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So I spent the last couple hours comparing the DUNU DN-1000, Sony XBA-H1, OM Audio InEarPeace, and yes..I threw in the Xiaomi Piston into the mix just for the heck of it.
I used a Sony NWZ 475 + FiiO E7 amp, 320 files, with Copper Colour OCS cable, and all iem's fitted with the same Sony hybrid tips.
The most interesting detail I noticed while listening to all four is that the Sony H1 was the most quiet of all the 'phones. I had to turn the volume up quite a bit more to reach the same sound level as the rest.
The DUNU DN-1000 had the most details, the better treble extension, and widest soundstage of the four. It has 3D depth, and very comfortable to wear, even though the housings are heavy and metal. The DN-1000 was susceptible to sibilance on certain tracks, and on certain older masters, the sibilance was present and annoying. Bass is decent. It's detailed and present, but doesn't have much sub bass extension, and more slight mid bass hump. Mids are ever so slightly recessed, but nothing to write home to complain about. It was also the LOUDEST 'phone. On volume 6, I had to turn it down to 5 or 4 as to not overwhelm my hearing.
The Sony H1, with the same single dynamic/single BA configuration as the OM Audio IEP, easily has the smoothest sound sig. The bass is better than both the DUNU and the Om Audio. It's punchier, digs deeper, and provides more detail than both of those. It's not a particularly omnipresent bass, but it's the most REFINED bass out of all but the Piston. The mids are omnipresent. This is the bread and butter of the H1. Lush, smooth as butter mids. Vocals are gorgeously presented and stand out with NO sibilance whatsoever. It reminds me of the XBA-1 mids, but with much deeper and more prominent bass than a single BA can muster. The highs are slightly rolled off at the top end, but decay and timbre are a delight. Unlike the metallic sound that's so prevalent with the XBA-3 and XBA-4, the highs are more natural sounding, with cymbals, snares, toms, and high hats crashes tonally pleasant, accurate, and with a fair amount of decay. Now not as much as the Piston or the DUNU, as each of those 'phones has insanely long sustain times and decay can go on without much roll off until the very highest registers, but the H1 isn't that far behind really. Guitars and strings sound so amazing. I can't stress how good jazz, metal, and r&b sounded with the H1. This was my favorite sound signature TBH. Makes me wonder just how stellar the H3 must be, with it's dual BA/single dynamic configuration?
The Om Audio IEP, along with the DUNU, actually sounded like it has recessed mids as compared to the H1. The OM Audio, with it's aggressive upper mids and sharp lower highs, just seemed a bit sucked out next to the H1. The bass wasn't as refined or as punchy as the H1. The Om Audio's bass is more in line with the DUNU when it comes to weight, presence, and depth. The Om Audio, like the DUNU, had a penchant for sibilance with poor mastering and older tracks, and was less forgiving. The highs are leaner, meaner, and more detailed than the H1, the Piston, and just slightly behind the DUNU in decay times and sustain. Cymbals ring long and crashes crash authoritatively with the OM Audio, with razor sharpness and clarity when dealing with metal and hard rock. This is a balanced IEM, with a soundstage wider than the H1 and the Piston, and only dominated by the DUNU. Detail retrieval also goes to the OM right after the DUNU, but the mids aren't even in the same zip code as the H1. The H1 is king of the mids, with only the Piston about a mile back close to matching them.
The Xiaomi Piston is the only true dynamic, and well, as being such, was the IEM with the least soundstage, the least amount of detail, the least capable mids, BUT it kicked butt on the other three when it came to bass weight, sub bass detail, and presence. The bass, while neither boomy or particularly punchy, is slightly behind the H1 in refinement, but makes up for it with detail. You can hear the bass players fingers playing chords and progressions with the Piston, and coupled with that amazing treble presence, makes for such an engaging listen. Only the DUNU had longer decay and sustain times, and only the OM was better at presenting micro details in the upper registers. Even better than the DUNU, which treble detail can get lost in the sibilance and weighty mids. Smoothness of the mids is second only to the H1, and slightly ahead of the DUNU, but the DUNU trump the Piston in mid details and soundstage, so as to have a 3D audio presentation, while the Piston are the most 2D of all four. Still an impressive audio device that sells for $20.00.
So at the end of the day, I'm picking the H1 because it has a texture, smoothness, and warmth that just tugs at my ear and heart. It's a beautiful, lush, quiet sound, with class and refinement. If the H1 is a classy lady dressed in red and black, then the OM Audio is that punk rocker, with aggression, power, and purpose, dressed in silver and black. The DUNU is the athlete. Peak in performance, physically imposing, brash, yet graceful when called upon. The Piston is that great all-arounder. Equally capable with metal as it is comfortable with rap. The jack of all trades, and master of none, yet a valuable addition to the community.
Thank you and g'day.
Preference : H1 > DUNU DN-1000 > OM Audio IEP > Xiaomi Piston
Sound Quality : DUNU DN-1000 > H1 > Om Audio IEP > Xiaomi Piston
great review, the h1 really get you moving with rock
