Unique Melody - MEST MKII

I own Monarch MK2 and UM Mest MK2. Ive owned $100-$200 IEMs as well..I did notice a difference when I first got the Monarchs but to say mind blowing not really. The Mest on the other hand are kinda mind blowing to me because of the Imaging and Soundstage, which I personally love since I listen to so many Instrumentals.

Mest mk2 for me :D

Having originally got into the hobby to improve my audio cues in Hunt Showdown; objectively changing the source of the audio in relation your ears/eardrums has an advantage. I looked over the recommendations and originally landed on the Tea Pros and could easily get better positional awareness from my DT990s on the same DAC/Amp. My new favorite for music is the MEST Mk2, cannot game with them in the same way because of unique tuning but if you want to FEEL in the game there is no replacement. While I will use the MEST almost for everything other than games . The Tea Pros have a very accurate representation of direction and distance in relation to the sound source which is great for gameplay.

mest mk2 now that it got permanently discounted to 999

Oh yeah, it's from https://shop.musicteck.com/products/um-universal-mest-mkii and has been that price for a long while now.

i personally prefer the mest's shell size and comfort over almost all of thieaudio's offerings. can't speak for the tuning aspect but i did prefer mest over monarch mk2 and mk3 with the right tips for BC drivers to work well. the one offering i'm really interested in from thieaudio is the origin since it has both rave reviews and includes BC drivers.

I have tried the mid and high range of headphones, personally owned some mid range ones, then a jaw injury made headphones painful to wear, but I needed something for FPS, Cyberpunk at the time and general music/media. So I got some cheap moondrop starfields, enjoyed, got some Fiio FD5 second hand because they were recommended for gaming, enjoyed, but they werent that big a step up. Then I used the money I saved for a high end set of headphones on IEMs, got the UM Mest MK2, kept trying headphones again but it always ended up painful, so never going back. The MEST MK2 blew my mind, and they changed sound a little with tips, so I didnt have to chase a dozen sets of IEMs I could just change tips and get a little more bass, or smooth out the treble, or just more comfort. The way I explained it to someone recently. Headphones are like watching a movie in a home cinema, great experience, some will say best way to watch a movie, you get enough detail and contrast, blacks (bass) arent perfect but great experience, immersive. Then IEMs its more like watching a movie with a 4K OLED TV, its not the expansive cinema lite experience, BUT, you get inky ass blacks, tons of detail and texture you may have missed before, and all the image is before you in one blob rather than having to sort of reach out and find those details you want. Neither is a wrong way to watch a movie, or, listen to music. Neither is "better" than the other, they just both have their charms and sometimes one suits a person more than the other.

1. Focal Clear OG: very transparent and thumpy in a good way. I didn't like it at first but it grew on me. 2. Sennheiser HD560s: the daily driver. Comfortable, good for all day long calls. I can recommend this one for everyone. 3. Sennheiser HD6xx: sounds very natural but I always get sad when I change to Focal and notice how veiled everything are. 4. Sennheiser HD800s: just not my jam. Trying to trade in some Hifiman 1. Unique Melody MEST MKII: detailed, crazy amount of sub-bass. I just can't use IEMs for too long. 2. Moondrop Blessing 2: a good reference to go back.

The Mest is a great iem with plenty of details and amazing soundstage. I've owned simillarly priced headphones (Hd600), and they don’t even compare to the Mests detail retrieval, and soundstage is barely wider. Stick with the Mest, I heavily regret selling it.

I posted above but I did this, I went Supermix 4 -> Tea Pro then started experimenting back to more budget models with different tuning (dark, treblehead, meta, etc). Ultimately, I would die on a hill that if done correctly more drivers is absolutely an advantage when it comes to clarity and separation. If you enjoy those specific attributes once you hit that $300-$600 range there is no going back. Moving up from the Tea Pro took me like 7 months, but I just got a MEST MK2 last week and it is unreal amounts of detail with a unique soundstage that you would just need to experience. Tea Pros will stay for gaming and laid back music listening, everything else will be collecting dust now which means dead money.

