Unique Melody MEST mkII VS Symphonium Crimson
IEM Comparison: Expert & Community Scores Side-by-Side
Unique Melody MEST mkII and Symphonium Crimson use 1DD+4BA+2EST+1BC and 4BA driver setups respectively. Unique Melody MEST mkII costs $1,500 while Symphonium Crimson costs $1,500. Symphonium Crimson holds a slight 0.4-point edge in reviewer scores (8.1 vs 8.4). Unique Melody MEST mkII carries a user score of 7.5. Symphonium Crimson has better bass with a 0.5-point edge, Symphonium Crimson has slightly better treble with a 0.4-point edge, Symphonium Crimson has slightly better soundstage with a 0.3-point edge and Symphonium Crimson has significantly better imaging with a 1-point edge.
Insights
| Metric | Unique Melody MEST mkII | Symphonium Crimson |
|---|---|---|
| Bass | 8.1 | 8.6 |
| Mids | 7.5 | 7.7 |
| Treble | 7.1 | 7.5 |
| Details | 8.2 | 8.1 |
| Soundstage | 8 | 8.3 |
| Imaging | 7.5 | 8.5 |
| Dynamics | 7 | 7 |
| Tonality | 7.5 | 8.1 |
| Technicalities | 8 | 8.3 |
Unique Melody MEST mkII Aggregated Review Score
Average Reviewer Scores
Average Reviewer Score:
8.1Very Positive
Symphonium Crimson Aggregated Review Score
Average Reviewer Scores
Average Reviewer Score:
8.4Very Positive
Reviews Comparison
Unique Melody MEST mkII reviewed by Yifang
8.5
Reviewer Score
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Price: $1,499
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Symphonium Crimson reviewed by Yifang
8.5
Reviewer Score
Unique Melody MEST mkII reviewed by Jays Audio
8.5
Reviewer Score
Youtube Video Summary
UM MEST MKII delivers a distinctly sub-bass-oriented low end with excellent speed, separation, and texture. Mid-bass is punchy but avoids bloat, keeping the presentation clean and avoiding bleed. The unconventional decision to keep the 1–5 kHz region flatter and push energy into 5–15 kHz pays off: vocals stay open, natural, and clear—reminiscent of Variations but with a cleaner, leaner midrange and a more refined overall balance.
The stage is impressively wide and expansive—on the level of sets like Z1R and U12t—yet with notably better vocals. Treble is well-extended, slightly aggressive in a good way, and highly resolving, rendering micro-details with ease without tipping into artificial sharpness. As a result, technical ability—clarity, separation, and imaging—is top tier, making dense tracks feel effortless while still bringing energy and excitement to hip-hop and retaining emotional nuance for ballads.
In sum, MEST MKII stands out as a true all-rounder “endgame” that justifies its $1,500 tag more convincingly than most. Notable comparisons place it a step above sets like Meteor, Mahina, and Variations for the mix of enjoyment and technicalities, though value hunters may note EJ07M achieves roughly “90%” of the experience at a fraction of the price. The only caveat: treble can become too lively at very loud volumes (80 dB+), but at normal listening levels, MEST MKII remains a compelling benchmark for its category.
