2Est Super Tweeter in (up to 80Khz S-highs Extension)
It was modified by adding some low frequency while the midrange and high frequencies remains to sound smooth and coherent with crystal-clear detail and definition on the vocals and instruments.
Pros: Reference and Musical at the Same Time, Top Level Clarity Across the Frequencies, Deep and Refined Sub-Bass, Authoritative Male Vocals, Precise Imaging
Cons: Expected a Much Tighter Mid-Bass, A Bit Subdued Upper-Mids Compared to OG Mega5EST, Average Seperation
HISENIOR MEGA5EST BASS+: Precise Doses of Tasteful Bass
DISCLAIMER: The generous team of Hisenior Audio graciously provided the Mega5EST Bass+ IEM to us at no cost for review. The Hisenior Audio team has supported our journey of Aural Cafe from the very first day, and we would like to thank them for their kind and continuous support.
Introduction: -
Today at Aural Cafe, we will be reviewing the latest offer from Hisenior Audio, Mega5EST Bass+. Just like its predecessor, Mega5EST, which has now achieved a ‘Legendary status’, Mega5EST Bass+ features the same tri-brid setup of 1DD+2BAs+2ESTs, but this time it comes with a more bass-focused tuning.
Hisenior Audio is a Chengdu, China-based hi-fi brand founded by Gareth Chan in 2016. Hisenior Audio specializes primarily in handcrafted UIEM and CIEM for musicians, studio engineers, and audiophiles. The core focus of Hisenior Audio lies in designing and crafting professional custom and universal fitting in-ear monitors utilizing top-tier drivers at accessible price points. What sets Hisenior Audio apart from other China-based companies is their strategy of releasing highly exclusive IEM models and consistently enhancing their existing offerings based on feedback from audiophiles. Recently, they have upgraded their establishment and commenced offering bespoke in-ear monitors utilizing 3D impressions at remarkably competitive rates. Hisenior Audio offerings, such as Mega5p, were quite famous when we started Aural Cafe in 2023, which made us contact them. After an extensive discussion with Gareth, we ended up purchasing all the IEMs that they were offering at a discount for review. This marked the commencement of our alliance with Hisenior Audio. We at Aural Cafe were among the very few to review Hisenior Mega5EST (https://www.facebook.com/teamauralc...8CgF7vzqL3bn1cMstgn2LTcKGi3CbkCW3piNudcM3JJjl) before it achieved cult status. We also had the honour to review Hisenior Okavango at Aural Cafe, which our readers and fellow Audiophiles can read by clicking on the following link: (https://www.facebook.com/teamauralc...9Zfiffs64U5mRAe4ct5o6Mn2XPtMb9icnbk9NiSqGJc8l)
Hisenior Mega5EST Bass+ is built upon the foundation of its flagship cult counterpart, Mega5EST, boasting the identical tri-brid configuration with 1 DD, 2 BA, and 2 EST drivers. However, this iteration is tailored with a heightened emphasis on bass, specifically crafted to satisfy the cravings of bass enthusiasts with a boosted bass of 5dB in the Lows (5Hz-200Hz) region. Just like its predecessor, Mega5EST Bass+ houses 1 very capable custom 10mm Bio-cellular Diaphragm Dynamic Driver for lows, 1 premium Knowles BA for Mids and 1 Knowles BA for upper mids and highs and finally 2 Sonion electrostatic drivers for ultra-highs. The tale doesn’t end here as the Mega5EST Bass+ arrives this time with a custom Manta SPC Cable instead of the very capable White Whale cable, which comes with Mega5EST. What makes the Mega5EST Bass+ a solid Bass-heavy IEM is its very capable 10mm Bio-cellular Diaphragm air-pressure relieved and bass-focused (5Hz-200Hz) custom Dynamic Driver. This custom Dynamic Driver is tweaked to boost the sub-bass by 5 dB in the lower region to take care of the bass enthusiast audiophiles. We were quite impressed with Mega5EST due to its precisely balanced tuning and are really excited to present what kind of magic this 5 dB of bass boost does to the already hi-fi sound quality of Mega5EST.
Just like its predecessor, Hisenior Mega5EST Bass+ also features a 4-way crossover to improve clarity and reduce distortion across the sound frequency. We at Aural Cafe believe that a well-executed crossover forms the heart of a tri-brid IEM, as each set of drivers, whether it's DD, BA or EST, each of these drivers has its unique tonality and texture. Being in contact with the hard-working and humble team of Hisenior Audio for the last two years, we align with their idea of ‘less is more’ and the ‘implementation’ matters a lot when one is coming up with a tri-brid setup IEM. We totally trust the Hisenior Audio team and believe that they have executed the 4-way crossover in Mega5EST Bass+ with utmost importance. Hisenior Mega5EST Bass+, just like its antecedent, is tuned taking cues from Harman Target Curve when it comes to sound tonality, but comes this time with a twist of 5 dB subbass boost. Now that we have been in this hobby for the last 8 years, we have always yearned for an IEM with a well-tuned sub-bass, so we at Aural Cafe are pretty excited to share our thoughts on Mega5EST Bass+ with our readers and fellow audiophiles.
The Hisenior Mega5EST Bass+ IEM is priced at 689 USD in the global market.
