Thieaudio Oracle MKIII VS Hisenior Mega5-EST

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Thieaudio Oracle MKIII (2024) pushes hard into the “fun road” of audio: a 2DD + 2BA + 2EST stack tuned for huge, holographic soundstage and pinpoint stereo placement that feels like a room with “37 speakers.” It’s less about textbook FR and more about phase tricks, imaging, and “sounds coming from impossible places.” On well-produced tracks—Amon Tobin, Pink Floyd, cinematic scores—it throws a trippy, room-filling panorama that makes familiar songs pop with new cues. Gritty recordings don’t get “fixed,” but the set stays surprisingly tolerable given the grunge.

Chain matters: keep it solid-state or a warm hybrid tube to soften the edges—there’s bite up top that benefits from a touch of warmth. It’s not the easiest to drive (quoted 99 dB sensitivity; impedance unspecified), so a bit of gain is welcome; pure tubes flirted with distortion. Low end is a highlight: the dual-DD “Impact 2 subwoofer” delivers chesty sub-bass without smothering the stage. This isn’t built to chase Harman or “serious, linear” targets; it’s for the wild soundstage & placement crowd who want to re-experience their library.

Build and box are lightweight and comfy with a flashy faceplate; the stock swappable-plug cable (2.5/3.5/4.4) and case are adequate. Tip synergy favors Render-style silicones/foams used during testing. At under $600 (~$589) the value pitch is simple: the weirdest, most entertaining staging you can add to a collection without going crazy on price. Verdict: a 10/10 “experience piece”—not for spec sheet comparers, but for listeners who want music to leap out and orbit their head.

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Hisenior Mega5-EST (Anniversary Edition) hits with a rare mix of slam and finesse: a single DD + 2BA + 2EST that pours out a chest-pressing low end yet keeps the mids and treble startlingly natural. The magic is in the space—not fake wide, but convincingly three-dimensional, with instruments stepping forward, drifting back, and snapping into place. Tracks that should sound “live” actually feel like a venue, with reverb and air rendered uncannily well. Call it “neutral” if the graph says so, but the tuning is exciting, never sleepy, and it scales from an affordable dongle/amp to tubes without losing its character.

Build and kit are delightfully weird in the best way: the cable is a stout two-wire with fixed 4-pin hardware, the case is hilariously oversized (and oddly practical), and the box stuffs in a mountain of tips—foam and multiple silicone sets—so fit is basically guaranteed. Cosmetic quirks (“Febos” branding on the shells, Anniversary shells looking plainer than the regular version) are the only eyebrow-raisers. None of it matters once the music starts: the imaging is knife-sharp, dynamics pop, and that sub-bass rolls in like weather.

At around $550—aka Moondrop Variations money—this thing doesn’t just trade punches; it outperforms for the same reasons Variations became a benchmark, then adds more body, more staging, more goosebumps. The verdict is not coy: this is a straight 10/10, the kind of IEM that makes changing tracks feel painful because the current one sounds too good to leave.

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Build & accessories impress: a chunky yet comfortable shell with a secure 2-pin connection and a nozzle lip that holds tips firmly. The faceplate design looks premium, and the stock cable feels good in hand with a chin slider and swappable 4.4 / 2.5 mm terminations (though the modular plug can loosen under tug). The familiar Thieaudio case and standard tip set round out a solid unboxing.

On the graph and in practice, the Oracle MKIII takes a more neutral approach than MKII—less bass, tamer upper-mids. It shares territory with sets like Hype 4 (trading blows: better upper air here vs. stronger upper-mid presence there) and recalls the Pilgrim with added EST sparkle. There’s extra 4–6 kHz bite and energy in the 10–15 kHz region that can become fatiguing over longer, mixed-content sessions. In context, similarly priced options—Supernova, Noir, and Hisenior Mega5 EST—offer comparable performance with different tonal priorities, while budget picks like Hidizs MP145/MP43 or curve-match contenders such as Juzear 61T and the upcoming Binary Dino Quattro complicate the value equation where many ~$300–$400 IEMs trade blows.

Verdict: gorgeous build, good extension and upper air from the ESTs, and a generally chill-neutral tonality—yet the emphasized presence/treble bands make it a fatiguing neutral for sensitive ears. Rated a solid A for quality, but not a universal pick or a clear recommendation over peers; those who loved the Pilgrim are the most likely match, while others may prefer alternatives with either fuller bass or smoother upper-mid/treble energy.

