Note that this is a discontinued product. You may want to visit the brand's page here to browse their newer products.
What reviewers think
Bloggers and YouTubers have tried this product—so we've summarized their strongest opinions below. Links to full reviews follow.
Product Strengths
- Impressive midrange imaging and a nice vocal presence
- Small form factor for a 12-driver IEM
- Lively affair with a slight v-shaped tuning favoring snappy lows and sparkling highs
Product Considerations
- The unboxing experience is similar to the Mason V3+, but at its price point, it could be more impressive compared to the competition
- The silicone tips are more porous and can shape the sound much more to the bright side, also causing a loss of bass response
- The universal version will not give the same level of passive isolation as the custom version
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- More of a fun signature with a lot more bass/treble contrast and slightly less reference-oriented than the Mason V3+
- A contrasting presentation to the Mason V3+, the Mentor V3+ being a lively affair, whereas the Mason V3+ is thicker and more planted sounding
- The shell seems a bit tidier and more compact
- The dual-tone cable is a bigger cable than the original Dual Tone
Takeaway: The Unique Melody Mentor V3+ is an excellent monitor, with an exciting high-energy, and highly resolving performance. Its new carbon fiber shell and improved internal components make it a worthwhile option for those looking for a V-shaped sounding IEM.
What are hifi reviews useful for? (1) Identifying products you should demo in person at a dealer. (2) Learning which products reviewers unanimously praise as the best they've heard (this means they probably are legitimately great). (3) Identifying a product's attributes that satisfy your idiosyncratic needs and tastes. Beyond that, we often discount what reviewers say because they heap praise on most products—and are often apprehensive about publishing strong criticism or comparisons between products. Further, they seldom have more than a few products on-hand, often relying on their memories to compare past products. Always listen for yourself.
All
Mentor V3+
reviews
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An excellent review of a great product
/
Publisher
/
3/1/2022
An excellent review of a great product
Publisher
/
3/1/2022
Video Review
Manufacturer details
Features
Specifications
- Driver Count: 12 BA
- Driver Configuration:
- 4 × Low
- 2 × Mid-low
- 2 × Mid-high
- 4 × High
- Crossover: 4-way crossover system
- Impedance: 18.9 Ω
- Sensitivity: 113 dB @ 1 kHz
- Frequency Response: 20 Hz – 30 kHz
Description
Mentor V3+: High-quality High resolution A lively voice More detailed than V3, finer and more transparent at high frequencies
Release Timeline
Manufacturer Site
Brand highlights
Taking a step back to look at reviewers' thoughts of the brand's entire lineup—not just this product—what stands out most is the following:
- Unique Melody is at the forefront of integrating bone conduction technology into their IEMs, utilizing a hybrid bone conduction system, which combines composite balanced armature and piezoelectric bone conduction drivers.
- Their IEM shells are made with materials like titanium and zirconia with great attention to detail, including 3D-printed construction, resulting in durable and visually striking products.
- Offers a customizable sound through modular systems and swappable components, such as the DB-GO bass adjustment module and replaceable cable connectors.
Select products
Select product comparisons
From The Start
- Position: Entry-level design offering an artistic and high-fidelity in-ear monitor.
- Description: Features a single dynamic driver that reproduces natural deep-sea sounds paired with hand-painted panel artistry for a unique auditory and visual experience. Compared to the other products, its simpler technology and affordable price make it ideal for users with modest budgets seeking basic functionality in small rooms.
Mirage
- Position: A mid-range in-ear monitor featuring a lightweight design.
- Description: Uses an ultra-thin titanium housing produced by advanced 3D-printing techniques and a customized BA driver for refined sound reproduction. Compared to From The Start, it offers enhanced build technology and performance.
Mason Fabled Sound
- Position: A high-end model that blends balanced armature drivers with bone conduction for a fuller sound.
- Description: Integrates 12 traditional BA drivers with a dual-side piezoelectric bone conduction system to achieve a natural and realistic audio output. In comparison with the lower-priced models, it offers a balanced mix of advanced acoustics and enhanced functionality.
