Multi-IEM Review - 286 IEMs compared (LG Quadbeat & TDK MT300 Added 06/16/13 p.711) - Page 586

Joker,

Are entry level custom IEMs such as Alclair Reference any better than a high end universal IEM such as Westone 4 in terms of SQ assuming isolation is comparable?  I can buy W4 for $350 or buy a custom IEM which will cost me around $500 with impressions, shipping etc. Whats your take on this ?

(2B19) Dunu I 3C-S
 

Added Nov 2012

Details: Single-armature earphone from Dunu
Current Price: $119 from ebay.com (MSRP: $119.99)
Specs: Driver: BA | Imp: 10Ω | Sens: 105 dB | Freq: 16-22k Hz | Cable: 4' L-plug
Nozzle Size: 3.5mm | Preferred tips: MEElec A151 single-flanges; Shure gray flex
Wear Style: Over-the-ear

Accessories (5/5) - Single-flange standard (3 sizes), Hybrid-style (4 pairs in 3 sizes) and bi-flange silicone tips, shirt clip, cable guides, ¼” adapter, airline adapter, impedance adapter, cleaning cloth, drawstring carrying pouch, and crushproof metal carrying case
Build Quality (4/5) – The construction of the I 3C-S doesn’t feel as heavy-duty as that of the other Dunu earphones but is still above average. In contrast to other Dunu models, the housings of the I 3C-S are made out of lightweight plastic and the cables are only average in thickness. In addition, the strain reliefs are too hard for my liking and the nozzle filters come off too easily. The L-plug is well-relieved, however, and the cable features all of the usual Dunu enhancements including sliding cinch and integrated cable wrap
Isolation (3.5/5) – The housings seem to favor a relatively shallow insertion. Isolation is average for a BA-based earphone.
Microphonics (4.5/5) – Very little cable noise is present
Comfort (4/5) - The housings are lightweight and comfortable but on the large side for a single BA. Also, while I like the wide tip selection in theory, some of the eartips provided with the I 3C-S didn’t stay on the nozzles well enough for my liking

Sound (8.1/10) – Dunu’s first proper armature-based earphone, the I 3C-S is a mid-centric affair with sound characteristics typical of a mid-tier single-armature setup. Dunu includes an impedance adapter with the I 3C-S for a reason – the earphones benefit from the extra impedance, and not only because the output impedance of a source can interact with the low impedance of the earphones. Even with my Fiio E7, which has notably low output impedance, the I 3C-S sounds better when the adapter is used. The bass response is better in quality, appearing tighter and flatter, and the overall balance is improved with slightly brighter, better-defined treble and less dominant mids.

In general, the sound of the I 3C-S is hardly unique in the world of single-driver monitors. The bass is quick and clean, with mild deep bass roll-off. As expected, it can appear a touch lean next to many dynamic-driver monitors, including Dunu’s own DN-19 Tai Chi, but lacks some crispness and definition next to more analytical armature-based sets such as the MEElec A161P (Fischer SBA-03) and the dual-BA Rock-It Sounds R-50. Tonally, the I 3C-S is very slightly warm – warmer, for example, than the HiFiMan RE-ZERO but not quite as warm as the bassier Rock-It Sounds R-30.

The midrange of the Dunus is clean-sounding and very prominent. The I 3C-S is a mid-centric earphone but the mids are not pushed forward as much as with the Rock-It R-30, resulting in better overall balance (better still when the impedance adapter is used). Detail levels are good and the background is darker compared to the R-30, with the I 3C-S sounding clearer and more transparent. It’s clearer, more forward, and more intelligible also than Dunu’s DN-19 model, which sounds veiled in comparison. Note thickness is rather good for a single BA.

At the top, the I 3C-S remains clean and resolving. It sounds smooth, but is still more revealing than the Rock-It single-armature earphones, making both the R-20 and R-30 sound smoothed-over and lacking in refinement. The I 3C-S is still rather light on treble sparkle and less extended at the top than the HiFiMan RE-ZERO and MEElec A161P, but also not as grainy as the latter. The presentation is wide with good instrument separation. The I 3C-S is more spacious compared to the Rock-It R-30, though it can sound rather intimate with some tracks due to the forward midrange.

Value (7.5/10) – The Dunu I 3C-S is more unique in name than design, with clean if slightly mid-centric sonic performance delivered by a single balanced armature driver. There’s quite a bit of competition among armature-based earphones at and below its price point, however, and while it is one of the better single BA tunings I’ve heard, the I 3C-S has trouble pulling itself above similarly-priced dual-armature designs. All in all, the earphones do make for a well-rounded, non-fatiguing introduction to BA sound and are redeemed as a total package by a well thought-out accessory kit, good build quality, and the lightweight, over-the-ear design.

