InAwaken Dawn Ms - A New Challenger Approaches

 4⭐️

+ Fun V-shaped tuning

+ Boisterous bass

+ Clean midrange with a touch of warmth

+ Sibilant free treble without sucking out all the air

+ Great timbre for the price 

+ Decent accessories for the price

+ Beautiful hand-painted faceplate

- Stock cable could be better

- Not a super detailed set

- Would like a little more warmth

- Treble can get a little thin/harsh at times

- Carrying case is on the small side

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 product was provided to me by Linsoul in exchange for my impartial and honest review. I recieve no compensation and all thoughts and opinions are my own.

Non-affiliated product link:

https://www.linsoul.com/products/inawaken-dawn-ms?srsltid=AfmBOooVZ9c9ykg9uoVmT9TdV40luujdJ6Sv_iyx2dSNe6PoR3A1L71b

Gear used: 

●LG v30+

●Samsung Galaxy s22 Ultra

●iBasso DX180

●Samsung dongle

●Hiby FC4

●Kiwi Ears Allegro 

●Letshuoer DT03 

●Dunu DTC480

●BLON V1

Source: 

●Listening was done through Amazon Music HD or Ultra HD as well as local FLAC files. 

Introduction: 

InAwaken is not a company I was familiar with before receiving the Dawn Ms. This appears to be their company's first and only product to date. This IEM features an 11.2mm dynamic driver with a sputter deposition purple-gold diaphragm designed and developed by InAwaken and can actually be visualized through the shell. The Dawn is currently available for $49.99 on Linsoul. Let's break down this new budget challenger and see how this inaugural IEM from InAwaken fares in today's market.

Build, fit, ergonomics:

The unboxing and accessories are quite good for the budget tier. The Dawn comes in a relatively small box featuring some nice artwork. Inside, you'll find the IEMs, six pairs of silicone tips, a 3.5mm terminated cable, and a small branded zipper carrying case. The shells are made of very clear resin combined with an aluminum faceplate featuring a unique, hand-painted blue and teal inlay. The resin is so clear that it's easy to visualize the purple diaphragm and bass tube inside. The shape of the shell is rounded and simple, not semi-custom like I would prefer, but they are lightweight and fit comfortably without causing fatigue. The Dawn utilizes a flat 2-pin connection, which means swapping cables is hassle-free. The nozzle does have a lip near the end that helps keep tips in place, and it measures 6.4mm at its widest point. This makes it a little on the chunkier side in terms of width but the insertion depth is about average. It seals well for me but those with smaller ears might have fit issues. The 2-wire stock cable is made of SPOFC and is pretty good. It's not spectacular, but it's also nowhere near the worst I've seen at this price. It's lightweight, doesn't tangle easily, and feels good in hand. The silicone tips come in two slightly different shapes, but neither worked well for me, so I utilized the Penon Liqueur tips as I often do.

Sound impressions:

I would describe the Dawn as V-shaped or Harman-tuned. It is quite dynamic, musical, and fun. There is an emphasis on the bass and upper mids, but it's also not devoid of treble extension and air. It does have just a touch of warmth, but I wouldn't necessarily call it a warm IEM. The soundstage is decent. It's not the widest, but it has good depth and mostly sounds just outside of the head. The stage also sounds full and lively without being crowded or compressed. The frequencies are well-separated, which helps create a cohesive and uniform sound with excellent transients. The timbre is very natural and organic and might be one of the best I've heard in this tier, which was a nice surprise. Detail retrieval is also good for the budget tier, but the Dawn has more of a musical style tuning than a clinical one. The imaging is accurate and three-dimensional, and the dynamics are impressive, allowing for enjoyable listening at any volume level. The tuning does well to remain consistent regardless of the volume setting, which is promising for both lower-volume listeners and higher ones like myself. The note weight is perhaps just a hair on the thin side but overall enjoyable. A bit thicker note weight and a little extra warmth would really have helped to elevate this set to better fit my personal tastes. The Dawn is efficient and easy to drive, able to reach fairly high volumes using just a smartphone and a simple dongle, although I did find this set benefits from a bit of extra power. For me, the Dawn pairs best with the Dunu DTC480. It adds a little weight to the body of notes, helps keeps the bass clean and separated, and helps smooth out any tiny bit of harshness in the treble. 

