Dual conduction system (air conduction + bone conduction)
Continuous growth in innovation has been the philosophy that UM has followed since its establishment. UM has invested a lot of money and energy in technology and research and development. As early as ten years ago, we began to study the use of bone conduction in IEM, so that the dual conduction system can play a better sound quality performance. This is a process of continuous exploration, and the MEST series is a successful proof.
Four units, exquisite collocation
4 kinds of unit combinations, moving coil is responsible for low frequency, moving iron is responsible for medium and high frequency, static is responsible for ultra high frequency, and silver palladium alloy piezoelectric bone conduction provides full frequency compensation. Superb layering and separation, from holographic imaging to 3D presentation, fully embodies every impactful bass, textured midrange, and beautiful treble. MEST MKIII CF is a milestone progress of IEM. Its impeccable tuning and collocation, high-level imaging, amazing hearing. Silver-palladium alloy piezoelectric bone conduction is the key to bringing cohesion. Benefiting from the impact of bone conduction on all frequency bands, MEST MKIII CF forms just the right thickness and density of sound, allowing you to experience a comfortable rhythm and wonderful sound quality in all directions.
Electrostatic enhancement, tuning optimization
The electrostatic unit is selected to increase the frequency response range and expand the treble, so that the ear can capture the sound details that cannot be felt normally.
4 electrostatic units make the sound of MEST MKIII CF more sensitive, with low distortion rate, richer details and stronger sense of air.
On the basis of the original tuning, more attention is paid to the sense of low-frequency volume and details, and the sensitive points are highlighted to make the sound richer and full of inspiration.
MEST MKIII CF uses bone conduction to vibrate the sound from the inside of the cavity, and directly transmits the sound to the inner ear by contacting the skull without going through the sound outlet. The frequency response range of MEST MKIII CF can reach 20Hz to 70kHz, ultra-wide frequency response. Among them, the moving coil and moving iron are responsible for 20Hz to 20kHz, the electrostatic unit is responsible for 10kHz to 70kHz, and the silver-palladium alloy bone conduction is responsible for full-frequency compensation of 500Hz to 16kHz. Air conduction and bone conduction interact to create a new sound quality, MEST MKIII CF is uniquely innovative and competitive.
UM patent silver-palladium alloy piezoelectric bone conduction
The silver-palladium alloy piezoelectric bone conduction unit has a total of 27 layers of ceramic coating, and each layer of ceramic is 23-25 μm.
Each bone conduction unit has been strictly tested for capacitance value, dielectric loss, displacement and resonance frequency. The use of high temperature resistant conductive palladium paste enables ceramics to be sintered at 980°, which fully guarantees product performance. Compared with the 14-layer ceramic coating with double vibration bone conduction, silver-palladium alloy piezoelectric bone conduction has the characteristics of more layers and higher thickness, which improves the bone conduction vibration effect with high quality and makes the sound effect more distinctive.
MEST MKIII CF adds a gold-plated PCB version, which integrates all frequency dividers on the circuit board, with good stability and consistency, and gold-plated for better conductivity. High-precision components are used on the circuit board to ensure good sound quality and strong stability.
Red and blue optional
Available in red and blue colors, the metal middle frame is inlaid with a carbon fiber cavity and a fruit wood panel. Blue, quiet and elegant, red, enthusiasm and vitality. One static and one movement, one piece and one relaxation, each has its own characteristics.
MEST MKIII CF has two types: male model and custom model. The custom model can be freely matched with the colors on the UM color board and customized personalized logo. You can also customize the same style and color as the male model.
Reference resource "Customized color matching of MEST MKIII"
Custom headphone cable
UM customized headphone cable Cobalt Blue Cable\Melon Red Cable, brand new shielded cable. Pure 4-core OCC copper wire, the wire sheath is made of nylon and environmentally friendly soft material PVC, 26AWG wire diameter, low impedance, bringing a cleaner background to the MEST MKIII CF sound.
Plugs are available in 2.5mm, 3.5mm, and 4.4mm.
UM Transparent Ear Tips are made of the same silicone material as baby pacifiers. Soft and elastic for a better fit on the ear. Ear caps are divided into perforated Open Tips and non-perforated Petal Tips, which can be replaced according to personal preference. The perforated ear caps are designed with 6 small holes in the extension, which are breathable and decompressive, and have good comfort for long-term wearing and environmental awareness.
Parameter
• MEST MKIII CF
• Iron static + bone conduction earphones
• 10 units
• 2pin socket
• 14Ω
• 20Hz-70KHz
• 5-way frequency
• 1 moving coil low frequency + 4 moving iron (medium frequency + high frequency) + 4 electrostatic UHF + 1 Silver-palladium alloy piezoelectric bone conduction
Cobalt Blue Cable custom wire or Melon Red Cable custom wire
Package contains
• A pair of MEST MKIII CF earphones
• Cobalt Blue Cable custom wire or Melon Red Cable custom wire
• UM geometric blue gift box
• Emerald storage round leather box
• Warranty card
• Advanced gray cleaning cloth
• Open Tips + Petal Tips S／M／L
• Double pocket sandwich mesh bag
Pros: Well balanced tuning
Excellent technicalities, with very good layering, imaging and separations.
Presents a spherical sound stage that I’ve not heard before from a non-BCD iem.
Good frontal depth and stage height.
Shells are extremely small - it's hard to believe there are so many drivers inside.
Competitively priced - if opting for the blue shells and the cable-less option.
Cons: Quite pricey - especially if opting for the red shells and/or with the stock cable
I found the fit quite a challenge until I found the right tips to pair with it, however this is probably more of a unique issue for me due to my ear anatomy.
I purchased the Mest Mk3 from Musicteck, I’m under no obligation or incentive to provide a favorable or biased review.
Disclaimer
This hobby is very much subjective and our listening impressions will no doubt widely differ due to a number of factors including; ear anatomy, hearing ability, age-related hearing loss, fit, seal, how deep you can insert the tips and so forth.
