Earphone Review

Unique Melody UM MEST MKII

Design.

While hybrids and tribrids been dominating IEM market for a while now, Mest made its mark as one of the first quadbrids (maybe not the first since I can’t keep a track of every single worldwide release, but definitely one of the first), featuring a total of 8 drivers grouped in 4 types: DD, BA, EST, and Bone Conduction.  Just like the OG, MKII features 4way quadbrid design with a 5-way crossover, including DD bass driver, 2BA mid drivers, 2BA treble drivers, 2EST ultra high drivers, and one full range dBC dual sides Bone Conduction driver.

um_mest_mkII-32

In contrast to a single side BC driver in OG, MKII now uses double sided piezoelectric bone conduction driver which is placed in between two supporting plates.  At the center of that BC driver is the vibration board covered by ceramic coating on both the front and the back.  Also, this dBC bone conduction driver now has a larger contacting area with the shell and has a wider effective frequency response range from 500Hz to 20kHz, in comparison to OG with BC that covered 1kHz to 16kHz.

I know many will be asking, can you “feel” the effect of dBC driver?  It is hard to tell because based on the fit with my ears, I didn’t feel anything different, and to me this is just another sound contributing driver.  BUT, when you are comparing tuning of OG vs MKII, there is a distinct presence of more body in lower mids and this could be a direct contribution of dBC driver extension down to 500Hz from the original 1kHz.  Would have been cool if they added a switch to enable/disable dBC, to be able to hear the effect of this driver.  But either way, it is unique, no pun intended, again.

Just like in OG design, the shell is lightweight, durable, and made from one piece carbon fiber.  This is important because it improves the effectiveness of dBC driver due to its contact with a shell.  The carbon fiber finish is infused with gold foils, a very nice look that goes really well with PWA all black cable with its hardware that has gold screws accents.  And you will notice upgraded faceplate metal vent which controls the air flow going into the DD driver.  OG vent wasn’t metal plated.

Another improvement is 2pin socket which is flush with the shell, better for aftermarket cables in comparison to 2pin convex socket which sticks out in OG design where they used cable connectors that wrap around it.  Those convex sockets could be used with regular 2pin cables as well, but the cable connector will be sticking out too far out which could affect the fit of the cable over your ears.

But the biggest improvement was a smaller and more compact shell design with improved fit.  While it was nice to see the inner side of the shell in MKII to be more custom-sculptured, the change in the angle of the nozzle from OG to MKII was a noticeable improvement for me.  With OG I felt a little pressure while MKII was just perfect.  Of course, it will depend on your earcanal anatomy, but in my case, it made a noticeable difference.

And last, but not least, the top of the metal nozzle, which is covered by a protective mesh, in MKII has a little bigger diameter.  The difference is not huge, but it is bigger when you look closer.  I think if you were OK with OG Mest, MKII will not be a problem.  But if your earcanal is small, Mest offers both Universal and Custom versions of their IEMs.  And for me personally, while I typically use Large size eartips, I end up using Medium size eartips with MKII due to a bigger diameter of the nozzle.

The fit.

um_mest_mkII-31

Page 3 – Sound Analysis.
Page 4 – Eartips selection and Cable pair up.
Page 5 – Comparison, Source pair up, and Conclusion.

Pages: Page 1, Page 2, Page 3, Page 4, Page 5

22 thoughts on “Unique Melody UM MEST MKII”

  1. Since you recently reviewed FiR 5×5, what is your impression of each as a choice for EDC iems? There is a $400 price tag difference so I’m trying to make up my mind and these two units both suit my sound profile preference. Thanks!

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    1. well, part of the price difference is that MKII comes with $560 PWA cable (apparently, will be sold later as standalone), $50 Dignis leather case, and $30 AZLA Xelastec eartips. But in terms of sound performance, apples and oranges. 5×5 will be more balanced and more neutral while MKII has more bass and more treble, creating U-shaped sound sig. Actually, 5×5 soundstage is a little wider, but technical performance of the sound layering and separation in MKII is by far superior. 5×5 is great EDC and you can definitely save money, but MKII is more audiophile tuned with higher resolution and comes with a superior set of brand name accessories.

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      1. Thank you very much for your reply. I rarely listen to iems at home (vs over-ear fulls) where UM Mest MKll’s superior technical superiority, cable, and kit over FiR 5×5 would be realized, so I’m now leaning rabbit! Cheers!