●Lows - There is slightly more sub-bass focus than mid-bass, with a decent extension and rumble. The mid-bass lacks a bit of authority, which can come across as slightly softer on impact and I hear it mostly with kick drums. It's not pillowy per se, but it could benefit from a slightly firmer attack and better separation and resolution. However, for $50, it is quite enjoyable, and there is little to no bleed into the midrange. The speed is a bit on the quicker side, and the decay is about average, which gives the bass an overall typical DD sound quality. The texture is decent, as it's neither overly dry nor wet or muddy. Overall, the bass is definitely elevated north of neutral, but it is tastefully done and enjoyable. It doesn't approach basshead levels, but those seeking neutrality might find the bass to be too much.

●Mids - The midrange is well balanced with just a hint of warmth. Vocals are clear and natural without being strained or shouty, but I personally would prefer them to be just a hair more forward and prominent. Male vocalists can be a bit further recessed than females, but both are still well represented and enjoyable. Timbre is a strong suit and is impressive for this price bracket. Both vocals and instruments sound natural and organic with a realistic quality that I seldom hear in this price range. The note weight could use just a touch more thickness for my tastes, but the midrange is a really well-executed aspect of the Dawn's tuning.

●Highs - The treble is not the main focus of the tuning, and it shows. It definitely lacks some sparkle, air, and extension, but there is enough here for my taste. There is a little bit of extra energy and sizzle to my ears that can cause a slight harshness, but it is track-dependent. I can't pick up any real sibilance, but there can be a slight sizzle to "s" and "sh" sounds at times. Cymbals, claps, snares, and hi-hats are well-represented in the mix with good energy but refrain from coming across as splashy or irritating. I think a little less emphasis on the lower treble would have smoothed out some of the issues I have with the Dawn, but lowering the volume can also make things more agreeable. I do think the lack of air and extension means this one is likely not going to please treble enthusiasts.

Comparisons: Credit to Audio Amigos and Paul Wasabi for the graphs. 

●Truthear Zero:Red (~$50) - On paper, this comparison isn’t ideal, as these two don’t graph super similarly, and the Dawn utilizes just a single DD. But the Red is my IEM to beat under $50, so I wanted to see how the Dawn stacks up. These two are essentially the same price and have a similar bassy sound signature, but the Red has more sub-bass and a more noticeable mid-bass dip. Their accessories are quite comparable in terms of tip selection, but the Dawn has a better cable (I really hate the Truthear one), and the zipper case is a significant improvement over the small pouch that comes with the Reds (I hate that too). The Zero's tonality is noticeably warmer with a slightly more prominent midrange and sounds less energetic in the upper mids/treble, which could translate to it being less engaging for some. The Red also offers the option of using impedance adapters, which can add more bass for those who want it. Aside from the Dawn's superior accessories, this choice ultimately boils down to personal preferences regarding tuning. I personally gravitate more toward the Red's laid-back style, although the Dawn is not overly energetic, especially when paired with a warmer source. This one was closer than I would have initially thought. The Red remains my favorite set at $50 and below, but seeing the Dawn come in and compete so fiercely is a pleasant surprise.

