DUNU FALCON PRO

Falcon Pro are Dunu’s entry level model on their Eclipse lineup – the one featuring Zen / Zen Pro and Luna on its higher tiers.

Featuring a single dynamic driver and a $219,99 price point Falcon Pro compete on a quite interesting market segment, populated – as usual – by a lot of underwhelming (or downright garbage) competing products alongside a few very solid longstanders.

Full Device Card​

Test setup​

Apogee Groove / Sony NW-A55 mrWalkman / Questyle QP1R / Ifi hip-dac2 / Cowon Plenue 2 – final E clear eartips – lossless 16-24/44.1-192 FLAC tracks.

Signature analysis​

Tonality​

Falcon Pro feature removable earpiece nozzles, and a selection of 3 different alternatives are bundled with the package – labelled “Reference”, “Transparency” and “Athmospheric Immersion”. Each nozzle has different sizes (diameter and length) and a different mesh, resulting in some audible impact on the delivered musical experience.
Auditioned with their Reference Filter at first, Duno Falcon Pro offer an obviously low-enhanced presentation, coming accross as warm-coloured and laid back. Low mids and especially midbass notes are definitely bloomy. Timbre is smooth, rounded.
The Transparency filter very modestly tames the bass line, by ear I would say by less than 1dB, and enhances highmids and presence trebles by a more significant margin. The result is a bit more highend openness but not enough de-accentuated midbass, the combination of which does not reach a balanced presentation level. The general tonality stays warm colored. Timbre stays smooth as the added treble accent doesnt come with particular edgyness. Curiously enough for a single-DD I notice a slight but perceivable lack of cohesion between such enhanced trebles and the persisting midbass importance.
The Athmospheric filter applies the same minimal taming to the bass line as the Transparency one does, and enhances highmids (slowing their transients down a bit in the process) sooner than its Transparency sibling, but a down-tame this time is applied to presence trebles, and an even more serious tonedown happens on brilliance. The result is an even more soft-toned, relaxed, more intimate and warmer presentation.
For my own tastes Athmospheric is a no go: its evident bass accent pairs badly with too relaxed transients, and a general blurryness that transfers a too dark and unresolved feeling to me. In terms of horizontal coherence Reference is best, but in terms of tonality I still find it too invasively bassy so I settled for Transparency, accepting the modest tonal incoherence I mentioned above. I conducted most of my audition on Transparency nozzles.

Sub-Bass​

Sub Bass on Falcon Pro is modestly rolled off but most of all subdued to mid-bass slowish transients and warmth. Very little rumble emerges from that, and it’s a pity. This applies to all nozzles.

Mid Bass​

Falcon Pro’s midbass is not overall bad, but it surely plays the elephant in the room’s role, which is I guess a quite objective reality, and in addition to that I find it too bloomy, which is a much more subjective point of course. It’s anyhow evident that midbass is conditioning the entire presentation setting the ambient to warm, soft and relaxing mood, lacking on punch and definition and showing only limited texture.

Mids​

Mids on FalconPro are recessed in positioning but OK in quality. Note weight especially is good, on the other hand they don’t sound particularly “organic”. On their low part they are subdued to midbass and this generates more than some limitation in terms of definition and layering. Highmids are much better. Transparency nozzles make highmids leaner, which is in some case a pro, othertimes a limitation – depending on musical requirements of course.

Male Vocals​

Male vocals are full, lush but slow so for example baritones fail to be organically cavernous. A bit better are tenors which are still a bit too bloomy but definitely better detailed and closer to reality.

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Female Vocals​

Females are also nicely bodied, and less bloomy than males which makes them nicely liquid, pleasant. Transparency nozzles make them a tad faster and clearer, but on the flip side they bring them dangerously close to sibilance at times.

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Highs​

Treble is no doubt my preferred part in Falcon Pro’s presentation. They come accross reasonably vivid, polished and clear on the Reference nozzles, and a bit furtherly enhanced and slightly clearer on the Transparency nozzles. On the other hand they don’t go as far as being sparkly, let alone airy – not even on the Transparency nozzle. And the clarity from this section is not enough to compensate on the warmth and intimacy imposed by midbass.

Technicalities​

Soundstage​

Referred to direct competitors Falcon Pro draw an average stage, with some decent depth and height. Reference nozzles are best at this, Athmospheric worst.

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Imaging​

Macrodynamics (a.k.a. imaging) is the single aspect where Falcon Pro excel: instruments and voices are all given very good body, almost a 3d-personality, and they are wonderfully positioned on the stage. Which makes scarce layering and microdynamics an even bigger pity.

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Details​

Detail retrieval is very modest, both on highmids and trebles, and even more so on mid and sub bass. While this sounds coherent with the general laidback tuning choice, I still believe something better might have been made here

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Instrument separation​

The aspect I liked less on Falcon Pro is the general – and quite evident – lack of resolving power. Instrument voices are always at least somewhat “mélanged” together, which may be nice from the musicality standapoint, but when excessive it fails to deliver proper separation and clean layering.

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Driveability​

Falcon Pro are quite sensible therefor “easy to drive” loud enough even from lowend systems. Beware though – as always amping power is not the same as amping quality, and Falcon Pro do require a good bass-controlled source, and surely not a warm one, or their naturally slow midbass would resonate even warmer/darker than it already is.

Physicals​

Build​

Falcon Pro shells are made of stainless steel and appear evidently sturdy and greatly designed and realised. The finish on the external side is very elegant, with sandblasted logos onto mirror-chrome surface. Interchangeable nozzles are threaded for secure screw-in/screw-out operations. Ace stuff, really. Multiple air vents are present on the internal housings’ side.

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Fit​

Falcon Pro fit me quite easily, thanks to relatively long nozzles and medium-sized well-shaped housings which sit quite well into my conchas.

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Comfort​

Once fitted Falcon Pro feel definitely comfortable to me, I can wear them for protracted lengths of time easily.

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Isolation​

Just average: the passive effect of well fitting housing shapes is limited by the multiple vents.

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Cable​

The bundled cable is very nice from many respects. Modular termination, with a 3 main plug modules included (3.5, 2.5 and 4.4mm), a high purity (6N) silver plated OCC structure, accepbtable flexibility, and very well working MMCX connectors (patented, according to Dunu)

Specifications (declared)​

Some critical comparisons​

vs Tanchjim Oxygen ($260)​

The comparison is pertinent on the “similar” pricing and technology (1DD) standpoints, although it must be noted that Tanchjim Oxygen are by designed tuned towards a “lean harman”, neutral organic target, Falcon Pro towards a V shaped warm one, which of course should set different apriori expectations from either product.

With that being said, Tanchjim Oxygen’s midbass is way faster, more controlled and articulated. Mid bass, down to sub bass notes are much more textured and technical on Oxygen compared to the bloomier ones issued by Falcon Pro.

Although not a detail monster by design, Oxygen also retrieve significantly more subtleties both from highmids/trebles and bass. Note weight is leaner on Oxygen accross the spectrum – maximally so on midbass, but on mids and trebles too. Oxygen are better at layering and separation.

Overall, Oxygen are obviously preferrable on acoustic music (classic, jazz), Falcon Pro’s “meatier” personality may be preferrable on folk, progrock & such.

vs final E4000 ($149)​

Oppositely from the previous case, there is quite some common ground between Falcon Pro and E4000 in terms of intended tuning as both are clearly designed aiming at a warm-colored tonality.

With that being said, E4000’s tonality is evidently more balanced, with a much less invasive, color-imposing, slow bidbass, a bit, but definitely, clearer highmids and trebles.

On a more technical level, Falcon Pro deliver more solid note weight in the trebles, but less definition on trebles and everywhere, really. Falcon Pro offer a somewhat more extended stage size (both on width and depth), E4000 are way better in terms of layering and instrument separation.

Falcon Pro are easier to bias, E4000 require more current to properly open up.

Considerations & conclusions​

Dunu Falcon Pro are honest, well executed single-DD IEMs, exuding design and construction quality from all the angles you can watch them from. Their tuning is very sided, so to say, towards a warm, laidback, intimate presentation which clearly aims at pampering the user more on the overall musical experience then at stunning on technicalities.

Their features do not coincide with my personal preferences neither from the audio nor from the musical standpoints, but that’s of course totally personal.

I received a sample unit kindly provided by co-blogger Kazi. This article originally appeared on audioreviews.org last year, here.

Dunu has been at the forefront of the single-dynamic driver IEM resurgence, with their retired flagship Luna being one of the few pairs of pure Beryllium-foil dynamic driver IEMs. Later, the Dunu Zen and Zen Pro kept the legacy alive and even debuted new patented technologies to increase driver performance further.

Dunu’s Falcon Pro are an entry into the realm of high-performing single-dynamic driver IEMs. The OG Dunu Falcon C were a single-dynamic driver offering, and the Falcon Pro retain that heritage.

WIth an upgraded driver and attractive shell design, the Falcon Pro appear to live up to this legacy. Let’s see if the sound quality also lives up to the expectations.

This review originally appeared on Headphonesty.

Packaging​

The packaging is relatively small in size (measuring only 15x10x8 cm). Dunu has made the best use of the compact space by packing many accessories within the carrying case itself.



The Falcon Pro puts many TOTL IEMs to shame regarding the quality and quantity of stock accessories.

First up is the carrying case. I love the shade of green they use here that subtly shifts in color depending on the surrounding light. It’s roomy enough to carry the IEMs, the filters, and the extra terminations.



Attention to detail carries over even to the zipper with a laser-etched Dunu logo. This case is not small enough for carrying in the pocket, but as a storage case, it is fantastic.



Next comes the cable. I dislike the stiff sheathing but other than that – no complaints.



The cable’s Q-lock LITE modular termination is one of Dunu’s main selling points. The terminations connect to the cable via a 4-pin mechanism. The cable is internally fully balanced, so there is little need to invest in a third-party option. Dunu also supplies all three popular terminations by default: 2.5mm, 3.5mm, and 4.4mm.



Last but not least: we get the tuning filters. For storage, they screw into a solid metal card.

Design​

Dunu went for a small, over-the-ear shell design that prioritizes comfort and ergonomics. The shell has a polished metal faceplate with a laser-etched, ornamental matte surround. The laser-etching is especially well done, and forms patterns as light catches it at various angles.



The Falcon Pro utilizes a heavily vented shell design, with five different vents equalizing the front and back pressure of the driver diaphragm.

Comfort and isolation​

Comfort is excellent, as the shells are small, ergonomic, and lightweight. Isolation is poor due to the front vents.

Internals​

The Dunu Falcon Pro house a 10mm Amorphic Diamond-like Carbon (ADLC) diaphragm, coupled with a very strong 1.6 Tesla N52 Neodymium magnet assembly.

The Falcon Pro are their cheapest IEMs to use Dunu’s ECLIPSE driver system. This system doesn’t necessarily indicate the diaphragm material but rather how the dome, driver surround, and voice-coil attachment process is executed.



As the nozzle itself acts as part of the acoustic structure, it warrants a closer observation. As can be seen from the picture below, the nozzles have differing lengths.



Dunu did a clever trick here: adjust the intensity of high frequencies by increasing the distance between the eardrum and the driver.

High-frequency sound waves have a short wavelength. As such, their intensity drops as the distance increases.

This is why you can hear the subwoofer playing in your neighbor’s house but can barely, if at all, hear the high frequencies. Since we perceive sound as a whole, the reduction of high frequencies makes the IEMs sound bassy, even though the bass quantity remains the same.

Dunu Falcon Pro Sound​

The following sound impressions are formed with stock white tips and cable, using a Questyle CMA-400i and Sony NW-A55 as the source. Test tracks are available on Tidal as a playlist.

Click to expand...

In terms of tuning, the Falcon Pro is V-shaped, with prominent mid-bass and upper-mids. That description sells them short, though, as the bass is rather impressive.

The Falcon Pro sound “physical,” with each note having a distinct weight.

Changing the filters to adjust the sound​

Before delving further into the sound description, I will discuss a bit about the filters and why I ended up with the Transparency filters instead of the other two.

With the longest “Atmospheric” filters, the treble region sounds too “dark.” Cymbal hits are distant, and the mid-bass bloom seeps into everything. With some laid-back acoustic tracks, this filter works well, but for most of my playlist, this one did not work out.

Note: All measurements are conducted on an IEC-711 compliant rig.

Then comes the mid-length “Reference” filters. Unfortunately, the sound with these filters is not very resolving. On the plus side, the mid-bass, upper-mids, and lower-treble are fairly even in terms of magnitude. The highs do not sound as dark as before, but they could do with more sparkle.



Finally, I ended up with the shortest “Transparency” filters.

The bass quantity remains the same, but the upper-mids and lower-treble gain more focus. Lower-mids still sound recessed, and the upper-treble is not pronounced using any of the filters. But the Transparency filter has the greatest resolution among the three and strikes a nice balance overall.

For this reason, I analyzed the Falcon Pro using the Transparency filters. I encourage trying the other two filters and finding the one that suits you the best.

Bass​

Falcon Pro's bass is bold, brash, and overzealous at times.

Dunu swept aside the Harman target (mimicking what has become a trend nowadays) and went with their own flavor of bass tuning. Bass starts a very early rise, being +5dB over the lower-mids from 300 Hz and increasing in magnitude as the frequencies drop.

Snare hits and percussion sound dense. The understroke of the keyboard and pianos are in focus, and notes have added weight behind them. Sub-bass has a good amount of rumble, though the rumble is not as pronounced as IEMs targeting the Harman bass shelf.

Bass bleeds into mids on tracks that have mid-bass bloom. Bass decay is also longer than I prefer, which results in bass notes bleeding into each other in fast bass sections. Bass texture is good, and can be made even better by slightly toning down the upper-bass region via EQ.

Midrange​

The Falcon Pro are devoid of any shout or shrillness in the mids, which is great. The bad news is the lower-mid recession.
Male vocals sound drowned out. Subtleties are lost, and vocal articulations are not well-reproduced.

Female vocals fare a lot better and sound tonally correct. Strings sound denser than they are in the mix, though this may be desirable to some. If you like a sharper or more “neutral” reproduction of strings, the Falcon Pro might disappoint in that regard.

I do enjoy the denser reproduction, even though distorted guitar riffs lose their sharpness or “attack” as a result.

Treble​

Treble is most present using the Transparency filter. Even so, the treble response is most prominent around the lower-treble peak near 5kHz.

Beyond that, the Falcon Pro lose treble sparkle quickly, and upper-treble response is mostly mute. In The Ocean’s Rhyacian, snare hits are more prominent than ride cymbals, highlighting this deficiency in upper-treble and mid-treble response.

Thankfully, the treble has great timbre. There is no splashiness or sibilance, and this tuning will be desired by those sensitive to treble.

Soundstage and imaging​

Due to the vented design, the soundstage is excellent for the price tier. Stage width is above average, whereas stage depth and height are excellent.

Imaging is just as impressive, with spot-on positional cues while gaming or watching movies. You will be hard-pressed to find IEMs with better imaging than the Falcon Pro in the USD$100 – 250 segment.

Dynamics and speed​

Macrodynamic punch, i.e., sudden increase or decrease in volume, is a mixed bag.

When it comes to bass drops, the Falcon Pro deliver with gusto, as the bassy tuning helps deliver the sense of physicality. When it comes to the other end of the spectrum, things change. Orchestral rise or crescendo lacks the excitement one should feel.

Microdynamics (subtle gradation in volume) are excellent, class-leading. On Counting Crow’s Miami, the vocals have a slight increase and decrease in volume, and this can be picked up easily on the Falcon Pro.

Comparisons​

Vs Moondrop Kato​

The Moondrop Kato are single dynamic IEMs with a single-dynamic driver like the Falcon Pro, having a similar (but not the same) DLC diaphragm.

Dunu puts Moondrop to shame with the supplied accessories, both in terms of quality and quantity.

As for the build quality, I find them both excellent, though the Falcon Pro offer a more snug fit. Comfort is good on both, though isolation is better on the Kato.

In terms of sound, the tuning philosophies are the opposite of each other.

The Kato goes for a leaner, more neutral, or reference-like tuning. The upper-midrange is prominent, and bass is controlled in the mid-bass region. The bass can even sound anemic on the Kato, which is not the case on the Falcon Pro.

Lower-mids are better on the Kato, with a more neutral reproduction of string instruments. I prefer the Kato for monitoring or such tasks, as they do not color the sound as much as the Falcon Pro.

Treble is also livelier on the Kato, even though there is a hint of splashiness there. I find the Falcon Pro to have better timbre in the highs, even though extension is lacking.

The Kato also come with replaceable nozzles, but those do not change the sound as drastically as the Falcon Pro nozzles. Imaging and staging are where Falcon Pro pull ahead. Microdynamics are another aspect where Falcon Pro stand apart.

Overall, the denser and more colored tuning of the Falcon Pro favors rock, pop, and such energetic genres well. For monitoring, or if someone needs a fairly neutral representation of music, the Moondrop Kato are more suited to such a workload.

Conclusion​

The Falcon Pro received a lukewarm response upon release, partly due to the mid-bass bias and partly due to the apparent lack of clarity and resolution.

They grow on you, though, as it took nearly half a year for me to realize that they are absolutely a keeper pair of IEMs.

The Falcon Pro have managed to garner a cult following, evident by how quickly Dunu’s Vernus (a re-tuned version of the Falcon Pro) sold out. Dunu did not buck the trend just for the sake of being different. Instead, they had a vision, one that mostly worked out.

Dunu’s Falcon Pro stand out amid a myriad of similarly tuned IEMs and walk the fine line between pleasant warmth and excessive bass. They may not be the most resolving and have a recessed lower-midrange, but the overall presentation is addictive enough to overlook those shortcomings.

DUNU is a well-known audio brand which managed to acquire multiple internationally-recognized acoustic research achievements and patents since long. DUNU has dedicated itself to the development and manufacture of earphone products since 1994. Their new offering The Falcon Pro is the latest entry to their ECLIPSE lineup. ECLIPSE is a proprietary driver technology that comprises three primary components: a standalone driver cone, patented glue techniques & a ring-type magnet with 1.6T field strength. This technology first came in DUNU's flagship IEM (Luna) .Now DUNU has finally made it to a price-point that's accessible to the masses in the form of the Falcon Pro.

Disclaimer:
I got the Dunu Falcon Pro as a part of review-tour organized by Hifigo. Thanks to Hifigo for including me in the tour.
All sound impressions are subjective to my listening/sources and are my personal opinion.
One can purchase Dunu Falcon Pro from the following link: https://hifigo.com/products/dunu-falcon-pro

Dunu Falcon Pro comes in a very compact packaging in the form of a zipper carrying case but having lot of accessories within it. It uses modular cable connector system & the mmcx and silver-colored wounded/braided cable looks very clean & eye-catching. The pack also contains 2.5mm-3.5mm-4.4mm terminations, 3.5mm to 6.5mm adapter, filters ,swappable nozzles ,cleaning tool, microfiber cloth & a mesh bag. That's a lot of accessories!!
The filters comes in 3 different flavors i.e. Transparent, Reference, Atmospheric filter. Little flavor changes are present with each filter which is a nice variety to add. For this review mostly Transparent filter was used.



Well coming to sound, I will simply say it has very smooth & musical sound with a tint of warmness. Does it beat other IEMs in its price line , let's check it out.

Dunu Falcon Pro treble is nicely extended one but is smooth at the same time. Its not bright or harsh but imbues a softness which is musical to ears. There is a feeling of airiness to it. The tuning gives you this relaxed treble response which is not overly detailed but is commendable. Mid's are nicely tuned in most aspects. There is feeling of slight recession , basically it is just one-notch down the Balanced set-up which one may expect. The texture is very good, in terms of resolution, the major emphasis is on the macro details rather on the micro ones as expected from the ECLIPSE technology which is very much stand-out when it comes to macro dynamics. Vocals come out clean with clear space & without any congestion. The bass response of Falcon Pro is quite authoritative. There is a very good attack to it and decay is also nicely tuned giving it a nice extension to mid and upper bass. Bass is warm-bodied & presents the required texture of corresponding instruments but not too much. The sub-bass is quite shy & will not impress one if they are keen of it. Basically the Bass is more on the "fun" end rather than the more resolving & clean bass which other IEMs can provide.



Falcon Pro has a wide & layered soundstage which one will notice almost immediately. The separation/imaging is also excellent & comprised with its spatial & airy characteristics provides a nice ambiance around your ears. Soundstage, Imaging & Layering is one of the parts where Falcon Pro seems far better than some of its higher priced IEMs.



Overall, Falcon Pro is a nice single DD IEM out there in the mid-fi range at a strongly competitive price of $219.99 & needs to be checked out. It may lack some of the micro-details but as a whole Falcon pro performs extraordinarily well. It has fun tuning, is smooth & musical, excels in layering, separation, imaging & macro-details. Moreover it comes with a quality modular cable, case & the plethora of accessories included adds the premium feel to the overall experience of the IEM.

Introduction:
DUNU is a well-known name in the audiophile community. It is an old player that has given us many gems like DN-2000J, Studio SA6, Zen, and many more. Falcon pro eclipse series is a worthy addition to Dunu's product line Up. These earpieces are an elegant example of DUNU's excellent craftsmanship. The shiny metallic earpieces have a mirror finish faceplate with frosted borders. The faceplate has DUNU written over it. These earpieces are as easy on the eyes as they are on the ears. The design is simple and powerful. Overall look and feel it's extraordinary.



It is bundled with a high-purity 6N silver-plated OCC copper cable with a new Q-Lock Lite modular plug system. This plug system works perfectly with all the termination plugs, 3.5 mm SE, 2.5 mm balanced, and 4.4 mm balanced. The splitter and jacks have the same frosty finish as the faceplate border, adding to the aesthetics.

The package carries a whole lot of stuff as exciting as the IEM itself. It comes with a green-colored zipped carry case, modular termination plugs, 3 pairs of filters, each for transparency, reference, and atmospheric immersion respectively. Other than this, the package also contains a microfiber cleaning cloth. A cleaning brush, a 3.5 mm to 6.5 mm adapter, and some rings to hold the filters tightly.

Disclaimer:
I have got the Dunu Falcon Pro from Hifigo. All sound impressions are subjective to my listening/sources and are based on my experience with IEMs of similar hardware configurations and price ranges. I am not affiliated with Hifigo by any means. One can purchase Dunu Falcon Pro from the following link:
https://hifigo.com/products/dunu-falcon-pro
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09JCCKNHK/dunu+falcon+pro+iem/

Sources:
The following review is based on the pairing of Falcon Pro to the Hiby RS6 (Balanced out) without any other amplification on a portable setup. And, it has also been paired to Schiit Vali2+Mutibit Stack in terms of desktop setup, which I personally enjoyed more with this IEM.