Therefore, everything I say hereon is my subjective opinion based on my experiences, yours may differ to mine.
A Bit Of Background
So, ever Unique Melody released the Mest MK3 last year, I’ve been intrigued, particularly as it is well known for having a bone conduction driver (BCD), which I hadn’t heard in an iem before. I’ve been extremely close to pulling the trigger on the MK2 multiple times.
Fast forward to CanJam London this year, and I finally got to demo the Mest Mk3 at the Hifonix stand. As soon as I inserted the iems in my ears, I was impressed and knew I needed to own it, particularly as it could be had in blue and without the stock cable for reduced price. I was so captivated by the MK3, I didn’t even bother demoing the Mk2 which sat beside it.
I then ordered the Mest Mk3 several weeks ago from Musicteck and had the opportunity to spend some time with it and compare it to my other iems in my collection.
Presentation
The Mest Mk3 is what is known as quadbrid configuration and contains a total of nine drivers per side. Which consists of 1 DD, 4 BA’s, 4 EST’s and 1 BCD.
The Mest Mk3 comes in a fairly small but attractive blue box. Inside the box, there are two types of tips - each coming in small, medium and large, a blue leather carry/storage case, a cable clip, a cleaning cloth and the iem’s themselves. As explained above, I opted out of the stock cable, so there wasn’t one to be found.
One set of tips are of a petal design, the others are fairly similar but contain holes, thereby removing any real isolation.
The blue shells are extremely beautiful and small, yet feel solid. There is also some carbon weave throughout the resin shell. Whilst blue is my favourite colour so I’m happy with the cheaper colour option, admittedly the red shells are prettier - as I got to see these for myself. However, the blues are still lovely and I can’t justify the price increase just for different colour shells.
My Set Up
I tried the included stock tips, but I quickly put them back in the case as I couldn’t get a seal with either type, even in the largest size.
I actually had a lot of trouble finding the right tips for me and the Mest Mk3. Whilst I never had an issue obtaining a seal, I seem to be unfortunate that the nozzle stops where my ear canal bend is tightest. Therefore, I began to experience some pain in my ears after 30 minutes or so with almost all my tips I have in my collection (and I have a lot!)
However, I decided to take a gamble on Spinfit Omni’s, due to being slightly sticky and shorter I felt I could obtain a good seal without them being inserts quite as far, whilst the stickiness would allow me to get a seal with a slightly smaller eartip than I’d typical use.
So, I ordered a set of large Spinfit Omni’s and well, they worked just as well as I’d hoped - bliss! Now I can enjoy the Mest Mk3 pain free for hours. It really goes to show that if an iem causes you discomfort, never give up, there will surely be a type of tip out there that’ll work for you. So, anyway, all my impressions were with the Spinfit Omni’s.
As I ordered the version without the stock cable, I had purchased a Liquid Links Conti cable to pair with the Mest M3. I felt the copper cable would match aesthetically with the blue shells. However, as I write this, the cable still hasn’t arrived. So I’ve been using my Effect Audio Cadmus cable, kindly borrowed from my 64 Audio U12T. As such, all my impressions were with this cable. Whilst the cable doesn’t match the shells quite as well as the copper Conti would, I found the Mest Mk3 sounded best with this cable out of the various cables I own and tried.
Finally, almost all my listening impressions were using my iBasso DX180 DAP.
First Impressions and Technicalities
So admittedly I knew I liked the Mest Mk3 from my demo at CanJam, however this was a short listen in a busy environment. However, now I’ve had a chance to spend some proper time with the Mest Mk3, I can say it’s as good as I remembered it being.
It has a lovely balanced and spacious sound. It’s certainly not lean but I also wouldn’t call it warm. It strikes a nice balance thereby avoiding the mid-bass and lower mids bloat but never sounding dry or analytical.
The Mest Mk3 tuning actually reminds me of the Mega5EST, however the Mest Mk3 is a few levels above in terms of technicalities and refinement.
The soundstage is probably the most impressive aspect, whilst it's not the widest soundstage I’ve heard, it creates a unique sense of depth, space and separation between instruments. It’s also probably the first iem I’ve heard or owned which gives me some sort of frontal projection and depth.
Bass
The bass doesn’t seem to be talked about enough on the Mest Mk3, I actually think it's excellent. It's quite a tight bass presentation, which is sub bass focused- which is exactly how I like it, however there is enough mid-bass there to avoid ever sounding lean.
I would genuinely say the Mest Mk3 bass presentation is very close to the sweet spot for me.
Mids
The mids really is where the magic is, for me. The lower mids are clean but have a touch of warmth giving the mids a very natural tonality. The overall tonality will also be in part due to the more relaxed upper mids, it never becomes shouty, which is exactly how I like it, as I tend to be quite sensitive to 3khz peaks.
Treble
The treble is really well done, it's certainly not a spicy treble presentation, there's no sign or hint of sibilance, however it's also not what I would call dark. There are no harsh peaks, yet the treble remains detailed. The Mest Mk3 also sports 4 EST’s for the upper treble/air. The treble is well extended without sounding over-exaggerated or artificial. It really is a well tuned upper treble that compliments the overall tonality of the mids and bass, creating a very cohesive sound.
Summary
I loved the Mest Mk3 when I first heard it at CanJam, and I have no regrets purchasing it. It really is a wonderfully tuned iem, that does pretty much everything right. It strikes a perfect balance to me of sounding detailed and resolving but also having a hint of warmth to give it a more natural tonality without bloating the lower mids. It also has a unique spacious spherical soundstage that is truly impressive, especially when compared to my other iems in my collection.
Comparisons
Dunu Mirai
The Mirai is a 1 DD 6 BA hybrid iem. The tuning philosophy is not a million miles away from the Mest MK3, they’re both subbass focused with a clean yet relaxed mids and some decent detail from the treble with good extension up top. However the Mirai is a bit smoother in the upper mids and lower treble, with a bit more emphasis in the upper treble. It creates more of a relaxed listen yet still has good resolution. The Mirai has a noticeably flatter and smaller soundstage than the Mest Mk3 with less height and depth. The Mest Mk3 is also technically superior with better imaging and layering.