Nothing technical to add, just that I enjoy these posts. Again this is something that a laymen like me can "feely"craft but understanding the mechanics around it is interesting. This feels 100% accurate in my experience as a casual observer, some other common IEMs for gaming that are recommended would be Simgot SuperMix 4 and Mangird Tea Pro (I owned both of these at one point). When playing Hunt: Showdown to my ears it was objectively easy to tell that the SuperMix 4 had less overall bass AND it was also a lot slower to recover to spikes in volume (say a barrel or explosive detonating nearby). Once I had purchased the Tea Pros, the tightness of the bass was extremely noticeable and this seemed to help clean up some of the mids and low treble to make it easier to discern the separation in chaotic environments. Another interesting thought as you had mentioned the Arrti T10, I used the Letshuoer S08s which was a full planar set for a few weeks as well when I had just gotten into the hobby. The difference in the spactial "feeling" not the actual precision itself is another concept that I would love to understand. To me it feels like there is a difference between the precision and how distance plays out on the stage created. For example, I believe with all the sets I have mentioned I could get a good sense of direction based on a sound cue; however, all three sets have a very different resolution of 3D space. I attempted to test as best I could the difference between the MEST Mk2 and Tea Pros to see if I would like one or the other more over the last few days. The Tea Pro's space resolution feels less detailed but more accurate to relative distance, the MEST provides absolutely unparalleled detail but because of the recessed pinna mids messes with the distance some. Both could absolutely be used but one does a better job at creating space "around you" rather than "in front" of you. Is there any way to objectively analyze the perception of that 3D space that is being created?

So I have though a little bit about this the first night I used the MEST for a long period of music listening. For gaming, there is an objective and easy to follow feedback loop where you get confirmation. So it was easy to choose the Tea Pro’s space resolution over the MEST. For music, the way that my brain is drawing the scene as a visual learner/thinker the Tea Pro’s “around me” sensation feels wrong. If I am observing music being played it shouldn’t be around me it should be in front of me as someone who isn’t creating the sound. The MEST’s holography and “in front of” auditory experience is so much more enjoyable. It is so immersive for my brain that when my eyes are closed I can actually feel my body trying to react to the sounds like they are physically present. Using an orchestral example, my brain tries to SEE where sections of instruments are sitting, or where soloists chairs are in room, it feels like I am standing right above a percussion pit looking at the orchestra as a conductor. With the MEST it feels like I experience the music and with the Tea Pros the feeling is that of listening to precise playback by it isn’t as immersive.

Specifically on vocal centric things, as long as the frequency of the singer is in the recessed area on the MEST’s graph it feels correct. The vocals appear out in front as if you were observing a band playing. The acoustics of the room set the ”stage”. The more reverberation the larger the visualization ultimately becomes, the less distortion the closer and more intimate it feels and then by proxy the visualization is smaller in 3D space to place things in. One note on the MEST that I believe is due to the use of Bone Conduction is that you get both the bass audio as well as the bass sensation. I think some IEMs overcome this sensation issue by increasing the bass “weight” but after feeling it through bone conduction it really lifts that experience to a much more natural “live” and speaker sound waves hitting you feeling.

MEST MK2…so far but taking a little break to enjoy them for a bit. Love the soundstage the unique tuning creates, feels very holographic.

So I just got the MEST MK2s last week, and they have become my favorite musical set almost instantly. It’s just so pleasing and unique it’s hard to describe. I have also messed with Letshuoer S08s, Simgot SM4, Ziigaat Odyssey, Kiwi Ears Canta (least favorite so far), Letshuoer DX4. Tea Pros are where it’s at for value/performance for me. Odyssey might be better value overall but its lack of stage/space makes me appreciate the MEST/Tea Pro more.

https://preview.redd.it/6go6ptn8ztrd1.jpeg?width=1148&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=f132069b7787d1482bea46f54d8be7daa3c72ee1 No I meant the um mest mk2.. if we’re talking about mids I said they graph very similar.. I know they might not sound exactly the same.. but this shows the basic tonality between the two..

