEM
• People who want a more energetic bass and treble presentation
• People who want higher quality inclusions

GENRES:​

• Quite literally anything works with this IEM

SHORT REVIEW:​

I didn’t expect to like the Mega5 EST as much as I did with its safe, non-distracting but extremely consistent and coherent sound that literally got me listening to this IEM for hours on end without me feeling like I needed to remove it in any way whatsoever. It’s legitimately one of the most versatile IEMs I’ve heard, which is a breath of fresh air from my usual bombastic and sparkly preferences. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!

FULL REVIEW:​

Hisenior is one of the special brands that, whether or not they knew, cemented themselves in the audiophile world through the special mention of the likes of The Headphone Show and Crinacle due to its “near-perfect” frequency response graph of the Mega5EST. It was heralded as one of the most “compliant” IEMs to the B&K 5128 at the time and all the nerds raved about it.

This fame lead to many people hyping the IEM and bringing Hisenior from an obscure CIEM maker to a “must have” for any audiophiles wanting the most “natural sound”.

A year or so after, Hisenior hits their 7th anniversary. To celebrate, they created what could possibly be the ultimate Mega5EST. Improved shape, upgraded techs, better fit. Does this mean better sound?

NEVER GETTING OLD​

Hisenior may seem like a relatively new player in the market, but they’ve been making universal and custom in-ear monitors since 2016. For the longest time, this was the only thing they were known for. And in a market that is as competitive as the portable audio market, this is quite literally not enough. That is, until they began to release their Mega5 series of IEMs.



Despite having tried a Hisenior product long before the Mega5 series came out, I wasn’t quite impressed with their IEMs. At least, I wasn’t impressed with the T2U. I was impressed with how unique it sounded, but it proved to be too niche for my tastes.

The Mega5P, however, was something else. Such a rich and natural tone for a hybrid that I haven’t heard before and to a point, since. It was such a beautifully tuned IEM with the perfect balance of musicality and technicalities. It’s still a favorite of mine today.

But then came the release of the Mega5EST. I did not know what to anticipate, but these were the days before the “hype” of the 5128 so I had no preconceived notions. And I was slightly disappointed. It was very “normal” sounding. Nothing stood out. I didn’t feel “excited” listening to music. And this was when the lore of the 5128 and the JM-1 began to kick up and the rabbit hole went to the center of the Earth.

Nearly a year after I first tried it, I was given the opportunity to review the Mega5EST 7th Anniversary. This $550 1DD + 2BA + 2EST hybrid is the “answer” to people’s comments about the first Mega5EST with a bunch of new upgrades. But can this limited anniversary edition impress like the original release?

UNBOXING​

It’s honestly a rather normal unboxing experience on the outside for the Mega5EST, but it sets itself apart the moment you open the case.

Here’s a full list of the accessories:

• IEMs
• Cable
• A lot of eartips
• Pelican-like case
• Cleaning tool
• Shirt clip

Is that a damn pelican waterproof case? It sure looks like it, but I’m not testing to find out whether this can or can’t protect my IEMs under water. The point is, this is a damn sturdy case. Pocketable? Absolutely not. But it puts the protective in protective case. My only gripe is the foam taking up way too much space and prevents me from putting more stuff in the case. You can’t remove this foam either, so you either break it off or you cope with forcing your IEMs into a specific position.

The rest of the accessories are arguably pretty basic. A lot of eartips varying from narrow and widebores with a couple of foam eartips. Nothing special, but it’s nice to see a complete set like this.

BUILD & FIT​

Unfortunately, I don’t have the original Mega5EST to compare with this 7th Anniversary version, but I can talk about it as its own entity and my personal experience.



And it’s good! Whatever the original Mega5EST felt like in the ear, it must have not stood out to me to remember complaining about it. The same goes for this 7th Anniversary edition in the sense that I am able to wear this IEM for hours on end without any issue.



This is probably due to the full resin shell with a separate nozzle piece that houses the single DD, 2 balanced armatures and 2 electrostatic drivers. One thing to highlight here is that Hisenior mentioned that the Mega5EST 7th Anniversary is an upgrade not only externally but also internally. The dynamic driver is improved to go as low as 5hz and they improved upper mids to treble region coherency above 3kHz to be smoother and cleaner. We’ll talk more about sound later, but companies that make an active effort to improve the tuning without changing the fundamental tuning is something that I appreciate as long as they specifically state that a change has been made.