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Thieaudio Oracle MKIII brings the Oracle line back on track with a refined 2DD + 2BA + 2EST tribrid at $590. Packaging is handsome and complete, though the large carry case is overkill. The stock cable’s swappable terminations (3.5/4.4/2.5) are convenient but the connector is bulky and a bit memory-prone; recessed 2-pin sockets play nicer with plugs that have a slight protrusion. Build is classic Thieaudio: a tasteful faceplate on a semi-custom shell that sits medium-large in the ear, secure and comfortable if the shape agrees. Fit stability is excellent.

Tonally it’s neutral with a bass boost, with the lift starting earlier than a strict Harman rise for a more consistent low-end presence—kick drums have punch without mid-bass bloat. Bass is tight and well-defined if not the last word in rumble texture. A mild lower-treble emphasis adds bite to strings and vocal edges without tipping into sibilance, though it can make the midrange feel a touch lean versus warmer sets. Where it truly shines is imaging and separation: a clean, organized stage with above-average width and standout delineation on busy tracks.

Against peers, Oracle MKIII feels like a more engaging riff on neutral-with-bass compared to sets like AFUL Performer 8, and proves tighter and more resolute than softer, warmer competitors (e.g., Symphonium Meteor), though those can offer richer midrange micro-contrast. Versus the Oracle MKII, it’s a clear course correction toward the original Oracle’s livelier balance. It may not be the most distinctive flavor at its price, and options like the Crinacle Dusk undercut it on value for bass texture, but as an all-rounder with excellent technical cleanliness the MKIII is an easy recommendation. Rating: 4/5.

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Hisenior Mega5-EST brings a tidy, understated shell with a semi-custom fit that sits secure and comfortable on medium-small ears. The box is loaded—foam and silicone tips, a microfiber cloth, and a chunky Pelican-style case—but the included cable is a mixed bag: it looks great and handles well, yet comes only in 4.4 mm balanced, which will annoy single-ended users. Build is clean, nozzle a touch long for a slightly deeper seal, and overall ergonomics feel sorted.

Sonically, this is top-tier tuning. The FR hugs a neutral target with a tasteful sub-bass lift under ~150 Hz, midrange sits right where it should, and treble is polite rather than hot. The result is a warm-neutral, low-contrast presentation that’s easy to listen to for hours with solid imaging and separation plus a nice sense of front-to-back depth. The trade-off: initial transients don’t bite—bass and string attacks are clean but not snappy—so the technical “zing” is more good than great.

Against peers around $550, Mega5-EST slots between flavors: DUNU SA6 is warmer and sparklier up top but softer through the mids; Yanyin Canon 2 delivers chunkier, more physical bass and standout vocal texture; and Moondrop × Crinacle Dusk (on its analog cable) sounds cleaner, more clinical, with sharper bass attack and a tick more resolution. As a daily-driver tonality, Mega5-EST is excellent—the kind of curve that just feels “right”—held back only by middling incisiveness. Verdict: a solid 4/5 for sublime tuning, ergonomic ease, and relaxed refinement, with the caveat of the 4.4-only cable and merely moderate macro-dynamics.

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Thieaudio Oracle MKIII pushes the Oracle line into its most refined form yet: an all-rounder that’s slightly airy but remains smooth and balanced. The big story is the bass—the new dual-DD with an isobaric chamber adds tighter texture, greater tactility, and cleaner control than the MKII, and it handily outclasses the OG’s notably lean low end. Mid-range balance, layering, and separation see a small but audible step up; vocals are fuller and more natural than the thin, floaty presentation of the OG, while avoiding the MKII’s bright, wispy timbre. In the treble, MKIII strikes the best equilibrium of refinement and detail—where MKII can sound sharp, fatiguing, and poor at scaling, MKIII stays composed and nuanced.

Within the family, the OG Oracle still charms as the most natural and “pure” vocal set thanks to its 3 kHz lift and low fatigue, but it’s less resolving and less exciting overall. The MKII brings more low-end fun than OG yet trails MKIII in texture and control; its treble will mainly suit treble-heads or those needing extra upper-energy. Against peers, Mega5 EST shares the balanced, laid-back ethos but feels too neutral and light down low; MKIII hits harder and engages more without smearing the mids. Versus Hype 4, MKIII is cleaner, tighter, and more separated, though Hype 4’s bigger bass and forwardness can feel more fun. Compared with Hype 10, technical footing is similar, but Hype 10 is fuller, more dynamic, and sharper in imaging, while MKIII stays airier and more relaxed.