Nice.. very informative.. the 622b is bit out of reach for me.. even the omega to be honest. Haha.. I do have the tea pro which I love and is very warm and thick.. but my baby is my Mest mkII.. have you heard the mest mkII..? If so how does it stack against the omega..?”

Never been too curious for the monarch series tho I would love to try the prestige ltd one day.. my UM Mest MKII is absolutely amazing.. best soundstage I’ve ever heard.. the bone conduction doesn’t impact the low end like my penon fan 3 BC does but it definitely widens the soundstage and instrument separation.. I’m really digging bone conduction so my next iem would definitely be the thieaudio origin.. I’ve heard its like the tea pro on steroids.. which my tea pros are amazing and give the mest mkII a run for their money.. so a more immersive tea pro would be mind blowing to me..

[mest mkII](https://shop.musicteck.com/products/um-universal-mest-mkii)

That store looks insane..! So yer sayin the mest mkII is slightly better..?

Fortunately I got mine for less than you can buy the origin right now.. so that makes me happy to hear.. but I’m pretty sure they’ve lowered the price of the mest mkII quite significantly.. right now you can buy both for 850$.. but that makes me wonder if I need to get the origin if the mest mkII is better..

Yeah I was surprised at how small the mest mkII actually is.. well this has been super helpful.. thank you..!

I have three that immediately come to mind. The first I bought on sale for $20, the Seeaudio x Tangzu Shimin Li Encounter Edition. It's an all metal shell IEM that has a Vee shaped tuning, just a really good set especially for the price. The second is the TOTL Simgot, the EM10, it's a 10 driver set that has a Harman tuning, with excellent bass quality, and great details and instrument separation. The third is the Ziigaat Estrella, which is ok out of the box, but if tuned with the Shortbus Audio tape mod becomes a top tier set. This is one of my favorite IEMs along with the Dunu Glacier, Thieaudio Monarch mk3, MEST mk2 and Canpur CP622B.

The Ziigaat Estrella with Shortbus Audio YouTube reviews tape mod. For me it competes with some of the best endgame IEMs that I own including the MEST mk2, Dunu Glacier, Thieaudio Origin, and Canpur CP622B.

I own the Arya SE, Focal Clear OG/MG and Mest MK2. I listen to the Mest MK2 probably 80% of the time since I find the headphones I own to be sibilant and ruin some of the songs I enjoy with my Mest MK2.

To me the best you could find are used MMK2 or MEST MK2, those are absolutely phenomenal for classical music and is endgame already.

I had already the honor to grab Unique Melody Mest MkII and Thieaudio Monarch MkIII. I'd die to grab Elysian Annihilator 2023 one day. Great collection you got!

