Short answer: the SeeAudio Neo. Both are rated 3.4/5 for sound quality (#365 and #363 of 450 in-ear headphones), and the SeeAudio Neo costs $1,099 against $1,499 for the Unique Melody MEST Mk2, with sound quality a draw, the lower price decides it.
What the SeeAudio Neo does well: Bass and sub-bass sit within a decibel of target down to 20 Hz, giving a clean, controlled low end without boom. The catch: Squig.link measurements show the 3 to 6 kHz presence band about 5.4 dB below target with a 9.2 dB dip near 5.5 kHz, so vocals lose clarity and instruments sound recessed.
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 catch: 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 Neo. Both are rated the same for sound quality, and it costs $400 less than the Unique Melody MEST Mk2.
Want more options? Browse the full Headphones rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| SeeAudio Neo | Unique Melody MEST Mk2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1,099.00 | $1,499.00 |
| Ranked | #365 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 | 66 (measured by crinacle, via AutoEQ) | 66 (measured by crinacle, via AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 2.51 dB standard deviation | 2.47 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.80 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | -0.71 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Connection | Wired | Wired |
| Driver Type | Balanced armature | Hybrid (1 dynamic + 4 balanced armature + 2 electrostatic + 1 bone conduction) |
| Drivers | 10 x balanced armature | 1 x dynamic + 4 x balanced armature + 2 x electrostatic + 1 x bone conduction |
| Impedance | 28 ohms | 12.3 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 116 dB/mW | 112 dB |
| Frequency Response | 20Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 20Hz - 70kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built-in Microphone | No | No |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (+0.6 dB at 30 Hz) | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-0.2 dB at 30 Hz) |
Related Headphone Comparisons
More worthwhile head-to-heads for Unique Melody MEST Mk2:
- SeeAudio Kaguya vs Unique Melody MEST Mk2
- Unique Melody MEST Mk2 vs qdc Anole V6
- SeeAudio Neo vs qdc Anole V6
- DUNU Zen Pro vs SeeAudio Neo
- Symphonium Audio Triton vs SeeAudio Neo
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.
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
The Two Headphones In Full
SeeAudio Neo: $1,099.00 Linsoul eBay
Pros: Bass and sub-bass sit within a decibel of target down to 20 Hz, giving a clean, controlled low end without boom. Ten balanced armatures add about 3.8 dB of air above 10 kHz for some sparkle. At 116 dB/mW it gets loud from any phone or dongle. It rates higher than the qdc Anole V6 while costing less.
Cons: Squig.link measurements show the 3 to 6 kHz presence band about 5.4 dB below target with a 9.2 dB dip near 5.5 kHz, so vocals lose clarity and instruments sound recessed. Such high sensitivity can reveal background hiss from noisy sources. The DUNU Zen Pro and JVC HA-FW1500 earn the same rating for less money.
Full SeeAudio Neo review and specifications →
| Released | Jan 2021 (5 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Back | Closed |
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 2.51 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Balanced armature |
| Drivers | 10 x balanced armature |
| Form Factor | In-ear |
| Frequency Response | 20Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 66 (measured by crinacle, via AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 28 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 116 dB/mW |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (+0.6 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.80 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
EQ preset to match the Harman target
Set a preamp of -5.6 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 | -1.5 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 5,931 Hz | +3.8 dB | 0.43 |
| Peak | 164 Hz | -2.6 dB | 1.07 |
| Peak | 1,573 Hz | -5.0 dB | 1.52 |
| Peak | 675 Hz | +1.6 dB | 1.31 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | -5.1 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 3,085 Hz | +1.2 dB | 2.87 |
| Peak | 4,400 Hz | -3.5 dB | 5.82 |
| Peak | 5,545 Hz | +2.3 dB | 6.00 |
| Peak | 8,098 Hz | +1.7 dB | 2.84 |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
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