Letshuoer Cadenza 12 VS Unique Melody MEST Jet Black

IEM Comparison: Expert & Community Scores Side-by-Side

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Letshuoer Cadenza 12 and Unique Melody MEST Jet Black are in-ear monitors. Letshuoer Cadenza 12 costs $2,299 while Unique Melody MEST Jet Black costs $2,000. Letshuoer Cadenza 12 is $299 more expensive. Letshuoer Cadenza 12 holds a clear 0.5-point edge in reviewer scores (8.3 vs 7.8). Unique Melody MEST Jet Black has better bass with a 0.5-point edge, Letshuoer Cadenza 12 has slightly better mids with a 0.3-point edge, Unique Melody MEST Jet Black has better dynamics with a 0.8-point edge, Letshuoer Cadenza 12 has significantly better soundstage with a 2-point edge, Unique Melody MEST Jet Black has better details with a 0.8-point edge and Unique Melody MEST Jet Black has better imaging with a 0.8-point edge.

Insights

Metric Letshuoer Cadenza 12 Unique Melody MEST Jet Black
Bass 7.5 8
Mids 7.3 7
Treble 7.4 7.5
Details 7.3 8
Soundstage 9 7
Imaging 7.8 8.5
Dynamics 7 7.8
Tonality 7.9 7.4
Technicalities 8.4 7.7
Take these comparisons with a grain of salt—we don't have enough Unique Melody MEST Jet Black reviews saved yet to provide an unbiased result.

Letshuoer Cadenza 12 Aggregated Review Score

Average Reviewer Scores

Precogvision
Tim Tuned
Jaytiss Smirk Audio Head-Fi.org Web Search
Jays Audio Z-Reviews Yifang

Average Reviewer Score:

8.3

Very Positive


Unique Melody MEST Jet Black Aggregated Review Score

Average Reviewer Scores

Jaytiss Super* Review
Smirk Audio Head-Fi.org

Average Reviewer Score:

7.8

Strongly Favorable


Reviews Comparison

Letshuoer Cadenza 12 reviewed by Jaytiss

Jaytiss 8.8 Reviewer Score
A Tuning
A+ Tech
Great timbre good on classical. Detailed and analytical, but too Safe.
Youtube Video Summary

The 2024 Cadenza 12 makes a strong first impression with premium presentation, though the accessories aren’t flawless. The stock cable looks gorgeous and offers swappable terminations (4.4 / 3.5 / 2.5), but it’s stiff and tricky to coil into the compact case. The metal shell is well-contoured and comfortable with a sensible nozzle lip, yet certain tips can pop off too easily. Overall build feels upscale and weighty without being cumbersome—just expect some practical quirks.

Tonally it sits neutral with a gentle bass lift: clean sub-bass presence without thunder, crisp highs with smooth extension, and a relaxed upper-mid energy that keeps fatigue low. Resolution and imaging are technically adept, but the tuning plays things safe—polished and airy rather than punchy or electrifying. On graphs and by ear it evokes classic “reference” curves (think early Monarch-style balance), trading visceral slam for control and clarity; many audiophiles will find it classy and coherent, while thrill-seekers may wish for more bite.

Against peers, it recalls sets that graph beautifully yet feel a touch reserved in the bass and presence regions. Comparisons to options like Europa highlight how a bit more sub-bass and 4–6 kHz zest can add sparkle and engagement; a light EQ lift to bass and upper mids wakes the Cadenza 12 up nicely. As delivered, it’s a refined, wide, and airy listen that prioritizes neutrality and detail over spectacle—recommended for listeners chasing a mature, low-fatigue signature rather than a high-octane ride.

Mids: A- Treble: A+ Dynamics: A- Soundstage: S

Jaytiss original ranking

Jaytiss Youtube Channel
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Unique Melody MEST Jet Black reviewed by Jaytiss

Jaytiss 7.8 Reviewer Score
B+ Tuning
A- Tech
Safe, clean iem.
Youtube Video Summary

The MEST Jet Black oozes premium flair: a jet-black shell with gold nozzle and screws, slightly recessed 2-pin sockets, and jewelry-like fit and finish. The accessories are playful and practical—think a “mushroom” case with IEM booties—and the bundled Dreamer/Dreamy cable feels well-made, if a bit dry/papery in hand and oddly marked for L/R behind the ear hooks. Pricing hovers around $2,000 with the cable (less without), positioning this as a luxury set where build quality clearly pulls weight.

