Short answer: the Unique Melody MEST MKIII. It ranks #903 of 1369 in-ear headphones by sound quality, rated 3.4/5, at $1,919; the 64 Audio A12t ranks #920, rated 3.3/5, and costs $1,999, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
The case for the Unique Melody MEST MKIII: A broadly balanced tuning with a preference score of 66 against the Harman target. Watch for: Treble about 4 dB below target from 3 to 10 kHz, which can sound dull or veiled next to brighter headphones.
What the 64 Audio A12t does well: Bass is on target down to 20 Hz with a slight 1.9 dB lift from 60 to 200 Hz, so low end feels full and solid without boom. The catch: In the two hobbyist measurements on squig.link, treble from 6 to 10 kHz sits about 10 dB below target with a 13.7 dB dip near 8.7 kHz, and presence is 7.3 dB low, so cymbals, strings and vocal clarity sound noticeably dark and muffled.
Buy the Unique Melody MEST MKIII. It is rated higher for sound quality than the 64 Audio A12t and costs less, which makes it the one to get unless you need something the other one does better.
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A broadly balanced tuning with a preference score of 66 against the Harman target.
MusicTeck $1,919.00 eBay
Bass is on target down to 20 Hz with a slight 1.9 dB lift from 60 to 200 Hz, so low end feels full and solid without boom.
64 Audio $1,999.00 eBayPrices on this page were last checked October 17, 2026 at 6:04 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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Specifications Side By Side
| Unique Melody MEST MKIII | 64 Audio A12t | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1,919.00 | $1,999.00 |
| Ranked | #903 of 1369 in In-Ear Headphones | #920 of 1369 in In-Ear Headphones |
| Form Factor | In-ear | In-ear |
| Back | Closed | Closed |
| Harman Preference Score | 66 (median of 4 squig.link measurements, calibrated to AutoEQ) | 65 (measured by crinacle, via AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 2.64 dB standard deviation | 2.50 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.63 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | -0.87 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-0.3 dB at 30 Hz) | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (+0.2 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Driver Type | Quadbrid | Balanced armature |
| Drivers | 10 drivers (1 dynamic driver + 4 balanced armatures + 4 electrostatic + 1 bone conduction driver) | 12 x balanced armature (incl. 1 tia high driver) |
| Impedance | 14 ohms | 12.6 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 104 dB | 108 dB/mW |
| Frequency Response | 20Hz - 70kHz | 10Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Connection | Wired | Wired |
| Built-in Microphone | - | No |
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