The discovery thread!

[AmericanSpirit]

DUNU Kima Classic

▶︎per HiFiGo’s review request, I didn’t pay for this review unit. It’s a review sample.
Burn-in completed for 20 hours (not a huge difference from out of box till now)

▶︎The tuning is “classy” for bass floor and treble / air, within my personal unit, Titan S and Aria OG is from this domain. The upper mid however is a creative departure from ”boring harman” that if a single DD sticks deadly to the curve, so this “tweak” is something I can hear as Kima Classic’s adventure.

Resolution and technicality is that of a single DLC, pretty standard KXXS class, if needed to assign a grade score, B.

Timbre Tasting:
Top Note: Sparkling air/ wide open diffusion
Heart Note: Crisp upper mid imaging, splendid spatial presentation
Bottom Note: non-invasive bass

Details : Dynamism = 55:45

For a DLC, I recently come across Simgot EA500 that has managed to obtain “BA” like resolving yet less-fatiguing tonality by its unique venting system.

Meanwhile, Kima Classic is approaching that “resolving but non-fatiguing“ timbre with more orthodox ”10kHz Valley”.

It’s what Moondrop used for Aria OG and established the legendary “Aria” movemen over the tuning, I bet the Classic means DUNU has followed that Aria classic and applied ”spatial articulation“ on top of Aria’s stable tuning.

Aria x wider staging with DLC unit is basically Kima Classic’s raison de’tre


Tested with this track, Pat Metheny x Russian Singer Anna Maria Jopek, the cymbal work on this track is a masterpiece and very easy to tell staging borderline.

Do I like it? Yea, it’s a safe bet, pretty much all rounder. It also comes with SML set of premium S&S ear tips, which I found is pretty comfortable in extending the short nozzle IEM and helps with the fit. S&S ear tip has a unique acoustic chamber which certainly will tame bass and generate little extra side diffusion field when equipped.

vs Simgot EA500 ($79) detail : dynamism (50:50)
Kima Classic has got better image focus, the timbre of Kima Classic more U-shaped when compared to bright-neutral EA500. EA500 has got lower center of gravity with slightly warmer bass. Due to the elevated 15khz, Kima Classic has got a better finesse articulation, and the timbre has more solid “core” when compared to softer EA500. But overall they are both DLC with EA500 offering less fatiguing timbre and Kima Classic offering slightly more energetic and vivid diffusion field borderline when directly compared.

I see Kima classic can certainly be a choice among EA500 / Aria SE for the DLC family.

Just don’t expect a miracle, it’s a single DLC DD, nothing more than that, so image separation is somewhat ”OK” and you probably need to be careful with listening volume for long term listening session.


—Final impression score (based on my HRTF)
Overall | B
Tonality | B+
Resolution | B-
Overall Coherence | B

1. Diffusion Field coherence | B+
2. Image coordinate positioning coherence | B
3. Image Focusing Coherence | B+
4. Sound wave momentum & Sound Image vectoring coherence | B+

Basically DUNU’s KXXS, a well tuned single DLC.

As an LCP lover, I personally like Titan S better, but YMMV, some people prefer DLC’s timbre over LCP.

 

[Mr.HiAudio]

DUNU Kima Classic

▶︎per HiFiGo’s review request, I didn’t pay for this review unit. It’s a review sample.
Burn-in completed for 20 hours (not a huge difference from out of box till now)

▶︎The tuning is “classy” for bass floor and treble / air, within my personal unit, Titan S and Aria OG is from this domain. The upper mid however is a creative departure from ”boring harman” that if a single DD sticks deadly to the curve, so this “tweak” is something I can hear as Kima Classic’s adventure.


Resolution and technicality is that of a single DLC, pretty standard KXXS class, if needed to assign a grade score, B.

Timbre Tasting:
Top Note: Sparkling air/ wide open diffusion
Heart Note: Crisp upper mid imaging, splendid spatial presentation
Bottom Note: non-invasive bass

Details : Dynamism = 55:45

For a DLC, I recently come across Simgot EA500 that has managed to obtain “BA” like resolving yet less-fatiguing tonality by its unique venting system.