For the following review, I have used the "Transparency Filters", although the filters don't make much noticeable difference in sound, still, it's worth mentioning over here that which I have used to describe its sound

Highs:
The Highs are very well implemented, the frequency response is clean, transparent, and full of energy giving a very musical experience. The treble extension is very good and not at all sibilant, peaky or harsh at any point in time but quite relaxing and fluidic. There is a feel of airiness and openness to it.

While listening to Guns N' Roses - November Rain where all the instruments come up with nice crisp micro detailing and a very immersive experience thanks to the good imaging capabilities, the electric guitars, flutes, violins, upper notes of the piano, rest all bells and whistles made it a very amazing experience with a lot of chills at various parts of the track. The overall presentation was very much open and clean. Just loved the treble response on it.



Mids:
The mid-range of Falcon pro is very sweet and fluidic. There is a lush and warmth in the mids with a nice texture to every note. Instruments like saxophones, violins, and cellos sound very deep and lush and have a nice body to the notes.

Lower mids have some warmth in them and have a presence factor carried by bass impact as a result the male vocals have a very nice thick presentation with soothing warmth in them. Listening to Eric Clapton singing "Wonderful Tonight" had a similar impact and was very much enjoyable.

Coming to the upper mids again the emphasis is towards the texture and details. There is an increase in the sharpness of notes making it sound very open and lively. The things become more vivid and transparent. While listening to "Astrid S - It´s Ok If You Forget Me" the presentation becomes very much vivid and open, and the vocals sound bit angelic at times.

Lows:
The bass response of Falcon Pro is robust, deep, huge and instantly sets you up in a groovy mood. The attack is very good and with quite thick notes makes it a very pleasurable experience. The texture and rumble are again very good, and the IEM shines very well using a desktop setup. Although the bass is extensive but still does not at any point in time feels like getting out of control nor fatiguing but created an overall musical experience one craves for.

The sub-bass production is way more refined than most of the IEMs in this price range; it was full of texture and the rumbles just feel nice. In quantity, it does feel shy as compared to mid and upper bass.

I have tested Falcon Pro on various bass-oriented tracks and it didn’t fail even for a single time to give me a wow factor by initiating an instant groove from its punchy bass response and while its V-shaped signature sets up an instant dance mood wherein no time I feel my hands up in the air.

Listening to the “Bass Rani” album by Nucleya was such an awesome experience - what a rumble on all the bass drops, it was entirely fun listening to each track. A similar experience was there while listening to “Ni Jana Song by Jasleen Royal” – The Presentation of the bass response was outstanding and the feeling one has while anticipating the drop was damn amazing. it didn’t lose the wow factor; not even for a single drop.



Technicalities:
Falcon Pro shines very well in terms of depth and has extremely good imaging capabilities. The soundstage has a very good width and quite a decent height to it. Listening to Bassnectar – Reaching Out and Dream Catcher has similar impacts with very good bass response, imaging, and instrument separation and does not fail to give a holographic presentation. The overall tonality and presentation is amazing

Again, coming back to Guns N' Roses - November Rain, it was an amazingly enjoyable experience with all the depth, micro and macro detail, and the overall tonality and fluidity that it doesn't fail to give me the goosebumps and chills.



Final Verdict:
Falcon Pro has become my new favorite, it shines very well on portable as well as desktop setups and is very versatile as of the modular cable it comes with it. The carry case adds quite a premium feel to it. The fit and comfort level is top-notch. Coming to the sound, it is a very well-tuned mild V-shaped tuning. The tonality is top-notch and has extremely good imaging and separation. The soundstage and depth are also top-notch. The treble and bass response are well extended with an airy and open presentation. The mids have a lush and organic factor to them. Last but not least, Falcon Pro scales very well to desktop as well as portable setup and gives a musical and relaxing feel. After such a long time I have found such an amazing IEM, and I am totally in love with it that whenever I use this IEM I tend to lose the track of time especially on my Schiit Vali2+Mimby Setup.

Dunu Falcon PRO - Prime Performer, Music Reformer



It isn't every day that I get to review something truly impressive, and Dunu has always delivered before, at least sonically. Today we will study how the 220 USD Falcon Pro IEMs sound like, and whether the comfort of the new Dunu IEMs lives up to their sonic name. Given the affordable price point, but the popular nature of Falcon Pro, I have chosen a few formidable competitors for it, including 7Hz timeless (220 USD), FiiO FH5S (280 USD), MAS X5i (300 USD), and Kinera Freya (250 USD).

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Introduction

Dunu has become such a large and well-known company with a good name, that you wouldn't even remember that they started off as a brand sub-contracted by FiiO to make IEMs for them, when FiiO were at their beginning of IEM creation. Through the years, Dunu released and designed many different IEMS, but all of them followed the same sonic purpose, a musical, easy to listen to sound, with excellent dynamics, and good detail. They usually sound much better than their price point indicates, and Dunu has had one of the best build quality standards out there, with almost no returns, and hardly anyone ever complains about their IEMs. All in all, if you want to order Dunu IEMs, you can get them from stores like Linsoul, and Amazon, to have double the protection, and although Dunu has USA based representation now, you're still best off purchasing from Amazon, since the shipping, problem solving, and eventual returns if you're not fully satisfied are the quickest from them.

It should be noted that I have absolutely no affiliation with Dunu Topsound, I am not receiving any incentive for this review or to sweeten things out. I'd like to thank Dunu for providing the sample for this review. Every opinion expressed is mine and I stand by it. The purpose of this review is to help those interested in Dunu Falcon Pro find their next music companion.



Packaging

First things first, let's get the packaging out of the way:





The package of Falcon Pro is unique, and this year, it is a golden box among my black and white packages of IEMs. This is at a literal level, because the package has a golden color, and if you didn't know any better, you'd think this is the package for a Dolce&Gabbana perfume. The package is not only interesting in aesthetics, but includes a really welcome large carrying case, and no less than 10 pouches of accessories.



The package is really nice, and deserves a round of applause:

• Collection of tips, with 4 types of silicone tips, each coming in 3 sizes
• Cleaner tool
• 3.5mm to 6.3mm adapter
• Cleaning cloth
• Rubber rings for the detachable sonic bore
• 2.5mm jack and 4.4mm jack (Falcon pro comes with 3.5mm jack installed, but you can replace it)
• Two extra sets of bores, each with varied lengths
• The cable
• The IEMs
• A little pouch to keep each IEM in for avoiding scratches during transport.

Build Quality/Aesthetics/Fit/Comfort

Dunu Falcon pro feels very under advertised to me, since it comes with so much, yet even the company barely made enough announcements for the amount of tech inside of Falcon Pro. The use a one dynamic driver configuration, with the code Eclipse for Falcon Pro. The same driver tech can be found on their more expensive models as well, like Luna and Zen Pro, but they all have a different driver, just constructed similarly. We have a Multipath Airflow Management with Falcon Pro, which basically means that they created openings / ventilation both behind and after the driver, to increase the damping and create a wider soundstage.



Speaking of soundstage, Dunu Falcon Pro comes with 3 sets of bores, each in their own size, basically bringing the driver closer or farther away from your eardrum. The differences between those nozzles are noticeable, and they go from Falcon Pro sounding forward and aggressive, to sound wider and more relaxed. The reference nozzle seems the most natural, and has the best balance from them all. Dunu also implemented a dual Chamber inside Falcon Pro, for controlling the tonal response and suppressing resonance inside the IEM.



The cable is another interesting part, as Falcon pro is the most affordable IEM in the whole world with a modular cable, and their cable is no joke either, being a premium 6N Monocrystalline, Silver Plated copper Litz cable. You can easily switch between 2.5mm, 3.5mm and 4.4mm jacks with the cable, by just pulling on the latch release metallic band at the end of the cable, and shoving in the new cable. The cable is not springy, but is slightly solid, plus slightly tangle prone, so I recommend using the cable separator when wrapping it up for storage.



In terms of subjective usage, Falcon Pro is really ergonomic, every system and component works well, and they are one of the best finished IEMs on the market right now. This means that there are no uneven surfaces, no corners or sharp edges, and the entire construction is smooth and well-thought. In fact, one of the best parts about Falcon Pro is the ergonomics, as Dunu has been learning and improving with every release, Falcon Pro being one of the most ergonomic and comfortable IEMs I have tested to date. Thanks to the over-the-ear design, there is no microphonic noise when walking or running, and no driver flex, thanks to the high amount of ventilation present on Falcon-Pro.



Falcon Pro does not isolate well from outside noise, as they are open, and you will hear keyboard typing and such. On the other hand, they do not leak very much, and people around me are not bothered by my music, even if I listen relatively loud.



I have been using a selection of sources for driving the Falcon Pro, and happily none of them doesn't present any hissing, or background noise, on either 4.4mm balanced connectors or on single ended connectors. They are about as hard to drive as IMR Ozar, needing between 60 and 75 of volume on the Astell & Kern SE180 for a satisfying experience. Falcon Pro can take extreme volume with zero distortion, and will happily play well at any volume from quiet to ear bleeding levels. The headroom is great too, so you can apply EQ if you feel like you need any further EQ above the tuning bores and use specific tips for your best comfort and listening experience.



Sound Quality

To get the sonic impressions for Falcon Pro, I have been using high-end DAPs like iBasso DX300, iBasso DX240, Astell & Kern SE180, Astell & Kern A&Ultima SP2000T, and Lotoo PAW6000. All of them can drive Falcon Pro well, and none of them doesn't have any hissing or background noise. The general signature of Falcon Pro is clean, detailed, V-Shaped with a strong and bold sub-low presentation, and a clean, open airy and sparkly treble. The midrange has an open and slightly bright signature, with excellent imaging, and a huge soundstage. The sound can be described as smoothly textured, and generally natural with all music styles.



The bass of Falcon Pro is deep, bold and authoritative, with good extension as low as 20 Hz. The bass has most of the energy between 35 and 80 Hz, with some extra strength above 150 Hz as well. This means that music is warm, fluid and generally satisfying, with a good body. Falcon Pro has an open and wide bass presentation, thanks to its very open design, but this means that the punchiness is slightly lower than more closed and isolated designs. Most of their punchiness is from the upper bass all the way to the lower treble, and although the mids are the most punchy element of their sound, Falcon Pro sounds like the treble and the bass are both tuned slightly louder than the midrange. The bass is pretty much to what you find in live presentations, although the absolute sub bass presentation is a bit shy of the main bass, mid bass and upper bass.



Using the longer nozzles that are named Atmospheric Interpretation will provide a vague sound, some sonic depression, and I do not recommend relying on them for an increased stage. Using the Transparency nozzles makes the sound more aggressive, but also more balanced, with a more forward midrange. I like this presentation quite a lot, and I find it to be the most balanced one. This being said, the Reference is more balanced, cleaner, and more laid back, easier to listen to with a wider selection of music, like rock and metal. Given that we mostly hear midrange in music, if you're listening loud, or feel that the mids are distant, using the transparency nozzles is recommended to bring it closer to your ears. The bores have no high end filtering, so the treble will largely be the same among them.



The midrange of Falcon-C is really open, clean, and detailed. The focus is not on micro details, but macro details, with texture being presented smoothly and fatigue-free, Falcon Pro being easily enjoyable even with harsh records, and music that was recorded in poor conditions. Given their slightly bright tuning in the mids, this is a welcome change, and Falcon Pro simply sounds open and lively, without being fatiguing, harsh or metallic. I love the fact that I can crank the volume extremely high with no fatigue, and Falcon Pro still is enjoyable, dynamic and interesting.



The Treble presentation is clean, airy and bright. The overall tuning has some extra brightness in the whole midrange, but the treble isn't particularly bright, it is smooth, clean, but airy and energetic. Falcon Pro blends the idea of having an open and strong treble, with that treble being clean and fatigue-free. The general feeling is that they sound open and clean. No odd peaks and dips are present, so the general sound is fairly natural.



Comparisons



Dunu Falcon Pro vs FiiO FH5S (220 USD vs 280 USD) - Comparing Falcon Pro to FH5S is going to raise some questions, because the cable on Falcon Pro is actually on quality, if not a bit better than that of FH5S. The comfort is comparable between them, Falcon Pro having configurable nozzle length, so potentially more comfortable for a higher number of users. The overall sound is quite different. I like FH5S, it is a worthy upgrade of the original FH5, which was a sweet midbass-mid centric IEM, and the same can be said about FH5S, but Falcon Pro is far more open, wider, with more instrument separation, more space in the sound, and better bass delivery.

Dunu Falcon Pro vs MAS X5i (220 USD vs 300 USD) - MAS X5i is larger in design, with larger IEM shells, and larger tips, which makes Falcon Pro more comfortable by default. The larger number of drivers on X5i amounts to better resolving abilities, but a slightly more metallic tinge for the upper midrange and lower treble. The soundstage is quite wide on both, and X5i has a fairly wide stage as well, but the treble is more airy, sparkly and more energetic on Falcon Pro, while it is smoother and gently rolled off on MAS X5i. The bass is heavier, stronger, and more punchy on X5i, with more sub bass quantity. The bass quality is similar between them, and both are natural towards slow in decay and textures, with a smoother presentation and enjoyable overall sound.

Dunu Falcon Pro vs 7Hz Timeless (220 USD vs 220 USD) - Out of all the comparisons I decided to make, you're probably the most eager to hear about the Timeless versus Falcon Pro, especially as both are pretty raved about. To be entirely honest with you, I enjoy both of them, but Timeless is more of a fun basshead experience, while Falcon Pro is far more enjoyable in the midrange, for detail, clarity and dynamics. Timeless has more sub bass quantity, where Falcon Pro has a more rounded sound that's more natural, more open and with better overall macro detail. They are similar, but at the end of the day, I would take the improved aesthetic, more open midrange, and improved comfort of Falcon Pro, along with their customisable design, if you want a beginner IEM. If you're a veteran, neither won't be as fun as investing more in a better IEM, say like Dunu's better offers, DK-3001 PRO and others.

Dunu Falcon Pro vs Kinera Freya (220 USD vs 250 USD) - Freya has a larger body, so it is less comfortable, but it has a more esoteric aesthetic, and also comes with a good default cable. The overall sonics are in favor of Falcon Pro, which sounds more open, more natural, with better detail and clarity. Even if you're after bass, Falcon Pro generally has better overall bass refinement and clarity, and Freya sounds quite dampened in general, having less treble, less brightness, but also less detail, Falcon pro simply being a better purchase at a lower price.



Value and Conclusion

At the end of the day, you're not paying a lot of Falcon Pro, and at 220 USD, they can be considered a best buy IEM, just like 7Hz Timeless, an IEM that I've been enjoying greatly. Falcon Pro appeals to other listeners, and although they are bold and punchy, Falcon Pro is much less V-Shaped than the direct Timeless competitor, so Falcon Pro is easier to recommend to those who love some bass, love some sparkle, but also want mids and clarity with their music.



Falcon Pro is great at providing an open stage, with good instrument separation as well as a clean stereo imaging, so they are compatible with a good selection of music, including Pop, Rock, EDM, Dubstep, Classical, Soundtracks and pretty much everything else that you may be listening to.



I like Falcon Pro so much that it will take a place in audiophile-heaven's Hall Of Fame as an excellent purchase at 220 USD, and they will replace Falcon C as well as the old DK-3001, being a better overall purchase in 2022.



At the end of the day, if you're looking for a high-end IEM at a midrange price, Falcon Pro provides the right wide, airy and clean presentation with a punchy bass that will keep you engaged and will never bother with metallic sounds.

DUNU is a well-known chifi manufacturer in the western world. Their tuning has been epic in the midrange department of iems like SA6 and ZEN. But today we are gonna check out their latest Lower tier offering - THE DUNU FALCON PRO

DISCLAIMER:
This unit has been provided to me as a part of a review tour in my country organized by HiFiGo. This review is completely based on my experience with it and all opinions positive or negative are my own and no one else’s (no one can have my thoughts ). Please try it yourself if you can, since we all hear things differently. The link for the iem is here.

SPECIFICATIONS:

• SENSITIVITY: 112 ± 1 dB at 1 kHz
• IMPEDANCE: 26 Ω at 1 kHz
• TOTAL HARMONIC DISTORTION: < 0.3% at 1 kHz
• DIAPHRAGM: 10 mm diaphragm with amorphous diamond-like carbon dome (ADLC) and fully independent suspension surround- ECLIPSE TECH
• HOUSING MATERIAL: Stainless Steel
• TOTAL HARMONIC DISTORTION: < 0.3% at 1 kHz
• INTEGRATION(S): Dual chambered, anti-resonance shell design
• Interchangeable tuning nozzles (Atmospheric Immersion, Reference, Transparency)
• CABLE LENGTH: 1.2 ± 0.1 m
• CABLE MATERIAL: 6N silver-plated OCC copper
• CABLE CONNECTOR: Patented Catch-Hold® MMCX Connector

PRICE-

220$/ 20K INR

UNBOXING-

As always with our indian tours, I got a dunu case only in a packet. Inside were a beautiful pair of iems, with a single pair of tips, cable with all three connectors (3.5, 4.4 and 2.5) and filters . Rest is pics .



BUILD AND FIT-
It's a small, heavy and mirror finished with frosted corners beauty. It has a little footprint and worked well for me with the stock ‘M’ tips. Remember to keep it nicely otherwise it's a scratch lover . The iems corners are bevelled, frosted and has dunu and symbols written on it which looks cool!!!



CABLE-
It's a DUNU DW03 cable . So new and much better connectors and they are in beautiful silver colour now . The cable is pretty slick, no microphonics and works well with other iems too. It’s a 6N silver-plated OCC copper with the new DUNU Quick-Switch Modular Plug System (NEW). The new connectors feel well build more than the old ones too.



ACCESSORIES-

• MMCX cable w/ swappable jacks
• 2.5mm/3.5mm/4.4mm terminations
• 3.5mm to 6.5mm adapter(nope)
• lots of ear tips (I got just one pair)
• cleaning tool, microfiber cloth, and mesh baggy (got none)
• spare rings that go on nozzles
• swappable nozzles filters
• CASE

FILTERS-

Screw type filters with three filters. They also provide those small rubber rings to prevent over tightening of filters. Even though its easy to change filters, I wonder how long will the screw system last. Gives BQEYZ’s offering I like it more than the others.

POWAH REQUIRED-

Its required but not much you can easily go by with a Dongle. DAPs increase the dynamic range a bit and source differences are not much easily noticed; it still tries to keep its original tonality and all. So, yeah easy to run and not source dependant, great points in my book.

NOTE- This IEM is used with-

• N6ii and R01 (mostly R01 since it adds more naturalism to the iem and also better stage) for portable on chair listening experience for the most part of the review. About 40-50 volume on low gain
• On desktop- N6ii LO and A30s (Burson V5i D) and XDUOO MT602 Sylvania tubes ( beautiful pairing but then low gain on N6ii and also volume at 05 ) has been used.
• Sometimes LG G8x as phone source.
• Tips used were stock ‘M’ sized stock tips, this was a great fit.
• Entire review is done with the transparency filter since it was a match made in heaven for me

SOUND IMPRESSIONS- THIS IS SUBJECTIVE AND YOUR OPINIONS MAY VARY FROM MINE

SUB-BASS-

It's good with this filter but it doesn't go very deep at all. The rumble is less and doesn't spread through. Notes of the sub-bass are pretty textured but lack a proper big lengthy body. Beginning of notes are pretty great but the edge definition is great but non-existent since it doesn't go that deep at all. The dynamics are okayish. It requires a bit more power to shine in the sub-bass and bass but this makes other frequencies a bit too loud for my preference. Transparency also follows the above.

BASS-

Bass is great. There's lots of texture with his dynamics. Tonality also is kick-ass . It's punchy but not too compressed and has good energy. Notes have a good body and great beginning to their sounds. They have good edge definition too but a little lacking in transparency. Timbre is less but there is quite fast decay and fast attack, so notes are separated a lot. There is good space around the instruments too. The bass could have used some more timbre given how wide the head stage is . Details will require a bit too much volume added so it becomes definitely loud but if you are listening to chill tracks, that won't be an issue.


MIDS-



TREBLE-

Treble is very smooth. There was a good amount of dynamism and good amount of energy in the treble region. There is not much air added in this region and it’s not sparkly enough to satisfy the treble lovers. The tonality is slightly warm but the tonal accuracy is excellent. Timbre is better of the strings and wind instruments. The metal instruments felt lacking in power hits. Notes are quite well bodied, with good definition in the beginning parts but lacking in the edges quite a bit. Notes height differences are not that well distinguished but still better than some other filters. The separation is pretty great and notes separation is also well enhanced. Overall, a smooth experience.

HEADSTAGE AND IMAGING-

Head stage is very wide. Not much tall but good sonic head-room (some instruments note heights do reach the very top). There is good depth (-ve y axis) but stage depth and layering are excellent so much that it might be better than some twice as much iems. Imaging is legendary. Centre staging is much more enhanced but some songs make it stay between right and centre in some instances. You can feel instruments but also can see them sometimes. It's very precise .



RESOLUTION AND SEPARATION-

Resolution is good but at a given cost. It requires a bit of power to show the microdetails and increase its own transparency. But adds some loudness to the other frequencies which you may or may not like. Separation is excellent and just adds a better feel to the notes. Space around the instruments is just beautifully done but sadly not much air is presented in then or in the notes.

OTHER FILTERS-

Writing about filters among the main sound signature is a tedious process plus makes the whole read lengthy. But putting it in bulletins is much easier for me with my busy schedule and also easier to get a grasp of what's happening fast

So here we go.

• No stage depth
• No notes height difference
• Stage width same
• Stage height less
• No energy in the upper mids and treble
• Dynamics takes a slight hit
• Transparency takes a hit

• Slightly more decay in percussion instruments.
• No proper stage depth
• Stage width is less
• Stage height is the same
• Bass hits are more spacious
• Mids feels a bit too closed in
• Transparency takes a hit too
• Stage depth is good
• Separation takes a small hit

COMPARISONS-

BQEYZ AUTUMN
Pros-
More balanced signature
Better mid bass tightness and definition
Better inter-instrumental separation
Texture is better enhanced
Better notes edge definition
More controlled and balanced notes
Wider stage
Good change in sound with filters

TRI I3 PRO-
Pros-
Better treble extension
Better treble details
Better sub-bass
Better stage depth and layering
Better transparency
Better mids
Note body definition was better.

