Dunu is a brand we’ve known for two decades, and we’ve found a high level of satisfaction with their iem reviews, which we hope will continue with this Dunu Kima review. You can read those reviews by following the link.
The new KIMA from DUNU has a brand-new 10mm dynamic driver unit with two chambers. This driver is created with a DLC (Diamond-Like-Carbon) diaphragm coil of a new generation. This is a new DLC material diaphragm. Compared to traditional DLC diaphragms, it has a more uniform structure, that also helps make it more rigid and makes sure it plays sound well. The KIMA’s dual-cavity structure uses microcontroller air-flow control technology to keep the air pressure inside the cavities stable.
Pros__
The clarity, detail, coherency and texturing are excellent.
Very comfortable psychically and sonically without spikes in the sound
Driving is relatively easy
Cons__
Trebles could be a little sharper and vivid
Doesn’t have the necessary slam in electronics
Can sound lifeless and dull after forward and energetic tunings
Sound
The timbre is neutral with a slight hint of brightness. Very faithful to the original recording. (you can’t have a bright timbre in 70’s funk music) Dunu Kima’s layering is ridiculously high, or I hadn’t seen anything better in this price range. Body factor in the sound is enough to call it thumpy. However, it maintains control in electronic music due to the relatively quick roll-off of its 10mm DD and DLC diaphragms. The soundstage is wide and deep to offer you a comfortable listen, be it live or studio recordings. Is the audience cheering or applauding? Check. Bells, flute, small drums and trumpets beneath the main line? Check. Even in trash metal, the vocals are clear enough to understand. However, I think that genres like trash metal are often not recorded well and don’t have many other musical elements. Kima has a realistic texture, and the dramatic lyrics also give you a chill like blues music sucking the life out of you.
In spite of the findings presented above, I am of the opinion that balanced cable listening is necessary when listening to tango music due to the fact that the violins in tango music aren’t as solid or, shall we say, as sharp as they should be. On the other hand, due to its ability to show even the tiniest of details, it is possible to hear details even in 3.5 mm recordings. Playback with Dunu Kima is also organic, albeit with a slight emphasis on the low end. I don’t hear the neutrality of Dunu Talos. Good or bad depends on what you want, but don’t expect any “big bad boys” from the middle or high end. By the way, did I mention about sibilance? There is no sibilance in it.
Balanced Listen__
with Fiio LS 2.5A The sound is now much better, but it has a brighter tone. The body lost weight, but it became sharper. The violins can move more freely than they could with the stock cables. But I have to say that the body was what made it delicious. Now it is like a Dunu Talos Jr. However, it’s still perfect for Led Zeppelin. And better in every way than the stock cable because the layering, instrument separation, and positioning are all better. You may not get the full “wooden instrument” experience, but that’s part of what makes traditional instruments so well suited to slow to moderate organic music. Whoa, hold on a second, I don’t think I’m trying out for a $500 IEM, do I?
with Dunu Amber The textures turned into a 3d presentation and layering improved greatly. Soundstage gained spatial characteristics and with the improvement in layering, the experience even in hard and heavy stuff gained a gentle touch yet impressive weight at the same time. So was the same in math rock etc. 3D imaging soared up in the sky and the lack of EST driver got more obvious here. Oh, and those bells in the PF High Hopes changed into beautiful metal cases in medium sizes.
with Kinera Leyding Layering improved but the background isn’t as dark as Amber’s. And layering got better but not that much. 3d imaging isn’t on the same level you get with Amber here. The timbre got brighter for sure. And this shift made listening to certain genres with Dunu Kima tiresome. The brightening helped the soundstage at the same time, you can now hear an immersive playback in modern recordings..if only it had some slam enhancement in it too.
Comparisons__
First comparison will take place between Dunu TitanS and the second one between Moondrop Kato
vs Dunu TitanS
While TitanS is undoubtedly brighter and easier to drive than Kima, it lacks the latter’s refined touches. Nonetheless, the gap was not that wide after Kima. You have to give it your full attention and concentrate on actively listening carefully. The organic instrument-driven music, on the other hand, is widening the gap between the two. Kima is using a high level of skill to portray such music, while TitanS comes off as crude in comparison. Has anyone mentioned the age-old rivalry between cats and dogs? If Kima is a cat, then TitanS must be a dog; however, it is much more agile than a dog could ever be.
vs Moondrop KATO
Kato has more edgy mid and upper mids and this translates to more energy than Kima doesn’t have at the same level. Plus, the bass in electronics is showing you how thumpy must be. You can get the shakes occasionally. This is freaky! Actually, the good work of frequency dividing is in its structure. Kima has less bass weight, but more clarity to show you the details of electronic music effects. // It’s almost the same in other musical genres. Where bass is important, Kato (the successor of KXXS wins. But Kima has the upper hand in every other parameter.
Dunu Kima Review Conclusions
Dunu Kima, which can be purchased for around $100, is a decent option for those who value portability over immersion and who want to listen to the sounds of organic instruments without resorting to an open-backed headset. I congratulate Dunu for Kima after TitanS. And for enabling Dunu Kima review so smooth and easy.
