DUNU In-Ears Reviews, Impressions and Discussion

Discussion in 'IEMs and Portable Gear' started by shotgunshane, Jan 22, 2021.

  1. shotgunshane

    shotgunshane Floridian Falcon

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    Dunu EST 112 review here: https://www.superbestaudiofriends.o...sions-and-discussion.10501/page-3#post-349547

    Dunu SA6
    MSRP $549.99


    The Dunu SA6 is a six balanced armature in-ear. In fact, it is Dunu’s first foray into an all armature setup. The shell is a hand poured universal with stabilized wood faceplates. The faceplates come in many different colors and patterns but I don’t think you can choose, rather it is just random selection. The tour set is a bit boring looking but I’ve seen some nice purple and blue hues online. The shell shape is a semi custom-like universal. It’s plenty comfortable but the nozzles are pretty very short. You’re not going to achieve deep fit here. The nozzle doesn’t seem to have any ridge or notch to keep tips in place but I’ve yet to experience a tip getting stuck in my ear.

    The stock cable is an 8 core monster. Don’t get me wrong, it looks fabulous. Flexibility is very good too. But it’s heavy and it’s a lot of cable to wind up and put in the case. Did I mention it is heavy? I know many people love the bling and luxurious look/feel of braided 8 core cables but it’s just not for me. I’d prefer a 4 core cable for best portability, while maintaining a similarish boutique look. It also comes with the fantastic Dunu modular plug system. All 3 modular plug options (3.5mm, 2.5mm and 4.4mm) are included. Cable is terminated in .78mm 2 pin connectors.

    The case reminds me of the old leather Campfire cases, minus the faux lambswool on the inside. It’s practical, roomy and functional. Normally I’m not a fan of the supplied Dunu tips in previous models, but the ones supplied with this loaner are pretty good; particularly the solid blue ones, as they remind me a little of my favorite Ortofon tips. That being said, my Ortofon tips are still more supple feeling and the super short nozzle worked better for me with long Azla Sednaearfits.

    Sound!

    My first impressions were of a very mild V with a slight downward tilt but after a while I’ve settled on neutral with slight bass boost. There is a switch that turns on “atmospheric immersion mode”, which seems to boost the bass a few db’s pretty evenly across the entire low range. While pleasantly done, I prefer the switches in default mode, for the more neutral of the two approaches, but I can see many enjoying the little extra thump and rumble.

    The most striking factor about the SA6 is its tonality. Tonal balance is fantastic. It just sounds right. Full stop.

    I find it hard to complain about anything sonically. This is only $550? This is insane value in today’s market and I think Dunu could easily have asked for more with zero complaints. Previously this price range has kind of been no-mans land but now it is clearly SA6 territory and it dominates anything I’ve heard in this price range previously.

    Comparisons ><

    The following comparisons were done using a Schiit Modius into the Drop THX 789.
    Measurements are from crinacle.com.

    SA6-Andromeda.png

    Vs Campfire Andromeda (OG)


    The SA6 has more of a deep bass emphasis and bass texturing is more defined. While the SA6 initially seems slightly bassier due to this emphasis, Andromeda is the one that sounds warmer and hazier from its greater upper bass presence. It’s this upper bass presence, combined with the relaxed upper midrange that can give Andromeda its wall of sound effect. While I think this effect also contributes to its wide stereo image, the SA6 just simply sounds cleaner and more tonally accurate from bass through the midrange.

    Simply put, the SA6 midrange sounds tonally even. Both male and female vocals just sound right; its frequency response brings balance to both. In comparison, Andromeda carries similar weight to male vocals but female vocals lack energy and carry too much lower midrange emphasis. Again the SA6 surpasses the OG Andromeda in clarity and transparency through the midrange.

    Rock music distortion guitars have always been something I enjoy on Andromeda, with its wide stereo image and wall of guitars sound, but the SA6 presents them with more realistic bite and attack. Rock guitars soar on the more tonally even SA6.

    It’s been all SA6 up until this point. Where the SA6 falls short of the OG Andromeda is in treble. The SA6 treble, for the most part, is pleasant and unoffending. Occasionally it can sound a little zippy or grainy, but really never presses any problem areas. Where it struggles is in timbre and sounds a bit more typically BA here, particularly when compared with Andromeda. In contrast, Andromeda has a more realistic timbre. Cymbal crashes sound brassier and ring more true (in a realistic way). But really this is OG Andromeda bread and butter territory, and without direct comparison, I could learn to be content with the SA6 here.

