[mndless]

Upper-treble does have a pretty big roll-off. Although that lower-treble might be compensating for that.

From my understanding, you get the impression of layering from how the drivers handle the lower to mid treble range (attack speed, driver tonality, decay rate, driver excursion, etc), but stage size and apparent air is mostly from how the treble extension from 8k to 14k is handled. Too little gain in the upper treble and the set tends to sound too intimate. Graphs certainly aren't the best way to gauge this, though, since different drivers behave quite differently from each other, after all.

 

[AudioAw2015]

I am loving it...I simply cannot put it down!
Regarding treble, yes, on few occassions, in tracks where the highs are energetic and may be a bit sizzling/harsh on occasions, those traits can be detected. But I never had to wince because of that, which happened before poorly tuned set.
Also, the stock cable is crap, and the tips are ok. It's clear that the complete effort has gone to the development of the iems, and accessories have been kept at a bare minimum to make the most of it. Put on a better cable and a better pair of tips, and they truly sing! This is my setup:


Cema Electroacousti RS cable 2.5 mm balanced + 2pin to mmcx converter + ePro Horn eartips. The cable adds more body and warmth, the eartips reduce treble edginess while retaining the wide stage, and the end result is spectacular to say the least! I am not saying anything more as a full impression post will follow soon, along with a review.


Please do, throw in a good pair of cable, and you will be surprised to say the least! In fact, I am so happy with the sound, I am now positively considering the OBER-SS ($525), as he confirmed that is a true upgrade over the SARN II. However, my heart is also swaying for a used M9 (SGD750), so I am not sure at then end which bullet I'll bite, or if I'll bite at all, or rather choose to wait for something else. Everything is undecided now, but I am sure that if I suddenly got around USD600 from somewhere or someone asa gift, I will place an order for OBER-SS eyes closed!

Yeah, the stock cable is a very basic one. Usable, but basic.

The tips makes all the difference though since they're wide bore shallow fit.

 

[Barusu Lamperouge]

actually from the graph, looks like KATO is even darker than KXXS/starfield?... wonder which filter is used on this one...

That indeed is a mystery I would think that would be the non-brass nozzle. Because usually brass nozzle is used to boost treble, but I might be absolutely wrong.

 

[FreeWheelinAudioLuv2]

TBH that curve is smooth and silky. Moondrop house sound is on the safer side. So unless you want really shiny treble you will like them definitely. Maybe that's why they have added filters this time around as many folks found KXXS too safe/dark.

Yes. Yes they are. Borrrrrrring sound because it lacks sparkle an attack. Very safe sound. Not bad in technicalities though tbh.

 

[FreeWheelinAudioLuv2]

actually from the graph, looks like KATO is even darker than KXXS/starfield?... wonder which filter is used on this one...

darker? black hole dark then. LOL

 

[dw1narso]

darker? black hole dark then. LOL

hopefully not like that... who knows they have secret sauce on the low mid - mid...
Also they promote KATO having replaceable filters... we don't know which one was used to plot the graph...

 

[Barusu Lamperouge]

Yes. Yes they are. Borrrrrrring sound because it lacks sparkle an attack. Very safe sound. Not bad in technicalities though tbh.

I agree. There has to be a fine line between safe and banshee treble. Too less makes everything boring and too bright makes things hard to listen. That was my gripe with Vsonic VS7. At times, it was dead in the treble and that's why I eventually sold them off.

 

[dw1narso]

That indeed is a mystery I would think that would be the non-brass nozzle. Because usually brass nozzle is used to boost treble, but I might be absolutely wrong.

not sure... I have Fiio FH1 that came with brass nozzle... FH1 treble is timid in fact... so once again a mater of overall tuning

 

[jmwant]

Lotoo released the PAW S2 as the successor to s1.
https://hifigo.com/blogs/news/lotoo...sb-dac-amp-step-up-your-high-resolution-music

 

[jmwant]

Audiosense released it's latest IEM, the 6ba DT600

https://hifigo.com/blogs/news/audio...ature-driver-iems-with-handcrafted-facepanels

 

[baskingshark]

MOONDROP (or rather MOONDORP) are coming up with a new set of eartips:

https://www.facebook.com/MoondropLab/posts/1035358973890732

Design looks a bit like KZ Starlines? They are named Spring tips.

Hope the QC is better than the MOONDORP spelling!!! Any of the eartip experts like @RikudouGoku wanna buy a set of MOONDORK eartips and take one for the team?

 

[RikudouGoku]

MOONDROP (or rather MOONDORP) are coming up with a new set of eartips:

https://www.facebook.com/MoondropLab/posts/1035358973890732




Design looks a bit like KZ Starlines? They are named Spring tips.

Hope the QC is better than the MOONDORP spelling!!! Any of the eartip experts like @RikudouGoku wanna buy a set of MOONDORK eartips and take one for the team?

I am getting the KATO, which I believe includes those tips so don't worry.

 

[RCracer777]

MOONDROP (or rather MOONDORP) are coming up with a new set of eartips:

https://www.facebook.com/MoondropLab/posts/1035358973890732




Design looks a bit like KZ Starlines? They are named Spring tips.

Hope the QC is better than the MOONDORP spelling!!! Any of the eartip experts like @RikudouGoku wanna buy a set of MOONDORK eartips and take one for the team?

Only the middle pair says Moondorp, the rest Moondrop... Guess the M size tips are special

 

[Poganin]

Moondrop done Moonderped.

 

[kmmbd]

The Unique Melody MEST is one of the best chi-fi IEMs I've yet experienced. It belongs in the same category as the likes of 64Audio U12t/qdc Anole VX/Sony IER-Z1R and such IMO. Each of these ace their particular "TOTL sound" vision and shall provide long-term value for the buyers, but the MEST happens to be the cheapest of the lot.

The bass has good punch and rumble and the midrange is superb (much better than the IER-Z1R to me). The treble is also well extended, has a shimmery quality to it and doesn't sound as muted or lightweight as many other EST implementations (partly due to the bone-conduction driver that also affects the treble range). Staging is engulfing (though not as wide as the Sony) and imaging is pinpoint accurate.

The biggest issue for me so far has been tip selection/fit. The sound is very tip-sensitive and fit can be a bit of an earful. It's nowhere near as bad as the Sony IER-Z1R though. Also, nitpicking, I'd prefer the bass to be more textured in the mid-bass and be slightly faster during note changes. There is also some incoherence due to the slower bass driver.

I heard from many that the custom version of MEST is the best version, so that's next in my list.