TIN P1 PLUS-
Pros-
Better treble extension
Better air in the string instruments
Better transparency
Better edge definition of the notes
Better texture in bass

TIMELESS 7HZ
Pros-
Bass is warmer
Sub-bass is warmer
Better vocals than T1 plus
Less air
Less details

MOONDROP KATO-
Pros-
Excellent dynamics
Excellent tonal accuracy
Beautiful airy notes and treble (less than p1plus)
Well extended in the treble region
Has sub-bass and is mid bass heavy
Beautiful separation and spacing around instruments
Wide stage
Excellent imaging and resolution

DUNU FALCON PRO-
Pros and cons-
Best cable with multiple terminations
Widest stage among all the above
Great vocals except autumn takes it a little much better with more air
One of the best timbres after KATO, slightly better than autumn.
Tonality is better than most except BQYEZ
Separation is great similar to many below it
Coherency is great
Stage height is less
Sound change in filters is not that much.
Bass hits and texture are great.
Not so great imaging
Transparency lacks



SUMMARY-

Given the price of this iem, it's easy to recommend it since you get a good cable too and also the connectors. But unlike others, that I have tried, the filters are not that great. In this category of 200$ and above iems, this stands above the 200$ category for sure but some 160-200$ iems are not far behind. So does this get a recommendation - yes!! But if you have wanna spend less, good options are around too with not much difference.

I got dunu Falcon pro for review purpose thanx to hifigo.com. All the impressions and views Are based on my own experience, I m not forced or encouraged to write anything particularly good or bad. You can buy it from here



Packaging and accessories
Well this was review Unit so didn't get full retail box hence can't comment on unboxing experience but it has nice and sturdy pouch ,which is very similar to campfire style ,I liked it.and lot of tips also included in retail packaging



Build , Design, Fit and Isolation
Dunu Falcon Pro is built like a Tank with Mirror polished 316 stainless steel ,With sand blasted frosted logo on bevel. Shell design instantly reminds me Of Mango haha. It has 3 different type of interchangeable Nozzle named transperency , Reference and atmospheric immersion. Fit wise very comfortable and seats very snugly iny ear councha specially with transparent ( Short Nozzle). With Other longer nozzles fit is not very secure for my ears, for small ears there shouldn't be any problem I guess . Isolation is average for me given small shell size . Cable is equipped with Dunu's Q-Lock Lite modular swapeble termination plugs , contains 3.5mm ,2.5mm balanced and 4.4mm balanced plugs
Specifications
Falcon pro boasts patented Eclipse series 10mm dynamics driver
Impedance :- 26 ohms
Sensitivity :- 112 decibels
Sound Impression
Dunu Falcon Pro is very easy to drive I used it with my smartphone and cayin n6ii with e01. Falcon pro has very mild V shape tonality but frequency response changes according to which nozzle used ,but overall mild V shape with all nozzles, which i liked. But timbre I felt okeish , not bad but I must say I m not impressed here. Falcon pros eclipse dynamic driver produces hefty but gentle low end , not very fast and attacking Neither very punchy but somewhat softer ,midbass is meaty though but slightly woolly ,thumpy , softer kind of . Let's talk about all three nozzles one by one .
Transperency :- low end slightly lacking specially subbass rumble but vocals and mid frequencies shines here , vocals felt natural and clean and "relaxed " .Upper Mids also more present , treble are extended , sparkly and most detailed out of three . soundstage is narrow though depth is better and all over sound is bigger thn rest two other modules.this filter is I liked the most for music
Reference :- With this Nozzle Soundstage is slightly wider but depth is slightly less.vocals are somewhat less intimate and distanced , instruments , cymbal hits , not felt true to nature , all over sound is less energetic and slightly laidback in comparison with first nozzle.perfact for laidback relaxing reference kind of listening seasons
Atmospheric immersion :- Well this nozzle is as long as reference one but bore size is narrow resulting more quantity in low end . Bass is more in quantity thn previous two filters but still not bass head levels not even close .all over sound is much wider and immersive ,but mid frequencies and vocals are even more muffled thn reference ,midbass is emphasized too . imaging capabilities are very different here , instruments felt like floating around but sometimes vocals are too much distanced Note weight is not enough .. though watching movies and gaming on this Filter is absolute Fun
Conclusion
Over all dunu Falcon Pro is fun to listen type of iems with three type of nozzle trickery ,solid build, very good cable, with all three plug termination. Not very analytical type But very laidback , fun to listen, highs are not harsh or fatiguing with all three filters , I can listen it for hours and hours without being tired . Falcon Pro isn't bad iem by any mean neither excels in any particular area also.And 200 usd price segment is very competitive.there are many strong competitors in this segment.

Note:- gear used for audition is cayin n6ii+e01 , redmi k20pro, spinfit tips (shown in pics )

INTRODUCTION:

Dunu is a brand based out of China and specialised in IEM and Cable manufacturing. This is my first encounter with the brand since I haven't tried any of their products before. The TITAN series were known for their superior sound quality and the build. The Falcon Pro is their latest offering in the mid range segment and in this review let's check out if the falcon pro really stacks up against the competitors in this price range.



DISCLAIMER:

This unit has been provided to me as a part of a review circle organised by Team HiFiGo. I have not been influenced by them to manipulate my views in this product hence the whole review is completely based on my experience with it and also based on my pairings and sources. This view might differ from person to person.

You can purchase the Falcon pro via this link (non-affiliated): https://hifigo.com/products/dunu-falcon-pro

SPECIFICATIONS:

FREQUENCY RESPONSE: 5 Hz – 40 kHz

SENSITIVITY: 112 ± 1 dB at 1 kHz

IMPEDANCE: 26 Ω at 1 kHz

TOTAL HARMONIC DISTORTION: < 0.3% at 1 kHz

DIAPHRAGM: 10 mm diaphragm with amorphous diamond-like carbon dome and fully independent suspension surround

HOUSING MATERIAL: < 0.3% at 1 kHz

TOTAL HARMONIC DISTORTION: Stainless Steel

INTEGRATION(S): Dual chambered, anti-resonance shell design
Interchangeable tuning nozzles (Atmospheric Immersion, Reference, Transparency)

CABLE LENGTH: 1.2 ± 0.1 m

CABLE MATERIAL: 6N silver-plated OCC copper

CABLE CONNECTOR: Patented Catch-Hold® MMCX Connector

PLUG CONNECTOR: DUNU Quick-Switch Modular Plug System (NEW)

INCLUDED PLUG TERMINATION(S)

4.4 mm TRRRS Balanced
3.5 mm TRS Single-Ended
2.5 mm TRRS Balanced

DESIGN AND FIT:

The design of the Falcon Pro is quite unique where it appears as an oval shaped design. The faceplate has that unique brushed finish in the borders while the center is polished and has the branding. On the brushed area the dunu branding is done in an animated way which looks really nice in real. In the inner aspect of the earpiece they have given three vents for the pressure equalisation.

The nozzle is of good length and has screwable tuning filters for versatility in sound. The MMCX connector area is nice and angled. The given cable is of good quality and the unique thing about it is the terminations can be interchanged. The additional terminations are also provided in the package thus you are covered to pair it with various sources. The interchangeable process is pretty easy and the connection is tight and secure. The cable in terms of in hand feel they are not that impressive but considering the practicality it possesses it seems they are one of the bang for buck cables.



The tuning nozzles are housed in a metallic plate and the nozzles can be attached to the earpiece via screwing.

The given eartips are good in terms of quality and one can achieve a good fit and seal via the provided ear tips.

The given case is a hard shell cloth braided green coloured case which is very nice in hand and does have a lot of space inside them to accommodate the earphones without any issues. The thing is the lid and the base portion is attached by an elastic string which makes the case limited in terms of opening hence it feels difficult to place the earphones inside the case.

SOUND:

The sound profile of the Falcon Pro is very energetic and slightly a U shaped profile. The midrange takes a hit a little bit but with the different filters applied the sound does change noticeably making them a versatile IEM. The sound profile in each filters and the response in each frequency will be seen in detail in the following sections:



Source: iPhone + Zen Can + Avani

LOW END:

The low end is quite a dominating aspect of the Falcon Pro since they are that pronounced in every filter they provided. Even though they are pronounced they are not overwhelmingly done instead they are a sweet spot.

Especially i like the low end in the Atmospheric Immersion filter. Here the low end is more controlled, tighter and even the decay is at a sweet spot where they are fast enough at the same time they do provide some rumble in the sub bass region. The mid bas bleed is reduced a lot when compared to the low end in the other two filters.

Nonetheless the low end in the Falcon Pro is more of a mid bass focused which is kind of a con for me since i like the sub bass presence more. The sub bass is present but not that emphasized as that of the mid bass done here. The quality of the bass is better in the falcon pro where the texture and the detail retrieval in the low end is very impressive considering a single DD earphone.

The low end has that mature texture while also trying to bring out the low end details as much as possible. The mid bass is overly emphasized in the reference filter compared to the atmospheric immersion which made the whole listening experience boxed out but this changes instantly after switching the filters.

The sub bass could have been improved a bit but that's a small con otherwise the rest of the low end quality and the quantity is just well tuned in the Falcon Pro.

Tracks Used:

1. Bigfoot – Malfnktion
2. Instant Crush – Daft Punk
3. Contact – Daft Punk
4. Why So Serious – Hans Zimmer

MID RANGE:

The mid range of the Falcon Pro is good in terms of placement and layering. Even though they are slightly pushed back especially the instruments the placement is done very well. The instruments are layered out very well thus they feel very wide and spacious.

The lower mids has that nice thick bodied sound carrying on from the Mid bass presence is evidently noticed here. The male vocals sound thick and forward hence the engaging and energetic experience is felt nicely. The male vocals don’t sound shrill or lean, instead they sound fuller and neat.

The upper mid range is also nicely done where the presentation is nice and forward with fuller female vocals. The sibilance or the lean vocals are not experienced here. The upper midrange emphasis is not overly done.

The clarity and the separation is above average and most importantly the imaging and the layering are the strong aspects of the Falcon Pro. The detail retrieval area above average being a single DD. The spacious and the airier sound is neatly presented here.



With the reference filter the mid range is not great at all where everything sounded muffled and boxed out but after swapping to the Atmospheric Immersion filter everything changed where the mid range is livelier and open sounding.

Tracks Used:

1. Billie Jean – Michael Jackson
2. Perfect – Ed Sheeran
3. The Blowers Daughter – Damien Rice
4. Easy On Me – Adele

TREBLE:

The treble in the Falcon Pro is well and safely tuned. The extension is good but don't expect a god tier detail retrieval since this is not a hybrid or an all BA iem. The clarity and the presentation is above average for a single DD iem.

The presentation is engaging and fun signature yet still delivers some analytical sound too. The treble is not overly emphasized hence they don’t sound sharp or artificial. The cymbal crash sounds precise where the attack and the decay feels natural and snappier. The crispier sound of the cymbal is more engaging.

The treble has that adequate brightness delivering above average clarity. The separation of the instruments are neatly done thus they don’t sound clustered out. The shimmer and the brilliance in the top end is elegantly brought out. The stringed instruments and the trumpets sounds natural and has that nice tonality overall. They are not the brightest and crispiest sounding earphone and being in a fun profile the treble is nothing to complain about.

Tracks Used:

1. Dreams – Fleetwood Mac
2. Sultans Of Swing - Dire Straits
3. Jack Of Speed – Steely Dan

TECHNICALITIES:

STAGING: The staging is nice and wide. They feel very wide enough where everything feels nicely separated out with more than enough space in between the instruments and the vocals. The depth and the height is above average and they are not that big enough when compared to the width it possesses.

IMAGING: The imaging feels precise and easy to point out all the details without any issues. Even in the busy and complex tracks one can easily point out the things precisely. The channel sweep feels pretty smooth and the transient response also feels the same.



The layering and the separation are excellent for a single DD iem. The macro details are better than the micro details. The resolutions are above average for the price too.

TONALITY AND TIMBRE: The tonality feels thick and warm. They don’t have any metallic taste or have that artificial tone. Everything feels natural and warm. The overall tonality is non offensive and has that safe tonality. Even during longer listening sessions they are pretty good to listen to.

The instruments have that natural timbre and nothing feels artificial. Nice and thick sounding overall.

VERDICT:

Falcon Pro, the latest offering from the Dunu is a pretty great one in a Single DD lineup. The falcon Pro possesses a 10mm DLC Coated eclipse dynamic driver delivering some thumpy dynamic sound. The additional replaceable tuning nozzle design also adds an advantage to the versatility of the Falcon Pro.

The Falcon Pro profile is a U shaped with some engaging and fun taste to it. The stock sound out of the reference sound appeared too bloated out and had that noticeable mid bass bleed but after changing to the atmospheric immersion filter the sound appeared very nice and beautiful.

The whole sound appeared perfect with the atmospheric immersion filter and its kind of midrange focused thus the vocals and the instruments sounded absolutely wonderful. The low end is quite great and even had adequate quantity and quality in all the filters. It's more of a mid bass focussed but it would have been great if the sub bass emphasis is done better.

The treble is safely tuned and has a clear and neat presentation. They are not the best in terms of micro details but the macro details are neatly laid out. The resolution is above average too.

So the Falcon Pro is priced at 219 USD and is it worth the price? Well it depends.. At a cheaper price the Timeless 7hz is available! The falcon pro does have some advantages like the forwardly presented vocals but other than that the Timeless does sound better. The stage width seems to be slightly wider in the Falcon Pro and even the layering is slightly ahead than Timeless. The timeless however excels in the low end, detail retrieval, treble and most importantly value for money. It all comes down to the preference of the user since after all the Falcon Pro is a SPACIOUS LIMOUSINE!

Introduction​

The Falcon Pro is DUNU's latest point of entry to their ECLIPSƎ lineup. ECLIPSƎ is DUNU's proprietary driver technology that essentially meshes three primary components: 1) a standalone driver cone, 2) patented glue techniques, and 3) a ring-type magnet with >1.8T field strength. The technology was pioneered in DUNU's flagship IEM, the Luna ($1700), which is indicative to me of having some of the best macro-dynamic contrast that I have heard from an IEM. Eventually, the technology trickled its way down from the Luna to the DUNU Zen ($700), and now it's finally made it to a price-point that's accessible to the masses in the form of the Falcon Pro. I have to note that the aforementioned IEMs - the Luna and Zen - were characteristic to me for being notorious for their tonal balance as much as they were impressive for their dynamics. That in mind, I approached the Falcon Pro with the question of whether it would be able to balance its groundbreaking driver technology with a more palpable tonal balance. Read on to find out whether I think the Falcon Pro delivers.

This unit was provided for review courtesy of DUNU. As usual, what follows are my honest thoughts and opinions to the best of my ability.

Source & Drivability​

All critical listening was done off of my iBasso DX300 and iPhone 13 Mini with lossless files. The stock silicone tips and stock cable were used. The Falcon Pro takes a moderate amount of power to drive as is characteristic of most single-DD IEMs; however, I had no issue reaching my normal listening volumes (~70dB). Hissing was a non-issue.

The Tangibles​

Holy cow - DUNU has outdone themselves here! Despite the more compact packaging that the Falcon Pro comes in, no shortage of accessories are at your disposal:

• MMCX cable w/ swappable jacks
• 2.5mm/3.5mm/4.4mm terminations
• 3.5mm to 6.5mm adapter
• lots of earths
• cleaning tool, microfiber cloth, and mesh baggy
• case
• spare filters
• swappable nozzles

Yeah, like I said, there's a lot. The Falcon Pro is also expectedly constructed superbly. The shells are of stainless steel and have a heft to them that exudes confidence. No detail has been spared from the mirror finish on the edges to the logos lightly sandblasted on top. The connectors for the Falcon Pro are MMCX, and DUNU has included a "lite" version of their legendary swappable connector for the cable. The difference between the lite and the premium version is that the connectors for the lite version are held together purely by friction, whereas the premium version has a lock. Still, this should be a boon to anyone who swaps between sources frequently.

I had no issues with fit or comfort; however, as usual your mileage will vary. It's also worth noting that the Falcon Pro has a number of vents in the shell which means that 1) isolation is below-average and 2) fatigue from pressure build-up is a complete non-issue.

Sound Analysis​

The measurement below was taken off of an IEC-711 coupler. There is a resonance peak at 8kHz, so measurements after that point should not be considered entirely accurate. You can follow this link to compare the DUNU Falcon Pro to other IEMs that I have graphed.



The Falcon Pro has three nozzles (Reference, Transparency, and Atmospheric Immersion) with which you can swap around to adjust the sound signature. In all cases, the Falcon Pro sports a mid-bass oriented curve and a smooth treble response; the nozzles mainly affect the amount of midrange presence in the order of Atmospheric (least), Reference (middle), and Transparency (most). Personally, I found myself flip-flopping between the Reference and Transparency nozzles.

If there’s one thing I could change about the Falcon Pro, it would definitely be the bass response: I simply do not jive with the mid-bass emphasis. Aside from the Falcon Pro failing to dig into the deepest of frequencies adequately, and bass notes coming off somewhat hollow, my critiques follow in the name of intangible performance. I feel that the Falcon Pro’s ability to render textural nuance on Dreamcatcher’s “Silent Night” is somewhat lacking, perhaps due to a conjunction between the weaker bass extension and slightly quicker bass decay. Incidentally, I’ve actually talked to Tom of DUNU about how most of their IEMs follow this type of bass shelf, so I know it’s a deliberate tuning decision on DUNU’s part. That in mind, if you're after a more "fun" bass response and are willing to sacrifice rumble and clean bass lines, this'll probably do the trick.



The midrange of the Falcon Pro is pretty good. Again, I’ll focus on it within the context of the Reference and Transparency nozzles. The Reference nozzle is generally warmer and more subdued with a gentle pinna compensation and upper-midrange; the Transparency nozzle brings back up the upper-midrange for more note definition and, overall, a slightly leaner midrange presentation. I think the biggest concern here would be a minor recession from 1-2kHz. I probably wouldn’t have called it without a graph. But closer listening does reflect that on, say, Hyolyn and Changmo's "Blue Moon", Changmo's voice sounds somewhat hollow and lacks what I can only describe as a sense of depth to 1:50 onwards. I have to wonder if this recession was intentional, as it does have the perceived effect of lending more “space” around vocals and mitigating congestion such as on the venerable Sennheiser HD800S.



That aside, the treble of the Falcon Pro is the most mature part of its tuning. When you’re dealing with IEMs in this price range, I’ve found that - quite frankly - most of them suck at treble. And not even on a technical level; it’s rare to find IEMs at this price with good treble tuning alone! With the Reference nozzle, though, the Falcon Pro is impressively smooth, devoid of any egregious peaks or valleys, and perhaps only a tad less impressive in terms of sheer extension. In fact, it's almost too smooth - perhaps “sweet” if I’m being kinder - with this nozzle which makes me gravitate toward the Transparency nozzle. Treble is more defined on the Transparency nozzle; however, percussive hits come across as noticeably more compressed sounding due to a subsequent emphasis at roughly 5kHz. But no matter, this is a commendable treble response all things considered.

Technical Performance​

“Uh-oh, this isn’t very resolving”. That was the first comment I made to myself when I heard the Falcon Pro. And yup: more listening hasn’t really changed that opinion. I suspect that this is largely attributable to the warmer, mid-bassy tuning. The Falcon Pro simply isn’t going to trade blows against the likes of established single-DD heavy-hitters such as the Moondrop Kato for clarity, and it’s a point of contention that some listeners will likely refuse to settle for.

Looking past this, however, I do find the Falcon Pro to be surprisingly competent for what I affectionately refer to as more “latent” intangibles. To start with, the Falcon Pro’s imaging is above-average despite being far from pinpoint-precise. By this, I am referring to the structural definition of the Falcon Pro’s staging. Notes actually sound big and the Falcon Pro has some semblance of soundstage height with the Reference nozzle. With the Transparency nozzle, I find the Falcon Pro’s layering improves slightly at the expense of some of this note size. In both instances, the Falcon Pro has commendable ambiance to its staging; in fact, I would say it beats out even much more expensive IEMs like DUNU’s own Zen and the Sennheiser IE900 for stage size!

The other instance with which the Falcon Pro makes its mark is dynamics. I don’t think its dynamic contrast is great - loud moments generally don’t come off as loud as they should and quiet moments don’t come off as quiet as they should - but for a general sense of physicality, the Falcon Pro is a very punchy IEM for its price point. On Taeyeon’s “Make Me Love You”, the bassline has that characteristic with which it feels like I’m being smacked by a wave at 0:52 and 2:01. Part of this feeling is ostensibly baked into the heavy amounts of mid-bass the Falcon Pro sports, and the Falcon Pro clearly falls behind its older brothers the Zen and Luna for dynamics, but the ECLIPSƎ driver technology is the real deal. I enjoy how this characteristic pays compliment to the warmer tuning; it culminates in a more musical sound where music flows in contrast to the plethora of single-DDs (eg. Moondrop Kato, Etymotic ER2XR, JVC FDX1, etc.) in this price range that lean flatter and more compressed.

In another world​

After I had assessed the Falcon Pro, DUNU kindly sent me an experimental version of the Falcon Pro with less bass and a more upper-midrange oriented tuning. This version of the Falcon Pro was intended to capture what a more technical interpretation of the IEM would sound like. It lowers the mid-bass to more controlled quantities and addresses some of the slight hollowness to vocals. To me at least, this version further demonstrates the effects that tuning can have on perceived clarity. The experimental version has less of the blunting to transient attack that I outlined above, enough that I would place it on par with the Moondrop Kato. I think I prefer this version, but that said, I do feel it loses some of the "special sauce" that makes the Falcon Pro the Falcon Pro.

The Verdict​

I have to admit that I wasn’t super hot on the Falcon Pro when I first heard it. I could tell the tuning was good, don’t get me wrong, but I felt that the general technical performance of the IEM leaned more middling. Closer listening, however, has forced me to re-evaluate my stance on the Falcon Pro. I think this is a warm IEM done correctly, perhaps not unlike the Vision Ears VE7 that I praised not too long ago. The difference? There’s no need to cash out an arm and a leg for the Falcon Pro. Stack on a plethora of great accessories, user-adjustable sound signature via nozzles, consistently good build quality, and I think DUNU has put together a solid package for the warm-heads. I'd say give this one a shot if that's the type of sound you're after.

Reference Tracks​

• Aimer - Hakuchuumu
• David Nail - Let It Rain
• Everglow - DUN DUN
• Girls’ Generation - Galaxy Supernova
• Illenium - Broken Ones
• Joe Nichols - Sunny and 75
• Keith Urban - Defying Gravity (2009)
• Keiichi Okabe - Weight of the World (NieR:Automata Original Soundtrack)
• Sabai - Million Days
• Sawano Hiroyuki - Best of Vocal Works Remastered (2020)
• Taeyeon - My Voice (2017)
• Tiffany - I Just Wanna Dance

Disclaimer : The unit was provided by Hifigo as a part of a review tour. All thoughts and opinions are my own. You can purchase the Dunu Falcon Pro here.

