[UniqueMelody]

Hi everyone, we are back again with our new flagships Mason V3+ and Mentor V3+.

I know the previous Mason V3 and Mentor V3 are already masterpieces, but this time we took advises from the community, refined our tuning approach, added more advanced technologies, and finally we come up with V3+ series.

Key Features of V3+ Series:
Upgrade the tuning valve (better damping, higher accuracy). Titanium-gold sound tube (won’t turn color, corrosion resistant). Optimized driver placement (better consistency of each headset). Silver alloy conductors connecting all drivers (high conductivity, low internal resistance).
1. Brand new carbon fiber shells on both Mason V3+ and Mentor V3+.
Carbon fiber shells provide lower weight and smaller shell for better fit, meanwhile the new shell design allows both models sound more coherent and full-bodied than previous V3 series.
2. A even more matured tuning on both models.
After we released V3 series, we constantly listened to the feedback from our customers and made some significant improvement according to feedback.
Mason V3+: For Mason V3+ , we improved the balances between each frequency. We also increased the bass quantity and improved the bass quality to let bass reach deeper than V3. Overall, Mason V3+ will provide a smoother and fuller sound than V3, it is now even more comfortable for long-time listening.
Mentor V3+: The initial idea of Mentor V3 was trying to make an alternative model of Mason V3 which is similar in sound quality but different in tonality. In Mentor V3+ we enhanced this idea. We added more power in the mid-range of Mentor V3+, the vocal and mid-range instrument will sound even more lively than previous V3. Meanwhile, we improved the transparency and resolution of Mentor V3. Overall, Mentor V3+ will be more fun to listen in comparison to previous Mentor V3.
3. Switch the sound.
This is one of the most interesting new features in V3+ series. The special designed connectors(available in both stock cables and official upgrade cable "Phanes") of V3+ series allow user to switch cable left and right around and when you switch the sides of cables, V3+ will deliver different sound signature(not simply inverse sound stage and image). Play with your V3+！

Sales link: https://shop.musicteck.com/collections/um-unique-melody
Mason V3+

Impressions by Headfonics: https://headfonics.com/2019/11/unique-melody-mason-v3-first-contact/
Impression by blankdisc on head-fi: https://www.head-fi.org/showcase/unique-melody-mason-v3.23960/reviews
SPECIFICATIONS:　　　 　

Frequency response range：20Hz-25KHz

Sensitivity：@1KHz 107dB

Impedance：19.6Ω

Driver Count：16BA

Crossover：4-way crossover system

Driver Configuration：4 low+4 mid low+4mid high+4 high

Estimated MSRP：

With Standard Cable：3,199USD

With Upgrade Cable：4,099USD



Mentor V3+

Impressions by Headfonics: https://headfonics.com/2019/11/unique-melody-mentor-v3-first-contact/
SPECIFICATIONS:　　 　

Frequency response range：20Hz-30KHz

Sensitivity：@1KHz 113dB

Impedance：18.9Ω

Driver Count：12BA

Crossover：4-way crossover system

Driver Configuration：4 low+2 mid low+2 mid high+4 high

Estimated MSRP:

With Standard Cable：2,599USD

With Upgrade Cable：3,499USD




The Offical Upgrade Cable-- "Phanes" by Effect Audio
Phanes(8 cores) is a gorgeous cable made by Effect Audio. In order to fit with the sound switch features, EA first time announced the UPOCC Silver Plated Palladium+ Gold Palladium Alloy combination. The perfect combination between V3 and Phanes will deliver a heavenly experience to our customers. Phanes will reveal the full potential of V3+ series!



There will be more impressions, reviews and tour information come under this thread.
Come and join us!

 

[glassmonkey]

Wow. I don't like the pricing movement here, especially when the refinements in the tuning aren't described and the upgrade cable doesn't come standard. Why should someone pay $500 more for version 3+. Right now this looks like an Asian market money grab. Please prove me wrong UM. Also what's up with the VE Espresso cable that comes stock?

 

[Darkestred]

Damn. Pricey.

 

[UniqueMelody]

Wow. I don't like the pricing movement here, especially when the refinements in the tuning aren't described and the upgrade cable doesn't come standard. Why should someone pay $500 more for version 3+. Right now this looks like an Asian market money grab. Please prove me wrong UM. Also what's up with the VE Espresso cable that comes stock?

We expected the community may have a similar reaction to the estimated prices, but we are still very confident on our products. We strongly believe V3+ series's quality will at least fit well with the price tag if not beyond. Also think about that, almost every flagship IEMs charge more than $3k, there are reasons behind. Market is certainly one aspect, the incremental R&D and material costs have to be counted as well. Anyway, impressions and reviews will soon be available, time will prove it.
As for stock cable and official upgrade cable "Phanes" by Effect Audio, more information will be added in this thread tomorrow.

 

[bvng3540]

Wow. I don't like the pricing movement here, especially when the refinements in the tuning aren't described and the upgrade cable doesn't come standard. Why should someone pay $500 more for version 3+. Right now this looks like an Asian market money grab. Please prove me wrong UM. Also what's up with the VE Espresso cable that comes stock?

No matter you like the price or not, as long as people WILLING to paid what they ask, then price will INCREASED each time new or MINOR upgrade of their current iems come out

 

[Hanesu]

Thanks for commenting as an IEM maker! Do you mind if I ask some general questions about your statement?

We strongly believe V3+ series's quality will at least fit well with the price tag if not beyond.

How do you define "fit"in this case? Only in relation to other maker`s prices or in relation to production and development costs? Why did price tags of 4000 dollar or more did not (seem) to fit to flagships 5 years ago?

Also think about that, almost every flagship IEMs charge more than $3k, there are reasons behind.

Ok, but again, why wasn`t it like that only 5 years ago? What has changed in making and developing IEMs so drastically that prices go up that high in such a short time (we are not talking about a few hundred dollars here but thousands...up to 3-5 times higher)? Let`s compare to the computer industry, for example. I see a lot more changes there over the last 10 years, but prices stay relatively stable - even with „flagships“. Like many other industries. Or would you say that recent IEMs more and more turn into luxury items (like watches, for example) and prices are justified in a similar matter?

Market is certainly one aspect, the incremental R&D and material costs have to be counted as well.

Are the materials of recent IEMs really SO different to those some years ago? Of course I see improvements, but I only see minor changes. An earophone stays an earphone - a shell with certain chamber designs, cables, drivers (mostly made by other makers than the IEM company). Simply put, as a consumer, I see changes, but it’s hard to see (and justify) 2000 - Dollar - changes. Could you explain a little bit more in detail (I mean the reasons other than the market itself)?

I am truly just trying to understand...
Of course I could ask these questions many IEM makers, not just UM!


Thanks for clearing!

 

[TOMY]

Just received my Mason V3+ , Ordered from MusicTeck with a special discount It's very beautiful earphone from my first sight....one of the best I have.

I have owned Mason V3 and want to try this V3+, the sound is significant improving.

More impressions will be come soon.

Thanks to Andrew/ MusicTeck and UM team for such a great job!

 

[NickleCo]

Thanks for commenting as an IEM maker! Do you mind if I ask some general questions about your statement?



How do you define "fit"in this case? Only in relation to other maker`s prices or in relation to production and development costs? Why did price tags of 4000 dollar or more did not (seem) to fit to flagships 5 years ago?



Ok, but again, why wasn`t it like that only 5 years ago? What has changed in making and developing IEMs so drastically that prices go up that high in such a short time (we are not talking about a few hundred dollars here but thousands...up to 3-5 times higher)? Let`s compare to the computer industry, for example. I see a lot more changes there over the last 10 years, but prices stay relatively stable - even with „flagships“. Like many other industries. Or would you say that recent IEMs more and more turn into luxury items (like watches, for example) and prices are justified in a similar matter?



Are the materials of recent IEMs really SO different to those some years ago? Of course I see improvements, but I only see minor changes. An earophone stays an earphone - a shell with certain chamber designs, cables, drivers (mostly made by other makers than the IEM company). Simply put, as a consumer, I see changes, but it’s hard to see (and justify) 2000 - Dollar - changes. Could you explain a little bit more in detail (I mean the reasons other than the market itself)?

I am truly just trying to understand...
Of course I could ask these questions many IEM makers, not just UM!


Thanks for clearing!

I would also like to know the reason why, not just UM but in a general consensus.

 

[NickleCo]

Not to hate or anything but I just find the addition of $500 for a '+' is a bit excessive. For the price I could invest on a good cable.

 

[UniqueMelody]

Just received my Mason V3+ , Ordered from MusicTeck with a special discount It's very beautiful earphone from my first sight....one of the best I have.

