Unique Melody MEST mkII VS Thieaudio Monarch MK3
IEM Comparison: Expert & Community Scores Side-by-Side
Unique Melody MEST mkII and Thieaudio Monarch MK3 use 1DD+4BA+2EST+1BC and 2DD+6BA+2EST driver setups respectively. Unique Melody MEST mkII costs $1,500 while Thieaudio Monarch MK3 costs $1,000. Unique Melody MEST mkII is $500 more expensive. Thieaudio Monarch MK3 holds a slight 0.2-point edge in reviewer scores (8.1 vs 8.2). User ratings place Unique Melody MEST mkII at 7.5 and Thieaudio Monarch MK3 at 6.8. Unique Melody MEST mkII has better bass with a 0.6-point edge, Thieaudio Monarch MK3 has better treble with a 0.6-point edge, Thieaudio Monarch MK3 has slightly better dynamics with a 0.3-point edge and Unique Melody MEST mkII has slightly better details with a 0.4-point edge.
Insights
| Metric | Unique Melody MEST mkII | Thieaudio Monarch MK3 |
|---|---|---|
| Bass | 8.1 | 7.5 |
| Mids | 7.5 | 7.7 |
| Treble | 7.1 | 7.8 |
| Details | 8.2 | 7.8 |
| Soundstage | 8 | 8 |
| Imaging | 7.5 | 7.4 |
| Dynamics | 7 | 7.3 |
| Tonality | 7.5 | 7.8 |
| Technicalities | 8 | 7.9 |
Unique Melody MEST mkII Aggregated Review Score
Average Reviewer Scores
Average Reviewer Score:
8.1Very Positive
Thieaudio Monarch MK3 Aggregated Review Score
Average Reviewer Scores
Average Reviewer Score:
8.2Very 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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Thieaudio Monarch MK3 reviewed by Yifang
8.5
Reviewer Score
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Price: $999
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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
Thieaudio Monarch MK3 reviewed by Jays Audio
8.5
Reviewer Score
Youtube Video Summary
Bass is where the Monarch MK3 steals the show: tight, textured, and rumbly with real slam and no bleed, giving male vocals a more natural heft while staying clean. The Prestige LTD pushes the low end back for a lighter hit but trades that for a more open, airy stage and superior layering—great for busy mixes like rock, metal, and classical. The Hype 2 mirrors the LTD’s bass balance and rumble conceptually, but lacks the same overall technical resolve, making the MK3 the better pick for pop, EDM, R&B, and hip-hop that benefit from weighty sub-bass.
Through the midrange, the LTD steps ahead on separation, detail, and note definition, presenting vocals slightly set back yet more airy and sparkly; female vocals especially shine. The MK3 counters with more weight and engagement on male vocals and a forward presence, though its stage isn’t as deep or spacious as the LTD (a modest vertical lift over Hype 2, but not a “$1k soundstage”). Up top, the LTD has the smoothest, best-extended treble with the most air and microdetail of the trio. All three excel at moderate volume, but none invites cranking like certain high-volume specialists.
As an all-rounder, the MK3 checks nearly every box yet misses that distinctive “special sauce” expected at its price; think ~15–20% uplift over Hype 2. The LTD delivers the bigger technical jump at roughly 25–30%, with staging, extension, and air taking the crown, making a strong case paired with a cheaper daily driver. The Monarch MK2 still earns a nod for its midrange/vocal magic if that’s the priority. Final word: both LTD and MK3 score an S; for those willing to spend, they’re easy to recommend—just match the tuning to the library and the qualities valued most.
Jays Audio Youtube Channel
Unique Melody MEST mkII reviewed by Shuwa-T
8
Reviewer Score
Thieaudio Monarch MK3 reviewed by Shuwa-T
8.2
Reviewer Score
Unique Melody MEST mkII reviewed by Nymz
7.6
Reviewer Score
Thieaudio Monarch MK3 reviewed by Nymz
7.1
Reviewer Score
Unique Melody MEST mkII reviewed by Precogvision
7.1
Reviewer Score
Precogvision Youtube Channel
Thieaudio Monarch MK3 reviewed by Precogvision
7.3
Reviewer Score
Precogvision Youtube Channel
Unique Melody MEST mkII reviewed by Tim Tuned
7
Reviewer Score
Tim Tuned Youtube Channel
Thieaudio Monarch MK3 reviewed by Tim Tuned
7.5
Reviewer Score
Tim Tuned Youtube Channel
Unique Melody MEST mkII reviewed by
Fresh Reviews
5.5*
* The score of this reviewer influences only the Gaming
Score
Thieaudio Monarch MK3 reviewed by
Fresh Reviews
7*
* The score of this reviewer influences only the Gaming
Score
Youtube Video Summary
Thieaudio Monarch MK3 steps up as a true flagship: a 2DD + 6BA + 2EST hybrid with high-grade Knowles/Sonion drivers, a gorgeous marbled faceplate, and—crucially—a vastly improved shell over MK2. Comfort moves from a 2-hour limit to all-session wear, and the stock package (solid cable with swappable terminations, foam and silicone tips) is well thought out. Tip choice meaningfully shapes performance; options like SednaEarfit Short or Comply foam push it toward its best.