MASON FS Le Jardin
- Position: A premium design focused on immersive sound and artistic craftsmanship.
- Description: Combines 13 drivers with a Silver-Palladium Alloy Piezoelectric Bone Conduction Driver and dual transmission (air and bone) for an immersive listening experience enhanced by a shell inspired by Monet's palette. Compared to Mason Fabled Sound, its improved noise cancellation and richer soundstage deliver superior performance with striking aesthetics.
Mason FS Nuit Étoilée
- Position: A flagship product showcasing advanced hybrid bone conduction technology for superior performance.
- Description: Incorporates the BC-Turbo Micro Booster with a FreqShift Bone Conduction Driver to provide a 20-times audio signal boost and refined acoustic details within an artistic design inspired by Van Gogh's Starry Night. This groundbreaking technology represents the pinnacle of our engineering achievements.
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Avg. Product Price
$2,501-$5,000
Used For Sale
0
Available (Scroll Down)
Brand Popularity
788
of 900+
Badges
Top 50 Brand
Top 250 Brand
Products Listed
21
Founding Year
2007
Our take on the brand
Unique Melody is a hifi audio brand best known for designs that pioneered bone conduction technology in IEMs. The brand combines advanced materials such as silver-palladium alloy bone conduction drivers with 27 ceramic layers and titanium shells. They also created early planar magnetic IEMs and popularized quadbrid driver configurations that combine dynamic, balanced armature, electrostatic, and bone conduction drivers.
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Brand Page
Our interview with the brand
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What are your favorite tracks for showcasing the strength of your products?
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From our interview with
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Used
Unique Melody
All of the Brand's Used Products
What if you spend more?
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Unique Melody
Mason FS Soleil Tombé
8499
8499
/
3
Reviews
Unique Melody is a hifi audio brand best known for designs that pioneered bone conduction technology in IEMs. The brand combines advanced materials such as silver-palladium alloy bone conduction drivers with 27 ceramic layers and titanium shells. They also created early planar magnetic IEMs and popularized quadbrid driver configurations that combine dynamic, balanced armature, electrostatic, and bone conduction drivers.
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Product Strengths
- Fuller body smooth analog tonality and a neutrally balanced sound signature
- Naturally resolving treble
- Expanded soundstage
- Beautiful, exotic material shells and premium leather accessories
- Very light weight
Product Considerations
- The high price is a significant consideration
- Performance is source pair-up dependent
- The included PWA First Times Shielding Pro cable has some microphonics
- Shells are a little bigger in comparison to previous Mason FS models and MM/AP models from Mentor-series
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Vs Unique Melody Amber Pearl, the Soleil Tombé has less bass and is more neutral, allowing for clearer mids compared to the Amber Pearl's stronger bass presence
- Vs U12T, the Mason FS has better bass impact and texture, while the Mason FS also presents vocals as warmer and fuller, with more atmosphere, while the U12T presents a very clean and clear sound, though it is less energetic
- Vs Noble Onyx, the Mason FS is warmer, while the Onyx has a larger, more open sound, though the Onyx can be clearer in higher registers but loses clarity in lower registers compared to Mason FS
- Vs UM Mason FS Le Jardin (LJ), the 2024 model is just $499 more
Takeaway: The Mason FS Soleil Tombé is a very good-looking IEM that provides a unique listening experience with balanced sound and beautiful mids. It is for people that want something different than other products in the market.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Unique Melody is a hifi audio brand best known for designs that pioneered bone conduction technology in IEMs. The brand combines advanced materials such as silver-palladium alloy bone conduction drivers with 27 ceramic layers and titanium shells. They also created early planar magnetic IEMs and popularized quadbrid driver configurations that combine dynamic, balanced armature, electrostatic, and bone conduction drivers.
Product Page
Product Page
Unique Melody
Mason FS Nuit Étoilée
8499
8499
/
2
Reviews
Unique Melody is a hifi audio brand best known for designs that pioneered bone conduction technology in IEMs. The brand combines advanced materials such as silver-palladium alloy bone conduction drivers with 27 ceramic layers and titanium shells. They also created early planar magnetic IEMs and popularized quadbrid driver configurations that combine dynamic, balanced armature, electrostatic, and bone conduction drivers.
Expand Details
Video review
Our take on the brand
Unique Melody is a hifi audio brand best known for designs that pioneered bone conduction technology in IEMs. The brand combines advanced materials such as silver-palladium alloy bone conduction drivers with 27 ceramic layers and titanium shells. They also created early planar magnetic IEMs and popularized quadbrid driver configurations that combine dynamic, balanced armature, electrostatic, and bone conduction drivers.
Product Page
Product Page
Unique Melody
Mason Fabled Sound
5999
5999
/
1
Reviews
Unique Melody is a hifi audio brand best known for designs that pioneered bone conduction technology in IEMs. The brand combines advanced materials such as silver-palladium alloy bone conduction drivers with 27 ceramic layers and titanium shells. They also created early planar magnetic IEMs and popularized quadbrid driver configurations that combine dynamic, balanced armature, electrostatic, and bone conduction drivers.
Expand Details
Video review
Our take on the brand
Unique Melody is a hifi audio brand best known for designs that pioneered bone conduction technology in IEMs. The brand combines advanced materials such as silver-palladium alloy bone conduction drivers with 27 ceramic layers and titanium shells. They also created early planar magnetic IEMs and popularized quadbrid driver configurations that combine dynamic, balanced armature, electrostatic, and bone conduction drivers.
Product Page
Product Page
.png){kind=small}
oBravo
Ra-c-cu (21.5)
9722
9722
/
6
Reviews
oBravo is a hifi headphone and IEM brand recognized for its coaxial two-way architecture that places AMT tweeters at the acoustic center of dynamic drivers, creating speaker-like scale and separation in headphones. The brand features user-tunable airflow systems, aggressive miniaturization of AMT technology, and semi-open voicing that delivers amphitheater-scale staging rarely found in in-ear designs.
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Product Strengths
- Build quality is sensational, handmade in Taiwan, and has thousands of man hours put into it
- The kit has detachable clickable connections, and high-quality pure copper cables
- Comes with accessories such as replacement parts for the earbuds, and adapters (3.5, 4.4 for balance, and 2.5 balance)
- Accessories are beautifully made with wood and good hinges
- The product features a two-way speaker system inside an earbud
Product Considerations
- It demands good, abundant power to be driven, due to its specifications of 93dB sensitivity, and 182 Ohms
- Needs to be burned-in (driven) for no less than 200 hours, and most possibly 300 hours
- The stock cable has tiny connectors which make it very difficult to connect any wire beyond 26-28awg
- The outer packaging box seems to be a reformed cardboard box, which is huge and white, and may not be durable in the long run
- The proprietary MMCX-designed connectors means the cable’s tiny connectors make it very difficult to connect any wire beyond 26-28awg and perhaps a very thin 2 or 4 wire at best
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- The oBravo RA-C-CU excels versus the Vision Ears EVE2020 across every parameter, though there is a warmth across the EVE’s midrange via its dynamic driver, that moves it to, at least, competitive with the RA-C-CU and its Neodymium Dynamic Driver
- There were no aspects between the Vision Ears ELYSIUM and the oBravo RA-C-CU where the oBravo did not excel
- The oBravo RA-C-CU extends a competitive advantage across all relevant parameters from bass extension to treble extension to transparency to a coherency that holds together through the most complex and dynamic passages to a more expansive soundstage, compared to the oBravo EAMT-2C
Takeaway: The Ra-c-cu (21.5) is a very well-made earbud that gives a sensational listening experience like high-end speakers in one's ears. If one wants to treat oneself with serious earbuds where money is not a problem, this is the way to go.