    The SA6 staging is well proportioned and above average for an all armature in-ear. Of course Andromeda sounds noticeably wider but I don’t really feel like the SA6 lacks in anything. It’s arguably just as resolving with a bit better imaging due to its cleaner, more define notes. The SA6 is solid in all technical aspects. After comparing with, what is in my estimation, a legend in the OG Andromeda, the SA6 come away looking good, I mean really damn good.

    SA6-Nair.png

    Vs Gaudio Nair


    The deep bass emphasis of the SA6 is particularly noticeable when comparing to the more neutral and linear sounding Nair. While the Nair has good low end, flat extension, the SA6’s greater rumble lends it to a richer note that is more overt in its bass texture. True sub notes are going be more palpable on the SA6.

    The thicker and richer note weight of the SA6 carries into the midrange, lending to fuller, more natural sounding male vocal. Both have engaging, energetic female vocals. The Nair sounding hair lighter and more nimble, and the SA6 sounding a hair fuller with just a hint more accentuated sibilance. Either way, both do a very good job of not adding to what was recorded.

    Everything about the SA6 seems to just have a natural weight and balance; and though while the Nair is leaner sounding, transients are quicker and rock guitars have more life like edge and attack; the staccato snap of snares are a little more tangible and defined.

    Nair treble is quick and crisp. While never piercing or painful, it gives the full effect of the ride and crash with fairly convincing timbre. In comparison, the SA6 is a bit more forgiving and a little less crisp, thanks to the dip around 6k, but with a bit more typical armature timbre as well.

    Staging on the SA6 sounds overall bigger in all directions compared to the more intimate Nair. Instrument positioning and layering is stronger, more noticeable on the SA6, while I’d give the edge to pure resolution of low level detail to the Nair.

    Wrap up Ω

    $550. WTF. I think I mentioned this is an insanely good value. I mean, it is an INSANELY good value. While you can get in-ears that do some things, perhaps even many things better, you’re going to have to pay a lot more. And then I wonder if the trade off will even be worth it? The trade off of missing out on the excellent tonality and balance of the Dunu SA6.



    Dunu Zen
    MSRP $699.99


    The Dunu Zen is a single dynamic driver in-ear. As I understand it, this is a new, in-house developed driver consisting of Mg/Al for the dome and separate thermoplastic polymer surround. This separate surround material allows for the dome to be larger, as compared to drivers where the materials are the same for the dome and surround.

    Stock cable is the same as the SA6, which includes all the pros and cons as listed above. However, instead of 2-pin, the Zen version is MMCX. The connectors used prevent it from freely swiveling unintendedly. While the SA6 tour unit didn’t come with the retail packaging that the Zen did, I suspect the unboxing experience is similar, and that is to say it rivals something like higher-end Sony offerings. As with the SA6, the Zen shares the same case, all modular plug options and a plentiful selection of good quality tips.

    The fit is fantastic. The Zen are pretty small and fit flush in the ears. It doesn’t take any real precision to make them fit, more like just push and play.

    Sound!

    My first impressions are of a very slightly downward sloping U, or better yet, W shaped signature. Bass is full bodied, without being over done or really even ever creeping in to a bassy signature. Sub extension is very good and bass texturing is plenty above average thanks to a clean and controlled bottom end. Both male and female vocals carry a natural weight, without emphasis as a specialist one way or the other, and placement is front and center. The top end is a little bit more of an enigma, in that total treble presence seems relaxed but there is a peak between 7.5 and 8k that brings plenty of sparkle but also seems to thin out the treble note a bit.

    From dunu-topsound.com
    Keep in mind this graph is stretched and the vertical blocks are 15db scale. Crinacle has yet to measure the Zen.
    zen from dunu.jpg

    Comparisons ><

    The following comparisons were done using a Schiit Modius into the Drop THX 789.
    Note: I don’t notice significant changes with run-in. Anything more than overnight is a waste of my time. My mood, fit from session to session, and eartips certainly impact sound more. However, to help ameliorate concerns over run-in and impressions of the tour unit, it has been run-in for approximately 75 hours before my comparisons started.