The Mirai is still a fantastic iem, but the Mest Mk3 is half a step ahead.
Elysian Pilgirm Noir
The Noir is a 1 DD 3 BA hybrid. It was another iem I demoed at CanJam that left an impression on me - which resulted in me purchasing it soon after. The Noir has a really wonderful relaxed tuning, however it still has really solid technicalities. However compared to the Mest Mk3, it’s just not as dynamic sounding. The bass is also more authoritative on the Mest Mk3 with overall superior resolution and sounds a bit more refined. The stage is probably as wide as the Mest Mk3, but again probably due to the lack of BCD, the Noir is noticeably flatter, with less height and depth. However the Noir subbass digs deeper with better low end rumble.
64 Audio U12T
Now we're at the business end of the comparisons. The 64 Audio U12T is the closest iem I have in terms of price, however it is a bit more expensive than the Mest Mk3. The U12 is an all-BA iem with a total of 12 BA’s per side. The U12 is one of my favourite iems I’ve ever heard, it has wonderful tuning that plays everything well, with excellent technicalities and detail, yes never sounds offensive. The upper treble (if you can still hear to 16khz) thanks to the Tia driver, can get a little zingy but it really adds to the sonic qualities and tuning of the U12T. The U12T projects a wonderful sense of space, with excellent imaging and layering. Using the M20 module, the subbass digs very deep.
Compared to the U12, the Mest Mk3 has more note weight. Vocals are closer than the U12T and the upper treble is less emphasised. However the Mest Mk3’s technicalities to my ears are on par with the U12T, but with more depth to the stage and frontal projection. The U12T has a slightly more cohesive sound - likely attributed to the all-BA configuration but I really struggle to deceive which I prefer over the two. They’re both fantastic iems and my favourite iems I’ve owned.
Conclusion
So is Mest best? Well, kind of. I say this because it truly is an excellent iem and offers something special that none of my previous iems have been able to offer. It might very well be my top iem I’ve owned and heard priced below $2k. Although, I have to admit that my U12T shares that spot and I can’t really decide between the two which I ultimately prefer overall.
Whilst the Mest Mk3 is quite expensive, I think it presents good value. If you go for the cheaper blue shells and opt out of the stiff stock cable, these two options alone will save you a few hundred $$$’s. Musicteck also have like-new blue cable-less Mest MK3’s on sale for $1,279, which I feel is very good value for what you’re getting with this iem.
Pros: Resolving without being overly bright
A good balance between musicality and technicality
Soundstage is holographic and a wonderful experience
Warm and engaging tonality with good clarity
Bass is fast and well extended with good punch
Midrange is clean and not shouty
Relaxed upper midrange
Airy and open treble, shimmery quality
Quadbrid tech with DD, BA, BC and EST
Midrange has extra depth and nuance to it
Beautiful design and small ergonomic shells
Available as CIEM and UIEM
Price much more acceptable without the stock cable
Cons: Can be to technical sounding for some music
Relaxed upper mids not to everyone preference
Stock cable reported by many as a con, but nice option to buy without from MT
Price on higher side, even more if you want red design or stock cable
Little spicy treble
Stock silicon tips not the best, had problems with getting seal
UM MEST MKIII CF - A dance of technical balance
Disclaimer
I bought this with a discount from @MusicTeck for review, I am free to say whatever I want.
All impressions are my own subjective thoughts after having used them for a good time. These are my thoughts at this moment, and as time moves I might change my opinion.
This is also a very subjective hobby where everything from experience, anatomy or age will affect what we hear. Also keep in mind that it is easy to use bold words when talking about differences, while it may be perceived as a small change for you.
While I can perceive something as natural sounding, I do believe we can never get a perfect performance similar to what is achieved live.
Ranking System:
1 Very bad or unlistenable
2 Listenable but not good
3 Average
4 Very good
5 Exceptional or having a special sauce
My rating system highly values what is musical for me, so my rating will always be a subjective opinion.
My audio preference is neutral with some warmth, I can also like forward midrange and treble if not excessive. I am a believer in having different tuned gears for different genres or moods instead of chasing the single perfect one.
Main music genres I listen to are metal, electronica, jazz and pop. I am a music lover, and can also listen to almost all the genres out there.
I have been into music gear since the mid 90s, gifted some big speakers at an early age. Then moved more and more into headphones with the Koss Porta Pro and a Sony Discman.
I have also tried playing many instruments over the years from piano to sax and have a feel for what's a natural tone, but not the biggest patience in learning to play.
My current favorites in Headphones are ZMF Verite Open and Beyerdynamic T1 G2.
My current favorites in IEMs are Alpha Omega Omega and Campfire Audio Bonneville.
My current favorites in Earbuds are FranQL Caelum and Venture Electronics Zen 3.0.
Gear used in the main rig is Denafrips Ares 12th-1 DAC together with the Topping A90 Discrete headphone amp. I also have a Schiit Lokius I can swap in if I want to do a little analogue EQ.
Portable gear being HIBY R8 II and iBasso DCX180, with some dongles like HIBY FC6 and Colorfly CDA-M1P.