Video review
Our take on the brand
oBravo is a hifi headphone and IEM brand recognized for its coaxial two-way architecture that places AMT tweeters at the acoustic center of dynamic drivers, creating speaker-like scale and separation in headphones. The brand features user-tunable airflow systems, aggressive miniaturization of AMT technology, and semi-open voicing that delivers amphitheater-scale staging rarely found in in-ear designs.
Product Page
Product Page
What competes at this price?
Unique Melody
The Multiverse Mentor
4499
/
Released
2022
The Multiverse Mentor is the newest successor in Mentor series after Mentor V3+, with brand new innovations and technologies. It's a new miracle created by UM engineers after years of efforts. Multiverse represents a group of unknown universes formed after the Big Bang. The development of the brand-new Mentor is just like the forming of multiverse—we broke through all the traditional technologies and tuning to launch this shiniest Nova into the audio multiverse.
Unique Melody is a hifi audio brand best known for designs that pioneered bone conduction technology in IEMs. The brand combines advanced materials such as silver-palladium alloy bone conduction drivers with 27 ceramic layers and titanium shells. They also created early planar magnetic IEMs and popularized quadbrid driver configurations that combine dynamic, balanced armature, electrostatic, and bone conduction drivers.
Expand Details
Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Natural, true-to-life tonality with a little bit of extra treble emphasis
- Detail retrieval and resolution is very good
- Soundstage is very good for an IEM, going a little bit beyond the ears and having a good sense of depth
- Imaging of sounds is fantastic
- The bass has a nice sense of body to it
Product Considerations
- Bass extension isn't massive
- Build quality is not as polished as expected, with visible glue lines
- The design of the earpieces has come in for some criticism from early adopters, mainly because the shipping faceplates look nothing like Unique Melody's product marketing pictures
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Vs. Sennheiser IE900: The tonal balance was better on the Unique Melody, the bass extension was better on the IE900
- Vs. Vision Ears Elysium: If one finds the Unique Melody too full and heavy sounding, the Elysium could also be a really good IEM to check out, even though the Unique Melody outperforms it technically
Takeaway: The Unique Melody is a fantastic sounding unit with a very smooth and clean sound that's still detailed and articulate. It offers clear benefits and an amazing listening experience.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Unique Melody is a hifi audio brand best known for designs that pioneered bone conduction technology in IEMs. The brand combines advanced materials such as silver-palladium alloy bone conduction drivers with 27 ceramic layers and titanium shells. They also created early planar magnetic IEMs and popularized quadbrid driver configurations that combine dynamic, balanced armature, electrostatic, and bone conduction drivers.
Product Page
Product Page
Unique Melody
Jaune Soleil Korea Limited
4019
/
Released
Jaune Soleil is a new hybrid IEM developed and tuned by UM for the Korean market. Jaune Soleil uses a combination of traditional drivers and UM original OBC bone conduction driver, utilizing both air conduction and bone conduction, to create an all-round sense of space and vibration.
Unique Melody is a hifi audio brand best known for designs that pioneered bone conduction technology in IEMs. The brand combines advanced materials such as silver-palladium alloy bone conduction drivers with 27 ceramic layers and titanium shells. They also created early planar magnetic IEMs and popularized quadbrid driver configurations that combine dynamic, balanced armature, electrostatic, and bone conduction drivers.
Expand Details
Our Summary
Video review
Our take on the brand
Unique Melody is a hifi audio brand best known for designs that pioneered bone conduction technology in IEMs. The brand combines advanced materials such as silver-palladium alloy bone conduction drivers with 27 ceramic layers and titanium shells. They also created early planar magnetic IEMs and popularized quadbrid driver configurations that combine dynamic, balanced armature, electrostatic, and bone conduction drivers.
Product Page
Product Page
Empire Ears
Legend Evo (Universal)
3099
/
Released
2021
The story of the Legend EVO is one of revolution. Free from the constraints of convention and empowered by the skills gained from decades of experience, we knew that in order to develop a proper successor we had to take extraordinary new measures. With a pioneering Dual Conduction Architecture and 8 driver tribrid system at its core the Legend EVO emits unprecedented levels of innovation and performance to create a new benchmark in the IEM industry.