Going back to the fit, I really enjoyed my time wearing the Mega5EST. Hours on end and I did not find it uncomfortable whatsoever. Your mileage may (and will) vary depending on the size of your ears. But if you have medium sized ears like I do, you’ll fair well with this. People with smaller ears might find the wings to be a bit too aggressive, but it was perfect in my ears.



The cable is their White Whale cable and it’s pretty damn good. I love the thickness and feel as it doesn’t feel like I’m lugging a rope around my ears but it still feels premium and looks damn good. The interface feels premium and sturdy. I feel confident using this cable.

SOUND​

Sound Signature​

The Mega5EST is what the modern definition of “neutral” sounds like. The difference between older definitions of neutral is that the Mega5EST has low end to compensate and does not sound entirely flat all the way. The low end is full and punchy, the mids are linear and neutral and the treble is smooth and crisp with good extension. The name of the game here is consistency.

Source Pairing​

This way the Mega5EST’s drivers were tuned so that even in cheaper or lower quality sources, you get to have a nice listening experience regardless of sources. Obviously the better your source is, the better your listening experience is. But it’s not necessary. Colored sources also shine with the Mega5EST because it responds really well to the likes of tube amplifiers without much noise compared to other hybrids.

Volume Levels​

Once again, this kind of tuning allows for high listening volume due to just how well its tuned. The best kind of tuning for most people who follow any variant of the JM-1 allows for very high volume levels with minimal discomfort. The Mega5EST is the perfect IEM for that as it doesn’t exaggerate any unnecessary frequency.

Listening Experience​

This is the part of the review I really struggled the most because how do you talk about an IEM that sounds great with basically any genre you throw at it? From relaxed vocal pop to complex metal tracks, the Mega5EST somehow finds the perfect balance of sounding engaging and sounding clean.

However, this is quite literally what I and many found issue with the original Mega5EST. It’s such an uncolored and clean listening experience that people who were used to a more energetic, bassy or fun sounding IEMs would find this a bit boring.

But realistically speaking, it doesn’t sound “boring”. As much as it pains me, I have to agree with a certain individual who said “it’s not the IEM that’s boring, it’s the music.” But on the contrary, I experienced what made the Mega5EST such a great set but one that I know not everyone would like.

I received the Mega5EST and Volume S at the same time. I tested the Volume S because it was the cheaper and, quite frankly, the more interesting set between the two. Who can’t deny a midrange IEM with a beautiful DF tuning and tuning switches? I spent probably 1-2 hours testing and listening to the Volume S actively, playing around the tuning switches and writing everything I thought about the IEM. And boy, I had so much to say about that IEM. I even got in a conversation with a good friend about the genres that work well with the Volume S and those that don’t. I basically wrote my entire review on day 1 of testing.

After my testing, I then popped on the Mega5EST. What do you think happened? Do you think I tested it the same way, no, more than the Volume S with how versatile the IEM is? Nope, I popped it on, listened to a couple of tracks and I kid you not, I ended up forgetting I had the Mega5EST on and that single song became a series of songs that spanned the entire afternoon along with a couple of work and gaming sessions that, only when I remembered that I needed to create a BTB for both IEMs, did I remember that I was still wearing the Mega5EST.

It’s quite literally an effortless IEM that you put on and feel absolutely no distractions with how it sounds. It, quite literally, just sounds right. And for better or worse, that’s what makes the Mega5EST stand out. Other sets that sound “neutral” sometimes blend in but for the wrong reasons. You want to forget how they sound. The Mega5EST is not one of those IEMs. It’s an IEM that’s easy to get into and easy to like and easy to forget that you’re using.

That kind of description probably sounds more negative than I want it to, but that’s really just how the Mega5EST performs. Throwing this into my favorite albums like Basically Saturday Night’s self titled album doesn’t really give me a “new” appreciation for the album because the album with this IEM just sounds right. Same goes for Linger Awhile by Samara Joy. Amazing album that sounds just as amazing on the Mega5EST, but it doesn’t really sound like a “new” experience. It all just sounds right.

Even technically speaking, the Mega5EST is just right. It doesn’t sound distractingly analytical, but it doesn’t skimp out on more complex tracks like August Burns Red’s Mariana’s Trench. It’s able to separate the low end kick drums and bass guitars flawlessly from the mids and most impressively, keep the treble well-contained.

