Unique Melody MEST VS Symphonium Helios SE

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

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Unique Melody MEST and Symphonium Helios SE use 1DD+4BA+2EST+1BC and 4BA driver setups respectively. Unique Melody MEST costs $1,000 while Symphonium Helios SE costs $1,150. Symphonium Helios SE is $150 more expensive. Symphonium Helios SE holds a slight 0.3-point edge in reviewer scores (7.7 vs 8). Unique Melody MEST has better bass with a 0.7-point edge, Symphonium Helios SE has slightly better mids with a 0.3-point edge, Symphonium Helios SE has significantly better treble with a 1.2-point edge, Symphonium Helios SE has significantly better dynamics with a 1-point edge, Unique Melody MEST has slightly better details with a 0.3-point edge and Unique Melody MEST has significantly better imaging with a 1.3-point edge.

Insights

Metric Unique Melody MEST Symphonium Helios SE
Bass 7.7 7
Mids 7.7 8
Treble 6.8 8
Details 8.3 8
Soundstage 8 8
Imaging 8.8 7.5
Dynamics 6 7
Tonality 7.3 8
Technicalities 8.2 8
Take these comparisons with a grain of salt—we don't have enough Symphonium Helios SE reviews saved yet to provide an unbiased result.

Unique Melody MEST Aggregated Review Score

Average Reviewer Scores

Crin
Shuwa-T Precogvision Tim Tuned
Jays Audio
Super* Review

Average Reviewer Score:

7.7

Strongly Favorable

Symphonium Helios SE Aggregated Review Score

Average Reviewer Scores

Precogvision
Jays Audio Nymz Yifang

Average Reviewer Score:

8

Very Positive

Reviews Comparison

Unique Melody MEST reviewed by Jays Audio

Jays Audio 8.5 Reviewer Score
S- Tuning
S Tech
A MEST MK2 with slightly more uppermid/bass. More v-shaped. More AGGRESSIVE than MK2. Also gets fatiguing when cranked up/long-listening sesisons.

Jays Audio original ranking

Jays Audio Youtube Channel

Symphonium Helios SE reviewed by Jays Audio

Jays Audio 8.5 Reviewer Score
S- Tuning
S- Tech
Best Treble around it's price. Super airy but still smooth. Bass-scoop isn't as bad as I thought, but those who want mid-bass - avoid it.

Jays Audio original ranking

Jays Audio Youtube Channel

Unique Melody MEST reviewed by Precogvision

Precogvision 7.2 Reviewer Score
A- Tuning
A Tech
Engaging imaging with some minor coherency issues.

Precogvision original ranking

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

Symphonium Helios SE reviewed by Precogvision

Precogvision 7.4 Reviewer Score
A- Tuning
A- Tech
YouTube video thumbnail
See Helios but with more mid-treble and mid-bass.
Youtube Video Summary

Symphonium’s Helios arrives as a four-BA flagship with a spartan unboxing: a solid aluminum, waterproof “hockey-puck” case, multiple tip sets, and a standard 0.78 mm cable. Build is plain but substantial, and the shell is large with a wide nozzle—fit and comfort will be the biggest variable. The stock case’s rough threading and the cable’s lack of ear guides are minor gripes, but the overall presentation feels purposeful rather than flashy.

Tonally, Helios tracks Harman through the low mids, with a sub-bass-focused shelf and almost no mid-bass for maximum cleanliness—bass stays out of the mids and still slams impressively for BA. The midrange is clean and slightly lean (200 Hz dip, relaxed pinna gain) but well balanced. Treble is the showpiece: linear, extended, and airy to the edge of audibility, delivering uncommon “air” for the price. With Azla-style tips that air can verge on abrasive; swapping to the included silicone tips smooths the top end and improves coherence without dulling the sparkle.

Technicalities punch at the front of the kilobuck pack: resolution that hangs with class leaders, incisive imaging with uncanny “backwards” cues, and lively macro/micro-dynamics that give transients real snap. It may trail ultra-high-end sets by a hair in bass texture, but overall performance is compelling enough to edge out many peers. Verdict: an easy recommendation on sound alone, with the caveat to demo for fit—the shell size and nozzle girth will decide whether this brightest kilobuck star truly shines for you.

