Disclaimer:
Good morning, readers. Today I finally unlocked a new brand, the Dunu Kima 2. An IEM that, in my opinion, is a fearsome rival of the various Simgot EA500. What makes it somehow very attractive in my eyes is above all the presence of a quantity of accessories that completes the user experience at 360°. I already knew the DUNU brand for their excellent S&S tips that I often use.
The Kima 2 is an IEM with an excellent DD with DLC membrane, positioning itself among the entry-level IEMs of excellent quality.
I’m not an audiophile; I’m just a guy that likes to test out different IEMs and DACs and spends a lot of time listening to music.
So I’m not going to use super technical words to review it, but I will do my best to describe it.
Tech Specs:
- Frequency Response: 5 Hz – 40 kHz
- Impedance: 20Ω
- Sensitivity: 108 dB/mW (@ 1 kHz)
- 125 dB/Vrms (@ 1 kHz)
- THD: <0.3% @ 1 kHz
- Driver: External Magnetic DLC Composite Diaphragm Dynamic Driver
- Shell Material: S316 Stainless Steel
- Cable: Four-Core Single-crystalline Copper and Silver-Plated OCC Cable
- Cable Length: 1.2 m ± 0.1 m
- Connector: 0.78mm 2-Pin
- Plug: Q-Lock Mini Interchangeable Plug System, Includes Two Plugs (3.5mm Single-Ended, 4.4mm Balanced)
- Net Weight: Approximately 10.5g (per side)
Packaging:
After some time we find an “anime”-inspired packaging, quite unusual on products that exceed 100 USD but overall I don’t mind. The Dunu Kima 2 unboxing experience is one of the most complete that I have been lucky enough to own. With 120 USD IEM, you have at least 40 USD of accessories included that, on the one hand, could have contributed to raising the final price but which, in reality, are extremely useful.
Inside we find:
- Anime stand
- Huge rigid case (double case)
- 4 different types of tips (complete sets)
- Modular cable with 3.5 or 4.4mm termination
- Cable clip and brush
- Manual and warranty
The amount of tips is really crazy! We have a full set of Dunu S&S, a Candy, a Vocal, and an atmospheric. You don’t even see so many tips on 500 USD IEMs. The cable is well made, modular, and has a very robust screw system. The cable has the first thicker part covered in “cordura”-like material and after the split it becomes classic. The case is the largest I’ve ever seen; it easily fits a dongle plus the IEMs.
The only small problem, if we want to say it, is the choice of the case color. The white color, if you assume a use without too many attentions, will soon become gray/black.
Design/Build Quality:
The Dunu Kima 2 has a very interesting look; aesthetically, it is very complex, and the workmanship of the metal shell is a bit futuristic, almost in “mecha” style. I read that someone found them uncomfortable but I don’t think it’s because of the strange shape but more for the angle and length of the nozzle. The material chosen is stainless steel; the IEMs are very sturdy; they have some ventilation holes on the inside before and after the driver. The pressure in the ear canal is perfectly balanced. In terms of weight, I think they are lighter than the Simgot EA500LM, even if only slightly. Overall, the quality of the IEMs and accessories is out of the ordinary and wins hands down against most sets on the market.
Initial sound impression:
If the Simgot is too bright for you, then maybe you are in the right place. They have more or less the same sound quality, or at least I find them very similar in overall quality but the Dunu Kima 2 has a less bright sound and has a greater linearity along the entire spectrum with extremely natural and organic mids. The bass is a little more substantial thanks to a more accentuated sub-bass. The treble instead is less harsh or sibilant, making the set much more universal.
From the first listen, you remain pleasantly amazed by the listening quality, especially the mids, which have that silky organicity that I like. I think it is one of the few all-round IEMs that adapts to your genre; they have found a tuning that works well with any genre.
Comfort & Fit:
I realize that there may be some users who do not find them totally comfortable; my ears are quite large and they easily adapt to a multitude of IEMs. I have not found any problems or discomfort in wearing them but I preferred the DUNU S&S, which slightly lengthens the nozzle as well as helping to improve the soundstage. In my opinion, they do not cause any problems.
Tips Rolling:
Dunu itself, by including so many tips, is practically advising you and inducing you to do it. This is the first set that has already included enough tips to let you see and experience on your own skin the enormous differences that the tips make. As always, I recommend trying all the ones you have. I stopped on the Dunu S&S to improve the soundstage, which is not extremely expansive. The S&S help a lot and since the sub-bass response is quite pronounced, you don’t lose much low range. Other tips turned out to be shorter than they should be.
Equipment used for testing:
Device:
- OSX
- Poco M4 Pro
Software:
- Amazon Music UHD
DAC:
- EPZ TP35 (pretty analytical-balanced)
- Creative Soundblaster G8
- Fosi SK02 (most used)
- Muse Hifi M4 (great pairing – extra treble)
- Fiio KA11
- Fiio KA17
- Fosi DS2
- Simgot DEW4X
- EPZ TP50
- Creative SoundBlaster X5
Final sound impression:
What can I say? I like them! A lot! Graphically, I would have expected a much weaker bass. Overall the punch is quite marked and gives a good feeling of air movement, a result that is honestly unexpected, especially using the DUNU S&S tips. I will also tell you that the soundstage with this combination of tips is particularly correct even if we are unable to focus on instruments and voices outside of our ears.
