I got these from a trade with a friend recently and this is a personal unit.
The unboxing experience for the Dusk is fine for the price point, nothing too fancy but it comes with all the necessary items (spring tips, 3.5mm cable, DSP cable, carrying pouch and the iems.)
I like the faceplate design but I personally would prefer a semi-transparent and darker shell, since I see glue inside the shell between the faceplate and the shell from the outside of the shell. I feel like using a darker, half-transparent shell would make it look nicer and more harmonious with the black faceplate. I do get why they chose a transparent shell though since they need to match their brand's aesthetic, so this is just my two cents on the design. The leather case is pretty nice too. The 3D print shell is really nice and fits well on my ears.
I know that many people mentioned that it has to be used with the DSP cable, but I did not expect how bad it sounded with the stock 3.5mm cable, I personally think it is terrible with the stock cable so I recommend getting another cable if you plan to use it without the DSP cable. I tried it with my Toxic Cable BW26 and it sounded a lot better than the stock cable. I think getting some entry cables from big-name brands would be a lot better as well and you should be able to get one under $100.
However, it does sound very good with the DSP cable and I think it is super convenient for most people. The Dusk is very balanced with a slight sub-bass boost, and it is a safe tuning but doesn't sound boring. Clarity is fine for the price, and you can hear most of the details that are in the music. It sounded slightly warm and I prefer it over cold-sounding iems. Soundstage is slightly above average, it doesn't sound too close in your face. Vocal is great with the Dusk as well. The DSP cable made it very simple out of the box as well, you just need a phone and you are good to go, which is what I really like about the Dusk. There is a hint of BA timbre but I think it is acceptable, if the vocals were slightly smoother it would be more to my preference.
I used it mainly without the app, due to the app being kinda janky, I did try it with the other tunings with the app but I feel like the default DSP tuning sounded the best so I just uninstalled it and use it without the app. I saw some people saying the DSP cable has some QC issues but I haven't encountered it yet. I am using iPhone 15 and didn't hear background noise as well.
Also if you were to tip roll the Dusk, I found that many tips would slip out of the nozzle as it does not have a lip on it, so I just use the stock Moondrop spring tips and call it a day.
Tuning-wise it is more balanced and more all-rounded than the typical Moondrop offerings such as the Katos. I personally preferred it over the Dunu Davinci that I sold recently as well as I think the Dusk is less fatiguing to listen to for a longer period and it sounded more balanced than the Davinci. The Davinci has more bass and is more fun but more fatiguing to listen to for a longer period.
Overall I do like the tuning of it, the MSRP is fine in today's market but you have many options now. It is a great all-around iem if you plan to use it with the DSP cable. I am using this iem mainly as a travelling iem and it serves me well. I would definitely recommend it to my friends who are getting into the audio world if they are looking for an iem if they are fine with using the DSP cable.
Small update: AZLA SednaEarfit eartip is a great fit, it has the grip to stay on the nozzle and gave me a way better seal than the spring tips, will give it 4.5 stars paired with the ALZA tips.
Bass: 7.5/10
Mids: 8.5/10
Treble: 8/10
Tuning: 8.5/10
Fatiguability (higher score = less fatiguing to listen to): 8.5/10
Price to performance ratio (MSRP): 7/10
Overall: 8/10 (4 stars)
The unboxing experience for the Dusk is fine for the price point, nothing too fancy but it comes with all the necessary items (spring tips, 3.5mm cable, DSP cable, carrying pouch and the iems.)
I like the faceplate design but I personally would prefer a semi-transparent and darker shell, since I see glue inside the shell between the faceplate and the shell from the outside of the shell. I feel like using a darker, half-transparent shell would make it look nicer and more harmonious with the black faceplate. I do get why they chose a transparent shell though since they need to match their brand's aesthetic, so this is just my two cents on the design. The leather case is pretty nice too. The 3D print shell is really nice and fits well on my ears.
I know that many people mentioned that it has to be used with the DSP cable, but I did not expect how bad it sounded with the stock 3.5mm cable, I personally think it is terrible with the stock cable so I recommend getting another cable if you plan to use it without the DSP cable. I tried it with my Toxic Cable BW26 and it sounded a lot better than the stock cable. I think getting some entry cables from big-name brands would be a lot better as well and you should be able to get one under $100.
However, it does sound very good with the DSP cable and I think it is super convenient for most people. The Dusk is very balanced with a slight sub-bass boost, and it is a safe tuning but doesn't sound boring. Clarity is fine for the price, and you can hear most of the details that are in the music. It sounded slightly warm and I prefer it over cold-sounding iems. Soundstage is slightly above average, it doesn't sound too close in your face. Vocal is great with the Dusk as well. The DSP cable made it very simple out of the box as well, you just need a phone and you are good to go, which is what I really like about the Dusk. There is a hint of BA timbre but I think it is acceptable, if the vocals were slightly smoother it would be more to my preference.
I used it mainly without the app, due to the app being kinda janky, I did try it with the other tunings with the app but I feel like the default DSP tuning sounded the best so I just uninstalled it and use it without the app. I saw some people saying the DSP cable has some QC issues but I haven't encountered it yet. I am using iPhone 15 and didn't hear background noise as well.
Also if you were to tip roll the Dusk, I found that many tips would slip out of the nozzle as it does not have a lip on it, so I just use the stock Moondrop spring tips and call it a day.
Tuning-wise it is more balanced and more all-rounded than the typical Moondrop offerings such as the Katos. I personally preferred it over the Dunu Davinci that I sold recently as well as I think the Dusk is less fatiguing to listen to for a longer period and it sounded more balanced than the Davinci. The Davinci has more bass and is more fun but more fatiguing to listen to for a longer period.
Overall I do like the tuning of it, the MSRP is fine in today's market but you have many options now. It is a great all-around iem if you plan to use it with the DSP cable. I am using this iem mainly as a travelling iem and it serves me well. I would definitely recommend it to my friends who are getting into the audio world if they are looking for an iem if they are fine with using the DSP cable.
Small update: AZLA SednaEarfit eartip is a great fit, it has the grip to stay on the nozzle and gave me a way better seal than the spring tips, will give it 4.5 stars paired with the ALZA tips.
Bass: 7.5/10
Mids: 8.5/10
Treble: 8/10
Tuning: 8.5/10
Fatiguability (higher score = less fatiguing to listen to): 8.5/10
Price to performance ratio (MSRP): 7/10
Overall: 8/10 (4 stars)
In this review, I will only talk about the sound and my experience with the IEM.
Long story short, the Dusk is an IEM that requires considerable time for people to understand what it can do and how to use it correctly (At least for me).
On 9/2024, I got my Dusk and listened to it on the DSP cable for the first time. My impression that time can be concluded into one word: "BASS". As a former user of B2, the bass of the Dusk at that time was kinda too much for me. However, the more I listened to it the more I came to get addicted to how rumbling the Dusk sounds while maintaining the clarity of the midrange, regarding the superior technicalities compared to the B2. You can say that the DSP tuning is to the liking of the majority of people, who listen mostly to rap, pop, and EDM. On the other hand, although the mid provided great clarity and coherency, the vocals could never shine on this kind of tuning as it became the very opposite of forward. Most of the time, I found the vocals sank in the track where different instruments and things were going on.
Turning to the 3.5mm cable, as I plugged directly into my computer, I found myself in great disappointment. It was just like the Dusk lost its strong point: the bass was anemic and amateur while the treble was way too bright and sharp for my ears. Fortunately, the soundstage and mid did not change. The vocal seems a bit forward compared to the DSP tuning. But to be honest, the dusk with 3.5mm cable sounded so bad that I even found some KZs sounded better. At that time, I felt like my money was wasted on the Dusk in analog mode and promised to only use it with the DSP cable.
That way, my taste in music gradually turned from vocal eccentric tracks to Rap. I craved nothing but the high-quality bass that the Dusk provided. However, as time went on, I realized that the DSP cable was too much of an inconvenience. The first reason is the fact that I could not connect it to some devices, in particular, my iPhone. You know, sometimes you just want to go outside with a pair of IEM listening to music but with my iPhone and the Dusk, I could not do it, which is extremely frustrating. The second reason is the sensitivity of the Dusk. The more I used it, the more I felt like there was a hissing noise while playing classical tracks. I do not know if this is due to the DSP cable or the Dusk itself but that noise is right there. That was also part of the reason why I mostly listened to Rap using Dusk as the bass could kind of make me forget about the hissing noise.
