Unique Melody Mest MKIII CF

Simply the Mest

PROS:

Immaculate technical chops
Balanced-neutral tuning
Gorgeous shell design
Robust and sturdy cable inclusion
Unique ear tips on par with Azla ear tips
Jacket for the IEMs for added protection
Holographic sound reproduction
Effective and efficient implementation of bone conduction unit
Comfortable wear
Achievable fit with minimal fiddling
Sound stage
Imaging
Separation

CONS:

Midrange can be thin at times (nitpick)
Timbre can benefit from sounding a little bit more natural (nitpick)
Price is not for everyone
Non-modular cable

INTRODUCTION:

Unique Melody, commonly known as UM, is a distinguished brand under Zhuhai Acoustics Co., Ltd, based in Zhuhai, China. With a focus on creating distinctive and individualistic products, UM is dedicated to enhancing the listening experience for music enthusiasts and audiophiles alike. Since its establishment in 2006, UM has garnered a strong presence in the audio industry, accumulating a remarkable 17 years of experience. Notably, UM has received numerous accolades and has gained a dedicated following within the audio community. Among their renowned releases, the Mest Series, including the Mest OG and Mest MKII, along with the Mext, MavenPro, and Fu Sang, have consistently garnered attention and acclaim within the audio community.

Guess what? The audio gods must have heard my wishes because I've got something truly special from UM. We're about to embark on an exciting journey as we delve into the the newly released Mest MKIII! In this review, we'll explore its capabilities, sound quality, and highlight both the pros and cons. But let me tell you, my friends, this is more than just a review. From this moment on, my whole perspective on music has been completely transformed. Buckle up, because things are about to get interesting! And LONNNGGGGGG!! Let's dive right in!

Oh before we move along, here are the sites of UM. It is quite not easy to find and you need a page translation somehow.

Site in Chinese:

https://www.uniquemelody.co/sy

In English:

https://www.uniquemelody.org/

FOREWORD:

The gear on hand has undergone at least 25 hours of use before it was assessed.
No EQ is ever applied in my reviews.
For the sake of convenience, I try my best to use a stock setup. Not everyone has access to personal ear tips or cables. If personal ear tips, cables, or accessories are used, you will be notified.
As I try to be objective, my claims will inevitably be subjective and biased to my preference. I cannot stress more that you should take this with a grain of salt for we have different perceptions to sound and what we hear.

SPECIFICATIONS:

Company: Unique Melody

Model: Mest MKIII CF

Driver count: 10 drivers in each earpiece

Socket: 0.78 2-pin

Impedance: 14 ohms

Sensitivity: strangely, no info yet on this

Frequency response: 20hz to 70khz

Crossover: 5-way crossover

Configuration: 1 Dynamic bass driver, 2 BA midrange drivers, 2 BA treble drivers, 4 EST ultra high drivers, 1 UM patent silver-palladium alloy piezoelectric bone conduction driver

PACKAGING:

The packaging for the Mest MKIII at its price point is straightforward and no-nonsense. The box features a blue and black accent, with a medium-sized design adorned with geometric triangles and zebra-like stripes. The contents of the package include:

- A pair of Mest MKIII CF earphones

- A cobalt blue custom cable

- An emerald leather case

- A warranty card

- A cleaning pad/cloth

- Open tips and Petal tips in small, medium, and large sizes

- A double pocket sandwich net bag

Although the packaging may seem basic, I have come across IEMs in lower price ranges that offer more elaborate packaging. While unboxing and packaging contribute to the overall experience, let us shift our focus to what truly matters: performance and sound. But before we delve into that, let's discuss each of the inclusions in detail.

CABLE:

The cable of the MkIII is undeniably stunning. If you opt for the red variant, the cable colorway complements the overall motif. Personally, I went with the blue variant of the MkIII, which comes with a captivating cobalt blue cable. The melon red colorway is reserved for the red variant. The source plug is notably massive and chunky, giving off a robust and durable feel. The cable starts with a sleeved section that exhibits considerable thickness. Its stiffness is evident, and it doesn't readily conform to your movements, which can be somewhat inconvenient. I often find myself having to adjust to its rigidity, which can be a bit tricky.

