Latest Thread Images

Dunu TITAN Series (new for 2019: Titan 6) [Page 196]
Dec 10, 2014 at 1:46 AM Post #16 of 3,012
Just letting them burnt in for a few days, patient please
bigsmile_face.gif

 
Dec 10, 2014 at 6:33 PM Post #18 of 3,012
So guys, I will refrain from talking about the Alpha1 (will create its own thread in due time), and just focusing on the Titan1 here.
 
After letting it burn for a day or so, I have been very much impressed.
 
The fit is just perfect, kudos for Dunu for going back to the vintage style of earbud style with in-ear nozzle, super comfortable, and I took it out for running/gym yesterday, not once I have to adjust the position in my ear.
 
Sound wise, it reminds me a bit of H-200, great bass, wonderful treble, both are superbly extended, slightly v-shaped, with a bit of upper midrange spikes/sibilance, but almost non-existent with foam tips, overall presentation is very open and airy, feels like listening to a full size headphone.
 
More soon, if everything goes well I should have my full review out by the weekend before xmas
wink_face.gif

 
Dec 12, 2014 at 4:48 AM Post #19 of 3,012
Also heard the Titan 1 today when I met with the DUNU representatives.
 
The outward form of the Titan 1 looks just like the Superlux HD381 series, but is made from metal, so the build quality is far, far better. The inside face feels a bit like the Atomic Floyd HiDefDrum model. Overall, comfort is very good.
 
I agree that the Titan 1 sounds mildly V-shaped; there's a bit of lower midrange boost to accompany a 1-2k relaxation. Mid-highs and lower treble are fairly present, but the granularity of the treble is quite fine, so I don't feel that the Titan 1 is harsh at all. Bass speed is quite good. It's tight and solid feeling, with good slam when warranted. Detail levels and driver control are by far the best of the half-open IEM that I've had. In terms of overall sound balance, I would give top billing to the Philips Fidelio S2, but the Titan 1 imparts more character than the somewhat bland-sounding S2 (the only reason I didn't ever get a pair).
 
However, I do feel that the Titan 1 isn't as open and inviting as what I remember the HD381F and PS210 were. My EX1000 is definitely much better in this regard. However, it's probable that the environment I listened to them in (a noisy show floor) isn't conducive to my appreciating its soundstage. I wasn't able to spend a long time there, as I had other things to do.
 
The unit I was listening to apparently just got there that morning, so it was essentially a fresh pair with zero mechanical break-in. I'm not actually a big believer in break-in, but in my experience, dynamic driver IEMs take about 15-20 hours to "settle". I've heard that treated diaphragms like the titanium/mylar here, biocellulose, or liquid crystal polymer all require longer break-in times, but I've not had enough experience with them to really say. My old GR07 didn't really change much after the first 50 hours either.
 
These are just initial thoughts; DUNU will let me spend some private time with them so I can listen to them in a controlled environment.
 
​
 
As an aside, the showstopper for me was not actually the Titan 1 or Alpha 1 --- it was the DN-2000J. I thought the DN-2000 was an enjoyable earphone that was well-balanced, but the DN-2000J, aside from the smaller body, it also gets the titanium treatment for its dynamic driver and in that sense brings the bass speed and tightness to another level. The DN-2000J is easily the first "budget" hybrid that legitimately comes close to the K3003, no joke. It'll have the same shortcomings as the K3003, such as a tendency toward harshness in the treble, but midrange resolution and transparency in the DN2000J actually sounds very similar to that of the K3003. I immediately thought of the K3003 when I heard the DN2000J, whereas I never did so when I heard the other hybrids like the DN1000 and even the DN2000. Even though the only real change to the DN2000J is the titanium-treated dynamic driver, the speed and tightness of the driver boosts clarity and transparency in the midrange and treble. The DN2000, under direct A/B, sounds smoother, but also bassier and less tight overall. My ears have been a bit over-sensitive lately, so I did detect a bit too much treble spikiness characteristic of the TWFK driver, but sometimes, that just can't be helped. If the DN2000J ever makes its way out of Japan, people should definitely get it if they like the reference/treble filters of the K3003. It legitimately is the poor man's K3003.
 
Dec 17, 2014 at 11:04 AM Post #22 of 3,012
tomscy2000 said:
  Also heard the Titan 1 today when I met with the DUNU representatives.
 
The outward form of the Titan 1 looks just like the Superlux HD381 series, but is made from metal, so the build quality is far, far better. The inside face feels a bit like the Atomic Floyd HiDefDrum model. Overall, comfort is very good.
 
I agree that the Titan 1 sounds mildly V-shaped; there's a bit of lower midrange boost to accompany a 1-2k relaxation. Mid-highs and lower treble are fairly present, but the granularity of the treble is quite fine, so I don't feel that the Titan 1 is harsh at all. Bass speed is quite good. It's tight and solid feeling, with good slam when warranted. Detail levels and driver control are by far the best of the half-open IEM that I've had. In terms of overall sound balance, I would give top billing to the Philips Fidelio S2, but the Titan 1 imparts more character than the somewhat bland-sounding S2 (the only reason I didn't ever get a pair).
 
However, I do feel that the Titan 1 isn't as open and inviting as what I remember the HD381F and PS210 were. My EX1000 is definitely much better in this regard. However, it's probable that the environment I listened to them in (a noisy show floor) isn't conducive to my appreciating its soundstage. I wasn't able to spend a long time there, as I had other things to do.
 