This is when I started to be depressed about the Dusk. I even had the intention to sell it as I thought this IEM was not worth it. Listening to the DSP tuning of the Dusk did me dirty as all I cared about was bass and how it hit in rap songs. I no longer cared about other things such as mid, treble, or soundstage. "If an IEM hits bass the hardest, it is the greatest" - kind of mindset. Fortunately, it came to an end.
As I researched ways to make my Dusk worth the money, I found out that the Dusk in analog mode takes a dedicated amount of power and source. So I chose a portable one that can provide those: FiiO Q3.
Now we are talking, the Dusk in analog mode with a great source is the IEM that I consider worth the money (or maybe this is the doing of Fiio Q3). It is nothing like the DSP mode, the Dusk in analog mode can be seen as a vocal-eccentric IEM. I am not great at describing things so in summary, it sounds like a B2 with greater technicalities, timbre with elevated high mid. The bass is not much but tighter and has enough thumps. High mid is like the very main point of the Dusk: Sounds extremely smooth but no sharpness is present. Vocals now feel natural and forward. And the most important things are imaging and soundstage gets taken to another level, which makes the experience of listening to the Dusk feel like the singer is right in front of you.
The hissing noise that I mentioned is gone using a 4.2mm balanced cable (it is still there using a 3.5mm cable so I guess that noise is related to the sensitivity of the Dusk).
Overall, it was a long journey to finally properly use the Dusk. Right now, I can say that the Dusk is worth my money (or maybe this is the doing of FiiO Q3, I never know). It goes to my taste as the vocals and instruments really shine and feel natural on this IEM. I also really enjoyed the Dusk in DSP mode but I wish I could have this experience without using DSP. Maybe I will get a mk2 in the future.
Thank you for reading this post till the end and I wish you guys a happy new year.
Long story short, the Dusk is an IEM that requires considerable time for people to understand what it can do and how to use it correctly (At least for me).
On 9/2024, I got my Dusk and listened to it on the DSP cable for the first time. My impression that time can be concluded into one word: "BASS". As a former user of B2, the bass of the Dusk at that time was kinda too much for me. However, the more I listened to it the more I came to get addicted to how rumbling the Dusk sounds while maintaining the clarity of the midrange, regarding the superior technicalities compared to the B2. You can say that the DSP tuning is to the liking of the majority of people, who listen mostly to rap, pop, and EDM. On the other hand, although the mid provided great clarity and coherency, the vocals could never shine on this kind of tuning as it became the very opposite of forward. Most of the time, I found the vocals sank in the track where different instruments and things were going on.
Turning to the 3.5mm cable, as I plugged directly into my computer, I found myself in great disappointment. It was just like the Dusk lost its strong point: the bass was anemic and amateur while the treble was way too bright and sharp for my ears. Fortunately, the soundstage and mid did not change. The vocal seems a bit forward compared to the DSP tuning. But to be honest, the dusk with 3.5mm cable sounded so bad that I even found some KZs sounded better. At that time, I felt like my money was wasted on the Dusk in analog mode and promised to only use it with the DSP cable.
That way, my taste in music gradually turned from vocal eccentric tracks to Rap. I craved nothing but the high-quality bass that the Dusk provided. However, as time went on, I realized that the DSP cable was too much of an inconvenience. The first reason is the fact that I could not connect it to some devices, in particular, my iPhone. You know, sometimes you just want to go outside with a pair of IEM listening to music but with my iPhone and the Dusk, I could not do it, which is extremely frustrating. The second reason is the sensitivity of the Dusk. The more I used it, the more I felt like there was a hissing noise while playing classical tracks. I do not know if this is due to the DSP cable or the Dusk itself but that noise is right there. That was also part of the reason why I mostly listened to Rap using Dusk as the bass could kind of make me forget about the hissing noise.
This is when I started to be depressed about the Dusk. I even had the intention to sell it as I thought this IEM was not worth it. Listening to the DSP tuning of the Dusk did me dirty as all I cared about was bass and how it hit in rap songs. I no longer cared about other things such as mid, treble, or soundstage. "If an IEM hits bass the hardest, it is the greatest" - kind of mindset. Fortunately, it came to an end.
As I researched ways to make my Dusk worth the money, I found out that the Dusk in analog mode takes a dedicated amount of power and source. So I chose a portable one that can provide those: FiiO Q3.
Now we are talking, the Dusk in analog mode with a great source is the IEM that I consider worth the money (or maybe this is the doing of Fiio Q3). It is nothing like the DSP mode, the Dusk in analog mode can be seen as a vocal-eccentric IEM. I am not great at describing things so in summary, it sounds like a B2 with greater technicalities, timbre with elevated high mid. The bass is not much but tighter and has enough thumps. High mid is like the very main point of the Dusk: Sounds extremely smooth but no sharpness is present. Vocals now feel natural and forward. And the most important things are imaging and soundstage gets taken to another level, which makes the experience of listening to the Dusk feel like the singer is right in front of you.
The hissing noise that I mentioned is gone using a 4.2mm balanced cable (it is still there using a 3.5mm cable so I guess that noise is related to the sensitivity of the Dusk).
Overall, it was a long journey to finally properly use the Dusk. Right now, I can say that the Dusk is worth my money (or maybe this is the doing of FiiO Q3, I never know). It goes to my taste as the vocals and instruments really shine and feel natural on this IEM. I also really enjoyed the Dusk in DSP mode but I wish I could have this experience without using DSP. Maybe I will get a mk2 in the future.
Thank you for reading this post till the end and I wish you guys a happy new year.
B
baenkhai310
sry for the low quality image 
INTRO
Welcome to the Critica Actual review. Today it's time to talk about an iem from a brand that I like the way they do things. The moondrop dusk. This iem is a collaboration with the critic Crinacle. Hated by some and revered by others.
On the channel we have been moving up the Moondrop category. I tried the Aria, I loved it for the price and today I consider it one of the most fun I've tried from the brand. Then we saw the Kato, an iem that left me wanting more, although it wasn't bad at all considering the release date, competition. Then we saw the supposed improvement of Moondrop's most famous iem, the Blessing 2. Version 3, as I said in the video, is an iem that honestly isn't a big leap in sonic quality compared to the Blessing 2 but, even so, I do consider it to be a good product for certain functions and one of the best for the price.
This Dusk seems to repeat the same. A profile that isn't all-terrain but is less clinical than the Blessing 3 but still bears that Moondrop signature. A style more focused on neutrality and "correct sound" rather than an explosive, musical sound... as other iems can exhibit.
On the channel we have been moving up the Moondrop category. I tried the Aria, I loved it for the price and today I consider it one of the most fun I've tried from the brand. Then we saw the Kato, an iem that left me wanting more, although it wasn't bad at all considering the release date, competition. Then we saw the supposed improvement of Moondrop's most famous iem, the Blessing 2. Version 3, as I said in the video, is an iem that honestly isn't a big leap in sonic quality compared to the Blessing 2 but, even so, I do consider it to be a good product for certain functions and one of the best for the price.
This Dusk seems to repeat the same. A profile that isn't all-terrain but is less clinical than the Blessing 3 but still bears that Moondrop signature. A style more focused on neutrality and "correct sound" rather than an explosive, musical sound... as other iems can exhibit.
UNBOXING SECTION (IMPRESSIONS)
The Moondrop Dusk unboxing feels very complete. One of the best I've seen for these prices. Well presented and you have everything. Later I will go into the quality of certain components.
We have a large box where there are compartments to store things. We have the iem well stored, a very very good case. Now you will be seeing it better. It feels very solid, spacious...one of the best cases I've tried.
On the other hand, we have the cables. And yes, I say cables because this iem has a 1.2 meter cable with 2 pins to 3.5mm jack and another cable to use it with a mobile device or computer since it has a USB-C termination. In my case I have tested it with Android in version 14 and it works well. The application also allows you to equalize and adjust the sound to your liking.