Build and Fit
On first glance, the Falcon Pro appears to be built really well, and it is. But with usage, I feel that operating this earphone is quite un-ergonomic. The faceplates are slippery, fingerprint and grease magnets and on top of that they are small. The filter plate is equally un-ergonomic to use as the filters are so close to each other, it becomes irritating to try and open them from the threaded holes. The slippery surface of the filters make it even harder. Fit is really good though, the nozzle is thin and on the longer side and the final result has great passive noise isolation.



Amp Needs
At 26 ohm and 112dB/mW the Falcon Pro is easy to power from just about any source. No external amplifier is needed.



Sound Quality
The three filters : Reference, Atmospheric and Immersive affect sound drastically, as one might expect. I found the sound quality to be the best from the Reference filters which is what I am going to describe. I found the performance with the other two filters not on par as it adds weird resonances and sounds kinda weird. With Reference Filters, the sound is flat, flat and flat! Its flat enough that some people might find it boring. It felt as if the entire mix was stripped of all color for the hearer to see it naked, reference grade. You could probably do pro work on these with this filter. The timbre and tonality are really good and unadulterated. To elaborate further, the presentation is laid back and polite with the treble smoothly rolled off. Everything seems to be balanced and buttery smooth. Due to the laid back sound signature, you will find the dynamics to be on the rear seat sometimes. On the technicality front, the Falcon Pro is not the best. Imaging is notably vague and smeared and the headstage is so-so when it came to depth and width. But honestly, that's not the point. You are meant to be listening to this and relaxing, not focusing on the nitty gritty of the music. It smoothens off the rough edges of music and so it is not the most detailed either, which might be a very good thing depending on the user.





Conclusion
The Falcon Pro indeed does sound reference grade with the reference filters. Very balanced and a serious sound. Do note that technicality junkies might be disappointed as this is not the main focus of this earphone.

Disclaimer:

I received the Dunu Falcon Pro as part of a review tour in my country organized by Hifigo.com. I am not associated with either Hifigo or Dunu in any way and have no incentive whatsoever to write anything positive or negative about the IEM. The impressions shared in this write-up are based on my usage of the IEM over a week or so. The Dunu Falcon Pro can be purchased from Hifigo.com using the following link:

https://hifigo.com/products/dunu-falcon-pro
Or from Amazon.com:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09JCCKNHK/dunu+falcon+pro+iem/



Packaging and Accessories:

The Falcon Pro is the latest and most affordable option yet from their ECLIPSE-based series of single dynamic driver IEMs. This also happens to be my first Dunu IEM. The IEM comes with a modular cable that honestly looks cheap and rather poorly built. The modular terminations especially feel flimsy and fail to inspire confidence in terms of their longevity. Having tried (and loved) other Dunu modular cables like the DUW-02, Lyre, Chord, and Hulk, I was very disappointed by the quality of the Falcon Pro’s cable. I’m assuming that this trade-off was made to lower the cost of the Falcon Pro, but frankly speaking, it works against the Falcon Pro as a product offering, since, the FiiO FD3 Pro in comparison comes with the excellent FiiO LC-RC cable yet costs 70 USD cheaper. Perhaps the inclusion of better-quality termination plugs that Dunu usually sells for 20 USD, would have made the Falcon Pro a better value proposition at 220 USD.



The IEM has a stainless-steel faceplate with a teardrop shape. The IEM looks great and despite the metal body, is surprisingly light. The inscriptions along the edge of the faceplate enhance the aesthetic appeal of the IEM. The IEM comes with a variety of ear-tips and three tuning filters embedded in a metal plate/holder. The package also includes a rather premium-looking carry case, a cleaning cloth, and a cleaning brush.



Tip-rolling and Tuning Filters

Of the stock ear tips, the Falcon Pro sounded best with the whirlwind tips, though the short stem of the whirlwind tips meant that I found myself constantly pushing the IEMs into my ears trying to get a better seal. Hence, I’d recommend similar wide bore tips with a slightly deeper fit. Something like the Flare Audio Everyday or Audiophile tips, or the JVC Spiral Dots SF (Stress-Free) or SpinFit CP360. I couldn’t find much of a difference between the tuning filters. I mean there is definitely a perceivable difference in SQ between the 3 filters, but it is not something as huge as the tuning filters for FiiO FH7 or Shure Aonic 5. That being said, here’s a brief description of the change in SQ with each filter:

Atmospheric Immersion: The bass seems to be punchier and there is a substantial reduction in terms of the soundstage.

Reference: In comparison to the Atmospheric Immersion filters, this one has a wide soundstage. Although the bass is not as punchy, it still has a good slam.

Transparency: The bass seems to be somewhat lacking with this filter. The treble is crispier and the mids seem to sound leaner, which may be preferred by some, but I personally wasn’t a fan of this one.

Personally, I preferred using the IEM with Flare Everyday silicon tips and the reference filter.



Sound Quality:

The Falcon Pro is quite balanced in terms of tuning. The lows have good slam and punch especially with the Atmospheric Immersion filter. Rumble, however, is poor across all 3 filters. Similarly, the IEM seems to be limited in terms of treble extensions, maybe because it is a single DD. Due to these factors, the Falcon Pro isn’t really great in terms of resolution. Not that it is bad, it just remains in the mediocre range. Thus, analytical listeners are likely to be disappointed by Falcon Pro.



The mids on the Falcon Pro are good. There is a good note weight with the atmospheric immersion and reference filter. The notes seem to sound leaner with the transparency filter. There is a slight warmth to the overall SQ, which can be expected since this is a single DD IEM. The Falcon Pro has some sweet timbre which sounds great thanks to the overall tonal balance. There is no bass bloat, nor is there any bass bleed. The separation is quite good considering the price. The soundstage is acceptable, though not as wide as say the FiiO FD5, it isn’t too narrow either. The soundstage depth is average, which is acceptable at this price point. In terms of dynamics too, the Falcon Pro isn’t extra-ordinary or mind-blowing. It is strictly average. However, the Falcon Pro makes for an interesting listen especially due to its tonal balance and sweet timbre as mentioned earlier. It has a very relaxed signature that allows one to enjoy music without getting too caught up with the technicalities.

Conclusion:

The Dunu Falcon Pro is a good single dynamic driver IEM for the price point. It packs in a lot of accessories. It has some really good timber and great tonal balance. However, it is quite an average performer in terms of soundstage, imaging, dynamics, and resolution. Thus, it is not something I’d recommend for analytical listeners. If you’re someone who’s looking for a neutral-sounding IEM with a tad bit of warmth the Falcon Pro is a suitable candidate, especially if you’re someone who likes long and relaxed listening sessions.

I’ve enjoyed most of DUNU’s IEM releases and they always impress me with their transparency when it comes to product releases. Since the launch of their ZEN, they have been slowly improving their single DD tech since and one of the newest single DD is the Falcon Pro. What makes this a slightly different product is the new set of tuning nozzles and new vent design. They also have their new Q-lite cable that’s included with the Falcon pro which is a simple swappable plug system and DUNU is nice enough to include a set of all normal plugs for all types of amps. The Falcon pro is a using a 10mm single Dynamic driver that uses a lot of DUNU’s ECLIPSƎ single DD design. The Falcon Pro comes in at $219.99

Quick shoutout to Kevin from DUNU for sending the Falcon Pro to test and review. While I always appreciate the chance to test and review products sent in from manufacturers, it never affects the rating of my review.


The Falcon Pro can be picked up from DUNU at their website below.
https://www.dunu-topsound.com/falcon-pro

Onto the review of the Falcon Pro! My personal preference is a hybrid/tribrid IEM where I get good hitting bass and have a detailed treble with decent mids. When it comes to an over ear headphone I prefer a spacious sound with a deep low end, the mids to be more forward and the highs to be a little bright with some sparkle. I listen to a lot of genres but I hover in the classic rock, blues and edm music with some rap here and there.

Gear Used​

IPhone 12 pro with headphone adapter, iFi hip dac, iFi Go Blu, SMSL SU-9 feeding the SP400 amp.

Looks and fit​

The DUNU Falcon pro comes in a nice metal stainless shell that is fairly light but looks pretty good to my eyes. There is a throwback set of DUNU logos along the side of the faceplates which gives it a premium touch. The fit is pretty good for me personally but the fit changes depending on which tuning nozzles you use. I’ll go over the different tuning tips but I ended up sticking with the reference tuning nozzles for the rest of my final testing.

Isolation and sound leaking​

The vents in the IEM cause the isolation to be minimal. When I have the IEMs in my ears It does kill off some outside noise but I can still hear my own typing fairly easily. I took them out for a few walks and I could still hear dogs and noise from passing cars easily as well. Due to the vents on the IEMs, others can hear what I’m listening too. It’s not as bad as something like the Audeze open back IEMs but it's still something I wouldn’t use laying next to my fiance at night or on a plane ride.

Packaging and accessories​

I ended up getting a retail box unit this time around so I’ll have a good list of stuff included with the Falcon pro. We have a smaller box that’s stuffed with a bunch of goodies. Inside we get a nice DUNU branded canvas carrying case, the Q-lite cable with three connectors, 4 different types of ear tips, a slab with different tuning nozzles, replacement gaskets, cleaning cloth, cleaning brush and finally all the basic user guides. I always love all the extra stuff DUNU includes with their headphones.

Sound(overall)​

These final impressions were done off a mix of the iFi hip dac and the SMSL SU-9 connected to the SMSL SP400. These are what the Falcon Pro sounds like to my ears. This was also using the CP100+ eartips from spinfit. Things like ear tip selection and DAC/amp selection will produce different results and impressions vs what my ears hear on my specific gear.

The Falcon pro uses a 10mm single DD so we get fairly good low end thumps with decently detailed mids. The Falcon pro starts to fall on its face in the upper treble but the tuning was done well enough that the focus is lows and mids with a slight lack in the treble department. I tend to dislike an IEM that only has one specific focus, mainly mid focused IEMs. I like that this Falcon Pro has a main focus on lows and mids. This tuning gives the Falcon pro a fairly warm sound with decent low end that thumps and has good impact. The mids are still warm sounding but the vocals sound detailed and I was pretty happy with most electronic music I listened to. The treble isn't super lacking but I would say it's a little darker and less detailed compared to something like a hybrid IEM in the same price range. Detail retrieval isnt bad but I wouldn’t recommend the Falcon pro for someone looking for a super analytical sound. I could still pick up little details but it required me to really pay attention compared to other IEMs. I still enjoyed these and have been using them when relaxing in the living room or in bed. The warm signature just mixes well with me when I want to settle down for the night.

Soundstage/Imaging​

Soundstage is about average for an IEM in this price bracket. Depth and width are about average. I get a feeling of the music being a little closer to my head and I’m neither impressed nor disappointed. Imaging was fine. I tend to not have any problems with average soundstage IEMs when it comes to imaging. Things were easy to pick out but I definitely wasn’t wowed by any means.

Cable rolling​

I used the DUNU chord and DUW-02S cable for testing. I honestly didn’t notice a difference between the cables other than preference and how they sat in my ear. Both the stock cable and the DUW-02S have an angled connector and that seems to hold the Falcon Pro in my ears better. I like the looks of the stock cable with the Falcon Pro however and that’s what I ended up staying with.

Stock cable​

The stock cable isn’t super stiff but it's on the light and thin side. The cable does coil easily and I have issues with the cables not hanging down straight. Not a deal breaker but it still annoys me. I like the simple friction connector system they’re using this time. The Q lite cable uses simple force to connect and disconnect the different connectors. I did a decent amount of swapping connectors while testing and everything still feels super tight. I love DUNU’s cable systems and as long as you don't mind the looks of this cable, I’d say just stick with the stock cable.

Tip rolling​

I always try tip rolling IEMs but usually stick with Spinfits as they almost always have a tip that works for me. They have a new spiral inner designed tip which I was interested to try out. I unfortunately couldn't get any of those tip sizes to seal in my ear so I can’t comment on their sound. The other trips were a mix of wide and small bore tips. The small bore tips made the bass a bit too boomy for me so I stuck with the CP100+ from Spinfit. The grey tips DUNU includes are about the same bore size and sound about the same as the Spinfits I use. The Spinfits are just more comfortable for me long term.

Tuning Nozzles​

I did mess around with the tuning nozzles a bit. I won’t get super deep into the sound differences but I’ll give my basic thoughts. The short and wide “transparency” nozzle boosted what sounded like the upper mids and kept the bass and treble about the same as the “reference” nozzle. I didn’t like how much sibilance I got from the transparency nozzles so I gave up on using those pretty quickly. The “atmospheric immersion” Nozzle is long like the reference nozzle but its thinner width wise and ends up sounding slightly more relaxed overall. I started getting a stuffy bloated sound when I used them. Once again I stopped using them after a bit and went back to the stock “reference” nozzles. The stock nozzles were my favorite overall and gave a very distinct bass/mid focused sound without sounding bloated. I like that there are some options for those who might not like the stock sound tuning. Don’t expect a huge tuning change with the nozzles however.

IEM comparisons​

Moondrop Aria​

The Aria is my main recommendation for under $300 since it’s my favorite “all rounder” for the price of $80. The Aria is a little more mid-focused to my ears but it has average lows and highs. I think the Aria is hard to beat under $300 until it comes to “daily driver” IEMs. The Falcon Pro gave me way bigger smiles listening to EDM with its thick and quality bass impact and more focused warm mids. Synth noises were never too harsh on the Falcon pro like they can be on the Aria. I think if you want something that does everything well then the Aria is a good choice but If you want some fun and yummy bass, go with the Falcon Pro.

Dunu EST 112​

The EST 112 and Aria have a somewhat similar mid-focused tuning while coming off as great “all rounder” sounding IEMs for me personally. When I A/B both, I think of the EST 112 as a more detailed version of the Aria. When compared to the DUNU Falcon Pro, the EST 112 indeed has way better treble and a more intense mids. This is the most obvious when A/B testing vocals and bass hits. The EST 112 has a more accurate sounding vocals and the bass has good extension but no real impact. The Falcon Pro gives a super smooth vocal presentation and a way harder hitting bass that still extends down low really well. It’s a toss up personally on which one of the two DUNU IEMs I would personally pick. I don’t always have a need for hard hitting IEMs and as a reviewer I tend to lean to more detail retrieval more than anything else. The Falcon Pro is fun sounding and I have a blast listening to them so I would recommend at least testing both IEMs if the choice is between the two.

Amping Combinations​

Lightning headphone adapter​

The apple dongle works perfectly fine with the Falcon pro. I have zero issues using this pairing if I didn’t want to take a portable DAC/amp with me. That being said, there's still a decent sound upgrade using a dedicated amp. Most noticeable when it comes to detail retrieval.

iFi hip dac and Go Blu​

I had originally planned to do two separate comparisons between the hip dac and go blu but I didn't find a huge difference between the sound quality wise. Both give off a slightly wider and warmer sound. I do think both units have a slight treble boost at least compared to other amps. Both devices work great with the Falcon pro honestly. It’s gonna come down to personal preference on what you want to take with you. If I can take the Go Blu then that's almost always my choice. At least for my phone and Ipad via bluetooth. If I’m using a laptop on a trip or in the living room, I’ll usually have the hip dac with me. The Falcon pro doesn’t need much power so either device works fine on the go. The hip dac unit I have can be picky with some 4.4mm pentacon jacks and can lose sound depending on the orientation of the plug. I dont have the same issues with the Go Blu. The hip dac has a little too much power for the hip dac via balanced so I would run it single ended.

SMSL SU-9/SP400​

There was a nice upgrade in the quality of the bass and mids going to a full size desktop amp. The sound had a more spacious sound overall and vocals just had a bit more detail and presence. Do I think you need a $1100 DAC/amp to feed the Falcon Pro? Absolutely not, It’s still neat to see a difference on some IEMs in terms of scaling. I think something simple like the Topping EX5 or the new SMSL SU/SH-6 would be better desktop pairings price wise.

Overall thoughts​

I like the Falcon Pro a lot for bass heavy music or some EDM. I didn’t care for vocal heavy or rock tracks when using the Falcon. I think if you can find a genre that works well with the Falcon Pro or even if you want the warm and darker sound signature overall, then the Falcon Pro is gonna be a recommendation from me. The big thing here is that there is a distinct tuning and I like the commitment. Good job to the DUNU team for making a fun IEM for under $300. Thanks for reading!

The Falcon Pro is Dunu's latest ECLIPSE-based single dynamic driver in-ear monitor that uses trickle-down technology from the Zen and Zen Pro and their flagship Luna. This new IEM comes in at a relatively low price of $219 and is packed with goodies, which I'll talk about a little bit more below.

First off, I'd like to thank Tom of Dunu for providing me this review unit to try out and provide my impressions here.

The Falcon Pro is not only just a new IEM, but it also features the first use of Dunu's new modular cable connector system that I'm aware of. This new mmcx and silver-colored wounded and braided cable is very clean looking and easy to use. The new connector is a little bit easier to use as it is just pulled on without any moving mechanism to secure it into place. You do have to make sure you have it aligned correctly for it to fit. The new connector may look large in marketing images, but in reality, its actually a lot smaller than I thought and is a little more compact than the original Dunu modular connectors.




As with other Dunu products, there is a lot of tips provided, as well as a zipper carrying case. The case included with the Falcon Pro is a green canvas-like material and has a netted pocked on the inside. There's plenty of space for the IEM and tips and small accessories. My little Sony Walkman NW-A55 will actually fit inside this case as well!

Dunu uses a metallic shell that has a polished mirror look with 5 vent holes on the interior side. The shell design is tear-drop shaped and small to medium sized with a medium depth nozzle. My overall comfort level wearing these with SpinFit tips was excellent and I never felt like I needed to take these off nor had trouble with seal.

Sound Impressions​

The Dunu Falcon Pro exhibits a warm-bodied and smooth sound no matter the filter choice. Now, each one does something with the amount of bass and treble output, but overall the Falcon Pro has a warm and elevated bass response, and a slightly dark and relaxed treble range that makes it a comfortable listen for long periods of time. If anything, the Falcon Pro has a very vanilla, yet elegant sound.




For most of my listening, I decided upon the least bass, and more treble filter called the Transparency filter. This one provided a little bit less mid-bass, and just a tad more treble than the standard Reference filter, and the very interesting Atmospheric filter. With the Atmospheric one, it's hard to pinpoint exactly what is going on, as it doesn't necessarily sound as dark as it graphs, and provides an interesting level of depth and imaging that sounds a bit diffused out, and I don't tend to notice the dark FR response that it exhibits.

With the Transparency filter, I found the bass to have the least amount of bloat, though I wouldn't necessarily say that the other filters are excessively bloated. They have a very mid-bass focused sound but does not necessarily translate into a great amount of punch and slam. Instead, I find this to be a smooth and warm-bodied experience, with any of the filters. The Transparency filter, however, allows just a little bit more texture to shine, but at the end of the day, the Falcon Pro isn't the most resolving and texture-filled experience there is for an IEM nor does it compare to Dunu's higher-priced sibling, the Zen.




The Falcon Pro's midrange is even-keeled. It's warm and subtle and does not do anything to make it really stand out. Perhaps, this has to do with the elevated lower bass, and the Hifiman-like subdued 1KHz range, which gives the Falcon just a bit more space to play with in an otherwise warm-tuning that can cause music to come across just a bit more intimate than my normal preferences.

The treble response of the Falcon Pro shows a mature smoothness to it that isn't overly bright or sharp, but also not too dark either. It's got a decent amount of treble extension, but a softness to it that makes it sound very refined, especially at the price point it is targeting. Many IEMs in this price range don't really give the listener proper treble extension, and many mask treble extension-less with just peaks in the lower treble to give an overly sharp but "clarity" sound. In the case of the Falcon Pro, treble is present, but it does not stand out, which is nice. I wouldn't classify it as sweet totally, but it's nearing that type of sweetness that I desire.




The Falcon Pro's technical performance is a bit of a mixed bag. It's solid given its low price point, but I wouldn't consider it above average against other competition either. It has solid separation, and treble extension, but it lacks microdynamics and punch. It doesn't slam as hard as you may think given its FR graph, nor does it provide a great level of bass texture given its dynamic driver. But it does not falter in any of these cases either. It's just, average.

I gave out the sample units of the Dunu DK2001 and DK3001 Pro a couple years ago to the boys at Headphones.com and they still have them, otherwise I'd love to compare how these fare against one another. I think the Falcon Pro may go well head to head against these two, as a very similar cross of the two IEMs, with the bass/warmth of the DK2001 and the relaxed sound of the DK3001 Pro, but with more treble extension than both.

I did compare this to the smaller, but pricer Zen from Dunu. The Zen is punchier, more dynamic, and just an overall better IEM in many of the technical categories. The Falcon Pro does best the Zen in soundstage distance and treble extension though, and provides better instrument separation, but the Zen has better resolution, slam/punch, and a more exciting overall sound. I do like the Falcon Pro's tonal balance just a tad more just because the Zen can be a bit too forward in the upper mids, which can be fatiguing to me. That's never a problem with the more chillax Falcon Pro.

Wrap-Up​

The Falcon Pro is a nice entry for Dunu. While I don't think it's something that is uniquely great or a world beater, I do think its a nice overall package when you consider the cable, accessories, and build quality. The tonal balance works well for many genres, and is smooth and warm and should work well for long listening sections. Plus, it has some treble extension!

Its not the most technical IEM on the market, nor even in its price class, but it sits in the average to above-average category of IEMs as a whole. That's not a bad thing, as it probably won't disappoint those spending their hard earned cash on this little package.

INTRODUCTION AND DISCLAIMER:​

The Dunu Falcon Pro is an in-ear monitor (IEM) using a single dynamic driver. The driver uses Dunu’s proprietary ECLIPSƎ technology, first seen on the Dunu Luna, which I reviewed here. The Falcon Pro retails for $219. I received the Lyndale directly from Dunu in exchange for my impressions.

SOURCES:​

I have used the Dunu Falcon Pro with the following sources:

• Qudelix 5K
• Hidizs S9
• Hidizs S3 Pro

MUSIC:​

I have tested these headphones with local FLAC and Spotify Premium. Visit my last.fm page to get an idea of what I listen to:
XenosBroodLord’s Library | Last.fm

PACKAGING AND ACCESSORIES:​

The Dunu Falcon Pro comes in a rectangular black cardboard box with a yellow cardstock slipcover. The slipcover is illustrated with a repeating field of grey Dunu logos in varying sizes. Technical specifications for the Falcon Pro are provided on the rear of the box in English and Chinese.
The package includes a wide array of accessories, including four different types of silicone eartips. These include three pairs of Sony Hybrid-style eartips (S, M, L), three pairs of short KZ Whirlwind-style eartips (S, M, L), three pairs of flexible Spinfit-style eartips (S, M, L), and three pairs of generic eartips (S, M, L). I would have preferred one of these tip sets have been a foam set instead of silicone.