Meanwhile, Kima Classic is approaching that “resolving but non-fatiguing“ timbre with more orthodox ”10kHz Valley”.

It’s what Moondrop used for Aria OG and established the legendary “Aria” movemen over the tuning, I bet the Classic means DUNU has followed that Aria classic and applied ”spatial articulation“ on top of Aria’s stable tuning.

Aria x wider staging with DLC unit is basically Kima Classic’s raison de’tre

I like it? Yea, it’s a safe bet, pretty much all rounder. It also comes with SML set of premium S&S ear tips, which I found is pretty comfortable in extending the short nozzle IEM and helps with the fit. S&S ear tip has a unique acoustic chamber which certainly will tame bass and generate little extra side diffusion field when equipped.

vs Simgot EA500 ($79) detail : dynamism (50:50)
Kima Classic has got better image focus, the timbre of Kima Classic more U-shaped when compared to bright-neutral EA500. EA500 has got lower center of gravity with slightly warmer bass. Due to the elevated 15khz, Kima Classic has got a better finesse articulation, and the timbre has more solid “core” when compared to softer EA500. But overall they are both DLC with EA500 offering less fatiguing timbre and Kima Classic offering slightly more energetic and vivid diffusion field borderline when directly compared.

I see Kima classic can certainly be a choice among EA500 / Aria SE for the DLC family.

Just don’t expect a miracle, it’s a single DLC DD, nothing more than that, so image separation is somewhat ”OK” and you probably need to be careful with listening volume for long term listening session.


—Final impression score (based on my HRTF)
Overall | B
Tonality | B+
Resolution | B-
Overall Coherence | B

1. Diffusion Field coherence | B+
2. Image coordinate positioning coherence | B
3. Image Focusing Coherence | B+
4. Sound wave momentum & Sound Image vectoring coherence | B+

Basically DUNU’s KXXS, a well tuned single DLC.

As an LCP lover, I personally like Titan S better, but YMMV, some people prefer DLC’s timbre over LCP.

Mids+Higs of Kima Classic looks like a EA500 + TRI Clarion (red - Clarion)

 

[tamtrum]

Bought project red as soon as it was for sale, can't wait to compare it up against my Subtonic STORM. I heard red beats out every iem until you reach STORM.

 

[AmericanSpirit]

Bought project red as soon as it was for sale, can't wait to compare it up against my Subtonic STORM. I heard red beats out every iem until you reach STORM.

Wow! That’s quite a statement.

Now all IEM makers will be going out of business if that’s true

Looking forward for your A-B test of RED vs Storm, it will be an interesting engagement to see $50 IEM going against $6000 IEM

 

[o0genesis0o]

Bought project red as soon as it was for sale, can't wait to compare it up against my Subtonic STORM. I heard red beats out every iem until you reach STORM.

You know what, with Crinacle’s magic dust, these beats the STORM too. Who needs advanced crossover and many custom drivers when you have sheer “science” on your side. I mean, big reviewers say these make all other IEMs obsolete. Why should they lie or be wrong?

Sarcasm aside, lucky you for having the STORM. You must have been doing something quite right, professionally

 

[helipopper]

Bought project red as soon as it was for sale, can't wait to compare it up against my Subtonic STORM. I heard red beats out every iem until you reach STORM.

Storm is over priced over hyped TRASH, why would you ever buy a IEM that costs 5k? Definitely yells Hyped scam to me.

 

[kazinova]

Spent a couple hours now listening through all my favorite test music. Both through the dongle DAC on the iPhone/iPad and through my basic Schiit stack.

Re: my distortion concerns earlier, I was worried that the bass was such overkill that it was wildly distorting the sound in one particular song. As it turns out the song was the culprit. Anything I listened to it made the same distortion happen. At the very least it might be a problem with the Atmos version of the song (Golden Hour by JVKE).