This is the third generation of the MEST model from Unique Melody, UM is a high end brand from China. Some info copied from UM about the MEST MKIII CF:
Four distinct exquisitely collocated drivers
Static enhancement, tuning optimization
UM patent Silver-Palladium Alloy PiezoelectricBone Conduction Driver
Available in both red and blue color ways
MEST MKIII CF Ignite the Sound's Boundaries
Reference resources “Customized color matching of MEST MKIII”
Specifications
Product Name: MEST MKIII CF
Headphone Type: Dynamic+BA+Electrostatic+Bone Conduction Quadbrid IEMs
Driver Counts: 10 Drivers
Socket: 2-Pin Socket
Impedance: 14Ω
Frequency Response Range: 20Hz-70kHz
Crossover: 5-way Crossover
Configuration: 1 Dynamic Bass Driver + 2 BA Mid Drivers+ 2 BA treble Drivers + 4 EST Ultra-High Drivers+1 UM patent Silver-Palladium Alloy Piezoelectric Bone Conduction Driver
Cable: Cobalt Blue Custom Cable or Melon Red Custom Cable
Packaging And Accessories
Headphones: One pair of MEST MKIII CF
Cable: Cobalt Blue Custom Cable or Melon Red Custom Cable
Case: UM Geometrix Blue Box
Carrying Case: Emerald Leather Case
Warranty Card: Warranty Card
Others: Premium Gray Cleaning Pad
Eartips: Open Tips + Petal Tips (S／M／L)
Protective Bag: Double Pocket Sandwich Net Bag
$ 1,919.00 - $ 2,359.00
A photo to show what is inside the MEST MKIII CF
Packaging is clean and not over the top, you get some pamphlets and warranty cards and the normal accessories.
I have bought a version without the cable, the included cable is mentioned by many as not being very ergonomic. I also got it delivered without the extra flower silicon tips, the other stock tips are nice.
The included puck case look elegant and premium, its also nice seeing the MEST being delivered with matching IEM protection pouches.
Available in both red and blue color, twitch a gold metal frame showing your serial number on the right one and model name on left. The resin design on the faceplate is carbon fiber together with fruitwood.
Included in the box is their own silicon tips, unlucky for me it was packaged wrong and I only got one size on the IEM that does not work for me.
The shells are ergonomic and small, same can be said for the ergonomic small nozzle. For me they are among the most comfortable tips I have ever used, but I know a friend who this is not true for. The model is also available in CIEM, and this can work better for some.
The length of the nozzle is not long and not short, and works well for me to get a deep and secure fit.
Sound Impressions
The MEST MKIII scores for full in sounding resolving and clean. Just enough warmth and brightness where it doesn't sound like anything is missing from the music.
From the Wikipedia:
The Acoustical Society of America (ASA) Acoustical Terminology definition 12.09 of timbre describes it as "that attribute of auditory sensation which enables a listener to judge that two nonidentical sounds, similarly presented and having the same loudness and pitch, are dissimilar", adding, "Timbre depends primarily upon the frequency spectrum, although it also depends upon the sound pressure and the temporal characteristics of the sound"
First minutes of trying a new set of gear, what I always listen to is how natural and musical it sounds. Much of this goes down to how I perceive the Timbre.
Going to use the ranges here in review:
Details and soundstage
Detail in IEMs is down mostly to quality driver and how it amplitudes the frequencies, also when the driver is faster it also increases the resolution you hear.
This has both a tonality that brings forth detail and also drivers to assist with it, it's among the most resolving IEMs out there that I have tried. Be it how you pick up every small detail in the music or have it makes worse recordings even worse, feed it good quality music and it takes maximum use of all the information that's within the recording.
The soundstage is perhaps the biggest feat of the MEST MKIII, its super holographic and impressive. Instead of hearing music inside your head it wraps around me and goes almost behind me and far to sides with good depth forward and height. Perhaps not the widest or deepest set I have used, but absolutely the one with most axes having good depth and also being holographic
Bass
The bass on the MEST is super tight and agile, really good at delivering all the slower decaying details in string instruments or the fast kick drums. This is among the more speedy types of dynamic driver for bass, still it has that dynamic magic in decay that planars or balanced armatures cannot replicate.
We have a bass shelf that's around 7-8dB on measurement, so it's what I would call natural in amount. The bass also is elevated gradually from the low mids around 300Hz, with elevation all the way into the deepest sub bass. Music that is not particularly bassy will sound natural and clean without any muddyness, and music that has a good amount of bass sounds fun and impactful.
I am very happy with the bass quality and would rank this among the most capable ones looking at the balance of speed, impact and texture.
Mids
I must admit I am a lover of thicker low midrange tunings, MEST MKIII has just enough warmth into the low mids to make it sound full and engaging without sounding thick. Part of this is since the upper midrange is tuned in a safer way without a highly elevated pina gain, if this was elevated the bass and low midrange would have probably sounded thinner due to balance.
What is interesting is that the MEST has a flat midrange looking at measurements, but it's so detailed and doesn't lack any emotion to either instruments or vocals. The way it's tuned it also handles more shouty midrange instruments like brass without being shouty or tiresome, but still crystal clean and nuanced.
Male vocals or deeper instruments like guitars have fullness to them and rich tonality, without sounding too thick or being thin. Brighter instruments also capture a lot of detail without being sibilant and fatiguing.
The bone conduction works at the midrange if I am not wrong, I think this is why it can be tuned this way and still sound full and rich in the midrange.
Treble
This is some of the magic with MEST MKIII, treble is often what separates the higher end sets from the cheap ones. Well executed energy that's well extended with a good amount of air, it's on the brighter side but without being harsh. And it doesn't have way too much air that sounds unnatural, the balance of sounding realistic is close to perfection here.
I see it as two types of elevated and airy trebles, some are more smooth and ethereal, others are more clean and crisp. I would say this is super clean and refined in the treble, music sounds airy and crisp with some of that ethereal quality.
Synergies
I have tried a lot of combinations of sources and accessories with the MEST MKIII CF, the small shell makes it easy to position and use with all my tips. Wide bore silicon tips is my go to for open sound, they let MEST breath more. Some examples of good tips for this: Tangzu Sancai Wide, Divinis Wide, Tanchjim T- ATB treble, Baroque Eletech and even the normal Velvet.
Same for cables, this is one of the IEMs I seem to hear more change on when trying cables. Effect Audio Cables 8W is good to add extra vocal clarity, but also not the fullest sounding in the lows.
The Clan Audio Type 6 Litz Copper does something similar but is better balanced than the Cadmus, but perhaps pushes treble too much as its very transparent for a copper.
And my favorite combination with MEST MKIII, this is the newest PlusSound Dual-Copper cable together with Tanchjim T-ATB bass silicon tips. Why this combo? I love bass and full midrange, this is maybe less resolving combination up top but everything else sounds fuller and more engaging.
