Dunu DK3001BD - Blurring the Lines of Price/Performance

 4.5⭐️

+ Absolutely fantastic timbre

+ Mostly neutral and well-balanced tuning with a nice sub-bass boost

+ A technical beast that punches above its weight

+ Very clean and clear vocal presentation 

+ Air and sparkle for days 

+ Stellar accessories  

- Missing midbass impact, weight, and warmth

- Incisive treble can bite

- Nozzles are slightly short and could cause fit issues. 

- Might sound overly cold/clinical at times

- MMCX (subjective)

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 Dunu in exchange for my impartial and honest review. I recieve no compensation and all thoughts and opinions are my own. A special thanks to Kevin for the opportunity!

For further product information, refer to the links below.

https://www.dunu-topsound.com/dk3001bd

https://www.dunu-topsound.com/product-page/dk3001bd

Gear used: 

●LG v30+

●Samsung Galaxy s22 Ultra

●Samsung dongle

●Hiby FC4

●Kiwi Ears Allegro 

●Letshuoer DT03 

●Dunu DTC480

●BLON V1

Source:

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

Introduction: 

Dunu is a mainstay in the IEM world. They are one of today's heavy hitters and offer a wide variety of excellent IEMs at various price points. I was able to review their DaVinci model earlier this year and found it to be absolutely fantastic. Their newest release is the DK3001BD (BD stands for BrainDance, a reference to the game Cyberpunk 2077). There have been both a DK3001 and DK3001 Pro model in the past, but they are older releases and feature different designs and driver configurations from this newest iteration. The DK3001BD is a tribrid consisting of a single dynamic, four balanced armature, and four planar drivers, which is quite a unique combination. It's currently available through Dunu's website for $499. Let's break down this newest mid-fi Dunu release and see how it stacks up in today's market.

Build, fit, ergonomics:

Dunu is one of the most consistent companies in my opinion when it comes to the unboxing experience, packaging, and accessories, and the DK3001BD is no exception. This is truly what every $500 and beyond set should strive to mirror. The total inclusions of the BrainDance's package even put some kilobucks to shame. Included are the IEMs, a modular cable, 13 total pairs of tips, a magnetic case, cleaning cloth, and a cleaning tool. The shells are made of an aluminum alloy coated with a zirconium-ceramic coating in a very clean white colorway. They are simultaneously lightweight and feel very durable and solid. The right and left faceplates are clearly marked with an L and R, as well as the MMCX connection. Each also features ventilation holes, the words "Dunu hyper," and two silver circles on either side of the numbers 30 and 01, respectively. Some community members I've talked to have stated their distaste for the design, but personally, I really like it. The clean white shells contrast well with the utilitarian-style markings on the faceplate. I can see the Cyberpunk connection in the aesthetic, but I also get more of a spacefaring, futuristic military vibe, like something from Starfield or Halo. The shell shape isn't as contoured as I would prefer, but the fit is still comfortable, and I have no issues wearing them for extended periods. The metal nozzles measure 6.3mm at their widest part of the lip, but unfortunately, their length is slightly on the short side for me, which took some getting used to. I typically prefer a deeper insertion, but the DK3001BD is right around average as far as depth goes. Utilizing longer tips can also help mitigate issues with the fit and seal, which may be why Dunu chose to include an impressive variety of tips. There are 13 pairs in total, in four various styles, loaded into two plastic organizers. These include Dunu's big hitters like the S&S and Candy tips, as well as two others. I did try all four styles of stock tips as well as some of my own, like the Coreir Brass and Tri Clarion. In the end, I preferred the Penon Liqueurs because they provided the best seal and comfort while retaining the stock tuning. The stock cable is a four-core single-crystal copper cable with a unique build. The section from the termination to the y-split is wrapped in gray nylon, whereas the rest is the typical braided silicone-sheathed style in white. This cable does not tangle easily and feels lightweight yet sturdy. It also features Dunu's Q-Lock Mini interchangeable plus system, which includes both a 3.5 mm and 4.4 mm termination as well as a 3.5 mm to 1/4-inch adapter. Utilizing the MMCX connection is a bit of a letdown for me since I prefer 2-pin. I don't currently own any other MMCX cables or IEMs, so I was not able to do any cable rolling. However, the stock cable is fantastic, so I don't mind. It's actually one of the best stock cables I've come across so far. Dunu truly is one of the best in the business when it comes to accessories.

Sound impressions:

The tuning of the BrainDance is well-balanced neutral/bright with a sub-bass boost. The sound signature is incredibly clean, crisp, and detailed. It comes across as very precise and clinical but not quite sterile. There is definitely a degree of musicality here that helps push the BrainDance from being a cold and technical marvel to a supremely enjoyable and well-balanced set. The note weight is just about right—too much more, and I think the tuning would lose that special airy quality that it brings to the table. This set does need some power to get to higher volumes, but it scales very well. The detail retrieval is very impressive, especially considering the price, and is a standout feature of the technicalities. The soundstage is large and spherical but not the most expansive, although it's still more than adequate. The timbre is very natural, organic, and effortless. In fact, it's thoroughly impressive and some of the best I've heard outside of kilobuck territory. The imaging is very accurate and three-dimensional. The separation and layering are fantastic and help to create a smooth, fluid, and cohesive tuning. The dynamics are one aspect of the technicalities that could use improvement. The tuning doesn't hold up well at lower volumes, and you need to crank it up to get the full feeling of how low the sub-bass can reach. Overall, the DK3001BD is very impressive. Everything from the delicate balance between the three frequency bands to the supremely impressive technicalities helps to create a mid-fi marvel that punches well above its weight. 

