HiSenior Mega5EST

HISENIOR MEGA5EST: Deep Dive into The Ocean Of Music


DISCLAIMER: The Hisenior Mega5EST was purchased by us directly from Hisenior Audio with a small discount, we are thankful to the amazing team at Hisenior Audio for the same. The review reflects our honest opinions as always. However, our evaluation is based on a comparison of the price of the item.

Introduction: -

Hisenior is a China-based company founded in 2016 by Gareth Chan. Hisenior Audio specializes mainly in handcrafted Universal and Custom IEMs for musicians, studio engineers and audiophiles. Hisenior Audio is focused on designing and making professional custom and universal fitting in-ear monitors using the best quality drivers at affordable prices. What differentiates Hisenior Audio from other China-based companies is that they launch very limited IEM models and keep on refining their current offerings based on Audiophile’s feedback. They recently upgraded their setup and started offering custom IEMs using 3D impressions at very affordable prices. Hisenior Audio IEMs such as Mega5p and Okavango are quite famous in the audiophile circuit. We at Aural Café, had the honour of reviewing Hisenior Okavango and T2. The links of those you can find below.

• https://www.head-fi.org/showcase/hisenior-okavango.26620/reviews#review-32114
• https://www.head-fi.org/showcase/hisenior-t2-classic.25405/reviews#review-31502

Hisenior Mega5EST is Hisenior's flagship offering and features a tri-brid setup with 1DD+2BA+2EST. Hisenior Audio has recently launched an Anniversary Edition of Mega5EST to celebrate their 7 years in the industry. But we will be reviewing the non-anniversary version which also comes with Hisenior’s premium White Whale cable. However, on our discussion with Hisenior Audio regarding the differences we can confirm that the tuning is the same as the anniversary version and the only difference is in the colour of the shell and faceplate. Our unit also features the new smaller shell, new air vents and their exclusive smoother coherence from bass-treble just like the anniversary version.

Hisenior Mega5EST each shell is composed of a single custom 10mm Bio-Cellular Diaphragm Driver for handling the lows, two high-quality Sonion Balanced Armature (BA) for handling the mids and the highs and two Sonion Electrostatic Drivers (EST) for handling the ultra-highs in a 4-Way Integrated Crossover. The Hisenior team through this setup insist on achieving a smooth coherent sound across the whole frequency with well-detailed and clean instrument definition.

Hisenior Mega5EST can be bought for 549 US$ from Hisenior's official website.



Specifications: -

• Driver Configuration: 1-Dynamic Driver + 2-Balanced Armatures + 2-Electrostatic Drivers
• Crossover: 4-Ways, Tripple Bores, 3-Dampers
• Impedance: 25Ω ± 10%
• Freq Response: 10Hz-50Khz
• Sensitivity: 105dB/mW @1kHz
• Isolation: -20 dB
• Cable: 1.2 m with 4.4mm Termination

Packaging & Accessories: -

When it comes to packaging Hisenior Audio team left nothing to pamper the soul of an audiophile. Hisenior Mega5EST comes in a midsized rectangular cardboard box. One can see a high-quality Pelican case inside which the IEM cable and accessories are reliably kept. The packaging is minimal and the whole focus is on providing high value for the money to the IEM itself. The case consists of IEMs, White Whale cable which complements the tonality of the Mega5EST, Six pairs of silicone ear tips, two pairs of foam tips, a cleaning wiper, and a cable clip. The included White Whale cable features 290 cores, and multi-layered UPOCC (Silver Plated) shielded wires in coaxial design. The white colour ultra soft PVC insulation on the cable goes hand in hand with the elegance of the Mega5EST. The 1.2-meter cable also features high-quality gold-plated 0.78mm 2-pin connectors, anodised aluminium alloy plug case, splitter, slider, and gold-plated brass plug which can be terminated in 3.5 mm or 4.4 mm as per the requirement of the audiophile. The White Whale premium cable sells for 96 US$ and the given high-quality Pelican waterproof and dustproof case sells for 30 US$ so we at Aural Cafe can easily say that for 549 US$, the team at Hisenior Audio tried their best to offer a complete package to the demanding Audiophiles.



Build & Design Concept: -

Although it has an anniversary edition of Mega5eEST, we have already mentioned the unit we are reviewing is the regularly updated version which features a transparent shell along with an elegant multi-colour faceplate that primarily showcases the whole ethos of Mega5EST we feel so. The shell of Mega5EST is made of using high-quality resin. The design of the shell is quite ergonomic which is not only comfortable for longer usage but also provides excellent passive isolation. The transparent shell allows you to sneak into the inside of the Mega5EST which would surely excite every audio geek out there. The diameter of the nozzle on the Mega5EST IEM is a bit big but it gets comfortable during usage. What is interesting about the Hisenior Audio is that they offer complete customization and thus each set of Mega5EST can be customized as per the needs of the Audiophiles.




Sound Analysis: -

Credit: @CammyFi

• Tonality: - When it comes to the tonality of the IEMs, Mega5EST features a neutral tonality along with some warmth at the low end. The custom 10 mm bio-cellulose diaphragm Dynamic Driver is tuned well to provide the much-needed warmth to the neutral tonality across the frequency because of which the Hisenior Audio team ends up achieving a neutral yet smooth and natural tonality. The tonality of the Mega5EST opens gates to listening to various genres of music from blues to pop and hard rock. On using the high-quality copper cable (Rhapsodio OCC mk2 Copper cable in our case) the tonality surprisingly becomes a tinge more musical and soulful.

• Lows: - The lows in Mega5EST are tuned using the custom 10mm bio-cellulose diaphragm Dynamic Driver which ends up becoming the heart of the Mega5EST. The lows are tastefully tuned providing a very natural texture to the bassline. The bass has decent slam and rumbles without hindering the Mids. The mid-bass sounds fun when listening to popular pop numbers such as “Don’t Start Now” by Dua Lipa, whereas the sub-bass has sufficient rumble while listening to popular Bollywood songs. The speed of the bass is just balanced at best to keep up with the neutral tonality but we at Aural Cafe would have loved a tinge of more speed in this area of frequencies. We also feel that the shell design adds more air to the dynamics of the lower frequency.