Pros: Clear, slightly mid-centric sound; great accessory kit; very low cable noise
Cons: Sounds best with included impedance adapter


(2B20) Dunu DN-19 Tai Chi

Added Nov 2012

Details: Dunu’s current dynamic-driver flagship featuring a vent tuning system
Current Price: $133 from ebay.com (MSRP: $133)
Specs: Driver: Dynamic | Imp: 16Ω | Sens: 100 dB | Freq: 16-26k Hz | Cable: 4.2' L-plug
Nozzle Size: 4mm | Preferred tips: Stock silicone (gray)
Wear Style: Over-the-ear

Accessories (5/5) - Single-flange (3 sizes) and Hybrid-style (4 pairs in 3 sizes) silicone tips, shirt clip, cable guides, ¼” adapter, airline adapter, 10 pairs of vent plugs, cleaning cloth, plastic eartip/accessory organizer, drawstring carrying pouch, and crushproof metal carrying case
Build Quality (4.5/5) – The housings of Dunu’s new flagship are plastic but still convey the same solidity as the company’s metal-shelled earphones. The quality of the materials is excellent and the Yin-Yang design on the faceplate is very discreet. The housings have protruding tuning ports that can be left open or plugged with the included dampers. The tiny plugs are plastic and feel a bit low-grade compared to the rest of the earphone, especially considering they can become loose with use. Mercifully, 10 pairs are included for when they get lost or damaged. The cables are thicker than those of the I 3C-S model and the L-plug is well-relieved
Isolation (4/5) – The ergonomic housings allow for a reasonably deep seal to be attained and isolation is good
Microphonics (4.5/5) – Some cable noise is present in the slightly stiff cord but a shirt clip, cable guides, and sliding cinch are all included to help mitigate microphonics
Comfort (4/5) – The DN-19 is designed for an over-the-ear fit, with good overall ergonomics reminiscent of the Sennheiser IE6. The housings contain 10mm drivers but aren’t too large. However, though the tuning vents were designed to exit the ear comfortably, their location may still cause issues for those with smaller ears

Sound (8.3/10) – First, a note on the tuning system. The Tai Chi has only two inherent configurations – closed-vent and open-vent. Dunu recommends tip rolling for even more extreme results and, as advertised, the thicker narrow-channel Hybrid-style tips are good for a bassier sound while the softer wide-channel gray tips provide lesser bass quantity. The tips do make a difference, but for those already familiar with tip rolling that shouldn’t come as a surprise.

The vent system is interesting, however. It is very obvious that more air is moved when the vent is left open, resulting bass that is deeper and fuller but also looser and softer of note. The difference in bass quantity is quite large – the DN-19 can go from sounding relatively accurate, with bass quantity slightly lower than that of the VSonic GR06, to an earphone that’s very hard-hitting, deep, and rumbly, a competitor for Monster Turbines and the like. I vastly preferred the vents closed in all of my listening but those willing to live with boomier, albeit more powerful, bass may prefer to keep the vents open.

In general, the bass of the DN-19 is full and impactful but far from overwhelming with the vents closed. Like all of the Dunu dynamics, it’s not a very quick-sounding earphone—definitely no match for Dunu’s I 3C-S model—but sounds natural and pleasant. With the vents closed the bass is quite linear—compared to the VSonic GR06, for example, the Tai Chi has slightly more deep bass and less mid-bass. As a result, the Tai Chi is slightly more neutral in tone and boasts a very easy-going bass presentation.

The midrange of the Tai Chi is rather level but a bit laid-back in terms of emphasis, in stark contrast to the forward mids of Dunu’s similarly-priced I 3C-S. It doesn’t have the greatest clarity, sounding veiled compared to Dunu’s I 3C-S and sets such as the HiFiMan RE-ZERO but still slightly clearer than that of the VSonic GR06. Overall, the mids of the Tai Chi are smooth and rather natural-sounding, with good note thickness and only a slight lack of clarity.

The treble, likewise, is smooth and forgiving. There is no harshness or sibilance with either vent configuration. Compared to the more revealing I 3C-S and other sets such as the HiFiMan RE-ZERO and HiSound Crystal, the treble of the Tai Chi is laid-back and very easy-going. Top-end extension is good but again the note presentation just isn’t very crisp or energetic, as is the case with the DN-17 and DN-18 models.

The presentation of the DN-19 is expectedly a touch laid back, but with good overall space and a coherent presentation. The DN-19 is capable of placing vocals front and center when necessary, especially when the vents are closed and the bass isn’t overwhelmingly powerful. Not being a particularly quick earphone, it can get congested at times but otherwise manages an airier and more spacious sound than, for example, the VSonic GR06 and HiSound Crystal.

Value (8.5/10) – Dunu’s new flagship is an impressive all-rounder, easily the company’s best-sounding and most distinctive earphone. In typical Dunu fashion it provides a very thoughtful accessory kit and great build quality, but also adds an ergonomic fit and variable-bass sound tuning system, all wrapped up in a unique design. The tuning system of the DN-19 doesn’t quite provide two sound signatures in one as some may hope, but it does greatly affect the way bass is presented. Overall sound quality is good, with variable bass quantity underscoring the capable mids and smooth, extended treble. It may not have the clarity of the armature-based I 3C-S model, but the smooth and forgiving signature should work for a variety of genres and listening preferences. 

Pros: Tuning system makes a difference in bass performance; good build quality; great accessory kit; comfortable fit
Cons: Tuning dampers feel cheap compared to the rest of the kit; clarity and transparency lag behind some of the competition

 arigatou!

PS: the 3c-s isnt the first Dunu BA. the Ares and Crius were

Yes I noticed that too

Great reviews on these, hope to see reviews on the Rockit Sounds R-50 and TDK BA-200 too