Build quality & Comfort & Isolation
I’ve always been very happy with the build quality of all my UM monitors. Their shell and face plate work are one of the best on the market if you ask me. As you can see in the pictures, my Maven Pro is in black, and as such there’s little to say about the design, and it’s all about the build quality.
In my custom version, there are no markings or any labelling on the inside of the shell. The 2-pin connectors sit perfectly flush on the surface. Everything looks and feel smooths and there are no flaws to be found in the 3D-printing and/or assembly process. The only way you can spot these are 3D-printed, is by looking inside of the faceplate opening. There you will see a less slick surface with some supports as they’re called. A 3D-printer usually makes these to be able to build an overhanging structure. As this is on the inside, it’s impossible for UM to remove these. It doesn’t really bother me though. It’s a nice way to show how excellent the 3D-printing process is. After several months of usage the insides of the shells aren’t fully shiny anymore as you can perhaps notice in the pictures, but that’s regular wear. So, another great job from Unique Melody.
Like the MEXT, the Maven Pro is a bit larger in size compared to the market average. The Maven Pro, like any of my UM IEMs, fits perfectly, it just sticks out of your ears a bit more. The nozzles are a bit longer than in some of my other recent monitors, so the insertion is a bit deeper here. The nozzles have a 4-bore system integrated, but the metal tubes are recessed so you won’t be able to feel them. The tip of the canal is rounded and there are no sharp edges.
Comfort-wise the Maven Pro is perfect just like my other UM customs. Of course, that all depends on your scans, but in my case there’s nothing to complain about and long listening sessions are no issue. Where I with the previous MEXT had some “Driver Flex” when inserting/removing, I this time had no such experience. As the monitor size isn’t the smallest, the shells stick out of your ears a bit further, but that doesn’t make them any less comfortable.
As this is a well-fitting custom unit, the isolation is high. A perfect fit means a high level of isolation, usually around -26dB.
Design & Personalization
The Maven Pro is available in both universal as custom IEM, but the personalization options are limited, because of the titanium 3D printing. The custom set is quite a bit more, and it sets you back a mighty $2,999 USD. That’s the price for the titanium shells in the default color. Other colors are available with blue, black (our set), and gold costing an extra $900 USD.
Cable
The Maven Pro comes with the famous and well-acclaimed UM Copper M2 headphone cable. The M2 contains OCC copper cores along with a metal Y-Splitter and chin-slider, providing excellent cable flexibility. Termination available in 2.5mm, 4.4mm balanced, and 3.5mm. We opted for the 4.4mm connector.
The cable is flexible and light, and I never experienced any friction noise or microphonics when using the stock cable. The 4.4mm plug on my set is quite large, so do take that into account when you’re using a DAP or source/amp with a smaller footprint. With the Cayin N7 I have just enough room to plug in the 4.4mm connector and the USB-C cable together, but then removing the USB-C cable becomes impossible without removing the 4.4mm connecter first.
I cable-wise I never felt the need to upgrade. But I must admit that the Mentor Multiverse’s cable is even more impressive. We’ll be posting that review soon! (Spoiler, it’s incredibly good, but expensive)
Price & Accessories
The Maven Pro IEM comes in a really fancy 2-layer box. In the bottom drawer you will find the accessories, while the black UM case and IEMS are in the op layer.
The case the Maven Pro comes is, is Unique Melody’s “Calving Polygon Storage Box”. This Dignis case is made from classic Italian kneaded cowhide, and it has a unique polygonal finish design. Dark gray ultra-fiber leather, carbon steel splicing, trio rhythm design, and the steady traditional black highlights different layers. The bag body matches the gun colour metal zipper, and the leather box is elegant. It’s a fancy box, no doubt about that.
Included:
- Headphones: One pair of Maven Pro
- Cable: UM Copper M2 Custom Cable with leather cable clip
- Case: UM “ESP” Double Drawer Blue Gift Box
- Carrying Case: Dignis Calving Polygon Storage Box
- Pouch: A white soft, luxurious bag
- Digital Warranty Card
- Premium Grey Cleaning Pad
- Eartips (universal version): AZLA SednaEarfit Xelastec SS/MS/M + Silicone S+M/L
Sound – Intro
I have listened to the Unique Melody Maven Pro with a whole series of sources and DAPs, but the main ones are the Chord Mojo 2, the new Cayin N7 DAP and the excellent Astell&Kern SP3000.