Midway through the cable, it splits and continues all the way to the MkIII earphones. Interestingly, the stiffness becomes more tolerable from this point onward, allowing for freer movement while on the go. The termination of the cable is a 0.78mm pin, which provides a secure connection.

One major drawback for me, however, is the lack of modularity. I can't help but wonder why UM didn't offer a modular option. As a musician, I frequently rely on 3.5mm and 6.5mm plugs. My intention was to use this impressive cable with the MkIII, but I found myself frustrated by the limitation of the 4.4mm termination. Don't get me wrong, I do appreciate the benefits of a 4.4mm balanced connection when enjoying my music. However, some of my favorite sources, such as the Centrance DACport HD and Ovidius B1, only feature a 3.5mm output. Furthermore, most of my instruments offer either a 3.5mm or 6.5mm output. Consequently, I'm constantly forced to swap cables. I've expressed this frustration in various audio groups on Facebook, and the suggested solutions were either to purchase a cable that suits my needs or to resort to using an adapter. It would have been ideal if the cable were modular, allowing for greater versatility. Whatever UM's reasons may be, I kindly urge them to take this matter into consideration in future releases.

EAR TIPS:

We are presented with two types of ear tips in the package, and allow me to share my experience with each of them. At first glance, I assumed they were Azla ear tips, which are known for their quality. However, I soon discovered that these were actually UM's own ear tips. According to UM, they are made from a food-grade silicone material, which is a first in their lineup. I must say, these ear tips are exceptionally comfortable, offering a pleasant softness and elasticity. I was able to achieve an optimal seal using the petal tips and decided to stick with them throughout this review.

On the other hand, I wasn't able to achieve a proper seal with the open tips. UM claims that these tips provide an open back effect, akin to earbuds. However, the tube length of these tips is quite short, making it a bit challenging to securely fit them onto the Mkiii. Nevertheless, I believe these tips could work well with other IEMs in my collection, and I'm curious to explore their performance in that context.

It's worth noting that the package does not include any foam tips, which might disappoint users who prefer that material. Unfortunately, if you are a foam tips enthusiast, you won't find them included with the Mkiii.

LEATHER CASE:

The protective case included with the Mkiii takes a different approach compared to the usual zipper design. Instead, it features a convenient pop-up opening mechanism. The top and bottom parts of the case offer a good grip, ensuring that it won't accidentally open even if it's dropped. However, I must admit that the thickness of the case is a bit excessive for my liking. It makes it challenging to fit into a small bag when I'm traveling light. On the bright side, the emerald colorway adds a touch of visual appeal.

In addition to the case, the Mkiii also comes with a double pocket sandwich net pouch, which I found to be a more preferable option when I'm traveling light. This pouch provides separate compartments to protect each unit, resembling socks. It's a practical solution that allows me to safely carry the Mkiii inside my sling bag without worrying about scratches or damage. I genuinely appreciate the convenience and protection it offers.

MKIII’s APPEARANCE:

Prior to the arrival of the Mkiii at my doorstep, I spent considerable time exploring UM's website, examining their design philosophy. Interestingly, I noticed a resemblance to one of my favorite IEM designers, Kinera. While comparing the Mkiii to its predecessor, I discovered that it treads a slightly different path. Well, not entirely different, as it bears a striking resemblance to UM's Indigo, which happens to be a limited edition release. Initially, the design didn't immediately captivate me, but over time, its mature beauty grew on me, and I began to appreciate its unique aesthetic.