Tuning Switch Settings
After testing back and forth between the various dipswitch settings I've landed on both on as the configuration I like the most. Both down recesses the mids too much for my tastes, the bass only config makes the mid bass bleed too much and the mids only config tilts the bass down too much. I got this set to have something that could really deliver some thump, so both on brings the most v-like shape to my ears. Honestly I'd be okay with both off as well given the right music. Maybe it would work better if I was in a jazzy mood. So 11 > 00 >>> 10 > 01

General Thoughts
It's been only about 4 hours of total listening but I'm really quite happy with the set overall, the resolution feels like it's on par with the price. Granted the most expensive thing I've listened to is $200. So I don't have the fullest set of experiences to draw from, but with the limited budget stuff I've listened to I feel like it's hitting the mark at the very least.

The sound signature is really warm and very relaxing, one of my all-time favorite soundtracks is the Tron: Legacy soundtrack by Daft Punk and the sub drone of the track Solar Sailor is just **chef's kiss** on the Quartet. The other situation that seemed to go really well with signature was any jazz I threw at it, from Take Five to 8-Bit Big Band everything was really pleasing. Feeling well recorded bass lines resonate in my head without going over-the-top like my wife's preferred set, the 7Hz Legato, it was a nice change of pace from the more clinical sounding planars I have.

I feel like I can really sense the separation provided by having dedicated drivers for various ranges. Kind of the same way the TruthEar Zero and QKZ Khan do, but with more precision? That could easily be a placebo effect since I'm aware of the driver setup of the Quartet. There's not that amazing of a soundstage, tho, not that I was expecting all that much, which the right recording there's some space between the various tracks. I was able to really feel the separation in the various instruments in the song Till the Sun Turns Black by Ray LaMontagne, at times I was perceiving more space it what I was hearing but rarely did anything feel like it was further out than just a couple inches above the back of my head. (Which is an effect that I can perceive in most sets with certain mixes and songs, so it's not that special)

In terms of comfort I was good with 2 hours in one go, but I use the same Spinfit W1s on everything so I think that has more to do with my comfort than the design of the shell itself. There's nothing wrong with the shape for me, but I don't think I've ever felt discomfort from what I've tried, so that might be a limited experience thing as well.

Bottom Line
I was looking to be blown away due to some of the hype. I'm not blown away, but I think with grounded expectations anyone would be pleased. I haven't heard any set with BA drivers before so that contributes to the internal hype I had. I was also worried about hearing the grittiness in the treble that had been reported but apparently my ears are not trained enough to detect that. It does make me curious to check out a high-end BA set. Maybe some day.

 

[WAON303]

DUNU would be having a field day with the Kima Classic if it was released 3-4 years ago.

Nowadays, it's another harman IEM released on a monthly basis.

 

[ToneDeafMonk]

Spent a couple hours now listening through all my favorite test music. Both through the dongle DAC on the iPhone/iPad and through my basic Schiit stack.

Re: my distortion concerns earlier, I was worried that the bass was such overkill that it was wildly distorting the sound in one particular song. As it turns out the song was the culprit. Anything I listened to it made the same distortion happen. At the very least it might be a problem with the Atmos version of the song (Golden Hour by JVKE).

Tuning Switch Settings
After testing back and forth between the various dipswitch settings I've landed on both on as the configuration I like the most. Both down recesses the mids too much for my tastes, the bass only config makes the mid bass bleed too much and the mids only config tilts the bass down too much. I got this set to have something that could really deliver some thump, so both on brings the most v-like shape to my ears. Honestly I'd be okay with both off as well given the right music. Maybe it would work better if I was in a jazzy mood. So 11 > 00 >>> 10 > 01

General Thoughts
It's been only about 4 hours of total listening but I'm really quite happy with the set overall, the resolution feels like it's on par with the price. Granted the most expensive thing I've listened to is $200. So I don't have the fullest set of experiences to draw from, but with the limited budget stuff I've listened to I feel like it's hitting the mark at the very least.