Flawed yet Perfect; a Dusk treatise
We have a large box where there are compartments to store things. We have the iem well stored, a very very good case. Now you will be seeing it better. It feels very solid, spacious...one of the best cases I've tried.
On the other hand, we have the cables. And yes, I say cables because this iem has a 1.2 meter cable with 2 pins to 3.5mm jack and another cable to use it with a mobile device or computer since it has a USB-C termination. In my case I have tested it with Android in version 14 and it works well. The application also allows you to equalize and adjust the sound to your liking.
As if that were not enough, we have ear tips of different types and sizes and the classic waifu and papers of the brand.
The iem itself is medium-sized, tending to large, transparent and with a plate that reminds of a higher range like the Moondrop DarkSaber. I find it pretty and elegant; honestly I like it more than the Blessing 3. Its insertion is deep and has good passive isolation. Similar to the Blessing 3 but slightly worse than the Variations.
In general it feels truly complete and I really appreciate that so many things come. So far so good. Now what I like least is the feel of the cable. I don't say quality because I think it will be similar to others, but the feel of the original 3.5mm Jack cable is somewhat cheap. A very malleable cable that doesn't seem to me to be up to par with the IEM. The other cable feels better.
Another thing that I found worthy of mention is that the dark plate feels placed on the cover in a more rudimentary way. A blend with the rest of the body of the IEM or making the entire IEM more homogeneous would have been a better idea.
The iem itself is medium-sized, tending to large, transparent and with a plate that reminds of a higher range like the Moondrop DarkSaber. I find it pretty and elegant; honestly I like it more than the Blessing 3. Its insertion is deep and has good passive isolation. Similar to the Blessing 3 but slightly worse than the Variations.
In general it feels truly complete and I really appreciate that so many things come. So far so good. Now what I like least is the feel of the cable. I don't say quality because I think it will be similar to others, but the feel of the original 3.5mm Jack cable is somewhat cheap. A very malleable cable that doesn't seem to me to be up to par with the IEM. The other cable feels better.
Another thing that I found worthy of mention is that the dark plate feels placed on the cover in a more rudimentary way. A blend with the rest of the body of the IEM or making the entire IEM more homogeneous would have been a better idea.
SOUND
Before evaluating the sound, it should be noted that, as I said, this product has two cables. And yes, there are sonic differences. The USB-C cable allows you to equalize the sound with the application. Honestly, you can make it more fun or leave it more to your liking, but I think the Moondrop signature dissipates if you equalize it. Also, I feel that with the DSP cable you lose some resolution and small nuances. Regarding the sound, I want to make it clear that my words from now on will refer to the wired version. The 3.5mm Jack.
We have a neutral profile, not very different from the sonic experience of the Blessing 3. Classic Moondrop profile, refined but honestly does not give you a feeling of wow or leave you wanting more. The best thing about Moondrop IEMs is usually the tone and this one is no exception. Good IEM for genres such as jazz or acoustic.
The bass is emphasized or more than the Blessing 3 version, the mids are clear and detailed, and the highs have a good extension without being tiring. The goal of this setting is to offer a pleasant listening experience for a variety of musical genres, without losing details but honestly it does not seem to me to be the most musical sound. It is correct, quite technical in some areas, but that's it.
SOUND SECTION – BASS
We have a neutral profile, not very different from the sonic experience of the Blessing 3. Classic Moondrop profile, refined but honestly does not give you a feeling of wow or leave you wanting more. The best thing about Moondrop IEMs is usually the tone and this one is no exception. Good IEM for genres such as jazz or acoustic.
The bass is emphasized or more than the Blessing 3 version, the mids are clear and detailed, and the highs have a good extension without being tiring. The goal of this setting is to offer a pleasant listening experience for a variety of musical genres, without losing details but honestly it does not seem to me to be the most musical sound. It is correct, quite technical in some areas, but that's it.
SOUND SECTION – BASS
The Moondrop x Crinacle Dusk’s bass range is one of the most improved points compared to other models in the Blessing series. Crinacle wanted to bring more body and depth to the low frequencies, maintaining control, but avoiding excess reverb.
The sub-bass is deep and present, although I would have liked more rumble. There is more extension in the lower frequencies than in other models, giving a deep, satisfying punch that is felt without being oppressive. The mid-bass has good presence, but without muddying the mids. This is key, as the Dusk maintains a detailed texture in this range, allowing low instruments (such as bass or kick drums) to feel impactful, but defined. There is no “bloat” feeling.
As for speed, the bass is fast and well controlled. It doesn’t have the slowness or lack of definition that sometimes appears in IEMs (in-ear monitors) with emphasized bass.
SOUND SECTION – MIDS
The sub-bass is deep and present, although I would have liked more rumble. There is more extension in the lower frequencies than in other models, giving a deep, satisfying punch that is felt without being oppressive. The mid-bass has good presence, but without muddying the mids. This is key, as the Dusk maintains a detailed texture in this range, allowing low instruments (such as bass or kick drums) to feel impactful, but defined. There is no “bloat” feeling.
As for speed, the bass is fast and well controlled. It doesn’t have the slowness or lack of definition that sometimes appears in IEMs (in-ear monitors) with emphasized bass.
SOUND SECTION – MIDS
The Dusk’s mids are detailed and well balanced, ensuring excellent reproduction of vocals and melodic instruments, such as guitars, pianos or strings. It is a midrange that I would call audiophile because it is correct, without excesses, very good decay, but it is not for everyone because it is not quite as musical as I would like for more all-rounder use.
Even though the bass has a boost, the lower mids maintain good clarity and are not invaded by the bass. This helps the music maintain a good sense of warmth without getting dirty. Instruments that inhabit this area, such as guitars or certain keyboards, have a rich and natural texture.
This is where the Dusk excels in terms of detail and clarity. Vocals, Both male and female, are especially clear and present. Vocals have an excellent position within the mix, sounding natural and without standing out in an artificial or exaggerated way.
The high mids are also well worked, avoiding any kind of peaks that could result in hearing fatigue or sibilance. This is especially noticeable in the reproduction of female voices or instruments such as violins, where the high mids can stand out but without being annoying or too bright.
SOUND SECTION – TREBLE
Even though the bass has a boost, the lower mids maintain good clarity and are not invaded by the bass. This helps the music maintain a good sense of warmth without getting dirty. Instruments that inhabit this area, such as guitars or certain keyboards, have a rich and natural texture.
This is where the Dusk excels in terms of detail and clarity. Vocals, Both male and female, are especially clear and present. Vocals have an excellent position within the mix, sounding natural and without standing out in an artificial or exaggerated way.
The high mids are also well worked, avoiding any kind of peaks that could result in hearing fatigue or sibilance. This is especially noticeable in the reproduction of female voices or instruments such as violins, where the high mids can stand out but without being annoying or too bright.
SOUND SECTION – TREBLE
The Dusk’s treble range is one of the most balanced points. They are characterized by offering extended and well-controlled highs, with enough brightness to maintain clarity and detail, but without causing fatigue.
The Dusk’s treble has a good extension, meaning that it manages to reach the highest frequencies without losing presence. This extension adds a nice “air” to the music, improving the sense of space and depth in recordings. They do not have an excessively bright or metallic signature as could sometimes be noticed in the Quintet, which is ideal for long listening sessions.
The Dusk offers a good ability to reveal micro details in the high frequencies. Sounds like cymbals, clicks, high strings or reverberations are clear and defined, allowing you to hear even the finest nuances in recordings. This is especially useful in genres like classical music, jazz or acoustic music
In short, the highs polish and complete the tonality of the IEM giving a good, classic moondrop feeling of air and spatiality, although this is surprising because these IEMs are not the widest in terms of soundstage.
SOUND SECTION – TECHNICALITIES
The Dusk’s treble has a good extension, meaning that it manages to reach the highest frequencies without losing presence. This extension adds a nice “air” to the music, improving the sense of space and depth in recordings. They do not have an excessively bright or metallic signature as could sometimes be noticed in the Quintet, which is ideal for long listening sessions.
The Dusk offers a good ability to reveal micro details in the high frequencies. Sounds like cymbals, clicks, high strings or reverberations are clear and defined, allowing you to hear even the finest nuances in recordings. This is especially useful in genres like classical music, jazz or acoustic music
In short, the highs polish and complete the tonality of the IEM giving a good, classic moondrop feeling of air and spatiality, although this is surprising because these IEMs are not the widest in terms of soundstage.
SOUND SECTION – TECHNICALITIES
The resolution of the Dusk is excellent for its price, although not the best. It is noticeably a step better than, for example, the Clavelon Delta, an IEM that is very, very good for the price.
Instrument separation is another strong point. Although it is not the IEM with the widest soundstage, the Dusk handles separation with great skill, allowing each instrument or track in a mix to remain well defined and easy to identify, even in dense or complex compositions, and, together with the air in the treble, it tends to open up the stage more than its soundstage can, which is a little more disappointing.
It does not feel as wide or expansive as some higher-end IEMs from the brand such as the Variations. There is a good sense of depth and three-dimensional space, but smaller. It feels like a triangular scene. It tends to show the sound more centered and up front, expanding just enough on the X axis.
Where the Dusk stands out is in the placement of instruments. That is, in its image. The ability to accurately position sounds in the soundstage is the best thing about the iem for me. You can clearly locate the position of instruments or effects within the sound space, which makes it an excellent iem for musical genres that rely on good spatial localization, such as jazz or orchestral music.
Lastly, to keep it short, in terms of dynamics, it is simply decent. Nothing remarkable, although if we look at the price I think it is not good. For me it tends to be flatter and lacks in this area.
Instrument separation is another strong point. Although it is not the IEM with the widest soundstage, the Dusk handles separation with great skill, allowing each instrument or track in a mix to remain well defined and easy to identify, even in dense or complex compositions, and, together with the air in the treble, it tends to open up the stage more than its soundstage can, which is a little more disappointing.
It does not feel as wide or expansive as some higher-end IEMs from the brand such as the Variations. There is a good sense of depth and three-dimensional space, but smaller. It feels like a triangular scene. It tends to show the sound more centered and up front, expanding just enough on the X axis.
Where the Dusk stands out is in the placement of instruments. That is, in its image. The ability to accurately position sounds in the soundstage is the best thing about the iem for me. You can clearly locate the position of instruments or effects within the sound space, which makes it an excellent iem for musical genres that rely on good spatial localization, such as jazz or orchestral music.
Lastly, to keep it short, in terms of dynamics, it is simply decent. Nothing remarkable, although if we look at the price I think it is not good. For me it tends to be flatter and lacks in this area.
SUMMARY SECTION
There is little more to say about this iem. As you may have heard, we are not dealing with a top product or quality price. Certain English or Asian reviewers have put this product as one of the best for less than €800. It is a slight improvement over the Blessing 3 but it is still behind the Moondrop Variations, which is for me, the truly good and complete sub-600€ headphone from the brand.
The Dusk is an iem that not everyone will enjoy. It doesn't have very strong bass for bassheads, but it does have a good midrange, highs that sometimes lack spark or a bit more of a feeling that a higher range gives... it reminds me sometimes of the HD6 series from Sennheiser. It's not as flat as the HD600 but it feels kind of like the HD650 or 660. I don't see this IEM standing out in technical aspects or at least I expected it to be better in resolution, soundstage and dynamics. I think it can be good for genres like jazz or acoustic but little else.
That's it for the review. I hope you enjoyed it and we'll see you soon.
Sound profile: It also has a slight "V" with a focus on warmer mids and a bit more energy in the highs compared to the Dusk.
Strengths: Excellent for genres with an emphasis on vocals, good timbre in instruments and detail. Punchy bass.
Weakness: The bass is not as deep as on the Dusk, and some may find the highs "relaxed", which can like people who search a warm iem.
• Ziigaat Estrella
Sound profile: Its focus is on an attractive signature. It offers clarity in the mids and highs, but it is less warm.
Strengths: Excellent resolution and playfulness. Suitable for those who prefer a somewhat colored sound. It has more of an open soundstage feel.
Weakness: The bass is compared to the Mangird Tea Pro (but better resolution/texture). Its timbre feels less real and its imaging is slightly worse than on the Dusk.
• Moondrop Variations
Sound profile: More focused on sub-bass and extended highs, with a flatter and more technical mid response.
Strengths: Deep and authoritative sub-bass, excellent separation and imaging. Highly detailed and accurate in the highs.
Weakness: Some may find the mids a bit more withdrawn, especially compared to the Dusk and Mangird Tea Pro, making it less emotional for vocals or melodic instruments.
The Dusk is an iem that not everyone will enjoy. It doesn't have very strong bass for bassheads, but it does have a good midrange, highs that sometimes lack spark or a bit more of a feeling that a higher range gives... it reminds me sometimes of the HD6 series from Sennheiser. It's not as flat as the HD600 but it feels kind of like the HD650 or 660. I don't see this IEM standing out in technical aspects or at least I expected it to be better in resolution, soundstage and dynamics. I think it can be good for genres like jazz or acoustic but little else.
That's it for the review. I hope you enjoyed it and we'll see you soon.
COMPARISONS
• Mangird Tea ProSound profile: It also has a slight "V" with a focus on warmer mids and a bit more energy in the highs compared to the Dusk.
Strengths: Excellent for genres with an emphasis on vocals, good timbre in instruments and detail. Punchy bass.
Weakness: The bass is not as deep as on the Dusk, and some may find the highs "relaxed", which can like people who search a warm iem.
• Ziigaat Estrella
Sound profile: Its focus is on an attractive signature. It offers clarity in the mids and highs, but it is less warm.
Strengths: Excellent resolution and playfulness. Suitable for those who prefer a somewhat colored sound. It has more of an open soundstage feel.
Weakness: The bass is compared to the Mangird Tea Pro (but better resolution/texture). Its timbre feels less real and its imaging is slightly worse than on the Dusk.
• Moondrop Variations
Sound profile: More focused on sub-bass and extended highs, with a flatter and more technical mid response.
Strengths: Deep and authoritative sub-bass, excellent separation and imaging. Highly detailed and accurate in the highs.
Weakness: Some may find the mids a bit more withdrawn, especially compared to the Dusk and Mangird Tea Pro, making it less emotional for vocals or melodic instruments.
Last edited:
MakeItWain
Previously known as SemperMalum
Pros: Great detail across the entire spectrum of the frequency response
Bass is a great combination of punchy, impactful, warm without making it feel unbalanced
Mids are smooth with vocals feeling extremely natural
Technicalities, Soundstage, Separation - everything feels effortless in it's delivery
Analog Mode (w/o USB-C DSP cable but with enough power) is engaging, fun, situationally sharp but overall a great listen
DSP+ (and other tunings) take it to another level with vastly different listening experiences
DSP+ Default tuning is probably one smoothest tuning I've ever heard with absolutely zero deficiencies to me
Bass is a great combination of punchy, impactful, warm without making it feel unbalanced
Mids are smooth with vocals feeling extremely natural
Technicalities, Soundstage, Separation - everything feels effortless in it's delivery
Analog Mode (w/o USB-C DSP cable but with enough power) is engaging, fun, situationally sharp but overall a great listen
DSP+ (and other tunings) take it to another level with vastly different listening experiences
DSP+ Default tuning is probably one smoothest tuning I've ever heard with absolutely zero deficiencies to me
Cons: Analog Mode needs POWER or it will sound unbalanced (anemic bass impact, almost intolerable elevated treble)
Treble can be a bit sharp at times (Treble sensitive should only use DSP mode)
App not compatible with iPhones seems like a HUGE oversight (And I'm an Android guy)
Moondrop Link 2.0 - finicky at times. When it works, it's fine but when it doesn't, it's frustrating
Stock cable (not the DSP one) is not good. Tips are not great (this is a personal preference thing)
While relatively comfortable, Dusk is still a large/chonky boy so finding the right tips is important
A lot of competition in this arena - much more difficult to justify price considering the best version of it's tuning is locked behind DSP or more power
Treble can be a bit sharp at times (Treble sensitive should only use DSP mode)
App not compatible with iPhones seems like a HUGE oversight (And I'm an Android guy)
Moondrop Link 2.0 - finicky at times. When it works, it's fine but when it doesn't, it's frustrating
Stock cable (not the DSP one) is not good. Tips are not great (this is a personal preference thing)
While relatively comfortable, Dusk is still a large/chonky boy so finding the right tips is important
A lot of competition in this arena - much more difficult to justify price considering the best version of it's tuning is locked behind DSP or more power
TL;DR: Dusk is an amazing IEM but with a potentially confounding user experience
Overview/History
Hi all.