Specifications: -
Mega5EST Bass+ Mega5EST
Drivers: 1DD+2BAs+2EST (Sonion) SAME
Configuration: 1Low +2Mid-Highs+2Highs SAME
Tuning: 4-Ways/Triple-Bores/3-Dampers SAME
Frequency Response: 10Hz-50Khz SAME
Sensitivity: 101 dB/mW 100 dB/mW
Impedance: 24 Ω 25 Ω
Isolation: -20db SAME
Cable: Manta 532 Core SPC White Whale 290 Core SPC
Unboxing Experience, Design & Build: -
Hisenior Mega5EST Bass+ arrived in a medium-sized black colour cardboard box, just like Mega5est 7th anniversary version. The front side of the box is dominated by a pic of Hisenior Mega5EST Bass+ IEM being stuck right at the center of the box, giving you a sneak peek into the bold and beautiful faceplate of Hisenior Mega5EST Bass+. The model’s name, which is Mega5EST in this case, is printed right at the top of the box, with the ‘Bass+ Limited Edition’ printed just below Mega5EST. The brand name HISENIOR can be seen printed at the center bottom of the front side of the box, gleaming humbly. The back side of the box is where the technical specifications of the Mega5EST Bass+ are printed, along with a short intro informing a fellow audiophile about what has changed in Mega5EST Bass+ in comparison to its antecedent, Mega5EST. On removing the outer sleeve, we are welcomed with a pitch black colour book-style cardboard box. On opening the box, we are directly welcomed with a ‘Thank You’ message being written on a piece of white butter paper, which is a sweet gesture from the brand side. On putting aside the welcome message, we directly come across the Mega5EST Bass + IEM shells gleaming brilliantly, meticulously arranged with the assistance of a sponge cutout, along with the Manatee Easy-to-Carry Premium Leather Case. On opening the carry case, we come across the premium Manta 532 Core UP-OCC SPC cable tucked neatly inside the carry case with the help of a cable strap. On removing the top layer, we come across the stock accessories of Mega5EST Bass+. Mega5EST Bass+ comes with a box of silicone ear tips. On opening the tips box, we can see the usual three pairs of bass(narrow) and wide bore (balance) silicone ear tips in S, M, L size and a high-quality 3.5 mm to 4.4 mm adapter. On removing the second layer, we are surprised by one more box of accessories being neatly placed at the bottom half of the box. On opening the bonus box of accessories, we are pleasantly welcomed with two pairs of foam ear tips, a clean wiper to take care of the beautiful faceplates, a cable clip and two pairs of backup metal grills. There has been a complete transformation if we compare the unboxing of Mega5EST Bass+ with its antecedent, Mega5EST. While the Mega5EST arrived with a sturdy Pelican case and 4.4 mm white whale cable, the Mega5EST Bass+ arrived with an easy-to-carry round shape leather case, Manta, a 532 core UP-OCC SPC Cable 4.4 mm cable, along with a high-quality 4.4 to 3.5 mm adapter. All in all, the unboxing experience was quite premium and functional. IEM shells, carry cases, and accessories, everything is meticulously arranged, providing audiophiles with a truly delightful unboxing experience.
When it comes to the design and build quality of the Mega5EST Bass+ in-ear monitor shells, it continues to embody the ergonomic design of its predecessor. This time, the lightweight semi-transparent black shells are paired with a delightful combination of red and black faceplates. The right IEM exudes a sparkly red faceplate, while the left piece features a sleek and less sparkly black faceplate, creating a harmonious balance. One also comes across the silver colour bold metallic logo of Mega5EST Bass + “The triangle of sound” beautifully depicting the lows, mids and highs of a sound frequency being infused inside the faceplate of the IEMs. One can also come across the vent holes placed just beside the two-pin sockets. On observing the Vent hole closely and comparing it with its predecessor, we can inform our readers that the Mega5EST Bass + vent hole is different from that of Mega5EST, probably to optimize the air flow and to get better bass.
When it comes to the stock cable, our unit of Mega5EST Bass+ comes with a custom-made 4.4 mm terminated Manta cable featuring 532 cores of coaxially braided litz UP-OCC SPC wires along with a high-quality 4.4 mm to 3.5 mm adapter. Well, an audiophile also has an option to go with a 3.5 mm Manta cable; in that case, it will come along with a 3.5 mm to 4.4 mm adapter. We at Aural Cafe are quite sure that the Hisenior Audio team has thoughtfully decided to go with a much thicker 532-core litz wire SPC Manta cable in place of the 290-core White Whale cable to add a precise body in the low region. The stock Manta cable is quite supple and flexible, along with an optimal weight, and shows no sign of microphonics during our testing and usage. The Hisenior Audio team has really spoiled an audiophile by including every bit of accessories one can think of while using Mega5EST Bass+ to listen to hi-fi music. You get three solid pairs of balance (wide bore) silicone ear tips along with three pairs of bass (narrow bore silicone ear tips. The story doesn’t end here, as you also get two pairs of foam ear tips along with a fabric to clean the IEMs and cable clip, which becomes quite handy while listening to music on the go. The included easy-to-carry, lightweight, spacious leather case in place of a heavy Pelican case is also a welcome decision by the Hisenior Audio team. All in all, we are pretty impressed by the way the Hisenior Audio team has taken care of audiophile needs by adding a generous set of accessories with Mega5EST Bass+.
When it comes to fits, we are happy to inform you that the lightweight ergonomic shells of Mega5EST Bass+ are slightly smaller in comparison to Mega5EST, which gives a much better fit and passive isolation in comparison to Mega5EST.
All in all we at Aural cafe can happily inform our readers and fellow audiophiles that the Hisenior Audio team has not only boosted bass with Mega5EST Bass+ but have listen to every issues of an audiophiles and have taken corrective action so that an Audiophile can enjoy a lightweight premium carry case, can have a better and comfortable fit and doesn’t need to think of 3.5 mm or 4.4 mm termination as Mega5EST Bass+ comes along with a solid 4.4mm to 3.5 mm impedance adapter.
Sound Analysis: -
We would like to state here that the sound impressions are based on our usage of the Hisenior Mega5EST Bass+ IEMs after burn-in of around 75 hours. We decided to go with a solid neutral hi-fi source, as we at Aural Cafe believe that Mega5EST Bass+ sound tonality beautifully merges with the neutral hi-fi sources. When it comes to cables and ear tips, we decided to go with stock cable and stock narrow-bore ear tips as we felt that they are actually of top quality and beautifully complement the tuning of Mega5EST Bass+. The effect of other hi-fi portable and desktop sources, stock wide-bore ear tips, aftermarket ear tips, and cables on sound impressions has been dealt with separately in the Synergy section, so we would request every audiophile to go through that section for sure.
