Evolving the UM Reference: A New Chapter for the Mason Series—Mason Nuit Étoilée & Soleil Tombé

[UniqueMelody]

Evolving the UM Reference: A New Chapter for the Mason Series—Mason Nuit Étoilée & Soleil Tombé

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For 13 years, the Mason series has served as UM's flagship, embodying our vision of reference sound. It has consistently showcased the latest audio technologies we've developed, pushing the boundaries of sonic excellence.

In 2021, marking the 10th anniversary of the Mason, we introduced bone conduction drivers to the established multi-BA architecture. This groundbreaking innovation, present in the Mason FS and Fusang, introduced a two-way sound transmission system for the first time in flagship IEMs. Since then, we've further refined this technology with the silver-palladium BCD driver (Red Halo, La Jardin) and the FreqShift BCD (Multiverse Mentor, Amber Pearl). Through this journey, we've gradually shaped our unique "House Sound." While capturing its essence in words is challenging, I believe the immersive soundstage and life-like timbre offered by bone conduction technology have been instrumental in bringing us to where we are today.

This year, the new Mason takes another bold step forward with the revolutionary BC-Turbo micro voltage booster. This technology transcends previous generations of bone conduction, ushering in a new era of sonic possibilities. It's time to turn the page and embark on a new chapter!

Two Systems in One IEM: Leveraging the Power of High-Current DAPs

Building upon our successful collaboration with Cayin on the Amber Pearl last year, we've identified a fascinating trend in the audiophile landscape. High-end DAPs and portable amplifiers are increasingly prioritizing high current output with lower voltage. This design philosophy, present in flagship models from major manufacturers, inspired us to develop a novel technology that maximizes the benefits of this high current for IEMs: BC-Turbo.

Essentially, BC-Turbo acts as a miniature powerhouse within the IEM shells, converting high current into the higher voltage demanded by the FreqShift bone conduction driver. This allows the new Mason Nuit Étoilée (Starry Night) and Soleil Tombé (Desert Sunset) to house two distinct systems within their compact design: a dedicated current-driving system for the balanced armature drivers and a separate voltage-driving system for the bone conduction driver with BC-Turbo and FreqShift BCD.

New Sound, New Cable: Continuing our Partnership with PWAudio

Following the fruitful collaboration with PWAudio on the Attilas and Purple Heart cables for the Mason FS and Fusang, we've joined forces again to create the all-new First Times Shielding Pro. This iteration retains the beloved design language of the original FTS while incorporating four independent layers of the highest-grade shielding materials for enhanced performance. The First Times Shielding Pro will be available exclusively with the Mason Nuit Étoile and Soleil Tombé as a limited-edition combo until further notice.

Inspiration and Aesthetics: A Fusion of Art and Culture

The name Nuit Étoilée, inspired by Vincent van Gogh's iconic Starry Night, maintains the French theme established with La Jardin. In contrast, Soleil Tombé draws inspiration from the evocative imagery of sunsets, a central theme in Eastern culture and Chinese poetry. The finish of the new Mason models surpasses even the exquisite craftsmanship seen in the Mason FS, Red Halo, and La Jardin. Having had the privilege of witnessing the final prototypes last December, I can confidently say they are truly breathtaking.

Accessories and Specifications(using Nuit Étoilée as an example)

MSRP: $8499
Mason Nuit Étoilée (Starry Night) and Soleil Tombé (Desert Sunset) are open to Pre-Order now at MusicTeck: https://shop.musicteck.com/collections/um-unique-melody

 

[audionewbi]

I understand the high price, if this was a new design, and UM is simply trying to get their R&D investment back. But I would hate to image to be a UM Mason family owner, only to keep seen another UM flagship getting released few months down.

The entire Mason family seems rather too confusing, and it seems like an experiment to both find out the market sonic preference as well as willingness to pay for an IEM.

