DUNU Alpha 3

TLDR version on YouTube: TDLR - Dunu Alpha 3

The Dunu Alpha 3 have been sent to me as part of a tour organized by Dunu here on HeadFi. Dunu have not requested anything specific and I will do my best to be unbiased in my opinions.

The official page for the Alpha 3 can be found here: https://www.dunu-topsound.com/product-page/alpha-3

As always, this is a non affiliate link.



Intro…

I really haven’t reviewed many buds, or flathead earbuds to be precise, no do I have a very vast experience with them. I do appreciate some of the qualities they bring to the table in comparison to IEMs but I also dislike some of the negatives (to me) that they bring.

There is no doubt that there are some earbuds out there that can provide some excellent sound quality but they usually come at the expense of isolation, lack of bass and discomfort, again, to me personally. This means that, although I am trying to be as unbiased in my evaluation of the Alpha 3 as possible, I do find myself having to make an effort to actually spend time with earbuds. There are many people who are big fans of earbuds and can give much better comparisons than I can, all I can do is give my opinion on what I feel when listening to the Alpha 3.



Presentation…

I recently reviewed the Falcon Ultra, a set of IEMs that were also included in the Dunu tour (great IEMs by the way!), and the packaging of the Alpha 3 is very similar.

A rather simple outer sleeve (although this one does have an image of the buds on it) slides away to reveal a simple black box inside of which we find the same transport/storage case that is included with the Falcon Ultra. As I said in my review of the IEMs, I think this is my favourite Dunu case so far, as it is spacious and rather elegant.

Inside the case we find the buds with their fixed cable ending in a 3.5mm TRS connector, although I understand that there is also a 4.4mm balanced option if you prefer. Personally I would have liked it to have the interchangeable connector like on the Q-Lite cable, with bonus points for detaching from the buds, but the price (around 80€) is obviously lower and I understand them not including it.

Underneath the case we get an accessories box which includes a 3.5mm to 6.35mm adapter, a bag full of foam pads and another full of donut pads (basically foam pads with the center missing. We get a cleaning brush and the usual documentation.

As I said, very similar to the Falcon Ultra which I praised at over 200€, so no complaints here at 80€, even if we do get less contents.



Build and aesthetics…

I don’t know enough about buds to say if the design of the Alpha 3 is unique or not but it is completely made of metal with a rather modern design to it. There is a small silver filter on the top of the stems, which are completely black.

The cable is also similar to that of the Falcon Ultra (although not interchangeable) and the titanium colour scheme works well with the black buds. The splitter and connector, both metal, are more of a silver colour which looks good but I think black would have matched the buds a little better. You can tell I don’t have much to say when I start talking about the colour of the connectors

I really can’t comment too much on comfort as it has been quite some time since I used buds, so they do feel weird in my ears, but they stay where they are supposed to and they are not as uncomfortable as some other designs I have tried in the past.

In general, I can’t really complain about anything in the build category as they are well built. I can’t really complain about anything in the comfort category as I am not really used to them. And I can’t complain about anything in the aesthetics category because they do look good.



Sound…

I am not going to share a graph of them because the way of measring them is quite different to IEMs (or headphones) and because I don’t have any other sets on hand to compare against and make sure I am measuring correctly, I don’t trust my measurements enough to share them. Therefore, you are going to have to put up with just my subjective opinions.

First the subbass and, as is to be expected, there isn’t a whole lot of it. This isn’t really a fault of the Alpha 3. Subbass is dependent upon either a good seal, which is not something that earbuds offer, or a large displacement of air, which is not possible with such a small driver. Therefore, do not expect these earbuds to rumble your eardrums. I don’t know if there are models of earbuds out there that can manage to do this, if there are, I haven’t heard them. Therefore, the lack of subbass is something I expect and not something I am complaining about.

The midbass is a different story. There is more presence of midbass than there is of subbass, again to be expected, but it is the quality of the midbass that is the positive thing here. Midbass is clean and articulate, while also being very realistic. I found myself preferring the full foam pads rather than the donut style, which do make it a little more rounded in the low end but I found that this worked very well for my enjoyment of these earbuds.

The lower mids are also very clean and articulate, which a good sensation of detail and a very realistic timbre. Instruments such as acoustic guitars sound very life like and there is no additional boomyness to them, staying clean and detailed in their low end.

As we move higher up in the ranges, the upper mids are where these buds place their focus, although I did find that the full foams took some of that focus away. Vocals are again nicely detailed and realistic, although I found once more that the full foams were preferable to my ears, giving a bit more lushness to some of my favourite female vocals. With the donuts, things were still good but a little more brittle in this area.