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  3. Thanks again for helping me clarify the next step I really wanted/more practically should to take purchasing an iem. Without going into naming my brands of my open over ears, I’m very satisfied with one top dynamic and one top planar with a respectable chain- at the moment – LOL. So even tho I would like to have both MKII AND Firry 5×5 if I could afford it simultaneously, the actual step I know now to take, is to get a superior EDC. That would be 5×5. Not that I wouldn’t appreciate the MKII at home and away, mind you. Next time, maybe. Another thing is that I read preceding 5×5 (Erik?) review, and it stuck out to me that I, too, like DAPs that have a good analogue sound. I own a an early gen Bur Brown 1792 -based DAP from a top co. that I like a lot and so, done! Sorry this was long but thank you for helping me decide! Best, -Mark

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  4. Thanks Twister for another excellent review.

    Do you think that will be big difference between the CFA Solaris 2020 and the UM MEST Mark II?

    I am looking a bit more bass (quantity and quality) and better dynamic for classical music.

    Appreciate for your input.

    Vince

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  5. Thank you for your review. Have you tried paring Mest with Cayin N8? I’m concerned with the hiss from both SE and balanced output if I were to pair Mest with Cayin N8.

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      1. Hey,
        I just bought these. My personal sound preference is thick, warm, lush sound like Westone UM PRO 50. I am kinda disappointed with the thin, bright sound signature of Mest II. May be it is too early to judge. Do these need some burn in to perform better? I find your reviews to be very accurate. Is there any IEM that sounds very similar to UM PRO 50 regardless of the price?
        Regards

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      2. Maybe look into VE Elysium? It has a unique driver config of BA bass, DD mids, and EST treble. Also, with Mest MKII, try foam eartips, they usually tame down peaks of upper frequencies, it could help.

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      3. Hello I listen to vocal jazz, is mest mk2 suitable for me? I am currently using w80 and mojo Please help me because I am in Iran and it is not possible for me to test

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      4. Hi Amir, I personally don’t listen to jazz, but mk2 shoud certainly be good for it. I personally like their new mk3, a little less bass and tamed down treble. But I hear you, hard to pick iem just be “reading” about it.

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  6. Loving your reviews Twister6. Very helpful, I look out for your stuff on Head-fi too. I own the Mest II and absolutely love them…however I wonder what I am missing (if anything) compared to the Odin? I know you’ve listened to both but not sure if you’ve done a side by side? Lots of comparisons of the original Mest to the Odin online but I can’t find (m)any for the MkII. Cheers!

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  7. what do you think is the main difference between the mest mk2 and the ibasso it07? Do you think the price difference is justified?

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    1. IT07 has a bigger bass impact while MKII has more resolving upper frequencies with better treble extension. You can argue that MKII is a quad-brid with DD/BA/EST/Bone Conduction drivers and PWA premium cable, Dignis leather case, Azla premium eartips, so in this example price difference is definitely justified.

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  8. I have the Audio 64 U12T. I would love to hear your thoughts on what the MKII might compliment the U12T or whether I should think about trying another IEM—under $2,000–if possible. I love the pressure equalization of the U12T because I think it’s easier on my older ears. Thanks for the thoughts!

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    1. Hi Dean, these are certainly complimentary in tuning. U12t is smoother due to its more polite treble response, and also overall more balanced in tuning. MKII will give you more sub-bass rumble and more of that dynamic driver bass texture. Also, MKII has a more elevated treble. Now, more elevated treble can be too aggressive for some sensitive ears. But if we are talking about “older ears”, it will only give you higher resolution and more clarity. I think MKII is the best price/performance iem on the market now, considering quad-brid design, premium PWA copper cable, Dignis leather case, premium eartips, etc. And I see that Musicteck constantly having those ridiculous sales on it, was it $899? Even if it is not on sale, contact them for best pricing if they can match that sale.

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  9. Hey Twister6!
    I ended up selling the MEST mk2 because I felt it’s treble was sharp and inaccurate, and it’s midbass was too scooped out, making it not sound great for many classical genres of music. However, I do miss it’s soundstage. Do you think MEXT would fit the bill better?
    For ref, my EDC is the U12t.

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  10. hello please answer my comment
    I found a hugo2 in my country with price tag of 1400 $
    Do you think is it suitable for my w80 gen 1?
    please consider that price of hugo2 in Iran is 3100 $ and please finally compare hugo2 and sp3000 and n8ii
    thank you very much

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