Sony IER Z1R VS Unique Melody MEST mkII

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Sony IER Z1R and Unique Melody MEST mkII use 2DD+1BA and 1DD+4BA+2EST+1BC driver setups respectively. Sony IER Z1R costs $1,700 while Unique Melody MEST mkII costs $1,500. Sony IER Z1R is $200 more expensive. Sony IER Z1R holds a slight 0.3-point edge in reviewer scores (8.2 vs 7.9). Sony IER Z1R has significantly better bass with a 1.4-point edge, Unique Melody MEST mkII has better mids with a 0.7-point edge, Sony IER Z1R has better treble with a 0.7-point edge, Sony IER Z1R has slightly better dynamics with a 0.3-point edge, Unique Melody MEST mkII has better details with a 0.8-point edge and Sony IER Z1R has significantly better imaging with a 1.1-point edge.

Metric	Sony IER Z1R	Unique Melody MEST mkII
Bass	9.5	8.1
Mids	6.8	7.5
Treble	7.8	7.1
Details	7.4	8.2
Soundstage	8	8
Imaging	8.6	7.5
Dynamics	7.3	7
Tonality	8.1	7.4
Technicalities	8.2	7.9

Sony IER Z1R Aggregated Review Score

Average Reviewer Score:

8.2

Very Positive

Show all Sony IER Z1R reviews

Unique Melody MEST mkII Aggregated Review Score

Average Reviewer Score:

7.9

Strongly Favorable

Show all Unique Melody MEST mkII reviews

Driver Configuration: 2DD+1BA

Tuning Type: V-Shaped

Brand: Sony Top Sony IEMs

Price (Msrp): $1,700

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Driver Configuration: 1DD+4BA+2EST+1BC

Tuning Type: Warm V

Brand: Unique Melody Top Unique Melody IEMs

Price (Msrp): $1,500

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$1,499

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$1,499

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Sony IER Z1R User Review Score

Average User Score: n/a

Based on 0 user reviews

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Unique Melody MEST mkII User Review Score

Average User Score: n/a

Based on 0 user reviews

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Sony IER Z1R Gaming Score

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

Gaming Score

6.6

Gaming Grade

B+

Unique Melody MEST mkII Gaming Score

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

Gaming Score

6.7

Gaming Grade

B+

Sony IER Z1R Scorings

Average Tunign Grade

A+

Refined execution with coherent frequency integration. Natural timbre reproduction and engaging presentation. Strong versatility.

Average Technical Grade

A+

Very competent with articulate presentation. Well-defined layers and precise imaging. Soundstage is immersive and handles dynamics well.

Bass S

World-class bass performance. Perfectly balanced between visceral impact, texture, and depth with zero bleed into mids.

Mids B+

Good midrange presence with solid clarity. Vocals are clear and instruments have reasonable texture and body.

Treble A

Excellent treble: airy, extended and well-controlled. Great micro-detail retrieval without sibilance or harshness.

Dynamics A-

Excellent dynamics with great contrast and speed. Transients are crisp and micro-details are clearly articulated.

Soundstage A+

Exceptional soundstage with holographic imaging. Creates a truly three-dimensional space where instruments float naturally around you.

Details A-

Excellent detail retrieval: highly resolving without being clinical. Effortlessly reveals micro-details and textural subtleties.

Imaging S-

Exceptional imaging with holographic precision. Creates a palpable sense of physical placement with perfect positional stability.

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 mkII Scorings

Average Tunign Grade

A-

Pleasing tonal balance with good technical control. Minor quirks present but not distracting. Demonstrates decent genre versatility.

Average Technical Grade

Good technical performance. Clear separation and decent detail retrieval across various tracks. Soundstage shows reasonable width and depth.

Bass A+

Excellent bass response - powerful yet controlled. Deep extension with authoritative slam while maintaining clarity.

Mids A

Excellent midrange with natural timbre and great detail retrieval. Vocals are forward and emotive with lifelike instrument reproduction.

Treble A-

Excellent treble: airy, extended and well-controlled. Great micro-detail retrieval without sibilance or harshness.

Dynamics A-

Excellent dynamics with great contrast and speed. Transients are crisp and micro-details are clearly articulated.

Soundstage A+

Exceptional soundstage with holographic imaging. Creates a truly three-dimensional space where instruments float naturally around you.

Details A+

Exceptional resolution that uncovers the deepest layers. Retrieves even the most minute details while maintaining natural timbre.

Imaging A

Excellent imaging: precise and stable placement. Instruments occupy specific points in space with tangible positions.

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

Sony IER Z1R Reviews

Reviewed by: Super* Review

9* * score normalized

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Super* Review original ranking

Super* Review Youtube Channel

Reviewed by: Jays Audio

9 Reviewer Score

S Tuning

S Tech

Best of the best in most areas, but vocals and mids can be thin due to fit issues. Insane bass texture/detail and HUGE soundstage. One of the best trebles I've heard.

Jays Audio original ranking

Jays Audio Youtube Channel

Reviewed by: Crin

8 Reviewer Score

A+ Tuning

S- Tech

Extended yet natural treble, realistic sub-bass focus and spacious imaging capabilities.

Crin original ranking

Crin Youtube Channel

Reviewed by: Nymz

8 Reviewer Score

A+ Tuning

A+ Tech

Recessed mids I can't approved but best bass tactility I've heard. One of the best stage I've heard. Top of the class treble. Fit is a massive problem for most - one of those that needs to be demoed before pressing checkout.

Nymz original ranking

Nymz Website

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

Reviewed by: Smirk Audio

7.9 Reviewer Score

A+ Tuning

A Tech

Visceral, hard-hitting bass, sparkly treble, and a large, spherical soundstage with impressive height. Fit may pose a challenge for many. Cons: Poor fit.

Smirk Audio original ranking

Smirk Audio Head-Fi Profile

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

Reviewed by: Precogvision

7.9 Reviewer Score

A+ Tuning

A Tech

Top-tier bass, treble, and soundstage height and width. I don't approve of the midrange these days.

Precogvision original ranking

Precogvision Youtube Channel

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

Reviewed by: Shuwa-T

7.9 Reviewer Score

A Tuning

A+ Tech

Fun sounding without going overboard with the subbass, organic timbre The fit is atrocious, treble can get spicy on hi-hats

Shuwa-T original ranking

Shuwa-T Website

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

Reviewed by: Tim Tuned

7.5 Reviewer Score

A Tuning

A+ Tech

Incredible extensions on both ends Lower midrange

Tim Tuned original ranking

Tim Tuned Youtube Channel

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