I agree with everything you said in this. Really love this set and I'm definitely going to try that 10k tweak to see if I can get more out of it for myself.
I have the Kima 2, and from all the reviewers I have seen, you are the first one to not over compliment them for the bass. It's good for the tuning it has, but it's only complementary, it doesn't have the best texture or detail, this IEM is not one you should consider for its bass. Its strong point is the kinda transparent, natural and detailed vocals with a good but very smooth treble. It's a decent bass, but even in lower price ranges you can easily find a better one.
I can see it both ways. For me, I would have dropped it 1-2db exactly for the reason you mentioned, it would have more detail with a bit less. I went back and forth on EQ'ing the bass down a hair. Another reason that I think the driver is very good, but the tuning could showcase the lower range better as well.
@@PaulWasabii I must admit that I'm still a bit biased towards more powerful bass, but while the bass reproduction is good, I don't add much more detail in it versus other considerably lower end IEMS, I don't think it's bad but it's not its strongest point, however, many reviwers comment on it as being on the same level as the rest of the sound, something which I clearly disagree with.
Man DUNU has actually up the game when it comes to cables for these budget sets. First the Titan S2 and now the Kima 2. I am also working on mine and will be posting my review this Tuesday.
Hello Paul, great review of the Dunu Kima 2! I want to ask if you're going to be reviewing the TRI I3 MK3? I know it's a bit of an older set but I don't really see a lot of people covering that specific IEM. During sales you can find some stores selling them for around $99 after coupon discounts.
i was wondering, do you ever find that those tiny vent holes that are placed at the inner part of the iem, close to the nozzle, sometimes cause driver imbalance depending on whether the inner area/vent of either L / R iem is making contact with the inner ear or not?
I don't know why they didn't tour that one, it would make sense. TBH, wait until after the holidays and see if any used sets appear on Headfi or Reddit. I suspect its a nice set though, SA6 was nice and the later versions seemed to refine it.
In ear, much thicker than EA500. Also part of the reason I have been using more graphs from manufacturers, the accuracy is better. Too many sets are graphing alike and are not that alike.
I actually doubt it, but I never heard the original. It is rarely the case where the new one is radically different than the original. In most cases it offers more choice for people who don't own either than upgrading from one to the other. Mest or Monarch where each is a refinement on the previous, you upgrade if they fixed the part that bothers you. Not having heard the original, I have no clue.
I don’t understand the trifecta of price, tuning and driver. I don’t care about what driver I get, but what sound I get and what functionalities. For me it would be a pentafecta I suppose of price, tuning, technicalities, fit and accessories that matter. Otherwise great review - as always.
Yeah, it's quite close to perfection but I guess Dunu did have to "tune it down" to not over-step & steal from Falcon Ultra's sales cuz internal competition is the hardest competition lol😉
I thought about that for a second. Falcon Ultra has better bass response, but treble is for a different listener type. But yes, I think there was a bit of make this one sound more different than it needed to be.
How would you say the Kima 2 with EQ compares to something like the Oxygen? If its pretty close might get one at some point for a pretty pricey beater 😅
Out of the box, Kima is thicker on the bottom and doesn't have the O2 upper mids. If you EQ, I think it would be close enough, not perfect, but close enough for most people. If I was EQ'ing that far, I'd probably go halfway between the two.
Got the limited version for $97 and found it once at $91. I think it's quite a steal, considering I got the Titan S2 for $71 and I prefer the Kima 2 far more
Btw I personally think that we need more HBB collaborations.Minimum one a week HBB tuned IEM.Last one the 7hZ x HBB Elua is a true masterpiece,one of the best he ever made.Thank you and have a great day.
Thanks for taking the time to review these DUNU earphones, Mr. Wasabii!
I agree with everything you said in this. Really love this set and I'm definitely going to try that 10k tweak to see if I can get more out of it for myself.
Cool, I wasn't super picky on EQ, a bit before and after. Once you hear it fill it, you will know how far to push it for your volume and music.
I have the Kima 2, and from all the reviewers I have seen, you are the first one to not over compliment them for the bass.
It's good for the tuning it has, but it's only complementary, it doesn't have the best texture or detail, this IEM is not one you should consider for its bass.
Its strong point is the kinda transparent, natural and detailed vocals with a good but very smooth treble.
It's a decent bass, but even in lower price ranges you can easily find a better one.
I can see it both ways. For me, I would have dropped it 1-2db exactly for the reason you mentioned, it would have more detail with a bit less. I went back and forth on EQ'ing the bass down a hair. Another reason that I think the driver is very good, but the tuning could showcase the lower range better as well.
@@PaulWasabii I must admit that I'm still a bit biased towards more powerful bass, but while the bass reproduction is good, I don't add much more detail in it versus other considerably lower end IEMS, I don't think it's bad but it's not its strongest point, however, many reviwers comment on it as being on the same level as the rest of the sound, something which I clearly disagree with.
Man DUNU has actually up the game when it comes to cables for these budget sets. First the Titan S2 and now the Kima 2. I am also working on mine and will be posting my review this Tuesday.
Sweet, yes, DUNU has always had a cable game, but they were quite expensive in the past. Titan S2 and Lyre cables are nice, something different.
Thanks for the review. 👍
It's a very nice package and the aesthetics are a cool classic style. 👌
One of my favorites sets of 2024…thank you for the 10k suggestion 😃
The 10k doesn't alter what I love about it, just pokes in a bit more detail.
Hello Paul, great review of the Dunu Kima 2! I want to ask if you're going to be reviewing the TRI I3 MK3? I know it's a bit of an older set but I don't really see a lot of people covering that specific IEM. During sales you can find some stores selling them for around $99 after coupon discounts.
Seems like a great set, I had some friends who bought it and liked it. The general complaint, needs more bass..
Turn it up Paul!😅
I try
The tuning looks a lot different than the kima classic.
So this is technically the 3rd edition of the Kima?
i was wondering, do you ever find that those tiny vent holes that are placed at the inner part of the iem, close to the nozzle, sometimes cause driver imbalance depending on whether the inner area/vent of either L / R iem is making contact with the inner ear or not?
Not on Kima 2 but that definitely can happen. Olina had that issue. If you inserted it, the flat of your ear could hit the vent.
Nice review! Do you plan to review the DUNU SA6 EST? It’s in my budget range, so I’d love to hear your thoughts.
I don't know why they didn't tour that one, it would make sense. TBH, wait until after the holidays and see if any used sets appear on Headfi or Reddit. I suspect its a nice set though, SA6 was nice and the later versions seemed to refine it.
Graphs similar to EA500?
Both use DLC composite. Kima 2 125dB/Vrms 20 ohm, EA500 123db/vrms 16ohm.
In ear, much thicker than EA500. Also part of the reason I have been using more graphs from manufacturers, the accuracy is better. Too many sets are graphing alike and are not that alike.
Thanks for the review6. I have dunu kima og and I love their relaxed sound. Do you think is worth the upgrade?
I actually doubt it, but I never heard the original. It is rarely the case where the new one is radically different than the original. In most cases it offers more choice for people who don't own either than upgrading from one to the other. Mest or Monarch where each is a refinement on the previous, you upgrade if they fixed the part that bothers you. Not having heard the original, I have no clue.
@@PaulWasabiigot it! Thank a lot for your time! ❤
I don’t understand the trifecta of price, tuning and driver. I don’t care about what driver I get, but what sound I get and what functionalities. For me it would be a pentafecta I suppose of price, tuning, technicalities, fit and accessories that matter. Otherwise great review - as always.
This set is why I care about the driver, it is more resolving than the tuning shows. Other sets have resolving tunings, but driver is not resolving.
Yeah, it's quite close to perfection but I guess Dunu did have to "tune it down" to not over-step & steal from Falcon Ultra's sales cuz internal competition is the hardest competition lol😉
I thought about that for a second. Falcon Ultra has better bass response, but treble is for a different listener type. But yes, I think there was a bit of make this one sound more different than it needed to be.
How would you say the Kima 2 with EQ compares to something like the Oxygen? If its pretty close might get one at some point for a pretty pricey beater 😅
Out of the box, Kima is thicker on the bottom and doesn't have the O2 upper mids. If you EQ, I think it would be close enough, not perfect, but close enough for most people. If I was EQ'ing that far, I'd probably go halfway between the two.
When is the review of castor pro coming?
I asked, the new sets seem to be exclusive to the reseller. Keep an eye on kztws.com when they get the new sets.
Would have been an strong contender at $100 if the price was a bit lower.
It dropped a bit lower before I published and then it bounced up. I thought it was $107 during the sale.
@PaulWasabii yeah that's the point. Everyone seems to make their tier lists based on the price and it'll compete against IEMs above $100.
Got the limited version for $97 and found it once at $91. I think it's quite a steal, considering I got the Titan S2 for $71 and I prefer the Kima 2 far more
@@ngoccuong69 great buy at this price.
Btw I personally think that we need more HBB collaborations.Minimum one a week HBB tuned IEM.Last one the 7hZ x HBB Elua is a true masterpiece,one of the best he ever made.Thank you and have a great day.
I love a nice collab, whether it is HBB or others. I enjoy their take on popular tunings.