Subtonic STORM VS Unique Melody Mason FS Soleil Tomb

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

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Subtonic STORM and Unique Melody Mason FS Soleil Tomb use 5BA+2EST+2SLAM and 12BA+1BC driver setups respectively. Subtonic STORM costs $5,200 while Unique Melody Mason FS Soleil Tomb costs $6,199. Unique Melody Mason FS Soleil Tomb is $999 more expensive. Subtonic STORM holds a slight 0.3-point edge in reviewer scores (9.1 vs 8.8). Subtonic STORM has better bass with a 0.7-point edge, Subtonic STORM has better treble with a 0.7-point edge, Subtonic STORM has significantly better dynamics with a 1.5-point edge, Subtonic STORM has better details with a 0.7-point edge and Subtonic STORM has better imaging with a 0.5-point edge.

Insights

Metric Subtonic STORM Unique Melody Mason FS Soleil Tomb
Bass 8.7 8
Mids 8.4 8.5
Treble 8.7 8
Details 9.7 9
Soundstage 9.5 8.8
Imaging 9 8.5
Dynamics 9.5 8
Tonality 9 8.9
Technicalities 9.4 8.8

Subtonic STORM Aggregated Review Score

Average Reviewer Scores

Smirk Audio Bad Guy Good Audio
Shuwa-T Precogvision Tim Tuned Gizaudio Axel IEMRanking AI
Jays Audio

Average Reviewer Score:

9.1

Outstanding


Unique Melody Mason FS Soleil Tomb Aggregated Review Score

Average Reviewer Scores

Smirk Audio
IEMRanking AI

Average Reviewer Score:

8.8

Excellent


Subtonic STORM User Review Score

Average User Scores

Average User Score: n/a

Based on 0 user reviews

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Unique Melody Mason FS Soleil Tomb User Review Score

Average User Scores

Average User Score: n/a

Based on 0 user reviews

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Subtonic STORM Gaming Score

Gaming Score & Grade

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

Gaming Score

7.7

Gaming Grade

A

Unique Melody Mason FS Soleil Tomb Gaming Score

Gaming Score & Grade

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

Gaming Score

7.3

Gaming Grade

A-

Subtonic STORM Scorings

Average Technical & Tuning Grades

Average Tunign Grade

S
  • Highly polished technical execution. Excellent frequency synergy creates an immersive experience. Enhances musical content.

Average Technical Grade

S
  • Outstanding resolution and control. Effortlessly retrieves micro-details, with holographic staging and fast transients. Handles complexity with poise.
Bass S-
Excellent bass response - powerful yet controlled. Deep extension with authoritative slam while maintaining clarity.
Mids A+
Superb midrange that's rich and resolving. Exceptional transparency and micro-details with perfect vocal/instrument balance.
Treble S-
Superb treble: effortless extension with crystal clarity. Perfect balance of sparkle and smoothness with exceptional detail.
Dynamics S
Reference-class dynamics: perfect micro/macro contrast with lightning transients. Utterly realistic reproduction of musical energy.
Soundstage S
Reference-class soundstage: perfectly spherical presentation with infinite space. Utterly realistic instrument placement and venue reproduction.
Details S
Reference-class detail: microscopic resolution with perfect texture reproduction. Nothing is lost, revealing the absolute truth of the recording.
Imaging S
Reference-class imaging: perfectly pinpoint accuracy in 3D space. Utterly realistic placement with zero positional drift.
Gaming A
Clear spatial presentation handles directional cues effectively. Distinguishes key gameplay sounds while maintaining decent immersion. Bad value-to-cost for gaming purpose - not recommended

Unique Melody Mason FS Soleil Tomb Scorings

Average Technical & Tuning Grades

Average Tunign Grade

S-
  • Highly polished technical execution. Excellent frequency synergy creates an immersive experience. Enhances musical content.