The unit I was listening to apparently just got there that morning, so it was essentially a fresh pair with zero mechanical break-in. I'm not actually a big believer in break-in, but in my experience, dynamic driver IEMs take about 15-20 hours to "settle". I've heard that treated diaphragms like the titanium/mylar here, biocellulose, or liquid crystal polymer all require longer break-in times, but I've not had enough experience with them to really say. My old GR07 didn't really change much after the first 50 hours either.
 
These are just initial thoughts; DUNU will let me spend some private time with them so I can listen to them in a controlled environment.
 
 ​
 
As an aside, the showstopper for me was not actually the Titan 1 or Alpha 1 --- it was the DN-2000J. I thought the DN-2000 was an enjoyable earphone that was well-balanced, but the DN-2000J, aside from the smaller body, it also gets the titanium treatment for its dynamic driver and in that sense brings the bass speed and tightness to another level. The DN-2000J is easily the first "budget" hybrid that legitimately comes close to the K3003, no joke. It'll have the same shortcomings as the K3003, such as a tendency toward harshness in the treble, but midrange resolution and transparency in the DN2000J actually sounds very similar to that of the K3003. I immediately thought of the K3003 when I heard the DN2000J, whereas I never did so when I heard the other hybrids like the DN1000 and even the DN2000. Even though the only real change to the DN2000J is the titanium-treated dynamic driver, the speed and tightness of the driver boosts clarity and transparency in the midrange and treble. The DN2000, under direct A/B, sounds smoother, but also bassier and less tight overall. My ears have been a bit over-sensitive lately, so I did detect a bit too much treble spikiness characteristic of the TWFK driver, but sometimes, that just can't be helped. If the DN2000J ever makes its way out of Japan, people should definitely get it if they like the reference/treble filters of the K3003. It legitimately is the poor man's K3003.
Click to expand...

 
Thank you for the impression!  In your opinion, where do you put DN2kJ brightness/harshness in comparison to Altone200 and A83?  For me, Altone200 is no-go while A83 is very tolerable :)  So wondering where DN2000J fits?
 
Dec 20, 2014 at 7:00 AM Post #24 of 3,012
Received a pair of Dunu Titan 1 today. (thanks to Dunu and djvkool)

I'm impressed with the spaciousness and headstage proportions, I'm reminded of DN-1000 soundstage all over again. Dunu manage to nail the actual image (headstage) of their presentations, they always stands out to me as one of the better companies for this area, comfort also a strong attribute though isolation may be a downside. As for fit they plop in perfectly with a set of large Sony hybrid clones provided in the kit.

The packaging is pretty full on with the thick cardboard carton (beats we hear you) and a great amount of information on what Dunu were aiming to achieve.
 
Let me take snip of that for you guys.






 
 
The titanium coated driver they have inside is quite capable indeed, I find them very easy to listen too unlike brighter hybrids setting a fashion these days. Using FiiO X1 I could listen to ambient tracks for hours and intend on it later tonight, imaging is quite precise as is the soundstage depth and height a stand out feature, I'm also hearing quite an amount of micro detail, little nuances in tracks hindering around. They're leaning towards a slightly fun signature, slightly bass enhanced with a little throw forward in the upper mid - lower treble, so there's a nice amount of sparkle going on and decent amount of detail when called upon. They're not stepping 'too far' away from something balanced overall.

I really like them so far, It's nice to have a change from regular in-ear monitors, the design is super comfortable to wear.

Like Tomscy said in the opening post, this design is probably highly underrated on what can be achieved. 






 
Dec 20, 2014 at 12:13 PM Post #25 of 3,012
Someone should compare these to the Fidelio S2.
 
Dec 20, 2014 at 1:40 PM Post #26 of 3,012
The main thing I like about them is the sparkle of the treble --- present, but not harsh. I do wish they had lesser lower midrange and more "central" midrange (1-2 kHz), which would greatly change the midrange profile of the earphones and improve transparency. Bass is, well, more than I would like, but relatively balanced overall, especially for its intended price range and target audience. Bass texture and detail is pretty good too.
 
Dec 20, 2014 at 1:59 PM Post #27 of 3,012
tomscy2000 said:
  The main thing I like about them is the sparkle of the treble --- present, but not harsh. I do wish they had lesser lower midrange and more "central" midrange (1-2 kHz), which would greatly change the midrange profile of the earphones and improve transparency. Bass is, well, more than I would like, but relatively balanced overall, especially for its intended price range and target audience. Bass texture and detail is pretty good too.
Click to expand...

 
Wondering if medium or wide bore tips can improve that?
 
Dec 20, 2014 at 2:11 PM Post #29 of 3,012
tomscy2000 said:
 
Doubtful. The horn effect usually only comes into effect >5 kHz, and these horn diameter ratios are so low relative to length that the horn effect usually affects only the uppermost treble response.
Click to expand...

 
Agree, but sometimes higher quantity of upper frequencies "fixes" the perception of overall balance :wink:  Either way, I should be getting one of these as well, and will share my impressions once I have it!
 
Dec 20, 2014 at 3:09 PM Post #30 of 3,012
twister6 said:
   
Agree, but sometimes higher quantity of upper frequencies "fixes" the perception of overall balance :wink:  Either way, I should be getting one of these as well, and will share my impressions once I have it!
Click to expand...

 
Not in this case. When I mean upper frequencies, I mean >12 kHz. Those frequencies contribute less to the perception of midrange presence, as it only plays a very supporting role in the natural voicing of the midrange. Midrange transparency is dominated by relative levels between 600-1000 Hz, 800-2700 Hz, and 2500-4500 Hz, or thereabout.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Users who are viewing this thread

Total: 3 (members: 0, guests: 3)
Back
Top