Sources are even more changing for me than tips and cable, just that I don't own too many sources to try with.
iBasso DX180 is good to keep the clarity of MEST MKIII CF to the max, but lacks some dynamics in the lows.
HIBY R8 II is a source that is warmer and has a wide soundstage, the treble as airy and open as the iBasso but you get a wider soundstage and better bass quality. This has been my main source for MEST, just up to last days now when I got my new DAP.
SONY WM1AM2 is fabulous on MEST MKIII, you can lose some treble brilliance of the other two DAPs mentioned but in return everything else is better. Sound is smoother and more full bodied, the soundstage is even more 3D and surrounds you more in the music. This is what I often find very musical, and make the MEST MKIII CF suited for more music genres.
Comparisons
When evaluating the sets I use each of them over longer periods and also some shorter sessions swapping back and forth, it takes a long time and is not done in one sitting. The most critical comparison is done on my desktop setup that is highly resolving, with volume matching to take away loudness variance.
When using the MEST MKIII CF it has been over a long period of time, I have nothing that really sounds exactly the same. It reminds me of a cleaner Hisenior Mega5EST with way better soundstage and technicalities, but this is by memory since I sold this before I was able to do some good comparing.
Right now I have some really good sets around the price of the MEST MKIII CF, Grand Oriveti Supremacy, Alpha Omega Omega and Symphonium Crimson. They will get their own reviews soon, except for Crimson.
Alpha Omega - Omega
This one is a $2700 tribrid with 1DD 4BA and 4EST and has a different tuning style than MEST MKIII CF, it has a much warmer and smoother sound with less resolving sound. Bass is stronger and mids more pushed, with treble taken more back being softer. Soundstage is wider but less 3D holographic on Omega.
The overall tonality is more on the euphoric side than technical, so instead of competing they are more good to own together.
The shell is also beautiful but a step below in how premium it is built, it's also much larger. Keeping it short about this one as it will get its full review in a week or two.
Symphonium Crimson
This is an 4BA set costing $1499, this has tonality that is sort of similar to MEST MKII CF but is sharper and sort of smoother at same time. Both are resolving and clear sounding, they are equally resolving with a small win to MEST as it shows more nuances in bass notes and low midrange.
Mids are good on both, both have clean midrange with bass not bleeding. Crimson have stronger sub bass rumble but worse quality and often can sound pillowy on mid bass kicks due to being boosted BA bass. Midrange have more upper bite and can get harsh or sibilant, this doesn't happen on MEST MKIII CF. The midrange also sounds fuller on the MEST, think this is due to how bass transitions into the midrange. The treble is also sharper and less refined on Crimson, the quantity of treble is forward on both but little extra on Crimson. Soundstage is nothing special to me with Crimson, it has average depth and holographic ability.
The shell is in metal and feels really premium, but ergonomics are bad with a short nozzle and boxy body. Also need to mention the problem of pressure build up, it is not vented but can be removed some by tip rolling. The Crimson is also harder to drive and needs around 10% more power on my desktop amp.
Thieaudio Oracle MKIII
Last IEM I will use here for comparison is Oracle MKIII, this is a $599 tribrid with 2DD 2BA and 2EST. A much cheaper IEM but it is also my reference around this price and has similar tonality, it is less resolving than the MEST MKIII and this is more due to drivers than tuning. Maybe the 3D soundstage is also a factor for making it more resolving, as the soundstage of the music is pictured better in my mind when listening to the MEST.
Bass is softer and slower on Oracle MKIII, has maybe a little more texture to the sub bass but lacks the same dynamic expression of bass notes as MEST that also slam harder. Midrange is very similar in how full it is on guitars and darker vocals, its first when entering brighter midrange elements that Oracle has more bite in the music. So female vocals tend to be more pronounced with higher clarity on Oracle MKIII, I prefer the MEST way of mids but some music can shine more on Oracle. Both are airy and open in the treble, softer on Oracle and more clarity on MEST.
Shell feels cheaper due to being normal resin with a faceplate design, it's equally ergonomic but larger.
Trentemøller just released their new album, the music is magical and sort of haunting at times.
The album is not as bassy and bold as The Last Resort album, but instead more emotional and melodic. I find the resolving and holographic sound of MEST MKIII to be perfect here, the vocal also very expressive and soothing.
A Nordic band from my country Norway, a new release that just came out from them. Their music is many things but can maybe be labelled as alternative folk rock, the vocalist has a magical voice. What I like with MEST MKIII CF is hard to put into words, I love the midrange of MEST and it makes music like this have the balance I prefer.
I had a rekindling of the artist Burial, this UK artist has an older ambient style of dubstep that's more technical and also glitchy. The bass of MEST MKIII CF doesn't often get talked about, people focus more on the soundstage and how technical it is. But in my opinion the technical and fast bass of the dynamic driver is well matched for electronica, and can be both deep and rumbly or fast and slamming.
To enjoy metal to the fullest I need two things, one is the tonality to have good enough warmth but also not sounding slow. Can be exceptions for some genres that are good with slower more analogue style sets.
But over to the MEST MKIII CF and the latest album from Anciients, this is one the best new progressive heavy metal albums. Fast and technical where MEST can showcase both the resolving side and its speed, but also just how enjoyable it is for such a technical sound.
Adding one jazz record also, the latest release from Snarky Puppy being remixed and mastered from the 2014 recording. This was a collaboration with Metropole Orkest in Netherlands, so Snarky with their jazz fusion and Metropole with their jazz and pop orchestra.
I really love when IEMs don't push the upper mids too much, this makes jazz way more fun and less tiresome. Also why the MEST works so well on so many genres be it jazz like this with brass singing or over to sharp cymbals. Album also let MEST breath and showcase its technical side.
