DUNU In-Ears Reviews, Impressions and Discussion

Back of a Postage Stamp sized impressions of the Dunu Kima Classic.

• Gone is the shouty 3k peak of the Titan S. Not neutral vis a vis Harmon - but entertaining.
• Lower bass is filled out without any apparent bleed into the lower mids. Still not too bassy.
• Nice push between 6k and 8k or so for a bit of sparkle without making it overbearing.
• Mids deliver a slightly set back presentation that is still quite articulate, not lean not too rich.
• Depth due to mids being a touch back is very nice with long reverb trails and good sense of space.
• All the includes tips sound quite different, I prefer the Candy for its more articulate vocals. Also enjoying S&S tips for more textured presentation.
• Dynamics are good with nice snap of drums and bassy percussion but perhaps could be even a bit more punchy.
• Detail is respectable and timbre for me is much better than a bunch of other popular lower cost pics like Moondrop Aria, Olina SE and even the Letshoeur S12 and hybrid like the Phoenixcall.

Burn in is real, these change and mellow from new to about 40 hours or so. LG G7 powers them just fine.

 

My quest for the ideal cycling IEMs was set in motion when I sought advice from @shotgunshane on finding a pair of IEMs with good isolation. My primary use case is/was outdoor activities, particularly cycling to work. Living in the countryside with well-maintained bicycle paths and no requirement for situational awareness, my main aim was to reduce wind noise while having exceptional isolation. I had previously owned and enjoyed the Prophile 8, Stagediver 2 and 5, and Shure 215 for this specific purpose. However, they were sold off when my work situation changed. Now, I find myself back in the saddle.


I experimented with the Aria, Kato, Hexa, and Truthear Zero RED, but they all quickly presented an issue—they didn't fit flush in my ears, leading to wind noise.

Despite being a seasoned IEM user, I somehow missed the knowledge that most dynamic drivers require some form of vents, while BA (Balanced Armature) drivers do not. So after the suggestion from @shotgunshane to look into BA-IEMs as they are usually sealed, I found a few options locally.

I came across the Dunu SA6 MK2 IEMs for a good price. Why the Dunus, you ask? They had garnered positive reviews (their predecessor was also review here on SBAF), offered a reasonable price, and promised a flatter upper-mid sound profile that seemed tailor-made for my on-the-road needs. Essentially, this translated to a U-shaped sound signature, as opposed to the classic V-shaped one, or something very neutral.

The Dunu SA6 MK2 IEMs present an impressive combination of comfort, build quality, and sound performance. Despite their larger size, they offer a comfortable fit with an elegant design (devoid of any Anime characters). Their noise isolation is exceptional, at least on par with the Prophile 8, if not slightly superior, thanks to their snug ear canal fit.

The SA6 MK2's sound profile is well-rounded and notably departs from the typical Balanced Armature (BA) timbre. The tuning remains consistently smooth within the most sensitive range of my hearing (I am particularly sensitive to sibilance). The bass is punchy and well-balanced, featuring a healthy sub-bass boost that adds a fun and solid foundation to the music. While it may not be the tightest I've experienced, I recall the Prophiles and the Stagediver 5 delivering harder-hitting bass. They sound more like a dynamic driver in the bass than the typical BA bass.

The mids maintain a smooth response without any harsh peaks. However, the mid-treble are somewhat subdued, resulting in a sound that may come across as a bit polite and distant, especially with certain instruments like trumpets and violins, which lack some bite. On the plus side, this restraint likely contributes to the absence of the unnatural "grit" often found in many BA-driven IEMs. While the Prophile may have boasted a tighter and better-defined bass, the SA6 MK2 holds its own with a smooth uppermid-treble and a less pronounced upper treble.

In conclusion, the Dunu SA6 MK2 IEMs offer a compelling package encompassing comfort, build quality, and an engaging sound profile. While the mid-trebles may prove too reserved for some, these IEMs excel in my specific use case. I appreciate their approach to the BA sound, prioritizing the fundamental tones of music over the upper harmonics. Can you find better sound for a cheaper price? Perhaps. But as a complete package (accessories, build quality, cable quality, and of course, isolation), it's a very good offering.