Greetings, I am Alexander, and today I will be reviewing DUNU Kima in-ear monitors (IEMs). DUNU has dedicated itself to the development and manufacture of earphone products since 1994 and they don’t need a special introduction.
The DUNU Kima come equipped with a 10 mm Dual-Chambered Dynamic Driver featuring a DLC (Diamond-Like Carbon) diaphragm, nicely designed shells made from a High-Density Alloy, dual-cavity structure to enhance the sound experience and a premium silver-plated copper cable.
Disclaimer: I am not paid to make this review or offer any specific opinions about this product, and all thoughts expressed in this review are solely my own.
DUNU Kima arrived in a medium-sized carton box, with a sleeve that has a waifu illustration. On the reverse side of the sleeve, one can the list of technical specifications. When you remove the sleeve there is a sleek black box which includes:
- DUNU Kima IEMs
- Detachable cable
- 3.5mm to 6.35mm adapter
- Three pairs of gray silicone ear tips labeled as “Balanced Tips”
- Three pairs of color-coded ear tips (a.k.a. Candy tips) labeled as “Bass Tips”
- Three pairs of the new Stage and Studio silicone ear tips, labeled as “vocal tips”
- Cleaning cloth
- Cleaning brush
- Orange storage case with a zipper
- Specification sheet and QC card
The impedance of DUNU Kima is 32 Ohm, sensitivity is 108db.
For an IEM priced below 100 US dollars, the inclusion of these accessories is undoubtedly generous, particularly when considering that the Candy & Stage & Studio ear tips would cost you amount 26 US dollars if purchased separately.
Design & Build
The DUNU Kima stand as a testament to the brand’s commitment to innovative design and impeccable build quality. The unique and stylish shape of the IEM shells does not compromise their comfort, as they fit naturally within the ears. Constructed from zinc alloy, the shells consist of two parts, boasting a silver matte finish.
One’s gaze is drawn to the four edges adorning each faceplate, creating a captivating interplay of light. The seamless integration of the faceplates with the inner part of the shell is visually appealing and attests to the attention to detail in the manufacturing process. These faceplates bear inscriptions—’CRIZ FACTION’ on the left earpiece and ‘Kima’ on the right. To ensure easy differentiation between the earpieces, channel markings are thoughtfully incorporated on the inner part of each shell.
Each earpiece has two vent holes —one close to the nozzle and a larger one near the connector. The nozzles, composed of metal, feature mesh at their ends and a small lip, helping with the retention of ear tips. The nozzle length leans toward the shorter side, so I personally wish it was a little bit longer.
Fit & comfort
An often-overlooked aspect of IEMs is their fit and comfort during extended listening sessions. The DUNU Kima excel in this department, owing to their lightweight design and ergonomic fit. Personally, I found no difficulty achieving a comfortable fit using the provided ear tips. The inclusion of a diverse range of stock tips empowers users to experiment with different fits and seals.
Despite the vented design, the DUNU Kima manage to maintain a satisfactory level of sound isolation, making them equally suitable for outdoor use. This impressive combination of comfort and sound isolation ensures an immersive auditory experience without sacrificing practicality.
Cable
The cable bundled with the DUNU Kima merits its own discussion, for it’s not just a mere accessory—it contributes significantly to the overall experience. Measuring 1.2 meters in length, the cable boasts a robust four-core silver-plated design. A metal Y-splitter and chin slider enhance the cable’s durability and functionality.
The cable terminates in a straight 3.5mm connector on one end and 0.78mm 2-pin connectors on the other, which bear the L and R labels. While these labels may prove challenging to decipher due to the connectors’ transparency, the red-colored base on the right connector really helps in this regard. The cable is low in microphonics and overall offers a pleasant tactile feel.
DUNU Kima sound overview
All sound impressions I’m sharing in this review are subjective and should be taken with a grain of salt.
All tests in my review have been performed using the Stage and Studio stock ear tips.
DUNU Kima has a natural timbre and a lively tonality, with tight and mature bass, refined and thick midrange, and smooth, yet detailed treble. The overall sound signature is slightly warm, making this pair a good all-rounder for many genres of music.
Rated at 32 Ohms and 108dB of sensitivity, Kima was easy to drive from portable sources. But I have also noticed that Kima benefits from additional power, and it truly shines with a powerful source, which is good news if you have a powerful source at hand. Still I had no issues driving this set from my Samsung Galaxy S10 that was able to bring this pair to my comfort levels of volume.