Unfortunately, I don't have access to a tube amplifier, but I can imagine that the natural warmth exhibited by those amps would be a really great match for the BrainDance. Through my testing, I found the best synergy for me to be the Dunu DTC480. Among the ones I own, the DTC480 helped to preserve the overall tonality and balance of the BrainDance's stock tuning while offering enough power to allow this set to shine.

Just to add a little caveat here, I don't typically try EQ or impedance adapters during my review process, and I never write my impressions while utilizing them. However, at the suggestion of @MakeItWain, I did try the BrainDance with an impedance adapter. I own 10 and 80 ohm adapters, and while the 10 ohm wasn't that noticeable, the 80 ohm adapter is just plain fun! The bass truly comes alive, and the sub-bass extension and rumble are so much greater in comparison to the stock tuning. Something so small in the chain can turn the DK3001BD into a basshead beast with fantastic technicalities.

●Lows - The BrainDance is not a super bassy set, but what's here is of great quality. The sub-bass reaches deep with a fantastic rumble, but only when the track brings it forth. The mid-bass, on the other hand, is tucked in tight like a toddler at bedtime with a penchant for escape. That's to say, there's not much mid-bass to speak of, and I do find myself left wanting. This decision by Dunu does make sense, though, when you consider the DK3001BD offers a very clean and detailed sound signature. The mid-bass tuck helps to keep the bass and midrange well-separated, and there's definitely no bleed to be found here. The impact and slam are mild and polite but still substantial enough so as not to be an afterthought. None of my test tracks came across as necessarily hard-hitting, but they did sound very articulate and well-measured. The texture of the bass is fairly dry, and there's a quick attack and also quick decay which help keep the bass sounding clean and crisp. Much to my dismay, the BrainDance's bass is not the star of the show, but the quality and resolution are impressive. To be clear, this is easily some of the cleanest bass I've heard, especially in the mid-fi tier, but a little "messy mid-bass" can be fun sometimes too.

●Mids - The BrainDance offers some of the most natural vocals I've heard. They are positioned slightly forward but still well-balanced with the rest of the frequency response so as not to detract from anything else in the mix. Both male and female artists are clear, well-separated, and poised to showcase their chops. The lower midrange is not as well-represented since the mid-bass and lower mids are tucked so neatly. This means instruments like cello, bass guitar, and some horns lack a little weight and authority, but they still retain excellent timbre and accuracy. Instrument and vocal timbre are among the best I've heard outside of some of the kilobuck and multi-kilobuck offerings I've tried. Vocals exhibit no shouty or nasal quality at all. I wouldn't mind a little added warmth here for my personal taste, but that's subjective, and there's really not much else to complain about in the midrange. These aren't the soulful, emotionally moving mids that I usually prefer, but they are incredibly clean and "correct," and in that sense, they are extremely enjoyable.

●Highs - The treble is crisp, bright, and well-extended but not overly harsh or punishing. It's energetic but not overly so, and I'd say the treble emphasis helps to maintain the delicate balance of the tuning. It can be a little too bright on rare occasions, and some notes can sound too thin, though it's very track-dependent, and there's no sibilance to my ear. Cymbals and hi-hats sound natural and incisive with a distinct edge but never metallic or splashy. Snares and claps are precise and energetic but not wince-inducing. The top-end extension is impressive, with a lot of air and sparkle. Again, it's some of the best I've heard under $1k. My biggest issue with the treble is that the note weight can be too thin at times, which gives some notes a slight ethereal quality, making them come across a little wispy and annoying, and it can be slightly fatiguing over time. I think trebleheads will find a lot to love here, and as a fairly treble-sensitive listener myself, I'm still able to enjoy the BrainDance.

Comparisons: Credit to Super Reviews for the graphs.

● Penon Fan 3 ($349) - The Fan 3 is a 2 BA and 1 DD hybrid compared to the DK3001BD's 1 DD, 4 BA, and 4 planar tribrid configuration. Both of these are sub-bass focused with good extension on both ends and a certain clinical, precision-type of sound quality. The Fan has a more energetic, full sound and is slightly more musical, but it's also a bit brighter with cymbals sounding splashy and certain vocal notes exhibiting some harshness. The BD is more balanced and neutral sounding in comparison, with superior layering, separation, and a slightly wider soundstage, but it also presents as less full and might be a touch too "clean" for some. The Fan 3 has more bass quantity, rumble, and impact, but the bass of the BD has superior texture and resolution. Vocals present more forward on the Fan, but the BD offers a more natural, organic, and effortless timbre. The BD also has better treble extension, air, and less harshness and irritability. This is a difficult comparison for me as neither of these two IEMs adheres super closely to my target preferences. Taking the cost, accessories, tuning, and technicalities into consideration, I would have to choose the Dunu DK3001BD. It accomplishes many of the same things as the Fan 3 but does so better. There is significantly less harshness and thinness in the treble, and the technicalities are taken to the next level, though a bit of musicality is sacrificed in the process.

My pick: DK3001BD 

● Ziigaat Estrella ($300) - The Estrella is a 2DD, 4BA hybrid versus the DK3001BD's tribrid configuration. Both sets offer a good fit and comfort. When it comes to accessories, the Dunu outperforms the Ziigaat. It has a vastly superior cable, more variety in tip selection, and the case is subjective, but the Dunu is preferred. The Estrella offers more of a traditional V-shaped tuning, whereas the DK3001BD offers a better balance that might come across as a little boring in comparison. The Estrella's bass is much more prominent and impactful overall, but the reverberation can overstay its welcome, and it has worse texture and resolution compared to the BrainDance. It can come across as a bit wet and bloated. There is definitely more mid-bass with the Estrella, but it also bleeds a bit; therefore, the midrange is cleaner and better represented on the BrainDance. Vocals are better balanced and forward on the BrainDance, mostly due to the Estrella's larger bass shelf. Both sets have a little bite in the treble, but the BrainDance has superior air and extension. Less frequent harshness or irritability is also noticeable with the BD. The technicalities of the BrainDance are pretty much superior across the board, but it's not by a large margin, which is a strong point for the Estrella, especially at its price point. The most noticeable difference is the more natural timbre of the BD. Overall, the Estrella is the more fun, energetic, and dynamic of the two sets, which some will prefer. However, the DK3001BD offers superior treble extension, better technicalities, and a more balanced tuning that lends itself to being a better all-rounder.

My pick: DK3001BD

● Tansio Mirai X ($399) - Unfortunately theres no graph available for this one. The X has the same driver configuration as the Estrella (2DD, 4BA) with the addition of a custom film-retardant driver. The accessories of the BrainDance are far superior to those of the X: a better-built modular cable, more tip selections, and a more appropriately sized case. The fit is also better, as the X has a stubby nozzle that makes it difficult for me to get and keep a good seal. The X has switches that adjust the bass quantity, so this set has a lot of variability in the low end. Utilizing the DUD configuration on the X brings the bass response closest to that of the BrainDance to my ear. The bass of the BD has better texture, resolution, and reaches deeper, but the X has more of that mid-bass presence that I like. However, it also has some bleed into the lower midrange that the BD definitely does not suffer from. The midrange of the BD is cleaner and more balanced, especially when it comes to vocals. The X pushes them more forward, which I usually prefer, but when compared to the BD, they sound more strained and forced. The BD has more treble presence, extension, and air, while the X suffers from some harsh notes, especially with breathy vocalists. When it comes to technicalities, the BD takes the cake. It has superior imaging, layering, separation, timbre, detail retrieval, and a slightly more expansive soundstage, although the X's stage does sound fuller. The X is arguably the more musically tuned set with a thicker note weight, and the switches add a lot of variability when it comes to the level of bass. This one essentially comes down to musicality versus technicality. I'm usually firmly seated in the camp of musical tunings, but the BrainDance just sounds more "correct" to my ear. It has that extra something special that the X doesn't do for me, and the vastly superior technical performance is a hard sacrifice to make once you get used to it.

My pick: DK3001BD

In conclusion:

When I first laid eyes on the DK3001BD, I was really drawn to the sci-fi design and aesthetics. For some reason, I assumed this set would offer an overall dark and bass-heavy sound signature with tamed treble. Well, needless to say, I was quite off on that one. The BrainDance's overall sound signature is actually a well-balanced neutral/bright with a sub-bass boost. This is not my preferred tuning, but over time, the BrainDance has continued to impress me and turn me into a believer. It's true there is some impressively low-reaching bass to be found here, but I would not dare call it a basshead IEM. The low end is almost entirely sub-bass focused with a pretty severe mid-bass tuck. I usually prefer a warmer tonality, which the BrainDance doesn't offer, but it does have many other fantastic qualities that help me look past its tuning philosophy and recognize what makes it special. For starters, the performances of the bass, midrange, and treble exude quality. It has one of the cleanest, most well-balanced, and technically proficient tunings of anything I've heard under $1,000. This one punches way above its price point and offers a glimpse into what the kilobuck world holds at just half the price of admission. Dunu doesn't skimp on the accessory package either which rivals some flagship offerings. I think the BrainDance makes a fairly solid all-rounder, but one area where it truly shines is in its orchestral and instrumental detail and timbre. I'd be lying if I said the DK3001BD is a great match for my tuning target, but even though it lacks the warmth that I love, Dunu has created a masterclass in the mid-fi realm. For those who prioritize balance, technical performance, accessories, and price-to-performance above all else, the BrainDance simply cannot be overlooked.