Unique Melody MEST Jet Black VS AFUL Dawn-X

The MEST Jet Black oozes premium flair: a jet-black shell with gold nozzle and screws, slightly recessed 2-pin sockets, and jewelry-like fit and finish. The accessories are playful and practical—think a “mushroom” case with IEM booties—and the bundled Dreamer/Dreamy cable feels well-made, if a bit dry/papery in hand and oddly marked for L/R behind the ear hooks. Pricing hovers around $2,000 with the cable (less without), positioning this as a luxury set where build quality clearly pulls weight.

Sonically, the Jet Black leans neutral, safe, and clean. A tasteful dip around 4 kHz tamps down sibilance, yielding treble that’s well-mannered with good air and clarity, while mids stay tidy rather than punchy. Resolution is high, imaging is confident, note weight is convincing, and the overall presentation feels laid-back and inoffensive—great across genres and an excellent EQ canvas for those who like to tailor. The trade-off: it doesn’t try to wow with big dynamics or spice; it’s more about polished refinement than fireworks.

Comparisons paint the picture: AFUL Performer 7 offers lively treble at a far lower price and could be the smarter pick for excitement per dollar. Stardust tracks a similar FR but feels less premium; Dusks (≈$350) sound flatter and similarly agreeable yet look/feel budget by comparison. Against peers, Apostle pushes a bit more upper-mid energy and vocal presence, while Chronicle can come off more engaging. For listeners chasing a neutral, resolute, and impeccably built IEM that plays everything gracefully—and who value aesthetic luxury as much as sonics—the MEST Jet Black is a compelling, if costly, choice.

Jaytiss original ranking

Large, sculpted shells with a bulbous rear (housing the bone conductor) make the Aful Dawn-X a substantial fit—comfortable for some, but risky for small ears. The stock cable feels quality but is 4.4 mm-only, and the case/accessories are tidy; importantly, the nozzle grips tips securely (unlike some past AFUL sets). Overall build is handsome and premium, with fit being the main variable.

Sonically, the tuning favors sub-bass over mid-bass, pairs rich mids with smooth, natural treble that avoids harsh spikes yet has mild 4–6 kHz energy, and presents a cohesive, almost speaker-like soundstage. It wakes up with a bit of volume/power, prioritizing clarity, micro-detail and air over outright slam; the bone conductor subtly supports the midrange more than the lows. At $1,300 it’s competitive for listeners chasing technical refinement and a natural tonality, while value seekers or mid-bass lovers may prefer cheaper AFUL options or sets with more punch.

Jaytiss original ranking

MEST Jet Black takes the series’ quirky tuning and doubles down on the excitement: a bright, incisive top end, tight bass with real sub-bass reach, and that trademark holographic imaging that spreads voices and instruments across a wide stage. The FR is unusual—think a rise starting near ~300 Hz with relaxed upper mids—so it doesn’t read neutral or warm; instead it plays lively and intense, sometimes sibilant without the right tips. Ceramic shells look killer but are heavy, the stock cable is a thin 4.4 mm affair that feels mismatched, and there’s pronounced driver flex that can be distracting, especially when lying on a pillow.

Tip choice is pivotal: narrow-bore options (e.g., AS400-style or Dunu Candy) tame treble while preserving space, whereas Final E smooths things but blunts the “special” imaging. Get the fit deep and stable and the set rewards with crisp separation, energetic treble sparkle, and punchy—if not chest-thumping—mid-bass. It’s an engaging specialist rather than an all-day cruiser, and the $1,700 tag means those ergonomics matter.

Against peers, Fiio’s FX17 comes off warmer and more balanced with nicer bass texture but less image “wow.” AüR Audio’s Prestige Limited hits harder down low and stays contrasty, yet can sound a touch smoothed in timbre. DUNU’s Glacier follows a bigger-bass, Harman-leaning path that’s smoother and more natural overall while conceding some of the MEST’s lateral stage trickery. Net: stunning look, standout imaging, significant caveats; a solid 3/5 for those chasing spectacle over softness.

Super* Review original ranking

AFUL’s house sound shows up here in its most polished form: Dawn-X is a tribrid (1DD + 8BA + 4EST + bone conduction) flagship at $1,300 that prioritizes consistent fit and execution over flash. Build is understated with stabilized-wood faceplates, above-average isolation, and a medium/medium-large shell that fits better—and more consistently—than the Cantor. The accessory loadout is solid (four silicone tip sets, large but well-made case), though the stock cable does not have swappable terminations (choose 3.5 mm or 4.4 mm).

Tonally, it’s a balanced, warmer-leaning take on AFUL’s signature: a dense, controlled bass that borders on decadent yet stays quick and clean, slightly relaxed mids, and a precise, mildly forward lower-treble that keeps definition high without tipping into harshness for most listeners. Stage favors front-to-back depth over width; transients are clean and a touch clinical, giving strong separation without sounding smeary. The result is a mature, confident presentation that reads refined rather than showy.

Against peers: versus Cantor, Dawn-X is warmer, smoother, and far more consistent thanks to fit; Cantor can sound brighter and a bit wider. Compared with FiiO FX17, Dawn-X has tighter bass and crisper treble, where FX17 feels looser and fuller. The 64 Audio U4s plays softer and wider; Dawn-X is more precise/clinical. DUNU Glacier hits harder and more V-shaped with smoother treble but less natural acoustic timbre; Dawn-X sounds truer on instruments. Versus ThieAudio Monarch MK4, MK4 is more neutral, vocal-forward with greater width, while Dawn-X offers denser low-end and a calmer demeanor—and a friendlier fit for many ears. Verdict: 3/5 stars—not the flashiest in its bracket, but arguably AFUL’s best execution yet of its signature sound.

Super* Review original ranking