All-in-all, this is just a very safe IEM without sounding boring. Not distracting does not mean boring, but some people will definitely feel that way towards the Mega5EST.

COMPARISONS​

vs Kiwi Ears KE4​

Immediately, the first IEM that came to mind was the Kiwi Ears KE4. How can you not talk about meta tuned IEMs without talking about the KE4, arguably the best budget-oriented “meta’ IEM in the market. It was my first foray into meta tuned IEMs and, for the most part, I felt that the KE4 was just alright. Like the Mega5EST, it does not excel at anything. However, the main difference in their sound is just how much more refined the Mega5EST sounds. The KE4’s midrange can sound a little honky and the lack of treble sounds dull on tracks that really needs that sparkle. The Mega5EST does not have any of those issues and actually provides a right amount of sparkle when the track calls for. But you alost have to expect this for an IEM that’s nearly twice as much as the KE4. The upgrade in price is justifiable and the experience is still marginally better than the cheaper of the two, but this is where I believe diminishing returns begin as the KE4 still sounds great for the price.

vs Dunu DK3001BD​

From excessively neutral to excessively bright, the DK3001BD is the Mega5EST’s louder, more extravagant, smarter (get it, cus bright?) brother. They’re both midrange IEMs with a focus on their own niche and achieving similar levels of success on their own. Fundamentally, the DK3001BD is an analytical, bright and detailed IEM that throws quite literally every single detail in the music you listen to without your consent. It’s a vibrant, exciting but easily fatiguing listening experience that is best saved for specific mods and tracks. The Mega5EST contrasts that by being the serious middle child with their career in mind and a determined focus on achieving what it needs to without extra. It’s safe, it’s smooth, it’s clean but it doesn’t step out from its comfort zone at all. It can handle anything you give him, but he’ll only give you 100%. Not more, not less. I hope that analogy helped you better understand how the two compared.

vs Moritz Paradise​

In a similar vain to the DK3001BD, the Moritz Paradise ends up being the more “fun” set between the two with all the imperfections that a V-Shaped IEM has. The Paradise is bigger, bolder but also more colored, edgier and not quite as refined as the Mega5EST. I find that most situations, the Paradise can play through most genres but without the consistency that the Mega5EST has. The sudden jump from hip-hop to classical on the Paradise isn’t as gradual compared to the Mega5EST’s smooth transition

vs Yanyin Canon II​

This is an IEM that I want to mentioned because of how close it almost became a “meta” IEM. A couple of DB down in the bass and a slightly smoother treble and it would’ve been a meta IEM by definition. Heck, one of its modes already look like a slightly leaner Meta tuning, so you’d expect a very similar tone, right? Nope, the Canon II sounds CONSIDERABLY more enjoyable to listen to for genres that have a lot of low end. I particularly want to bring back Mariana’s Trench because the Canon II is one of the few IEMs to render the kick drum-bass guitar combo with such finesse. The Mega5EST does it to an extent, but not as well as the Canon II. Technically speaking however, the Mega5EST is a step up from the Canon II, especially in the separation department

vs Softears Volume S​

Obviously, I have to compare the Mega5EST to the IEM that got me to post the “Tale of Two Tastes” in the first place. The Volume S is a perfectly imperfect IEM that specifically excels in vocal-centric genres and bringing the best in all levels of vocals. More complex genres aren’t quite as euphonic on the Volume S. Add to the timbre issue that the IEM has, especially for brighter genres and you get an IEM that one tricks vocals and not much else. Complete contrast to the Mega5EST. The one aspect that really stood out is the detail and technical department. The level of cleanliness and refinement that the Mega5EST has over the Volume S is insane, but the coloration and inconsistency that the Volume S is also one that I really grew to love.

CONCLUSION​

Meta IEMs are made for people who want a safe, focused and clean sounding IEMs that slowly blend into the background. However, the Mega5EST does that while balancing solid techs and a seriously comfortable fit that you can enjoy music for a long time without issues. This also means that the IEM is not for thrill seekers or bassheads who are specifically looking for a fun time. This is the IEM you’d wear if you were discovering new artists and you wanted the best IEM to experience their music for the first time.