During my time period with MEST MKIII CF, a good friend recommended this ambient electronic album. It deserves mention as it has been playing a lot for me on the MEST, has both technical and repetitive elements that's both addictive and suiting. Here also the sounds are taking good use of the holographic stage of MEST MKIII, sounds bouncing all over and surrounding you in music.
Conclusion
I have been enjoying the UM MEST MKIII CF for a long time before starting the review, had it for two months and had more time than usual to dive deep into the sound.
For me it is easy to love the UM MEST MKIII CF due to many things, first and foremost the sound is warm and engaging without sounding thin or veiled. This is also personal preference but the MEST MKIII CF has less focus on the upper midrange, this is actually a tuning style that is getting much more popular lately and UM has been doing this for a long time. Bass quality and treble is also excellent, especially since both have good extension. But also since the bass goes slightly into the mids making music more enjoyable and full, this is more natural and realistic to real life instruments.
The technical side of MEST MKIII CF is among the best, it has both dynamic and resolving capability. Some of this is due to tuning but also the drivers being good quality, also helps that the dynamic driver is fast and the transients have clean sound.
There is also the tech involved here being quadbrid design, you get the DD for the realistic lows and the BA and EST to make mids and treble. Then they have their own bone conductor that adds an extra element to the sound, always hard to understand what BC do but here it does sound extra special in midrange and soundstage. The sound is very holographic, and sounds just better than most regular IEMs.
For me it's an easy recommendation, going to be one of my reference sets forward. Subjective score is 85/100.
Great review, had my UM Mest MK3 since February and absolutely love them, paired them with the EA Eros S cable, which was a good pairing, but have stepped it up by getting the EA Fusion 1 cable, which is an even better cable for the Mest. Highly recommend the JVC EP-FX10 Spiral dot tips, as they provide a good seal.
Pros: ✔ Great tonality and tuning.
✔ Excellent imaging, separation, and soundstage.
✔ Great build quality.
✔ Great sub-bass extension.
✔ Easy to drive.
✔ Jack of all trades; reference IEM.
Hello everyone! 大家好！I'm Mister Zeng, your go-to audio reviewer, committed to providing you with unbiased and no-nonsense assessments. When it comes to audio gear, I'll cut through the hype and give you honest insights you can trust. No BS here, just genuine reviews to help you make the best decisions for your audio needs. AND MOST IMPORTANTLY, MAKING YOU LOVE AND ENJOY MUSIC THE WAY IT SHOULD BE EXPERIENCED!
Today is the BIG ONE! I'll be offering my insights on the Unique Melody MEST MKIII CF, kindly provided to me by my good friend Edz Cuizon aka @RemedyMusic for review purposes. Rest assured, all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own, entirely independent and unbiased. I maintain no affiliations and haven't been requested to provide any particular viewpoint in exchange for these units. Again, thank you very much for lending me this unit for review!
NOTES BEFORE THE REVIEW: Just so you're aware, my review will focus solely on my personal sound impressions of this in-ear monitor (IEM). I won't delve into the details of the packaging or the accessories that accompany the unit. Additionally, I'll be sharing my personal equalizer (if needed) settings that cater to my specific sound preferences. I'd appreciate your thoughts on how these settings sound on your end - feel free to share in the comments below.
The packaging for the MEST MKIII includes what they call petal eartips and open tips. Frankly, I didn't use them because the open tips don't fit my ears properly, and the petal eartips sounded horrible. I feel that they are limiting the potential of this wonderful IEM.
So, for the purposes of this review, I utilized generic large silicone eartips and an aftermarket cable, as my good friend forgot to include it when lending it to me.
All of the audio gears that have been used have been burned in for at least 150 hours or more.
Here are the list of audio gears used for this review:
Topping A90 Discrete
SMSL SU-9N
Centrance DACport HD
Abigail Dongle
Apple Dongle USB C to Headphone Jack
Here are the list of tracks used for this review: (All tracks have been streamed at Qobuz and while other tracks have been bought for the FLAC file)
Shoot to Thrill - AC/DC
Kashmir - Marcin
Gravity - John Mayer
You Shook Me All Night Long - AC/DC
Back in Black - AC/DC
Highway to Hell - AC/DC
Immortality - Bee Gees feat. Celine Dion
Because You Loved Me - Celine Dion
For Whom the Bell Tolls - Metallica
Enter Sandman - Metallica
Killing Strangers - Marilyn Manson
Sunflower - Post Malone feat. Swae Lee
Save Your Tears - The Weeknd
Always Remember Us This Way - Lady Gaga
Time - Pink Floyd
雪落下的声音 - 陆虎
Seishun Kyousoukyoku - Sambomaster
Lay Me Down - Sam Smith
Let's Groove - Earth, Wind & Fire
September - Earth, Wind & Fire
Porco Rosso - Joe Hisaishi
Summer - Joe Hisaishi
Innocent - Joe Hisaishi
Nostalgia - Joe Hisaishi
When a Man Loves a Woman - Michael Bolton
Don't Stop Me Now - Queen
Radio Ga Ga - Queen
Come Together - The Beatles
Early Summer Rain - Yasuharu Takanashi
Mourning - Post Malone
AND MORE...
UNIQUE MELODY MEST MKIII CF - A Review by Zeng
TLDR Who should consider these IEMs?
Those with the budget who simply want to experience top-of-the-line sound.
Individuals seeking reference and neutral sound in their music.
Audiophiles who enjoy hearing every detail in their tracks without experiencing fatigue.
Enthusiasts who appreciate excellent imaging, separation, and soundstage.
Tonality (9.5/10) The tonality of the MEST MKIII is nearly perfect. Its sound signature can truly be described as neutral and reference-quality. It strikes a delicate balance with the right amount of everything. The sound is smooth, and the bass reaches deep into the subbass.
The level of detail in its sound is truly impressive, capturing the nuances and subtleties of each track I played. What's amazing for me is that this detailed performance doesn't lead to fatigue, which is often times a concern with bright IEMs.
