Dunu x Gizaudio DaVinci - Magnifico!

 5⭐️

+ Boisterous bass

+ Smooth, forward vocals

+ Tame but not timid treble

+ Beautiful shells

+ Fantastic modular cable 

+ Great tip selection and zipper case

+ Easy to drive

- Big shells and nozzles might cause fit issues (but didn't for me)

- Could use just a touch more sub bass

- Not the best detail retrieval for the price

- Deeply recessed 2 pin connections will limit cable rolling

thaslaya's star rating system:

☆☆☆☆☆ - Fantastic!

☆☆☆☆ - Recommended

☆☆☆ - There are buyers but not for me

☆☆ - Can't see the appeal

☆ - Product is a failure

Disclaimer: 

This set was provided by HiFiGO in exchange for my honest and impartial review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Gear used: 

●LG v30+

●Samsung Galaxy s22 Ultra

●Samsung dongle

●Hiby FC4

●iFi GO bar Kensei

Source:

●Listening was done through Amazon Music HD or Ultra HD.

Introduction:

Timmy from Gizaudio is a pretty well known audiophile YouTuber and reviewer. He has collaborated with different companies in the past to help create and tune 2 different iems. The first was the Letshuoer x Gizaudio Galileo and the second was the more recent Binary x Gizaudio Chopin. Both sets have received a lot of attention and praise from the community. I previously owned the Galileo but I unfortunately was not writing reviews at that time. It's a decent set with beautiful shells but it also released back in early 2023 and the market, tastes, and technology are ever changing. Timmy's third collaboration is with Dunu, a company known to audiophiles for their quality in tuning, build, and accessories. The Dunu x Gizaudio DaVinci features 2 dynamic drivers, 4 custom balanced armature drivers, a 5-way crossover, and is available for $299 on HiFiGO. Like a lot of collaborative projects, this one has built up quite a bit of excitement and anticipation prior to it's release. Let's break down what the DaVinci has to offer and see if it can live up to the hype.

Build, fit, ergonomics:

The unboxing experience is decent for the price. The box is small in size, yet it holds a remarkable collection of accessories. The first thing to see when opening the box are the beautiful shells. They are crafted from resin and feature a wooden faceplate, resulting in a unique appearance for each piece. Given that Leonardo Da Vinci was a renowned artist, I would have assumed that the shells would be hand-painted, but the wood is still an attractive aesthetic choice. The shells and the nozzle are both on the larger side. Fit may be an issue for those with small ears, although I personally found them to fit securely and comfortably for long sessions. They also have a nice weight balance and are not too heavy. They feel good in the hand and have a premium build quality. My one nitpick with the shell design is that the 2 pin connection is very deeply recessed. The stock cable fits securely but it can be an issue for those that like to cable roll. The rest of the contents can be found under the foam holding the shells. The Dunu branded case is well made although it's slightly large but still low profile enough to be pocketable. The material is soft to the touch and the case is sturdy enough to keep the protect the contents. Inside the case are the cable and a plethora of tips. Dunu did not skimp on the accessories with the DaVinci and it really shows. There are 3 different style tips included in the box: the Dunu branded S&S, Candy, and a third round design I haven't seen before. One thing to note is that the S&S and Candy tips can be difficult to fit over the large nozzles. It's a bit of a chore but it can be done with patience and dexterity. I found that the round tips fit on easily and the largest size provided the best seal and comfort for me. This is the first time in awhile that I opted to use the stock tips over my Penon Liqueurs, which is a testament to how good they work for me. The stock cable is also a fantastic inclusion. It's very lightweight and well braided but it does feel a bit rubbery. There are 3 modular terminations included: a 3.5mm, 4.4mm, and interestingly enough, a 6.35mm (1/4inch) plug as well. The modular system on this cable is well engineered and the screw on locking mechanism keeps them securely in place.