I have owned Mason V3 and want to try this V3+, the sound is significant improving.

More impressions will be come soon.

Thanks to Andrew/ MusicTeck and UM team for such a great job!

Thanks man! I'm really glad to know you like them! Indeed we have done tons of experiments in the R&D process of V3+ series, all we want to do is to provide the best experience for our customers!
Please leave your impressions in this thread. Thanks!

 

[Rollk2]

I remember when UM was conquering the custom iem market... Now they sale an almost $1000 cable with a $3000 earphone, even if they sound amazing that's only explained by the bullish market, none of the components has increased so much and if it's only R&D and fixed charges your cost model is shocking.

 

[UniqueMelody]

Not to hate or anything but I just find the addition of $500 for a '+' is a bit excessive. For the price I could invest on a good cable.

I understand your feel, but the reality is we definitely made lots of improvement in sound and design that cannot be achieved by simply changing random cables. The reason why I didn't post details of improvement is because it will be better to let our customers' say it out. If I say V3+ improved almost every aspect in sound, it is basically the same as I said nothing even though that is the truth.
We will never publish V3+ if there is only a "+“ on the package. In past years, we have done countless experiments to come up with a prefect plan that can bring the V3 series to another level.
I know some people may only view "more drivers" as a improvement, but it is not, often time enough is enough, more is redundant, V3+ will prove that.

 

[UniqueMelody]

I remember when UM was conquering the custom iem market... Now they sale an almost $1000 cable with a $3000 earphone, even if they sound amazing that's only explained by the bullish market, none of the components has increased so much and if it's only R&D and fixed charges your cost model is shocking.

My idea is, customers are always looking for better sound, and better design, no one will love to use a poor sounding IEMs even they have 100 drivers per side. I still remember in around 2012 I was shopping on Taobao.com, I found a random seller has a 24 drivers per side giant IEMs for less than $500, I made the purchase, but the quality of that IEMs is not even close to E5C at that time. What I'm trying to say is that we can spent less time and cost in R&D and simply put 2 or 4 more drivers into the headphones, it might even make V3+ looks more "attractive", but it won't deliver as much enjoyment as current V3+ will do.
Anyway, it this community, we spend our money for better quality, we are looking for the sound that we were dreamed about. UM will always do our best to provide better sound and better overall experience to customers.

 

[UniqueMelody]

I would also like to know the reason why, not just UM but in a general consensus.

It is a huge topic so we'd better start a new thread talking about this.

 

[UniqueMelody]

Thanks for commenting as an IEM maker! Do you mind if I ask some general questions about your statement?



How do you define "fit"in this case? Only in relation to other maker`s prices or in relation to production and development costs? Why did price tags of 4000 dollar or more did not (seem) to fit to flagships 5 years ago?



Ok, but again, why wasn`t it like that only 5 years ago? What has changed in making and developing IEMs so drastically that prices go up that high in such a short time (we are not talking about a few hundred dollars here but thousands...up to 3-5 times higher)? Let`s compare to the computer industry, for example. I see a lot more changes there over the last 10 years, but prices stay relatively stable - even with „flagships“. Like many other industries. Or would you say that recent IEMs more and more turn into luxury items (like watches, for example) and prices are justified in a similar matter?



Are the materials of recent IEMs really SO different to those some years ago? Of course I see improvements, but I only see minor changes. An earophone stays an earphone - a shell with certain chamber designs, cables, drivers (mostly made by other makers than the IEM company). Simply put, as a consumer, I see changes, but it’s hard to see (and justify) 2000 - Dollar - changes. Could you explain a little bit more in detail (I mean the reasons other than the market itself)?

I am truly just trying to understand...
Of course I could ask these questions many IEM makers, not just UM!


Thanks for clearing!

It is hard to answer by any brand. That is more of a economic topic than a headphone topic. Simply speaking, customers are always looking for better sound, so UM as well as all the other high-end IEMs makers are doing our best to satisfy customers' desire. Let's assume we are in the school and doing a test, it is easy to get 60% everybody can do that. But if you want to improve from 90% to 100% it will be a lot harder. We are facing the same challenge here. Improve sound quality is way harder than it used to be. On some customer's perspective, 90% to 100% is only 10% improvement, but for other customers in the high-end HiFi market, that is a night and day, that is from a "fairly good" to "perfect".

I think for this topic we'd better end here, if you want to continue this topic, please start a new thread, and I would love to join the conversation.