Unique Melody MEST Jet Black VS Ziigaat Horizon

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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.

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The Horizon aims for a neutral-natural tonality with a slightly lean lower midrange, delivering standout vocal transparency and crisp separation. Bass is mostly sub-bass focused—felt and supportive rather than boomy—giving notes a pleasing sense of density without smearing the mids. The trade-off is an elevated upper-treble that adds air and detail but can tilt gritty/sandy if the fit or tips aren’t dialed in.

Build and accessories are a mixed bag: a surprisingly nice carrying case and swappable termination, but a fussy cable and a resin shell that fits deep and may need shorter, grippier tips to shine. Once seated well, the Horizon’s imaging and instrument separation pop, making complex mixes feel organized and engaging.

Versus pricier hype pieces with similar FR, the Horizon feels like a “short king” take: not as refined up top as the best of them, yet more weighty and satisfying than some leaner peers. Compared to something like Volume S at a similar price, this set is clearer and more incisive (better separation), while Volume S is fuller and smoother with punchier bass presence. At $330, it’s the most compelling entry in its family so far—addictive for transparency and staging, with the caveat of treble sensitivity and fit quirks.

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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.

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Ziigaat’s Horizon follows the current meta-inspired recipe—think Astral, Metas, Crescent—but pushes the focus upward: the treble is the most prominent piece here. It’s bright-leaning without turning harsh, giving a crisp, “OCD-like” sense of transient bite and pinpoint imaging. Low end and vocals sit a touch behind the highs, so the presentation feels clean and lively rather than thick; at mid-volume, the top end drizzles detail over the mix like raindrops—engaging and textured, not shouty.

On the technical side, Horizon pulls strong detail retrieval and resolution for the price—above sets like Supermix 4 and near EM10/Volare —yet it doesn’t scale massively because of that treble lift. The bass is snappy and controlled, with good separation, but lacks the slam and rumble seekers of impact will want. Pairing and playlist matter: avoid hot, highly produced pop/K-pop/J-pop or most hip-hop where the combo of elevated highs and lighter bass can feel edgy; it shines with slower pop, R&B, indie acoustics, ballads, and classical where the sparkle reads as “high-fidelity.” Warmer sources help a bit, and tip-rolling (stock black/clear, or bass-adding options like Final E/divinus) can balance things—just skip anything that pushes treble further.

Against close competitors, Astral hit harder down low and feel more V-shaped and contrasty; Crescent is warmer and smoother but not as clear or micro-detailed. Horizon is the cleanest and brightest of the trio, with the most refined treble focus and “tickly” transients. Verdict: a value-minded all-rounder for detail lovers who prefer clarity and air over bass authority—technical, tidy, and energetic at sensible volumes, provided the library isn’t a treble minefield.

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Ziigaat Horizon arrives as a striking tri-brid in the ~$300 bracket (1DD + 2BA + 2 planar) with a tuning that brushes close to Kiwi Ears Astral yet comes across a touch thinner and more balanced. The low end focuses on sub-bass rumble that’s tight, clean, and richly tactile, while mids keep timbre accurate and treble stays controlled—never shouty or fatiguing—yielding a fun-yet-almost-reference presentation. Build and comfort impress: ergonomic shells with that aqua-to-silver fade can be worn for 8-hour sessions, and the package includes Ziigaat’s new two-pin cable with interchangeable terminations (3.5/4.4), a roomy faux-leather case, silicone sets plus foams; tip rolling (e.g., ASMR tips) pairs well.

In games, ambient clutter drops away and crucial cues get spotlighted with confident imaging, separation, and convincing verticality. Footsteps in Valorant are clear and positional, though the lightest taps can blur a bit under nearby low-end rumble or heavy gunfire; Apex performance is exceptional, just a hair behind Astral/Mangird Tea Pro when ultimates stack; Call of Duty delivers satisfying impact with disciplined decay, though micro-cues can soften during chaos. Net-net, Horizon is a great all-rounder with clean, technical bass and a natural balance that works across titles. On the WallHack list it gets A– overall (A– in Apex, B+ in CoD, Valorant just shy of top marks), primarily nudged down by occasional masking of the lightest cues during intense mixes.