The Mkiii features a colorway with shiny gold accents along the outer lining. Upon closer inspection, the faceplate reveals noticeable black accents that catch the light when viewed under a lamp. The base portion of the IEM is semi-transparent, revealing an intricate web-like design within. Although I tried to discern the specific configuration, the web-like patterns proved to be an obstacle. On the gold lining, the right unit showcases a serial number, while the left unit proudly displays the embedded text "MEST MKIII." The overall shape resembles a tear drop, and a vent hole is strategically positioned to prevent driver flex during prolonged use.

Lastly, it's worth mentioning that the Mkiii is constructed with carbon fiber material instead of the more common resin counterparts, providing enhanced rigidity and sturdiness. While I have been cautious in handling the Mkiii, I cannot personally vouch for its durability in the event of a drop. I refrained from conducting a drop test, as I didn't want to risk any potential damage to this remarkable IEM.

COMFORT:

The comfort of wearing the Mkiii is akin to a custom fit, at least in my experience. I found that I could wear them for extended periods without experiencing any fatigue. In fact, I was able to wear them for hours on end and even managed to take a nap with them on. Despite the medium-sized shells, which may appear slightly bulky, they never caused any discomfort for me. Additionally, the lightweight nature of the Mkiii made it easy to forget that I was wearing them. Achieving a proper seal and fit was a breeze, thanks to the ear tips, requiring minimal adjustment. It reminded me of the exceptional comfort I experienced with the TinHiFi T3 Plus, which I consider to be one of the most comfortable IEMs I've worn.

INTERNALS:

Fear not, my friend, for after this detailed exploration, we shall delve into the sonic realm of the Mkiii. Please bear with me as I strive to provide a comprehensive analysis. Haha!

The Mkiii boasts an impressive configuration of 10 drivers in each unit, encompassing four distinct types. To break it down, we have a dynamic driver dedicated to handling the low frequencies, two balanced armature (BA) drivers for the midrange, an additional pair of BAs for the treble, four electrostatic (EST) drivers responsible for the ultra-high frequencies, and a silver-palladium alloy piezoelectric bone conduction unit that ensures precise frequency compensation. Let's dive deeper into the specifications:

- The dynamic driver and BA drivers cover the frequency range of 20Hz to 20kHz.

- The EST drivers come into play from 10kHz to an astonishing 70kHz.

- The bone conduction unit operates in the frequency range of 500Hz to 16kHz.

It's worth noting that the bone conduction unit takes an innovative approach by bypassing the traditional nozzle pathway, instead employing vibrations that resonate through the skull to produce sound. As a musician, I find this technology truly mesmerizing.

Alright, my friend! The moment you've eagerly awaited has arrived! Let us now venture straight into the sonic realm of the Mkiii. Finally, eh?

SOUND IMPRESSIONS:

The Mest MKIII was put through its paces with various audio sources and equipment. I tested it with several dongles, namely the Centrance DACport HD, Ovidius B1, and Abigail Pro using both the 3.5mm and 4.4mm connections. Additionally, I explored its performance with the Fiio K9 in my desktop setup. Lastly, I paired the MKIII with my trusty portable audio player, the Hiby RS2. To ensure a fair assessment of its sound, I utilized the stock cable and ear tips provided, avoiding any potential impact from third-party accessories."

Alright, my friend! I hope you're still with me because we've finally reached the most exciting part of this review. After exploring various aspects of the Mest MKIII, it's time to dive into the nitty-gritty details—the technicalities.

When it comes to soundstage, describing and elaborating on it can be quite tricky, especially for IEMs where stage performance is typically not their main focus. However, I must say that the Mest MKIII surprises me with its spacious and wide soundstage, offering ample room for every element to breathe. The depth is discernable, going beyond the usual two-dimensional presentation. For the first time, I've found an IEM that dethrones my beloved Bqeyz Autumn in terms of soundstage. The MkIII beautifully interprets the reverb from orchestral tracks, creating a hall-like sound that enhances the listening experience. Live albums sound more immersive, providing a closer-to-life sensation with the MkIII's expansive stage. With this captivating stage, let's move on to our next topic.