Tuning follows a balanced, studio-leaning tonality with extra sub-bass warmth, delivering both clinical insight and genuine fun. Micro-detail is standout, bass is clean, textured, and physical (from Nirvana’s “Lithium” to modern hip-hop drops), and male vocals are among the most convincing heard on an IEM in this tier. Stage is wider and a bit taller than MK2, with excellent imaging, layering, and separation, keeping drums, bass guitar, and synth lines neatly organized without blunting impact.
For competitive gaming, the MK3 brings a tight soundstage, strong depth perception, and clear audio cue emphasis, offering precise 360° placement and adequate verticality. Versus Prestige Limited, it trades some sterile clinical edge for a more engaging, atmospheric presentation that reads distance and urgency better; compared to Yanyin Moonlight Ultra, it’s the more coherent pick for both games and music. While great mid-fi options like Zens Top, Orchestra Lite, or Yanyin Canon 2 remain strong, Monarch MK3 feels like the elevated, “dreamy” flagship experience—a new top choice for music enjoyment that also dominates in game when properly tipped.
Fresh Reviews original ranking
Fresh Reviews Youtube ChannelUnique Melody MEST mkII reviewed by Head-Fi.org
8.9
* score rescaled + normalized
Thieaudio Monarch MK3 reviewed by Head-Fi.org
9
* 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 Crin
6.5
Reviewer Score
Thieaudio Monarch MK3 (more reviews)
Thieaudio Monarch MK3 reviewed by Z-Reviews
10
* score rescaled + normalized
Youtube Video Summary
Thieaudio Monarch MK3 takes the flagship slot with swagger: a 2DD + 6BA + 2EST array and a 4-way passive crossover, centered on the Impact² isobaric push-pull dual 10 mm subwoofer. The shells are huge and gorgeous (plain backs at ~$1000, fancy backs around ~$1100), vented on the underside, and paired with a supple, interchangeable-plug cable (2.5 / 3.5 / 4.4). Despite the driver count, coherence is the headline: this isn’t a parts parade—it’s a single, surgically precise instrument.
Sonically, bass behaves like a well-tuned subwoofer in a treated room: tight, fast, and slammy without bloat. The real party trick is imaging and spatial “distance”—sounds lock into place with eerie specificity, making familiar tracks feel new. Instrument separation is crystalline, treble air is effortless, and the set is easy to drive yet scales—more power refines rather than merely getting louder. Tip rolling matters: stock foams/silicones are okay, Dekoni helps, Dunu S&S can fit oddly on these large shells, while Render tips seal the room and boost performance ~15–20%, supercharging the imaging and engagement.
Against the Monarch MKII (good, kept around), the MK3 feels like a different tier—the sort of tuning that glues ears to music and makes skipping tracks impossible. Accessories are minimal because the message is clear: you’re buying the sound, and it arguably feels underpriced for this level. Currently on pre-order, this is peak IEM energy—an endgame-grade, king-making performance that invites hyperbole and earns it.
Z-Reviews Youtube Channel
Thieaudio Monarch MK3 reviewed by Jaytiss
8.5
Reviewer Score
Jaytiss Youtube Channel
Thieaudio Monarch MK3 reviewed by Gizaudio Axel
8
Reviewer Score
Gizaudio Axel original ranking
Gizaudio Axel Youtube ChannelThieaudio Monarch MK3 reviewed by Smirk Audio
7.9
Reviewer Score
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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Thieaudio Monarch MK3 Details
Driver Configuration: 2DD+6BA+2EST
Tuning Type: U-Shaped
Brand: ThieAudio Top ThieAudio IEMs
Price (Msrp): $1,000
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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
Thieaudio Monarch MK3 User Review Score
Average User Scores
Average User Score:
Based on 1 user reviews
6.8Cautiously Favorable
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+Thieaudio Monarch MK3 Gaming Score
Gaming Score & Grade
- The gaming score is prioritizing technical capabilities of the IEM (Separation, Layering, Soundstage) and good value.
Gaming Score
7.6Gaming Grade
AUnique 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.
Thieaudio Monarch MK3 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- It delivers a confident technical showing with defined layers and satisfying clarity. You can follow backing vocals with relative ease.
Unique Melody MEST mkII User Reviews
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You need to be signed in to write your own reviewIf this is what 'fun' sounds like, I ain't about it.
Pros
Detail retrievalCons
Recessed mids and odd timbre.Find your next IEM:
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