 

[phiemon]

To summarise:

- Improved "unique house sound that offers an impressive soundstage and lifelike timbres through bone conduction technology"
- New "revolutionary BC-Turbo Micro Voltage Booster [that] heralds a new era of sonic possibilities"
- New FreqShift BCD
- New First Time Shielding Pro

And all this for the modest price of 8500 USD. If I had bought Amber Pearl, which was released only a few months ago for the equally modest price of 8000 USD as a minor upgrade compared to Mentor (4500 USD, note: 3500 USD price difference for a minor upgrade), I would be extremely pissed off right now. UM is obviously deliberately holding back new, apparently groundbreaking technologies so that it can release another, even better and more expensive IEM shortly afterwards. And I bet (!!) that the new version of Mentor will be released next month for the price of 6999 or 7499 USD. And between Mason FS and Mentor, we all know which one has had more success in the past (spoiler: Mentor). So the question here is whether it wouldn't be worth waiting. Apart from that, I personally can no longer justify UM's marketing strategy. These price jumps are for me no longer rational and I am no longer willing to support UM. As much as I love my Mentor - it's still my favorite of the current TOTL - I've now resolved to stop buying UM's products as long as UM pursues such a mocking strategy. It is quite clear that UM wants to push it until it finally breaks. The moment has now come for me. I will boycott it and sell my Mentor in protest (I know, no one surely cares).

My principles are worth more to me than any IEMs. UM may produce such great IEMs (of course this is debatable), but there are plenty of alternatives on the market that are equivalent or better. I would also invite others to stop buying UM's products. This trend must be stopped, it is in the interest of all of us.

@UniqueMelody

 

[freeryder05]

Just get a Mest Mk3 and be done. The improvement from $1500 to $8500 isn't worth this. This is agregious pricing.

 

[theintention]

No IEM needs to cost this much. Just ridiculous, and market ruining cause others think they can do the same. Stop this.

 

[hungryewok]

Please please please, do not buy this. Don't let manufacturers get away with it.

 

[haiI]

How about we all just forget this product exists? Don’t buy it, don’t talk about it.
Maybe even forget the brand all together if they continue this trend.

I was a huge fan of this brand, owning both the mest 1 and 2 but this is just shameless man.

 

[swedishpat]

Is there a discount for both? Lol just kidding.

 

[OrangeStar257]

What's the point of buying your TOTL iem if you are just gonna release new model every few months?

jeez..

 

[Sound Eq]

putting such crazy prices on ur flaship will simply deter alot of us buying your lower priced iems as well, as we will assume they are not great, I for one now will not buy any unique melody iem, simply cause I will never pay such crazy prices for an iem, and if you release a lower priced iem in my mind it will not be considered ur flagship model

 

[Hanesu]

What's the point of buying your TOTL iem if you are just gonna release new model every few months?

jeez..

You better ask: What`s the point to price an IEM 8500$ (eight-thousand-five-hundred!!!) just to be able to call it "TOTL"? Or: Why are people willing to pay such amount of money, only because they want to own a so-called TOTL? This whole market has become absolutely ridiculous! It used to be a hobby open to most people who care about sound. In these days it`s something like buying Louis Vuitton bags....and by the way, they "also" sound good. I remember saving 700 bucks for an UM Merlin about 10 years ago and thought: "Gosh...that`s expensive." Look where we have gotten now. I agree with what many people write here. This really needs to stop. But I doubt it will, welcome to the world of capitalism.

 

[Sound Eq]

What`s the point to price an IEM with 8500$ (eight-thousand-five-hundred!!!) just to be able to call it "TOTL"? This whole market has become absolutely ridiculous! It used to be a hobby open to most people who care about sound. In these days it`s something like buying Louis Vuitton bags....and by the way, they "also" sound good. I remember saving 700 bucks for an UM Merlin about 10 years ago and thought: "Gosh...that`s expensive." Look where we have gotten now. I agree with what many people write here. This really needs to stop. But I doubt it will, welcome to the world of capitalism.

simply we will ignore this company

 

[jeet4u06]

$8500 for an IEM. My whole life was a lie.

 

[qafro]

Don't let the Brand take us for a ride then start a trend of OTT prices.

 

[rcoleman1]

So the rabbit hole really does have an end. Personally I don’t own any UMs but I realize there’s a point I won’t go beyond in this hobby. An $8500 IEM? Not. Good luck with these UM.