This is a hard IEM to review. I don't even think my TL;DR does it enough justice so I'm going to do another quick summary before I get into it.
The Moondrop x Crinacle DUSK is an amazing IEM. When the DSP cable works and/or you find the right combination of gear/power/connections/tips, it more than competes with it's peers. The biggest issue that I do have with this IEM is the fact that you have to do so much swapping to find what works. This is -not- a beginner friendly IEM. You can't just plug it into a random Dongle DAC and expect brilliance. This is going to require so much playing around with. Is it worth the effort when it's competition is as plug and play friendly as possible? I don't know. But, now that I've figured it out in my situation, I can say that the Dusk is a revelation of an IEM for me.
At the end of the day, YMMV.
The Moondrop x Crinacle DUSK has been a long time coming and was immediately backed up on orders/sold out everywhere. This is more than just a simple retuning like his prior collab with Moondrop (Blessings 2 Dusk) and hence the dropped title of Blessing 3 in this release.
*Official image*
DUSK is a Tribrid IEM (2 Dynamic Drivers + 2 Balanced Armature +2 Planar Magnetic Drivers) that comes with a traditional 3.5mm cable and the Moondrop Dusk-SP USB-C cable. Downloading the Moondrop Link 2.0 app (if you're an Android person) will give you access to preset tunings that Crinacle had set up previously.
Onto the quick obligatory disclaimer!
Disclaimers: For all intents and purposes so this is all my own subjective experience and opinions on the Dusk.
Build Quality, Comfort and Accessories
Photo dump time!
The Dusk is in a clear resin shell with a dark wood veneer that takes a design nod from the Moondrop Dark Saber. My original thought was that I was going to hate how the wood aspect looks but, after some time with it, I actually do enjoy how it looks which is almost a clean presentation.
The Dusk is a bit of a bigger IEM but I would actually say that it's not nearly as chonky as others that I've tried (Maestro SE, Dunu DaVinci, Truthear Zero Red) and the shape actually fits super comfortably in my ear. YMMV in this. From my understanding, it's not as big as prior releases but it would still be a good idea to be cognizant.
The Dusk comes with some nice accessories including a stock cable, the DSP (Dusk-SP) cable, some ear tips, an airline adapter, and a case.
With this size of an IEM, tip rolling was going to be important. The Moondrop Dusk came with some OK ear tips. I've just never been a fan of the Springtips. But, time to tip roll to find the best fit (for me)!
Tip Rolling
My collection of tips has been slowly growing.
Spinfit W1: Midbass takes the biggest hit in this case. Otherwise, sounds very open and clear. No tonal hit on mids/highs at all but keeps the sound signature well.
Final Type E - Clear/Red: Probably my 1A tips - Bass is clear and detailed, transparent - great combo. Highs can still be a bit sharp at times but went away with more time and running on balanced/more power.
TangZu SanChai - Balanced: Slightly stronger bass than the Type E Clear Red, very good combination. Highs were tamed a bit here. Slightly more detailed highs but definitely sounded more intimate.
Dunu S&S: 1B tips - my other favorite combination. Slightly less sharp than the Final Type E, maybe slightly weaker mid-bass compared to Final Type E but a bit more open sounding. It's more of a preference thing in the case of using the S&S vs the Type E.
Kiwi Ears Flex: Favorite bass tips! Treble tamed but soundstage is definitely noticeably more intimate. Vocals still sound great.
(I have not found a good fit/basis for Penon tips so I did not use them in this review)
Issue with Tip Rolling: There is no lip or anything on the nozzle for the Dusk. It's just straight, smooth bore that sticks out which means that, on more than one occasion, I had a moment of "Oh my god, the tip is stuck in my ear WTFBBQ?" - Dunu S&S and Spinfit W1 both, on several occasions, decided they were going to stay in my ear. Thankfully, it's not that hard to take them out but that is 100% something to be cognizant about.
Tip Rolling w/ DSP cable: Final Type E Clear/Red win here for me. By far. It's the best balance and more natural presentation of the DSP sound.
The amount of playing around made my head spin.
Cable
There are two cables that were included with the Dusk.
The Stock cable is not that great. The Dusk-SP cable, though, is quality. Comparable to my other standalone cables (NiceHCK Blue Luna, Xinhs Purple & Gold, etc.) in quality but extremely soft.
*NiceHCK Luna for reference*
Sound
So, how does the Dusk sound? A'ight. Thanks for reading.
Both versions of the Dusk (whether via Analog or DSP) have different presentations but otherwise follow Crinacle/Moondrop's chosen tuning of being leaning warm but predominantly neutral with some subbass boost.
Dusk Analog - Smooth (like 85% of the way), airy, detailed, engaging
Dusk DSP - Smooth (like 100% smooth), fuller, warm, musical, fun
It's not so much a tale of Dr. Jekyl and Mr. Hyde. Rather, I would argue it's two different really good experiences. As a gamer, it would be like playing as Spider-Man vs Miles Morales - both are fun in their own way, it's really just what you're in the mood for once you've gotten accustomed to what they can do.
That being said, the Dusk really do -love- power if you're going the Analog route. When I was using it with the Abigail Dongle, the 3.5mm on the Fosi DS2, and the Fiio K11's 1/4" outputs, the bass did not feel nearly as impactful and the treble felt a bit spicier.
In switching to the balanced output on the Fosi DS2, the K11 and using the JDS Element 3, the bass really felt more tactile and the treble felt tamed. For desktop listening, I really would lean on trying to run it via balanced or with a higher power output and I think you'll really enjoy the Dusk more this way.
Gear Tested On: Primarily streamed music via either dedicated Streamer, Laptop or Phone
Phone chain: Pixel 8 Pro -> Abigail Pro
Phone chain: Pixel 8 Pro -> Fosi DS2 (tested 3.5mm and balanced)
Streamed Music Chain Workstation: Laptop -> Fiio K11 (tested 1/4" and balanced)
Streamed Music Chain Workstation 2: Laptop -> JDS Element 3 Mk2 Boosted
Streamed Music chain: WiiM Mini -> JDS Labs Atom DAC+ -> JDS Labs OL Switcher -> Geshelli Labs Archel 3 Pro
And of course...
Lows/Bass: I think the bass boost on here keeps it lively and warm but it may not really provide the same exact oomph you'd be expecting if you were hoping for a warmer set vs the competition (Hype 4, DaVinci).
Most of the bass is on the subbass region with enough midbass slam that comes through when the music calls for it. It's very tastefully done.
That being said, where the Dusk shines on the bass end is how detailed, technical and correct it sounds. Regardless of the genre you're listening to, the Dusk will give you the correct bass response when you're listening to EDM or you're listening to rock and it won't ever feel lacking.
But wait, there's more!
[DSP version (Default)]: With the DSP, there's an immediate tonal shift. Where the Dusk Analog bass is detailed with tasteful slam, the Dusk on DSP Default tuning is fuller, deeper and funner. The boost is both on the subbass and midbass. It's not boomy nor does anything ever bleed into the mids but the bass is brought into the next level.
Mids: Vocals and instruments that play in the mid-range/upper mid-range are great. Both male and female vocals sound lush with absolutely zero difficencies to my ears if only slightly airier on the female vocals.
The timbre of the vocals and mid-range is extremely natural sounding. Whether it's rock music, acoustic, orchestra, etc. - everything pops well for the right reasons when listening on the Dusk.
Most of Crinacle's tunings tend to really focus on the presentation of the mid-range and this is absolutely no different but with another level of smoothness and correctness that you'd expect from the more advanced drivers set up.