The Dunu Falcon Pro comes with a green semi-rigid zippered carry case. The carry case is marked with the Dunu logo in silver and has a mesh carry pocket. The workmanship of the case is very good overall but the clear plastic retaining sheet over the Dunu logo is visible under bright lighting conditions. The Falcon Pro also comes with a Dunu-branded microfiber cleaning cloth.




The Falcon Pro has a detachable cable with MMCX connectors. The included detachable cable uses Dunu’s new Q-Lock LITE (QLITE) modular cable termination system. Three terminations are included with the Falcon Pro: 2.5mm balanced, 3.5mm single-ended, and 4.4mm balanced. The package includes two separate foldout diagrams explaining, but both of these diagrams are in Chinese. This may not be representative of the final international package. A Dunu-branded dual-pocket mesh drawstring bag for the unused terminations and a Dunu-branded velcro zip tie are also included.



The Falcon Pro comes with three different tuning filters. The Transparency filter is the longest and the Atmospheric Immersion filter is the shortest, with the Reference filter sitting in the middle. The nozzle filters are also differentiated by a thin colored O-ring above the thread. The package includes a cleaning brush and two extra pairs of colored O-rings for each nozzle filter.

BUILD QUALITY AND DESIGN:​

The Dunu Falcon Pro has moderately sized stainless steel housing with a water droplet-shaped cross-section. The faceplate has a flat upper face surrounded by a thin downward-sloped rim. The polished face is marked with the Dunu logo, and the rim is frosted with the same repeating logo pattern seen on the Falcon Pro’s packaging. There is a visible seam between the faceplate and the housing body.
There are five mesh-covered large circular vents on the interior face of the Falcon Pro: two larger vents on the housing base and three slightly smaller vents on the nozzle base. There is a mesh filter covering the base of the nozzle cavity where the tuning filter screws in.

The cable is very attractive, as one would expect from a Dunu product. The hardware feels durable and appears well-machined. The cable has a clear rubber chin-adjustment slider. There are pre-formed plastic earguides without memory wire. There is strain relief above the 3.5mm jack, but none at the Y-split. The cable is mildly microphonic.

COMFORT, FIT, AND ISOLATION:​

The Dunu Falcon Pro is intended to be worn cable-up. The earpieces have a shallow insertion depth. Secureness of fit is below average, at least with third-party foam eartips. I frequently had to push the earpieces back into my ear canals. Isolation is a bit below average. There is mild driver flex with some silicone eartips.

MEASUREMENTS:​

My measurements of the Dunu Falcon Pro can be found on my expanding squig.link database:
Dunu Falcon Pro (Reference) — Squiglink by Bedrock Reviews
My measurements are conducted with a Dayton iMM-6 microphone using a vinyl tubing coupler and a calibrated USB sound interface. The measurements use a compensation file derived from relating my raw measurements to published measurements from Crinacle and Antdroid. These measurements should not be directly compared to IEC-compliant measurements.

SOUND:​

The Dunu Falcon Pro has a broadly elevated but mid-bass focused bass tuning, which I cannot help but feel lags behind its prospective competitors with more targeted sub-bass shelves. There is a fair amount of mid-bass bleed which muddies the lower midrange and reduces the overall midrange clarity. This can be mitigated with mild equalization, but the necessity of having to do so is a mark against the Falcon Pro.
The Falcon Pro does convey a subwoofer-like sense of physicality to its bass presentation that is out of proportion to the relatively moderate level of bass elevation. On bassy tracks, one feels as though the Falcon Pro is moving air. The bass is highly textured and notes have substantial weight.
The Falcon Pro’s three tuning filters mostly affect the presentation of the midrange, with a lesser effect on the degree of treble emphasis. I spent the majority of my time with the Falcon Pro using the Transparency filter, followed by the Atmospheric Immersion filter.
In my opinion, the boosted upper midrange the Transparency filter provides is necessary to balance out the Falcon Pro’s elevated bass region in the absence of equalization. However, there is occasional sibilant harshness with the Transparency filter primarily due to its increased presence region emphasis. Electric guitars take on a buzzsaw-like character with this filter, and vocal intelligibility is less than I would like at this price point. Female vocals are somewhat recessed into the instrumentation, and male vocals are even more muffled.
The Atmospheric Immersion filter does a better job of separating vocals from the underlying instrumentation and does not cross the line into sibilance. However, without equalization, the overall tonal balance can collapse under the weight of the mid-bass during bass-heavy or busy passages. I would likely prefer the Atmospheric Immersion filter’s vocal-focused midrange presentation to the other filters if not for the level of bass in the base tuning. With the option of equalization to make some kind of mid-bass cut, the Atmospheric Immersion filter is my favorite of the three.
I liked the Reference filter the least. Its presentation is neither vocal-focused nor energetic enough to stand out against the Falcon Pro’s broad mid-bass elevation.
With the Transparency filter, the midrange does have a slightly dry timbre, though this seems to be an artifact of the frequency response, specifically the more intense presence region with this filter. The other filters sound progressively more natural, with the Atmospheric Immersion filter having the most realistic timbre.
The treble region is surprisingly understated. The presentation here is very smooth without any harsh or artificial peaks. Many listeners will appreciate the deft restraint shown here. There is some air but not much sparkle. Detail retrieval is underwhelming for this price point with all three filters. Treble transient delivery is somewhat blunted and indistinct.
Imaging is excellent. Layering is also very good, a characteristic which becomes more evident with bass equalization. The soundstage is expansive for a single dynamic driver design, with a surprising amount of height and a width that extends beyond the head at the far edges.

AMPLIFICATION REQUIREMENTS AND SOURCE PAIRING:​

The Dunu Falcon Pro is very easy to drive. I did not notice hiss with either of my sources.

CLOSING WORDS:​

The Dunu Falcon Pro is a good IEM held back from greatness by its stock bass tuning. The ECLIPSƎ driver offers some unique capabilities at this price point, but the overall tonal balance is flawed in some way in each of the Falcon Pro’s configurations. Mild equalization, as provided in the image below, makes this IEM an easier sell:



The Dunu Falcon Pro can be purchased at the link below:
https://www.dunu-topsound.com/product-page/falcon-pro

If you enjoyed this review, please consider checking out my blog at:

https://medium.com/bedrock-reviews

The Dunu Falcon Pro was kindly provided for the purpose of this review while it remains under Dunu's sole property.
Dunu never asked for a favorable review and as always this is my honest and subjective evaluation of it.
All links to be found below are not affiliated and I don't get commission by clicking on them.
The Falcon Pro is available from all authorized dealers and the price is $219,99.



Product highlights

10mm ECLIPSE dynamic driver

Following the trend of the single dynamic driver resurrection, Dunu designed the Falcon Pro, a dynamic driver iem with a newly developed 10mm ECLIPSE dynamic driver unit.
It adopts an Amorphous DLC (Diamond-Like Carbon) Dome and fully independent suspension surround sound.
The driver features a powerful magnetic system that produces a powerful magnetic flux of up to 1.6Tesla allowing for the swift, smooth movement of the diaphragm coil.
There is also a dual-chambered Resonance Control with Multi-Path Airflow Damping.
ECLIPSE is a DUNU’s patented technology where the dynamic driver is designed with the best quality materials providing full-range support with quality detailing and high-resolution clarity.
The Falcon Pro driver is specially designed from Dunu and it costs at least five times more than the usual OEM drivers that are usually used in this price category.



Full technical information and specifications are available here

Replaceable tuning nozzle design

Falcon Pro has a replaceable tuning nozzle design which allows the users to adjust the sound output as per their taste and preference.
The pair comes with three different sets of replaceable nozzles, one for "transparent" sound, one for "reference-grade", and one for "atmospheric immersion".
Judging from the size of the nozzles, the "transparency" is equal to the so called "treble emphasis" nozzle and the atmospheric immersion to the "bass boost".



Modular cable design and quality

The DUNU Falcon Pro comes bundled with a high-purity 6N Silver-Plated OCC Copper Cable with the self-patented new Q-Lock Lite modular plug system.
This is advertised as a newly developed system for robust reliability without breaking the bank.
Falcon Pro comes bundled with a full set of 3.5mm SE, 2.5mm Balanced, and 4.4mm Balanced termination plugs in the package.
The cable has catch-hold MMCX connectors for an easy and stable connection with the earpieces.
The cable is of good quality and offers excellent handling without microphonic noise.
The splitter and the jacks are made from lightweight aluminium and my only observation is that this new Q-Lock system doesn't look as sturdy and future-proof as the twist and lock alternative.
The female end of the plug snaps into place thanks to two tiny plastic lumps that fit into their respective holes on the male and I am not very sure about how many insertions can handle before wearing out.



Build quality and appearance

The Falcon Pro is crafted using a high-precision CNC machining process from shiny Stainless Steel material with mirror chrome polish and sandblasted logo motif frosting.
Build quality is excellent and I find it beautiful and classy, reminiscent of a much more expensive product plus they sit in the ear very discreetly if that is what you are looking for.



Fit and isolation

The ear pieces are compact and lightweight with an ergonomic shape so I was able to get a comfortable and stress free fit but not very tight so they wouldn't be my primary choice for active sports.
Fit may vary a little depending on the sound tube used due to the differences in height and diameter, so sometimes I have reached for a larger sized ear tip than my usual.
The Falcon Pro has an open design principle so passive noise isolation is not the best and they aren't very suitable for excessively noisy environments but on the plus side they can be used when you need to stay in touch with your surroundings.



Accessories

The Falcon Pro comes bundled with a nice, green colored, semi - hard carrying case with a zipper, useful for everyday carry of the earphones and the accessories.
Speaking of accessories you get the modular cable with three plugs and three pairs of interchangeable tubes that are screwed on a small metallic card so you don't lose them.
Then there is a great selection of various silicone ear tips, 4 types with three sizes each, making a total of 12 pairs but no foam tips.
The ear tips came packed into small plastic bags without some kind of a sorting holder.
The accessories continue with a small fabric storing pouch, a microfiber cleaning cloth, a cleaning brush, a 3.5mm to 6.35mm adapter and some spare plastic o-rings that are used to mark the different sound tubes.



Amping and related gear

With an impedance of 26Ω and a high sensitivity of 112dB/mW, the Falcon Pro is easy to drive and can get pretty loud from mobile phones.
Nonetheless I strongly suggest the use of at least an entry level USB DAC like the ddHiFi TC35B or even better because the Falcons scale well and they do need a quality source to unlock their full potential.
I have used a variety of high quality sources such as the EarMen Sparrow, THX Onyx and FiiO M11 Plus.



Sound impressions

Sometimes, while evaluating an earphone, it is very tempting for the reviewer to browse into frequency response graphs but I have found that this procedure can be deceiving and strongly derail my thoughts into the wrong direction, so I prefer to do my listening without letting measurements affect my mind.

The general sound signature of the Falcon Pro is that of a quite balanced earphone with a mild mid-bass emphasis that adds a welcomed warmth and a natural instrumental timbre without manipulating the sound too much.
This is an iem that prioritizes tonality and texture over excessive technicalities that nonetheless are not still missing at all.

One of my favorite tracks is this magnificent tune by Henry Purcell, ingeniously improvised by Christina Pluhar.
https://open.qobuz.com/track/14945427

The double bass sets the pace and with the Falcon Pro the pitch is just slightly above reference, it sounds full bodied and controlled with excellent timing and a very tight pinching staccato.
Then after some clearly plucked chords on the lutes, enters the soprano, singing with her crystal clean voice that is portrayed with outstanding timbre and articulation, just a step in front of the orchestra.
Harmonics and overtones blend together in the most spontaneous manner and later on we can hear the shimmering high huts that fade away with the most real - like decay.
Then comes a delicious electric guitar solo, very engaging and musical, shining without being masked by the lower pitched instruments.
From the start till the end of the song the Falcon Pro sounds satisfyingly resolving but without being over-detailed, so we can enjoy micro details like the instrumentalists plucking the strings and touching the frets but we need to concentrate in order to do so since detail remains a part of the background.
The ambience of the recording venue is well communicated with a scene that excels in width and while it is slightly lacking in depth, it feels very open sounding with pinpoint imaging and ample space between the performers.
The Falcon Pro is one of the most open sounding earphones in the market with an airy presentation that rivals open back headphones.



I could invite you to listen to the whole playlist but let's be realistic and just share another classic track, the Sultans of Swing.
The bass drum is full and convincing, only slightly lacking in ultimate dynamics while high huts sound brilliantly shimmering and not thin or lifeless.
There is a great interplay between the electric guitars while the bass holds the rhythm in the background without clouding the song.
Knopfler's voice is engaging and realistic, we can hear all the shades of his tone as for the famous guitar solo; it is plainly addictive and electrifying, not artificially projected in front of the scene nor stepped behind.



The Falcon Pro sounds natural, organic and musical with exemplary coherency throughout the whole frequency range without overemphasizing any given part of it in favor of another.
This iem really shines in the way that it presents the unamplified instruments with the most realistic timbre and a surplus of harmonic wealth.

Sub - bass extension is not the deepest but there is no problem for the Falcon Pro to deal with bass heavy genres, just don't expect it to sound overly emphasized with a fully rumbling effect.
Bass is neutral with a pinch of mid bass emphasis that adds some welcomed warmth without clouding the mids or masking the bass line when it gets busy and complicated.
It is quite full but not too weighty, tight enough, controlled, clear and well defined with good layering and a convincing dynamic contrast.

The mids sound breathtaking and engaging, vocalists shine and sing in full glory with excellent articulation in an effortless and fluid manner but not at the expense of the other instruments that get their own share of the show, blending together with voices in a highly musical presentation.

Treble is perfect, a great balance between smoothness and agility, there is energy, transparency and extension so as not to sound dull or too dark but it never becomes bright and harsh.
Some of you are going to find the Falcon Pro lacking in ultimate extension and detail depth but then it was never meant to be as such, this is designed with the virtue of being forgiving and suitable for fatigue-free, long listening sessions.



Sound tubes

After testing the three sound tubes and the various ear tips I ended up using the "reference" with the purple ear tips as this combination yielded the best balance between the natural timbre I seek and the desired amount of technicalities.
All the tubes sound good and at the end it seems that each one sacrifices something in favor of something else.
There is no right or wrong here and individual preferences will determine which tube to use, sometimes you may end up alternating them depending on the song you are listening to.
As an example, the "atmospheric" tube due to the subdued treble gives the illusion of a fuller sounding bass but the narrower and short length adds some boominess to it, softening the dynamics and making it more dull.
In exchange we get more liquid and full bodied mids with even smoother highs.
On the other hand, the "transparency" gave better control over the bass, enhanced layering and more contrasted dynamics but mids became somewhat drier and while treble gained in air and detail it became a touch metallic and rushed.



Compared to the FiiO FD3 Pro

The FD3 Pro (review) is a 12mm single dynamic driver iem from FiiO featuring a DLC diamond like diaphragm and it comes with two different sound tubes and a detachable cable with interchangeable plugs.
The selling price is $149 so it is $70 cheaper than the Falcon Pro.

The FD3 Pro cable is a 8-strand 152-core Litz structure silver-plated monocrystalline copper cable and the interchangeable plugs use a screw lock system that is of higher quality than that of the Falcon Pro.

The included ear tips are a total of 12 silicon pairs, the same with the Falcon Pro but with the FD3 Pro we get an extra two pairs of memory foam ear tips plus everything comes nicely sorted and arranged in three plastic holding cards.
The Falcon Pro carrying case is of better quality since the FD3 Pro comes with an entry level plastic hard case.

Build quality is more or less the same and equally good for both but the Falcon Pro looks and feels much more premium and shiny.
Fit is good for both with the main difference being that the FD3 Pro sits more tight and snug inside the ear so it can withstand some head movement but the Falcon Pro is much more comfortable and stress free at least for my ears.

Both of them have venting holes so they are not the best in passive noise attenuation but I would count the FiiO as a little better in that respect.



Their tuning is slightly different and the FD3 Pro has deeper sub-bass extension and increased bass output that sounds more pronounced and full bodied, still tight and controlled although the presentation is on the drier side.

The Falcon Pro has a more liquid and sweet character to it and not only in the bass, while it presents the music in a more effortless and natural way.

Upper mid range is more forward on the FD3 Pro which is also cleaner and more detailed in the higher frequencies but a little thinner and rushed regarding the decay time.

Both of them are real champs when it comes to openness and width of the soundstage and they count in my book among the best options.

One last major difference is that the Falcon Pro has more natural timbre, finer articulation and better texture quality so it sounds lifelike and organic whereas the FD3 Pro has some kind of a monitoring quality in it's presentation.

Both are great and I count them as one of the best values in their respective categories, especially the plain FD3 edition and I see many users preferring the one over the other according to their needs.

At the end

After having some great time with the Dunu Falcon Pro it was not a difficult decision to award it with a full five star rating.
And this is because the Falcon Pro is a very enjoyable sounding iem with a natural, organic and lifelike timbre, certainly not devoid of technicalities, suitable for all kinds of music, including all shorts of classical.
This is an iem for people who seek a well balanced and musical presentation to sit back and enjoy without overanalyzing too much.
If you are interested in hardcore technicalities, ultimate extension in both ends, hyper detailed presentation or some kind of a specific tuning like emphasized mids then you should definitely skip.
For the rest it is happily recommended as a great value, mid priced iem with excellent build quality and a full accessory pack that is going to reward you with endless hours of musical pleasure.

Test playlist

Copyright - Laskis Petros 2021

DUNU FALCON PRO :: ECLIPSE for the Affordable Range!




Summary & Objective:

Through the @DUNU-Topsound Falcon Pro - DUNU has made their ECLIPSE technology for Dynamic drivers available for the affordable range to the masses.
DUNU Falcon Pro comes with great build and premium looks and also comes with great sonic capabilities and performances. They have also made their popular modular connection cable technology available to the more affordable range through the Falcon Pro. It also comes with 3 different nozzles that provide different type of sound appropriate for different genres and addresses some of the sound preference differences amongst the audiophile crowd.




Introduction:

The @DUNU-Topsound Falcon PRO is the newest addition of DUNU in its ECLIPSE technology based drivers and coming at a more affordable range than ever before. It also comes with interchangeable nozzles and new Q-Lite modular cable system which allows people to have different experiences across different genres and also enables pairing easily across a variety of devices and sources.
The DUNU FALCON PRO is priced at $219.99.



Disclaimer:

This review unit was sent by @DUNU-Topsound for the purpose of an honest review.
Everything mentioned in this review are purely my own based on my experiences with the IEM.


Tech Features:

The DUNU FALCON PRO brings 3 types of new & different technical features into the picture:
1. The ECLIPSE Driver
2. Interchangeable Nozzles
3. Q-LOCK LITE modular cable connector system

1. ECLIPSE Driver:
Falcon Pro comes with DUNU proprietary 10 mm ECLIPSE Driver with Amorphous Diamond-Like Carbon Dome, Fully Independent Suspension Surround, and 1.6 T Magnet System which is explained by DUNU in the picture below:


2. Interchangeable Nozzles:
Falcon Pro comes with 3 interchangeable nozzles: Transparency, reference, & Atmospheric Immersion


3. Q-Lock Lite modular cable connection system:
Q-Lock LITE is a brand new modular plug system from DUNU.
Designed from the ground up for robust reliability without breaking the bank, Q-Lock LITE retains the best conveniences of our renowned Q-Lock PLUS quick-switch modular plug system and improves on cost effectiveness.
FALCON PRO is bundled with a full set of 2.5 mm TRRS balanced, 3.5 mm TRS single-ended, and 4.4 mm TRRRS balanced terminations, each fully compatible with the Q-Lock LITE system.

• 

Design & Build Quality:

The DUNU Falcon Pro comes with great premium looks with a polished stainless steel shell with DUNU logo etched across the edges. The dual chambered anti-resonance shell design facilitates the space for interchangeable tuning nozzles which bring in more flexibility for people who would want it. The shell being made of stainless steel though heavy but makes a comfortable fit in the ears. However, this extra weight can become bothersome for some very long listening sessions for some people. I however found it quite comfortable throughout the duration of the review.



Specifications:

The DUNU Falcon PRO comes with $219.99 price tag and the specifications are as below:

https://www.dunu-topsound.com/falcon-pro

BRAND: DUNU
MODEL: FALCON PRO
NET WEIGHT: 19 g

FREQUENCY RESPONSE: 5 Hz – 40 kHz
SENSITIVITY: 112 ± 1 dB at 1 kHz
IMPEDANCE: 26 Ω at 1 kHz
TOTAL HARMONIC DISTORTION: < 0.3% at 1 kHz

ECLIPSE DRIVE MODULE

• DIAPHRAGM: 10 mm diaphragm with amorphous diamond-like carbon dome and fully independent suspension surround
• MAGNET ASSEMBLY: > 1.6 T External Ring-Type Neodymium Magnet

HOUSING

• MATERIAL: Stainless Steel
• INTEGRATION(S):
  • Dual chambered, anti-resonance shell design
  • Interchangeable tuning nozzles (Atmospheric Immersion, Reference, Transparency)

INCLUDED CABLE

LENGTH: 1.2 ± 0.1 m
MATERIAL: 6N silver-plated OCC copper
CABLE CONNECTOR: Patented Catch-Hold® MMCX Connector
PLUG CONNECTOR: DUNU Quick-Switch Modular Plug System (NEW)
INCLUDED PLUG TERMINATION(S):

• 4.4 mm TRRRS Balanced
• 3.5 mm TRS Single-Ended
• 2.5 mm TRRS Balanced

Accessories:

DUNU falcon Pro comes with the following accessories in a nice package:

• Brown pouch to hold the shells.
• Green zippered case.
• Ear-tips
  • 3 pairs of clear grey silicone tips
  • 3 pairs of black silicone tips
  • 3 pairs of black translucent silicone tips
  • 3 pairs of grey translucent silicone tips
• Cable with Q-Lock Lite system
• 1 cleaning brush.
• Steel plate holding the 3 nozzles

NOW LET'S TALK ABOUT THE SOUND....

Items Used for this Review:

DAC/AMP: @iFi audio Micro iDSD Signature, Luxury & Precision W2 Dongle DAC/AMP
DAP/Source : Cayin N6 Mk2 with R01 motherboard, Cayin N3 Pro
Streaming Source: QOBUZ
Ear Tips:
I've tried tip-rolling with a variety of tips including Final Audio E Series Black, Transparent Red, @SpinFit Eartip CP145 and JVC Spiral Dots. I've found JVC spiral dot tips to suit me preferences best and have used that mostly.



Tracks Used:
The tracks I have used can be found from the below playlist that I have used and generally use for most reviews... I would like to thank @Otto Motor for his contribution here.