The extension into the upper ranges does lack a little, especially with the foams, but not enough to feel like you are missing something. It is more a sensation of things not being quite as airy as they should be, although they do maintain detail well, which stops them from becoming dull.

Soundstage is good due to the natural performance of buds in this regard. 99% of the time you will get better soundstage from a set of earbuds than from a set of IEMs, just due to the way they sit in your ears. This is one of the main things I find with earbuds, you trade some of that low end power in exchange for a more open and spacious sound.



Conclusion…

I am going to repeat the fact that I am not an expert on earbuds in any way, shape or form. Therefore, please take my opinions with and even bigger grain of salt than my usual reviews. Saying that, I feel that the Alpha 3 are a very pleasurable set of earbuds.

I find them to sound natural and realistic with a lot of my preffered music (a lot of female vocals and acoustic instruments) and I find them to give a very good sensation of detail and spaciousness. They are lacking a little in the upper treble and they are obviously not a good choice if you are going to listen to EDM with plenty of subbass content, but for more instrumental things and general pop etc. I think they do a pretty good job.

While I would love to say if I recommend them or not, the only thing I can really recommend is that, if you are interested in a set of buds, check some reviews of the Alpha 3 by people who know what they are talking about. In fact, I think I may just do the same and see how different my opinion is to theirs!

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As usual, if you want to brush up on your Spanish, this review is also available in Español both on my blog (www.achoreviews.com) and on YouTube (www.youtube.com/achoreviews)

Introduction

Thanks to a European Tour organised by Head-fi.org I have been able to test two Dunu models. One is the Dunu Falcon Ultra and the other is this present Dunu Alpha 3. They are earbuds and the first thing I would like to say is that not many IEMS brands dare to release earbuds. So I appreciate the effort of a brand with as much tradition as Dunu to make this effort. Furthermore, these earbuds do not have the usual classic shape, but Dunu has created a relatively special design. It uses a dynamic driver with a liquid crystal polymer composite diaphragm with a highly flexible surround suspension. The capsules are made of stainless steel and aluminium alloy. Let's take a broader look at what these Dunu earbuds can do.



Specifications

• Driver Type: Dynamic with liquid crystal polymer composite diaphragm.
• Frequency Response: 5Hz - 40kHz.
• Sensitivity: 105 ± 1 dB at 1kHz.
• Impedance: 32Ω.
• Total Harmonic Distortion: <0.5% at 1kHz.
• Cable length: 1.2m ± 0.1m.
• Jack connector: SE 3.5mm gold-plated.
• Cable conductor: High purity silver-plated monocrystalline Litz copper type 1.
• Weight: 30g.

Packaging

The Dunu Alpha 3 comes in a medium-sized black box with dimensions 134x96x70mm. On the front side you can see a dark and realistic photo of the earbuds. At the top is the model name and at the top is a sentence reminding the 21st anniversary of the brand, why wasn't the 20th anniversary celebrated, does the 21st have a special connotation? On the back are the specifications in several languages, including Chinese and English. Underneath are the brand's brand designations. The outer cardboard is removed vertically to reveal a black box with the brand logo in white in the centre. After opening the box, a large zippered case with the Dunu brand name in reverse relief can be seen. Underneath is a second level with a black cardboard case carrying a portion of the accessories. To sum up:

• The Dunu Alpha 3.
• Zippered case.
• Cleaning brush.
• Complete foams.
• Doughnut type foams.
• Warranty certificate.
• User's manual.

I have not opened the bags with the foams and other accessories because it is a tour. I will use my own foams.
Inside the case come the earbuds, inside another plastic zip bag. And, in turn, each capsule comes in another zip bag. Dunu has a penchant for storing each part in a different pouch. This is appreciated for the level of protection, but you also have to be a bit more environmentally friendly in this respect.
Finally, the box has a seal of guarantee and authenticity.
For 80$ the level of accessories is good, there could be more foam and the case is too big for the product itself.



Construction and Design

The capsules of the Alpha 3 are made of stainless steel and aluminium alloy. The cable consists of four strands of high-purity silver-plated monocrystalline Litz type 1 copper.
The design of the capsules is a classic and rather regular cone which is anchored to two very elongated trapezoidal bars by means of a thin rib protruding from the top of the cone, where the apex should be, there is a horizontal cut from which the cylindrical rib protrudes. The side of the cone has small brand logo motifs of different sizes. At the upper end of the trapezoidal bar is a grille. On the inside face of the bars there is a small torx screw and also the lettering indicating the channel, inside a circle, all in white. The cable comes out of the bottom of the bar.
The driver is protected by a thick metal grille. The edge of the capsules is glossy, while the side of the cone is matt. It might look like the rods are plastic, but they are metallic with a rougher matte finish. The capsules are heavy, even individually.
The cable parts are metallic, matching the dark gold colour of the conductors. The sleeve of the 3.5mm SE gold-plated plug is cylindrical, with a roughened ring close to the cable part. The splitter piece has a similar design but is subtly more tapered on its long side. The pin is a translucent plastic piece that fulfils its role well.
Very good construction, remarkable cable, but the whole thing feels heavy.



Adjustment and Ergonomics

The conical, splayed shape of the Alpha 3 gives it a special playfulness when it comes to fitting. The cone tilt itself is fine-tuned, in conjunction with its diameter, to fit properly in the ear canal. The bars even allow for some rotation to find an alternative setting that will face the drivers more directly into the canal. I have commented on certain occasions that I usually rotate the capsules of the earbuds until they are almost horizontal. This way the driver is placed more towards the channel, opening it up a little more. This results in a fuller sound, better detail, even more bass. The elongated spigot of the Alpha 3 allows this, but not as much as the classic MX500 capsule earbuds, although I must also comment that the shape of the spigot and its edges can be a little less comfortable for this rotated use.



Sound

Profile

It's been a while since I've tried earbuds and I haven't had much time to shoot the Alpha 3s. The profile is somewhat dark, warm, slightly V-shaped, with good mid-bass presence. It has a nice puch in the early treble, with a touch of crispness. The vocals are a bit far away, with that darker and more opaque touch that is usual in many earbuds. I recommend using dunuts to gain clarity.
Due to the fact that the Tour only allows a week for two models, the Alpha 3 has not been able to be worn for many hours. It is possible that over time it may change its temperament and improve in clarity.



Bass

The bass is quite punchy, but, as usual with earbuds, the sense of depth is limited. In the very low-frequency pure tone test the Alpha 3 performs the lowest tones in a coloured way, with the vibration being felt rather than the actual sound. However, it performs rather better than expected. The lack of sensory capability limits depth perception, but there is good presence, quantity and speed of execution. The hit feels quite tight, concise and recovers early, but its roughness is low and it feels more smooth than textured. As I say, there is punch, but without overwhelming, without generating too much feeling of volume, nor dominating too much in the environment. It is well balanced and even its V-profile is not bass-heavy. On the other hand, in the dirty, complex and unfiltered bass test, the Alpha 3s suffer as soon as the volume is turned up. Their behaviour in this case is not very adequate, providing a coloured and not very reliable sonority.



Mids

The first half of the midrange feels somewhat opaque and distant, with the upper-midrange working better. Likewise, the micro detail is not very visible, being out of play due to the conjunction of the darkness and opacity of the area. The male vocals have a somewhat low physicality, they don't feel very full, lacking body and a little more nuance. The instrumentation of this lower mid-range zone is also on the simple side of musical representation. It suffers from a certain level of resolution and resolution, feeling warm and relatively dark. The feeling improves in the second half, reaching a more descriptive and explicit level, but without reaching a sense of clarity, luminosity and full transparency.



Treble

The treble has a good initial sparkle, with good representation in the next phase. But these are not overly clear or bright IEMS, accentuating that V-profile feel. The high notes are not too fine and feel detrimental to the dark character of the ensemble. I miss a greater sense of sharpness and cleanliness in this area.



Soundstage, Separation

Normally, earbuds tend to have a wider stage feel. The Dunu Alpha 3's present a rather front and centre stage. The laterality and stereo feel is focused and the angle is always well below 180°. It doesn't feel too high and the depth is average. It's not a congested scene, it's rather intimate, without too much sense of air or transparency. The light is dim and the separation is average. The level of detail is based on the V-profile, offering more visibility at the sharp peak, being more restricted in its representation of the central area.



