Short answer: the SeeAudio Kaguya. It ranks #347 of 450 in-ear headphones by sound quality, rated 3.6/5, at $1,399; the Unique Melody MEST Mk2 ranks #363, rated 3.4/5, and costs $1,499, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
Why pick the SeeAudio Kaguya: A preference score of 69 from crinacle and a 2.2 dB standard deviation give it a fairly even response for a premium hybrid. The catch: A 10.8 dB peak near 10 kHz in squig.link measurements can make cymbals and hi-hats sound glassy or hissy to treble-sensitive listeners.
The case for the Unique Melody MEST Mk2: Sub-bass and bass sit right on target down to 20 Hz across 13 hobbyist measurements on squig.link, giving kick drums and synth bass full, clean weight without bloat. The tradeoff: A 7.4 dB dip near 3.9 kHz, with the 3 to 6 kHz presence region about 5.6 dB below target, pushes vocals and guitars back and can make them sound distant.
Buy the SeeAudio Kaguya. It is rated higher for sound quality than the Unique Melody MEST Mk2 and costs less, which makes it the one to get unless you need something the other one does better.
Still deciding? The full Headphones rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| SeeAudio Kaguya | Unique Melody MEST Mk2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1,399.00 | $1,499.00 |
| Ranked | #347 of 450 in In-Ear Headphones | #363 of 450 in In-Ear Headphones |
| Form Factor | In-ear | In-ear |
| Back | Closed | Closed |
| Harman Preference Score | 69 (measured by crinacle, via AutoEQ) | 66 (measured by crinacle, via AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 2.22 dB standard deviation | 2.47 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.56 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | -0.71 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Connection | Wired | Wired |
| Driver Type | Hybrid (4 balanced armature + 4 electrostatic) | Hybrid (1 dynamic + 4 balanced armature + 2 electrostatic + 1 bone conduction) |
| Drivers | 4 x balanced armature + 4 x electrostatic | 1 x dynamic + 4 x balanced armature + 2 x electrostatic + 1 x bone conduction |
| Impedance | 28 ohms | 12.3 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 103 dB/mW | 112 dB |
| Frequency Response | 20Hz - 40kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 20Hz - 70kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built-in Microphone | No | No |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (+1.3 dB at 30 Hz) | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-0.2 dB at 30 Hz) |
Related Headphone Comparisons
More top alternatives to SeeAudio Kaguya:
- ThieAudio V16 Divinity vs SeeAudio Kaguya
- Symphonium Crimson vs SeeAudio Kaguya
- Unique Melody MEST Mk2 vs qdc Anole V6
- SeeAudio Neo vs Unique Melody MEST Mk2
- Oriolus Mellianus vs 64 Audio Tia Trio
Prices on this page were last checked October 11, 2026 at 4:59 PM UTC. Product prices and availability are accurate as of that date/time and are subject to change; the price and availability shown on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
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The Two Headphones In Full
SeeAudio Kaguya: $1,399.00 Linsoul eBay
Pros: A preference score of 69 from crinacle and a 2.2 dB standard deviation give it a fairly even response for a premium hybrid. Bass sits about 2 dB above target with sub-bass near neutral all the way to 20 Hz, so low notes are full without bloat. Four electrostatic tweeters add a 7.4 dB lift in the 10 to 16 kHz air region for an open, airy top end. It rates higher than both the SeeAudio Neo and the DUNU Zen Pro.
Cons: A 10.8 dB peak near 10 kHz in squig.link measurements can make cymbals and hi-hats sound glassy or hissy to treble-sensitive listeners. A 4.6 dB dip near 6 kHz slightly softens vocal consonants. The SoftEars Twilight rates higher for considerably less money.
Full SeeAudio Kaguya review and specifications →
| Released | Jan 2021 (5 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Back | Closed |
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 2.22 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Hybrid (4 balanced armature + 4 electrostatic) |
| Drivers | 4 x balanced armature + 4 x electrostatic |
| Form Factor | In-ear |
| Frequency Response | 20Hz - 40kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 69 (measured by crinacle, via AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 28 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 103 dB/mW |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (+1.3 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.56 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
EQ preset to match the Harman target
Set a preamp of -6.4 dB, then add these filters in any parametric equalizer (Wavelet, Equalizer APO, Peace, or a player with parametric EQ). Calculated by AutoEQ from its measured frequency response.
| Filter | Frequency | Gain | Q |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low shelf | 105 Hz | -1.7 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 831 Hz | +4.2 dB | 0.74 |
| Peak | 166 Hz | -2.6 dB | 1.02 |
| Peak | 5,983 Hz | +6.4 dB | 3.01 |
| Peak | 1,483 Hz | -4.3 dB | 1.10 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | -4.6 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 4,008 Hz | -0.9 dB | 5.06 |
| Peak | 65 Hz | +0.3 dB | 2.22 |
| Peak | 6,624 Hz | +1.1 dB | 5.93 |
| Peak | 8,597 Hz | +1.5 dB | 5.55 |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
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Unique Melody MEST Mk2: $1,499.00 Linsoul eBay
Pros: Sub-bass and bass sit right on target down to 20 Hz across 13 hobbyist measurements on squig.link, giving kick drums and synth bass full, clean weight without bloat. Treble from 6 to 10 kHz is on target, and the air band above 10 kHz runs about 5 dB hot for an open, sparkly top end. At 12.3 ohms and 112 dB sensitivity it plays loud from any phone, and it rates higher than the pricier 64 Audio A12t.
Cons: A 7.4 dB dip near 3.9 kHz, with the 3 to 6 kHz presence region about 5.6 dB below target, pushes vocals and guitars back and can make them sound distant. The 5.5 dB peak near 11.9 kHz may come across as a slightly artificial shimmer, and the DUNU Zen Pro rates the same for much less.
Full Unique Melody MEST Mk2 review and specifications →
| Back | Closed |
|---|---|
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 2.47 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Hybrid (1 dynamic + 4 balanced armature + 2 electrostatic + 1 bone conduction) |
| Drivers | 1 x dynamic + 4 x balanced armature + 2 x electrostatic + 1 x bone conduction |
| Form Factor | In-ear |
| Frequency Response | 20Hz - 70kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 66 (measured by crinacle, via AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 12.3 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 112 dB |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-0.2 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.71 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
EQ preset to match the Harman target
Set a preamp of -5.9 dB, then add these filters in any parametric equalizer (Wavelet, Equalizer APO, Peace, or a player with parametric EQ). Calculated by AutoEQ from its measured frequency response.
| Filter | Frequency | Gain | Q |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low shelf | 105 Hz | -2.4 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 347 Hz | -2.0 dB | 0.18 |
| Peak | 3,786 Hz | +7.8 dB | 1.12 |
| Peak | 6,016 Hz | -2.3 dB | 0.64 |
| Peak | 68 Hz | +3.0 dB | 0.91 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | -1.0 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 1,420 Hz | -0.8 dB | 3.29 |
| Peak | 2,142 Hz | +0.7 dB | 2.90 |
| Peak | 7,393 Hz | +1.1 dB | 4.28 |
| Peak | 5,520 Hz | -0.9 dB | 5.11 |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons