Update - UM Miracle added.
 
[size=10pt]Hello Everyone,[/size]
 
[size=10pt]The name Unique Melody is rather well known amongst Head-Fi circles. What is maybe less known is how they sound since impressions are few and far between. There is simply a matter of geography that presents a continental divide between consumers and producers, even in today's modern world. It is simply no easy feat to stroll down to the local electronics store and sample custom demos from Ultimate Ears, Jerry Harvey Audio, Westone or let alone Unique Melody. If only an opportunity arose that could perhaps build a bridge across that divide.[/size]
 
[size=10pt]When Unique Melody introduced a Hybrid custom called the 'Merlin' an opportunity did in fact present itself. Being a long time Dynamic Driver afficianado I've only recently begun to appreciate what Balanced Armatures can do in the guise of the DBA-02, UE In-Ear Reference Monitor and Westone ES5. Over the years many manufacturers and consumers have pondered if the inherent strengths of both technologies could coexist in a sort of ideal 'Frankenphone'. Doing so in custom IEM form presents yet another challenge still. A few have tried in the past but what happened? To borrow a few lines from Dune:[/size]
 
[size=10pt]Reverend Mother Mohiam: “Many men have tried.”[/size]
[size=10pt]Paul Atreides: “Tried and failed?”[/size]
[size=10pt]Reverend Mother Mohiam: “Tried and died.”[/size]
 
[size=10pt]Perhaps not quite that extreme but you get the idea.[/size]
 
[size=10pt]A few months ago I contacted Unique Melody Australia about whether they might be interested in establishing a loaner/review program in the United States. They seemed to be responsive toward the idea and asked if I would forward them some thoughts about what would be involved and other logistical considerations. After a good bit of collaboration they decided to go ahead and implement the program.[/size]
 
[size=10pt]So I would like to announce today that the Merlin demo has indeed landed. To begin, the program will include a select group of well respected and well known reviewers in the Head-Fi IEM community. Some with more experience using customs than others but all with a lot of experience using in-ear monitors and distinct views and methodologies.  This group should present a very wide breadth.  The initial goal of the US tour of the Merlin is to get as many quality reviews and impressions that would best benefit the Head-fi community and potential interested parties. Once this first phase is complete we will discuss more comprehensive details of potentially opening up the loaner to the general population.[/size]
 
[size=10pt]Until then, please consider the review list set and final and not open to new participants at this time.[/size]
 
[size=10pt]The list of selected listeners is below. We've all been in contact for the past few months and I'd like to thank everyone involved for keeping details and information under wraps while we sorted out the business end of things. The initial tour will commence from West Coast to East Coast. Further details and specifics will be handled via the established group PM system. Feel free to contact me personally if any reviewers have specific issues that arise.[/size]
 
[size=10pt]As a disclaimer, I am not an employee or affiliate of Unique Melody or Unique Melody Australia. I act solely as an independent member of the Head-fi community and have no interests and received no compensation other than future, potential logistic reimbursements (eg. postage, disposable tips and such).[/size]
 
[size=10pt]I look forward to everyone's feedback, impressions and reactions.[/size]
 
[size=10pt]Happy Listening![/size]
 
[size=10pt]Anax [/size]
 
[size=10pt]Review list:[/size]
 
[size=10pt]Pacific Northwest[/size]
[size=10pt]kwkarth[/size]
 
[size=10pt]California[/size]
ljokerl <--- Current user
[size=10pt]average_joe[/size]
[size=10pt]LFF[/size]
Inks
mrspeakers
shane55
[size=10pt]Project86[/size]
Anaxilus
 
[size=10pt]Mid West[/size]
[size=10pt]HeadphoneAddict[/size]
[size=10pt]goodvibes[/size]
[size=10pt]Spyro[/size]
[size=10pt]ericp10[/size]
[size=10pt]mvw2[/size]
[size=10pt]cn11[/size]
 
[size=10pt]East Coast[/size]
[size=10pt]Rawrster[/size]
[size=10pt]Kunlun[/size]
[size=10pt]dj nellie[/size]
[size=10pt]immtbiker[/size]
[size=10pt]JoeyRusso[/size]
[size=10pt]jp11801[/size]
 

Unique Melody Asia
Unique Melody Australia
Unique Melody North America

[size=13pt]Merlin[/size]

[size=small][size=10pt]Merlin 5 Driver Quad Balanced Armature +Dynamic Driver HYBRID Custom In Ear Monitor.
Frequency Range 10Hz-19000Hz; 3 Way crossover
Sensitivity 108db spl (1mw) 
Impedance:12ohm
Configuration: Single Low, Dual Mid, Dual High
Warranty 2year[/size][size=10pt]，[/size][size=10pt]Refit free within 60days
Thats right, 10Hz-19000Hz and a two year warranty.

