Unique Melody MEST Review

1. Build quality & Comfort

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I didn’t ship any impressions to China as they still have the ones from the Mason-series reviews, and as that CIEM has a perfect fit, they used those impressions.

The build quality of the MEST, just like with the Mason-series IEMs, is perfect. The MEST size-wise is on the smaller side of normal and the whole unit feels smooth. The face plate closing is seamless and you can in no way say it’s different from any other face-plate, even if it’s part of the bone conduction technology. There’s a small ventilation port at the bottom of the face plate, but you can’t even feel it.

The canals are short and feature 3-bores with a metal ending of the sound tubes. These are slightly recessed in the tip of the canal, so that you don’t feel any sharp edges.

The 2-pin connector is a bit special as it sticks out of the shell. The cable connector goes over the part that sticks out and so once connected, you would say it’s a normal 2-pin connector. This means that a normal 2-pin cable will be difficult to use with the MEST but at the same time the stock supplied cable is very nice, so I never felt the need to change it.

There’s a little bit of driver flex audible when inserting the MEST or when making the units move when inserted, but not so that it becomes bothersome.

2. Personalization

There is no real option to personalize the MEST, and both the universal and custom version are only available in a red/black or blue/black carbon look finish. I personally prefer the blue over the red but it seems most people really dig the red version.

I’m not sure why Unique Melody doesn’t offer custom options on this specific model, but it’s the way it is.

Unique Melody MEST

3. Cable

The dual tone cable that comes with the MEST seems to be specially built for the MEST and it is selling for $424 USD on MusicTeck’s website. You can get it with a 2.5 and 4.4mm balanced termination or a single ended 3.5MM one. Our version is the 2.5mm one.

There is very little know about this cable, but it both physically as well as sonically is pleasing. I haven’t used any other cable with the MEST and I never felt like the cable was holding back the performance of the MEST sound-wise.

4. Price & Accessories

The universal version of the MEST is normally selling for $1,399 USD but it is discounted now to $1,259 USD. The custom version of the MEST goes for $1,699 USD. There actually now is a trimmed down mini Mest available which is selling for only $599 USD. You can find out more about the mini Mest here: https://shop.musicteck.com/collections/um-unique-melody/products/um-universal-mini-mest?variant=32140775850046

The MEST arrives in a pretty and sturdy book, which has UM’s typical blue-black Dignis carry-case inside.

Accessory-wise the MEST comes with:

• A Dignis carry-case
• A UM branded cleaning cloth
• A plastic warranty card with the serial number and production date (1 year, cable 6 months)
• Two adapters (2.5mm to 4.4mm and 2.5mm to 3.5mm). EDIT: It seems these have been only sent out to reviewers. they’re not part of the standard consumer package.  Sorry

My unit also came with a personal handwritten note but I’m not sure all MEST units will have this. The adapters actually are identical to those supplied by Cayin, they just have no logo here.

So delivery and accessory-wise you get a nice and full package, no complaining here.

5. Customer Service

This time the MEST sample was sent directly by Unique Melody. I didn’t follow the regular buying procedure, so it’s hard to comment on the customer service for this one.

Seeing both the universal version as well as the custom one can’t be personalized, there in theory isn’t any contact needed either, except for sending in your impressions.

All my exchanges with UM went by email and they always were very reactive.

6. Sound

Bone Conduction

From the first day I have absolutely loved these new monitors, even though I the first few hours really had to get used to the feeling of the bone conduction driver. The experience of bone conduction is very difficult to describe and it really is something you have to experience yourself. You can really feel that there’s something vibrating and you feel it on your eardrum, but not in the same way you feel it when you’re standing in front of a big speaker pumping out bass at a way too high volume.

It’s a more intense and deep feeling, it’s not overpowering but it has just enough force to tingle your senses. It really gives an extra dimension to listening to music and it really offer something extra to the sound overall.

Readers have asked me to compare the bone conduction of the universal version to the custom version, but I unfortunately only have the CIEM here. The(ir) theory here is that the bone conduction might be more noticeable in the custom version as the shell and canals have a lot more contact with your ear compared to the universal version. That indeed sounds acceptable, but I can only speak for the custom model, and in my case the experience really is special.

Unique Melody MEST

General

The impressions on sound were done with a mix of sources but mostly the Astell&Kern SP2000 as I find this to be the perfect fit with the MEST. We’ll discuss other sources later in the review.

The sound stage width and depth are seriously impressive and the drivers flawlessly work together. The extension in both highs and lows is really good but that was to be expected with the dynamic driver for the bass and the 4 drivers for the highs (2 BA and 2 EST).

From top to bottom, the spaciousness, airyness and especially the depth with excellent layering are to die for and one of the very best I’ve ever heard. It’s not that the MEST is cheap but I have many, more expensive monitors in my collection which don’t come close to the technical level of the MEST.

A great recording to test or experience this with is Billie Eilish’s “When we all fall asleep…” album.

The general tuning is neutrally musical with a smooth delivery and a bit of warmth but never overly so. It also does depend on what kind of source you’re using with the MEST. I myself like it most with a very clear and precise source such as the SP2000. The Lotoo PAW6000 in example gives it an even fuller and warmer sound, but we’ll get back to that later in this review.

What also impresses me is the excellent left-right balance and stereo image the MEST produces. This probably is one of the best performing monitors in my collection in this regard.

The part on sound continues on page three, just click here or below.