Sound impressions:

It's hard for me to categorize the DaVinci's tuning. It's not really U, V, or L-shaped. For lack of a better term, I would describe them as mostly neutral with a healthy bass boost. That may be a contradiction, but the mids and treble are never overpowered by the prominent bass and everything harmonizes exceptionally well. The soundstage is plenty wide with decent depth as well. They have excellent separation while avoiding sounding disjointed or incongruous. The frequency response demonstrates a distinct smoothness across the entire spectrum, while still preserving the integrity of the tuning. The imaging is accurate and the dynamic range is excellent. The detail retrieval is impressive and subtle nuances can be discerned with ease. I wouldn't go so far as to call them "detail monsters," although their performance is still commendable. The emphasis is on musicality rather than critical listening. I usually prefer to use DAC/amps with my iems but the DaVinci are easy enough to drive and can reach loud volume levels without the need for amplification.

●Lows - The low end is tuned quite differently from the two previous Gizaudio collaborations. Based on the graph, I could tell there would be a noticeable elevation in the bass, even before hearing the DaVinci for myself. However, I was completely taken aback at the sheer quality on display here. The bass is substantial, visceral, and voluptuous. It approaches what I would consider "basshead" levels, yet it's done with a sophistication and refinement that avoids coming across as gimmicky. The sub bass reaches deep and there's a fantastic rumble and reverberation. The mid bass has more presence and is the focus over the sub. They exhibit a rich, warm, enveloping quality while still retaining clarity and avoiding any bleed or hindrance to the mid frequencies. The attack is quick with a slightly slower decay, yet it remains well-defined and articulate. It maintains clarity and never sounds pillowy or bloated. I did find myself wanting just a little more sub bass at times but I'm reaching to find criticisms at this point.

●Mids - The DaVinci's bass quality was the first surprise, but the vocals that followed were truly astounding. They have a sultry and alluring quality combined with a natural and organic timbre. There is no thinness or harshness on display here. Instead, the vocals exhibit warmth and emotion while still being articulate and crystal clear. The mids are pushed slightly forward but still maintain a good balance with the other frequencies. Guitars sound natural and plucks and strums have realistic timbre. Female vocals are particularly well-suited to the DaVinci's midrange, delivering a smooth and expansive presentation. Male vocals are slightly less prominent than females but they are still refined and natural. There is a seamless transition from the upper midrange to the lower treble without any harshness or thinness. The midrange presentation of the DaVinci is on par with my favorite vocal iem, the Aful MagicOne. However, the MagicOne has a warmer and more intimate sound and lacks the expansive bass presence of the DaVinci. 

●Highs - This is my ideal treble response. The quantity and quality are superb, allowing the other frequencies to take more of the spotlight, yet still remain present with plenty of air and sparkle. The highs are free of any sibilance or piercing notes and they have enough presence to compliment the elevated bass. All instruments sound fantastic but cymbals in particular are splashy and realistic without sounding metallic or artifical. The treble extension is exceptionally well-executed without sounding artificial boosted or unnatural. While the treble isn't really the star of the tuning for me, it never comes across as deficient or an afterthought. The fact that the treble remains clear and concise in conjuction with the voluptuous bass and smooth as silk midrange is a testament to the technical and tuning prowess on display in the DaVinci. I believe the 5-way crossover contributes significantly to the harmony of the frequencies.

DaVinci paired with ivipQ 530 cable and a Dunu carrying case I won in a raffle.

Summary:

Dunu and Timmy have collaborated to create something truly special in the DaVinci. Like the artist from which it gets its namesake, it is a true work of art in both aestetics and tuning. The deep, impactful bass envelops the listener in a comforting embrace. Not to be outdone, the smooth vocals shine with emotion and clarity. The treble has just the right amount of extension and air to showcase the details without any harshness. I mostly listen to pop, rock, R&B, and soft pop/rock, and for my library, the DaVinci is perfection. The entirety of the accessories are superb as well. The shells are beautifully made, showcasing a natural wood aestetic. The modular cable is well braided and sturdy but also lightweight. The included tips are numerous and the case is very solid and offers great protection. I honestly could not think to include anything that Dunu hasn't thought of already. There's really no deficiencies that I can find and I cannot imagine going up multiple price tiers would be worth the marginal gains. At the cost of $299, I believe they are well worth the price, and this is the peak of diminishing returns for me. Sure, they can be paired with various sources to draw out more nuanced changes, but I believe the stock form is absolutely magnificent. The DaVinci gets a huge recommendation and a full five star rating from this reviewer, as I think they are just sublime.