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

Precogvision original ranking

Precogvision Youtube Channel

Unique Melody MEST (more reviews)

Unique Melody MEST reviewed by Super* Review

Super* Review 9* * score rescaled + normalized
check links for more info:

Super* Review original ranking

Super* Review Youtube Channel

Unique Melody MEST reviewed by Shuwa-T

Shuwa-T 7.9 Reviewer Score
A Tuning
A+ Tech
Comment: Neutral yet fun due to subbass hump. Impressive clarity, holographic soundstage

Shuwa-T original ranking

Shuwa-T Website

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

Unique Melody MEST reviewed by Tim Tuned

Tim Tuned 7 Reviewer Score
A- Tuning
S Tech
Impressive staging and details Aggressive signature

Tim Tuned original ranking

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

Unique Melody MEST reviewed by Crin

Crin 6.5 Reviewer Score
B+ Tuning
A- Tech
A smooth, relaxing listen (in custom form) backed up with good technicalities.

Crin original ranking

Crin Youtube Channel

Symphonium Helios SE (more reviews)

Symphonium Helios SE reviewed by Nymz

Nymz 8.1 Reviewer Score
A+ Tuning
A+ Tech
Limited to 50 units. A huge improvement fit wise versus the original. Great TOTL all-rounder. Great sub, upper mids and treble. Mid-bass is an improvement but still not boosted. Great technical chops while fixing the sense of plasticness the original had.

Nymz original ranking

Nymz Website

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

Symphonium Helios SE reviewed by Yifang

Yifang 8 Reviewer Score
A+ Tuning
A+ Tech
check links for more info:

Yifang original ranking

Yifang Youtube Channel

Unique Melody MEST User Review Score

Average User Scores

Average User Score: n/a

Based on 0 user reviews

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Symphonium Helios SE User Review Score

Average User Scores

Average User Score: n/a

Based on 0 user reviews

No user reviews yet. Be the first one who writes a review!

Unique Melody MEST Gaming Score

Gaming Score & Grade

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

Gaming Score

6.9

Gaming Grade

B+

Symphonium Helios SE Gaming Score

Gaming Score & Grade

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

Gaming Score

7

Gaming Grade

A-

Unique Melody MEST Scorings

Average Technical & Tuning Grades

Average Tunign Grade

A-
  • A smooth, agreeable balance keeps the presentation engaging without obvious flaws. Only sensitive ears will nitpick the bumps.

Average Technical Grade

A+
  • You get an articulate, polished performance with immersive stage depth and great control. There's a sense of polish across the whole spectrum.
Bass A
Expect a commanding bass response that reaches deep without clouding the mix. There's both slam and nuance in equal measure.
Mids A
The mids sound lush and articulate, capturing emotion effortlessly. Strings and keys shimmer with realism.
Treble B+
Treble response is good, delivering clarity and sparkle without fatigue. Hi-hats sound lively without sting.
Dynamics B
Expect energetic dynamics that bring music to life without harshness. It injects enthusiasm into fast music.
Soundstage A+
It crafts a floating sphere of sound where directional cues shimmer with precision. Layering remains stable even when pushed.
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+
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

Symphonium Helios SE Scorings

Average Technical & Tuning Grades

Average Tunign Grade

A+
  • Tuning feels well executed, keeping a natural flow across the spectrum. Switching genres feels seamless.

Average Technical Grade

A+
  • The balance of resolution and space feels assured, keeping complex passages coherent. Layering is convincing on most studio mixes.
Bass A-
It serves up confident rumble and texture while keeping the spectrum balanced. You can enjoy bass-heavy music without fatigue.
Mids A+
The midrange sounds refined and revealing, balancing clarity with emotional weight. Timbre accuracy rivals studio monitors.
Treble A+
Highs sound shimmering and endless, with exquisite smoothness and detail. Air and sparkle feel endless.
Dynamics A-
Dynamic performance is excellent, combining sharp transients with strong contrast. Transients snap with authority.
Details A+
Inner textures glow vividly yet never feel etched or artificial. It borders on studio-monitor transparency.
Imaging A
You can literally point to where sounds originate across the stage. You can point to where sounds originate.
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

Unique Melody MEST User Reviews

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Symphonium Helios SE User Reviews

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