If stretching the budget, Monarch MKIII becomes the favorite all-rounder: more dynamic with more detailed, “popping” vocals yet still carrying the air and smoothness MKIII fans want. The truest step-up in the same vibe is Prestige LTD—larger stage, better layering, and higher detail—though MKIII actually retains better bass tactility. Verdict: a much-needed update over MKII and a strong $500 benchmark for a balanced, airy listen that stays engaging, controlled, and easy to live with.

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Mega5-EST (Bass Edition) shifts the original’s polite profile into a fuller, more satisfying listen. It keeps the smooth, relaxing, inoffensive tuning of the OG but adds extra oomph and slam down low, coming across warmer and bassier without mid-bass bleed or muddiness. Separation and microdetail take a small hit versus the cleaner, “vanilla” OG, yet the payoff is a more musical, comforting tonality that grows with time—great for R&B and jazzier sets. Upper-end extension is present and airy from the ESTs, but it’s subtle rather than sparkly; vocals and treble don’t jump out, they sit naturally in a well-balanced mix.

Where it flexes in tonality, it yields some ground in technicalities. The bass has proper quantity and impact, but texture and tactility are a touch smooth versus fresher peers that sound quicker and more resolving. If a laid-back, cohesive presentation is the goal, this tuning makes sense. If the wish list includes bigger dynamic contrast and crisper detail retrieval, options like recent hybrids and tribrids push ahead in separation, control, and bass definition.

Value is the sticking point. At around $600, compelling alternatives undercut or outclass it: budget-friendlier hybrids offer tighter low-end texture and more engagement, while mid-tier tribrids (e.g., Oracle MK3) bring cleaner balance, better bass control, and an overall resolution lift—even if they’re not as overtly bass-forward. For listeners craving a comforting, slightly warm, and easy signature, Mega5-EST (Bass) is genuinely enjoyable. For those chasing technical performance per euro, similarly tuned sets like K4-style isobaric DD hybrids or punchier tribrids present a stronger case.

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Thieaudio Oracle MK3 brings a spacious, slightly pushed soundscape that can place effects a touch farther out than expected. That extra air and separation pays off in Fortnite where the game’s echo-y weapon tails and environmental cues read cleanly with excellent verticality and depth perception—a strong A- to B+ performer there. In Call of Duty, positional info stays clear and reliable for a solid B. But in tighter mixes like Valorant and Apex, some cues don’t punch through with the needed emphasis, settling closer to a B to B- range.

As a hybrid daily driver, Oracle MK3 doubles as a highly enjoyable music set: the brand’s signature F-Audio bass hits with satisfying weight and control—especially for rap—making it a kickass listen off the clock. For competitive play, it doesn’t outpace its big sibling Monarch MK3, but for players who split time between COD/Fortnite and music, Oracle MK3 is a compelling choice; pure Valorant/Apex grinders will find better-focused options higher on the WallHack list.

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Hisenior Mega5-EST arrives with a polished package, a rugged Pelican-style case, and plenty of tips. Comfort is excellent for long sessions. Sonically it favors an even-keeled, natural presentation with a touch of warmth down low. Bass has punch without the heavy, resonant sub-bass of its Dunu counterpart, which helps detail come through. The midrange is smooth and clear, vocals sit naturally, and treble offers good extension without fatigue. The big talking point is stage and imaging: the Mega5-EST throws a wide soundstage with strong layering and separation, though it’s a little more relaxed in focus than sets that push elements forward.

For competitive play the tuning is a mixed bag. In Apex Legends, the stage can feel so wide that subtle cues get a bit distant, and occasional low-end punch can blur separation during chaotic fights—performance sits around a B to B-. In Call of Duty it scores about a B- as well: immersive and impactful, but long-range tracking and lighter taps demand more effort. Valorant fares better at roughly a B, where gunfire pierces the mix and footsteps carry decent depth on tighter maps. Overall, Mega5-EST is a non-fatiguing, musical IEM that shines for music and general entertainment, and rates a B- on the Wall-Hack Certified tier list for competitive gaming.