Tonality: - After listening to various genre of soundtracks for months now on Hisenior Mega5EST Bass+, we at Aural Cafe can confidently state that Hisenior Mega5EST Bass+ exudes a rare reference tonality which stays neutral respecting the Harman target curve but at the same time quite lively and musical all thanks to the 5db sub-bass boost in the lows. The Sound tonality of Hisenior Mega5EST Bass+ itself puts it to the level of top hi-fi IEMs, which has the right dose of musicality without compromising on the neutrality. The Hisenior Audio team has done a phenomenal job in the way they have showcased the bass+ version of the legendary Mega5EST as the Hisenior Mega5EST Bass+ delivers a transparent, smooth, and refined sound—never overly flat, yet rich in detail with true-to-life tones without compromising with the ethos of a specific genre of soundtrack. The timbre of the instruments, especially of drums and bass guitar, is very natural with lots of life-like expression. The subbass is boosted in a very refined manner, because of which there is not a hint of muddiness, and there is top-notch clarity with a hint of musicality across the sound frequency. The vocals, especially the male vocals, are precisely sweet with better texture and tonal weight in comparison to the OG Mega5EST. This top-level clarity across the frequency also helps Mega5EST Bass+ to showcase micro details in a buttery smooth manner. The vocals, especially the male vocals, are precisely sweet with better texture and tonal weight in comparison to the OG Mega5EST. When we compare the sound tonality of the Mega5EST Bass+ with the OG Mega5EST, the OG Mega5EST is more neutral and flatter in comparison to Mega5EST Bass+, which still doesn’t give up on its neutral soul but colours itself with a hint of musicality. The evolved neutral tonality makes it easier for Hisenior Mega5EST Bass+ to handle different genres of soundtracks with absolute ease. The vocals, especially the male vocals, are precisely sweet with better texture and tonal weight in comparison to the OG Mega5EST. Although the evolved neutral tonality makes it easier for Hisenior Mega5EST Bass+ to handle different genres of soundtracks with absolute ease, we at Aural Cafe just enjoyed listening to Classic Rock, Progressive rock and electronic music with Mega5EST Bass+ at the helm. Listening to the last instrumental slice of the legendary soundtrack ‘Hotel California’ by the Eagles was an experience in itself with Mega5EST Bass+ at the helm. The 5 dB of sub-bass boost in Bass+ does aid a lot while listening to popular pop numbers such as ‘Heartless’ by the Weekend.
Lows: - The Lows of the Mega5EST Bass+ stand out as one of its most formidable attributes. The lows on Mega5EST Bass+, just like its predecessor, are taken care of by a very capable 10mm Bio-cellular diaphragm. While the lows of OG Mega5EST stayed nearly colourless and neutral, Mega5EST Bass+ lows embrace a subtle warmth and go a lot deeper in comparison to its predecessor, all thanks to the 5 dB of sub-bass boost in the lows. The Hisenior Audio team has tried to optimize the air pressure with the help of a new vent design, as a result of which Mega5EST Bass+ exudes an engaging dynamic along with minimal levels of distortion, providing a truly immersive studio kind of experience. When it comes to Subbass, the Mega5EST Bass+ comes with 5 dB of sub-bass boost in the lows, but what makes this 5 dB sub-bass boost special in books of Aural Cafe is not the quantity but the quality of sub-bass. The Hisenior Audio team has not only boosted the sub-bass but has also worked hard to showcase a high-quality, refined sub-bass that merges smoothly with the rest of the sound frequency. The subbass of Mega5EST Bass+ not only reaches much deeper, along with better rumble in comparison to the OG Mega5EST, but also exudes a better layering in comparison to the OG Mega5EST, which we at Aural Cafe thoroughly enjoyed while listening to 'The Hills' by The Weekend. When it comes to mid-bass, the mid-bass of Mega5EST Bass+ ends up showing the same texture just like OG Mega5EST, but arrives this time with a thick body along with a dash of warmth and musicality. Just like the OG Mega5EST, the mid-bass of Mega5EST Bass+ has precise punch but showcases a tad bit better engaging and immersive dynamics, which we thoroughly enjoyed while listening to ‘Billie Jean’ by Michael Jackson. We would also like to add here that the Lows of Mega5EST Bass+ just reach on another level with a TOTL neutral source and would suggest our fellow readers and audiophiles use Mega5EST Bass+ with a solid neutral source to enjoy the sub-bass at its best. When it comes to the scope of improvement in this region, we at Aural Cafe would have loved to experience a much tighter mid-bass.
Mids: - The mids of Mega5EST Bass+ are tuned utilizing premium Knowles BA, which are well regarded for their resolution and detail retrieval ability. While the OG Mega5EST showcased a much more neutral mids with top notch clarity, the Mega5EST Bass+ mids can be characterized as ‘Musically reference’ where the musicality takes a front seat in comparison to Clarity. When it comes to the positioning, the mids’ positioning of Mega5EST Bass+ is precisely balanced without being too forward or recessed, merging effortlessly with the lows and the highs. On critical listening we felt that the 5db subbass boost does ends up adding a bit of warmth, body and stability to the lower mids as a result of which the male vocals comes out a bit more thicker, textured and authoritative in comparison to the OG Mega5EST Bass+ which we thoroughly enjoyed while listening to 'In the end' by Linkin Park. When it comes to upper midrange, the upper midrange has similar smoothness and feel to the OG Mega5EST without any tiny hint of shoutiness, but is a tad bit more musical in comparison to the OG Mega5EST. We at Aural Cafe enjoyed the energy and clarity of the upper mids of OG Mega5EST in comparison to the upper mids of Mega5EST Bass+. Which is just a matter of preference, although we enjoyed listening to Billie Eilish's ‘When the Party’s over’ with Mega5EST Bass+ at helm. When it comes to timbre, the timbre of the musical instruments, especially of the electric guitar, is truly lifelike, which we thoroughly enjoyed while listening to Pink Floyd's ‘Comfortably Numb’ with Mega5EST Bass+ at the helm.
Highs: - The highs of Mega5EST Bass+ are tuned exactly like the OG Mega5EST. While the Knowles BAs take care of the low treble, the well-regarded pair of Sonion ESTs are utilized to tune the mid treble and upper treble of the Mega5EST Bass+. The highs of Mega5EST BASS+ just like the OG are smooth, natural and airy without any hint of dryness. The upper treble stays smooth without any kind of shoutiness, with a decent amount of energy and body, because of which the acoustic guitar showcases solid engaging transient response. When it comes to instruments such as cymbals, cymbal hits showcase sweet, precise shimmer, which we thoroughly enjoyed while listening to ‘Hotel California’ by the Eagles. All in all, just like the OG Mega5EST, the Hisenior Audio team has tuned the highs of Mega5EST bass + in a very neutral and precise manner, faithfully following the Harman target curve. While some audiophiles would find such kind of Highs a bit boring, we at Aural Cafe love such kind of precisely tuned highs as it presents the soundtracks in a very natural and immersive manner, which we thoroughly enjoyed while listening to ‘Indian Summer’ by Anoushka Shankar.