• Mids: - The Mids in Mega5EST are tuned using the two Sonion BAs which are well respected for tuning mids in the audiophile universe. The Sonion BAs are known for their naturalness and that is what can be said about Mega5EST as well. The mids are just balanced and natural to merge smoothly with the low and high frequencies. The lower mids are laidback while the upper mids are smooth and intoxicating without any shoutiness. The female vocals sound sublime while listening to ‘O Sathi re’ from the movie Omkara composed by Vishal Bharadwaj and also listening to ‘Listen Before I Go’ by Billie Eilish while the male vocals are not too far in comparison and the same can be felt while listening to ‘Billie Jean’ by Michael Jackson, but it is the female vocals which are a bit ahead in texture in comparison to male vocals. The timbre of the instruments especially piano, flute and drums is top tier while the same on guitars is just decent. The transient response is just average at best to complement the smooth and balanced tonality of the IEMs.

• Highs: - The highs on the Mega5est are tuned using one Sonion BA as well as two Sonion ESTs. The highs on Mega5est are smooth, natural, and airy without any dryness. The upper treble is specially tuned very tastefully with the help of two Sonion ESTs which are well extended without any thinness. We at Aural Cafe also feel that the shell design helps in adding air across the frequency. We loved listening to “Man Kasturi” by Amit Kilam composed by Indian Ocean for the Bollywood movie Masaan where the vocals are natural and complete as well as listening to “In Your Eyes” from the Weekend. The Sonion ESTs are tuned very technically and showcase their calibre while listening to Western Classical and Jazz.

• Soundstage & Imaging: - The Soundstage on the Mega5EST can be described as cohesive and realistic with the width being a bit ahead then the stage depth. The same can be felt while listening to “Hotel California” by the Eagles and “Kasto Mazza” composed by Shantanu Moitra for the Bollywood movie Parineeta while the imaging is just average at best. We enjoyed listening to ‘Zariya’ composed by AR Rahman for Coke Studio India.

• Synergy: - The Mega5EST is easy to drive but really shines with clean sources such as Aune M1p and Dethonray DTR1. The lows and high frequencies really shine with powerful high-quality portable sources such as iFi Hip DAC 3 and desktop sources such as Dethonray Listening M1. Dongles capable of clean sound such as Aune Yuki can also be used if one likes to use the Mega5EST with their mobile phones on the go. So, we at Aural Cafe will suggest using a clean transparent source. The stock premium cable not only complements well with the overall natural tonality of the Mega5EST but also adds a hint of more energy to the upper treble. We would here like to add that the stock cable is enough but if you want to squeeze the last bit of the Mega5EST then we would suggest premium cable such as the PW Audio Monile two-wire version. When it comes to the tips the vocals sounded open and life-like with Divinus Velvet ear tips.

Conclusion: -

The Sonion EST-based IEMs were first introduced by Shozy Audio (Hong Kong-based IEMs brand) and Alclair Audio (US-based brand) in 2019. We at Aural Cafe are honoured to owned and listened to many EST-based IEMs such as Shozy Pola, Shozy Pola 39, Penon Audio 10th AE and many more IEMs in this span. What makes Hisenior Audio Mega5EST unique is its honest and pure tonal quality where the the different types of drivers are beautifully implemented to achieve a smooth tonality across the frequency. Every driver whether it’s the DD, the BAs or the ESTs doesn’t show off but effortlessly works hand in hand to give life to the soul of Mega5EST. So, if you are a very value-centric audiophile and are in search of a high-quality tri-brid setup to listen to various genres of music then Mega5EST seems to be like the complete package. The level of customization that Hisenior offers at an affordable price just adds up to the whole experience of owning these IEMs. We would love a faster bass line and more refined imaging on Mega5EST.

Non-Affiliated Link: -

https://www.hisenior-iem.com/products/mega5est-hybrid-iem

Now let's discuss the HiSenior IEM, which apparently many people like abroad but not so much in Indonesia. Not without reason, but let's just talk about it: Mega5EST.
Let's dive in!

==DISCLAIMER==​

All my impressions and reviews are subjective and follow the belief of "I only deceive my savings, of course, my reviews are honest." Agree? Alright. Different? Alright. Because I review because I want to and like to, not because I need to lol.

• But if you say this because you're just borrowing it? Oh, of course not. I'm a true audiophile hobbyist who will always be honest without bias. Don't believe it? Read on until the end, we'll dissect the pros and cons.
• But if you say this because it's just new, probably still in the "honeymoon" phase? In this hobby that is truly "dark and full of toxins," it will always be like this until the end of the world. Human desires are endless. Haha.

But isn't it better to listen and experience it yourself? You're right.

Important!! I suggest you still audition it yourself, maybe my ears need to see an ENT doctor or maybe you need to (haha).

Click to expand...

==THIS POST IS FOR==​

• What are some good vocal IEMs around the 7 million rupiah mark?
• What are some IEMs with good build quality, sturdy, and okay?
• What's up with HiSenior Mega5EST?
• Just want to read the review.

==DESIRED SOUND==​

• Crisp treble if it can be a bit spicy
• Good quality and quantity bass, but not for bass heads
• Technicality, imaging, and clarity are excellent
• Wide soundstage

==TESTED WITH==​

• Youtube Music
• Tidal
• Hiby M300
• Fiio Q15
• Lenovo Office Laptop (Which series)
• HiSenior Mega5EST

==LET'S DIVE IN WITHOUT FURTHER ADO==​

Unboxing:
Since this IEM is borrowed and not provided in its original box, I can't comment on unboxing, hehe. But what I got was the IEM and its cable.
Top-notch IEM shell! The finishing is good, smooth, and the color is like shiny gray. It's really great physically, in my opinion. But the downside is for some reason, the cable tends to detach from the IEM or get lifted. Is it loose? I don't know. Maybe other units are better.
As for the cable, it's white and resembles a hose material but not the Aquarium hose, more like the Simgot EW200 model. The cable is good, comfortable, and slightly rigid.