My pick: Zero:Red

●Juzear Clear (~$45) - These two aren't very close in their measurements but they are both single dynamic driver IEMs with a V-shaped sound signature. Regarding overall accessories, they are almost evenly matched. Both include decent cases and ear tip selections, but the Clear has a better cable, which is my favorite so far under $100. The Clear has an attractive blue resin shell, and the Dawn has a very nice hand-painted faceplate, so both have great designs in their own ways. As far as sound goes, these two are more similar than they are different. The Clear is more unapologetically V-shaped in its tuning and is, in essence, both bassier and brighter. The Dawn sounds more balanced in comparison but is still accentuated in the bass and upper mids/treble region. However, unlike the Clear, it mostly remains free of any harshness or sibilance. Essentially, this means that the Dawn can be enjoyed more at higher volumes, while the Clear gets a bit fatiguing and harsh when turned up. When the Clear debuted, I loved it for its bass-heavy tuning, but the upper mids/treble region can be a bit too much for me. It takes some good tip and source pairing to rein in the highs closer to my taste. I think the Dawn accomplishes a lot of what I like in the Clear, but with a better-executed treble that I can enjoy regardless of the source. It's still a bit more energetic than my usual preferences, but I believe the Dawn will replace the Clear as my choice and recommendation for a V-shaped tuning in this price range.

My pick: Dawn

●Simgot EW300 (standard model with silver nozzle ~$70) - Despite different driver configurations, these two graph very similarly. I'd say the Dawn is a bit more energetic and fun, whereas the EW300 is slightly warmer. The Dawn also features just a single DD to the tribrid configuration of the EW300. The Dawn has a better stock cable and tip selection, and I do like the resin shell, aesthetics, and design more too. The fit and insertion depth of the Dawn are also better for my ears. The EW300 has better detail retrieval and resolution, but the Dawn has a bigger soundstage, better imaging, layering, and cohesion, and is more musical to my ears. The bass responses are very similar, but the Dawn has a slightly deeper and bolder sub-bass response, while the EW300 has a punchier, more full mid-bass. In the midrange, vocals are a bit more forward and full-bodied with better note weight and better timbre on the Dawn. But guitar strums sound a bit clearer and are more resolving on the EW300. The Dawn has a bit of extra treble energy, and snares, in particular, are more impactful. It's slightly more incisive with a bit more bite to it, but it doesn't suffer the same thinness as I found on the EW300. These two IEMs are indeed more alike than they are different. It's hard to see why any collection would need both, so it comes down to preference. Is the addition of an extra tuning nozzle worth the added cost? For me, that's a no because I've tried the gold nozzle and it's not a tuning I like, nor would I choose to use it. For me, this one is easy: get the cheaper and, in my opinion, better-looking Dawn unless you want to invest a bit more for the extra tuning nozzle, metal shell, or the DSP option of the EW300.

My pick: Dawn

In conclusion:

For the first release from an unknown company, the Dawn Ms is very impressive (there have been conspiracy theories that InAwaken might be a secret sub-brand of a more renowned manufacturer, but those are only theories at this time). Just looking at the box art, accessories, and shell design, it's easy to tell that a lot of thought and consideration went into this release. The shells have excellent build quality and beautiful, unique aesthetics. The tuning is a fun, bassy V-shaped affair that isn't afraid of a little energy in the upper mids/lower treble. Honestly, the cable could be a bit better and the case is a little on the small side, but for $50, there's not too much to complain about here. Sure the tuning isn't super unique or anything but it's well executed and the Dawn's performance does punch slightly above its price, notably the imaging and timbre. The Dawn doesn't quite set a new benchmark in the budget tier, but it's an impressive first release that could be considered a slight upgrade over some other budget offerings. As is always the case, I did not make any of my impressions in this review with EQ. I'm not a big proponent of EQ, in general, but since I'm also in the middle of reviewing the iBasso DX180, I wanted to take advantage of its customization functions. I must say that with a little bit of tweaking, the Dawn gets even closer to my target and to a 5-star rating for me. I'm adding this information to make it known that the Dawn does take well to EQ if that's your thing. I find that the tuning is well-suited for many genres including rock, pop, metal, country, and instrumental and could make a decent all-rounder. This might become my de facto recommendation for anyone looking to get into the hobby with $50 burning a hole in their pocket. With the release of the Dawn Ms, InAawaken has proven they have the knowledge and skill to make a competitive and solid budget IEM. I'd love to see what the company can do with a bigger budget and loftier aspirations. I don't think this is the last we'll see of InAwaken.