Completely detached - Unique Melody Mason FS

There are certainly many great head-fi products out there today that are worthy of their own blog, but rarely do you come across one that is so "over the top" in every respect that it becomes a hotly debated and controversial topic in the relevant forums. But let's start from the beginning...

A few weeks ago, Unique Melody introduced its latest flagship, the Mason FS. Handcrafted from fine woods in the variants Nuit Étoilée ("The Starry Night") and Soleil Tombé ("The Desert Tree"), these IEMs (in-ear monitors) impress not only with their elegant appearance, but also with their price: 8499 USD/CHF is quite a statement and is thus considerably higher than what is currently being asked for most flagship IEMs.

The outcry

This has inevitably led to an outcry in various forums of head-fi.org and caused some members to redden and spark heated discussions. There was talk of price gouging and how the average audiophile could even afford it. - In my opinion, an understandable and necessary debate.

But as we all know, there are two sides to the coin, and the price of such a product cannot be considered in isolation, but only in context, i.e.: "What do I get for my money?"

Unique Melody was accused of only targeting elite buyers and ignoring the "small" audiophile headphone enthusiasts.

Let me ask this: Who, for example, accuses VW of producing and selling Porsches alongside the Golf, which sometimes change hands for hundreds of thousands or even millions? Exactly, nobody.

There are several reasons why such a product costs so much money

1. The product is manufactured with particular care and offers high-quality accessories.
2. The product is characterized by exceptionally good sound/performance.
3. The product is a technology carrier. This means that companies are driving research forward with flagship products, and these developments in new technologies cost a lot of money. These development costs must be passed on to the buyers – just like everywhere else.
   

Everyone benefits from this Customers

New technologies become cheaper over time and are passed on to cheaper product lines, which benefit by offering buyers increasingly better value for money.

This also applies to Unique Melody, which offers excellent in-ears in every price category, usually performing well above their price range – thanks to research!

But enough of the preamble – let's take a closer look at these precious gems...

The Mason FS come in a box that is unusually large and heavy for Unique Melody - and it comes with a nice carrying case for whatever purpose.

The magnetic lid reveals a purple fabric bag, a box of accessories, and a thank you note on handmade paper—precious.

When unboxing, you feel a bit like the discoverer of a pharaoh's treasure, because there is always more to explore.

Sound check

After a brief inspection, the Mason FS are paired with our "workhorse" – the Lotoo Mjölnir. After all, such an IEM needs to be operated with due respect! 🙌

It takes some time to fully grasp the sonic capabilities of the Mason FS, but after a while of careful listening, it becomes clear what the essence of the Mason FS is - and what it isn't.

The Mason FS is not a show-stopper

He doesn't resort to cheap tricks to "inflate" the information present in the tracks. No boosted bass, no exaggerated treble, no artificially inflated soundstage, no whitewashing.

The Mason FS is a virtuoso

He takes what is there and skillfully stages it. Like the world-famous pianist Lang Lang he plays effortlessly even the most complex pieces and passages.

This gives the music depth and meaning, but also lightness—the performance seems "completely detached." At least, those words came to mind as I immersed myself in the soundscapes of the Mason FS.

It's really not easy to describe the capabilities of these IEMs, so I'll refrain from a detailed analysis of individual frequencies and characteristics here. You have to, and should, hear the Mason FS with your own ears to understand it.

True to the motto: "Listen and you will see."

Conclusion

I've spent some time with the Mason FS now, but not enough to claim they're well-played or that I've fully grasped all the facets of these exceptional in-ears. Therefore, I can't draw a final conclusion at this point, but will limit myself to my impressions so far.

While other IEMs impressed me right from the start, it took some time to get to know the new Unique Melody Mason FS. It was worth it!

still waters run deep

This saying has proven true once again, as the rather introverted Mason FS rewards patience with a sound potential that is perhaps unparalleled. He appears reserved and stages the music with virtuosity.

So I sit at my desk, listen to the sounds, and lose myself completely in the music... It's almost like meditation.