Soundstage & Imaging: - The Soundstage of Mega5EST Bass+, just like the OG Mega5EST, is truly immersive and will transport an Audiophile right inside a cozy pub with a live music setup. While a lot of audiophiles crave more holographic soundstage, we at Aural Cafe enjoy a more immersive soundstage, as we feel that an immersive soundstage is a bit more intoxicating and engaging. Although the Mega5EST Bass+ showcase a better dynamic depth, all thanks to the boosted sub-bass, the sound stage stays decently wide, yet just like the OG Mega5EST. When it comes to layering, the Mega5EST Bass+ has a tad bit better layering in comparison to the OG Mega5EST, which we thoroughly enjoyed while listening to ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ by Queen. When it comes to separation, the separation between instruments is just average at best. When it comes to imaging, the imaging quotient of Mega5EST BASS+, just like OG, is superbly precise, as a result of which Mega5EST BASS+ + can come very handy for studio use. We at Aural Cafe had a good time listening to ‘Breathe’ by Pink Floyd while testing the imaging quality of Mega5EST Bass+.
Synergy: - We at Aural Cafe like to strongly suggest at least 50 hours of burn-in period to get the best out of Mega5EST Bass+ as it opens the 10mm Bio-cellular Diaphragm based Dynamic Driver, making the sub-bass hit deeper. The overall soundstage also becomes a lot more spacious and airier, along with better separation between instruments, after the burn-in period. When it comes to driving ability, we are happy to communicate that Mega5EST Bass+ is easy to drive and can be driven easily with the help of a dongle, but we would definitely suggest using it with a solid hi-fi source as the 10 mm custom DD and EST Drivers shines at its best with a solid powerful source.
As we at Aural Cafe take source matching quite seriously, we tried Mega5EST Bass+ with several DAPs, Cables and ear tips to get the best out of Mega5EST Bass+. We would like to tell our readers that Mega5EST Bass+ exudes a rare reference tonality which stays neutral, respecting the Harman target curve, but at the same time, the sound tonality of Mega5EST Bass+ is quite lively and musical, all thanks to the precisely implemented 5 dB subbass boost in the lows. It's due to this unique tonality that Mega5EST Bass+ showcase different colors with different sources. We tested Mega5EST Bass+ with warm, balanced, as well as neutral sources such as AKSP1000M, AUNE M1P and Dethonray DTR1+ Limited edition, and there were no surprises this time as Mega5EST Bass+ evolved neutral tonality blended well with clean and powerful neutral sources such as Dethonray DTR1+ Limited edition in our case. With Dethonray DTR1+ Limited edition at helm, the soundstage became a lot more spacious, and the mid bass became a bit tighter with a better punch. When it comes to DAC amp Mega5EST Bass+ surprisingly matched musically with the Dethonray SG1 Gold. The subbass showcased a better rumble along with better dynamics when we matched Mega5EST Bass+ with Dethonray SG1 Gold. When it comes to portable dongles, we matched Mega5EST Bass+ with some solid dongles such as iFi Audio GO Link Max, Kinera Celest CD20, and Aune Yuki and felt that Mega5EST Bass+ perform at its optimum level with the neutral and powerful Kinera Celest CD20. The sound transparency reached another level with TOTL desktop sources such as Dethonray Listening M1, while the mids sounded a lot sweeter with Aune S9C PRO desktop DAC/Amp. When it comes to cables, we would like to convey that the high-quality Manta SPC cable does its job well by adding a decent dash of warmth to the overall sound tonality of the Mega5EST Bass+. But since we are just like an ever-curious audiophile want to see how Mega5EST Bass+ responds to cable swapping we tested Mega5EST Bass+ with a wide range of aftermarket cables. We tried Mega5EST Bass+ with many after-market brands of cables, which range from PW Audio, Rhapsodio, Linum, Linksmith, to Lavricable and Hansound Audio and felt that Mega5EST Bass+ matched optimally with Hansound Kula as the mid-bass had a much better punch while sub-bass showed a better rumble. We also loved how Mega5EST Bass+ performed with Lavricable silver cable, as there was an audible improvement in vocals and upper mids energy. When it comes to ear tips, the stock bass (narrow bore) silicone ear tips merge seamlessly with the unique tonality of the Mega5EST Bass+. When we tried Mega5EST with stock balance(wide) bore silicone ear tips, there was audible improvement in overall clarity, but we at Aural Cafe would suggest using bass(narrow) bore silicone ear tips if you want to enjoy the high-quality elastic subbass of Mega5EST Bass+. When it comes to aftermarket brands of ear tips, we tried Mega5EST Bass+ with a number of solid brands of ear tips and felt that Mega5EST Bass+ matched well with EPro Propeller ear tips, as it opens up the overall sound frequency and improves the clarity without hampering the stock tuning of the lows.
Conclusion: -
Mega5EST Bass+ Edition, which has been built on the same platform as OG Mega5EST, not only does full justice to the legendary legacy of OG Mega5EST but takes it to a notch higher. The humble team at Hisenior Audio, which started their journey around 2016 after an honest, hard work of around 8 years, became an overnight sensation with the launch of Mega5EST in 2024. We at Aural Cafe are deeply inspired by the focus and the humble nature of the Hisenior Audio team. We also totally align with the Hisenior Audio ethos that less is more, and it's all about implementation, and it's all about how you utilize the drivers at helm to tune the IEM in the best possible way. Moreover, we also loved the fact that the Hisenior Audio, instead of launching a new IEM every month like most of China-based audio companies, tunes each of their IEM models with utmost focus, precision and clarity. Through Mega5EST Bass+, Hisenior Audio has shown how a precise sub-bass boost can turn a neutral IEM into a musical reference IEM. We would also like to share with our readers and fellow audiophiles that Mega5EST Bass+ is not only about the 5 dB of sub-bass boost, but it is more about the quality of sub-bass boost. In fact, we at Aural Cafe will mince no words stating that Mega5EST Bass+ shows a very high quality sub-bass which we have rarely come across while testing IEMs in the similar price range of Mega5EST Bass+. Since the 10mm Bio-cellular Diaphragm-based dynamic driver loves clean power, we would strongly suggest our readers match Mega5EST Bass+ with a true hi-fi neutral source to enjoy the juicy subbass of Mega5EST Bass+ at its best. We would like to conclude this review conveying that if you are an audiophile who is into critical listening and love neutral colourless sound then the OG Mega5EST is good enough for you but if you are close door bass head but still don’t want to compromise with the precise Harman target tuning and out there in a market in search for an IEM which can really teleport you directly into studio setup then you can never go wrong with Mega5EST Bass+ as it beautiful blends the neutral soul of OG Mega5EST with high quality sub-bass as a resulting in a unique reference sound tonality which is capable of handling most of the genre of soundtracks with absolute ease.