Imaging is a facet where the MkIII truly excels. The presentation of elements in my music comes from various directions, creating a mind-blowing experience. The depth is highly discernable, and instrument panning becomes enjoyable and desirable. Vertical imaging is also present, particularly evident in orchestral tracks like Vivaldi's Presto. Even with a full orchestra of 44 instruments, I can easily pinpoint individual instruments, their placement, and the depth both horizontally and vertically. Instead of using the word "accurate" for imaging, I must admit that the MkIII has challenged my preconceived notions, as I found myself hearing familiar tracks with instruments placed in new, unexpected locations. It's truly an eye-opener for me.

The separation capabilities of the MkIII are immaculate. Every element in the music has ample space to breathe, even in complex ensembles like a brass section. Spending time with the MkIII, dissecting chords and harmonies for my band, has become effortless. I can study five songs in a row without breaking a sweat. I didn't expect the MkIII to be such a valuable tool for musicians, but I'm delighted to conclude that it has significantly sped up my workflow. I spend less time deciphering chordal harmonies and inversions played by artists, making my daily music-related duties more enjoyable and less frustrating. The four different types of drivers (DD, BA, EST, and BC) handle frequencies beautifully, resulting in an accurate distribution that enhances layering, making it more defined and polished.

The MkIII showcases impressive speed and coherency, as there's a seamless synchronization among the drivers. No element feels out of pace or out of sync. UM's claim of significant improvement in this aspect over the MkIII's predecessors is indeed justified.

In terms of timbre, the MkIII delivers a realistic and natural sound. However, I do have a minor caveat as the midrange can sometimes lean towards the thinner side on certain tracks. Now, whether you believe in burn-in or not, I must mention that after almost two weeks of continuous listening, I feel that either my brain or the gear has adapted to the MkIII's tuning. For BA drivers handling the midrange and treble, the MkIII manages to minimize any prominent BA timbre, ensuring a more enjoyable listening experience.

Driving the MkIII is relatively easy, and even with a basic setup like using a phone with the Abigail pro dongle and Apple Music, I've found it sufficient for an enjoyable listen. With an impedance of 14 ohms, the MkIII can be driven by virtually any source without any issues. However, scaling it with a proper amplifier like the Centrance Dacport HD dongle does bring additional benefits, as it provides more power to make the MkIII shine even brighter.

BASS:

The MkIII may not boast the punchiest or tightest bass I've ever encountered, but there's something truly special about its presentation. The bass frequencies are primarily handled by the bone conduction driver, which adds an extra layer of engagement and immersion to the low-end response. If you focus and pay close attention, you'll notice subtle vibrations from the bone conduction driver, bypassing the traditional nozzle pathway and creating sound that can be felt on your skin and skull. This unique approach extends beyond the bass and permeates throughout the entire frequency spectrum, as we'll discuss shortly.

The MkIII excels in reproducing lows around the 60Hz range, where the combination of instruments and the bone conduction driver truly shines. When an instrument hits this sweet spot, the collaboration between the bass and the bone conduction driver delivers an overload of bass awesomeness. However, it's important to note that the quantity of bass here is not overwhelming, nor does it meet the standards of a basshead's benchmark. Instead, the bass is refined and exhibits the perfect amount of weight to evoke a sense of fun without going overboard. Instruments such as drum kicks, dhols, floor toms, timpanis, acoustic bass, and various ethnic instruments like the tanggu from China left a lasting impression on me. The MkIII captures the reverberation of these instruments with remarkable efficiency, allowing the bone conduction driver to shine while maintaining a balanced quantity that doesn't overpower the surrounding frequencies. I couldn't ask for a better portrayal of bass in this regard.