IEMs photographed left to right in first two photos: Unique Melody Mest MkII, Moondrop Variations, Moondrop x Crinacle DUSK, TSMR Halo, Thieaudio Monarch MkIII, Elysian Annihilator 2023, Elysian Diva 2023. I’ve also put a close-up photo of each IEM in the order they appear in photo one. Photography is not my skill so the photos are awful; whoops! This is just update post for my collection. Again, the post is mostly for me to look back on myself in the future (for example, I said in my last post I was looking for Diva 2023 and I finally got it courtesy of a Head-Fi seller). I’m not expecting anyone to care or be interested. But on the off-chance someone cares I’ll list a few rankings off here. You can also see the driver configurations of each IEM in photo three, listed top to bottom in the order I acquired the sets. My rankings are coming from the point of view of someone who values detail and treble extension primarily, with bass a secondary concern. Sound (most important of course): 1. Elysian Annihilator 2023 2. Elysian Diva 2023 3. Unique Melody Mest MkII 4. Thieaudio Monarch MkIII 5. TSMR Halo 6. Moondrop Variations 7. Moondrop x Crinacle DUSK Comfort/Fit (essential for long listening sessions): 1. Unique Melody Mest MkII 2. Elysian Diva 2023 3. TSMR Halo 4. Elysian Annihilator 2023 5. Moondrop Variations 6. Thieaudio Monarch MkIII 7. Moondrop x Crinacle DUSK Stock Cable (maybe interesting, maybe not): 1. Unique Melody Mest MkII 2. Elysian Diva 2023 3. Thieaudio Monarch MkIII 4. Elysian Annihilator 2023 5. Moondrop Variations 6. TSMR Halo 7. Moondrop x Crinacle DUSK (both cables) Finally, not photographed except for the boxes are my two DAPs. The iBasso DX340 is clearly the better of the two but I hesitate to say it’s ‘worth it’ as an upgrade to the R4. They’re both fantastic but as a value proposition I think the R4 is great. To conclude, clearly the IEM hobby is something of a chase for perfection which you will never achieve. There are tradeoffs to every IEM, DAC, DAP, cable and eartips. If you’re seeing this post and thinking about things like diminishing returns and these sets being nowhere near ‘worth’ their price – I’d say I agree. Diminishing returns (not a phrase I like much because everything has diminishing returns but I digress) set in quite early imho. For an all-rounder that you can use with practically any device the DUSK (as an example from my sets) could easily be the pinnacle of what you’re looking for and there’s really no need to chase the latest releases or constantly be looking to upgrade. Then again, I also disagree with people who look down on someone for owning more than one set – do we limit ourselves to one pair of shoes just because we only have two feet? (Bad example but maybe you get my point.) At the end of the day, yes, the IEM hobby is rife with consumerism, as are all similar tech products, but I think the craftsmanship and the various different designs, sound signatures and so on make it a fascinating hobby to be involved in. And on second-hand sites like Head-Fi (where I got my Mest, Diva & Halo from) or even r/AVexchange you can sometimes snag yourself a bargain, or at least meet more people to talk about this great hobby with. I’d be happy to discuss anything photographed if anyone has any questions (and made it all the way to reading this)! Take care and all the best, Rob

Thank you! I think the Mest’s bass is exceptional. I wanted it for its fantastic staging and technicalities but I’m surprised by how good its bass is to be honest. Also, I think you can get great deals on this set nowadays if you’re willing to go second hand. Or occasionally you can even find it for a great price new in sales. I picked mine up for €700 EUR but depending on where you are I’ve seen it on Head-Fi in mind condition for ~$650 USD.

actually having listened to both at the buying session 3 yrs ago, I'd say LCD-X is an unique experience, but maybe after the wow factor finally settles, you might not like it that much if your preference is the MEST MkII. What do you plan to drive the LCD-X with by the way?

you're welcome. LCD-X got holographic staging but in my experience it's not that easy to drive, with some weird distortion at some part that may differ from the sound that you like from Mest MKII

I own the Mest Mk2 and the Monarch Mk3. I would say they're absolutely worth it. Some things to consider: You can get the Mest Mk2 new for about $850. https://shop.musicteck.com/products/um-universal-mest-mkii More expensive IEMs, like the Mest and Monarch have different kinds of drivers that you don't get in lower-priced IEMs. Like Electrostatic and Bone Conduction drivers. These add a lot of detail, imo. Most <$1000 IEMs only make use of balanced armature and dynamic drivers. You could find one secondhand r/avexchange and Head-fi The secondhand market for audio equipment is amazing. If you bought something and didn't enjoy it, someone may buy it from you at a minimal loss. For me, that peace of mind is enough. I bought both the Mest and Monarch having never tested them before. The Monarch I bought from a reputable online retailer that has a very generous return policy, in the event that they didn't fit. The Monarch Mk3's are notoriously large-shelled, and they barely fit, so I got lucky! The Mest I bought from a user on r/avexchange If you buy secondhand, always use PayPal G&S. I own IEMs from KZ, Moondrop, Campfire Audio, Mest, and Thieaudio (for reference).