Price: from $779, not including impressions. [/size][/size]


 
 

Miracle

Variation: Any colour, limited artwork*
Transducers: Six Balanced Armature Drivers
Configuration: Passive 3-Way crossover (Dual High, Dual Mid, Dual Low)
Frequency Range: 18 Hz-19 kHz
Impedance: 15.9 ohm
Sensitivity (1mW): 114 dB SPL
Accessories: Replaceable braided cable, leather box case, Leather Carrying Pouch, Cleaning Tool

Price: from $929, not including impressions.
 

 

reserved

  Hey guys,
 
We understand that there are non-headfi reviewers out there who want to audit the Merlin as well!~
 
 
We now have a Merlin demo unit available for auditing. If you are interested, please contact us at
stephenguo@live.com.
 
There will be a deposit, but fully refundable of course.  =)

Quote:

stephen guo said:

How come I just heard about it when I'm the North American distributor. 

 
Anaxilus, can you email me?  (stephenguo@live.com)
 
Thanks in advance. =)

Click to expand...

Done.  =)
 

Reserved - with much anticipation

Glad the Merlin is generating a bit of interest from you guys.  We are very keen to hear back from you, this has been a bit of an experiment for us too, moving away not only from BA's but from our typical neutral, balanced house sound and we're a little nervous.  That being said,  we can't wait to hear some unbiased reviews from you guys so that we continue to develop our hybrid tech and push the limits of what we can achieve.
 
If you have any further questions, or would like to be involved in further IEM road trips, please feel absolutely at liberty to get in touch with us!
 
Looking forward to these reviews.
 

Subbed. One of the customs on my short list of consideration. Thanks in advance for the reviews.

Reserved.... Patiently waiting my turn... 

Heh, quite the all-star Head-Fi line up for this one. Look forward to seeing what you all think!

I consider myself a "poser-audiophile," so my review should probably be taken with a grain of salt. I do believe my ears are sensitive to detail, but I often find my opinion of monitors/headphones commonly mentioned here to be contrary to the majority, so I'm left to think maybe MY ears are at fault.
 
Anyway... I received the Merlin demos today and listened to them for at least an hour straight, right outta the box. I listened to a wide variety of music to really see what these could do and even while listening to them now, I can't come to a final conclusion.
 
I believe what most people consider to be "flat" is in fact too bright. I find that a lot of "studio reference" monitors and headphones lack lower end. I don't consider myself a "bass-head," but if you've ever been to a concert or played an instrument live at a loud volume, the bass is more prominent than represented in most "studio reference" listening devices. At least, this is how I perceive things.
 
Having said that, I had thought the Merlins could very well be the solution to this problem. I've always wanted a pair of hybrid monitors and I believe UM's recipe of 2 high BAs, 2 mid BAs and 1 low dynamic driver is perfect. Most of the music I listened to sounded near perfect to me. Despite the heavy low end, the mids and highs were still perfectly audible... but on the particularly bass-heavy recordings I auditioned, the low end was just a bit much. BUT, this is only on a few recordings that were mastered with excessive bass. Most of what I listened to was an absolute pleasure. You can actually FEEL the bass with these monitors. Literally... I could feel the air vibrate inside my ears. Listening to Ry Cuming's "Harder to Say" was great. I could literally FEEL the bass drum in the intro. THIS is what I've been looking for in studio reference monitors. THIS is what listening to live music is like... or as close as it's gonna get.
 
... but I just can't get over the bassier recordings. I kept wanting to reach for my Mage 6s to balance things out. Unfortunately, they're on the way back to UM for repairs (and I fear they've actually been lost in the mail... and I didn't get insurance. damn).
 
In conclusion: I'm on the fence. If you're looking for something that has a more realistic and impacting bass response, the Merlins are definitely an excellent choice, but if your library is loaded with music saturated with low end, the Merlins may be a bit much. Needless to say, if I had money burning a hole in my pocket, I'd definitely grab a pair of these bad boys.

Thanks for sharing!  Could you tell us what tips you tried or settled on w/ the demos?  

They only came with one set of tips. Considering the size of the stems, the tips probably wouldn't change the fit much. You're more or less at the mercy of the stems, not the tips.

Just a quick update.  The Merlin and Miracle demos will head out by the end of the week to the first reviewers.  I'll be updating the thread to reflect the Miracle has been added to the review process as well.