Let’s talk about the bass. It dives deep and adds a rich texture to the music without overwhelming the rest of the frequencies. However, it lacks a bit in quantity for my personal taste, it's essential to note that this is purely a matter of preference. Some listeners may prefer a more restrained bass, especially for critical listening or reference purposes. However, I tend to enjoy a touch more "fun" in my sound, and I wouldn't mind a slightly more pronounced bass for a more enjoyable listening experience.
The midrange is well-pronounced, and perfectly positioned on the soundstage. It neither dominates the mix nor retreats too far into the background. This balance is essential for accurately reproducing vocals and instruments, and the MEST MKIII excels in this regard.
Overall, the MEST MKIII maintains its reference and neutral tuning throughout, and that's one of its standout qualities. Every track I played through this IEM sounded remarkably natural and organic, as if the music was unfolding right in front of me, without any coloration or distortion.
Bass (9/10)
The bass of the MEST MKIII is undeniably impressive, but it leaves me wanting just a touch more energy. However, it's crucial to clarify that this in no way suggests that the MEST MKIII lacks bass or has subpar performance in this department. Quite the contrary, the sub-bass rumble and extension that it offers are among the best I've had the pleasure of experiencing.
Listening to the track "Burn it to the Ground" by Nickelback, the kickdrums hit with an infectious energy and impact that's hard to resist. The sound of cymbals in "Hotel California" from the Eagles' album "Hell Freezes Over" is an experience unto itself. The rumble it produces genuinely brought a smile to my face.
"Fragments of Time" by Daft Punk featuring Todd Edwards features a bassline that covers the entire spectrum, putting the MEST MKIII's capabilities to the test. And the result is truly pleasing to the ears, as it captures the full depth and richness of the bass.
Additionally, when I played "Kashmir" by Marcin, the MEST MKIII delivered bass so deep that it makes my heart pound. The quality of bass from this IEM is exceptionally well-tuned, demonstrating its prowess in handling low frequencies with precision and power.
While I noted a slight desire for more energy in the bass of the MEST MKIII; again, it’s purely a matter of personal preference. The bass it does provide is of outstanding quality, with impressive sub-bass extension and rumble that elevates the listening experience. The MEST MKIII excels in reproducing bass-heavy tracks, delivering a depth and impact that will satisfy even the most discerning audiophiles and bass enthusiasts.
Mids (10/10)
The midrange of the MEST MKIII is, in a word, perfect. I couldn't find a single fault or complaint about it. The balance between distance and forwardness in the tracks I played was spot on. Both male and female vocals sounded incredibly natural and perfectly clear. The separation between vocals and instruments was executed flawlessly.
One track that truly showcased the MEST MKIII's ability to handle male vocals exceptionally well is "Crying Shame" by The Teskey Brothers. The instruments and vocals in this song sounded crystal clear and impeccably separated, allowing the listener to savor every nuance of the performance.
Speaking of instruments, what truly astonishes me about the MEST MKIII is its ability to present every detail of the sound effortlessly. There were moments during my casual listening sessions when I heard the subtle crash or slap of an instrument that I had never noticed before. It's remarkable how this neutral IEM can produce such high-quality sound in such a compact form factor.
The MEST MKIII's neutral sound signature also brings a touch of lushness, richness, and a hint of warmth to the overall tone. While some listeners might perceive it as slightly warm, it genuinely embodies what I consider to be the essence of "neutral." This balance adds to the musicality of the IEM without sacrificing accuracy or transparency.
Generally, the midrange performance of the MEST MKIII is nothing short of exceptional. Its ability to faithfully reproduce vocals and instruments, with impeccable separation and detail, sets a high standard for neutral IEMs. Whether you're a fan of male or female vocals or enjoy dissecting the intricacies of instrumentals, the MEST MKIII delivers an audiophile-grade experience that will leave you thoroughly impressed.
Treble (10/10)
The treble of the MEST MKIII is also perfect. It's free from any hints of peaks, sibilance, or listener fatigue, even during extended listening sessions. What sets it apart even further is its ability to produce a sparkling quality at the top end of the spectrum, tailored precisely to my listening preferences. It's this exceptional treble performance that made me truly fall in love with the sound signature of this IEM.
Listening to tracks like "Porco Rosso" by Joe Hisaishi was a revelation. Every instrument in that live performance was presented in a breathtaking manner. The cymbals, pianos, trumpets, and more were effortlessly rendered with meticulous detail, making the music a sheer pleasure to the ear.
For testing sibilant tracks like "Wolves" by Selena Gomez, where the mix tends to be bright, the MEST MKIII proved to be a game-changer. Despite the inherently bright mix, this IEM managed to maintain a balanced presentation, avoiding any harsh sibilance that could detract from the listening experience.
And when it came to evaluating treble extension, "Enter Sandman" by Metallica provided a perfect testing ground. At the beginning of the track, the MEST MKIII showcased its prowess by flawlessly reproducing the hit of the hi-hats with long echoes that I had eagerly anticipated. It's an extraordinary treble performance that adds an extra layer of excitement to the music.
The treble performance of the MEST MKIII is simply outstanding. Its ability to maintain a clean, balanced, and fatigue-free presentation while still delivering sparkling highs is a testament to its audio prowess. Whether you're enjoying delicate acoustic performances or rocking out to high-energy tracks, the MEST MKIII's treble performance will elevate your listening experience to new heights, leaving you in awe of its exceptional capabilities.
Imaging and Separation (10/10)
The imaging and separation provided by this IEM are genuinely one of a kind, surpassing even some high-end headphones and speakers. What truly sets it apart is the effortless way it presents these qualities, making it a standout in the world of audio.
Listening to the track "Silent Sea" by Joe Hisaishi was a revelation in itself. The MEST MKIII allowed me to distinguish every instrument being played in the track with remarkable precision. Each individual instrument was so well separated by this IEM that it even outperformed my Hifiman Arya Stealth headphones in this category. It's a testament to the MEST MKIII's ability to paint a vivid sonic landscape that lets you explore every musical detail.