The thing that surprised me is that it maintains a certain composure both in R&B and EDM genres. It lends itself to different genres without behaving badly at all. Obviously, if you listen to only one genre, there are more suitable sets but if your playlists are a mix like mine, then this is a wise choice. But do you know what further enriches the experience of these DUNU? The accessories! If all manufacturers took an example from them, I assure you that many would already be satisfied just by the packaging, which in this case helps to offer a complete experience even to those who have just entered the hobby.
Bass
In terms of bass, they did a great job. For my taste, the texture is not bad at all; we are not at “Bassheads” levels but the sub-bass is well pronounced, giving a sense of depth to it. If the genre of music you are listening to requires such frequencies, they will come from nowhere. It has the kind of bass that adapts based on the genre you are listening to; it goes from calm to agitated without warning. Overall fast bass, with good texture and excellent punch.
Mids
The mids are probably the real protagonists of the set. Given the linearity along the entire spectrum, the mids precede the rest with a naturalness and organicity worthy of note. There is a note of warmth that makes the voices even more velvety, lush, and realistic. It is the kind of set that amazes for the quality of the coherent and not at all recessed mids. Mids that are always very composed and elegant without peaks or harshness. Even if very controlled, the presence of sparks and air is guaranteed.
Treble
Unlike the Simgots that could seem very bright and not always easy to listen to (especially the EA500), Dunu has managed to balance the set on the neutrality of the treble, finding the perfect blend. There is no sibilance or harshness that could bore you in long listening sessions or on certain musical genres. The extension remains excellent, with excellent presence of macro and micro details (which could be slightly more). If you are sensitive to treble, this set should be among the brightest on the safe side.
Soundstage and Imaging:
The soundstage is not the widest I have heard in this price range but with the help of the DUNU S&S, I don’t feel any particular shortcomings; in fact, although it is intimate, it is well finished with a very clear image but with slightly rounded edges. Being all around, the sound is also vaguely round. This does not mean that it behaves badly; in fact, it works very well with a truly wide variety of genres. What gives the most sensation of depth is definitely the sub-bass. As for the layering, I find it very good; also, the directionality and separation of the sounds are of a good level.
Comparison:
The single DD market is very competitive, but Dunu already has an advantage in terms of standard equipment. They have no rivals in terms of packaging.
My thought is that this could be a valid alternative to the Simgot EA500LM and a possible upgrade for the EA500. Obviously, as an owner of the EA500LM, I can tell you with certainty that these are two rivals and the choice is very difficult. The difference is only in the bass and sub-bass part that has a more marked presence on the EA500LM but the rest is almost very similar; I would not be surprised if they shared the same driver.
The highs have that little extra boost that makes them crisper and a little more sparkly.
Apart from the bass being much fuller and more satisfying, the choice then all depends on your tastes. In the Dunu Kima 2, the mids are able to express themselves better but this does not mean that the EA500LM are inferior. I would not buy both, as the difference is minimal. Dunu boasts a much superior set of accessories.
I am still waiting for a single-driver IEM as capable as the purple dome driver of the EA1000. Obviously, if your budget allows it, I recommend you directly aim for them. The representation is superior, as is the presence of various macro and micro details. They are not comparable to each other.
Conclusion:
My thought is that this could be a valid alternative to the Simgot EA500LM and a possible upgrade for what concerns the EA500. Obviously, as an owner of the EA500LM, I can tell you with certainty that these are two rivals and the choice is very difficult.
The Dunu Kima 2 maintains a very fluid tuning that is well suited to a wide audience in a certain sense. I would say that I could do longer listening sessions with them rather than with the Simgot EA500LM. I had never tried a DUNU IEM and I was positively surprised; perhaps I could only recommend working on the ergonomics of the IEM to make it more adaptable. For the rest, nothing to say; the packaging is one of the best seen so far and also, as regards the accessories, there are truly many. The asking price seems very fair to me considering that you have everything. As for the sound, as mentioned in the comparisons, I would not recommend them to those who already own the Simgot EA500LM but to those who are looking at this model to buy it.
My feeling is that the DUNU has an even superior tuning balance, creating a mix so fluid that it is extremely pleasant.
This is an excellent alternative.
8.9/10
Pros:
- Stainless steel Shell: Sturdy build
- Very good packaging
- Accesories King
- Removable 0.78 cable with modular jack
- Mid-spring tuning: touch of warmth
- Tonal accuracy, organic feel
- Clear and luscious voices, sparkly treble
- Bass and subbass are well represented.
- Great image
- Accurate and slightly intimate soundstage
- Easy to drive
Cons:
- Not for Bassheads
- Not the most technical
- Shell shape could be improved