On all devices I streamed all kinds of music from Tidal, as well as from my local library.
Sound – General
For me the Unique Melody Maven Pro has a tuning which is very lively, dynamic, and energetic. It’s more to the neutral side, but with the tight bass, mid-bass focus, upper treble liveliness, and vocal forwardness, it’s not typically neutral.
The Maven Pro is full bodied, but not in the same way as say the MEXT and MEST MKII. Compared to that part of the UM line-up, it’s lighter from top to bottom. The bass presence of these 2 models also is far more impressive than it is here, where it’s more to a neutral level, but not quite.
The Maven Pro perfectly mixes a good technical level with an enjoyable, fun, and musical presentation. The technical level in the Maven Pro is quite ok but isn’t the best we’ve experienced from UM. That said, it doesn’t make you feel like you’re missing out either, so it’s well-tuned in that regards.
The things I really like with the Maven Pro are the following. First, the left-right balance, stereo imaging and staging are well done. Second, the speed. The Maven Pro from top to bottom has excellent PRaT and attack. Third, the clarity and cleanness. It doesn’t matter what source you use or what music you listen to, the Maven Pro never disappoints in these regards.
At the same time, I don’t find the Maven Pro to be the most airy or spacious monitor and you get a more intimate presentation. Don’t mistake intimate for congested, as that’s not the case at all. The depth from top to bottom is ok, but it together with the the layering in this monitor isn’t extraordinary. Looking at what other UM monitors can do, there is room for improvement.
All-in-all the Maven Pro has a presentation which is more to the neutral side, but with an enjoyable and fun, lively delivery. The bass presence is good but not overpowering and it’s focusing on mid bass. The mid body is excellent, and the overall liveliness and dynamics are excellent. The vocal presentation is somewhat more to the front, but without drawing too much attention on it. It simply works and makes things exciting. The treble section with the EST drivers follows the popular tuning and the top extension from the EST drivers is impressive.
Sound – Classics
Bass is good and not overpowering. It always has a nice presence and it’s tight. I can’t describe the Maven Pro as a bass heavier IEM though, it’s more neutral here compared to other UM IEMs. You do get the typical BA bass in the way it’s portrayed. From a technical point of view, it’s not the best when it comes to detail, layering and sub bass presence. The mid bass presence is what it’s all about, more than a sub bass presence. The lower frequencies do nicely connect to the mid bass and that presentation is done well. Some people describe the Maven Pro as bass heavier, but from my sample that’s not really something I could say.
The mids are clean, clear, and very dynamic / lively, but I would have loved to have a bit more air and space between the elements. The depth and layering could be further improved as well, as mentioned before. The vocal presentation is more to the front, but the tuning works well to make things engaging and exciting.
The treble section has the typical, popular tuning with a dip in the early frequencies, to then have a spike around 6-7-8kHz.The EST drivers here extend the treble section well, with an energetic, lively, and spacious presentation on top of that. For me the treble section is the most impressive. That said, it because of the less characteristic bass and lower mids section draws more attention. And that’s something not everyone will appreciate as much.
The Maven Pro always is a musical, energetic, and dynamic sounding monitor. It in no time will have you tapping your foot. The detail retrieval is good from top to bottom, but there’s room for improvement on a technical level. You do get a lovely extension, especially from the notes in the mids and treble region. That said, other monitors like the MEST MKII are more resolving and technically stronger performing.
The article continues on the third page with Comparisons, Sources and our conclusion. Click here.
Page 1: Intro, Unique Melody, Maven Pro, Specifications, Material & Building
Page 3: Comparisons, Sources, Conclusion
Kevin Lee
Today we review the Unique Melody Maven Pro IEM which is selling for $1.799 USD in custom version and 2.999 USD in universal version.
The price ?