The Watercooler -- Impressions, philosophical discussion and general banter. Index on first page. All welcome.

[Mehran]

Listening to MEST MKII tonight - the most fussy IEM in my collection which has almost got the chop many times... it is such a love/hate IEM for me, the wrong choice of album and I quickly pack it away... the right choice and I'm in love again. It often surprises me how it has such high praise but then when it clicks for me, I do very much appreciate it's TOTL and highly regarded status.

Anyone else have IEMs in their collection that fit in this love/hate box?!

I haven't heard the MKII , but when I had the OG it was best for electronic music compared to other IEMs for me. And there was no contest. Only reason I gave it away was because I rarely listen to that genre. I kinda miss it now to be honest. The staging and imaging was very unique.

 

[Scubadevils]

I haven't heard the MKII , but when I had the OG it was best for electronic music compared to other IEMs for me. And there was no contest. Only reason I gave it away was because I rarely listen to that genre. I kinda miss it now to be honest. The staging and imaging was very unique.

I loved it for faster electronic until I got the IE900 and it wiped the floor with it. I think a problem I have is that a lot of what I might enjoy with MEST MKII is done much better with another IEM, be it IE900 for faster electronic music or Traillii for more relaxed - I tend to think to myself how the album might sound on either of those and end up switching... which has indeed happened since my post a short while ago!

 

[Mehran]

I loved it for faster electronic until I got the IE900 and it wiped the floor with it. I think a problem I have is that a lot of what I might enjoy with MEST MKII is done much better with another IEM, be it IE900 for faster electronic music or Traillii for more relaxed - I tend to think to myself how the album might sound on either of those and end up switching... which has indeed happened since my post a short while ago!

I can imagine IE900 be more satisfying with bass, the MEST bass wasn't my favorite either ,although quite good. Haven't heard the bird . The problem is your great set of IEMs, haha.

 

[Scubadevils]

I can imagine IE900 be more satisfying with bass, the MEST bass wasn't my favorite either ,although quite good. Haven't heard the bird . The problem is your great set of IEMs, haha.

Ha yes first world problems as they say when moaning about which IEM does what better! Trailllii is fantastic but certainly not an all-rounder... I struggle to think there is 'one' that can serve all my music preferences.

 

[blotmouse]

Anyone else have IEMs in their collection that fit in this love/hate box?!

Naw, just MEST mkii, lol.

 

[Mehran]

Ha yes first world problems as they say when moaning about which IEM does what better! Trailllii is fantastic but certainly not an all-rounder... I struggle to think there is 'one' that can serve all my music preferences.

Absolutely, but having multiple good IEMs can be a headache sometimes. Lol

if I had to choose only one right now to get out of the hobby it would be the Dorado.

 

[blotmouse]

you don’t need to be spending $4k + to get a good listen at some top BA bass. The U12t and QDC V14 have great BA low ends and can be had for under $2k. Mason FS also isn’t an IEM I’d recommend for some high quality bass. It’s neutral in tuning and lacks extension.

I owned U18s and did not like the bass. m15 was ok on it, but the stage vanished. m20 was just volume dialed up, bass reality dialed down. Maybe the u12 is better? It's on my list of things to hear. But mostly so I can give it a strikethrough. The Noir obliterates the u18s. No survivors.

 

[aaf evo]

I owned U18s and did not like the bass. m15 was ok on it, but the stage vanished. m20 was just volume dialed up, bass reality dialed down. Maybe the u12 is better? It's on my list of things to hear. But mostly so I can give it a strikethrough. The Noir obliterates the u18s. No survivors.

possibly, I prefer the 12t bass mainly because of how it’s tuned rather than some quality differences. I think the U18s has great bass also, just not a fan of the tuning of it. So maybe the 12t wont be any different for you.

 

[Scubadevils]

Naw, just MEST mkii, lol.

Interesting there area a few in this camp! I know at least one other @Xinlisupreme

 

[Scubadevils]

Absolutely, but having multiple good IEMs can be a headache sometimes. Lol

if I had to choose only one right now to get out of the hobby it would be the Dorado.

I have heard a lot of great things about Dorado - interestingly, Campfire is a brand I can pick up locally too so I really must add that to my list. Why would you choose it as the one?

 

[Mehran]

I have heard a lot of great things about Dorado - interestingly, Campfire is a brand I can pick up locally too so I really must add that to my list. Why would you choose it as the one?

Just be aware that it has been also a bit polarizing. It's not everyone's cup of tea.
As it happens I'm a fan of a warm and rich sound with more emphasis on the lower mids. And Dorado fits the bill , it has a good depth to the stage that I like and the timbre and coherency is very good . Plus I love the size , look and how easy it's to drive it.

 

[blotmouse]

Interesting there area a few in this camp! I know at least one other @Xinlisupreme

If I didn't have the AR-M2, I wouldn't have the MEST any more. It's a simple relationship we have.

 

[Scubadevils]

If I didn't have the AR-M2, I wouldn't have the MEST any more. It's a simple relationship we have.

So N6ii Ti doesn't work any magic with MEST for you? I was sort of hoping it might introduce a new synergy for me that I often don't get with my Sony DAPs... at least not all the time.

 

[blotmouse]

So N6ii Ti doesn't work any magic with MEST for you? I was sort of hoping it might introduce a new synergy for me that I often don't get with my Sony DAPs... at least not all the time.

Not for me. The mids peek out a bit too much for my tastes and the stage gets a little smaller (Too crispy?) Others do like this pairing though.
It wasn't terrible and you should def check it out, just wasn't as good as M2. And I like absolutes sometimes.
It's probably down to types of music listened to too. I prefer a little more warmth, I guess, with the MEST. Opposite OG Solaris, which sounds amazeballs on the Cayin. Probably because its inherently warmish.
We're just cooking here right? A little acid to taper that sweet.

 

[blotmouse]

Uh... also my top IEM's to hear this/next year.

1. Elysium EXT
2. All the Legend’s (EVO, X, SE)
3. Mason FS
4. Odin
5. Phonix
6. Fiio FD7
7. 7Hz Timeless
8. FAudio Dark Sky
9. Moondrop S8
10. IE900
11. Aroma Jewel