Comparisons

ISN Rambo II

Priced at $69, with MMCX connection, metal construction and a similar shape, based on two cones attached to a spigot, are the ISN Rambo II. They are not a new model but a good point of comparison.
The Rambo's standard cable is simpler, but allows any other much better cable to be used. The presentation is more classic like other earbuds, with a typical ISN zippered case, 3 pairs of full foams and three pairs of donut foams. The build quality is as good as the Alpha 3, but I prefer the ergonomics of the Dunu, as the Rambo IIs have capsules that are more slippery to my ears. The improvement is in the ISN's rounder, more rounded spigot, which is more comfortable, in case it rubs against any part of the ears when rotated inside the pinna to find a better orientation of the capsules.
Rambo IIs are easier to move and at the same volume they sound louder. Their profile is less V-shaped, with less noticeable bass, but more balanced in the mid-range and with more light.
In the low range, the reproduction of very low frequency pure tones is similar, although it is more compact in the Dunu. The colouring is repeated in both, perhaps the Dunu's are more defined and their reproduction is cleaner and more precise. In the real bass representation, I find a little more gentleness in the ISNs, they feel a little more elastic, less dry and concise. Perhaps that superior elasticity in the ISNs gives it a feeling of superior projection, as well as a slightly more accentuated depth. The greater dryness and speed of the Dunu makes them more technical, but also shorter. Maybe it's the ISNs' longer roll-off, but they perform better in complex, unfiltered bass situations. Not that they are the best suited, but they sound better and closer to reality.
The central range of the ISNs is fuller than that of the Dunu. The male voices are fuller, wider from bass to treble, as well as closer. However, they seem to be better defined in the Dunu. It is noticeable that the technical aspect prevails in the Alpha 3s over the Rambo IIs, although their voices are thinner and a bit more sibilant. However, the mid-range of the ISNs is fuller and more representative, there is more life and music in their mid-range, with a more noticeable closeness of instrumentation, but it can also be somewhat more diffuse than the Dunu, better defined and sharper.
In the upper range the same discourse persists, softer the ISN, finer, more defined and marked the Dunu.
In terms of soundstage it feels wider and deeper in the ISNs, because of their fuller sound.



Conclusion

The Dunu Alpha 3 are earbuds with a great design and construction. They feel slightly heavy but the ergonomics are quite good. I might miss a design with a detachable cable, but the standard driver is quite good. It has a V-profile and good technicalities. The bass is compact and fast, the mids are a bit distant, but crisp, well-defined and defined, while the treble has a good initial sparkle. I'm glad to know that a brand like Dunu dares to continue producing earbuds with a great potential like the Alpha 3 and I think that if I had been able to try them for a longer time I would have felt improvements in their sound, due to the lack of break-in. In my last listens with them, I could perceive a sensation of improvement in the clarity with respect to their adversaries.



Sources Used During the Analysis

• Burson Audio Playmate II.
• Aune X8 XVIII Magic DAC + EarMen ST-Amp.
• Hidizs S9 Pro Plus Martha.
• Aune Yuki.

Purchase Link


You can read the full review in Spanish here

Dunu is a old school player in the game as long as I've been in the game . I've been a fan of iem and earbuds since the beginning and dunu had 3 other earbuds before alpha 3, one flagship and the first hybrid earbud with ba and a DD and a regular looking mx500 shell one called ex150 and another one which I forget what it was called . I have bought the alpha one when it came out and it was a marvel in sound and build . So when hearing dunu is coming back with earbud I got super excited , I thought we were getting a flagship but then I heard it's a budget which is still awesome. I bought it right away, no question asked from hifigo . The fits is comfortable and build is excellent being metal shell and cable braiding is great as being nice and tight. Accessories for dunu is always excellent, came with 3 different types of foam.

Sound:

Bass:
The bass for alpha 3 natural being balanced with treble, it's not like a subwoofer but like real tone bass that flows naturally with the flow never to thick and never spilling in the midrange. Midbass is tight and fast. Bass has some air , so close to what I want if we could improve bass response more maybe like 9db more then I'll fall in love better.

Midrange:
The midrange is the star being right in the middle not thin or thick , just right in tone balance and positioning is out of the head just enough to be realistic not not overly done . The micro detail is nice and clear too not thin .


Treble :
The treble is same lane as bass being clean and smooth and not too sparkly. Just right to have some crispyness and airiness it's open like the midrange and balanced Like the midrange. I'd say if the extension was just a tad more it'll be nice .

Soundstage/imaging:

The soundstage is out of the head but not so massive as some others . It's just enough to be realistic and analogue.

Conclusion:


I can recommend the alpha 3 for looking for a relaxed listen not the fun sound I was looking for as always. But hope dunu does more better next round because I know what they can do as I've been buying dunu since the beginning.
Here is the links to buy them :
https://hifigo.com/products/dunu-alpha3

HiFiGo DUNU Alpha 3 1DD Earbuds, Single 14.2mm Dynamic Driver in-Ear Earphones with Hi-Res Certification and Wide Sound Stage (3.5mm) https://a.co/d/eNLRW68





My picture, I've made the dunu alpha 3 gear thread