Sound Analysis.
I analyzed MKII sound performance paired up with LPGT while playing a variety of test tracks, such as Agnes Obel “The curse”, Sandro Cavazza “So much better” (Avicii remix), C-Bool “Never go away”, Ed Sheeran “Shape of you”, Alan Walker “Darkside”, Galantis “Hunter”, Iggy Azalea “Black widow”, Indila “Boite en argent”, Dua Lipa “Love again”, Counting Crows “Big yellow taxi”, David Elias “Vision of her”, and Michael Jackson “Dirty Diana”. I let MKII play for about 2 days in a loop before I started analyzing the sound. I used stock Xelastec eartips and stock premium cable in my analysis.
I found MKII to have a mildly U-shaped signature with a natural-revealing tonality that has quite a resolving sound characteristic. Also, right off the bat, I found its sound to be VERY eartips dependent where the sound signature could go from a more pronounced to a mild U-shaped and even balanced W-shaped. The seal, material, and bore opening diameter of eartips could change the sound sig and tonality in a big way here. But if I would to characterize the overall common signature, it would be U-shaped with an elevated deep bass impact, natural-revealing mids/vocals, and extended, airy, energetic, non-harsh treble.
The retrieval of details is high, not on an analytical level, but the extra treble energy gives the sound higher resolution with a better layering and separation of the sounds. The sound is non-fatigue or harsh, but due to its more forward revealing nature, those who like a smoother and more natural tonality will have to spend time experimenting with different eartips in order to tame down lower treble energy. Furthermore, considering 4 different drivers, their overall interaction is actually quite coherent, to my ears even better than in OG due to a fuller body of lower mids and less fatigue lower treble. I wouldn’t go as far as saying all 4 drivers work in a perfect unison, but with the right set of eartips I hear MKII to be more coherent than OG.
The soundstage is wide, way above the average, and I would even go as far as saying its imaging approaches holographic level when it comes to placing instruments and vocals. But I felt that it was stretching wider left/right, creating a more of an oval soundstage shape where there was more width than depth/height in its expansion. Overall, to my ears and considering not a very deep insertion of the shell/nozzle, the sound space felt natural with less out of your head type of expansion, bringing you closer to the performer. The soundstage does scale up with some of the sources, stretching wider, but depth/height remained the same.
I found the bass to be the star of MKII tuning, having a deep extended textured sub-bass rumble, more elevated than in original Mest, building a solid foundation underneath of a strong and articulate rounded mid-bass punch. Bass is well controlled, has quite a noticeable presence, not overwhelming or basshead quantity level, but when called upon will elevate the low end with a textured deep rumble and strong rounded punch. This is unmistakably a DD quality bass with an average attack and decay, impressive weight, and analog quality.
Mids have fuller body than in original Mest, thanks to a meatier lower mids, but they are not too thick or too smooth. I do find their tonality to be quite natural and revealing thanks to more energy in lower treble that elevates the resolution and helps with layering and separation of the sounds. Mids are not too forward, and as mentioned already, depending on eartips selection can be more balanced or slightly pulled back in their presentation.
Treble is extended, airy, crisp, energetic, and yet not harsh or sibilant. This is another improvement from the original Mest where its notorious 6.5kHz peak is slightly attenuated down, still keeping the energy and the definition of the lower treble, but making it less fatigue and more controlled. Here, the eartips selections will be important as well because if you have a relaxed seal or use eartips with a narrow bore opening, treble didn’t sound right to my ears, but with the right selection of eartips it was just perfect. The combination of EST and dBC drivers creates a perfect extended harmony of upper frequencies in MKII.
Also, I found MKII to work great with any genre of music I threw at it.
Page 4 – Eartips selection and Cable pair up.
Page 5 – Comparison, Source pair up, and Conclusion.
Twister6 Reviews 
Since you recently reviewed FiR 5×5, what is your impression of each as a choice for EDC iems? There is a $400 price tag difference so I’m trying to make up my mind and these two units both suit my sound profile preference. Thanks!
LikeLike
Correction: $500 price difference
LikeLike
well, part of the price difference is that MKII comes with $560 PWA cable (apparently, will be sold later as standalone), $50 Dignis leather case, and $30 AZLA Xelastec eartips. But in terms of sound performance, apples and oranges. 5×5 will be more balanced and more neutral while MKII has more bass and more treble, creating U-shaped sound sig. Actually, 5×5 soundstage is a little wider, but technical performance of the sound layering and separation in MKII is by far superior. 5×5 is great EDC and you can definitely save money, but MKII is more audiophile tuned with higher resolution and comes with a superior set of brand name accessories.
LikeLike
Thank you very much for your reply. I rarely listen to iems at home (vs over-ear fulls) where UM Mest MKll’s superior technical superiority, cable, and kit over FiR 5×5 would be realized, so I’m now leaning rabbit! Cheers!