The sound signature is really warm and very relaxing, one of my all-time favorite soundtracks is the Tron: Legacy soundtrack by Daft Punk and the sub drone of the track Solar Sailor is just **chef's kiss** on the Quartet. The other situation that seemed to go really well with signature was any jazz I threw at it, from Take Five to 8-Bit Big Band everything was really pleasing. Feeling well recorded bass lines resonate in my head without going over-the-top like my wife's preferred set, the 7Hz Legato, it was a nice change of pace from the more clinical sounding planars I have.

I feel like I can really sense the separation provided by having dedicated drivers for various ranges. Kind of the same way the TruthEar Zero and QKZ Khan do, but with more precision? That could easily be a placebo effect since I'm aware of the driver setup of the Quartet. There's not that amazing of a soundstage, tho, not that I was expecting all that much, which the right recording there's some space between the various tracks. I was able to really feel the separation in the various instruments in the song Till the Sun Turns Black by Ray LaMontagne, at times I was perceiving more space it what I was hearing but rarely did anything feel like it was further out than just a couple inches above the back of my head. (Which is an effect that I can perceive in most sets with certain mixes and songs, so it's not that special)

In terms of comfort I was good with 2 hours in one go, but I use the same Spinfit W1s on everything so I think that has more to do with my comfort than the design of the shell itself. There's nothing wrong with the shape for me, but I don't think I've ever felt discomfort from what I've tried, so that might be a limited experience thing as well.

Bottom Line
I was looking to be blown away due to some of the hype. I'm not blown away, but I think with grounded expectations anyone would be pleased. I haven't heard any set with BA drivers before so that contributes to the internal hype I had. I was also worried about hearing the grittiness in the treble that had been reported but apparently my ears are not trained enough to detect that. It does make me curious to check out a high-end BA set. Maybe some day.

Next up try something with a Sonion 2300 series BA like a Penon Fan2 and switch back and forth you will get a better understanding of BA timbe or none there is a real difference. The Fan 2 is only $140 on sale and the two are world apart.

 

[baskingshark]

Bought project red as soon as it was for sale, can't wait to compare it up against my Subtonic STORM. I heard red beats out every iem until you reach STORM.

Err just my 2 cents, but I don't think the Project Red is competitive in technicalities against some other sub $50 IEMs (what I mean by technicalities are imaging, instrument separation, micro-detailing, soundstage). I've auditioned the Storm before, and yes that is an expensive piece of kit, but the Storm is many leagues ahead in technicalities.

The Red's lack of mid-bass may also be a deal breaker for certain music genres, so YMMV.

 

[InvisibleInk]

Storm is over priced over hyped TRASH, why would you ever buy a IEM that costs 5k? Definitely yells Hyped scam to me.

Your first post on head-fi, and you use it to say that?

 

[o0genesis0o]

Your first post on head-fi, and you use it to say that?

A big fan of the ER2SE/Variations guy on Youtube, perhaps?

 

[ToneDeafMonk]

A big fan of the ER2SE/Variations guy on Youtube, perhaps?

Shakur Groupé

 

[nibe90]

But why have to eq it to sony n3? It not gonna sound the same you know...
Sony N3 is heavily dampen so timbre, speed, air not going to be the same! Also deviation

I know it wont be the same, got to hear a n3 recently and liked it for some songs. And frankly sometimes the sony sound signature is fun. Anyways looking for multiple purposes for a p5. BTw with my question I did not man to eq it to that and than leave it but whether or not if I am in the mood of it it might come close. closer than a single dd iem that i currently daily drive

 

[o0genesis0o]

I know it wont be the same, got to hear a n3 recently and liked it for some songs. And frankly sometimes the sony sound signature is fun. Anyways looking for multiple purposes for a p5. BTw with my question I did not man to eq it to that and than leave it but whether or not if I am in the mood of it it might come close. closer than a single dd iem that i currently daily drive

I just check the graphs against IEF target. Both IEMs seems similarly tuned already. What EQ are you planning to do?