Unique Melody MEST MK3 : A TOTL-y Smooth IEM

A fellow reviewer graciously offered me the chance to assess the UM Mest MK3, lending it to me during the Hi-Fi Show 2023. This in-ear monitor stands out significantly, with a whopping price tag of 1919 USD. Come to think of it, I managed to audition a MEST MKII  last November Hi-Fi Show 2022 but it was only for a short moment and I already forgot how it sounds like.

DISCLAIMER:

• I have no affiliation with Unique Melody and have not received any monetary compensation during or after writing this review. This a loan unit by my fellow reviewer, Edz Cuizon, in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.
• As a non-professional reviewer, I aim to use simple terms that can be understood by both beginners and experts in the hobby.
• Please keep in mind that the opinions expressed in this review are subjective and based on my personal experience with the unit. I encourage you to try the product yourself to form your own opinion.
• The item is incomplete since the cables included were faulty and I had to use my own cables during the review.

PACKAGING

The packaging exhibits elegance and majesty. Yet, the inclusions left me surprised and somewhat underwhelmed, since I anticipated jaw-dropping additions for an IEM priced below 2,000 USD. It is straightforward and includes everything essential. The package features a premium-looking cable winder and a leather case. Unfortunately, I don't have the stock cable, as my friend informed me that it's faulty, so I used a Hakugei cable for this review. Six pairs of ear tips are included—three pairs of open tips and three pairs of flower-shaped tips. A warranty card is also included in case it is needed.

BUILD QUALITY

The MEST MK3 features a sophisticated multiple-driver configuration, it has one dynamic driver for the bass, four balanced armatures for the mids and treble frequencies, four EST drivers for the high frequencies, and of course, the bone conduction driver. Crafted for quality and elegance, the MEST MK3 showcases a captivating deep blue color for the shells accented with gold plating around the faceplate. Unfortunately, I couldn't provide input on the cables, and the included eartips were challenging to install, so I opted for my Final E eartips for this review.

SOUND

The Unique Melody Mest MK3 delivers a sound with a neutral tuning leaning to warm. Due to the rolled-off treble in the Mest MK3, there is an increased emphasis on the lower frequencies.

BASS

The bass showcases a noticeable weight, rumble, and depth, with a pronounced emphasis on the sub-bass, creating a satisfying, deep, reverberating rumble, mainly because of the bone-conduction driver in play. However, the impact and slam on the mid-bass is somewhat lacking and can occasionally feel underwhelming. This is particularly notable on tracks that rely more heavily on midbass, where the impact may not be as pronounced.

MIDS

The midrange has a rich, forward, immersive sound. It carries a subtle touch of warmth, offering a smooth, natural, and full-bodied timbre. Vocals are presented in a balanced manner, avoiding being overly thick or too thin. The background vocals are excellent, creating an enveloping experience. While they may not provide the crispest of details, they offer a very soothing experience, maintaining a resolution that a TOTL  IEM should possess.

Instruments like guitars, cymbals, and sax lack a satisfying bite, potentially due to the upper-mids roll-off that contributes to the absence of sharpness and forwardness in certain instruments. However, when the bone conduction feature comes into play, it contributes to add a sense of impact and dynamics adding texture on some instruments. The MEST MK3 displays a complex, yet excellent transient response, accuracy, and definition. 

TREBLE

The treble is finely tuned to deliver smoothness and non-offensive energy. However, this tuning comes at the expense of overall treble detail and energy. Some might perceive the treble definition as somewhat lacking, with a tendency to be too safe and less resolving. Nevertheless, it upholds an open, clean quality that avoids harsh sibilance and peaks, contributing to a detailed and nuanced sound.

TECHNICALITIES

The Mest MK3 is capable of projecting a wide enough stage, avoiding a two-dimensional and compressed room feel. It features a decent holographic soundstage, allowing sounds to disperse in multiple directions rather than being confined solely to the left and right channels. I cannot overlook its exceptional layering and detail retrieval because this is where the MEST MK3 shines. Micro-details truly stand out, and it adeptly manages the intricacies of tracks like "Das Spiegel" by the Chemical Brothers without being distorted or messy. 

TEST TRACKS

CONCLUSION

Pros:

• Bass has excellent sub-bass.
• Mids are rich, and natural.
• Treble is smooth and not offensive.
• Decent technicalities.
• Excellent neutral leaning to warm signature.

Cons:

• Included eartips are not for me.
• Inclusions are lesser than what I expected but it has all that you need.
• Some may want more treble energy.
• And some may want some midbass thump in there as well.

I haven't tried the MEST MKI and I only got to audition the MKII in a very short time so I won't be able to make a comparison between the three but all I can say is the MKIII is an absolute top-of-the-line grade IEM. It doesn't have a gimmick like tuning switches and modular cables but the build quality, and the excellent implementation of bone conduction + air conduction with a good neutral-warm sound to boot earns itself the S-Tier.  However, take note that the sound may turn off purists especially for a TOTL in-ear monitor. Some may want that punchy midbass, more energy on the treble, some don't need that warmth and lush, they want it to be as clinical as possible, no this is definitely not the TOTL IEM you are looking for then,