Unique Melody The Multiverse Mentor Review

Next up is the FiR M5. It is selling for $2,799 USD and it features a single 10mm dynamic driver, three balanced armature drivers, and a single electrostatic driver.

The M5 to me is also lighter in body and bass compared to the MM, but there’s more than in the Maven Pro. The most remarkable part of the M5 to me is the decay and note extension, together with the spacious and airy feel. While the MM certainly doesn’t play at a lower level, things like the note extension are more audible in the M5 because of the slightly lighter weight. I especially love the note decay here, the mid/treble sparkle and the top end extension in notes and sound stage. Again these are very different IEMs where the M5 is the more neutrally tuned, lighter one. If you find the Multiverse Mentor too full and heavy sounding, the FiR M5 could be a really good IEM for you to check out.

Last but not least there is Vision ears’ extremely popular Elysium IEM. The Elysium sets you back just under $3K in custom version.

The Elysium sports 1 balanced armature driver for bass, 1 dynamic driver for the mids (HALC) and a double electrostat driver for the highs. It’s actually the hardest to drive of all the IEMs mentioned in this article. The vocal presentation and higher mids here are very strong and more forward. Like with the M5 the note decay and extension here are more easily audible as it doesn’t have the same bass presence and mid thickness. I still love the Elysium and even though it’s a few years old already, it still holds its ground. The technical level of the Elysium is very good (topping the M5), but the MM still is outperforming it.

The Elysium is more like the M5 in multiple ways, so if you find the Multiverse Mentor too full and heavy sounding, the Elysium could also be a really good IEM for you to check out.

Sources

For this section, I have used the Multiverse Mentor with a series of popular sources. I always used the Balanced output and streamed music from Tidal via the DAP or my laptop running ROON. IF you remember the specs from earlier in the article, you know that the MM is an easy to drive IEM

The first source is my favorite DAP, the Astell & Kern SP3000. The Multiverse Mentor with this source sounds very powerful. It has an impressive bass presence and bass body and impact is there when needed. The bass however is fully under control, so even when you’re listening to bass heavier music, it never sounds messy. Bass is tight, punchy and reaches low with great sub rumble when needed. The left-right stereo imaging and positioning in this combo is a pleasure to the ear. The sound stage is wide, deep and well-layered. The top end is precise and extended without ever becoming sharp. All that combined with a high resolution, excellent decay, Impressive dynamics, top level airiness/spaciousness and an exciting energy level, makes this one the very best combos I have ever listened to. I would be perfectly happy if I only had this exact portable setup for the rest of my life. 

The N7 DAP isn’t Cayin’s flagship player, but I listen to it more than their N8ii. I just love the liveliness, dynamics and energy of the N7. Also here (in CLASS A mode) the bass impact is impressive and similar to that of the SP3000, but it’s performing at a lower technical level and bass isn’t as tight. The delivery with the impact, fullness and speed is very comparable. The midrange here is a little narrower than with the SP3000 and that does have an impact on the sound stage experience both in stage as well as positioning. The midrange timbre in this combo is more vibrant, and the vocals have some more attention to them. The Cayin and MM combo has a more than good enough technical level and a very musical presentation. The top-end isn’t as extended and refined as on the AK, but that for some could be good as it is softer on the ears. Even if I never had an issue with the SP3000’s top end. It’s a good combo that’s also fun to listen to, but it doesn’t reveal everything the MM is capable of.  

The Cayin N8ii performs at a higher technical level as the N7 and I like the MM most in solid state mode in CLASS A because of the energy and precision. The N8ii and MM combo has a high technical level like the SP3000, but you still don’t get the same level of dynamics, energy, clarity and sparkle. The N8ii and MM combo sounds softer and smoother on the ear and the speed and tightness is a little lower than on the AK. Some of you might actually prefer this typical tuning as it is easier to listen to. For me personally it’s a bit soft. I do like the musicality, but I like the even more typical solid state presentation of the SP3000. If the N8ii could have some of the sparkle, clarity and energy of the N7, it would be a top contender for the MM, together with the SP3000.

My two favorite dongles of the moment are the Cayin RU7 and the Luxury & Precision W2. With the Multiverse Mentor I have a clear preference for the RU7. On the W2 in low gain,  you get a softer overall presentation with a lighter bass presence. What I miss here most is the energy level, sparklines and technical performance compared to the DAPs. With the Cayin RU7 you body wise get the same typical bass as with the above mentioned DAPs, and the presentation is more tight, lively and sparkling as on the W2. The RU7 and MM combo is clean and you get a good technical level, with clarity, extension and top end sparkle. Like the N7, the RU7 is not getting the very best out of the MM, but dongle-wise I find the RU7 to come closest to the best possible performance. That said, I would still recommend using a DAP directly, and not a dongle.

Moving to the transportable and award winning EarMen Angel, I find back what I was missing so far from the SP3000 and MM combo. The Angel provides energy, control, precision, a high resolution, lovely dynamics, and excellent technicalities. It not as refined or extended (both note extension as well as sound stage) as the SP3000 but it’s very close. You here get a good amount of body, powerful controlled bass, spacious mids, and lively and sparkling top end with good extension. From top to lows there’s good energy, detail, depth and layering. If the SP3000 isn’t available the Angel is my next source I go to.   

 Conclusion

The Unique Melody Multiverse Mentor is one of the very best custom high-end monitors in my collection. The overall technical excellence is jaw dropping, and especially the sound stage, positioning, resolution, layering and extension are exemplary.

While the Multiverse Mentor will sound good with anything, I do recommend to match is with a clear, fast, energetic and highly precise source. Only then will you get the full potential of this extraordinary IEM. At the same time I don’t recommend to use bass heavy sources as the bass presentation might become a bit overpowering. Especially if you’re not a fan of an always heavier bass tuning.

The Multiverse Mentor is expensive, but you in return get a complete package, excellent build quality and one of the best monitors ever designed. If you’re looking for a very high-end and top-performing monitor, the MM has to be the first one on your list. If your budget doesn’t reach all the way to the MM, I recommend looking at the far more reachable MEST series as they offer very good quality for money.

For me it is an easy recommendation and the Multiverse Mentor goes to our Best CIEM page where it is in very good company of all the Recommended Buy Winners.

Pros

• Sublime overall tuning with a musical delivery
• Technical excellence
• End game IEM

Cons

• Price
• Bass presence and lower mid weight can be too much for some
• Top end source is needed to reach the full potential

Page 1: Unique Melody, Multiverse Mentor, Specifications, Design, Build quality, Comfort and Isolation, Cable

Page 2: Price & Accessories, Sound Intro, Sound, Comparison Pt. 1

Page 3: Comparison Pt. 2, Source Matching, Conclusion, Summary