Pros: Natural sound with enhanced bass
Based on the well praised meta tuning
Good build quality and ergonomics
Simple but stylish design
Midrange has more richness than the original
Textured and strong bass response
Slight softness to transients
Fixed hardware on the cable instead of modular
Cons: Not as open and clean midrange as the original
Not the most technical performer
Bass and softness take away some clarity and speed
Many will probably prefer the original Mega5EST
Hisenior Mega5EST Bass+
Disclaimer
I got the Hisenior Mega5EST Bass+ for free in return for a review, I can say whatever I want without any guidelines from Hisenior.
All impressions are my own subjective thoughts after having used them for a good time. These are my thoughts at this moment, and as time moves I might change my opinion.
This is also a very subjective hobby where everything from experience, anatomy or age will affect what we hear. Also keep in mind that it is easy to use bold words when talking about differences, while it may be perceived as a small change for you.
While I can perceive something as natural sounding, I do believe we can never get a perfect performance similar to what is achieved live.
Ranking System:
1 Very bad or unlistenable
2 Listenable but not good
3 Average
4 Very good
5 Exceptional or having a special sauce
My rating system highly values what is musical for me, so my rating will always be a subjective opinion.
My audio preference is neutral with some warmth, I can also like forward midrange and treble if not excessive. I am a believer in having different tuned gears for different genres or moods instead of chasing the single perfect one.
Main music genres I listen to are metal, electronica, jazz and pop. I am a music lover, and can also listen to most genres and enjoy it.
I have been into music gear since the mid 90s, gifted some big speakers at an early age. Then moved more and more into headphones with my entry being Koss Porta Pro and a Sony Discman.
I have tried playing many instruments over the years from piano to saxophone without getting far, this due to not having the biggest patience in learning to play.
My current favorites in Headphones are ZMF Verite Open and HFA Dahlia.
My current favorites in IEMs are LETSHUOER Cadenza 12 and THIEAUDIO Origin.
My current favorites in Earbuds are FranQL Caelum and Venture Electronics Zen 3.0.
Gear used in the main rig is Denafrips Ares 12th-1 DAC together with the AUNE S17 Pro EVO headphone amplifier. I also use tube amplification with Cayin HA-2A, perfect to change up the sound.
Portable gear being Shanling M8T and iBasso DX180, with some dongles like HIBY FC6 and ifi GO pod Kensei.
This is the bass variant of the well received Mega5EST model, the model that did put Hisenior on the radar all around the world. I previously have reviewed the Mega5EST Anniversary model, I adored it and the only thing I missed was some extra warmth.
So here we have exactly that, the Mega5EST with more bass (5dB) making it warmer and more full sounding. This model was originally made to be a part of a collaboration with another reviewer, this was cancelled and it is now sold as its own product by Hisenior.
If we look away from the tuning differences, the IEM is the same with a little more nice cable and adapter.
Manta 532-cores UP-OCC SPC premium cable
3.5mm to 4.4mm Converter
Manatee Leather Case
3Pairs Balance Silicone Eartips (4.5mm L.M.S)
3Pairs Bass+ Silicone Eartips (3.9mm L.M.S)
2Pairs Foam Eartips (4.9mm M)
Clean Wiper
Cable Clip
2Pairs Backup Metal Grill
The right earpiece has black resin with a red/orange faceplate, the sparkle effect is a nice touch. The earpieces also have Hisenior’s new logo, the triangle of sound.
The photo is a little purple due to the lighting, but the left earpiece is black all around. With the faceplate having a subtle glitter effect, much less than the right earpiece.
The Mega5EST Bass has the same ergonomic shell as the original Mega5EST and other Hisenior models, it uses a flat 2 pin socket and have a metal ventilation hole. The hole is much smaller than the original Mega5EST, probably a part of the tuning to get more bass.
The nozzles have a mesh that looks a little different than the usual type, so the holes have different sizes. The nozzle is also in metal and has a nice groove to hold onto the ear tips, the width of the nozzle is 6.2mm. It should work well with most eartips, and the length and width is within the average size.
There is also a serial number on the shell with the model name Bass+, mine is labeled 0000 as this is a review sample.
The included accessories are great, and gives you everything you need to start listening.
You get plenty of eartips, and even for my picky ears I can use all of them except the blue and foam type.
The IEM puck is of nice quality, it is safe with soft material on the inside and a button so keep it closed. The cable is also of nice quality and is terminated in 4.4mm, there is an included 4.44mm to 3.5mm adapter cable for those that use single ended. There was some drama some time back since the Bass+ model was delivered with a 3.5mm cable and the adapter to do the opposite, this has now been changed around so it's safe to use.
The new Manta cable is of very good quality, it is a little stiff and thick but still very comfortable and it looks very nice together with the Bass.
If I summarize the sound description I would call this a basshead natural set, as in being a warm and thick sounding while still sounding natural. Sort of how it is when you have a natural sounding stereo system, then you go and turn the bass knob up to get some more fun.
Details and soundstage
Detail in IEMs is down mostly to quality driver and how it amplitudes the frequencies, also when the drivers is faster it increases the resolution you hear.
The original Mega5EST was above average detailed and resolving, without having to depend on elevated upper frequencies to boost the details. The Bass+ has the same level of technical sound and drivers, but one thing takes away some detail and makes it less open sounding. That is the bass part of the Bass+, this goes into the midrange and changes the balance of the sound. If we cut some bass with EQ this sound is close to the same as the original, so it's an effect of having more bass that make it less open and fast.
Timbre
The bass reaches deep and has very good elasticity on Bass+, it is good at faster drum parts and more slow synth or string parts. I love my bass and I am very picky, I find it very easy to evaluate the speed and elasticity quality. If we have slow on one side and fast DDs on the other, the Bass+ is close to the middle.
It can then work well with most music genres and not sound too slow on stuff like double pedal drums in metal, and still be good at slower cello parts where it needs sustained bass notes. The balance between sub and mid bass is close to perfect for my taste, this is since the sub bass has no clear roll of and follows a linear rise from the start of the mids. I dont have the original model anymore, but from my old notes and a comparison set the speed was probably a little faster on the original.
Compared to the original Mega5EST the Bass+ also has more mid bass weight, this elevation also affects the lower midrange making it sound much fuller and engaging. I bet there is many different opinion on the Mega5EST Bass+, one thing is the elevated bass response and the other is the little extra glide into the midrange. For my taste I want it to go into the midrange like this, I found both vocals and instruments to sound more realistic then. If you have ever heard a live performance of a jazz trio, stuff like cello or piano is supposed to sound full and engaging.