Jays Audio Youtube Channel
Symphonium Crimson reviewed by Jays Audio
9
Reviewer Score
Unique Melody MEST mkII reviewed by Shuwa-T
8
Reviewer Score
Symphonium Crimson reviewed by Shuwa-T
8.4
Reviewer Score
Unique Melody MEST mkII reviewed by Nymz
7.6
Reviewer Score
Symphonium Crimson reviewed by Nymz
8.5
Reviewer Score
Unique Melody MEST mkII reviewed by Precogvision
7.1
Reviewer Score
Precogvision Youtube Channel
Symphonium Crimson reviewed by Precogvision
8
Reviewer Score
Precogvision Youtube Channel
Unique Melody MEST mkII reviewed by Head-Fi.org
8.9
* score rescaled + normalized
Symphonium Crimson reviewed by Head-Fi.org
8.3
* score rescaled + normalized
Unique Melody MEST mkII (more reviews)
Unique Melody MEST mkII reviewed by Super* Review
10*
* score rescaled + normalized
Unique Melody MEST mkII reviewed by Audionotions
8.5
Reviewer Score
Unique Melody MEST mkII reviewed by Tim Tuned
7
Reviewer Score
Tim Tuned Youtube Channel
Unique Melody MEST mkII reviewed by Crin
6.5
Reviewer Score
Unique Melody MEST mkII reviewed by
Fresh Reviews
5.5*
* The score of this reviewer influences only the Gaming
Score
Symphonium Crimson (more reviews)
Symphonium Crimson reviewed by Z-Reviews
9.5
* score rescaled + normalized
Youtube Video Summary
Symphonium Crimson lands with a bang: a four–BA, four-way crossover design that somehow delivers epic energy without a dynamic driver. Tonality reads neutral-bright with thunderous sub-bass—not a basshead hump, but a slab of solid, deep extension that stays clean. Mids stay clear for vocals and strings, treble rises for sparkle and excitement, and the presentation spreads out like pulled-apart audio “shreds” across a big canvas. The effect is clarity, detail, and slam that feel bigger than the driver count suggests, making music and film scores straight-up addictive.
Technical notes matter here. Nominal impedance is a weirdly low ~6Ω, so source pairing can swing results; the set scales and sounds happiest on robust gear that can keep low-impedance loads stable. Despite the armature array, coherency stays intact, dynamics hit harder than expected, and volume headroom invites goosebumps. It’s not a “bass monster,” yet the sub-bass authority and lively treble make it exciting rather than polite, with imaging that feels wide and tactile.
Ergonomics are the gripe list: the short nozzle can challenge seal and the premium cable lacks a formed ear hook, encouraging twist and loosening—tip rolling (even reversed-orientation tricks) helps. Build is flashy—carbon-fiber shell, red inlays, metal case that’s too hefty for travel. Pricing sits around $1,500 (or $1,700 with 8-wire cable); for sheer fun, impact, and best-in-brand performance, the value argument holds. For all-day softness, something like Twilight stays comfier; for movies, big scores, and “wow” sessions, Crimson feels like a must-grab and arguably the best Symphonium to date.
Z-Reviews Youtube Channel
Symphonium Crimson reviewed by Smirk Audio
7.9
Reviewer Score
Symphonium Crimson reviewed by Jaytiss
7.8
Reviewer Score
Jaytiss Youtube Channel
Unique Melody MEST mkII Details
Driver Configuration: 1DD+4BA+2EST+1BC
Tuning Type: Warm, V-Shaped
Brand: Unique Melody Top Unique Melody IEMs
Price (Msrp): $1,500
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Symphonium Crimson Details
Driver Configuration: 4BA
Tuning Type: U-Shaped
Brand: Symphonium Top Symphonium IEMs
Price (Msrp): $1,500
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Unique Melody MEST mkII User Review Score
Average User Scores
Average User Score:
Based on 1 user reviews
7.5Strongly Favorable
Symphonium Crimson 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 mkII Gaming Score
Gaming Score & Grade
- The gaming score is prioritizing technical capabilities of the IEM (Separation, Layering, Soundstage) and good value.
Gaming Score
6.8Gaming Grade
B+Symphonium Crimson Gaming Score
Gaming Score & Grade
- The gaming score is prioritizing technical capabilities of the IEM (Separation, Layering, Soundstage) and good value.
Gaming Score
7.2Gaming Grade
A-Unique Melody MEST mkII Scorings
Average Technical & Tuning Grades
Average Tunign Grade
A- Expect an inviting tonal blend that adapts well to genres while staying largely composed. It strikes a nice blend of warmth and clarity.
Average Technical Grade
A+- Overall technical control is strong, presenting instruments with clarity and sensible staging. Textures are portrayed with satisfying clarity.
Symphonium Crimson Scorings
Average Technical & Tuning Grades
Average Tunign Grade
A+- Tuning feels refined, blending frequencies with convincing realism and engagement. Transitions between registers feel effortless.
Average Technical Grade
A+- It sounds refined and controlled, keeping instruments neatly separated with immersive staging. Busy arrangements remain neatly organized.
Unique Melody MEST mkII User Reviews
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