Fitting:
Note: My ear holes are relatively large, and almost all IEMs fit snugly. Oh, I always use size L ear tips too.
The IEM nozzles are huge! So for those with smaller ears, it's better to find ear tips that fit better, hehe.

Bass:
Unlike Okavango, Mega5EST has a more mellow bass with slightly less power. It has slightly better quality and quantity than Okavango, with good rumble and depth, but the impact feels faster. Clearly not for bass heads. But it's considered good bass.
The slightly backward presentation adds sweetness without being overwhelming. Perfect for listening to relaxed and detailed songs.

Mid:
In my opinion, this is the most special aspect of this IEM. The mids are truly musical and sweet. Listening to acoustic songs feels truly intimate and swinging. With sufficient power and a more forward presentation compared to bass and treble, the impression of melodic vocals feels even better.
However, the weakness lies in the upper mids, which lack power, making high-pitched female vocals sound somewhat subdued and less pronounced. This IEM is perfect for melancholic songs, haha.

Treble:
Unlike Okavango, Mega5EST has clear, clean, and well-tuned treble. Although it's not as crisp as I would prefer, the treble can be considered natural-sounding and suitable for people sensitive to treble but still want to enjoy it because it's not sharp.
With a relatively short tail, the treble is good at delivering micro-details.

- Clarity, Imaging, and Soundstage:

• Clarity: Clear and natural sounding. The super sweet vocals and gently tuned treble are perfect for long listening sessions.
• Imaging: The bass and treble feel slightly distant due to the very forward vocals. This supports a pleasant setup for acoustic songs. Instrument details are well depicted without any sound overlap.
• Soundstage: For its price range, the provided soundstage is average, not very wide but not too intimate either.

==SO, WHAT'S THE VERDICT?==​

• For the price, you'll rarely find an IEM with vocals as pleasant as this.
• Natural-sounding treble that is gently tuned but lacks support from micro-details that could be better for its price range.
• The nozzle is quite large.
• Recommendation? This is perfect for acoustic IEMs, no complaints there. Or for listening to melancholic songs all day long. But for other genres or as an all-rounder, it might not be suitable because the treble and bass are too relaxed and I prefer more energetic sounding.

That's it.
Trust your own ears.
Bye.

Review Of The Hisenior Mega5EST​

Introduction​

This is my second time reviewing an IEM from Hisenior, a Chinese-founded firm. Though I was just recently introduced to them, this business is widely recognized for its electro-acoustic gadgets. I was quite pleased with the T4 IEM's responsiveness. This time around, I had the opportunity to evaluate their flagship IEM, the Mega5EST, which is essentially a distinct version of the Mega 5P Ultra. The Mega5EST employs two EST and two balanced armatures in place of four balanced armatures. I thus want to make a few items clear before continuing.

Disclaimer​

*Since this unit tour was organised by the generous people at HiSenior Audio and Aural Cafe, I am grateful to them. And as I've said in all of my evaluations, the same is true for this one: all of the concepts I've expressed below are entirely my own, original ideas that haven't been influenced by anyone else. If interested, go to this link.
*I am not associated with the connection, and I receive no financial assistance from anyone.
*For the remainder of the review, I will refer to these IEMs as “Mega.”
*I am using different Ear-tips for convenience and better versatility.
*Finally, I will only evaluate the Mega based on their performance, even though I will explain how it feels and seems physically and aesthetically.

Specification​

Two sonion EST drivers, two custom balanced armatures, and one 10mm bio-cellular dynamic driver are all part of the tribal configuration housed in the Mega and are coupled by a 4-way crossover. Because the shells are ergonomically formed and composed of resin, they fit my ears wonderfully and don't create any tiredness, even after extended periods of time spent listening. Regarding the White Whale cable, which is Hisenior's exclusive premium product, it is a UP-OCC silver plated cable with 4.4mm termination plugs on one end and two pin connections on the other. Additional accessories that come with the device are a cable clip, a clean wiper, a choice of eartips, and a pelican protective case. Regarding the technical specifications, the sensitivity is 105dB and the impedance is 25 Ohms. The range of the frequency response is 10Hz–50kHz.


***Above Image Credits***

Sound​

I could tell as soon as I heard the Mega that it was a very well-tuned IEM because of its remarkable tone and strong technical capabilities. The tuning is more in line with my own taste, which is a refined neutral with a sub bass boost character. I've listened to the Variations, OH700VB, EJ07M, and all of its rivals, but despite the fact that all of these IEMs have my favored response, the tonality is by far the safest and most pleasant sounding. The bass is powerful yet extremely well-controlled, the midrange is forward-sounding, and the treble is expansive and silky. With the exception of the fact that they aren't warm-sounding IEM, it sounds as calming overall as any other. Let's investigate the sound more thoroughly to learn more.

Treble​

What sets it apart from other IEMs in this pricing range is the treble.It's not hidden or subdued, nor is it energizing or particularly revealing.I want to emphasize that, for an IEM in this price range, the treble is smooth and silky, something I have never experienced.The sound from the upper treble range is expansive, airy, and stretched out far. The fact that the higher extension doesn't add any irritating elements is another benefit. The voices and instruments sound stretched and satisfying. The lower treble's natural timbre makes the notes feel calming and encompassing, and it also helps the singers and instruments build a stronger presence by sounding more revealing and energetic. I believe that the tone would have sounded a little contradictory in terms of offensiveness if the notes had been sharp rather than softened. However, the notes provide enough information to give the instruments and voices a crisp, professional sound. As a result, the treble zone appears silky, peaceful, and roomy overall.