DUNU FALCON PRO Sound Impressions in Short:

Story of the 3 Nozzles:

When it comes to sound performance, the different nozzles make some difference in the sound experience.
The 3 nozzles as follows: Transparency, Balanced & Atmospheric Immersion
My experiences with the nozzles are as follows :

• TRANSPARENCY : widest staging, lower depth in staging, but less prominent mid bass
• REFERENCE : very balanced sound with great staging with balanced width, height & depth. Bass slightly more pronounced.
• ATMOSPHERIC IMMERSION : Deep staging however width of the stage have shrunk a bit. Mid bass more prominent

All 3 variations I found enjoyable each for a different genre of music... Balanced one seemed to suit all genres well.... below experiences are based on the default Reference nozzle.


The BASS:

The Bass on the Falcon Pro comes with good intensity of attacks but not very prominent. Bass has some muscle & texture and goos amount of details for the price range - thanks to the ECLIPSE driver. In tracks like : "Anna R. Chie (Remastered) - Konstantin Wecker" and "My Queen Is Ada Eastman - Sons Of Kemet" you can feel the the attack of the different instruments with enough details. I think the Bass is amongst the stronger traits of the Falcon pro with just enough depth. However, some may fell the want fot deeper and more prominent bass and intensified thump & slam. they can use the Atmospheric Nozzle in that case.

The MIDS:

Despite the slight V shaped tuning of the Falcon Pro - the midrange is doesn't feel significantly recessed and feels very enjoyable. It is smooth & musical & comes with good texture but felt lacking muscle a tad bit. The vocals are natural and both male and female vocals come with good amount of details. Instruments sounded natural. In tracks like: "Porch Swing - Trace Bundy" and "Rickover's Dream - Michael hedges" while you will enjoy the overall midrange and you will just love the transients of the guitars, violins etc... instruments.

The TREBLE:

Treble is quite enjoyable and non-fatiguing. Cymbals sound natural and tracks like “Chocolate Chip Trip – Tool” sounded great and the track was very enjoyable.
The treble has enough details and texture and is quite commendable for the price.

STAGING & SEPARATION:

The Staging is where it felt like Falcon Pro could use a bit more of it. Though the reference nozzle gives good amount of width & depth for the price range, IEMs of slightly higher price like the Campfire Auido Honeydew felt having much better staging than the Falcon Pro. The Falcon Pro staging is well defined for the price range. Tracks like: “ The Secret Drawer – Bela Fleck and the Flecktones” or “Bohemian Rhapsody (live aid) – Queen” sound good & enjoyable. However, this is not amongst the strongest trait of this IEM. Instrument separation on the other hand was good considering the price range.

Imaging & Timbre:

The Falcon Pro also comes with just good sense of positioning and imaging & timbre performances. Tracks like: “Rotterdam (Or Anywhere) - The Beautiful South “or “Hello Again - Howard Carpendale & The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra” seemed quite enjoyable with good imaging & natural timbre.



Comparisons:

Quite a few IEMs had been launched recently by different brands having inter-changeable nozzle systems and new Dynamic Driver systems. Apart from DUNU Falcon PRO there is the @MOONDROP KATO and @FiiO FD3 PRO. Though the prices are different - the KATO MRP being $189 and FD3 PRO being $149, both of which are lower than the Falcon Pro - it just felt necessary to compare as they come with similar tech architectures.



DUNU FALCON PRO vs MOONDROP KATO vs FIIO FD3 PRO:

The DUNU Falcon Pro comes at a slightly higher price than both the Moondrop Kato and the FiiO FD3 Pro. As all 3 of these IEMs come with Single dynamic driver and interchangeable nozzle architecture - for the simplicity of the comparison I've used the default nozzles for the below comparative experience.

Bass: While both the KATO & FD3 PRO had more intense attacks and more prominent thump & slam in the bass, the Falcon pro simply had more more details and texture in its Bass response. Hence for the Bass I would have the following preference.... Falcon PRO > KATO > FD3 PRO.

Mids: As all of the 3 IEMs had V shaped tuning - mids were slightly less prominent in all of them. Having said that - I found the KATO mids performance to be the least recessed and pleasing. However, the Falcon Pro had better muscle & texture which were somewhat missing in the KATO. the FD3 Pro were the least impressive.

Treble: The FD3 Pro seemed to have a slightly peaky upper mids & treble (which gets solved through the other nozzle) which were not the case for the other 2 IEMs. Here both Falcon Pro & KATO seemed to fare good with smooth treble performance despite a very slight peak in the KATO.

Soundstage & Timbre: Staging is where the Falcone Pro secures a big win over the others. The staging on the Falcone pro is more balanced with good width, depth & height while the KATO seems to lack in width and FD3 seemed to lack in depth. Instrument separation on the Falcon Pro was also better than the other 2 IEMs.




Conclusion :

The DUNU Falcon Pro is a great performer given the price range and comes with many differentiated features which give more flexibility of use to the consumer - in this case the audiophile. It is quite easy to drive and performs well with just any combination. It's overall good performance makes it easily recommendable for the price range.

Introduction

Who is Dunu? Actually, no need for introductions, because many of you will surely know this brand that has been creating professional and consumer headphone products since 1994. With the idea of being at the forefront of audio, Dunu is always trying to innovate, from its famous hybrids, to its improved dynamic driver manufacturing technologies. This is the case with the new Falcon Pro model, which uses a DD with patented Eclipse technology. The technology is described as "Composite Driver Assembly Techniques" and is certainly more complex than its name. Among other things, the driver and its diaphragm have been designed for complete range, self-contained voicing and a hybrid acoustic configuration. The magnet used has a magnetic flux of 1.6T, a very high value. We all remember when, not so long ago, 1T IEMS appeared and, nowadays, this figure has already been highly surpassed.
It is worth remembering that this new model is the successor to the Falcon-C, an IEMS with a single dynamic driver, which was launched at the end of 2016, with a price tag of $219. Currently, this model is no longer in production, which is why its replacement has appeared, even at the same price.
The Falcon Pro, which is part of the Eclipse technology, shares a line with the Luna and Zen Pro models, and is the most affordable of the range. Adding a bit of history, this model was scheduled to be launched in early 2020, but we all know what happened last year that still continues to plague the world. All this time has not been wasted, and has even served to make this new model more mature, extracting the best of the Eclipse technology, creating a new 10mm dynamic driver, which uses a diamond-like amorphous carbon dome diaphragm, applied by plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition atop thermoplastic polymer .
Well, I could go on commenting on all these little details that make these IEMS great, but I'm sure that all those who find these explanations interesting will find much more information on the purchase web page of the official site. On the other hand, as usual, after the classic introduction, I will dedicate myself to comment the excellences of this new Dunu IEM, apart from its sound, of course. Don't fall asleep, the best is yet to come.



Disclaimer

Dunu, offered me this model, in exchange for writing an honest review. I want to make it clear that all my opinions written in this review have not been conditioned by this fact, nor will I ever write anything that I do not really think or feel here. I will only write about my personal opinion in relation to the revised product.



Specifications

• Driver type: Eclipse drive module. 1 DD with 10 mm diaphragm with amorphous diamond-like carbon dome and fully independent suspension surround. 1.6 T External Ring-Type Neodymium Magnet
• Frequency Response: 5kHz-40kHz.
• Sensitivity: 112dB ± 1dB @ 1kHz.
• Impedance: 26Ω @ 1kHz.
• Total Harmonic Distortion: < 0.3% at 1 kHz.
• Cable length 1.2m ± 0.1m
• Cable material: 6N silver-plated OCC copper
• Jack connector: DUNU Quick-Switch Modular Plug System (NEW). Connectors included: 4.4mm TRRRS Balanced, 3.5mm TRS Single-Ended, 2.5mm TRRS Balanced.
• Capsule Connection Type: Patented Catch-Hold® MMCX Connector.
• Net Weight: 19g.

Packaging

To my surprise, the Dunu Falcon Pro case is very compact. Its dimensions are 134x97x71mm. It has a cardboard sleeve, vertically sliding, whose colour is slightly pale yellow. On it are drawn, as a repetitive pattern, the logo of the brand, the letter D with the word "Dunu" across the left column of that letter and a headphone headset. All in clear grey ink. At the bottom of the front face is the model name, next to the Hi-Res logo, in the lower right corner. On the back are the specifications, in Chinese and English, certification logos and brand information (address, website, etc.). Sliding off the protective cardboard reveals a complete black box with "DUNU" written horizontally, in silver, in the centre of the box. On its vertical base, there is a sticker certifying the originality of the product. After lifting the lid, a large turquoise-green zippered case can be seen. The brand's logo is engraved in silver, in the centre of the case, in bold letters. A transparent plastic sheet protects the emblem. The case is protected by dense black foam at the top left and bottom right corners. Underneath is a black card with the Q-Lock LITE logo and a black cardboard box with silver branding in the centre. Both inside the case, and inside the box, are the rest of the accessories. In a summary:

• The two Falcon Pro capsules with the "Reference" filter.
• Brown cloth pouch to hold the capsules.
• A zippered case.
• 1 cleaning cloth, in a transparent zip bag.
• 3 pairs of clear grey silicone tips, sizes SxMxL.
• 3 pairs of black silicone tips, with different coloured inner core, sizes SxMxL.
• 3 pairs of black translucent silicone tips, with blue inner core, sizes SxMxL.
• 3 pairs of grey translucent silicone tips, large inner diameter, with whirlwind type filling, sizes SxMxL.
• 1 OCC copper MMCX cable, silver plated 6N, with Q-Lock LITE connectors.
• 1 2.5mm TRRS Balanced connector.
• 1 4.4mm TRRS Balanced connector.
• 1 3.5mm TRS Single-Ended connector.
• 1 3.5mm to 6.3mm adapter.
• 1 cleaning brush.
• 1 steel plate that holds the "Transparency" and "Atmospheric Immersion" filters screwed on.
• 4 blue rubber washers.
• 4 red rubber washers.
• 4 yellow rubber washers.
• 1 Q-Lock LITE card.
• 1 card with instructions on how to assemble the connectors.
• 1 quality certificate card.

The content could not be more complete and compact. All a demonstration that in a relatively small package, many interesting things fit. An example to follow, to avoid disproportionate sizes. Special mention should be made of the zipped case and its cloth bag-like interior, for its size and careful quality, which offers a distinguished presence to the whole. The detail of the pouch to protect the capsules should also be acknowledged. Although, in my opinion, it seems a bit small and the storage task is not very quick. Despite the wide variety of tips, I miss the arsenal of the DN-1000 model, which included bi-flange, tri-flange and foam tips, among many others. But even so, the content is excellent.



Construction and Design

Unlike the Falcon-C model, whose capsule was made from an amorphous zirconium alloy (also known as "liquid metal"), the Pro uses more conventional materials, such as stainless steel and aluminium. This makes the manufacturing process easier. Although the design of the previous capsule is retained, changes have been made to improve ergonomics. The model is only available in one colour and is made of stainless steel. Its interior has an anti-resonant, double-chambered housing design. The outside of the capsule is polished and has a sandblasted/grinded bezel on its edge, which contains the repeating motif on the caseback. The brand name is engraved in the centre of the outer face. The inner face has the same polished and shiny chrome plating. The shape is far from simple: it resembles the classic kidney shape, but with a chubbier belly, with a very rounded shape, resembling a filled but irregular spiral. The outer face bulges at the MMCX connection. The interior is more complex, if possible, than the patterned bevelled outer face. It has two levels. On the lower one is the channel inscription, a letter R or L within a circle, all engraved on the surface. Next to it, moving away from the MMCX connection, are two relatively deep and large holes, at the bottom of which are two perforated grids. The second level is close to the nozzle and at its base there are three more holes. They are not as deep and reveal a white micro-perforated grid, which looks like a textile. If before, the perforation of the grid could reach the head of a pin, this time the holes are not visible, because it is a dense mesh. At the top of the inner side, there is another particular part of this great creation. This is the screw-on nozzle. There are three pairs of mouthpieces, whose mesh density, height and inner diameter, among other characteristics, give these IEMS their particular sound. They are called "Reference", "Transparency" and "Atmospheric Immersion". In the case of the "Transparency" mouthpiece, it has an approximate height of 4mm, the largest diameter is 6.2mm and the smallest is 5.4mm. The "Reference" mouthpiece has a higher height of 5.6mm and the "Atmospheric Immersion" is the highest of them all, with a total of 5.8mm. The base of all of them has a narrow rim, followed by a longer part of smaller diameter. This ends in a rim that starts with a thin step, followed by a bevel, which is flush with the 1mm hole protected by a dense metal grid.
The capsule uses a patented MMCX Catch-Hold® connector. The cable features Q-Lock LITE (DUNU Quick-Switch Modular Plug System) technology, which allows interchanging the three existing angled plugs (3.5mm SE, 4.4mm BAL and 2.5mm BAL). The conductor consists of two coiled strands of OCC copper wire, silver-plated 6N. The splitter piece is an elongated metal cylinder with the marking printed lengthwise. The pin is a small piece of transparent plastic, the inner holes of which are slightly larger in diameter than the wire, allowing easy sliding and a somewhat loose, but subtly effective fit.
Finally, the technology used for the dynamic driver is again worth mentioning: it is an Eclipse drive module, with a 10mm diaphragm and a diamond-shaped amorphous carbon dome, covered by a fully independent suspension. The magnet used is a 1.6 T neodymium outer ring magnet.
There is no doubt that this model, with all the technologies used, the patents and the Eclipse driver, if it had been made by another brand, it might be worth a lot more. But Dunu has left it at the competitive price of $219, a very moderate value for such exquisite build quality. Really, it's hard to find a rival that can beat it in quality, beauty, size and design. The cable may not be the fattest, or have the most strands in the range, but the interchangeable plugs are beyond their reach. With all this, added to the low weight of the capsules (only 19 grams), it only remains to conclude that the Dunu Falcon Pro, in this section, are outstanding and very difficult to beat, up to 300$.



Adjustment and Ergonomics

Dunu itself comments that it has improved the ergonomics of the Falcon Pro, compared to the Falcon-C. It is worth noting that it has been effective in this respect. And it is worth noting that it has been effective in this regard. The shape and design of the IEMS is truly designed to facilitate fit and maximise comfort. Between the low weight, the very rounded shapes, the double-decker inner face, the length of the mouthpieces and the relatively small size of the capsules, they achieve a very high level of ergonomics, an easy fit, with hardly any friction and a shallow insertion, which can tend to be medium, depending on the tips used. In my case, I use the usual foam-filled tips, which allow a fairly good seal, although a shallow insertion. Despite this, the capsules are well integrated into the pinna, without protruding too much, rubbing minimally or not at all in the parts of the ear. Thanks to the shape of the MMCX connector's housing, the cable is very well routed. It is barely noticeable as it passes over the ears.
All in all, the Falcon Pro is very suitable for long listening without being uncomfortable due to pressure, insertion, weight or friction. In addition, with the right tips, a good level of isolation can be achieved.
Finally, I must comment that because of the 5 holes in each capsule, the sound escapes through them. This does not make them the best companions for the people around them, especially if the room is quiet.



Sound

Profile

The profile of the Dunu Falcon Pro is subtly V-shaped, where the balance between the low mids and high mids varies slightly, depending on the mouthpiece used. The tone has a warm tendency. The nature of the sound carries a certain warmth, which is also supported by the demonstrated balance, density and body of the upper midrange and the softness of the upper range.
The "Atmospheric Immersion" mouthpiece has a profile more inclined towards the low end, where its high mids and treble are more subdued. The "Reference" mouthpiece is more balanced, while with the "Transparency" mouthpiece, the tendency is slightly brighter. Actually, according to my graphs, the bass curve is very similar, while the changes are visible from 100/200Hz onwards, with the biggest differences between all profiles being between 2kHz and 6kHz. Even so, the distances between valleys and peaks of all the profiles obtained are very smooth, which gives an idea of the balance that Falcon Pro possesses. So much so, that they even verge on neutrality.

Frequency response referenced to 1kHz



Frequency response at equal volume, unreferenced



Bass

The low area that this new Dunu model tries to draw in, aims for realism, rather than an emphasis on sub-bass. While LFOs are not easily found in nature, in IEMS this area is usually emphasised with the intention of obtaining a cleaner and less polluted midrange from the bass. It is true that I like that kind of sound and I advocate for a graphic of that style. But, I must also admit what some very wise voices say in this regard: What is real below 40Hz? You can ask yourself that question and then listen to the Dunu Falcon Pro and try to answer it.
Using the "Atmospheric Immersion" filter, perhaps the mouthpiece that allows you to hear the most bass enhancement, does not even convert these balanced IEMS to a bass profile. It is clear that the harmony between all the bands is the treasure to be protected, in addition, of course, to the naturalness. And that is what is observed. The bass is defined with a realistic speed and decay, I don't think it's the fastest in the range, nor the fastest to disappear, although the aftertaste it leaves is practically non-existent. It is undeniable the skill of the driver, when executing that bass stroke more focused in its half, describing it agile, clean, penetrating, with excellent definition and resolution. Although it is also true that the roughness is light and that the bass does not scratch. Its surface has a delicate tendency, with a soft, smooth, silky, pleasant texture. Those expecting a little more violence or brutality from the Eclipse driver may be disappointed, because it has a talent for control, capable of keeping even the worst filtered, earth-shattering bass at bay. What for some may be a slight disappointment, for others may be a life insurance, thanks to a precious, careful and, finally, respectful reproduction of our ears and fidelity, which is the most important thing.
In short, the Falcon Pro bass has a Hi-End vocation, which seeks a recreation that seems easy and natural, but hides many skills. Starting from a dominant central base, they manage to define a deep and rounded sub-bass, at the same time soft, light, but perceptible. In the same way, its extension towards the midrange is excellently controlled, managing to focus and locate the low range, in a plot where the limits are invisible, but real. Another ability to perceive, is the dosage of the energy applied to the bass attack. As I said, the naturalness of the zone can give the impression of a more sluggish performance, in terms of speed. But the ability to contain and recover from each bass hit, along with the sonority it produces, is something that gives the Falcon Pro's low end definition that is distinctive and quite unique, as if each bass drum is a new, fresh and completely enjoyable musical passage; a miniature delight.



Mids

In order to enjoy the best mids, I decided to switch to the "Reference" filter. With the "Atmospheric Immersion" filter, the vocals seem more liquid, diluted, thin, ethereal and volatile (the reason for the name of the mouthpiece is clear). The rest of the instrumentation also possesses such qualities and, in general, the sense of a wider, more gaseous scene becomes apparent. The sound is generously airy, but I sense an absence of body. After screwing in the reference mouthpiece, that body appears and the voices take on a natural lift that brings them back to earth, as if by gravity. The previous realism, existing in the lower range, is now transferred to the central range, with the change of mouthpiece.
My impression, when I first tried the Falcon Pro, with this filter as standard, was a sense of innate realism, so natural, that it conveyed almost no surprise. As the hours passed, I realised that this lack of surprise is the true gift of the mid-range. As a reviewer, I have a tendency to want to feel a new sensation with every earphone I try, a distinctive feeling, something that allows me to single out the reviewed model above the rest. But when I tried these Dunu's with the Reference filter, I didn't get that feeling. I didn't find that "wow" effect. However, now, after weeks of listening, I must conclude that everything is articulated as it should be, everything is canonically executed, everything appears and everything is found, easily, realistically, naturally, effortlessly and without anything coming across as artificial. The true skill of the "Reference" filter also lies in its name. It is about purity and neutrality, cleanliness and clarity, about an organic and analogue sound, which takes us back to the origins of balanced and inherent music.
Unsurprisingly, the moderately warm tone feels fully attuned to the Falcon Pro's apt and timely timbre. To liven it up or tone it down, simply connect it to sources with a different profile. This Dunu will not change its sonority easily, but its details may take on the character of the device. A warm source will give more body, more weight in the first half of the mids, adding a higher density, which will produce a more powerful, but cleaner and more controlled sound. A cooler source will bring more cleanliness, clarity, definition and resolving power. But it will not turn the Falcon Pro into an analytical earphone.
Another aspect of the mid-range is the balance: nothing stands out, in presence, above the rest. Thus, these are not other IEMS with emphasised high mids, pursuing clarity above all else. Rather, they are in that mature trend of controlled, smooth and linear high mids. Although, it is also true that some dB of excitation can be gained, thanks to the filters, but this does not mean a loss of this virtue. In this way, coherence is maintained, as the guiding thread of a balanced mid-range, where nothing stands out completely, so that the whole is what really matters.
Naturally, the purity of the sound allows the details to be of high resolution. The Falcon Pro's easy expressiveness offers a high level of nuance, as well as very revealing aspects. However, at the micro level, they are not so analytical as to be able to highlight some of the smaller elements. Perhaps this is not in their nature.



Treble

To achieve the best high end response, I have mounted the "Transparency" filter on the Falcon Pro. This emphasises the high mids and also the treble, compared to the other filters. Despite this, the sound does not lose its balance, but it does have more sparkle. The highs are quite linear and there are no hollows or clear peaks. Its response is extended, but not predominant. To tell the truth, I had been looking for a high end tuning like the Falcon Pro's for a long time. And it's even better, because the response can be controlled or slightly excited, thanks to the filters. So it's very easy to find the right point to suit your taste, unless you're a treble-head. By this I mean that control is never lost, and neither is realism. Both timbre and tone remain on the natural side of reproduction, even enhanced by the linearity of the treble response. Thus, the expression of the upper range has sparkle, precision, finesse and delicacy. The high notes are thin and very well defined, very fast and ephemeral. Thus, they do not linger in the environment and the atmosphere is not contaminated by the shimmering aura that is sometimes generated in other models by overlapping trebles. The level of resolution and the speed contribute positively to the recreation of space between these notes and help to create emptiness and darkness between them.
Despite the excitement of the "Transparency" filter, the treble is not explosive and its crackle can be felt, but it is relatively subdued, very well recreated, but with a balanced tendency, which does not predominate over the rest of the range. It could be said that they are secure but extended, with excellent representation and presence, throughout their range, without underestimating the level of air achieved. An example to follow.



Soundstage, Separation

The scene can be augmented, making it more ethereal and gaseous, by using the "Atmospheric Immersion" filter. As the name implies, this gives a more three-dimensional and open feel to the scene, gaining separation on all three axes. Going back to the "Reference" filter, the sound becomes more realistic, but less surrounding. Elements are brought nearer, but never too close together. In the Falcon Pro scene, half distances predominate: nothing is too far away, but nothing in the foreground either. Perhaps, with the "Transparency" filter, some elements are brought closer to the listener, but without losing the relative distance between them. Even with this one, height is gained.
No compression is observed with the change of filters and although the scene is modified, it does not undergo very decisive variations in width. The differences are more in height and three-dimensionality. Cleanliness is not altered much either, as there is always clarity, distance, emptiness, darkness and air between notes.
The level of detail is explicit and easily distinguishable. This is not an analytical sound, where the nuances are exposed more than the fundamental parts, but it is true that the Falcon Pro's have a tendency to make the details visible and palpable. However, micro detail feels less perceptible, sometimes more hidden and obstructed. Perhaps so much information within earshot pushes those smaller details away.



