Reviews by SammyG

SammyG

New Head-Fier
Natural Sound Single DD Lovers Rejoice!
Pros: A Fun Neutral Sound Signature
Tight, textured Bass
Clear Midrange that isn't overly forward
Smooth and extended Treble
Small Shell
Premium Case and Large Selection of Eartips
Cons: Stock Cable (Surprisingly)
Isolation a little below average
Styling is a Little Boring
The Single DD:

I've listened to over 20 earphones ranging in price from $30-$1500, and in just about every conceivable configuration of DD, BA, EST, Planar and BC. I've found each driver type has its pros and cons. A lot of earphones try to token the benefits of different drivers by using them in hybrid configurations. However, when listening closely it is fairly easy to tell the difference in timbre as you move up and down frequencies. This can lead to a very engaging experience, but I would consider it more interesting than natural. To my ears, single DD units consistently offer the most accurate timbre. Unfortunately most single DDs are packaged in oddly shaped shells, are tuned to be V shaped, and lack technical performance due to the slow nature of the driver.

I'm happy to report the Vortex doesn't suffer from these common single DD issues.

The Fit:
The shells are very small, a tad larger than the Sennheiser IE 600 but lighter and more form fitting to the concha. With the right tips and cable, I can wear these for hours without needing to readjust or take a break. I found the stock cable to be of nice quality, but it is lacking ear hooks. This puts a lot of pressure on the top of your outer ear, and unfortunately switching cables is a must. This is pretty shocking considering Penon is mainly known for their cables. The sound signature (especially bass) is extremely ear-tip dependent, so I highly recommend tip rolling before coming to any conclusions. Personally I found the included "ePro Horn" tips provided the most secure fit and balanced sound. Even though these tips have extended length, leading to a deeper fit, I still found isolation to be below average. I think these would be ok in an office, but wouldn't recommend them for mass transit.

The Sound:
I would describe the tuning of the vortex as a fun neutral. Bass has a steady glide down to about 800Hz. It has descent rumble and good slam. I wouldn't call this a bass-head's set, but all the details are there and satisfyingly above neutral. Then there is a gradual rise from 800Hz to about 5kHz, which brings mids forward but in a relaxed way. Male and Female vocals are equally well placed. Treble is extended well with dips that remove sibilance without taking out sparkle and air. I find the treble a hair elevated, which leads to a more exciting listen. Soundstage size is about average. The shape is mostly wide, with a good amount of depth and some height. Timbre as I previously mentioned is excellent. It has a very natural cohesive sound. Imaging is a little above average. You can position each instrument and nothing sounds jumbled. It is close to pin-point but doesn't have the darkest background to exaggerate space.

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SammyG

New Head-Fier
DUNU SA6 Ultra: An Audiophile's Journey + comparisons with UM Mest Mk2
Pros: Pseudo custom fit
Balanced sound
Extremely detailed for the price
Premium modular cable
Cons: Lacks nozzle grill to block debris
Low end rumble doesn’t match DD
Limited to only 300 unit production run
Prologue

I dove into the IEM rabbit hole about 3 years ago. In that time I've been fortunate to listen to over 20 sets ranging from $100-$700 (with a few outliers :smirk:). Among these earphones, the original (OG) DUNU SA6 stuck in my memory for having unusually good dynamics for an all BA set, excellent comfort, a relaxed natural tuning I could listen to all day long without fatigue, and the only unit I've come across with the 2 pin connection in a fully recessed socket. This last detail may seem strange to call out, but for gear that is known for portability, recessing the 2 pin socket adds significant security in preventing cables from slipping out or pins breaking from lateral forces.
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Original SA6 (image credit https://theheadphonelist.com/)

So why would I sell such a great set? Every earphone has its strengths and weaknesses. For me the OG DUNU SA6's soundstage was very compact and the detail retrieval was about on par with sets in the $250 bracket.

The Announcement

Flash-forward a few years, and a well known YouTuber, Z-Reviews, creates a YouTube channel exclusive to IEMs. In his first few videos he casually mentions a plan to collaborate with DUNU on a re-tuned SA6. My ears perked up. A couple weeks later a few other reviewers, namely BGGAR and Gizaudio, got their hands on pre-released sets and their first impressions were overwhelmingly positive. In fact the 2 short comings I mentioned seem to be the main issues addressed by this collab. The catch? DUNU signed up to only make 300 units and the price hadn't been announced. Oh boy, such few units with high profile influencers backing it, these were going to go fast! I was determined, I scoured the internet searching for more information on the release.