Mid Range​

Once again, I have no complaints with the mid range.In comparing them to their rivals, I have to admit that others have a stronger understanding of both the amount and quality of notes.While the Mega's midrange presentation is more relaxed and somewhat flushed, it sounds successfully focal and open when the treble kicks in, maintaining a little laid-back tone.The voices tend to retain their rich and filling response in the high mid range, where the instruments seem more expansive and full.Surprisingly, though, both the note separation and placement are really well done, giving the music a clear, focused sound. My favorite range is the lower midrange because it maintains the weight and richness of the notes while maintaining a clear sound in the upper frequencies, which surprised me by making the notes seem more disclosed. As a result, the mid range area has a rich, pleasing, and organic sound overall.

Bass​

In terms of bass, I am rather impressed since the bass's quality is so gratifying that it effortlessly provides the necessary quantity of bass wherever and whenever it is needed. Although the bass may seem underappreciated at first, it becomes noticeable when listening to music with a lot of bass. It is big and robust without becoming bloated or intrusive. The sub bass range is where the concentration lies, and as pressure is sensed inside the ear canal, the rumbling feeling is quite effective. Although the blows are equally powerful, the presence of the mid-bass area responds more successfully. Though not very strong, the smashes and thumps work nicely with the sub bass to provide a hearty response when needed. The amount and control of the bass more than make up for the somewhat inaccurate and unresolved texture and details. Overall, the bass area is presented in a pleasing, weighty, and extremely well-controlled manner.

Technical Performance​

I must also admit that, in terms of technical ability, I think Mega5EST to be on level with other IEMs, if not superior to the Variations or OH700VB. All things considered, though, the quality and response are adequate to make this IEM worth the price. Let's continue our discussion regarding the technological potential of the Mega.

Soundstage, Sound Imaging & Separation​

The stage is rather large; in terms of comparison, it is similar to UM MEXT but obviously smaller than the Monarch MKII. Because of how well the notes are separated from one another and how easy it is for me to tell where the sound is coming from, I think the Mega's large and expansive response is among the best I have heard in this price range. I think it falls a little short in terms of clarity and precision in the picture.

Speed & Resolution​

The resolution is undoubtedly high, but although the macro details are sufficient to ensure the response's quality and clarity, the micro details aren't really illuminating. The fast-paced onslaught and fade of the notes eventually maintains the mix's cleanliness.

Sound Impressions ​

Sources​

Sony WM1A - Mega sounds more expressive when listened to with WM1A since the voice response is raised, particularly in the high mid range. The entire midrange has a livelier, more forward tone to it. The treble continues to sound as it did previously, but the bass is now more powerful and impacting. The reaction, in my opinion, is still smooth and pleasant but is more lively and energized.

Tempotec V6 - The response is really clear and revealing while listening to Mega over the V6, but it's not as crisp or detailed as I had anticipated. Even yet, the bass has a more restrained sound, with a hint of restrained intensity in the midrange. The vocals sound the same in the midrange, but when actual high frequency notes are emphasized in the recordings, the reaction seems a touch sickening. However, the intensity forces the notes to sound more revealing.

Aful SnowyNIght - While listening to Mega5EST with snowynight, the response seems more expansive and detailed, particularly in the upper frequencies. One thing I noticed with every pair coupled with snowynight was that the expressive quality of the upper midrange was more prominent in the mix, making the Mega5EST seem more spacious and airy.

Colorfly CDA-M2 - While listening to Mega with M2, the response seems more centered, as if the layering and imaging of the notes helped to bring the notes closer together while yet achieving a wide sounding response, as the voices sound somewhat more expressive. In addition, the bass and treble are more subdued, which makes it seem a little uninteresting in my opinion. But altogether, it sounds enjoyable to listen to.

Tracks​

Millet - Anytime Anywhere
Anri - I can’t stop the loneliness
Kohana Lam - A Few Sentimental
Kohana Lam - Loving Me, Loving You
Uru - Kimino Shiawasewo
Uru - Kamihitoe
Kujira Yumemi - Kenka
Majiko - Kokoronashi
Anly - Sukinishinayo
Kohama Lam - A Few Sentimental
Kohana Lam - Loving Me, Loving You
Miliyah - Kono Yumega Samerumade
Rokudenashi - The Flame Of Love
Yu-Peng Chen - A New Day with Hope
Yu-Peng Chen - Another Hopeful Tomorrow
Yu-Peng Chen - For Riddles, for Wonders
Valentino Khan - Satellite
Kai Wachi - Happier By Now
Jawns - Erotica
ISOxo - how2fly
Kai Wachi - Happier By Now
Weeknd - Popular
YUNGBLUD - When We Die(Can We Still Get High)
Bring to Horizon - Kool-Aid
Middle Kids - Bend
FLETCHER - Leads Me On
Loathe - Aggressive Evolution
The Weeknd - Save Your Tears
Sigrid - Burning Bridges
AURORA - Black Water Lilies
AURORA -
X Ambassadors - Renegades
Lupe Fiasco - Words I Never Said
Macklemore & Ryan Lewis - Can’t Hold Us
Goyte - Somebody That I Used To Know
Jay-Z - Run This Town
Lady Gaga - Poker Face
Lady Gaga - Just Dance
Ladytron - Ghost
Travis - Love Will Come Through
LINKIN PARK - Somewhere I Belong
DJ Shadow - Six Days (Remix)
Hoobastank - The Reason
Ricky Martin - I Don’t Care
Tool - 7empest
Tool - Vicarious
A Flock Of Seagulls - Space Age Love Song
Zack Hemsey - Vengeance
Elton John - I’m Still Standing
The Moody Blues - Nights In White Satin
Micheal Sembello - Maniac
Guns N’ Roses - Sweet Child O’ Mine
A.R. Rahman - Kun Faya Kun

Conclusion​

As I wrap up my evaluation, I think that Hisenior has a tendency to make easy-to-listen IEMs that appreciate every nuance of the tuning and sound profile. The Mega5EST is a product of this tendency, regardless of how its rivals fare. The sound that Mega5EST provides is sophisticated and unique in a manner, regardless of whether it sounds more tonally or detailed. Therefore, I wholeheartedly suggest them, and anybody who enjoy neutral response with a sub boost boost will be thoroughly delighted.