    Vs Campfire Solaris (OG)

    Bass is flatter, less boosted on Solaris, and while Zen has more bass presence, it’s not by a great margin. The Zen bass emphasis in deep/sub bass, and while it rumbles a little harder, it doesn’t have the bass texturing and layering of the Solaris.

    Male vocals have similar weight and naturalness, and both are on the forward side. Female vocals, on the other hand, display greater differences. Female vocals area richer in weight with deeper body on Solaris. In contrast they are thinner and lighter with a bit more raw energy on Zen. The difference in female vocals are similarly different in presentation of rock guitars. On Solaris they carry more weight and noticeably thicker sound but on Zen, while lighter/thinner, they have better bite and greater attack.

    In some ways the treble presentation is similar. Similar in that both have somewhat relaxed overall level of treble but both support an 8(ish)k peak that has plenty of sparkle. Due to the broader lower treble recession in Solaris, its rebound peak sounds brighter next to Zen. Treble weight is a little more natural on Solaris, whereas Zen can sound a little thin. However Solaris can suffer in timbre for horns, due to this recession, but cymbals and rides sound pretty realistic. Zen, in contrast fairs better with horns, but suffers a bit with cymbals and rides.

    Zen has a fairly wide presentation with pretty good depth and average height. Solaris is just bigger. It’s taller, deeper and just as wide. It’s just more lifelike for an in-ear. Solaris is more precise in its image; there is more room, more air between instruments and vocals. What Zen gives up in staging and imaging, it makes up for it with a more cohesive, organic presentation.

    Vs Moondrop Blessing 2

    The B2 is noticeably leaner and flatter down low. However it’s not lacking in comparative extension. The criticism of the B2 bass is its relative lack of texture and feeling of being a little over damped. Zen sounds airier in bass with better texturing and layering. It’s just a better quality bass. However the flat extension of the B2 really makes the tilt of the Zen sub elevation noticeable, if a bit distracting at times.

    Male vocals have more heft, and sound more forward on Zen. B2 still has a natural sounding male vocal (it doesn’t sound thin) but it does sit a little further way for a less intimate performance. Both have natural and lifelike energy to female vocals but the B2 sounds more accurate here, with the Zen pushing perhaps a bit more elevated in the upper midrange.

    B2 treble is subdued sounding next to the more lively Zen and I wouldn’t call the Zen bright. Cymbals and rides do not have the sparkle of the Zen; they sound a bit drier, raspier, along with more muted. Zen has bit more air, a bit more crispness and a bit more treble realism.

    All in the all the Zen sounds simply bigger than the B2. It’s wider, deeper and taller. It’s also more upfront and intimate. Instruments have more space. It’s more resolving, with better imaging. Holistically, the B2 is more neutral, more accurate in frequency response and tone but the Zen outclasses it in the intangibles and technical aspects.

    Vs Drop+JVC FDX1 (production blue filters)

    Zen bass is fuller, more palpable in all the right ways. I really think the Zen bass is the upgrade to the FDX1 bass many owners are looking for. It’s just as speedy as the production FDX1 but has better texturing, layering and just has a more satisfying rumble.

    Male vocals on Zen have a bit more heft and weight; they sound just a little light on the FDX1 by comparison. Female vocals also have a bit more heft and weight but it’s a more natural balance than the leaner, more aggressive FDX1. While both sound forward in nature, the FDX1 is just more raw and aggressive, next to the comparatively more composed, yet just as forward Zen. I suspect this is due to the Zen being more filled in the middle mids (around 2k/2.5k).

    Both have a treble rebound peak in the same general area but the FDX1 is more subdued compared to its upper mid/lower treble peak. So treble details are slightly obscured on the FDX1 compared to the Zen, whose peak is closer in level to its upper mid peak. Tonality somewhat resembles here but resolution and timbre go to the Zen.

    The FDX1 is only average, at best, when it comes to staging. Next to Zen it just sound much smaller and intimate. Zen is easily noticeable as wider and taller. I really feel like Zen could be considered a direct upgrade to the FDX1, as it fixes many of the complaints I read from FDX1 owners. The question will be, do prospective buyers think its worth the 3x in price?

    Wrap Up Ω

    Zen is a solid offering in the higher end single dynamic world. It’s got fantastic build, as well as great fit and aesthetics. I was hoping for something a little more neutral and even keeled but it instead tilts towards a more consumer friendliness. Regardless, it is still well done. It’s also sensitive enough to get really loud on something like the Apple dongle (it gets much louder than the B2 and FDX1 at similar volume steps).