Sonically, the Jet Black leans neutral, safe, and clean. A tasteful dip around 4 kHz tamps down sibilance, yielding treble that’s well-mannered with good air and clarity, while mids stay tidy rather than punchy. Resolution is high, imaging is confident, note weight is convincing, and the overall presentation feels laid-back and inoffensive—great across genres and an excellent EQ canvas for those who like to tailor. The trade-off: it doesn’t try to wow with big dynamics or spice; it’s more about polished refinement than fireworks.

Comparisons paint the picture: AFUL Performer 7 offers lively treble at a far lower price and could be the smarter pick for excitement per dollar. Stardust tracks a similar FR but feels less premium; Dusks (≈$350) sound flatter and similarly agreeable yet look/feel budget by comparison. Against peers, Apostle pushes a bit more upper-mid energy and vocal presence, while Chronicle can come off more engaging. For listeners chasing a neutral, resolute, and impeccably built IEM that plays everything gracefully—and who value aesthetic luxury as much as sonics—the MEST Jet Black is a compelling, if costly, choice.

Mids: B Treble: A- Dynamics: A- Soundstage: A-

Jaytiss original ranking

Jaytiss Youtube Channel

Letshuoer Cadenza 12 reviewed by Smirk Audio

Smirk Audio 8.1 Reviewer Score
A+ Tuning
A+ Tech
Bouncy, liquid-like bass. Well-bodied, analogue mids and extended highs. Great staging on all axes. Decent resolution. Excellent all-rounder.

Smirk Audio original ranking

Smirk Audio Head-Fi Profile

Bass: S- Mids: A+ Treble: S- Dynamics: A+ Details: A Imaging: S-

Unique Melody MEST Jet Black reviewed by Smirk Audio

Smirk Audio 8.2 Reviewer Score
A+ Tuning
A+ Tech
check links for more info:

Smirk Audio original ranking

Smirk Audio Head-Fi Profile

Bass: A+ Mids: A+ Treble: A+ Dynamics: S- Details: A+ Imaging: S-

Letshuoer Cadenza 12 reviewed by Head-Fi.org

Head-Fi.org 8.6 * score rescaled + normalized
17 community members have rated the Letshuoer Cadenza 12 at an average of 4.6/5 on Head-Fi. Overall sentiment: Outstanding.

URL to full Review

Head-Fi.org original ranking

Unique Melody MEST Jet Black reviewed by Head-Fi.org

Head-Fi.org 8.3 * score rescaled + normalized
5 community members have rated the Unique Melody Mest Jet Black at an average of 4.4/5 on Head-Fi. Overall sentiment: Excellent.

URL to full Review

Head-Fi.org original ranking

Letshuoer Cadenza 12 (more reviews)

Letshuoer Cadenza 12 reviewed by Jays Audio

Jays Audio 9.5 Reviewer Score
S Tuning
S Tech
A better version of the U12T vocal/tuning wise, no mid scoop and wonkiness. (#1 or #2 vocals for me). Vocals are sweet, extended, open, airy, but also never fatiguing, and naturally weighted. No BA timbre, very natural. Perfect amount of treble detail and air while allowing it to scale at higher volumes. Super smooth dynamics and incredible coherency. TOTL resolution, detail, layering, imaging, and staging. Bass is fine, but not a basshead set - still has a nice slam to it. 07 still scales better and more 3D, but CAD12 stage is more open and better tech. If you don't blast your brains out like me then this is it (although I'm not sure if they're selling this version - maybe request it specifically/ask Joseph?)

Jays Audio original ranking

Jays Audio Youtube Channel

Letshuoer Cadenza 12 reviewed by Z-Reviews

Z-Reviews 9 * score rescaled + normalized
Youtube Video Summary

Letshuoer Cadenza 12 goes full flagship spectacle: a 12-driver per side build (1 dynamic + 11 BA from Knowles/Sonion), six-way crossover, and heavy metal shells that feel like a prize out of a treasure chest. The unboxing is decadent—fabric-wrapped stock cable with interchangeable plugs, a big faux-leather case, tip sets (foam, Symbio, Xelastec-style), and even a quirky bulldog stand. Fit can be finicky, tip choice matters, and the shells beg for constant polishing; once seated, isolation and comfort are solid.