Hisenior Mega5EST 7th Anniversary Edition

Disclaimer

The Mega5EST is my fourth IEM from Hisenior, I did buy it with a review discount. 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, so my rating will always be a subjective opinion.



About me and my gear used for the review

My audio preference is neutral with increased low end, mids can be forward but not too much. I can also handle some treble spikes if it is not excessive. I am a believer in having different tuned IEMs for different genres or moods instead of chasing the single perfect one.
Main music genres I listen to are Metal, Electronica, Jazz, Indy rock/metal, R&B, Pop. I am a music lover, and can also listen to almost all the genres out there. 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 the Koss Porta Pro and a Sony Discman.
I have also tried playing many instruments over the years from piano to sax and have a feel for what's a natural tone, but not the biggest patience in learning to play. My wife has also played many instruments from string to wind instruments.

My current standard in Headphones is ZMF Verite Open and Beyerdynamic T1 G2.

My current favorites in IEMs are AüR Audio Ascension and 634ears Miroak-II. The AüR Audio Ascension is a tribrid with 1DD 5BA and 2EST, that is tuned to be warm and natural. Miroak-II is my favorite single DD, it has a warm and bassy sound that is also very natural sounding. Both of the models belong to a similar category of sound, and align with my taste for warm sound that is more organic.

Gear used in the main rig is Topping E70 DAC together with the Topping A90 Discrete headphone Amp. I also have a Schiit Lokuis I can swap in if I want to do a little analogue EQ.
I have a few DAPs and dongles to change up the sound, my favorite being HIBY R8 II.
I have a good range of cables from Clan Audio, Penon, NiceHCK, XINHS, DUNU, Effect Audio and Gladiator Cables.



Who is Hisenior

https://www.hisenior-iem.com/

I heard about Hisenior for the first time last year, and heard praise about their Mega5P hybrid IEM. Found it to be excellent for the money when I had it on loan from a friend, it had a natural and good tonality. Great built and felt better than what they asked for, the market has changed and more and more hybrids have entered. Also from Hisenior themselves, the Okavango their newest hybrid was a more lush and fun IEM and the new T4 is the best budget BA set on the market.

Hisenior as I understand has been making IEMs for a good time, but aimed for the professional market. This is also why they offer IEMs in the CIEM versions, the new models have options for both CIEM and universal design.

About Us page:

We are Hisenior Audio, the designer, manufacture of professional in-ear monitors for musicians, studio engineers and audiophiles.

EVERY MUSIC DREAM IS WORTHY OF RESPECT

No Matter You Play Bass,Drum,Keys,Guitar or Sing the Songs, No Matter Where Your Musics Happen(at Home, In Street or On Stage), We Believe Every of Your Music Dream is Worthy of Respect and Protection, No Matter How Small It is. Join Us and Together for more......

www.facebook.com/HiseniorAudio)
www.instagram.com/hisenior/)
https://twitter.com/febosIEM)



So what is the Mega5EST 7th Anniversary Edition

Mega5EST is the Hisenior flagship IEM, a tribrid with 1DD+2BA+2EST. This model is the Anniversary edition in a blue and grey design, the model has been redone compared to the original release that came out some years ago. Throughout the review I might refer to it as M5E.

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))

It has 1 Dynamic Driver in Bio Cellulose that is 10mm large for its low end, this is a custom made driver for HiSenior. The BA drivers are for mids and high frequencies, both are from Sonion and high quality. The last two drivers are also Sonion but EST drivers, mostly for the ultra high frequencies.



https://www.hisenior-iem.com/products/mega5est-hybrid-iem

Measurement from Jaytiss:





The Ergonomics of the Mega5EST is really good with a CIEM like mold with contoured wing, the nozzle also has some angle and good length to make it secure fitting. The socket for the 2pin is the flat style, and feels like good quality with good grip on the pins.
They have plenty of venting and dont feel closed in at all, maybe due to the large metal vent hole.



Accessories are plenty when we look at the tips, should be something for everyone to find something that seals good. Stock cable is also really good and I personally love the design of SPC cables like this, it's delivered in 4.4mm. You get their standard hard case, while rather large it's excellent for storing the IEMs safe.



Timbre

First off, what is Timbre?
From the Wikipedia:
The Acoustical Society of America (ASA) Acoustical Terminology definition 12.09 of timbre describes it as "that attribute of auditory sensation which enables a listener to judge that two nonidentical sounds, similarly presented and having the same loudness and pitch, are dissimilar", adding, "Timbre depends primarily upon the frequency spectrum, although it also depends upon the sound pressure and the temporal characteristics of the sound"

First minutes of trying a new set of gear, what I always listen to is how natural and musical it sounds. Much of this goes down to how I perceive the Timbre.

The sound of the Mega5EST is very natural sounding, with a neutral tonality with some low end warmth. They call this Harman IEM target paired with their own smooth coherent tuning, I like this much more than Harman tuned IEMs.

Going to use the ranges here in review:




Details and soundstage

The Mega5EST has a good amount of detail, but sits lower in detail level than some of the best models around this price range. But overall it's better than most hybrids and tribrids at the price, I find it gives a good balance of resolving capability that harmonizes with the natural tuning.

Soundstage is spherical for me with good width and height, but maybe not as much forward projection. More spacious than models like their T4, Okavango and Mega5P, so you get some extra finesse over Hisenior cheaper models. Same with imaging cues being a step up in pinpoint accuracy, with more realistic stage.

Bass

This is interesting, I didn't expect too much beforehand about the bass. The Mega5P was never my thing, then Okavango was much better on this aspect, and delivered a textured and fun low range.
As M5E was supposed to be more reference sounding I expected the bass to be neutral and less bombastic, took me by surprise.

The bass here reminds me of another IEM I loved for the bass, the Aurora from AüR. Meaning the bass has excellent elastic texture that can both slam and rumble with authority, but here is more present in the mix over Aurora with a small amount more mid bass.

Bass is very natural to me, in my book this is what a natural amount of bass is. Some sets with a leaner amount sound totally wrong when listening to recordings of cello or drums etc.
This is not a basshead set, but still has a good amount of warmth to make music real and lively as it should be.