Empire Ears is a hifi audio brand best known for headphones featuring their proprietary Weapon IX 9mm rare-earth magnet "subwoofers" with bass-reflex systems. The company hand-builds synX crossover networks without PCBs, assigning more individual audio bands per driver than any other IEM crossover. They also developed EIVEC electrostatic control to integrate EST drivers with dynamic and balanced armature drivers.
Expand Details
Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Excellent technical performance and detail retrieval, considered several cuts above other IEMs
- Outstanding imaging performance, with precise soundstage and instrument separation
- The bass response is a highlight, delivering a punchy sub-bass with texture and articulation
- Offers a warmer tonal balance that is easy to get into with a mostly 'neutral' sound
- Bone conduction enhances low-frequency extension, reverb, and detail
Product Considerations
- Large chassis that may be uncomfortable for some users, particularly those with smaller ears
- The subdued treble range may not provide enough energy and sparkle for some listeners
- Stock cable is lackluster in terms of usability due to its plasticky feel, rigidity, and microphonic feedback
- Driver flex (a harmless crinkling sound upon insertion) is present
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Legend Evo delivers a stronger bass impact, depth, and extension than the Legend X
- Legend Evo produces better constructed highs than the Legend X
- Legend Evo shows better clarity than the Legend X, and has more detail
- The Legend X can sound veiled concerning the Legend Evo
- The Legend Evo feels a touch smoother than the Empire Ears ODIN
Takeaway: The Legend Evo is a top-tier IEM with innovative bone conduction technology that creates a unique and immersive listening experience with enhanced bass. It is a great option for those seeking flagship-level performance with a warm, bass-focused sound signature.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Empire Ears is a hifi audio brand best known for headphones featuring their proprietary Weapon IX 9mm rare-earth magnet "subwoofers" with bass-reflex systems. The company hand-builds synX crossover networks without PCBs, assigning more individual audio bands per driver than any other IEM crossover. They also developed EIVEC electrostatic control to integrate EST drivers with dynamic and balanced armature drivers.
Product Page
Product Page
Noble
Viking Ragnar (Universal Fit)
4000
/
Released
2022
The Viking Ragnar is a universal in-ear monitor utilizing a premium 10-driver tribrid architecture: two 10 mm dynamic drivers, four Knowles balanced armatures, and four electrostatic drivers. It’s housed in CNC-machined aluminum shells with Damascus stainless steel faceplates by Chris Ploof and includes the Magnus 4 Graphene/Silver cable with 4.4 mm balanced termination.
Noble is a hifi audio brand built around founder Dr. John "Wizard" Moulton, an audiologist renowned for hand-carving custom earphones from exotic materials like wood, carbon fiber, and aluminum instead of standard acrylic, with each ear requiring up to 30 hours to complete. The brand distinguishes itself by using bone conduction drivers across multiple models and bringing rare metallurgical techniques like Japanese Mokume-Gane and titanium Damascus to earphone faceplates.
Expand Details
Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Excellent detail retrieval, resolving with the best over-ear headphones, challenging the brain to take it all in.
- Wide soundstage with precise imaging, creating an immersive, holographic 3D image.
- Easy to drive, delivering speed and impact even with low-power sources.
- High level of craftsmanship and build quality, using premium materials like CNC-machined aluminum and Damascus steel faceplates.
- Comes with the Magnus cable, a high-quality 8-core cable constructed with graphene, monocrystalline silver, and copper-silver alloy.
Product Considerations
- Treble can become a bit hot and fatiguing over long periods, but can be mitigated by using foam ear tips.
- Bass presence is more nominal and cohesive, not dominant or overpowering like some bass-head IEMs.
- Fit may be an issue for some due to the larger-than-average size of the IEM.
- Could be fatiguing over time due to sensory overload from extreme detail.