Sonically, this set is hyper-analytical yet immersive. It “3D-prints” instruments in space, letting a gentle kick drum’s air, pedal thumps on a piano, and micro-dynamics pop with almost studio-monitor precision. Detail retrieval is wild and imaging is pinpoint; mixes get deconstructed so clearly it’s easy to tell what’s acoustic, what’s processed, and where DSP tricks are hiding. The catch: it’s extremely chain-sensitive. Use the stock cable (impedance clearly matters), prefer single-ended over balanced on many amps, and pair with a clean, muscular amplifier—get the combo wrong and mids can go dull or staging collapses; get it right and it’s pure fireworks.

Verdict: an elite, picky flagship that demands careful setup but rewards with one of the most dissecting, vividly placed presentations available in IEMs. Not the most “natural” tuning on earth and far from cheap, yet when everything clicks, the Cadenza 12 delivers a peak listening experience that can ruin lesser gear for good.


Z-Reviews original ranking

Z-Reviews Youtube Channel

Letshuoer Cadenza 12 reviewed by Yifang

Yifang 9 Reviewer Score
S Tuning
S Tech
Tonally excellent with good technicalities, works as an all-rounder. Bass quality is unexpectedly standout and fanastic. Lower price compared to competitors in bracket and is "value" in the high end IEMs. Requires source/cable/tip rolling to improve on tone and technicalities, otherwise can come off as somewhat bright and lacking in bass quantity, and/or technically behind other good sets priced above it.

Yifang original ranking

Yifang Youtube Channel

Letshuoer Cadenza 12 reviewed by Tim Tuned

Tim Tuned 7 Reviewer Score
A- Tuning
S Tech
One of the best treble-head set. Lots of micro details Treble will be too much for some

Tim Tuned original ranking

Tim Tuned Youtube Channel
Bass: A+ Mids: A+ Treble: A-

Letshuoer Cadenza 12 reviewed by Precogvision

Precogvision 6.2 Reviewer Score
B Tuning
B+ Tech
More 'musical' tonality with a touch of spice in the treble. Technicalities could use work for the price.

Precogvision original ranking

Precogvision Youtube Channel
Bass: B Mids: B Treble: B Dynamics: B Details: A- Imaging: A-

Letshuoer Cadenza 12 reviewed by Web Search

uses AI-Search to turn user, reddit and head-fi reviews into clear, concise summaries.
Web Search 8.9 Reviewer Score
S- Tuning
S Tech

The Letshuoer Cadenza 12 delivers a balanced sound signature with a slight warmth in the low end, providing clean and textured bass that avoids overwhelming the midrange. Its midrange presentation is natural and resolving, though some listeners noted a recession around 1-2kHz that could thin male vocals slightly, while the treble offers good extension but exhibits a noticeable peak around 10kHz that occasionally introduces harshness or an "echo" effect on certain instruments . Technical performance is a strength, with precise pinpoint imaging and an expansive, holographic soundstage that excels in complex orchestral passages, though some critics felt its resolution doesn’t fully justify the price against established flagships .

Comfort is generally strong due to the surprisingly lightweight titanium shells and ergonomic shape, allowing for extended listening sessions despite their size, though some users reported eventual ear fatigue . The mirror-finish shells attract fingerprints and scratches easily, and the included hybrid cable, while versatile with modular terminations, is often criticized for its stiffness and unwieldy handling . While the packaging and accessories—including a functional leather case and customizable ear tips—are premium, the overall value proposition is debated, particularly when comparing its technical performance to competitors near its $2,300 price .


Unique Melody MEST Jet Black (more reviews)

Unique Melody MEST Jet Black reviewed by Super* Review

2025-09-20
Super* Review 7* * score rescaled + normalized
Super* Review finds the $1,700 MEST Jet Black bright and exciting with tight sub-bass and standout, holographic imaging, but highly tip-dependent and sometimes sibilant/fatiguing. While the ceramic shells look great, a thin 4.4-only cable and severe driver flex undermine usability; compared with Fiio FX17, ThieAudio Prestige LTD, and especially the Dunu Glacier (his preference), it’s more “specialist” than all-rounder—earning 3/5.
Youtube Video Summary

MEST Jet Black takes the series’ quirky tuning and doubles down on the excitement: a bright, incisive top end, tight bass with real sub-bass reach, and that trademark holographic imaging that spreads voices and instruments across a wide stage. The FR is unusual—think a rise starting near ~300 Hz with relaxed upper mids—so it doesn’t read neutral or warm; instead it plays lively and intense, sometimes sibilant without the right tips. Ceramic shells look killer but are heavy, the stock cable is a thin 4.4 mm affair that feels mismatched, and there’s pronounced driver flex that can be distracting, especially when lying on a pillow.