Average Technical Grade

S-
  • Excellent clarity and detail. Precise imaging and expansive soundstage. Manages complex passages with minimal smearing and good transient speed.
Bass A+
Excellent bass response - powerful yet controlled. Deep extension with authoritative slam while maintaining clarity.
Mids S-
Superb midrange that's rich and resolving. Exceptional transparency and micro-details with perfect vocal/instrument balance.
Treble A+
Superb treble: effortless extension with crystal clarity. Perfect balance of sparkle and smoothness with exceptional detail.
Dynamics A+
Superb dynamic range - powerful yet nuanced. Exceptional transient response with lifelike impact and subtle volume gradations.
Details S
Reference-class detail: microscopic resolution with perfect texture reproduction. Nothing is lost, revealing the absolute truth of the recording.
Imaging S-
Exceptional imaging with holographic precision. Creates a palpable sense of physical placement with perfect positional stability.
Gaming A-
Good fundamental spatial awareness for most gaming scenarios. Handles basic positioning well but may lack nuance in complex situations. Bad value-to-cost for gaming purpose - not recommended

Subtonic STORM Reviews

Jays Audio 10 Reviewer Score
S+ Tuning
S+ Tech
The best IEM I've ever heard. Best timbre. Super natural. TOTL tech. It's just good. That's all.

Jays Audio original ranking

Jays Audio Youtube Channel
- Jays Audio

Most IEMs inevitably introduce flaws that shatter musical immersion—be it harsh treble, shouty vocals, or unbalanced bass. These imperfections act as chains, binding the listener and preventing that elusive state of pure, uninterrupted freedom within the music. While the OG EJ07 came close, even it faltered on certain tracks, its forward vocals becoming a jarring distraction when pushed hard. The Subtonic Storm, however, shatters this pattern entirely.

Contrary to its name, the Storm represents the eye of the hurricane—a sanctuary of pure, effortless sound. It liberates the music from tuning flaws, presenting it naturally and tranquilly. There are zero distractions or attachments holding the listener back, enabling deep introspection and complete immersion, as if conversing directly with the singer or instrument. This profound, intangible quality—achieving that free state—is why it's considered the best IEM, offering unmatched resolution, separation, and imaging, albeit at an astronomical $5,000 price point.

Value-wise, the Storm is undeniably terrible; the KZ ASF ($250) gets you 80% there, and the Monarch MKII ($1,000) delivers 95%. It's a luxury item, justified only by its unique, unmeasurable ability to dissolve worldly distractions and forge total oneness with the music. Crucially, it's not for everyone: Bass heads, background listeners, or those enjoying J-pop/K-pop/EDM will find far better value elsewhere under $300. Only those deeply seeking musical transcendence, with ample disposable income, should even consider it. For everyone else, stay away—you simply don’t need it.

Shuwa-T 9.3 Reviewer Score
S Tuning
S Tech
Comment: TOTL tuning with TOTL technicalities to boot. Perfectly tuned, unparalled detail retrieval, staging, imaging, and proper holographic background as a cohesive package The price I guess

Shuwa-T original ranking

Shuwa-T Website

- Shuwa-T
Bass: S Mids: S Treble: S Soundstage: S Details: S Imaging: S
Precogvision 9.1 Reviewer Score
S- Tuning
S Tech
Easily at the top for resolution and dynamic contrast, accompanied by rigid transients and pinpoint layering.

Precogvision original ranking

Precogvision Youtube Channel
- Precogvision
Bass: S Mids: A+ Treble: S Dynamics: S+ Details: S+ Imaging: S
Tim Tuned 9 Reviewer Score
S Tuning
S Tech
The most extraodinary normal sounding IEM ever. Amazing all-around big and heavy shell

Tim Tuned original ranking

Tim Tuned Youtube Channel
- Tim Tuned
Bass: S Mids: S Treble: S
Gizaudio Axel 9 Reviewer Score
S Tuning
S+ Tech
The most detailed IEM I’ve ever heard. Exceptional resolution, neutral sound signature. Hard to drive.