I am not here to make a debate about what's correct or not, but for my taste this approach of the low midrange is more accurate.
The rest of the midrange and treble is the same as the original, if we look at measurements it can perhaps be a slight change in the treble. I think this is more due to unit variance, so I will assume both sound the same up top.
So you get a natural midrange without being peaky and aggressive, and treble that is well extended in a natural way. Part of this tuning is what many call the meta tuning, having less pina. I love this tuning style and it's my favorite type of sound lately, the reason is that the sound is still clear but way less aggressive. Some vocal lovers will probably lack the energy they are used to from female vocalists, while others like me enjoy it not being as intense.
The air is well extended and has a natural shimmer, it doesn't sound too blunt falling off and dont trail too long making everything too airy. I could argue it could have had more upper midrange and treble to get more clarity, to balance the extra low end in the Bass+. But for my taste I find it good as it is, and will look at it as the basshead version of the new meta tuning.
Synergies with accessories and sources
Stock cable is excellent, I did test a pure silver and some other ones. But I don't find any need to change it out, it sounds good and doesn't limit the sound in any way. For me the Divinus Velvet Wide was the best silicon tip on Bass+, using teh Baroque is also a nice way to make it less warm. Tips are very personal, so I advise you to check out yourself what works best.
I find the Mega5EST Bass+ to change some depending on source, and is clearly better with some DAPs or dongles than others. More neutral gear is best with it, example being ifi GO Bar Kensei or iBasso DX180. They keep it more natural and clear sounding, changing to Shanling M8T is also great but instead gives it a more euphonic and warm sound.
I love to test my IEMs on my desktop gear to see how they pair with both tubes or just strong headphone amp, the Bass+ do sound more controlled on the S17 Pro EVO with its class A power. Not that it needs this type of power, but I find it to scale and it sounds more balanced this way.
On the other hand using my Cayin HA-2A makes Mega5EST Bass+ into a true basshead experience, I believe a part of this is that it has more impedance on the output. This is very fun when you want to go fully into basshead territory, but this comes at the price of losing both clarity and air.
Comparisons
When evaluating the sets I use each of them over longer periods and also some shorter sessions swapping back and forth, it takes a long time and is not done in one sitting. The most critical comparison is done on my desktop setup that is highly resolving, with volume matching to take away loudness variance.
Oracle MKIII - Mega5EST Bass+ - RA - KE4
The spider chart is slightly exaggerated on some points to show differences, this is a subjective evaluation and reflects what I prefer. And I have used more sets in this comparison than I am used to, so the spider graph is a little messy.
Thieaudio Oracle MKIII
This is the third generation of the vocal focused Oracle series, priced at $589. It has a 2DD 2BA and 2EST configuration, there is no mention of what type of brand from the drivers.
The Oracle MKIII needs about 10% more volume to get equally loud, one difference is that it's often that I play louder on the Bass+ as it's less bright. The shells are about the same size and the same for ergonomics being equal.
This is very similar to the comparison of OMK3 and Mega5EST, this time what changes is that the Bass+ is more warm and thick sounding. They are both good for the price they are at, and among the best tribrids.
The detail level is a step above with OMK3, slightly more microdetails and has a clearer sound. Part of this is tuning but also the drivers being a little faster in the bass and also having more clean transients.
Soundstage is very personal, for me Mega5EST Bass+ is wider and has more of a stereo sound, Oracle MKII is more deep and high with a more spherical stage.
Bass is deep on both, Mega5EST Bass+ have stronger mid bass punch and also even more rumbly sub bass. I still hear more sub bass details with the double DD of Thieaudio, but there is not that large difference. What is the most obvious difference is that Bass+ will always be more thick and fun with stronger overall bass, the Oracle MKIII instead being more balanced in its approach.
You get cleaner midrange with more clarity focused sound on Oracle MKIII, both due to no midrange thickness and also because of more elevated upper mids. So while Bass+ is more smooth and relaxed the Oracle MKIII is more focused and clear, I find Mega5EST best for male/darker vocals and Oracle MKIII for female/brighter vocalists. If you're more sensitive to brighter elements like cymbals then Bass+(or original) is the obvious choice.
The upper treble does seem a little more extended with OMK3, it has a little more shimmer and lingers for longer. But both have what I consider high quality treble.
They are sets that work very well together, for example I would rather have OMK3 + Bass+ than owing the two variants of Mega5EST.
Alpha Omega RA
This is the entry level set from the Malaysia brand Alpha Omega $699, it uses 10mm Beryllium DD 4 Sonion BA and 2 Sonion EST. Both deliver excellent drivers and good quality shells, the comfort is better on Bass+ as the nozzle and shell is smaller. They need about the same amount of power, little similar to Oracle MkIII this also need just a little more than Bass+.
The detail level of the low end is a small step above Bass+, but the rest of the sound is more soft and dark making it less resolving and clear. Soundstage has a similar type of wide stereo image, but with better imaging on Bass+.
I love the bass quality on RA, but the Mega5EST Bass+ can be very close in quality. Slightly more tactile and fast bass on RA, the Bass+instead has more thickness and slower decay. Definition is similar on both, and is more down to preferences. Good thing about Mega5EST Bass+ it has a richer sound, this is also my own preference. So overall most music can sound more warm with Bass+ low end, making it a more fun set.
The midrange is less thick down low but at the upper end more forward in the pina, some music will because of this be more intense but other times more soft. Part of the reason RA is softer is due to the sibilance dip is large, and it has less extension and energy in the highs.
Bass+ has more sense of detail and air, making it sound more high end.
This makes the RA have more of a L shaped tonality and is overall more dark, while I adored the flagship from Alpha Omega the RA never connected the same way as it lacks that upper end. The RA is kind of unique as it uses EST alone for the treble, so it has a little more shimmery effect even if it's softer.
So even while the bass quality could perhaps go above Mega5EST Bass+, the rest is not as refined and up the quality of Bass+. For me the Bass+ is the overall winner, and the one I would own if I could only have one of them.
Kiwi Ears KE4
I was supposed to compare this one, as it has the meta tuning and is warmer than the original Mega5EST. But the sound is of much lower quality than the others here, I would advise to move up to Bass+ or the normal version instead. The KE4 is a sub $200 set with 2DD and 2 Knowles BA.