Trust me, I've tried 😆 Different sources, pEQ on equalizer apo, gEQ on Sony DAP, Pentaconn coreir brass eartips, cable swap (yeah, I know it's snake-oil 😜) etc. I appreciate what the Pilgrim can do (beautiful mids and treble), but it just doesn't get as much use after the honeymoon period for me. It's still good value for the money imo, especially for someone who wants this sound signature. tbf my other sets are absolute bass monsters, so I am probably just conditioned for way too much bass (Empire Ears Legend X, FatFreq Scarlet Mini, Noble XM-1, Mest Mk2 - my least bassy set after the Pilgrim).

People that say IEMs have inherently worse soundstage and imaging to headphones simply lack experience. I sold my HD800 after purchasing Unique Melody Mest MK2s. The Mests were superior in imaging, bass, and midrange. The HD800 had slightly wider soundstage but it sounded artificial, sharp, with strange imaging.

Oh the MMK3 were far better for metal and anything that needed clarity. My MEST 2 edges it out though so that's why I sold the MMK3.

I own the MEST 2s and FATfreq Scarlet Mini and the MEST has very lean bass if you're a basshead. Scarlet Mini has just enough bass but nothing I've ever heard comes close to it without a bass shelf EQ

Jesus, I just got the Mest MKII, haven’t finished figuring out tips yet, but my general impression is they are very good, but I find more enjoyment from my Timeless. Surprised that was the case, thought maybe I was crazy, but good seeing someone else with the same impression. The Timeless with Dunu S&S tips just have this level of separation and speed that is in its own class. The shocking thing is that so far the Mest does not match the separation, maybe I need the right tips. But the notes are thicker and mids are better. Slightly more rumble.

I have tried the mest mkII and the origin ( been lucky living in Tokyo close to the most amazing earphones so in Tokyo ) and I wouldn't pay 2 times more for the mest now the origin came out. Almost the same SQ with the same emphasis on the low and highs. Esthetically wise the mest feels less Chi-fi ish, but that's all subjective to people.

I would say it holds its title of one of the best iems in the world, but the origin is just behind for half the price...

\+1 for the Mest MKII. I prefer their sound over the Thieaudio offerings that I've heard (Monarch MK2, MK3, Origin, Oracle). It's not often mentioned but their build quality is also superior compared to Thieaudio, this is something that comes into play during long term ownership.

I literally got my pair of the mest mkii today as well, what a coincidence. Spent a couple hours after work just tip rolling and I ended up just using the Xelastec ones that came with it. Enjoy, I definitely had a blast listening to mine today. Hopefully no more IEM purchases for a while.