- Some reviewers found that the upper mids/lower treble frequency range could use a little boost.
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Offers a stronger balance of detail, performance, and musicality, a fuller, richer midrange, and better texture and timbre, when compared to the Empire Ears Odin—Odin has stronger holographic separation, an intense sense of vocal performance, and more potential for fatigue.
Takeaway: The Noble Viking Ragnar is a top-tier IEM, offering incredible detail and a wide soundstage for an immersive listening experience. Its build quality and design are exceptional, making it a great choice for those who want some of the best IEMs in the market.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Noble is a hifi audio brand built around founder Dr. John "Wizard" Moulton, an audiologist renowned for hand-carving custom earphones from exotic materials like wood, carbon fiber, and aluminum instead of standard acrylic, with each ear requiring up to 30 hours to complete. The brand distinguishes itself by using bone conduction drivers across multiple models and bringing rare metallurgical techniques like Japanese Mokume-Gane and titanium Damascus to earphone faceplates.
Product Page
Product Page
Empire Ears
Odin (Universal)
3399
/
Released
2020
For these individuals who inspire greatness, only the purest formulation of Empire Ears will do; an icon like no other. An IEM that stands alone - so superlative as to be named after the god of wisdom, poetry, death, divination and magic. Odin has arrived. Its beauty leaves no room for doubt. Its power cannot be reasoned with. Unquestionably, Odin sits at the pinnacle of the Empire Ears bloodline as our most legendary flagship in-ear monitor ever.
Empire Ears is a hifi audio brand best known for headphones featuring their proprietary Weapon IX 9mm rare-earth magnet "subwoofers" with bass-reflex systems. The company hand-builds synX crossover networks without PCBs, assigning more individual audio bands per driver than any other IEM crossover. They also developed EIVEC electrostatic control to integrate EST drivers with dynamic and balanced armature drivers.
Expand Details
Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Tremendous transparency, offering a wealth of microdynamics and spatial cues, critical in determining positioning and layering.
- Incredibly clear sound, yet wrapped in a warm, lush, and inviting overall picture.
- Highs are extended, detailed, and wonderfully resolved, easily able to summon the ethereal or holographic when called for.
- The soundstage is quite impressive—deep, wide, with very good headroom, and holographic when called to be so.
- The shell design is comfortable with a short nozzle, and light weight.
Product Considerations
- The treble is a little bit relaxed, and some songs may not cut through the way they need to.
- Amplifiers for this particular headphone are going to matter, and they are going to make a difference between several different amplifiers.
- The bass does not bring the rumble, nor the impact, nor does it reach to the stygian depths of the Holy-Bass-Head-Grail.
- Though the Odin provides for a comfortable fit, it can be uncomfortable for people who have really small ear holes, as the stem itself is quite wide.
- The 'Bifröst' faceplate design might be too flashy for some.
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Vs Empire Ears Zeus: The Odin smashes the Zeus all day, every day, for sound quality, with a better midrange and significantly nixed highs.
- Vs 64 Audio U12T: Odin is at least as good, if not better, in the mids and the bass, and has better punch and slam to the bass frequencies.
- Vs Empire Ears Legend X: The Odin is a much more balanced-tuned IEM.
- Vs 64 Audio Tia Forte: The Odin has a more agreeable frequency response.
- Vs Thieaudio Monarch: The Monarch has a really nice bass shelf, but the Odin has better technical performance and a better frequency response.
Takeaway: The Empire Ears Odin offers an easygoing listening experience and clear sound, and has tight bass response with a great midrange. It could be a great choice for those seeking a warm IEM with finesse.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Empire Ears is a hifi audio brand best known for headphones featuring their proprietary Weapon IX 9mm rare-earth magnet "subwoofers" with bass-reflex systems. The company hand-builds synX crossover networks without PCBs, assigning more individual audio bands per driver than any other IEM crossover. They also developed EIVEC electrostatic control to integrate EST drivers with dynamic and balanced armature drivers.
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