MIDRANGE:

The midrange of the MkIII may not be the most forward I've encountered, but it is accurately placed within the soundstage. As I listen to an orchestral track, the choir is positioned behind and airy, occupying its rightful place across the stage platform. As someone who appreciates a mid-centric sound, it took me some time to adjust, as I personally prefer more forward mids. One notable aspect of the MkIII's midrange is its timbre, which leans slightly towards a thin character. From a neutral perspective, this won't be an issue, as it feels natural and balanced. However, coming from IEMs like my Bqeyz Winter with lush midrange, the thinness becomes more noticeable. It's important to mention that this is not a dealbreaker and can be something one can get used to. It can be attributed to the characteristic BA timbre. Overall, most instruments, including acoustic guitars, string sections, rhodes, warm upright pianos, organs, and a wide variety of genres in my playlist, sound right with the MkIII. However, there are times when brightly mixed tracks exhibit some thinness, but this is merely a nitpick on my part and not a cause for complaint.

Surprisingly, the vocals on the MkIII are forward, which is somewhat unusual since vocals fall within the midrange. Looking at the graph, we can observe a slight elevation of a few dBs around 600Hz to 1kHz, which enhances male vocals. Artists like Luther Vandross, Frank Sinatra, and Barry White shine with the MkIII's lower midrange emphasis. As for the upper midrange, there's a slight downward slope around 1kHz-3kHz, which still maintains a justified presence for female vocals. Fleetwood Mac is an artist that the MkIII favors, and contralto singers find a great match in its tuning. Audiophiles often enjoy testing their gear with the voice of Diana Krall, whose vocals sound blissful with the MkIII. Despite these minor nitpicks, the MkIII remains a viable and much-appreciated IEM for its performance in the midrange. Worth noting too, is the BC driver is still at play here and there are times when a vocal hits a certain frequency that the BC is greatly triggered especially if the mastering portrays a forward vocal presentation.

TREBLE:

The treble performance of the MkIII is on par with its impressive bass, delivering a clean and highly resolving sound. What sets the treble apart is the combination of the balanced armature (BA) driver and the electrostatic (EST) drivers, which introduce a whole new world of details and nuances that I haven't experienced before. As this is my first IEM with EST drivers, it took some time for me to adjust and fully appreciate their presentation, as occasional brightness can be heard. However, it's important to note that the MkIII exhibits impressive control over the treble, as even tracks with extreme sibilance failed to elicit any discomfort or negative reactions from me.

An example of the MkIII's treble control can be heard in AC/DC's "A Long Way to the Top," where the bagpipes can be quite shouty and piercing with gear that isn't carefully tuned in the treble range. However, the MkIII handles them with finesse, showcasing sparkle and air in the treble region. The addition of the EST drivers brings a different color to the overall sound profile, and UM has done an excellent job of tuning, striking a balance between avoiding sibilance and unveiling a wealth of fine details.

There are several nuances in the treble that left a lasting impression on me. I could hear Diana Krall's subtle lip smacking in between her breaths, the sound of a cellist breathing while playing, the overtones of drum snares, and the delicate ride bells that became more pronounced compared to my other IEMs. This level of detail retrieval is a unique achievement, demonstrating UM's expertise and their 17 years of experience in designing IEMs with this driver configuration. The treble of the MkIII stands as a testament to their knowledge and skill in crafting a captivating and nuanced sound signature.

COMPARISONS:

To provide a more comprehensive comparison, I've chosen to focus on a specific IEM that I currently have in my possession: the Letshuoer Cadenza 12. A detailed review of the Cadenza 12 will follow shortly. Now, let's delve into the comparison.

PACKAGING:

Undoubtedly, the Cadenza 12 provides a more luxurious and fitting unboxing experience within its price range. It offers a greater number of accessories, inclusions, and an overall well-presented package. To truly appreciate the extent of its packaging, I believe that visuals would be more effective. Allow me to share some pictures showcasing the Cadenza 12's packaging. You can click down below for Cadenza's thread

https://www.head-fi.org/showcase/letshuoer-cadenza-12.26349/reviews

While I don't want to delve too extensively into other aspects as this is primarily a review for the Mkiii, I do want to touch upon one aspect that I feel Unique Melody could have taken into consideration when designing the Mkiii.