Bass is softer and less defined, the impact is less tactile and punchy. Midrange not as clean and natural, same with the highs. It's an overall worse IEM, for the money it's excellent value but it doesn't stand the competition to Bass+ in sound quality.
Thieaudio Origin
I know many want a comparison to this, this is a higher end model with more advanced tech. I will keep this shorter than the other two comparisons,I find Bass+ a good alternative to Origin depending on taste and also to save some cash. Origin has a 10mm DD BC 4BA and 2 EST, all from branded drivers.
The shell is much larger and less ergonomic, but quality is the same. Origin needs slightly more power, and doesn't sound as good at low volume as Bass+.
Bass is more tactile and has higher definition on Origin, both in sub bass and the mid bass. It moves more air when it plays music like Angel from Massive Attack, the bass here is softer on Bass+.
They have a similar measurement, but the immersiveness and clarity is higher on Origin. Part of this I believe is because of the BC, as it adds an extra layer to the midrange making it more detailed and textured. Treble is almost equal and with slightly more finesse and openness to Origin.
When comparing Mega5EST Bass+ I have used the tracks listed here and more, I will also provide a few albums I have enjoyed during these weeks with Mega5EST Bass+. Similar as the mega5EST the tuning works with everything, just some genres that are a little better than other.
Conclusion
The Hisenior Mega5EST Bass+ takes the well-received meta tuning of the original Mega5EST and adds a 5dB bass boost, for some this is perfect and for others not needed. I for one love this addition, and this is the variant I would have picked for my library and taste.
The Bass+ version is excellent for audiophiles who want a warmer, more bass-focused sound while maintaining the natural characteristics of the original Mega5EST. However, those prioritizing a more natural sound will probably enjoy the original more.
You get a very nice package here, with good accessories like premium cable, storage puck and plenty of eartips. The IEM also has a good quality shell in resin with a nice design, the shell is made ergonomic and is not too large in size.
For me this is an easy recommendation, 78/100 score and 4.5 stars on Head-fi.
Placed the order for bass+ ciem.
Do you guys have any preferences regarding whige whale or manta cables? Not sure what to choose, as idk if it matters at all.
I just ordered mine! I wanted an upgrade over the Moondrop Variations but with a warmer sound. The 7th Anniversary weren’t there yet but looking at graphs these seem to be what I was looking for!
This is the best set I own. I don't have many sets over 300GBP nor kilobuck IEMs, my most expensive set was the Moondrop Variations and this improves over the Variations in every way. Fit and comfort is okay, sound is superb, accessories are quality.
The 3.5mm cable is surely not giving them justice and I am still waiting for the 4.4 cable from HiFiGo, I am waiting to spend some time with them using a balanced connection but in the meantime I can give a 5 star rating of sound when listening different albums:
- Eminem, The Death of Slim Shady: 5/5
- Kendric Lamar, GNX: 5/5
- Steven Wilson, The Harmony Codex: 5/5
- Sum 41, Heaven X Hell: 4/5
- Mastodon, Crack The Skye: 5/5
- Arch Enemy, Rise of The Tyrant: 4/5
- Slipknot, IOWA: 4/5
- Dream Theater, Metropolis Pt.2: 5/5
- Opeth, The Last Will and Testament: 5/5
- Michael Jackson, Thriller: 5/5
- King Crimson, In The Court of the Crimson King: 5/5
I will go into details in my review but I can tell that with congested and punchy mixes (Punk Rock, Hard Rock, Nu Metal, Thrash Metal, Death Metal) they are not at their best. I personally prefer something simpler like the FatFreq Deuce with those genres or something more V-Shaped like the Meze Alba. Hip-hop is an exception because the clean bass united to the other qualities of the Mega5EST really make for an amazing sound!
For things like Prog Rock/Metal, Pop, Alternative Rock...they just shine. They give you the detail, the punch and enough sound-stage to feel like headphones, more than IEMs.
Placed the order for bass+ ciem.
Do you guys have any preferences regarding whige whale or manta cables? Not sure what to choose, as idk if it matters at all.
Hi, thank you so much for the comparison and info.
After the refinement to the origin (it doesnt have to basshead territory as long as the quality is there with this tuning), do you think origin would have wider and a deeper soundstage by a mile? Also would you say is it detailed enough to catch the details without much effort? Highs seems to be perfect for me, vocals and mids also seems to be great so far as long as they're not recessed (there are some conflicts from what I see, some says its too forward with vocals, some says recessed.).
I have the pilgrim noir, which I like. Do you have any experience with it to give some comparison? (Although I wish that it had more bass) (Sorry for asking so much ) Not tuning wise, but again soundstage width/depth and resolution. Also the quality of the bass instead of how much it is there.
Hi, sorry for the very late response!
From my limited experience I think that the soundstage between Origins and Mega5EST Bass+ is comparable, but the Mega5 sounded cleaner to my ears. The positioning of instruments sounded more natural to me, at least.
But I have to say that if you prefer the extra rumble the Origins have that warmth factor that sets them apart without losing much in "spatial awareness", if it does make sense.
Unfortunately I have never tried the Pilgrim Noir, but my impression is that tonality would be the biggest changing factor, due to the drives composition. I have to say that I am not fan of all BAs or hibrid IEMs much. I miss the ESTs in the highs and nothing sounds as natural as a DD in Bass and Mid-Bass frequencies. So over time I started leaning towards al DD or Tribrid sets.
@Or1onSLi
Thanks for your response. Quite coincidentally, I auditioned the Mega5EST Bass+ for the first time just today, along with several others, and I preferred the cheaper Kiwi Ears Punch and the far more expensive Theiaudio Origin.
@Or1onSLi
Thanks for your response. Quite coincidentally, I auditioned the Mega5EST Bass+ for the first time just today, along with several others, and I preferred the cheaper Kiwi Ears Punch and the far more expensive Theiaudio Origin.
Hey mate, yeah as I said before if you like a certain type of sub-bass there is better out there. This is still a neutral leaning set with a bit of punch. I have the FatFreq Deuce for the basshead feeling, but more than that feels like too much bass to me, I've always like more analytical sets with a bit of warmth. Did you buy one in the end or stiull on the fence between the Kiwi Ears and the Thieaudio?
Given that people like the mmk3 a lot more than the origin makes me feel bad i have the mmk3 here without use while
i wait for the hisenior bass+ ciem.
I asked thieaudio's support which is ass, if i can reshell or buy a new mmk3 as ciem, they said they dont do ciems..
hope the ciem bass+ wont let down.