For years, my audio journey was anchored in the vibrant world of Chi-Fi IEMs—budget-friendly gems like the KZ ZS 10 pro, Moondrop Arias to Multi kilobuck killer - Monarch mk2/3, Mest, QDC VX. These in-ear monitors delivered thrilling soundscapes with their bold price to performance value, punchy bass, and sparkling treble. Yet, curiosity led me to the Westone Mach 80, a flagship renowned for its clinical precision and studio-grade neutrality. The transition wasn’t just an upgrade; it was a paradigm shift—a rediscovery of what music could be. Build and Comfort: From Plastic to PrecisionMy audio journey and experience, while impressive in sound, often felt utilitarian in build—oversized shells, hefty cables, and fit that demanded frequent adjustments. The Mach 80, by contrast, felt like a bespoke instrument. Its SUPER LIGHTWEIGHT (Yes in Caps), ergonomic design, molded from lightweight medical-grade resin, disappeared into my ears. The over-ear cabling and deep-seated fit provided a seal so secure and isolating like a Custom IEM that subway commutes became silent even without music playing. Westone’s decades of expertise in pro-audio ergonomics shone through; these were IEMs built for marathon listening sessions, not just casual use. Sound Signature: Chaos to ClarityThe first listen was… jarring. Gone was the bombastic bass slam or the polished midrange bloom. The Mach 80 greeted me with a stark, unapologetic neutrality. Bass was lean and taut, not thunderous. Treble was detailed but never sibilant. Mids? They weren’t “forward” or “recessed”—they just were, pristine and uncolored. It felt like swapping a neon-lit carnival for a sunlit art gallery. * Bass: The Mach 80’s 8 balanced armatures delivered bass with surgical control. Sub-bass rumble in electronic tracks like Jacques Greene’s “Feel Infinite” was textured and articulate, not bloated. Double kicks in metal tracks retained their speed but lacked the visceral “thump” I’d grown accustomed to. This wasn’t a deficiency—it was accuracy. The Mach 80 revealed how much of most of the iems was bass boosted. * Mids: Vocals and instruments emerged with startling realism. On Norah Jones’ “Don’t Know Why,” her voice floated with breathy intimacy, free of the midbass bleed that muddied my Chi-Fi sets. Acoustic guitars on John Mayer’s “Neon” showcased string plucks and finger slides I’d never noticed—a masterclass in microdetail, its surgically incredible! * Treble: Cymbals on TOOL’s “Pneuma” shimmered without piercing, and orchestral highs in Holst’s “The Planets” retained their airiness. The Mach 80’s treble wasn’t “exciting,” but it was ruthlessly honest, it’s very very smooth to listen. Soundstage and Imaging: From 2D to 3DThe Mach 80’s soundstage felt expansive and holographic, a stark contrast to the intimate, head-filling presentation of my Chi-Fi collection. Listening to Hans Zimmer’s “Blade Runner 2049” soundtrack, synths swirled around my head with pinpoint placement, while the decay of reverb tails in a jazz club recording felt almost tactile. Instruments weren’t layered—they occupied distinct spaces, like actors on a stage. The Adjustment Period: Learning to Listen AgainFor days, I mourned the loss of “fun.” Tracks that once felt anthemic now sounded restrained. But gradually, my ears acclimated. The Mach 80 didn’t impose its personality—it revealed the recording’s personality. Well-mixed tracks (think Daft Punk’s “Random Access Memories”) became transcendent, while poorly mastered songs laid bare their flaws. This wasn’t an IEM for mindless head-bobbing; it demanded engagement, rewarding critical listening with revelations. The Chi-Fi Rat raceNowadays everyone is chasing the best of the best while many companies are releasing new items week in and week out, and we often forget to slow down and appreciate music more. And often with massive waves of iems releasing we often overlooked some of the brands that do not come out new model very often. Conclusion: A New BenchmarkThe Westone Mach 80 isn’t for everyone. If you crave bass heft, WOW factor or euphonic coloration, it might underwhelm. But as a tool for understanding music—for dissecting mixes, savoring acoustic textures, or simply hearing your favorite albums anew—it’s peerless. The is the most resolving IEM I have ever heard in any price range and I have heard a lot; and it’s redefined what I expect from them—and from music itself.

I think my sony ier z1r sounds dynamic it adds reverb to songs making the sense of space a bit big compared to my latest um mest it's 3dish sound but don't have the added reverb of the sony makes sense? 😅

Why do youu say that? The Mest doesn't really have anything in common with any EJ07.

Where are you looking at graphs? They shouldn't look similar at all. The Kinda Lava has a pretty normal tuning profile. The Mest has very little pinna gain, and a prominence in the treble.

Can't say anything about other sets, but honestly, i would remove the Mest from that list.

Mest are great, just not what i would call a basshead set.

Glad you enjoying them! They're an excellent set and "endgame" for a lot of people. I want to mention this in case someone else is think of doing the same as you. Jumping straight to a kilobuck IEM is wild without knowing that your tuning preferences are. The MEST has a pretty unconventional tuning and I'd never recommend it to someone as their first IEM unless they had previously demoed it.

That certainly does sound like the MEST and I think you made a good choice if that’s what you were looking for. The MESTs lack of gain is unique and not for everyone, so I’m glad you knew what you were buying