Comparisons

Rose QT9 MK2

For comparison, I used the "Reference" filter on the Dunu Falcon Pro.
The Rose QT9 MK2 are one of my favourite headphones and are similarly priced, although a little higher at $239. It is a 1DD+4BA multidriver. Its dynamic driver is also 10mm and it also has 2 TWF30018 BA + 2 TWF30019 BA. The DD's diaphragm is made of Goertek tungsten alloy film. Their size is even smaller than the Falcon Pro, but they are made of resin. They are lighter and their nozzles are shorter, so they fit more snugly in the pinna. But it can be more difficult to find suitable tips for their shallow insertion.
The Rose's tuning is more W-tuned, leaning towards sub-bass, with a smooth, but somewhat uneven high end. In principle they have a more predominant and powerful low end, with a high end that feels brighter. The drawback is in the mid-range, where vocals and other instruments can sound thinner, comparatively speaking, compared to the Dunu. Another clear difference is that the Dunu's sound darker and warmer than the Rose's, while the Rose's sound clearer and cleaner.
The Rose represents a sub-bass accentuated bass, which has a rougher and more descriptive, more exciting texture. Meanwhile, the Dunu's have a tighter, more compact, restrained, dryer, softer and smoother textured punch. There is more control in the Falcon Pro, but more excitement in the Rose. The Rose's sub-bass tilt shifts the sense of depth, while the Dunu's greater presence in the mid-bass widens the low end. The perception of both zones can change quite a bit after a quick switch from one model to the other, depending on the song being played. It is true that the Dunu's generate a mixed feeling of darkness and warmth, while the Rose's can be perceived as more hollow in the upper bass, but with more light. The bass tuning in both IEMS is different and instantly noticeable.
In the midrange, the Rose's sub-bass tuning makes the initial mids more distant, thinner and finer. They can even sound more hollow, comparatively speaking, as the Dunu's have more body and density in this first zone of the midrange. Conversely, this makes the Rose's sound cleaner and clearer, in contrast to the Dunu's greater warmth. The thinness of both male and female voices on the Rose is obvious in relation to the Dunu's greater corpulence. However, the female voices, despite their thinness, can sound closer and brighter on the Rose. It is true that this area can become very polarising in the perception of musical genres, in favour of one or the other. It is clear that for rock and metal, Dunu's are more appropriate. But this is not always a guarantee of success, because the upper mids also come into play. In this area, the Rose has an excitement which, together with the larger central valley, provides a higher clarity by contrast than in the Dunu. Whereas the Dunu, being more balanced, feels more discreet and linear, less clear, but also denser. The middle distance presentation of the elements persists in the Dunu, as opposed to a more dynamic alternation in this sense in the Rose, which presents elements closer together. This gives it a more sparkling vivacity, as opposed to the more uniform and slightly more distant drawing of the Dunu.
The treble timbre of the two IEMS is different. While the Rose seems more explosive initially, the Dunu is flatter. There is more sparkle, a more fleeting flash in the Rose. But the Dunu has a more progressive and linear treble, even if it is perceived as softer overall. They also reach the air zone with more energy. On the other hand, in the Rose, after that initial sparkle, they feel slightly cut off in extension, limiting the evolution of their harmonics. Thus, despite the smoothness, the realism in the complete reproduction of the treble falls on the side of the Dunu.
At the stage level, the Dunu's have to use their "Atmospheric Immersion" filter to compete on equal terms with the Rose. And yet, they are still in trouble. The depth of the Rose is greater and the width almost as much. Where the Dunu wins with this filter is in the three-dimensional recreation. There seems to be more height and a greater spherical separation. The more gaseous and vaporous feeling favours this superior sensation. As a consequence, the distance is presented differently in both IEMS, slightly larger in width and depth in the Rose, larger in height and surround level in the Dunu.
Details are simpler and less forced in the Dunu. The initial sparkle of the Rose draws them sharper, while they feel more natural on the Dunu. Although the final level of resolution, despite the differences in sound and timbre, they are very similar. I find the Rose's subtly better at rendering the tiniest details.



NiceHCK Topguy

You have to admit that NiceHCK has been doing some good IEMS lately. He took a stab at beryllium in his Lofty model, albeit with traditional tuning. He immediately polished the curve with his latest Topguy, using a 10mm dynamic driver with a magnesium-titanium alloy diaphragm. And it seems that 10mm is the right size for 1DD. We all know that NiceHCK is an audio shop that has been putting out models of earbuds and IEMS for years. Perhaps, the public does not value them properly, as opposed to other brands with as much tradition as Dunu. It is clear that this is an unequal comparison, because the Topguy is the top of the range of NiceHCK, while Dunu has models that are much higher in price. But, in this case, we are talking about a comparison of the same segment.
Topguy's have a more traditional shape, although their final workmanship is beautiful and excellently constructed. The Dunu's are smaller and have other more avant-garde details that are hard to beat, in addition to their interchangeable mouthpieces, they are smaller, achieving a more generalised degree of comfort. In the cable, both use a 6N OCC, the final coating changes (nylon vs. plastic), as do their connectors (interchangeable on the Dunu, with adapters on the NiceHCK). Despite the luxuriousness of the NiceHCK's accessories, I'll take the Dunu, for being more innovative, complete and detailed.
To match the curves of both, I used the "Transparency" filter on the Dunu. The result shows similarities in the first half, while there are more differences in the second half.
In the low end, it is true that a very good level of bass reproduction is being reached. Both have a very concise, fast and focused punch, but the Dunu has more sub-bass. This gives a darker, but less coloured, more realistic and natural timbre. The dryness of the punch is higher on the Dunu, so the bass feels tighter and faster, but it also has a smoother, less descriptive surface. Though not by much more, the Topguy's add texture and an attractive roughness.
In the midrange the similarities continue, but the Topguy's have a sharper timbre, while the Dunu's boast a full, dense, warmer and well-balanced body. The NiceHCKs may bring the vocals closer to the listener, while the Falcon Pros continue their tendency to present them midrange, despite all the substrate they possess. Because of the superior upper-mid boost, the NiceHCKs have greater apparent clarity. But the Dunu's greater treble extension improves intonation, enriches the midrange with better, more realistic harmonics, and lengthens the expansion of the treble notes, as well as the amount of air. Although the NiceHCKs have improved their intonation over the Lofty, they still have potential for improvement. And I think they would do well to follow the lead of the Dunu Falcon Pro, especially on the high end, as an example of extension, control and naturalness, of how the treble should be filled without sounding shrill. Not that the Topguy's are, but you can hear some of the upper midrange notes, more individually excited. Although there can always be tastes suited to such situations, adept at sparkle or initially crunchier treble.
The scene is not equally recreated in both IEMS, although the size might be similar. The Topguy generates a better representation of the elements in depth, because it has the ability to present elements closer and further away. In that sense, the Falcon Pro's mid-distance appearance penalises them in this respect. Switching to the "Atmospheric Immersion" filter gives the Dunu more three-dimensionality and vapouriness, but with the "Transparency" filter it would be slightly below the NiceHCK. The higher density of the Dunu also works against the separation and clarity, the NiceHCKs are slightly better in this respect. What happens is that the "Atmospheric Immersion" filter comes to the rescue again, offering a three-dimensional separation that is not as pronounced in the NiceHCKs. At the level of detail recreation, both IEMS have different properties to drive different nuances. It is curious how, after switching from one to the other, these nuances also change. The greater extension of the treble favours the Dunu in specific aspects and the greater excitation of the upper mids, in the Topguy, acts in the same way, but in that specific range. But it is true that there are micro nuances that the Topguy is able to show, perhaps because it has the dynamic ability to play at different depths or because of a higher level of transparency. In many of these aspects there is a technical tie, but the versatility of the filters and better tuning subtly elevates the Dunu over the Topguy in sound. But the NiceHCKs are still a great choice.



Conclusion

If I were writing a light, quick and simple conclusion, resorting to hackneyed clichés, I could say that the Dunu Falcon Pro is destined to be a "must have" for any IEMS enthusiast. A safe and effective bet for all those who ask me for one of my favourite IEMS under $300. But even better, I should say that they are only a little over $200, include one of the best sets of accessories in that price range, and arguably have the most unique and attractive design of any of their direct rivals. But what really matters is the sound, and this justifies all of the above.
In the beginning, it was all about dynamic drivers. When BA drivers could be integrated into IEMS, the trend changed. In the meantime, hybrids also emerged and then more technologies to create different and more complex drivers. But for some time now, dynamic drivers have been making a stronger comeback. New materials, new technologies and more powerful magnets allow dynamic drivers with superior characteristics and a return to the basic principle, to recreate the same music as always, but better. Eclipse is a clear example of this. But what makes it different is the tuning. There are different colours for different tastes and different tunings for different ears. And in this sense, Dunu has been original, it has bucked the trend and opted for a balance based on a classic concept. It's not about inventing something new, it's about doing it better, going back to the origins, but improving in all aspects. And that's the idea that the Dunu Falcon Pro transmits to me, the re-foundation of a classic and natural sound, but improved from its base, so that it sounds like never before. Are you going to miss it?



Sources Used During the Analysis

• Burson Audio Playmate.
• Tempotec Sonata E44.
• Hidizs S9 Pro.
• Earmen Sparrow.
• S.M.S.L Sanskrit 10th MKII + iFi ZEN CAN.
• Tempotec V1-A + Hidizs DH80S
• Zishan Z4.
• ACMEE MF02s.

Ratings

• Construction and Design: 96
• Adjustment/Ergonomics: 96
• Accessories: 93
• Bass: 91
• Mids: 93
• Treble: 93
• Separation: 92
• Soundstage: 90
• Quality/Price: 97

Web Link

https://www.dunu-topsound.com/falcon-pro



You can read the full review in Spanish here:

https://hiendportable.com/2021/10/10/dunu-falcon-pro-review/

Introduction: Dunu has been receiving high praise throughout the past few years for their ECLIPSE single-dynamic driver technology, first in their flagship pure-beryllium Luna, then last year with the Zen. Now they are targeting the upper-entry level price range with the Falcon Pro, retaining the engineering feats which power their previous higher-end models but this time utilizing an amorphous-DLC dome and driving down costs by scaling up production to significantly higher levels. Not content to simply allow the Falcon Pro to inherit their now-mature driver technology, Dunu has also equipped their latest model with a new iteration of their Q-Lock interchangeable termination cable system — and now for the first time incorporates interchangeable tuning nozzles as well. How does the Dunu Falcon Pro fare against its stiff competition with an MSRP of $219.99? Read on the find out.



I would like to thank Dunu for providing a sample of the Falcon Pro in exchange for my honest review. Dunu continues to distinguish themselves by explicitly inviting honest criticism from reviewers, seeking to rigorously improve upon each product rather than trying to maximize sales in the short term by preferring only positive feedback. This along with their extreme transparency regarding product specifications and development is truly a breath of fresh air, and I have no doubt that these policies will benefit not only consumers but Dunu themselves as a manufacturer.



Packaging & Accessories: Dunu without any doubt is giving FiiO a run for their money in terms of extremely generous accessorizing, even with their lower-priced offerings. The Falcon Pro comes with a zippered hard shell carry-case, as well as a double pouch to store each earpiece safely. The stock 6N silver-plated OCC MMCX cable is quite solidly constructed (even if it is not as supple as I would prefer), and their new Q-Lock Lite iteration on their interchangeable termination system is based on friction-fit and is extremely easy to operate — one simply pulls off one termination and plugs in the other; a 6.35mm adapter is included as well. The Falcon Pro also comes with three interchangeable tuning nozzles - Reference, Atmospheric, and Transparency (more on these below). There are no fewer than four sets of S/M/L silicon tips, although unfortunately no foams are included. A cleaning brush and microfiber cleaning cloth round out the ample accessory package. The only thing that could possibly be considered missing (other than the aforementioned foam tips) is an MMCX tool, but given the price point I don’t think anyone will have cause to complain.



Build & Comfort: The Falcon Pro is extremely handsomely made out of stainless steel, with the faceplate and body polished to a mirror-like finish. The Dunu logo is embossed on the faceplate as well as along the beveled edges, and there are no harsh edges to be found anywhere ensuring excellent in-ear comfort. No fewer than five large vents have been placed on the inner surface, and so as a result driver flex and pressure build-up are nowhere to be found — unfortunately, however, neither can much of any isolation be found either.



Regarding fit, I actually had quite a bit of difficulty keeping a good seal — especially with the shorter Transparency nozzles. From what I gather I am an outlier in this regard, and most people will likely not have any such trouble. Nevertheless this is where the abundant number of included tips really came in handy, especially since nothing either in the box or in my personal collection availed except for the Sony hybrid clones which Dunu thankfully provides with the Falcon Pro.



Signature: The Falcon Pro has a warm, mild V-shaped signature, which clearly emphasizes the midbass in all three tuning configurations. I never found this midbass emphasis to reach the point of boominess, but there is undeniably some amount of bloat present as well as some warmth bleeding into the lower mids. However, the ECLIPSE driver technology powered by 1.6 Tesla magnets allows the Falcon Pro to be fast and tight enough to retain a clean presentation in spite of the warmth and hefty note weight, which is no small feat and one which means the Falcon Pro should be on the short list of all those who crave a powerful yet well-controlled midbass punch.



Regarding the tuning nozzles, I will say first that the Reference nozzles are clearly misnamed as there is nothing reference about the Falcon Pro’s sound regardless of configuration. Nevertheless they do represent the midpoint between the three tuning options, and provide clearly the most homogenous sound as well as the most even treble reponse. The Transparency nozzles are my preferred tuning choice, giving the treble just a bit more spice and energy to counterbalance the heft of the midbass at the lower end. Some have found them bright, but personally I still found their treble response quite inoffensive — simply a bit more energetic and detailed, never harsh or fatiguing. The Atmospheric nozzles were interesting, but overall I found their sound simply too thick from top to bottom to be very appealing. The remainder of my impressions represent my listening with the Transparency nozzles.


Bass: As mentioned above the tonal emphasis of the Falcon Pro is clearly on the midbass, and the subbass while present is a bit rolled-off — though personally I never found it lacking. The overall impression is punchy, dynamic, and physical though not quite visceral. As I said earlier the speed and tightness of the bass are quite impeccable, and the Falcon Pro’s agility allows it to keep its powerful midbass punch fairly well in check when required. This is also aided by a faster decay than usual for a dynamic driver, although this never reaches the point of seeming unnatural. On the other hand, however, there is not as much texture in the low end as once could desire.


Mids: The lower mids are fairly warm and have a thicker note weight. This of course suits male vocals and lower-registered stringed instruments quite well, and the aforementioned agility of the driver means that the sound never becomes muddy or congested as a result. The upper-mids for their part are quite well-done, providing sufficient energy (especially with the Transparency nozzles) to balance well with the warm lower-mids yet without becoming edgy or aggressive. However the true mids are a bit too recessed for my personal tastes, and this does mean that the midbass can dominate some tracks significantly more than its level of dB elevation in isolation might lead one to believe. This is my chief complaint about the Falcon Pro: I do like a tasteful midbass elevation, but only so long as the mids too are sufficiently well-balanced together with that midbass — and this is simply not the case here to my ear. But of course this complaint is a personal one, and those who prefer a V-shaped tonality will likely be singing a far different tune here than I.


Treble: Happily, the treble is unquestionably one of the best I have heard on any single-DD anywhere near this price range. Dunu states that they labored long and hard over the treble response, especially seeking to suppress the 5K peak that has afflicted other dynamic drivers and resulted in significant harshness and fatigue. I can say with certainty that their work has more than paid off. The treble is clear, detailed, even, and reasonably well-extended (especially for a dynamic). Those who like their treble on the safe side can opt for the Reference nozzles, while the Transparency nozzles give a good amount of detail and clarity without ever becoming piercing or harsh. There is some air as well, although the midbass-focused tonality does tend to obscure this on many tracks.


Soundstage & Technicalities: The Falcon Pro is characterized by technical competence, though nothing outright excels and often the prowess it does possess is somewhat obscured by its tonality. Detail and resolution are satisfactory on the Transparency nozzles, though on the other nozzles they are a bit suppressed. Imaging is pretty precise for a single dynamic. The soundstage is well-proportioned although fairly average in terms of diameter. Layering is pretty well-done although the warm tonality means that there is not much air or separation between those layers. Attack is a bit blunt, although decay is fairly quick and clean. Timbre and coherence are fairly good (being a single-DD IEM), but not extraordinary — again, almost certainly as a result of the tonal bottleneck.



Select Comparisons:
vs. FiiO FD3: This is a somewhat unfair comparison given that the FiiO is about half the MSRP of the Falcon Pro. Nevertheless it is another notable single-DD release with a roughly similar tonality, and so I think a brief comparison is still appropriate for those who wonder if the Falcon is worth double the money. Well, for my money it definitely is. The FD3 has an even stronger midbass emphasis, one which definitely does cross the threshold into boominess at times. Its treble response is also notably more peaky and unrefined. In short, the Falcon Pro is a more mature take on the same warm V-shaped tuning, and if you can afford the price difference then the Falcon Pro is a true upgrade.

vs. Unique Melody 3DT: This is an unfair comparison in the opposite direction: the 3DT is nearly twice the MSRP (although it can usually be found for only 50% more than the Falcon Pro) and boasts three dynamic drivers to the Falcon Pro’s one. As a result it is undeniably the more technical IEM, with much greater resolution and clarity. It also has a much more textured bass, and prefers a notably more versatile subbass emphasis rather than the midbass emphasis of the Falcon Pro. However, the treble region does fall prey to some significant peaks, driving the treble-sensitive to almost certainly prefer the Falcon Pro especially with the versatility granted by its nozzle system. In addition, the quite large shells of the 3DT will be significantly more limiting to those with smaller ear anatomies than the Falcon Pro.

vs. ISN H40: The H40 is one of the best hybrids available around the MSRP of the Falcon Pro, and one which shares an emphasis on the low end. However this emphasis is significantly different, firstly on account of being somewhat subbass-biased (though still with considerable midbass as well) but secondly by having a much more romantic and atmospheric character. The Atmospheric nozzles of the Falcon Pro approximate this to a certain extent, but to be frank the H40 just does it better. It also has a much less recessed midrange, although they do share similar warmth there. The H40 moreover boasts a much more impressive soundstage, and in general being a hybrid is technically superior. On the other hand, the Falcon Pro is much cleaner and has a significantly faster and tighter bass response which will lead to its being the clear favorite for certain genres. It also possesses a more natural timbre on account of being a single-DD, and is beyond doubt better accessorized at the same price point. The stainless-steel build of the Falcon Pro might be preferred by those not living in cold climates, though those who do will likely prefer the resin of the H40.



Conclusion: Hopefully my review has already made my opinion of the Falcon Pro clear: it is a well-designed, well-executed, well-built, and well-accessorized implementation of a tuning which simply does not suit my taste. I can’t knock Dunu at all for this, since there are many people out there who love a warm V-shaped sound signature and who will no doubt love the Falcon Pro’s brilliant execution of it. Dunu has clearly labored meticulously over the ECLIPSE driver technology, and is to be applauded for bringing it to the masses via a far more accessible price point. All I can say is I can’t wait to hear the ECLIPSE driver in action with the next tonality Dunu decides to take on!

Disclaimer: I received this review unit for free from Dunu themselves. Thank you very much.

Price: 220 usd

Specifications:

FREQUENCY RESPONSE: 5 Hz – 40 kHz

SENSITIVITY: 112 ± 1 dB at 1 kHz

IMPEDANCE: 26 Ω at 1 kHz

TOTAL HARMONIC DISTORTION: < 0.3% at 1 kHz


Accessories:

Carry case

Nylon bag

Cleaning tool/cloth

3.5mm -> 6.35mm adapter

S/M/L “Sony EP-EX11” tips (seems to be the Sony tips)

S/M/L silicone grey tips

S/M/L silicone blue tips

S/M/L silicone grey/black tips

Blue/Yellow/Red O-rings (for the filters)




Cable: 2-core (technically 4, but works as a 2 core) cable. Has a working chin-slider and metal divider/connectors. Modular design with included 3.5 SE and 2.5/4.4mm balanced connectors. 3.5mm measures at 0.47 while the 2.5/4.4mm measures at 0.52 ohms.






Build: Made out of stainless steel including the nozzle with a lip, that has a metal filter. Mirrored body so it is a fingerprint magnet. Is pretty lightweight for an iem in metal and size is slightly smaller than average.

Fit: Great for me, but not secure enough to be used during physical activities.

Comfort: Excellent, due to the (5) vents there is zero pressure build up so it works great for longer sessions.

Isolation: Very poor due to those vents, definitely NOT recommended if you need isolation.


Tuning filters:

The differences between the Reference and the Transparent filters are at least on the graph pretty minor, but personally the Transparent is too bright for me and shifts the overall tonality from warm to (too) bright (you do of course get some extra detail from that extra brightness with the Transparent filter, so it is the most technical out of the 3).



The Reference to the Atmospheric Immersion filter, makes the overall tonality even warmer for me and the technicalities takes a hit from that as well. So personally, only the reference filter is viable.

Setup: Schiit Asgard 3 (low-gain, volume around 8 o´clock), Elecom EHP-CAP20 tips, stock cable 4.4mm, Reference filter

Lows: Mid-bass focus but still clean due to the tightness and speed, while texture is very impressive. Sub-bass does roll-off, lacking rumble, extension and quantity for me. Sounds great for rock/metal, enough bass while the quality keeps it from being bloated.

Mid-bass: Metallica – fight fire with fire (01:11-01:52), speed and tightness are quite good along with elevated bass with good texture, although it could be a bit cleaner with more clarity (mostly due to the treble being too smooth here). The (02:55-03:01) section with the chopper is hearable but could be cleaner.

Hiroyuki Sawano – Pretenders (01:18-01:47), texture is very impressive, and elevated as well but still quite clean due to the speed/tightness.

Sub-bass: Djuro – Drop that bass (01:15-01:30), sub-bass roll-off, lacks quantity and rumble while extension is below average as well. Texture is decent and is tight but could be faster.

Will Sparks – Sick like that (03:08-03:22), texture and tightness are very good but could be a bit faster and more elevated sub-bass.

Mids: male/female vocals are pretty well balanced but both are recessed. The mid-bass quantity does cause female vocals to be too warm and lacking clarity, although it works pretty well for male vocals and they sound better than the female vocals do.

Female-vocals: Hiroyuki Sawano – OldToday (01:25-01:52), instrument tonality is excellent and has good timbre. Vocal tonality lacks some brightness and needs to be more forward (recessed here) but timbre is good. Clarity and overall detail could be better.