HiFiGo, the exclusive online retailer for the SA6 Ultra, posted a "Coming Soon" page. You could select if you wanted the shells in blue & red (denoting left and right respectively), or both blue or both red. This is a welcomed change from the roll-of-the-dice colors you got with the OG set. I'm a sucker for natural wood, so I selected both red faceplates. And when you added the pre-released item to your cart....$9,999. :scream: My heart sunk. Would they really mark it up that much above the OG, talk about a money grab...What has the world come to!?!

A few days pass, and I receive an email from HiFiGo that the SA6 Ultra was going to be released within 2.5 hours and the first 50 customers will get a USB-C adapter for the modular cable. My hopes were slashed by the price but I figured I would keep an eye on the page. 2.5 hours goes by and I hit refresh. It looked the same. I refresh it a few more times and then, the update! The price was only $50 more than the OG!! I quickly placed the order, and within 72 hours all 300 units were sold-out. It turns out the $9,999 pre-release price was just a placeholder.

What's in the box?
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The box itself is adorned with a colorful stripe pattern that manages to be both playful and mature at the same time. In Z-Review's video about the Ultra, he mentioned the artwork was made by one of his patrons.

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Inside you get a blue DUNU carrying pouch that appears to be made of leather. The size is pocketable but a little large, and the zipper is pretty stiff. Maybe this will break-in overtime. Also inside the pouch is a small meshed pocket for accessories, a nice addition especially considering the modular cable.

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The cable is what DUNU calls the "Hulk Pro Mini." It is well behaved with a bit of a rubbery feel. The connection points are all gunmetal brushed aluminum, and it terminates in DUNU's proprietary modular connectors. These attach to the cable through a 4 pin connection and lock into place with a slip sleeve. This locking mechanism is a great feature that is missing from most modular cables today. The cable comes with 2.5, 3.5, and 4.4mm terminations. HifiGO also threw in a USB-C adapter for being one of the first 50 orders placed! My only gripe is that the terminations have a 90 degree bend. I prefer straight terminations to ease hot swapping between sources and pocketing a DAP. There is also a 3.5mm to 1/4 inch adapter in a bag with a cleaning brush.

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DUNU included 3 types of silicone tips and a set of Dekoni foam tips. I'm not a fan of foam tips, so those stayed in the bag. I was a little disappointed that DUNU didn't include my preferred black tips from the OG model. Of the 3 silicone tips that were included, the new is cylindrical grey style, aka "Stage & Studio" were my favorite. These provided the deepest fit, which improved isolation and treble response. In the end I tip rolled and landed on my favorite dual flange tip by CTM.

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And of course the earphones. The faceplates are absolutely gorgeous. The red tone really highlights the grain accents of the stabilized wood. The build is just as good as I remember from the OG. It is a pseudo custom fit that is the most comfortable universal IEM I've tried to date. There is a toggle switch that can be actuated with a finger nail. It is there to add a slight amount of bass, but really has very little impact to the sound. I prefer a warm signature, so I keep this in the ON position. Also there is a small X shaped vent that prevents pressure build up. This is key for comfort during long listening sessions (I'm looking at you Moondrop S8). And of course, the recessed 2 pin socket remains :raised_hands:. My only gripe is that the nozzle doesn't have a grill to prevent debris from entering the tubes. I am not sure if DUNU modified the OG's crossovers and filters, or if they are using unique BAs. I'm including some close-up shots that maybe someone can use to compare with the OG.

The Sound (VS MEST MK2)

Well BGGAR and Gizaudio were right. These are better than the OG SA6, by a large margin. I could get into describing how instruments sound natural, or how it has great extension and sparkle. But I find sound quality isn't absolute, it's relative. So here's a comparison with what has been my favorite set, the Unique Melody Mest MK2.

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The Mest’s bass has better extension and rumble but is also a bit slower. The DUNU has good rumble but is more of a punchy bass. Mest is like a ported 15” subwoofer, while the Dunu is like a sealed 12” sub.

Midrange of the 2 sets are pretty comparable, with the Mest having a bit more weight behind notes and the DUNU having a little more energy in the presence region. I don’t like breezing over this section, but honestly both sets are balanced, detailed and just excellent.

Treble on both are outstanding. The Mest manages to produce a little more detail, but it feels segregated from the rest of the music. Like having tiny cymbals behind your eye balls 🤪. It’s a very unique experience. I’ve heard other EST sets, and the treble usually sounds a bit weightless. The Mest doesn’t have this issue, and if I were to guess it’s where the BC driver is really assisting. It’s a very unique experience but not the most true to life. The DUNU on the other hand is very coherent and accompanies the rest of the frequencies to make one common sound. It has great extension, providing excellent micro details and air.

Soundstage and imaging of both are very good, I think the largest difference is the Mest has a darker background (exaggerated space between instruments). This gives the impression of more pin point like imaging.

Build and fit of both are very good, but I find the DUNU more comfortable for long-term listening.

In summary I’d consider the Mest MK2 an amazing earphone and an audio enthusiast’s set. The Dunu on the other hand is closer to true audiophile gear. If they decided to mass produce the Ultra, I think it would be a major market disrupter. Similar to the likes of the Timeless, Monarch/Clairvoyance siblings, and the Blessing 2.
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ILuvAudio
ILuvAudio
Great pictures
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SammyG

New Head-Fier
Bridging the gap between budget and flagship
Pros: Detail Retrieval, balanced sound, value
Cons: Comfort is about average, accessories are acceptable, isolation is below average
Sound: This is the first exposure I have had to planar IEMs, and I am pretty blown away. They seem to have the punch of single DD, the speed of BA, and the treble extension of ESTs. But, unlike many tribreds, this earphone has no coherency issues as all sound is being produced by a single driver. The sound signature is largely neutral, with a tasteful amount of bass boost and a bit of extra energy in the lower treble. The result is a very pleasant sound that has a lively characteristic to it. The sound stage is wide but not very deep. The imaging is above average but not pin-point accurate. Detail retrieval is about on par with the Moondrop S8 to my ears, but not quite as clear as the MEST. Lastly isolation is below average for an IEM. With 2 vents per side, they almost give an open back headphone feel.

Fit/Comfort: The all metal shells feel cool to the touch. The ergonomics are good but not great. After about a half hour of listening, I tend to get some discomfort in my upper antihelix. Also the ear hooks are a little loose, and from time to time flop over the top of my ear.

Accessories: The accessories aren't going to win any awards. You get 2 sets of silicone ear tips, 1 set of foam tips, a cheap feeling case, and a 2 pin cable. Besides the ear hook issue I mentioned earlier, I don't have any complaints for the cable. It has a nice 2-tone look and a rubber-like coating.

Conclusion: Is this a perfect earphone? No, there are certainly areas where it could be improved (especially concerning fit). But I don't find any of my nitpicks as deal breakers. And the sound punches well above its price. I know that is cliché to say, but it's tuning and technical capabilities best match units I've tried in the $500-$800 range. So in this case, it truly does.

SammyG

New Head-Fier
Future of IEM True Wireless Looks Bright! (Update Regarding 0.78)
Pros: Convenient
Value
Sound Quality
Versatility
Cons: Case Size
No Storage for Accessories
0.78 pin version is flush mounted
I’ve owned these for about 6 months and am very pleased. I had the TRN BT20s Pro before getting this model. They both approach a true wireless IEM in the same way, but FiiO’s execution is superior in most ways. Here’s how they compare:

Sound: Arguably one of the most important characteristics when converting an IEM to true wireless. FiiO stands out for raw power, but also clarity and extension in both treble and bass are better than the TRN. Also the typical Bluetooth hiss is very quiet on both but much less prominent in the FiiO. Lastly the microphone quality on FiiO is significantly more clear than the one on TRN. Please note, no Bluetooth technology will outperform a physical connection. With FiiO, I mainly notice some small details missing from the upper treble and a slightly compressed soundstage.

Fit/finish: The FiiO lay more flush against the back of your ears, but I find the hooks to be a little short and feel more like they dangle over my ears instead of wrapping around. Here I think TRN takes a slight advantage, but your experience may vary depending on ear size and IEM.

Features/Versatility: FiiO has a large advantage because there is an accompanying app that lets you change the button configuration, choose from preset EQ settings, adjust volume, and is open to future firmware updates. Also FiiO has a more powerful integrated amp, which plays well with less sensitive IEMs. TRN misses big here but has one killer feature, the hooks can disconnect from the battery pack. This means you can buy extra hooks with different terminals (MMCX, 2 Pin, etc) without having to buy the full unit or adapters. FiiO does offer a 2 Pin version, but as of writing this review it isn’t available on Amazon. So you may have to consider buying MMCX to 2 Pin adaptors, or resort to buying from another marketplace.

Carrying Case: TRN and FiiO took very different approaches here. TRN made a pouch, covered in fabric and closing with a zipper. It’s convenient for throwing in a bag, but doesn’t exude a sense of quality. There is a nice pocket inside the pouch to store accessories (something I miss when using the FiiO). On the negative side, there is no battery level indicator on TRN’s pouch, and larger buds need to be rotated to be able to fully close the pouch (This may be a deal breaker if you have a 2 Pin IEM). FiiO has an anodized aluminum case that opens with a magnetic latch. It's a nice presentation, but the finish may scratch over time. The IEMs sit in a nicely sized rubberized pocket. Lastly a 3 light indicator of charge state is a useful addition. My only gripe other than not having a pouch for accessories is that the magnet used to align the hooks doesn’t seem very strong. On the TRN I felt like I could almost drop the hooks and they would slide into place, with the FiiO it feels like a conscious effort to make sure the hooks are seated and being charged. Both use USB-C charging ports and neither have Qi wireless charging.

On a side note the FiiO app is what makes me most excited here. It is clearly in the early days, the “Guide” tab is still blank on iOS. But I’ve already seen a firmware update come through, so FiiO is clearly working on improvements. In the future I hope to see custom button configurations, custom EQ settings, improved call clarity and maybe even someday an active noise canceling feature.

(Update): I liked these enough to get a 0.78mm version. Unfortunately this has a serious design flaw. Instead of having the pins come out of a rectangular cross section, they protrude directly from the round ear hooks. This looks nice, but does not follow the design of most 0.78mm cables. As a result, most 0.78 earphones will not fully seat and can easily fall off of the hooks during handling. I'm knocking off a star for this oversight.
N
NimbleLine
Is there going to be any UTWS3 Version 2 in near future? Should I hop in right now?

SammyG

New Head-Fier
Beautiful Finish, Questionable Choices
Pros: Material selection, craftsmanship, treble detail
Cons: Accessories, bass and mids tuning, lack of venting, potential listening fatigue
Lets start off with the good. These are among the most beautiful IEMs I've come across. The faceplate is simple and embedded in resin for a seamless and elegant look. The resin is as clear as glass, and it is obvious great attention to detail was made during assembly. If you want a flagship look, this has it in spades. The only negatives I have about the design are: there is no vent (more on this later), also the end of the nozzle does not have a lip to retain eartips or a filter to block debris.

The accessories: In short, they are lackluster. The case, eartips and cable are identical to what comes with the Blessing 2, which at under half the MSRP is also underwhelming. That being said, all accessories are perfectly functional.

The fit: The shell is pseudo-custom, which in theory allows for all day comfort. While many companies attempt this style, the only other IEM I have with comparable ergonomics is the DUNU SA6. The nozzles are a little wider and longer than typical IEMs. This could be good or bad depending on your ear canal shape. The real Achilles Heel for fit is the lack of venting. The result of this design choice is that Moondrop effectively created acyclic earplugs. This makes it very difficult to prevent pressure build up during insertion and removal. As a result, I often feel the urge to pop my ears while I have these in. On the positive side, isolation is well above average.

The sound: The bass is primarily sub-bass focused. This creates a satisfying rumble. In contrast, the upper bass and lower mids are both relatively recessed. While there is some sense of punch, lower register instruments tend to sound anemic. The pinna gain is substantial on the S8. This results in very clear and forward upper register instruments, but some may find it boarders on being shouty. On the top end, the treble is balanced and energetic. There is a good sense of detail in these upper frequencies. Personally I love this amount of detail, but some again may find it fatiguing over time. Lastly macro dynamics is not a strength for this set. This is the ability of an IEM to replicate the tactility instruments. I find the sound as a whole keeps a relatively constant volume, which leads to a less lifelike more machine-like presentation.

If the pressure build up doesn't bother you, I'd recommend these to someone looking for that extra level of treble detail who's library is mainly focused on acoustic and female centric vocals.

If I were to make a short list of improvements, they would be:
- Add a vent to prevent pressure build up
- Add a lip and filter to the end of the nozzle
- Increase the lower mids and upper bass energy to better replicate lower register instruments
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SammyG

New Head-Fier
Class Leading (With Comparisons)
Pros: Compact Size
Incredible fit that disappears in ears
Grand Soundstage with Great Width/Depth
Impactful, yet well controlled and detailed bass
Natural sounding forward mids with great detail for the price
Detailed highs with great extension, never sibilant
Goes toe-to-toe with more expensive, class leading earphones
Cons: Accessories lacking for price tier
Build quality is average, seams are very visible
Sound filters are a little gimmicky but do make cleaning a breeze (The treble filter provides the most balanced & detailed sound, the remaining only reduce treble and upper mids)
Doesn't stand out as a premium looking earphone (maybe also a pro)
Cable feels cheap, and L/R designations are nearly impossible to see
Imaging is just average for the price
Comparisons (Using Treble Filter):

Moondrop S8 (699 MSRP): Furai is more comfortable and has superior bass with body and impact. Moondrop's lower mids and upper bass are very thin, making it feel anemic in comparison to the Furai. Treble extension is about the same, but Moondrop has a more detailed treble. Moondrop's imaging is much better with air between instruments. As a result, the Moondrop handles busy tracks with ease while the furai can feel congested. Overall the Moondrop provides a more analytical sound, while the Furai has more impact and is more life-like.

Shure Aonic 4 (299 MSRP): Fit is similar, but Furai is slightly smaller. Details and staging are much better on the Furai. Imaging is about the same between the two earphones. Tonality is more natural and extended on the Furai.

Fiio FD5 (320 MSRP): Furai fit is more ergonomic and secure. Fiio's upper bass is more elevated, making the Furai sound a little more analytical, but also Fiio's bass overshadows some of its midrange details. Fiio's treble is elevated more than the Furai, which results in some listening fatigue over time and on occasion a little sibilance. Furai's imaging is more complete with each instrument's position more clearly defined. Fiio has a wide 2D soundstage. Furai has an equally wide soundstage, but also more 3D, with sounds coming all around the head. Layering is significantly better on the Furai. Fiio's accessories, cable and tip selection is better. Fiio's build quality is more high end.

Mangird Tea (299 MSRP): Furai is more comfortable, the Mangird sticks out of your ears more. Personally I prefer the appearance of the Mangird more, I find the material feeling more upscale. Detail retrieval is better on the Furai, and soundstage is superior. Mangird has a very intimate sound in comparison.

Thieaudio Clairvoyance (699 MSRP): Furai is more comfortable, the Clairvoyance's shell is large and has pressure points along the antihelix that can be fatiguing during long listening sessions. The Clairvoyance cable feels much more premium, but the adaptor system is unwieldy. Clairvoyance has even fewer accessories than the Furai. When inserting the Clairvoyance there is some driver flex, while Furai has no perceivable amount (thanks to an ear facing vent). The Clairvoyance sub-bass is slightly more elevated and is quicker. Furai's upper mids are more forward than the Clairvoyance; this leads to a more life-like and expressive sound. In comparison, the Clairvoyance has a more analytical sound that keeps everything in control. Highs on the Clairvoyance are brought forward more with better sparkle, but the Furai's treble has more weight. Overall detail retrieval is better on the Clairvoyance. Imaging is better on Clairvoyance as well, each instrument has a clearly defined location which makes busy music sound spacious. In comparison the Furai can sound a little congested on busy tracks. Soundstage width is about the same between the two, Clairvoyance has better height portrayal and Furai has better layering and depth.
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SammyG
Update: ADV Sound cleared inventory and it appears to now be discontinued. A shame, this is one of the most natural sounding units I've heard.
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