Another track worth mentioning is "Summer" by Joe Hisaishi. The imaging in this track seems to go everywhere, and what's truly astonishing is that the MEST MKIII effortlessly located every instrument, from left to right, creating a three-dimensional sonic panorama that's truly immersive.
But the MEST MKIII's capabilities extend beyond just music. I decided to put it to the test by playing a few shooting games like Counter Strike 1.6 and Valorant. To say that I was impressed would be an understatement. The technical prowess of this IEM became apparent as it delivered pinpoint accuracy in sound placement, helping me to locate opponents and crucial audio cues with astonishing precision. It's safe to say that the MEST MKIII exceeded my expectations when it came to gaming performance as well.
In conclusion, the MEST MKIII's imaging and separation capabilities are simply exceptional. It not only competes with but often surpasses the performance of high-end headphones and speakers in this regard. Whether you're listening to music, watching movies, or gaming, the MEST MKIII's ability to create a vivid, precise, and immersive audio experience will undoubtedly leave you in awe of its technical capabilities.
Soundstage (9.5/10)
The soundstage of the MEST MKIII is also outstanding, and I can hardly believe I'm saying this on an IEM. It manages to create an immersive soundstage that pulls you into the heart of the music.
One track that beautifully showcases the MEST MKIII's expansive soundstage is "Thriller" by Michael Jackson. Right from the start of the track, it's as if there's someone walking right in front of me. The opening of the door, the footsteps, and the eerie howling of the wolves are all rendered with such spatial precision that it's like experiencing a live performance. The MEST MKIII manages to convey depth, width, and height with remarkable accuracy.
Listening to the classic track "Hotel California" by the Eagles further illustrates the MEST MKIII's prowess. The width and height of the stage in this track are perceptible through this IEM, allowing you to immerse yourself in the intricate details of the song's arrangement. It's an experience that truly elevates the enjoyment of timeless classics.
For a different perspective, I also tuned into "The World of Sound" by Dolby on YouTube. This simple sound demo of Dolby Atmos, when experienced through the MEST 3, left a lasting impression. It showcased the IEM's ability to reproduce spatial audio with exceptional clarity and precision. It was like having a personal Dolby Atmos experience right in my ears.
The soundstage performance of the MEST MKIII is a testament to its audio excellence. It defies expectations by creating an immersive and expansive soundstage that adds a new dimension to your listening experience. Whether you're enjoying cinematic soundscapes or classic hits, the MEST 3's ability to convey depth, width, and height with astonishing precision will leave you truly impressed.
EQ Performance ( - )
The MEST MKIII doesn't require EQ to shine. In fact, it already offers an exceptional sound experience right out of the box.
For those who would still like to EQ, you have the option to experiment with a slight low shelf boost around 125Hz, perhaps adding just 1 dB or 2 for a noticeable impact. However, it's worth noting that such adjustments are purely optional, as the MEST MK3's default sound is already extraordinary.
Comparison to other IEMs
First and foremost, the price contrast between the MEST Mk3 and the IEMs I've reviewed is staggering. It's not a fair comparison to begin with. However, perhaps in the future, more companies will send high-end IEMs for me to evaluate and compare.
Letshuoer S15
One IEM that immediately comes to mind in this comparison is the S15, priced at approximately $325. In contrast, the MEST MKIII comes in at around $1,919, nearly six times the cost. Despite the price difference, the S15 exhibits a slightly warm tonality, lacking a shimmer at the top end, yet maintaining a balanced-neutral sound. On the other hand, the MEST MKIII embodies pure neutrality in my opinion.
In terms of technical prowess, the MEST MKIII takes the lead, although not by a substantial margin. Both IEMs excel technically. In fact, unless you're a discerning listener, you may not readily discern the distinctions. However, the MEST MKIII effortlessly delivers an immersive listening experience, drawing attention to its exceptional imaging, separation, and soundstage, even if you're not fully focused on the music.
Apart from these differences, they share many similarities and qualify as excellent performing IEMs, both deserving a spot in your top 10 IEMs list.
Letshuoer S12 Pro
The S12 Pro holds a special place as the first IEM I reviewed and fell in love with. It features a bright-neutral sound signature that particularly shines on orchestral tracks. When comparing it to the MEST MKIII, I still favor the S12 Pro's tonality, primarily due to my affinity for orchestral music. However, it's important to note that the technical capabilities of the S12 Pro fall short in comparison to the S15 and the MEST MKIII.
In the realm of technical performance, the MEST MKIII takes a commanding lead. Therefore, if you're searching for a budget-friendly option that still offers good overall performance, the S12 Pro is an attractive choice, especially considering its current price of just $139 on Letshuoer's website. Alternatively, the MEST MKIII stands as an end-game neutral/reference IEM, excelling as an all-rounder in its own right.
Conclusion
The Unique Melody MEST MKIII CF is nothing short of an astounding IEM that, until recently, I could only dream of getting my hands on. A special shoutout to RemedyMusic for graciously lending me his unit for this comprehensive review.
In terms of sound quality, the MEST MKIII delivers a neutral-reference signature that stands as a benchmark of excellence. Its technical performance sets it apart and places it firmly in the realm of end-game audio.
However, it's important to be candid about the price tag attached to the MEST MKIII. It's an investment suited for those who are in pursuit of the pinnacle of audio nirvana and have a substantial budget to allocate. For those of us embarking on the IEM journey, it's crucial not to let this IEM spoil you, as it may tempt you to part with $2000 .
In summary, my wholehearted recommendation for the MEST MKIII extends primarily to individuals who have the financial means to afford this premium experience. For those seeking more budget-friendly options, alternatives like the S12 Pro or the S15 are worth considering and can provide exceptional listening experiences without breaking the bank.
NICEHCK EB2S PRO P.S. Again, I would like to express my gratitude to Unique Melody and @RemedyMusic for providing me with the review unit of the Unique Melody MEST MKIII CF. I want to clarify that all the thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own, and I have not received any sponsorship or incentive to promote or favor this IEM in any way. It is important of me to provide an unbiased and honest assessment of the product.
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Lacks bass quantity.
.