[DSP version (Default)]: On DSP, the Dusk feels a tad bit warmer. What do I mean by that? Everything remains very natural, smooth, detailed but with male vocals getting a slight bit fuller. What's nice is that even with the enhanced bass, there is still no bleed into the mids/upper mids (as it relates to female vocals). I think the DSP tuning makes it sound a bit more cohesive overall with the rest of the frequencies but the Analog version is no slouch for the mid-range.
Treble: This is where the Dusk would probably take the biggest hit.
The treble can be VERY spicy. I wouldn't say it's sibilant at all but there is a lot of energy here which can sound very sharp on certain songs especially dependant on your listening volume. It's harder to want to crank the Dusk on Analog because the treble can be so elevated and in your face for certain tracks.
This kind of smooths over the more power you provide to the Dusk and tip rolling. There are some tips that do help smooth out the treble a bit and the Dusk really takes the characteristics of your tips well.
When I was listening to the Dusk on the single-ended output on my Fosi DS2/Abigail Pro/K11, everything sounded way too airy, grainy and emphasized. Switching to balanced (or the Element 3 where there's power for days), everything remained extremely detailed and elevated but felt more natural. There are still certain times where some songs have a small hint of graininess to them but it's much less distracting with more power.
If you are treble sensitive, though, Analog is definitely not going to work for you regardless.
[DSP version (Default)]: On DSP, the treble is tamed relatively signicantly. People that are treble sensitive will likely feel that it's still borderline but it's less in your face than the Analog tuning. I think the elevation of the bass and the warmness of the mid-range, though, helps it sound extremely put together so you're less likely to feel the treble in this case.
DSP Profile Tunings
In talking about the Dusk, it's impossible not to have to go over some of the provided tunings that you can switch to via the Moondrop Link 2.0 app.
On my Pixel 8 Pro, it worked OK - 8/10 times - though I did have one instance where I had to restart the app for it to register that the Dusk was plugged in.
DSP Default: I think at this point, the best word I can use for the DSP Default tuning would be -smooth-. This is a warm, smooth, fun, engaging, detailed hug to your ears. I think with the treble being tamed pretty well under this tuning, and the bass being extra present, you can listen to this tuning via moderate volume or higher volume listening. This is by far my favorite tuning with the DSP cable with absolutely 0 negative things to say about it.
DSP V-Shaped: V-Shaped is a fun tuning; bass feels more impactful and boosted in this case. Treble is also boosted a small bit. Mids feel recessed, thinner (not like terrible but definitely not as full as the default tuning). The tuning follows exactly the name of it. I would argue that the boost to the bass/treble makes this excellent for higher volume listening to compensate for the recessed mids and to break through that 'mud' sound you almost hear when you're at lower volumes.
DSP Bass+: Ahhh, bass. My sweet friend. Bass+ is -fun-. One thing that the Bass+ mode does (which is similar to like the QKZ x HBB Hades) is requires you to really increase the volume of your listening to get the full range of frequency (or you'll feel like it's muddy). Even more so than the V-Shaped tuning. What you get is a tuning profile similar to the Fatfreq line up with enhanced subbass bass rumble, mid-bass head shaking with great vocals and treble. Because the bass boost is on a steady shelf before the mid-range, it doesn't feel like it bleeds into the other frequencies. This is a basshead dream sound that is as close to a Fatfreq Maestro Mini as you can get.
DSP Harman: Harman tuning - was not the biggest fan of this. You get elevated upper mids/treble (though it's very smooth and doesn't feel as grainy as the Analog can get) at the cost of reduced mid-bass so there's less impact. I think this is a great to determine what you may like for tuning. Not the biggest fan. It's not boring or anything and feels OK for casual listening but it feels like there's just something lacking overall.
DSP Diffuse Tilted: Wow, this feels tinny. It starts off with good subbass but you can definitely tell that it's scooped out and it sounds very thin on the mid-range while keeping the same Harman treble. It almost feels like everything's on a flat line of presentation. I am not a fan of this but it was fun to listen/experience this experimental type of tuning. Possibly the most detailed of all the tuning, though, so if that's what you're into, you may like this.
So, my ranking for this would really be:
1) DSP Default
2) DSP Bass+ (I think it's as different a tuning to warrant more use vs V-Shaped)
3) DSP V-Shaped
4) DSP Harman
5) DSP Diffuse Tilted
Other Etc. (Soundstage, Imaging, Separation):
Dusk handled my library very well as a whole. Rather than list songs that I think it excelled, I'm going to skip that and just say that this can really handle everything depending on what you're listening for.
More critical listening? Go with Analog. More casual/fun listening? Go with DSP Default (if you can use it). Looking for Bassy/EDM type of mode? Go with DSP Bass+ or V-Shaped.
Soundstage is very wide - I think it's way more open and airy on the Analog sound but the DSP Default does not skimp on this. It is more horizontal in depth vs vertical but very open overall.
Imaging, Separation and Layering is very well done on this. You can really pick a part a lot of different instruments and it rivals the same detail/layering that I've experienced with the Moondrop S8 (though maybe not the same instrument separation level which was next level on that all BA set).
Comparisons:
For comparison's sake, I think there's only one that I can make right now in my line up. This is really one of my first forays into the higher than $100+ end.
Dunu DaVinci: The DaVinci is a warmer, bassier version of the Dusk Analog with definitely more tamed treble.
It still has fantastic mids/vocals but there is definitely more inherent bass in the DaVinci. Mid-range is equal to me. The other primary difference comes from the treble which is tuned lower than the Dusk and the extra bass really helps smooth it out.
Compared to Dusk DSP Default, though, I think my preference for general all-round listening would have to be the Dusk DSP. While not as bassy/warm as the DaVinci, I think it sounds like a better overall full package with giving me the satisfying bass, full vocals, and treble details that I want for relaxed listening.
In addition, the Dunu DaVinci is a CHONKY boy. I struggle to find the best fit with them and had to go through several tips before I could find a good balance. Even then, I can't listen for that long simply due to the size in my ear.
That being said, if I was going to choose for sound alone, based on my preference, I would say that my preference is the Dusk DSP Default > Dunu DaVinci > Dusk Analog.
Other Things to be aware of:
So, some of the main things to be aware of on the Dusk: the Moondrop Link 2.0 app.
Apple users beware. Moondrop Link 2.0 does not work for iOS devices at this time. As of 06/18/24, it still does not. This may be fixed in the future but time will tell. I believe this means that you will get only the Default tuning and you will like it.
The app can also be finicky - there were a few times where I had to reset the app to get it to detect the Dusk. But, when it's working, it's really easy to adjust the tuning/EQ on the fly which works really well. YMMV.
For the premium price of the Dusk, some of the tuning being locked to a different mobile OS is kind of crazy to me. But, when it works, it does work. I've read horror stories about the app via coworkeer and forums so I'm going to count my blessings that the Link app 2.0 with the DSP cable has been as fuss free as it has been in comparison to how bad the experience could be.
In addition, the price of the Dusk is $369. There were prior reports of QC concerns/channel imbalance but I didn't notice any real imbalance on my set. But for such a premium price, everything should just -work- especially considering how much competition is out there that is 'hype'd up against the Dusk. I can't say that the Dusk isn't worth it but there are a lot of idiosyncracies to it and I think being fully aware of everything is important for you before you pull that trigger.
Conclusion:
The coverage for the Dusk was polarizing to say the least. After nearly a full year of anticipation, the Dusk released and was immediately sold out for months. I believe that stock/inventory is finally reaching the general public for the people that have wanted this latest Crinacle collab.
The Dusk is an interesting IEM in that it provides either a fully detailed, airy, and warm neutral-ish tuning (with some caveats) in it's analog form or an exceptionally smooth, fun, and engaging sound via the DSP tuning. If you can get around some of the mobile app issues or the power/tip rolling requirements, the Dusk is a complete package of an IEM and feels well worth the investment.
In some circumstances, Dusk is a sonically perfect all-rounder for me. At the same time, it may not be for you. The app worked fine for me 8/10 times. It absolutely may not for you.