I feel like che terminations are of higher quality and the cable sleeve becomes easier to manage after just a few sessions. Also it doesn't have inverse polarity like the White Whale has (I might be wrong on this but I clearly remember having a problem with that).
From an Aesthetic point of view I prefer the steel-like colouring of the terminations over the blueish tint of the WW. From a sound point of view I don;t think there is much difference, but I don't have a White Whale at home to A/B test...I have to ask a friend if he can lend me the cable to review my impressions, it was 3 months ago last time I held one.
A.t.m. I'm super happy with the Manta and how it looks though.
Given that people like the mmk3 a lot more than the origin makes me feel bad i have the mmk3 here without use while
i wait for the hisenior bass+ ciem.
I asked thieaudio's support which is ass, if i can reshell or buy a new mmk3 as ciem, they said they dont do ciems..
hope the ciem bass+ wont let down.
Unfortunately, until I make it to CanJam next month, I've not auditioned any Theiaudio earphone, apart from the Origin. However, I definitely prefer the Origin over the Mega5EST Bass+.
Thanks for the warning regarding Theiaudio's customer service!
I feel like che terminations are of higher quality and the cable sleeve becomes easier to manage after just a few sessions. Also it doesn't have inverse polarity like the White Whale has (I might be wrong on this but I clearly remember having a problem with that).
From an Aesthetic point of view I prefer the steel-like colouring of the terminations over the blueish tint of the WW. From a sound point of view I don;t think there is much difference, but I don't have a White Whale at home to A/B test...I have to ask a friend if he can lend me the cable to review my impressions, it was 3 months ago last time I held one.
A.t.m. I'm super happy with the Manta and how it looks though.
For me, the improvement over the WhiteWhale 4.4mm is substantial. I’m experiencing better resolution, separation, detail, and clarity with the Manta. The "signature" is quite similar, but with thicker mids; it doesn’t over-emphasize the bass, and as I mentioned earlier, the overall technical performance has improved. It still sounds bassy, but with a cleaner presentation and slightly more emphasized mids, it gives a more "balanced" sound, I can even notice this in the listening volume. I highly recommend this cable! It definitely seems made for this IEM, great synergy (better than with the WhiteWhale 4.4mm).
And if you don’t believe in cables, that’s fine too! :s
For me, the improvement over the WhiteWhale 4.4mm is substantial. I’m experiencing better resolution, separation, detail, and clarity with the Manta. The "signature" is quite similar, but with thicker mids; it doesn’t over-emphasize the bass, and as I mentioned earlier, the overall technical performance has improved. It still sounds bassy, but with a cleaner presentation and slightly more emphasized mids, it gives a more "balanced" sound, I can even notice this in the listening volume. I highly recommend this cable! It definitely seems made for this IEM, great synergy (better than with the WhiteWhale 4.4mm).
And if you don’t believe in cables, that’s fine too! :s
Thanks a lot for the explanation, I am waiting for a ciem version with manta, will update when it arrives, not sure when yet, hisenior's SA on instagram told me the ciems are made by only 2 of their technicians so if they are on time off, proccess is delayed further
@Hoods do you know / tried to see if the iems scale with different amps? I wonder it ill notice changes between lets say questyle m15 and wa7 firefles 3rd gen as with monarch mk3, i notice none, doesnt scale or change the sound.
@Hoods do you know / tried to see if the iems scale with different amps? I wonder it ill notice changes between lets say questyle m15 and wa7 firefles 3rd gen as with monarch mk3, i notice none, doesnt scale or change the sound.
From my experience I can tell that if properly powered you won’t notice any difference. The big differentiator would be changing between solid state and valve amps.
A good dongle like the Questyle M15 or a good DAP like the HiBy R3 would already push the IEM to it’s designed sound at 99%. Changing the source would surely change some aspect of the sound but the sound signature would not be altered that much. The biggest leap I heard was going from SE to Balanced…for some reason the new cable works better than the previous one…I haven’t tried 3rd party cables.
@Hoods do you know / tried to see if the iems scale with different amps? I wonder it ill notice changes between lets say questyle m15 and wa7 firefles 3rd gen as with monarch mk3, i notice none, doesnt scale or change the sound.
I think you should notice an improvement, but I’m not sure how much it scales, to be honest
If you notice changes in the sound, it’s always due to the "signature" of the source. Depending on your preferences, you can decide whether it sounds better or worse, although sometimes we identify that it sounds objectively better but we don’t end up liking it.
From my experience I can tell that if properly powered you won’t notice any difference. The big differentiator would be changing between solid state and valve amps.
A good dongle like the Questyle M15 or a good DAP like the HiBy R3 would already push the IEM to it’s designed sound at 99%. Changing the source would surely change some aspect of the sound but the sound signature would not be altered that much. The biggest leap I heard was going from SE to Balanced…for some reason the new cable works better than the previous one…I haven’t tried 3rd party cables.
What I did do was an A/B test with both cables. I used the same source and music from Qobuz via Audirvana exclusive mode, and the difference was pretty obvious right away. I also checked the continuity of both cables and they were the same, so yeah, the Manta is better overall. I tried it with another ivipQ cable too, but wasn’t totally convinced by the result (though it did improve the technical aspects compared to the WhiteWhale, the final sound wasn’t as good, it sounded more artificial).
Note: I’m not really a cable guy, I always use the stock one. With the Mega5EST Bass+, I’ve had the chance to try it with different cables, and I’ve noticed some significant changes, both in the technical aspects of the IEM and in the overall enjoyment. Still, my practical recommendation would be to buy an IEM with a "good" cable (at least nice-looking, and visually durable like this model with the Manta) and stick with tip-rolling
From my experience I can tell that if properly powered you won’t notice any difference. The big differentiator would be changing between solid state and valve amps
makes sense ye.
for instance i could tell the sound on wa7 was better than the sound of the 788 monolith dac/amp on the diana v2 when i had them, and barely on the arya organic that i have.
but couldnt tell crap when plugged the monarch mk3, it sounded amazing on both, didnt manage to hear the differences.
still waiting on the ciem to come : /
i plan to keep only the m15 of all my gear as i lost interest in headphones and desktop gear. i find the mmk3 on a simple apple dongle or m15 better than any headphone i tried, just cant stand uiems for more than 1 hr, hence the ciem attempt ; )
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) Not tuning wise, but again soundstage width/depth and resolution. Also the quality of the bass instead of how much it is there.