    But Wait, There’s More™


    Zen Vs. SA6

    On balance the SA6 sounds more neutral, tonally more balanced and accurate, as well as a little smoother, more even up top. Zen adds more excitement and fowardness, with a bit more rumble and natural decay, along with more liveliness up top. Zen is also bit more resolving, particularly micro dynamically and produces a wider soundscape. Both are good all rounders and should please most but the SA6 is really something special in my estimation. This level of performance and refinement at its price tag has been, until now, unheard of. Both of these in-ears are going on my recommendation list but the SA6 is something that I believe has staying power for years to come.
     
    Last edited: May 29, 2021
  2. shotgunshane

    shotgunshane Floridian Falcon

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    Dunu has kindly provided SBAF with both the SA6 and Zen for a loaner tour. @ChaChaRealSmooth will be posting the tour thread this weekend.
     
  3. Merrick

    Merrick A lidless ear

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    Sounds like the SA6 would be a really nice complement to an FDX1.
     
  4. YMO

    YMO Chief Fun Officer

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    I will be laughing so hard if I prefer SA6 over Zen. Really want a DD IEM upgrade, but life is funny.....
     
  5. deafdoorknob

    deafdoorknob Almost "Made"

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    how about the zen vs ex1000?

    The ex1k, peaky lower treble notwithstanding, is still my favourite DD (preferred it vastly over the fdx, fw10k and various accoustunes)
     
  6. shotgunshane

    shotgunshane Floridian Falcon

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    I don’t have an EX1000 to compare (I’ve owned it twice). The only bass I’ve heard that is in the same league is the Dunu Luna but it doesn’t extend as deeply (and its tuning has other problematic issues). Going from my memory (for what that’s worth), I’d say Zen is a better all rounder, but the things the EX1000 does well, it does better. I mean, it’s a legend for a reason.
     
  7. Cellist88

    Cellist88 Friend

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    I'm hoping that @shotgunshane can get his hand on the sonarik iems and then get a comparison. Its good to have a new value in iems, though at this point, getting a used solaris around 750ish seems to be normal, and andromeda lower, so I guess value is improving
     
  8. shotgunshane

    shotgunshane Floridian Falcon

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    The two Dunu units I have on hand are the SBAF tour units, so unfortunately I probably won’t get a chance to compare directly to any Soranik tour units.
     
  9. Rockwell

    Rockwell Friend

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    Excellent write up...you just put both of these on my radar, though I'm especially curious about the SA6.
     
  10. rhythmdevils

    rhythmdevils MOT: rhythmdevils audio

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    you will get all the Soranik loaner iem’s you can handle/want though ;)
     
  11. Biodegraded

    Biodegraded Friend

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    @shotgunshane did you try the SA6 out of any other sources? I'm wondering how sensitive they might be to output Z changes (@Augmentin , do you have an impedance curve for these?), how warmer/more laid back sources than the THX might go with them, and how such source differences would influence comparisons with the Campfire and other multi-BAs.
     
  12. shotgunshane

    shotgunshane Floridian Falcon

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    I’ve also used it on the Apple dongle and the Topping L30 (before I got rid off it for being a ticking time bomb). The warmest sources I have are the Shanling Up2 and Chord Mojo. I can give those a try, as well as the IEMatch on 2.5 ohms, before mailing out the SA6 for the tour.
     
  13. Claud

    Claud Living the ORFAS dream

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    Enjoyed the reviews so much I ordered a Zen yesterday. Listening to Titan 6 as I type this . Pulled the stock cord and substituted a Dunu Lyre cord. It smoothed it some.
     
  14. tgx78

    tgx78 MOT: TGXear

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    I also have the SA6 and just received the Zen. I personally much prefer the Zen as I mainly listen to classical music but SA6 is really comfortable and has smooth and pleasing sound signature.
     
  15. shotgunshane

    shotgunshane Floridian Falcon

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  16. shotgunshane

    shotgunshane Floridian Falcon

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    @Biodegraded I'm having to charge my UP2 and Mojo at the moment but was able to test impedance changes with the SA6.