It may not be worth the effort to a lot of people and it can be hard to justify the price tag when there's so much more easy 'plug and play' competition in this price range. Whether the experience is worth it would be for other consumers to decide.
But, I don't think I can say that I regret my decision to 'Duy Busk' at the end of the day.
Thanks for reading!
Overview/History
Hi all.
This is a hard IEM to review. I don't even think my TL;DR does it enough justice so I'm going to do another quick summary before I get into it.
The Moondrop x Crinacle DUSK is an amazing IEM. When the DSP cable works and/or you find the right combination of gear/power/connections/tips, it more than competes with it's peers. The biggest issue that I do have with this IEM is the fact that you have to do so much swapping to find what works. This is -not- a beginner friendly IEM. You can't just plug it into a random Dongle DAC and expect brilliance. This is going to require so much playing around with. Is it worth the effort when it's competition is as plug and play friendly as possible? I don't know. But, now that I've figured it out in my situation, I can say that the Dusk is a revelation of an IEM for me.
At the end of the day, YMMV.
The Moondrop x Crinacle DUSK has been a long time coming and was immediately backed up on orders/sold out everywhere. This is more than just a simple retuning like his prior collab with Moondrop (Blessings 2 Dusk) and hence the dropped title of Blessing 3 in this release.
*Official image*
DUSK is a Tribrid IEM (2 Dynamic Drivers + 2 Balanced Armature +2 Planar Magnetic Drivers) that comes with a traditional 3.5mm cable and the Moondrop Dusk-SP USB-C cable. Downloading the Moondrop Link 2.0 app (if you're an Android person) will give you access to preset tunings that Crinacle had set up previously.
Onto the quick obligatory disclaimer!
Disclaimers: For all intents and purposes so this is all my own subjective experience and opinions on the Dusk.
Build Quality, Comfort and Accessories
Photo dump time!
The Dusk is in a clear resin shell with a dark wood veneer that takes a design nod from the Moondrop Dark Saber. My original thought was that I was going to hate how the wood aspect looks but, after some time with it, I actually do enjoy how it looks which is almost a clean presentation.
The Dusk is a bit of a bigger IEM but I would actually say that it's not nearly as chonky as others that I've tried (Maestro SE, Dunu DaVinci, Truthear Zero Red) and the shape actually fits super comfortably in my ear. YMMV in this. From my understanding, it's not as big as prior releases but it would still be a good idea to be cognizant.
The Dusk comes with some nice accessories including a stock cable, the DSP (Dusk-SP) cable, some ear tips, an airline adapter, and a case.
With this size of an IEM, tip rolling was going to be important. The Moondrop Dusk came with some OK ear tips. I've just never been a fan of the Springtips. But, time to tip roll to find the best fit (for me)!
Tip Rolling
My collection of tips has been slowly growing.
Spinfit W1: Midbass takes the biggest hit in this case. Otherwise, sounds very open and clear. No tonal hit on mids/highs at all but keeps the sound signature well.
Final Type E - Clear/Red: Probably my 1A tips - Bass is clear and detailed, transparent - great combo. Highs can still be a bit sharp at times but went away with more time and running on balanced/more power.
TangZu SanChai - Balanced: Slightly stronger bass than the Type E Clear Red, very good combination. Highs were tamed a bit here. Slightly more detailed highs but definitely sounded more intimate.
Dunu S&S: 1B tips - my other favorite combination. Slightly less sharp than the Final Type E, maybe slightly weaker mid-bass compared to Final Type E but a bit more open sounding. It's more of a preference thing in the case of using the S&S vs the Type E.
Kiwi Ears Flex: Favorite bass tips! Treble tamed but soundstage is definitely noticeably more intimate. Vocals still sound great.
(I have not found a good fit/basis for Penon tips so I did not use them in this review)
Issue with Tip Rolling: There is no lip or anything on the nozzle for the Dusk. It's just straight, smooth bore that sticks out which means that, on more than one occasion, I had a moment of "Oh my god, the tip is stuck in my ear WTFBBQ?" - Dunu S&S and Spinfit W1 both, on several occasions, decided they were going to stay in my ear. Thankfully, it's not that hard to take them out but that is 100% something to be cognizant about.
Tip Rolling w/ DSP cable: Final Type E Clear/Red win here for me. By far. It's the best balance and more natural presentation of the DSP sound.
The amount of playing around made my head spin.
Cable
There are two cables that were included with the Dusk.
The Stock cable is not that great. The Dusk-SP cable, though, is quality. Comparable to my other standalone cables (NiceHCK Blue Luna, Xinhs Purple & Gold, etc.) in quality but extremely soft.
*NiceHCK Luna for reference*
Sound
So, how does the Dusk sound? A'ight. Thanks for reading.
Both versions of the Dusk (whether via Analog or DSP) have different presentations but otherwise follow Crinacle/Moondrop's chosen tuning of being leaning warm but predominantly neutral with some subbass boost.
Dusk Analog - Smooth (like 85% of the way), airy, detailed, engaging
Dusk DSP - Smooth (like 100% smooth), fuller, warm, musical, fun
It's not so much a tale of Dr. Jekyl and Mr. Hyde. Rather, I would argue it's two different really good experiences. As a gamer, it would be like playing as Spider-Man vs Miles Morales - both are fun in their own way, it's really just what you're in the mood for once you've gotten accustomed to what they can do.
That being said, the Dusk really do -love- power if you're going the Analog route. When I was using it with the Abigail Dongle, the 3.5mm on the Fosi DS2, and the Fiio K11's 1/4" outputs, the bass did not feel nearly as impactful and the treble felt a bit spicier.
In switching to the balanced output on the Fosi DS2, the K11 and using the JDS Element 3, the bass really felt more tactile and the treble felt tamed. For desktop listening, I really would lean on trying to run it via balanced or with a higher power output and I think you'll really enjoy the Dusk more this way.
Gear Tested On: Primarily streamed music via either dedicated Streamer, Laptop or Phone
Phone chain: Pixel 8 Pro -> Abigail Pro
Phone chain: Pixel 8 Pro -> Fosi DS2 (tested 3.5mm and balanced)
Streamed Music Chain Workstation: Laptop -> Fiio K11 (tested 1/4" and balanced)
Streamed Music Chain Workstation 2: Laptop -> JDS Element 3 Mk2 Boosted
Streamed Music chain: WiiM Mini -> JDS Labs Atom DAC+ -> JDS Labs OL Switcher -> Geshelli Labs Archel 3 Pro
And of course...
Lows/Bass: I think the bass boost on here keeps it lively and warm but it may not really provide the same exact oomph you'd be expecting if you were hoping for a warmer set vs the competition (Hype 4, DaVinci).
Most of the bass is on the subbass region with enough midbass slam that comes through when the music calls for it. It's very tastefully done.
That being said, where the Dusk shines on the bass end is how detailed, technical and correct it sounds. Regardless of the genre you're listening to, the Dusk will give you the correct bass response when you're listening to EDM or you're listening to rock and it won't ever feel lacking.
But wait, there's more!
[DSP version (Default)]: With the DSP, there's an immediate tonal shift. Where the Dusk Analog bass is detailed with tasteful slam, the Dusk on DSP Default tuning is fuller, deeper and funner. The boost is both on the subbass and midbass. It's not boomy nor does anything ever bleed into the mids but the bass is brought into the next level.
Mids: Vocals and instruments that play in the mid-range/upper mid-range are great. Both male and female vocals sound lush with absolutely zero difficencies to my ears if only slightly airier on the female vocals.
The timbre of the vocals and mid-range is extremely natural sounding. Whether it's rock music, acoustic, orchestra, etc. - everything pops well for the right reasons when listening on the Dusk.
Most of Crinacle's tunings tend to really focus on the presentation of the mid-range and this is absolutely no different but with another level of smoothness and correctness that you'd expect from the more advanced drivers set up.
[DSP version (Default)]: On DSP, the Dusk feels a tad bit warmer. What do I mean by that? Everything remains very natural, smooth, detailed but with male vocals getting a slight bit fuller. What's nice is that even with the enhanced bass, there is still no bleed into the mids/upper mids (as it relates to female vocals). I think the DSP tuning makes it sound a bit more cohesive overall with the rest of the frequencies but the Analog version is no slouch for the mid-range.