Bass is not too fast or slow, and excels at textured notes that also can slam well. You will not get a bombastic bass that some people love for hip hop and metal music, but this is again better on stuff like electronic or acoustic music like jazz or classical.

Mids

Midrange is a good one, it's smooth and natural. With clear tonality that's not uneven or veiled at any part, just very natural. This also means it will probably not offend any who are sensitive to midrange, but on the flip side people who love extra forward mids will lack something.

The upper mids also are on the safe side, not shouty or bright at all. Lately I have enjoyed this type of tuning much more, often when changing from more forward pina gain sets it can sound less detailed. But I dont think this is true as it's an illusion, as the upper mids are detailed just not as in your face.

Guitars have good technicalities but lack some bite if used to more energetic sets, so perhaps better for Spanish guitar than metal riffs.

Listening to piano recordings the mids sound so even and natural, just a very correct amount of warmth to give the lowest octaves fullness. While the upper range can both be delicate and sparkly, just an excellent timbre for piano.

I find the Mega5EST to be equally good on female or male vocals, or bright and darker vocals. If I would pick one perhaps the brighter females are the best, as it's clean without being sharp or sibilant. Instruments like brass or cymbals also have a clean sound without being fatigued or harsh, but still have some bite to them not being dampened too much.

Treble

The treble is well extended and clear, not shouty or tiresome at all. I would say the amount of upper treble and air is very natural, so to my preference as I don't like too much upper treble.
Some might want more air, especially if they have less upper treble hearing or just prefer it exaggerated.

Music has plenty of overtones and airyness, cymbals sound crisp and not dull. Instruments like piccolo flute sound airy and nice, same for violin overtones sounding airy with great realism.



Synergies

A small part about what gear I have been enjoying the most with the Mega5EST, starting with cable. The stock White Whale cable is excellent, and I found no need to change it out.
I tried my Effect Audio Cadmus 8w, and the change is so small that I doubt it's anything different.
I liked it with all my sources and amps, the neutral sound carries the sound of what it's plugged into. It is also fairly power hungry, but even a cheap dongle sounds good. But feed it with good sounding gear and it will scale and show the quality of the source.

But I do think it sounds more lively and resolving paired with my desktop gear or my HIBY R8 II.

Tips have been the Divinus Velvet, excellent comfort and it is full sounding.




Music

I will just talk about some of the music I like, the music I use here are some of my reference tracks and also just some music I like in general. When I am listening to music and not evaluating, I prefer to listen to whole albums. When comparing Mega5EST to other sets I have used the tracks listed here and more. I use Tidal or my own files for listening, but will provide links for either the Bandcamp or YT version.

Also sharing a review Tidal list that I have started to make, it will evolve over time and is still in the early stage.

https://tidal.com/browse/playlist/ad7bbfa3-2067-4235-b2ed-f5a3fb53ff28



Jóhann Jóhannsson : Flight from the City

Ambient Contemporary Classical music, one of my favorites in the genre. It's a simple but nuanced track and album, if you like this one track I advise you to check the rest out. The natural playback of Mega5EST excels at this stuff, how it portrays both the strings and piano sound real and full. Gave me goose bumps hearing though the album on Mega5EST, helps also how the soundstage sounds so black and immersive.



Blackfield - Once (Remastered)

Blackfield got back into my listening recently due to another reviewer who shared it with me. Nice to hear them again after what I think is 10 years or more. The remaster of the Blackfield II album is great, highly dynamic and resolving. The track opens up with a clear drum part and the vocals and guitars is excellent, perfect track for testing timbre in general. If I have one nit pick on Mega5EST it is the amount of bass, personally I prefer even more mid bass for prog rock to make it sound thicker.



Shpongle - Shpongle Falls

Big fan of Shpongle, their music has defined much of the psy chill genre that is today. The album here is one my favorites from them, the chill ambient side with some psychedelic elements.
First of the Mega5EST dig super low into the sub bass, it produces the kick in a satisfying way where it's present without taking over the sound. The sound cues are 3D and spacious, and you get that trip in your head that Psy genres often do. Just the right amount of detail and clean sound to keep it musical but still resolving.



YAOSOBI - 夜に駆ける

I dont often listen to J-Pop as I often find it too busy or bright, and if I do it would be on sets that are not overly bright that also can handle busy transitions.
夜に駆ける is J-pop track that is clear and busy, Mega5EST has a very good sound for this that keeps the female vocal super clear without being fatigued or too sharp. My new J-pop set if I ever move more into this genre.



Smilla - Coronation

Minimal Techno from Germany, not the most technical track. But provides a full and deep thumping bass rhythm, sort of bass style that sounds bad on ultra fast sets like planars or BA.
Mega5EST manages excellent and it's very fun, I think the amount of bass is adequate for this bass heavy track. The electronica elements in the upper range is also controlled nicely without being piercing like it does on OH700VB.



Bat For Lashes - Feel For You

Natasha’s fifth studio album, Lost Girls album is more or less a love letter to 80s movies and synth pop from the time. My favorite has been the track Feel For You, which reminds me a lot of the 80s and spark joy. The rhythmic drumming and simple line Feel For You is one the simple side, but also is a good one to just see how I like a set if it's engaging and full.



Gojira - Drum Solo

Big fan of Gojira and have used them plenty of times in reviews, French heavy metal band. The track here is what the title says, a drum solo by Mario François Duplantier. Sounds so real and fun on Mega5EST, maybe I could have liked a small amount more mid bass. But no, this sounds very realistic and fun, and also shows how important a textured and elastic DD can be for drums. Cymbals have a good bite without being piercing, just a good and natural presentation.



Caroline Polachek - Fly To You (fear. Grimes and Dido)

Caroline has blown up lately in popularity, deserving of her unique modern pop music. Never knew I needed this collaboration she had with Grimes and Dido, 3 unique vocals together. Grimes sounds airy and shimmery, while Dido has her full voice I remember from her popular days. And lets not forget Caroline's special and unique voice, all of them make it sound very special. Love how expressive and natural Mega5EST has here, just the correct amount of clarity and warmth to make it euphonic.