    The SA6 will become darker and bassier with increased resistance. The difference was fairly negligible on the THX 789 amp with IEMatch at 2.5 ohm setting and no IEMatch inline. Once I introduced 15 ohms, it was very noticeable. Treble becomes shelved down and it becomes bassier. This is unlike the atmospheric switch, which only increases bass and doesn't touch the treble. With the 15 ohm adapter is was overall bassier than the atmospheric switch on.
     
  17. Biodegraded

    Biodegraded Friend

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    If you're noticing little or nothing at 2.5 Ohms, their impedance curve probably isn't too wild (ie not Andromeda-extreme). Thanks for doing the experiment!
     
  18. tgx78

    tgx78 MOT: TGXear

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    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]

    DUNU ZEN and KBEAR Believe

    Comparing these two IEMs was very interesting practice for me as I had to overcome expectation bias in my head.
    As you all may already know, if expectation bias rears it's head... namely, that if you think it will/should sound better or vice versa, it very often does.
    For example, if an IEM "A" costs $700 versus $200 "B", many will naturally have a strong expectation bias towards the item A.
    When you start listening the two, you already established in your head that A will outperform the B and your judgement becomes cloudy.
    I think ongoing discussion about the MT300 in other forum is very interesting in a positive sense.
    I had a strong expectation bias against it after measuring the frequency response and it almost sounded much worse thereafter.
    All I could think was 14dbs of this -6dbs of that without much corroboration to establish credibility of what I was actually hearing.
    Having said that my MT300 is on a burn-in station for next 1900 hours or so until I re-deploy it lol.
    Also I feel that having quite differing opinions is a good thing and often useful when done in a civilized manner.

    Ok, enough of that and let's get back to my findings, starting with the Dunu Zen:
    Pat Metheny's "KIN (<-->)" passed through the multi-layered percussion wall, and the saxophone and guitar squeezed half a step forward, penetrating my ears with a vibrant and dynamic sound. Even in a performance with such a large number of sounds, the timbre of each sound is clear and easily identifiable, so when listening with the Zen, all the relationship between each part is neatly organized, and the feeling of turbidity is not a concern. Since the recording emphasizes the acoustic feel, the depth is not odd. The bass has a fairly propulsive sound, but its sharpness followed by abundant texture deserves a special mention.

    Now with the KBEAR Believe, it's immediately apparent layering isn't as adept as micro dynamic seems to be a bit compromised. However all the other aspect of sound, be it speed, imaging, timbre, decay all seem to be quite evenly matched. Zen is overall bit wetter and dimensional sounding, with bit more ambient pickups of the venue, but I find their technical abilities pretty close.

    Rachel Podger's solo performance by Bach's violin concerto brought out an exhilarating sound by both, and I was able to enjoy the fresh tone unique to period instruments. Even in this song, the solo violin does not have thin lines down to the low notes, and each note has a rich expression. From my past experience with Dunu products, for me, they are very good at reproducing core melodies such as vocals, guitars, and violins with rich and fresh tones.
    The goodness of this quality continues here, and its characteristics can be enjoyed beyond the boundaries of the genre.
    With the KB Believe, you can clearly see that the sound pressure and timbre are neatly aligned and there are no unnatural parts in the distribution of overtones.
    Overall sound is well damped and pleasant. Zen slightly edges ahead of the Believe in terms of pure emotional pull and musical enjoyment, but the gap here is even smaller than the above with a "KIN".

    I can think of various IEMs that appeal to the flashiness of the moment I listen to them, but in reality, there are not so many IEMs that I never get tired of listening for a long time. This two definitely belongs to the latter. I would like to recommend it to all acoustic music fans who are looking for a sound signature that can be used for a long time.
     
  19. Claud

    Claud Living the ORFAS dream

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    Thank you for your review and comparison. I have been listening to the Believe with a nice copper ISN cable for two days. It is beginning to sound as you described.
    As I finished the first third of your post, my ZEN arrived by UPS. Looking forward to enjoying both these IEMs.
    The Dunu SA6 will be my next purchase in late February.
     
  20. shotgunshane

    shotgunshane Floridian Falcon

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    I also got a chance to listen on some warmer sources before shipping off the tour package. Basically I don’t recommend the SA6 on a warm source. When on the Up2 or Mojo, it is less engaging and flatter dimensionally. It’s a much better paring on a neutral source. If someone wanted less treble, I’d recommend adding an impedance adapter instead. And if added bass is all they wanted, well the ambience switch takes care of that.
     

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