Tip choice is pivotal: narrow-bore options (e.g., AS400-style or Dunu Candy) tame treble while preserving space, whereas Final E smooths things but blunts the “special” imaging. Get the fit deep and stable and the set rewards with crisp separation, energetic treble sparkle, and punchy—if not chest-thumping—mid-bass. It’s an engaging specialist rather than an all-day cruiser, and the $1,700 tag means those ergonomics matter.

Against peers, Fiio’s FX17 comes off warmer and more balanced with nicer bass texture but less image “wow.” AüR Audio’s Prestige Limited hits harder down low and stays contrasty, yet can sound a touch smoothed in timbre. DUNU’s Glacier follows a bigger-bass, Harman-leaning path that’s smoother and more natural overall while conceding some of the MEST’s lateral stage trickery. Net: stunning look, standout imaging, significant caveats; a solid 3/5 for those chasing spectacle over softness.


Super* Review original ranking

Super* Review Youtube Channel

Letshuoer Cadenza 12 User Review Score

Average User Scores

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Unique Melody MEST Jet Black User Review Score

Average User Scores

Average User Score: n/a

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Letshuoer Cadenza 12 Gaming Score

Gaming Score & Grade

  • The gaming score is prioritizing technical capabilities of the IEM (Separation, Layering, Soundstage) and good value.

Gaming Score

6.8

Gaming Grade

B+

Unique Melody MEST Jet Black Gaming Score

Gaming Score & Grade

  • The gaming score is prioritizing technical capabilities of the IEM (Separation, Layering, Soundstage) and good value.

Gaming Score

6.1

Gaming Grade

B

Letshuoer Cadenza 12 Scorings

Average Technical & Tuning Grades

Average Tunign Grade

A
  • Overall balance feels confident and refined, rewarding long listening sessions. A reliable all-rounder for everyday listening.

Average Technical Grade

A+
  • A very capable technical display delivers articulate layers and poised imaging. It portrays reverbs and echoes with confidence.
Bass A
The bass hits with conviction, offering both punch and clarity. It reaches low with confidence and control.
Mids A-
Expect lifelike vocals and instruments with impressive nuance and realism. You can easily follow harmonies and backups.
Treble A-
It provides outstanding treble finesse, balancing brightness and control gracefully. It's engaging yet remarkably controlled.
Dynamics A-
Dynamic performance is excellent, combining sharp transients with strong contrast. Transients snap with authority.
Soundstage S
It summons a grand acoustic sphere where distance, height, and width feel unrestricted. You perceive true venue size effortlessly.
Details A-
Micro-details glide to the forefront effortlessly while timbre remains natural. Ambient cues are vivid and lifelike.
Imaging A
Spatial cues respond immediately, reflecting every movement in the mix. Spatial cues respond instantly to the mix.
Gaming B+
Respectable environmental presentation favors atmosphere over precision. Detects obvious directional cues while conveying game world ambiance. Bad value-to-cost for gaming purpose - not recommended

Unique Melody MEST Jet Black Scorings

Average Technical & Tuning Grades

Average Tunign Grade

A-
  • It balances warmth and clarity well, showing only minor quirks along the way. Timbre feels believable with most instruments.

Average Technical Grade

A
  • Technical performance is solid, offering clear separation and consistent detail retrieval. There's enough space for instruments to breathe.
Bass A+
The bass digs deep with authority while staying impeccably textured. No sense of bloom muddies the mids.
Mids A-
The mid band shines with organic tone and finely rendered textures. Long sessions remain fatigue-free.
Treble A
The treble is exquisitely tuned, combining crystal detail with relaxed delivery. Micro-details emerge effortlessly.
Dynamics A
You get outstanding dynamic agility, from subtle nuances to big hits. Impact comes with quick recovery.
Soundstage A-
You hear both the breadth and the altitude of the mix, anchored by accurate positional cues. Immersion improves across genres.
Details A+
The tiniest inflections pop into view as if spotlit within the mix. Low-level details feel magnified yet natural.
Imaging S-
The stage breathes like a real environment, surrounding you with believable depth. There's a strong sensation of physical space.
Gaming B
Decent spatial awareness for fundamental positioning. Creates satisfying atmosphere in story-driven games while handling basic directional cues. Bad value-to-cost for gaming purpose - not recommended

Letshuoer Cadenza 12 User Reviews

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Unique Melody MEST Jet Black User Reviews

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