Comparisons

When evaluating I use impressions over a longer time period with some fresh comparisons also, 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 through a microphone to take away loudness variance.

The spider chart is slightly exaggerated on some points to show differences, it's also a subjective chart about my preference. Musical/Soul is what matters the most, and is down to what I feel when I listen to the IEM.





Hisenior Okavango

Okavango is hybrid IEM with 7 drivers total that is tuned in their new WILD-NATURE series, named after the world's largest inland Desert Delta. It has 1 DD and 6 BA with tuning switches to change up the sound, I have used it in the 00 config that has the most neutral tonality. It's still tuned to have a good amount of mid bass for a thicker and more lively sound, also why it's in the Wild Nature series to be a more fun tuning than the other models they have.
Soundstage is smaller and less expansive on the Okavango, it's a good difference here. For the cost I think Okavango was great, especially compared to other IEMs at the price. But Mega5EST clearly has something extra making it sound more open and large.

Bass is more textured and deeper on Mega5EST, the Okavango can sound a little hollow and less defined after having heard Mega5EST. Especially the deepest sub bass rumbles with fuller note weight, mid bass is the other way around where the Okavango has more punch to it. But even so the mid bass of Mega5EST is more elastic and textured , they use similar material being Bio Cellulose but have different size and probably also different magnets.

Midrange of Okavango is more on the husky side over Mega5EST, as in more warmth and forward in the low mids. Quality is a step under the Mega5EST and I think this is a mix of the tuning and drivers used. Upper mids have some grain on Okavango that is buttery smooth and clean on Mega5EST.

Highs of Mega5EST is a good step above Okavango, Okavango without the treble switch engaged has less bite and air. Engaging the treble switch makes Okavango have more treble that is overly sharp and piercing, where it sounds uneven and not natural.



AüR Audio Aurora

This is a hybrid IEM from AüR, it has 2DDs and 6BAs. It is tuned to be neutral with a sub bass boost, also with a relaxing top end. Priced around the same, but will lack the EST drivers.
The Mega5EST has way better presentation of the packaging and unboxing, with also better accessories. Comfort is great with both sets, maybe a small win to Aurora as it has slightly better design on the shell.

Soundstage is more spacious on the Mega5EST and positioned more in front, but Aurora has a slightly better 3D effect around you where it goes more to the sides of your head. Looking at the resolution they are good but not extraordinary, maybe a small win to the Mega5EST as it has more clarity. I would call the Aurora warm neutral with darker treble, the Mega5EST is more of a warm neutral.

The Aurora has a slightly tighter bass, but maybe a little reserved at times. Mega5EST has a more spacious bass presentation, slightly more impactful slam that also comes forth more easily. But still within a natural amount similar to Aurora, the difference in texture is hard to explain as both are very textured on stuff like string instruments. But still sound different, think it comes down to the smaller drivers on Aurora might be slightly faster to decay.

Lower Midrange is a small amount more forward on both instruments and vocals with Aurora. There is a difference in cleanliness of the midrange, the Aurora can seem more textured in the mids and slower. So when comparing the two it can sound quite different, technically I think the Mega5EST sound more correct. But it doesn't mean it's more resolving in the mids, just different.
Upper midrange is well controlled on both without being too forward, but also not recessed where we lose presence. Here you get some extra clarity on Mega5EST due to the cleaner sound.

Both have pleasing treble, but it's higher clarity and more extension with Mega5EST. Also the EST drivers makes it sound more ethereal and pleasing.



Oriveti OH700VB

This is Oriveti flagship hybrid IEM, the OH700VB has 1 Dynamic Driver for bass and 6 Balanced Armatures. The price is slightly higher than the Mega5EST at $700. The quality of the IEMs is good, but looking at build quality the Mega5EST both feel and look more premium built. Both brands deliver an excellent amount of accessories, both have a decent cable already in the box.

Soundstage and resolution are very close to each other, it's different in how they do things but both remain good in the price segment. OH700VB has a wider presentation, while Mega5EST is more forward projecting. Resolution is very close to each other, might be a small step above on Mega5EST. Both are what I call neutral with bass boost, while OH700VB has a slight tilt toward V shaped tonality.

Bass texture of both sets are very similar, but they sound fairly different due to how they are tuned. Would perhaps say OH700VB is looser and appears more easy, the M5E more controlled and dense. The OH700VB has more of a separated bass with a bass tuck, and the M5E more of a mixed glide and tuck. On a lot of music it's hard to pick the bass part from each other, this is since the amount of warmth is very similar and also the texture. A few tracks can show a small amount of more sub bass extension on OH700VB, while some other tracks sound more bassy on M5E as it has more mid bass ratio.

Mids of OH700VB are natural and a little uneven with some small amount of darkness, M5E is not dark but very similar overall. Just that they are tuned slightly differently where M5E is more coherent throughout.
Male vocals often sound fuller on M5E and brighter females can be more delicate, M5E handles sibilance smoother.
Both handle bright instruments like sax excellently without being shouty, a little darker on OH700VB.

The treble of the OH700VB has more extension and it is brighter than M5E, but it's not as refined and natural sounding. Almost have some raspy unevenness to the highs that come forth due the forward presence, this also makes OH700VB sound closer to a neutral/V shape than neutral. The OH700VB has some extra cymbal shimmer or air in general over the Mega5EST.



Summary

The Mega5EST is perhaps one of the best value IEMs for the one who wants a natural sounding tribrid.

In short the Hisenior Mega5EST is a very natural sounding IEM, that keeps itself from being either boring or fatiguing. More or less a jack of all trades, that does everything very correctly without being master of anything. Also means that it excels at most music you throw at it, perfect for putting your music library on random and enjoy.

It's clearly the best IEM I have used from Hisenior, and excels in coherency thanks to good drivers and tuning. Mega5EST has the right amount of warmth and brightness to make it musical and enjoyable for me.