I quite liked the Mega5EST, even if it wasn’t really my intention to. I’ve always thought that Meta IEMs were uninteresting because they didn’t excel at one thing and did not make the music feel “alive”. But the Mega5EST made me realize that maybe, that’s not such a bad thing for most scenarios.

Thank you for reading my full review on the Hisenior Mega5EST 7th Anniversary.

NON-AFFILIATE LINK: https://www.hisenior-iem.com/products/mega5est-hybrid-iem?variant=40709004427300

As a hobbyist of 40 years, I’ve heard plenty of gear and music. I own the original Hisenior MEGA5P Ultra and love them, so I took a chance on the MEGA5EST. They’re fantastic—except for one aspect that many seem to love but was a bit much for me…

I’m focusing solely on the audio and won’t be commenting on packaging or other non-audio aspects, as these have already been covered extensively by others.



Hisenior Mega5EST Review: Balanced (mostly), Natural, and Engaging

The Hisenior Mega5EST in-ear monitors (IEMs) have gained attention for their balanced and natural sound signature, making them a compelling choice for discerning audiophiles.

Praised for its tonal balance and natural timbre, I personally find the Mega5EST to lean toward neutrality with a slight bass boost. Instruments sound rich and full, with a lifelike quality that enhances the listening experience.

Consistent with other reviews, I found the Mega5EST to deliver a smooth, musical presentation. Vocals are well-placed—slightly forward but not overpowering. Both male and female vocals exhibit detail, texture, and richness, complemented by a treble that remains smooth and relaxed.

The sound stage meets expectations, with excellent instrument placement. For example, in The Doors’ Riders on the Storm, the keyboards appear on the left and slightly to the rear—exactly as they should.

Detail Retrieval and Coherence

Resolution is impressive, with fine details presented naturally. While some opinions suggest the Mega5EST lacks micro-detail retrieval, I found otherwise. In America’s song You Can Do Magic, a bell chimes shortly after the word "magic" in the chorus. On budget IEMs, this detail is often lost. Mid-tier IEMs present it as a single "ting," while high-end models capture the bell’s full tone, echo, and decay. The Mega5EST reproduces this bell and its fade beautifully, on par with some of the best IEMs I’ve heard.

Coherence is another strength. The music remains cohesive, never feeling disjointed or fragmented. In Split Enz’ song I Got You, an ethereal background layer plays during the verses. Many IEMs struggle to integrate this sound, making it feel separate from the mix. The Mega5EST, however, blends it seamlessly, presenting both foreground and background elements as a unified whole.

Tonal balance is excellent, especially with older rock recordings that tend to be light on bass. The Mega5EST enhances these tracks just enough to create an effortless, fatigue-free listening experience—whether for casual enjoyment or critical listening.

Speed, Transients, and Bass Response
The Mega5EST excels in speed and transient response, handling rapid drum hits and complex rhythms with ease. Even intricate musical passages remain clear and precise.

However, on modern music with heavy bass emphasis, I found the low end slightly overwhelming. For example, Lorde’s Royals delivers a powerful, deep bass response that aligns with current audio trends—but for my preferences, it’s a bit much.

I appreciate visceral bass in live settings, where you can feel it in your chest, but boosting bass in IEMs doesn’t always replicate that physical sensation. This isn’t a fault of the Mega5EST itself but rather a reflection of the market’s growing preference for elevated bass.

Addressing Perceptions of Blandness
Some listeners describe the Mega5EST as lacking engagement, but I see its neutrality as a strength. Rather than imposing a particular character on the music, it disappears, allowing the music itself to take centre stage. This versatility allows faithful reproduction across genres without unnecessary coloration—beyond the subtle bass boost.

The White T-Shirt Analogy
Think of the Mega5EST like a classic white t-shirt in fashion. A white t-shirt is simple, neutral, and adaptable—it doesn’t draw attention to itself but instead allows other elements to shine. Similarly, the Mega5EST’s balanced tuning doesn’t impose its own signature; rather, it reveals the nuances of the recording, making it a versatile choice for any genre.

Conclusion
The Hisenior Mega5EST offers a near-balanced and natural listening experience, excelling in tonality, transient response, and comfort. Its slightly bass-boosted neutral tuning makes it an adaptable platform for a variety of musical styles. Like a classic white t-shirt, it serves as a transparent canvas that lets the beauty of the music shine through.

For those seeking an IEM that delivers music in its purest form with a bit more bass, the Mega5EST is a standout choice.