Yuki Hayashi – MightU (01:58-02:55), both instrument and vocal tonality (mostly vocals) needs to be brighter, with the vocals needing to be more forward and also more clarity/detail would be better.

Evanescence – Bring me to life (01:18-01:35), not shouty or fatiguing at all, very relaxing.

Hiroyuki Sawano – Crescent (02:07-02:26), not shouty or peaky.

Male-vocals: Hiroyuki Sawano – Pretenders (00:57-01:17), vocal and instrument tonality are very good as well as timbre. Although vocals are a bit recessed.

Hiroyuki Sawano – Scapegoat (00:57-01:17), excellent vocal and instrument tonality/timbre.

Treble: Linkin Park – Shadow of the Day (03:24-03:42), electric guitars aren’t sharp, but is a bit too smooth.

Deuce – America (03:03-03:16), not shouty but separation and imaging could be better here.

Hiroyuki Sawano – Lose (string version) (01:22-01:59), Cello tonality, texture and timbre are excellent but could be cleaner and more detailed. Violin tonality lacks some brightness (and air in the upper-treble), could be cleaner and more detailed but good timbre and texture.

Hiroyuki Sawano &Z (02:18-02:57), tonality is very good along with timbre. Could be cleaner and more detailed though.

Soundstage: Below average, pretty disappointing considering the vents (and therefore poor isolation).

Tonality: Warm V-shaped due to the recessed mids and elevated bass (although the treble is pretty neutral) with a thicker than average note-weight. Timbre is good but not exceptional. A specialist iem that specializes in rock/metal, doesn’t work that well for the rest of my library though.

Details: Below average, the tuning is bottlenecking it quite a lot.

Instrument Separation: both separation and imaging are below average, the tuning is bottlenecking them quite a lot.

Music:







R&B like these tracks works great with the smooth/laidback treble, warm mids and well texture/elevated bass that is still very clean.





Rock/metal fits it perfectly, elevated mid-bass with a lot of texture that is still clean due to the speed/tightness and the smooth/laidback treble means the cymbals and electric guitars will not be offending.

Songs that highlight the IEM: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TCXhD9cwXZA https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vIaH35-MLsk https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=To2vGYoD8IQ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iYcbfc_UB6M https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0BdN2H2nD6s https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iWIADZKU9dw

Good genres: Specialist for rock/metal, bonus genre being R&B

Bad genres: Rest of my library doesn’t suit it well



Comparisons:

IEM: Final Audio E1000, Radius Deep mount tips L, stock cable 3.5mm

Bass: Djuro – Drop that bass (01:15-01:30), Extends lower and rumbles more on the Falcon. Punch quantity is a bit higher on the Falcon and more textured with similar speed/tightness. More tonally correct and slightly better timbre on the Falcon.

Hiroyuki Sawano – Pretenders (01:18-01:47), quantity is higher and more textured on the Falcon, but a bit tighter and faster on the E1000. Tonality is slightly better on the E1000 (its more balanced and not as warm).

Metallica – fight fire with fire (01:11-01:52), cleaner on the Falcon due to the better separation, otherwise similar speed/tightness with better texture on the Falcon.

Mids: Hiroyuki Sawano – OldToday (01:25-01:52), vocal tonality is better on the E1000 (brighter) and more forward, although timbre is better on the Falcon. Instrument tonality, timbre and detail are better on the Falcon.

Evanescence – Bring me to life (01:18-01:35), peakier and a bit shoutier on the E1000.

Hiroyuki Sawano – Scapegoat (00:57-01:17), vocal and instrument tonality and timbre are a lot better on the Falcon, as well as more detailed but more forward vocals on the E1000.

Treble: Linkin Park – Shadow of the Day (03:24-03:42), electric guitars are sharper on the E1000 but more tonally correct while timbre is similar.

Hiroyuki Sawano – Lose (string version) (01:22-01:59), Cello tonality, timbre, texture and detail are better on the Falcon but more clarity on the E1000. Violin tonality is better on the E1000, but better detail, texture, timbre and treble-extension on the Falcon.

Hiroyuki Sawano &Z (02:18-02:57), better tonality, timbre and details on the Falcon.

Technicalities: Shiro Sagisu – Hundred years war (02:24-02:57), soundstage width is similar, but slightly deeper on the Falcon. Imaging, separation and detail are better on the Falcon with similar timbre.

Overall: While the graph may imply that they would share some similarities, I don’t think they are similar. The Falcon does pretty much everything better than the E1000, except for tonal balance (tends to be too warm on the Falcon) and female vocals (brighter and more forward), so the E1000 is the more versatile iem.


IEM: Blon BL-03 (Mesh mod), Radius Deep Mount, Cable B3 4.4mm

Bass: Djuro – Drop that bass (01:15-01:30), extends and rumbles a lot more on the 03. Punch quantity is higher on it as well but tighter, faster and more textured on the Falcon. More tonally correct on the 03 with better timbre as well.

Hiroyuki Sawano – Pretenders (01:18-01:47), more mid-bass on the 03, while it is tighter, faster and more textured on the Falcon. More tonally correct on the Falcon but better timbre on the 03.

Metallica – fight fire with fire (01:11-01:52), cleaner on the Flacon due to the tighter and lower bass quantity. Similar speed though but more textured on the Falcon.

Mids: Hiroyuki Sawano – OldToday (01:25-01:52), vocal tonality and timbre are better on the 03 as well as more forward. Instrument tonality is quite similar although timbre is better on the 03. Micro-details are better on the Falcon but clarity is better on the 03 (due to the brighter vocal tonality).

Evanescence – Bring me to life (01:18-01:35), shoutier on the 03 and more fatiguing.

Hiroyuki Sawano – Scapegoat (00:57-01:17), vocal and instrument tonality are better on the Falcon, although more forward vocals and better timbre on the 03.

Treble: Linkin Park – Shadow of the Day (03:24-03:42), electric guitars are sharper on the 03 but more accurate tonality and timbre.

Hiroyuki Sawano – Lose (string version) (01:22-01:59), Cello tonality and timbre are similar but better texture and detail on the Falcon. Violin tonality, timbre and air are better on the 03, Texture and detail are better on the Falcon.

Hiroyuki Sawano &Z (02:18-02:57), tonality, timbre and clarity are better on the 03.

Technicalities: Shiro Sagisu – Hundred years war (02:24-02:57), soundstage is wider on the 03 but a bit deeper on the Falcon. Imaging, instrument separation and micro-details are better on the Falcon. But macro-details and timbre are better on the 03.

Overall: The 03 has a more versatile tonality (matches better with my library) and more natural timbre. While the Falcon is more of a specialist for rock/metal with a more relaxing tonality.


IEM: Tanchjim Oxygen, Final Audio Type E tips LL, cable A6 4.4mm

Bass: Djuro – Drop that bass (01:15-01:30), extends lower and rumbles more on the Falcon. Punch quantity is also a lot higher on the Falcon with better texture, but tighter and faster on the Oxygen. Tonality and timbre are better on the Falcon.

Hiroyuki Sawano – Pretenders (01:18-01:47), A lot more bass quantity on the Falcon with more texture as well, but tighter and faster on the Oxygen. More tonally correct on the Falcon but better timbre on the Oxygen.

Metallica – fight fire with fire (01:11-01:52), a lot cleaner and more detailed on the Oxygen due to it having a lot less bass quantity and it being faster/tighter along with more treble (a lot brighter).

Mids: Hiroyuki Sawano – OldToday (01:25-01:52), A LOT better vocal tonality (and a lot more forward) and timbre on the Oxygen. Instrument tonality is better on the Falcon but better timbre on the Oxygen. Detail and clarity are a lot better on the Oxygen.

Evanescence – Bring me to life (01:18-01:35), peakier and shoutier on the Oxygen, a lot more relaxing and non-fatiguing on the Falcon.

Hiroyuki Sawano – Scapegoat (00:57-01:17), vocal and instrument tonality and timbre are a lot better on the Falcon. Detail and clarity are better on the Oxygen though.

Treble: Linkin Park – Shadow of the Day (03:24-03:42), electric guitars are sharper but has better timbre and tonality on the Oxygen.

Hiroyuki Sawano – Lose (string version) (01:22-01:59), Cello tonality, timbre and texture are better on the Falcon but cleaner and more detailed on the Oxygen. Violin tonality, timbre, texture, treble-extension, detail and clarity are better on the Oxygen

Hiroyuki Sawano &Z (02:18-02:57), slightly better tonality on the Oxygen. Timbre, detail and clarity are a lot better on it as well.

Technicalities: Shiro Sagisu – Hundred years war (02:24-02:57), a LOT wider soundstage on the Oxygen but a bit deeper on the Falcon. Detail, imaging, detail and timbre are a LOT better on the Oxygen.

Overall: The Oxygen is the more technical iem with better female-vocals and treble. The Falcon pro is a lot more laidback with better male vocals and bass. Oxygen specializes in acoustic/vocal genres while the Falcon Pro is the rock/metal expert.


IEM: Fiio FD5, Elecom EHP-CAP20, stock cable 4.4mm

Bass: Djuro – Drop that bass (01:15-01:30), extends a lot lower and rumbles more on the FD5. Punch quantity is higher on the FD5 as well as more textured and faster, similar tightness though. Cleaner and more detailed on the FD5. More tonally correct and better timbre on the FD5.

Hiroyuki Sawano – Pretenders (01:18-01:47), a bit higher quantity on the Falcon with more texture, similar tightness but a bit faster on the FD5. More tonally correct on the Falcon but similar timbre.

Metallica – fight fire with fire (01:11-01:52), cleaner on the FD5 due to the lower bass quantity and it being faster along with more treble (a bit sharp on it though). Bass texture is better on the Falcon though.

Mids: Hiroyuki Sawano – OldToday (01:25-01:52), vocal tonality and timbre are better on the FD5 as well as more forward, detailed and cleaner. Instrument tonality is better on the Falcon Pro along with timbre, but cleaner and more detailed on the FD5.

Evanescence – Bring me to life (01:18-01:35), a lot peakier and more fatiguing on the FD5.

Hiroyuki Sawano – Scapegoat (00:57-01:17), vocal and instrument tonality is very similar but cleaner and more detailed on the FD5 with slightly better timbre on it.

Treble: Linkin Park – Shadow of the Day (03:24-03:42), sharper electric guitars but more tonally correct, better timbre and cleaner more detailed on the FD5.

Hiroyuki Sawano – Lose (string version) (01:22-01:59), Cello tonality and texture are similar, but cleaner and more detailed on the FD5 with slightly better timbre on it as well. Violin tonality, texture, treble-extension, detail, timbre and clarity are better on the FD5.

Hiroyuki Sawano &Z (02:18-02:57), tonality, timbre, detail and clarity are better on the FD5.

Technicalities: Shiro Sagisu – Hundred years war (02:24-02:57), soundstage is a lot wider and similar deep on the FD5 and is more holographic as well. Imaging, detail, instrument separation and timbre are better on the FD5.

Overall: The FD5 is the more energetic, technical iem and is more versatile for my library. While the Falcon Pro is the more laidback and specializing in rock/metal but otherwise performs inferior to the FD5.


IEM: Dunu Zen, Final Audio Type E tips LL, stock cable 4.4mm

Bass: Djuro – Drop that bass (01:15-01:30), extends a lot more and rumbles more on the Zen. Punch quantity is also a bit higher on the Zen and a LOT more textured on it as well as tighter and faster. A bit more tonally correct on the Zen with similar timbre.

Hiroyuki Sawano – Pretenders (01:18-01:47), a bit more quantity on the Falcon Pro but a lot more textured on the Zen as well as tighter, similar speed though. More tonally correct on the Falcon Pro with a bit better timbre as well.

Metallica – fight fire with fire (01:11-01:52), bass is cleaner on the Zen due to the lower quantity, faster/tighter and also more textured.

Mids: Hiroyuki Sawano – OldToday (01:25-01:52), vocal tonality, timbre, detail and clarity are a lot better on the Zen, along with much more forward vocals. Instrument tonality, timbre, micro-details and air are better on the Falcon.

Evanescence – Bring me to life (01:18-01:35), shoutier and more fatiguing on the Zen.

Hiroyuki Sawano – Scapegoat (00:57-01:17), vocal and instrument tonality, timbre, air and micro-details are better on the Falcon.

Treble: Linkin Park – Shadow of the Day (03:24-03:42), a lot sharper and more fatiguing electric guitars on the Zen but better tonality and timbre on it.

Hiroyuki Sawano – Lose (string version) (01:22-01:59), Cello tonality, timbre, texture and detail are better on the Zen. Violin tonality, timbre and clarity are better on the Zen but airier and better timbre on the Falcon.

Hiroyuki Sawano &Z (02:18-02:57), a bit better tonality, timbre and clarity on the Zen.

Technicalities: Shiro Sagisu – Hundred years war (02:24-02:57), soundstage is wider on the Zen but deeper on the Falcon. Macro-detail, imaging and separation are a lot better on the Zen. Micro-detail is better on the Falcon while timbre is tied.

Overall: The Zen has a lot better bass, female vocals and technicalities, being more versatile as well. While the Falcon is the more laidback/relaxing iem with the better treble tuning, that specializes in rock/metal.


IEM: Fiio FH3, Final Audio Type E tips LL, Cable A3 4.4mm

Bass: Djuro – Drop that bass (01:15-01:30), extends a lot lower and rumbles a lot more on the FH3. Punch quantity is also higher but tighter on the FH3 with similar speed and texture. More tonally correct on the FH3 but a lot better timbre on the Falcon.

Hiroyuki Sawano – Pretenders (01:18-01:47), more mid-bass quantity on the Falcon with slightly better texture on it. But faster/tighter on the FH3. More tonally correct on the FH3 but a lot better timbre on the Falcon.

Metallica – fight fire with fire (01:11-01:52), cleaner on the FH3 due to the lower mid-bass and tighter bass, speed and texture are similar.

Mids: Hiroyuki Sawano – OldToday (01:25-01:52), vocal tonality is better on the FH3 with more forward vocals, but timbre and overall naturality is a lot better on the Falcon. Instrument tonality and timbre are a lot better on the Falcon.

Evanescence – Bring me to life (01:18-01:35), more relaxing and less fatiguing on the Falcon (warmer).

Hiroyuki Sawano – Scapegoat (00:57-01:17), vocal and instrument tonality and timbre are a lot better on the Falcon. While it is cleaner and has more forward vocals on the FH3.

Treble: Linkin Park – Shadow of the Day (03:24-03:42), a bit sharper electric guitars on the FH3 but more tonally correct, although the timbre is a lot better on the Falcon.

Hiroyuki Sawano – Lose (string version) (01:22-01:59), Cello tonality, timbre and texture are a lot better on the FH3 but cleaner and more detailed on the FH3. Violin tonality, treble-extension, clarity and details are better on the FH3 but timbre is better on the Falcon.

Hiroyuki Sawano &Z (02:18-02:57), tonality and detail are better on the FH3, but timbre is a lot better on the Falcon.

Technicalities: Shiro Sagisu – Hundred years war (02:24-02:57), Soundstage is a lot wider on the FH3 with similar depth. Detail, imaging and separation are better on the FH3, timbre and overall coherency are a lot better on the Falcon.

Overall: The FH3 is the more versatile iem due to the tuning but also has better technicalities. The Falcon wins with the timbre and in being a more laidback iem, that is specialized in rock/metal.


IEM: Sony XBA-N3, Final Audio Type E tips LL, cable A6 4.4mm

Bass: Djuro – Drop that bass (01:15-01:30), rumbles a TON more and extends a LOT deeper on the N3. Punch quantity is a lot higher as well, but a lot looser and slower on the N3 while texture is better on the Falcon. Tonality is more correct on the N3 while timbre is similar.

Hiroyuki Sawano – Pretenders (01:18-01:47), a lot more quantity on the N3 while it is a lot faster and tighter with better texture on the Falcon. More tonally correct on the Falcon, timbre is similar.

Metallica – fight fire with fire (01:11-01:52), a LOT cleaner on the Falcon due to the lower bass quantity, a lot faster and tighter bass with more texture.

Mids: Hiroyuki Sawano – OldToday (01:25-01:52), vocal tonality is very similar (even the quantity) but better timbre on the Falcon. Instrument tonality is a bit better on the Falcon (not as warm and no bleed from the mid-bass), cleaner and a bit more detailed with better timbre.

Evanescence – Bring me to life (01:18-01:35), cleaner and a bit brighter on the Falcon. More relaxing on the N3.

Hiroyuki Sawano – Scapegoat (00:57-01:17), very similar vocal tonality, but cleaner and a bit more detailed with a bit better timbre on the Falcon. Instrument tonality is better (warmer) on the N3 but similar timbre, cleaner and a bit more detail on the Falcon.

Treble: Linkin Park – Shadow of the Day (03:24-03:42), electric guitars are very similar tonality wise, but better timbre and cleaner on the Falcon.

Hiroyuki Sawano – Lose (string version) (01:22-01:59), Cello tonality and texture are better on the N3 but cleaner, more detailed and better timbre on the Falcon. Violin tonality, texture, detail and clarity are very similar but slightly better treble-extension on the N3 and a bit better timbre on the Falcon.

Hiroyuki Sawano &Z (02:18-02:57), tonality is better on the N3 but better timbre and cleaner on the Falcon.

Technicalities: Shiro Sagisu – Hundred years war (02:24-02:57), soundstage is a lot wider and deeper on the N3, more holographic on it. Instrument separation, imaging and detail are better on the N3 while timbre and coherency are better on the Falcon.

Overall: The Falcon Pro basically has the same mids/treble but with a lot cleaner (faster/tighter) bass with sub-bass roll-off and not as big soundstage. N3 is better if you want soundstage and sub-bass. While the Falcon Pro is better if you want a cleaner bass but still very relaxing tonality overall.

IEM: LZ A7 (Pop-red), Final Audio Type E tips LL, cable A3 4.4mm

Bass: Djuro – Drop that bass (01:15-01:30), extends lower and rumbles more on the A7. Punch quantity is a bit higher on the A7 and a bit faster. But a bit more texture and tightness on the Falcon. More tonally correct on the A7 but better timbre on the Falcon.

Hiroyuki Sawano – Pretenders (01:18-01:47), cleaner on the A7 due to the lower bass quantity and faster bass. More textured on the Falcon with similar tightness.

Metallica – fight fire with fire (01:11-01:52), cleaner on the A7, with faster and lower bass quantity. Texture is better on the Falcon but with similar tightness.

Mids: Hiroyuki Sawano – OldToday (01:25-01:52), vocal tonality is better on the A7 as well as with more forward and cleaner vocals, but timbre is better on the Falcon. Instrument tonality and timbre are better on the Falcon but cleaner and more detailed on the A7.

Evanescence – Bring me to life (01:18-01:35), more relaxing on the Falcon due to the warmer tonality.

Hiroyuki Sawano – Scapegoat (00:57-01:17), Vocal and instrument tonality/timbre are better on the Falcon but cleaner and more forward vocals on the A7.

Treble: Linkin Park – Shadow of the Day (03:24-03:42), electric guitars aren’t sharp on neither of them, but more tonally correct on the A7, although with better timbre on the Falcon.

Hiroyuki Sawano – Lose (string version) (01:22-01:59), Cello tonality, timbre and texture are better on the Falcon but cleaner and more detailed on the A7. Violin tonality, texture, detail, clarity and treble-extension are better on the A7 but better timbre on the Falcon.

Hiroyuki Sawano &Z (02:18-02:57), tonality, clarity and detail are better on the A7 but better timbre on the Falcon.

Technicalities: Shiro Sagisu – Hundred years war (02:24-02:57), Soundstage is wider and deeper, more holographic on the A7. Detail, imaging and separation are better on the A7 but timbre/coherency are better on the Falcon.

Overall: The A7 is the more versatile and more technical iem that suits my library more. While the Falcon Pro is more of a specialist for rock/metal. The A7 was previously my nr 1 rec for rock/metal, but that spot is taken over by the Falcon Pro now.



IEM: Dunu EST112, Elecom EHP-CAP20, stock cable 4.4mm

Bass: Djuro – Drop that bass (01:15-01:30), extends lower and rumbles a bit more on the EST112. Punch quantity is a bit higher, tighter, faster and more textured as well on the EST112. Tonality is more accurate on the EST112 but timbre is better on the Falcon.

Hiroyuki Sawano – Pretenders (01:18-01:47), more bass quantity on the Falcon but tighter, faster and more textured on the EST112 and is a lot cleaner and more detailed as well.

Metallica – fight fire with fire (01:11-01:52), cleaner and a lot more detailed on the EST112. Lower bass quantity, faster, tighter and more textured on the EST112.

Mids: Hiroyuki Sawano – OldToday (01:25-01:52), vocal tonality, detail, clarity and forwardness are leagues ahead on the EST112, except the timbre. Instrument tonality and timbre are better on the Falcon but detail and clarity are leagues ahead on the EST112.

Evanescence – Bring me to life (01:18-01:35), shoutier and more fatiguing on the EST112.

Hiroyuki Sawano – Scapegoat (00:57-01:17), Vocal/instrument detail, clarity and vocal quantity are a lot better on the EST112. But more accurate tonality and timbre on the Falcon.

Treble: Linkin Park – Shadow of the Day (03:24-03:42), electric guitars are more tonally correct on the EST112 but is a bit sharp and better timbre on the Falcon.

Hiroyuki Sawano – Lose (string version) (01:22-01:59), Cello tonality and timbre are better on the Falcon, but texture, detail and clarity are a lot better on the EST112. Violin tonality, detail, treble-extension and clarity are a lot better on the EST112 while timbre is better on the Falcon.

Hiroyuki Sawano &Z (02:18-02:57), tonality, clarity and detail are better on the EST112 but better timbre on the Falcon.

Technicalities: Shiro Sagisu – Hundred years war (02:24-02:57), Soundstage is a lot wider and slightly deeper on the EST112, more holographic as well. Detail, imaging and separation are leagues ahead on the EST112. Timbre and coherency are better on the Falcon.

Overall: The EST112 is the more versatile, a lot more technical and suits my library more than the EST112. Although for rock/metal the Falcon is the better tuned iem.

Conclusion: While the Falcon Pro isn’t that impressive in the technicalities (bottlenecked by the tonality) and isn’t a versatile iem that doesn’t really match my library. The performance it shows with rock/metal is amazing, so if you are looking for an iem for a rock/metal library, this is currently my top recommendation for that (beating the LZ A7 for those genre). But if you don’t listen to rock/metal, then I will not really recommend it, as it is a specialist for those genres and for other genres (at least in my library) it doesn’t do them too well.

Graph:

Cable source:

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet...zTm4ei7HEfP8AI1zxswrMw2ho/edit#gid=1801072063

Reference/test songs: