I absolutely disagree vs. Hifiman in that price bracket. The trouble with the Elex is that its metallic drivers are extremely punchy, so they pierce and grate over time. I used to shudder at the thought of using the Elex, but not the Clear. Several years back I greatly preferred my HE-560 over the Elex (until the 560 died), and then upgraded to the Clear.
Meze’s issue for me in that price bracket is the tiny cups that put the drivers very close to the ear. Their closed models make it worse.