LikeLike
Thanks again for helping me clarify the next step I really wanted/more practically should to take purchasing an iem. Without going into naming my brands of my open over ears, I’m very satisfied with one top dynamic and one top planar with a respectable chain- at the moment – LOL. So even tho I would like to have both MKII AND Firry 5×5 if I could afford it simultaneously, the actual step I know now to take, is to get a superior EDC. That would be 5×5. Not that I wouldn’t appreciate the MKII at home and away, mind you. Next time, maybe. Another thing is that I read preceding 5×5 (Erik?) review, and it stuck out to me that I, too, like DAPs that have a good analogue sound. I own a an early gen Bur Brown 1792 -based DAP from a top co. that I like a lot and so, done! Sorry this was long but thank you for helping me decide! Best, -Mark
LikeLike
Thanks Twister for another excellent review.
Do you think that will be big difference between the CFA Solaris 2020 and the UM MEST Mark II?
I am looking a bit more bass (quantity and quality) and better dynamic for classical music.
Appreciate for your input.
Vince
LikeLike
Maybe not a big difference, but if you want more quality and quantity bass, you should look into MKII, I prefer its bass over Solaris 2020
LikeLike
Thank you for your review. Have you tried paring Mest with Cayin N8? I’m concerned with the hiss from both SE and balanced output if I were to pair Mest with Cayin N8.
LikeLike
Sorry, don’t have N8 for testing, only burrowed it for a few days when working on C9 review.
LikeLike
Hey,
I just bought these. My personal sound preference is thick, warm, lush sound like Westone UM PRO 50. I am kinda disappointed with the thin, bright sound signature of Mest II. May be it is too early to judge. Do these need some burn in to perform better? I find your reviews to be very accurate. Is there any IEM that sounds very similar to UM PRO 50 regardless of the price?
Regards
LikeLike
Maybe look into VE Elysium? It has a unique driver config of BA bass, DD mids, and EST treble. Also, with Mest MKII, try foam eartips, they usually tame down peaks of upper frequencies, it could help.
LikeLike
Hello I listen to vocal jazz, is mest mk2 suitable for me? I am currently using w80 and mojo Please help me because I am in Iran and it is not possible for me to test
LikeLike
Hi Amir, I personally don’t listen to jazz, but mk2 shoud certainly be good for it. I personally like their new mk3, a little less bass and tamed down treble. But I hear you, hard to pick iem just be “reading” about it.
LikeLike
Loving your reviews Twister6. Very helpful, I look out for your stuff on Head-fi too. I own the Mest II and absolutely love them…however I wonder what I am missing (if anything) compared to the Odin? I know you’ve listened to both but not sure if you’ve done a side by side? Lots of comparisons of the original Mest to the Odin online but I can’t find (m)any for the MkII. Cheers!
LikeLike
what do you think is the main difference between the mest mk2 and the ibasso it07? Do you think the price difference is justified?
LikeLike
IT07 has a bigger bass impact while MKII has more resolving upper frequencies with better treble extension. You can argue that MKII is a quad-brid with DD/BA/EST/Bone Conduction drivers and PWA premium cable, Dignis leather case, Azla premium eartips, so in this example price difference is definitely justified.
LikeLike
I have the Audio 64 U12T. I would love to hear your thoughts on what the MKII might compliment the U12T or whether I should think about trying another IEM—under $2,000–if possible. I love the pressure equalization of the U12T because I think it’s easier on my older ears. Thanks for the thoughts!
LikeLike
Hi Dean, these are certainly complimentary in tuning. U12t is smoother due to its more polite treble response, and also overall more balanced in tuning. MKII will give you more sub-bass rumble and more of that dynamic driver bass texture. Also, MKII has a more elevated treble. Now, more elevated treble can be too aggressive for some sensitive ears. But if we are talking about “older ears”, it will only give you higher resolution and more clarity. I think MKII is the best price/performance iem on the market now, considering quad-brid design, premium PWA copper cable, Dignis leather case, premium eartips, etc. And I see that Musicteck constantly having those ridiculous sales on it, was it $899? Even if it is not on sale, contact them for best pricing if they can match that sale.
LikeLike
Wonderful response. Exactly what I was looking for. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
LikeLike
Hey Twister6!
I ended up selling the MEST mk2 because I felt it’s treble was sharp and inaccurate, and it’s midbass was too scooped out, making it not sound great for many classical genres of music. However, I do miss it’s soundstage. Do you think MEXT would fit the bill better?
For ref, my EDC is the U12t.
LikeLike
hello please answer my comment
I found a hugo2 in my country with price tag of 1400 $
Do you think is it suitable for my w80 gen 1?
please consider that price of hugo2 in Iran is 3100 $ and please finally compare hugo2 and sp3000 and n8ii
thank you very much
LikeLike
Never heard Hugo 2, so can’t say how it sounds. And I covered sp3k vs N8ii comparison briefly in my sp3k review. Good luck!
LikeLike