Gizaudio Axel original ranking

Gizaudio Axel Youtube Channel
- Gizaudio Axel
Smirk Audio 8.8 Reviewer Score
S- Tuning
S Tech
World-class resolution and layering. Extreme, almost exaggerated dynamics. Staging is large but not class-leading.

Smirk Audio original ranking

Smirk Audio Head-Fi Profile

- Smirk Audio
Bass: S- Mids: S- Treble: S- Dynamics: S Details: S Imaging: S-
Bad Guy Good Audio 8.3 Reviewer Score
A+ Tuning
A+ Tech
Technical excellence (accuracy). Near perfect tuning. Bass...great Price. Wait.

URL to full Review

Bad Guy Good Audio original ranking

Bad Guy Good Audio Youtube Channel
- Bad Guy Good Audio
Bass: A+ Mids: A- Treble: A+
IEMRanking AI 9.5 Reviewer Score
S Tuning
S+ Tech

The Subtonic Storm delivers a balanced sound signature characterized by a generous sub-bass boost, neutral midrange, and an elevated, articulate treble response. Its standout feature is the implementation of proprietary SLAM drivers—custom balanced armatures handling separate sub-bass and mid-bass frequencies—which produce exceptional slam and texture rivaling dynamic drivers. The treble exhibits deliberate, controlled peaks between 5-15kHz, contributing to vividness without harshness, though some listeners may note a slight roll-off past 16kHz.

Technically, the Storm sets a high bar with class-leading dynamics, micro-detail resolution, and driver coherence across its hybrid array. Staging offers strong width and depth but lacks a cohesive center image. Ergonomically, the titanium shells are bulky and heavy, causing fatigue during extended use, and the stock cable is often criticized for stiffness. Additionally, its low sensitivity demands powerful amplification, limiting portability.

- IEMRanking AI

Unique Melody Mason FS Soleil Tomb Reviews

Smirk Audio 8.4 Reviewer Score
A+ Tuning
S- Tech
Highly resolving, technical, and balanced across the frequency spectrum. Is shouty/edgy in the upper mids/lower treble. Cons: Price, treble peak.

Smirk Audio original ranking

Smirk Audio Head-Fi Profile

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

IEMRanking AI

2025-07-17
IEMRanking AI 9.2 Reviewer Score
S Tuning
S Tech

The Unique Melody Mason FS Soleil Tombé delivers a neutrally balanced sound signature characterized by a smooth, analog-like tonality across lows and mids, paired with naturally resolving treble. Its bass presentation stands out with deep extension and textured rumble, leaning toward mid-bass emphasis for a fuller, warmer impact that defies typical BA limitations—thanks partly to the innovative BC-Turbo Micro Booster enhancing the FreqShift bone conduction driver. This results in cohesive bass-to-mids integration without bloat, while upper mids maintain clarity and vocal forwardness.

Technically, the IEM excels with an expansive soundstage that stretches proportionally in width, depth, and height, though layering and separation prioritize blend over surgical precision. Its imaging remains accurate, placing instruments and vocals holographically—a trait amplified by the included First Times Shielding Pro cable, which deepens background blackness and enhances spatial cues. Source pairing is critical: warmer DAPs like the Cayin N30LE (Classic Tube/Class A) elevate its organic texture, while leaner sources may skew treble energy.

Tonally, the Soleil Tombé shines with natural timbre and richness, particularly in acoustic genres like jazz or classical, where its textured bass and organic mids convey instruments authentically. However, its laidback decay and subdued treble air make it less suited for EDM or highly synthetic tracks demanding razor-sharp transient speed. While tip selection can fine-tune bass weight (Symbio W tips heighten detail retrieval), the IEM’s coherence and non-fatiguing profile cater to extended listening—despite its steep price.

- IEMRanking AI

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