Treble: This is where the Dusk would probably take the biggest hit.
The treble can be VERY spicy. I wouldn't say it's sibilant at all but there is a lot of energy here which can sound very sharp on certain songs especially dependant on your listening volume. It's harder to want to crank the Dusk on Analog because the treble can be so elevated and in your face for certain tracks.
This kind of smooths over the more power you provide to the Dusk and tip rolling. There are some tips that do help smooth out the treble a bit and the Dusk really takes the characteristics of your tips well.
When I was listening to the Dusk on the single-ended output on my Fosi DS2/Abigail Pro/K11, everything sounded way too airy, grainy and emphasized. Switching to balanced (or the Element 3 where there's power for days), everything remained extremely detailed and elevated but felt more natural. There are still certain times where some songs have a small hint of graininess to them but it's much less distracting with more power.
If you are treble sensitive, though, Analog is definitely not going to work for you regardless.
[DSP version (Default)]: On DSP, the treble is tamed relatively signicantly. People that are treble sensitive will likely feel that it's still borderline but it's less in your face than the Analog tuning. I think the elevation of the bass and the warmness of the mid-range, though, helps it sound extremely put together so you're less likely to feel the treble in this case.
DSP Profile Tunings
In talking about the Dusk, it's impossible not to have to go over some of the provided tunings that you can switch to via the Moondrop Link 2.0 app.
On my Pixel 8 Pro, it worked OK - 8/10 times - though I did have one instance where I had to restart the app for it to register that the Dusk was plugged in.
DSP Default: I think at this point, the best word I can use for the DSP Default tuning would be -smooth-. This is a warm, smooth, fun, engaging, detailed hug to your ears. I think with the treble being tamed pretty well under this tuning, and the bass being extra present, you can listen to this tuning via moderate volume or higher volume listening. This is by far my favorite tuning with the DSP cable with absolutely 0 negative things to say about it.
DSP V-Shaped: V-Shaped is a fun tuning; bass feels more impactful and boosted in this case. Treble is also boosted a small bit. Mids feel recessed, thinner (not like terrible but definitely not as full as the default tuning). The tuning follows exactly the name of it. I would argue that the boost to the bass/treble makes this excellent for higher volume listening to compensate for the recessed mids and to break through that 'mud' sound you almost hear when you're at lower volumes.
DSP Bass+: Ahhh, bass. My sweet friend. Bass+ is -fun-. One thing that the Bass+ mode does (which is similar to like the QKZ x HBB Hades) is requires you to really increase the volume of your listening to get the full range of frequency (or you'll feel like it's muddy). Even more so than the V-Shaped tuning. What you get is a tuning profile similar to the Fatfreq line up with enhanced subbass bass rumble, mid-bass head shaking with great vocals and treble. Because the bass boost is on a steady shelf before the mid-range, it doesn't feel like it bleeds into the other frequencies. This is a basshead dream sound that is as close to a Fatfreq Maestro Mini as you can get.
DSP Harman: Harman tuning - was not the biggest fan of this. You get elevated upper mids/treble (though it's very smooth and doesn't feel as grainy as the Analog can get) at the cost of reduced mid-bass so there's less impact. I think this is a great to determine what you may like for tuning. Not the biggest fan. It's not boring or anything and feels OK for casual listening but it feels like there's just something lacking overall.
DSP Diffuse Tilted: Wow, this feels tinny. It starts off with good subbass but you can definitely tell that it's scooped out and it sounds very thin on the mid-range while keeping the same Harman treble. It almost feels like everything's on a flat line of presentation. I am not a fan of this but it was fun to listen/experience this experimental type of tuning. Possibly the most detailed of all the tuning, though, so if that's what you're into, you may like this.
So, my ranking for this would really be:
1) DSP Default
2) DSP Bass+ (I think it's as different a tuning to warrant more use vs V-Shaped)
3) DSP V-Shaped
4) DSP Harman
5) DSP Diffuse Tilted
Other Etc. (Soundstage, Imaging, Separation):
Dusk handled my library very well as a whole. Rather than list songs that I think it excelled, I'm going to skip that and just say that this can really handle everything depending on what you're listening for.
More critical listening? Go with Analog. More casual/fun listening? Go with DSP Default (if you can use it). Looking for Bassy/EDM type of mode? Go with DSP Bass+ or V-Shaped.
Soundstage is very wide - I think it's way more open and airy on the Analog sound but the DSP Default does not skimp on this. It is more horizontal in depth vs vertical but very open overall.
Imaging, Separation and Layering is very well done on this. You can really pick a part a lot of different instruments and it rivals the same detail/layering that I've experienced with the Moondrop S8 (though maybe not the same instrument separation level which was next level on that all BA set).
Comparisons:
For comparison's sake, I think there's only one that I can make right now in my line up. This is really one of my first forays into the higher than $100+ end.
Dunu DaVinci: The DaVinci is a warmer, bassier version of the Dusk Analog with definitely more tamed treble.
It still has fantastic mids/vocals but there is definitely more inherent bass in the DaVinci. Mid-range is equal to me. The other primary difference comes from the treble which is tuned lower than the Dusk and the extra bass really helps smooth it out.
Compared to Dusk DSP Default, though, I think my preference for general all-round listening would have to be the Dusk DSP. While not as bassy/warm as the DaVinci, I think it sounds like a better overall full package with giving me the satisfying bass, full vocals, and treble details that I want for relaxed listening.
In addition, the Dunu DaVinci is a CHONKY boy. I struggle to find the best fit with them and had to go through several tips before I could find a good balance. Even then, I can't listen for that long simply due to the size in my ear.
That being said, if I was going to choose for sound alone, based on my preference, I would say that my preference is the Dusk DSP Default > Dunu DaVinci > Dusk Analog.
Other Things to be aware of:
So, some of the main things to be aware of on the Dusk: the Moondrop Link 2.0 app.
Apple users beware. Moondrop Link 2.0 does not work for iOS devices at this time. As of 06/18/24, it still does not. This may be fixed in the future but time will tell. I believe this means that you will get only the Default tuning and you will like it.
The app can also be finicky - there were a few times where I had to reset the app to get it to detect the Dusk. But, when it's working, it's really easy to adjust the tuning/EQ on the fly which works really well. YMMV.
For the premium price of the Dusk, some of the tuning being locked to a different mobile OS is kind of crazy to me. But, when it works, it does work. I've read horror stories about the app via coworkeer and forums so I'm going to count my blessings that the Link app 2.0 with the DSP cable has been as fuss free as it has been in comparison to how bad the experience could be.
In addition, the price of the Dusk is $369. There were prior reports of QC concerns/channel imbalance but I didn't notice any real imbalance on my set. But for such a premium price, everything should just -work- especially considering how much competition is out there that is 'hype'd up against the Dusk. I can't say that the Dusk isn't worth it but there are a lot of idiosyncracies to it and I think being fully aware of everything is important for you before you pull that trigger.
Conclusion:
The coverage for the Dusk was polarizing to say the least. After nearly a full year of anticipation, the Dusk released and was immediately sold out for months. I believe that stock/inventory is finally reaching the general public for the people that have wanted this latest Crinacle collab.
The Dusk is an interesting IEM in that it provides either a fully detailed, airy, and warm neutral-ish tuning (with some caveats) in it's analog form or an exceptionally smooth, fun, and engaging sound via the DSP tuning. If you can get around some of the mobile app issues or the power/tip rolling requirements, the Dusk is a complete package of an IEM and feels well worth the investment.
In some circumstances, Dusk is a sonically perfect all-rounder for me. At the same time, it may not be for you. The app worked fine for me 8/10 times. It absolutely may not for you.
It may not be worth the effort to a lot of people and it can be hard to justify the price tag when there's so much more easy 'plug and play' competition in this price range. Whether the experience is worth it would be for other consumers to decide.
But, I don't think I can say that I regret my decision to 'Duy Busk' at the end of the day.
Thanks for reading!
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MakeItWain
Hi @asmus5 - you just plug the DSP cable to your phone and it's good to go.
Ryland Johnson
?YMMV? Translation please, thanks you.