Bass
Bass enthusiasts will find the Kima particularly intriguing. The bass profile, albeit boosted, is north of neutral. Sub-bass extension is commendable, however, sub-bass might be criticized for its lack of weight and authoritative presence.
Mid-bass, on the other hand, introduces a compelling dimension to the sound profile, characterized by impactful presence and a gentle yet engaging punch. Bass speed, details and texture are above average, and due to its speed and dynamics, busy musical passages don’t sound muddy or bloated. The quantity of bass is enough for most genres, and while it’s far from being called a bass head pair, the bass still sounds solid, it has a gentle punch and is not overly intrusive in the mix.
Midrange
There is a small amount of bass bleed into mids making it a bit thick, but the midrange sounds clear, transparent and detailed. The lower-mids have a good amount of details and note weight. They sound natural and accurate.
Upper mids have a good amount of energy to spice up the mid range without being harsh or sibilant. Layering is great. Vocals and instruments have natural timbre and are well positioned in the mix. Overall I would say that the midrange on Kima is organic and well defined.
Treble
The treble aspect of the DUNU Kima contributes to their unique sonic character. Often described as slightly veiled, the treble exhibits smoothness and restraint, ensuring a fatigue-free listening experience during extended sessions. This characteristic renders the DUNU Kima suitable companions for prolonged musical enjoyment.
The transition between the upper midrange and treble registers is executed seamlessly, leading to a gentle roll-off in the treble frequencies. While this roll-off might result in a perceived lack of air and sparkle for those accustomed to prominent treble, it serves to maintain a balanced and all-encompassing tonality. Despite the treble’s subdued nature, it retains a level of refinement and avoids any intrusion of harshness.
Critics might point out a shortfall in treble extension, prompting speculation about potential benefits from additional treble presence. However, considering the Kima’s broader intent to cater to a wide array of musical genres, their current treble tuning falls well within the realm of purposeful design.
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Sound stage, imaging, details
DUNU Kima’s soundstage size is slightly above average, both in terms of its width and depth. Separation of instruments, while not class leading, is good.
Resolution, detail retrieval as well as clarity on this IEM are above average, pulling out all the necessary details from music. Instruments and vocals sound natural and the IEMs perform quite well timbre wise.
Imaging is good for the price and I can easily locate everything within my music. The technicalities, while not class leading, are good for this price bracket. And overall this IEMs performs well, thanks to its laid-back tuning, good imaging, correct layering and a good instrument separation.
Comparison
As I also have the Titan S, which is another budget IEM from Dunu, I decided to make a comparison between these two.
The Titan S has a more analytical and bright sonic signature, deviating from the Kima’s tonal characteristics. While the Titan S features reduced bass, a comparatively sterile midrange, and increased treble energy, the Kima retains a more restrained, smooth, and balanced profile.
Titan S can also be bright with some recordings which you should keep in mind if you are a treble sensitive person. In this regard, Kima for sure has a more smooth and laid-back tuning.
Technical performance wise, Titan S in my opinion has better resolution, detail retrieval and instrument separation, while Kima has a more coherent sound signature and smoother sound overall.
Conclusions
The DUNU Kima embodies a natural timbre and lively tonality, underscored by tight and mature bass, a lush midrange, and restrained yet articulate treble.
Pros
- Excellent design & build
- Comfortable fit
- Great selection of stock ear tips
- Excellent stock cable
- Tight and mature bass
- Natural timbre & non fatiguing tuning
- And generous accessories
Cons
- Treble lacks some air and sparkle for my personal taste
- Detail retrieval is average
- And a gentle mid bass punch can be a deal breaker for some people
DUNU Kima are not perfect, and fierce competition in this price bracket doesn’t help either. Personally for myself, the only real shortcoming of this pair is that it lacks some excitement factor. But its safe tuning works really well for many genres of music making it a good pair for long listening sessions.
Overall I can recommend this pair to those who are sensitive to treble and want a comfortable IEM with a natural timbre and non-fatiguing tuning. In addition the IEMs come with generous accessories and an excellent stock cable, which is also important in our hobby.
I hope this review has been helpful and if you’d like to see more content like this, consider subscribing to my YouTube channel for future updates. Thank you for reading, and happy listening!
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