Thanks again to Hisenior for the review discount, I look forward to more later this year.
It is too bad so few know about Mega5est, the model deserve more recognition. A tuning and quality that should be loved by many.

I've heard some promising things about the HiSenior Mega5Est from a trustworthy friend of mine, so I decided to blind buy it with my own money and below are my thoughts on the $550 iem.



Tl;dr: A solid buy for $550 if you're looking for a great neutral with bass boost tonality with good techs.


Packaging and Accessories:






Accessories include: 2 baggies of silicon tips, 1 bag of foam tips, 1 bag of stickers, wipes, and a cable clip.


The stock 4.4mm cable with 2 pin flushed connectors that the Mega5EST comes with is rubber sleeved, I'm not usually a fan of cables with built in ear hooks. The loop of the cable was fortunately fine for me though, your mileage may vary.

The Shell:

I would describe it as kinda thick in the body, but the width and height are compact and easy to wear. The nozzle diameter is on the larger side but the length is short so it should be ok for most people who can fit the larger nozzle diameter. I can wear the Mega5EST for long periods of time especially since it's also vented as well.

Nozzle Diameter: 6.26 mm at the lip, 5.41mm after the lip.

Approximate Body Dimensions excluding the nozzle: 24mm wide x 13 mm x 17 mm

Mega5EST (left), Truthear Zero Red (middle), Truthear Hola (right)


Measurements:

Frequency Response Graph, Compensated to JM-1 Target, normalized at 500 Hz (more info on this target here: https://headphones.com/blogs/features/the-shape-of-iems-to-come#section-5-2)


If you wish to explore more of the FR of Mega5EST you can find my FR measurements of it and other IEMS in my collection here: https://listener.squig.link/tam/?share=JM-1_Target,Mega5est

Here's also an uncompensated Frequency Response plot off my clone 711 coupler from the SoundGoods store on Aliexpress. Take note that my 711 coupler makes transducers look darker than it really is (recession in 4KHz to 6KHz) unless it is compensated with a coupler specific target.



Overall you can see that the L/R channel matching is insanely impressive, almost zero differences in L or R transducers.

Sound:

All listening done with the stock cable and with Coreir Pentaconn Brass Tips (Size MS) with my iBasso 320MAX Ti as the source. I used the Coreir brass tips because for my ear canals, I was able to push out the upper treble peak that I otherwise would hear with other tips (JVC Spiraldots++, AET07, Eletech Baroques).

Tonality:
Overall, I'd describe Mega5Est as neutral with bass boost. Which kind of reminds me of my Subtonic Storm but with more bass and lower mids and less treble.

Bass (20 hz ~ 200 hz):
The bass shelf on the Mega5est extends to about 200 hz, which makes any bass elements in a track come forward. Great for electronic or pop music which is most of my general listening. The quantity of the bass is quite generous too. I don't notice any bleeding of bass into the vocals here so good job on HiSenior for blending the bass properly.

Mids (200hz ~ 4 Khz):
The pinna region is not as forward compared to similarly priced IEMs like Variations, so when I normalize volume while listening around 1 KHz, the Mega5EST has a vocal and string richness where on Variations certain vocals and string instruments sound thin. There's a pleasant warmth in the mids with the Mega5EST that most people will find enjoyable. If you find the 2019 IE Harman target or stuff like the IEF neutral target too pinna forward and thin, the mids on this IEM would be a solution to your needs.

Treble (4Khz ~ 20Khz):
Overall, linearly downsloped in a good way so most of the treble sounds quite pleasant and linear up until you reach the upper treble where there is one peak (maybe 11KHz?) that I was able to tip roll and push the peak out of my hearing range. That troublesome treble peak made cymbals decay too strongly so it can sound harsh at times but thankfully I was able to find the right tips to get rid of it. If you're used to IE-harman or IEF neutral tonality iems, Mega5EST may seem dark but I find the treble pretty smooth in a good way.


Technical Performance:

Dynamics: I'd say Mega5EST is above average given its price but it's not the most dynamics I've heard. Not going to outclass the dynamics of something like Symphonium Helios or Crimson that I've previously heard but definitely prefer it over other IEMs that I've heard like Variations.

Resolving ability: Does ok here. Helios still out-resolves the Mega5Est but that's not to say it's textureless.

Imaging: Average or so imaging and separation, not going to be crazy imaging like you would get with Helios, Crimson, or Storm for that matter. Sound images are an ok size with bass components feeling big which tracks with the tonality.

Staging: I'd say there's depth than width here for the Mega5Est. Staging for the Mega5EST for me is thrown forward instead of it being around me. I'd describe the shape as conic.

Transients: Slightly rounded leading edges

Comparisons to other IEMs I've heard:
I'd put Mega5EST over Thieaudio's Monarch Mk2 and somewhere on par with Thieaudio's Divinity V16. The Monarch Mk2 had treble issues that I was not a fan of, it wasn't that resolving and the only thing saving the Monarch Mk2 for me was the decent bass so for those reasons I would easily take Mega5EST over the Monarch Mk2. Compared to Variations, I feel there is no contest and the Mega5EST is an all around winner for my listening preferences.


Conclusion:

I don't usually touch too many iems between $150 and $1000. I typically find it a no mans land between budget stuff such as the Truthear Nova and stuff like the Symphonium Helios. I used to own Blessing 2 Dusk, then I upgraded to Moondrop Variations and I felt pretty whelmed. The move felt like a side grade with no real upgrade in performance other than a difference in tonality. Had I known about the Mega5EST when I was considering Variations, I would've jumped for that instead. For me, Mega5EST earns its rightful price for the outstanding tonality that makes any track easy listening and the dynamics so it makes the experience pleasant and engaging.

Thanks for reading!


Additional Notes:

-Thanks to the help of Griffin's help in making the squig website and helping me with developing a JM-1 compensation target for my clone coupler.

-For bass lovers with impedance adapters, if you have a 10 ohm adapter (or a 150 ohm adapter!) you can get a generous bass boost: