Hi mark how does this compare to the original oracle? I have the opportunity to buy an oracle for $300. Like you, I’m not interested in the dsp cable. In terms of tuning how different are since the FR is so similar perhaps the oracle is leaner on the bass?
I pre-ordered my pair a few days ago. Early reviews were pretty glaring about it's analog tuning or if not glaring they really liked the DSP tuning. I am super curious about the analog tuning myself as I don't have anything in my collection like it so I think it'll be fun regardless. Also if anyone isn't bothered by EQ or just want to run it analog with the DSP default tuning, Crinacle posted all the PEQ settings and wavelet files on in-ear fidelity. Also if anyone is worried about using the app the default tuning is pre-baked onto the cable so if you have no intention of using the other tunings you'll never need to download the app.
I listened to both the hype 4 and Dusk at canjam nyc and i would have to say i enjoyed the dusk more. I would have purchased it then even though the hype 4 was 15% off. The hype 4 for whatever reason doesn't fit me right and im finding that i dont prefer as much midbass as i thought i wanted to. Glad I got to try both before making a purchase.
DSP is more of a bonus, if you think it's the main selling point of this IEM then you'd be absolutely wrong since it's only 20$ (if i remember correctly), it's not really the main selling point and just a minor bonus especially it's 300$+, so it's safe to say let's just pretend the DSP never existed at all except if it's the main selling point like the moondrop may Also great review for being objective reviewer, good reviewers are the ones who review products in objective ways then share their own opinions, not the other way around
@@BrandonAdams1010 absolutely agree with that, for 350$ it makes the overall product less premium because the implementation is bad. Why did they include it? Well damned if I know but again, it's just a bonus, they probably expect you to give it a try not something to be taken seriously
@@rafdesdsp is just EQ as he had repeatedly said. He also shared the dsp tuning if you don't want to use the dsp provided. I'd probably just release a new batch with the dsp tuning as default then have the option for buyers if they want to get the dsp cable. I'll also want the analog cable to be of higher quality
@@alrizo1115 Yes, I know about the wavelet files, it's on Timmy's review of it. But, they couldn't get the tuning as he wanted so the only way was to use the DSP for straight plug 'n play. They can't just release the it with the analog cable with the DSP EQ. It's not possible. Either way, you would need an EQ to get it to sound the way Crin want's it to be. Analog is just a slightly better Blessing 3 without it.
I love the inclusion of both cables. Crinacle’s DSP tuning is being criticized as “just EQ”, but it what they don’t realize is that it is crafted by an expert to realize his ideal beyond the capability of analog physics. That expertise is worth its weight in gold to me. Inclusion of tuning parameters by Crin gives you the opportunity to enjoy the same with the analog cable as well. If you can do that yourself, then don’t buy it.
that's what i think as well. Also, yes, EQ is free, but we don't have expensive equipments to let us know how the EQ will actually affect the iem's frequency response.
@@KanyeWestFan69 i think EQ affects the FR in a predictable way (until the drivers distort). Also, AFAIK using measuring rigs to base your EQ on can be misleading as they don't 100% replicate the human ear. For example: I heard both Variations and Nova. And while they graph similarly, they sound totally different.
actually managed to test this out earlier at crin hangout coming from a z1r, the first thing I noticed was how comfortable and perfectly it fit into my ears it was also as resolving as the z1r and had a really natural bass to it biggest selling point for me was the ease of connection, just plug and play into your phone with dsp cable, still sounded amazing After all that has been said, I wasn't particularly blown away and decided to order a mega5est instead rofl
Ahh the review we were all waiting for… I was so happy to see this review pop up on my phone…great review as always….i have been back and forth on this and I think I’m gonna hold off on this one till Dunu davinci comes out … my iem preferences are a little more meat on the bones like the Dunu sa6’s Xenns up and symphonium meteor
Great job as always Mark. Very well done review. I like seeing that the Dusk is a good IEM on its own merit. I've found the DSP cable to be a bit problematic as well on my FiiO M11 Plus ess, M17 and the iBasso DX240. So I think it's more the app and not a hiby issue exclusively.
As a person who loves my Blessing 3, this review speaks a lot to and confirms what I thought when looking at the graphs for the Dusk. Timmy released the wavelets files on his review for the Dusk and Crin has also done so finally, which means that for desk use and such you will miss very little from the actual Dusk if you already have the B3. I was actually watching this using the B3 with the Hulk Pro mini cable, the one that comes with Dunu SA6 MkII, I must say, I never liked the B3's cable and was really surprised that Moondrop released the Dusk with that cable after giving the Aria 2 at a far lower price better modular cable with 3.5mm & 4.4mm jacks.
The only thing i wish it had was the Aria 2's cable with a mic in the box instead of that garbage 3.5mm cable it currently does. I'd like to try this out with the 4.4mm balanced jack. And also a carbon coloured DSP cable instead as well.
I don't like the DSP cable look and feel at all. Wish it was just a dongle instead of a full cable. Don't mind the analogue cable at all. I'm currently using the hype 4 cable and that's plush.
@drizzlydr4ke For quick jobs and testing I use the android system wide eq, though the auto gain is a little annoying. For final setup I use peace eq to make a profile, then export to qudelix 5k
I really want Crinacle Dusk but it seemed super expensive and not sure if it'll be available in my country (Indonesia). It's 390USD if I'm buying from Singapore (The Hangout) plus cost of delivery and 11% tax added to the total cost (so maybe an added 50 USD tax). My most expensive IEM is Moondrop Kato. I'm looking to upgrade and after watching reviews, it seems like this would be a great fit for me (especially the default DSP setting). I'll wait I guess (and I'll have to wait anyway so I'm not left with 0 money in my bank account for a pair of IEMs. Haha). I was gonna buy Moondrop Variations in a few months because I wanted better treble. I heard variations is a bit peaky and with the tuning here, Dusk seems more fitting (and cheaper).
The definitive review indeed, brilliant! I've equalized my Variations to the Dusk default DSP, inspired by your use of DSP on the B3 to make it sound like the Dusk, and find it pretty good. I imagine the Variations has enough technical chops to mimic the Dusk, plus I use eq software (Wavelet, Easyeffects) that covers beyond 10k. And now I'm on the road to madness, re-listening to all my IEMs with different sound signatures... :)
@@F8Msssss I only have the variations, so I can only answer with relation to equing the variations as a Dusk. I personally always prefer the variations equalized to the Dusk's dsp response. That probably means I prefer the Dusk's tuning. I'm not a great fan of the variations, but I think it has good drivers, and lends itself well to eq. Having said that, since you need a dsp cable to get the Dusk's better tuning, might as well get a discounted variations and eq it: the Dusk's sound signature is good but is not the best possible eq for the variations.
Seeing this video now, after just getting my pair in yesterday, they're really good. I am very satisfied with them thus far. Mind you, I am new to IEM's and audio in a more enthusiast setting, and this is the first IEM I have gotten that's over $100, and I was excited and anticipating this release (ordered it approx 10-15 minutes after the announcement video from Crin released.) so my input is coming from a background of inexperience, and limited amount of experience as well as hype. However it's unlike anything I've heard before, and feels clean. Does have a bit more bleed of external noise than I was expecting, and compared to the other IEM's I have, however I have yet to determine if I prefer it or not, as noise isolation is something I've grown accustomed to more than anything. I was also concerned with the size coming from smaller IEMs, however it's much more comfortable than anything I've had thus far. The added size doesn't impact my canal as much as I thought it would it seems as though it extends outward from my ear more than disrupting the inside, and the mold seems to distribute the mass very evenly, with no discomfort, or pressure points of any kind. Very satisfied with fit and feel overall, and this is only day one.
YES. Your review was the one I've been waiting for~! Good to hear that it still sounds great on analogue. Crin's announcement/introduction video on the Dusk 2 focused a lot on the DSP features, and although I do daily-drive an Android and like an imbedded mic/controls on my cable, I did want to hear your opinion on the analogue performance. Hoping I enjoy the feel of Moondrop's spring tips
I don't hear the artifacts at all with the cable. I use my Dusk with my LG V20 and use USB Audio Player Pro with Morphit Tonebooster PEQ. I find i can use the cable and add a +2db bass shelf at 200 hz and a -.5 DB treble shelf starting at 400 hz. When I add those shelves, it sounds just about perfect.
With better software, you probably could have gotten the May to sound even closer, if not identical, to the Dusk. Which supports my current thoughts in DSP - i'm not against it, but if you're using it, you don't need an IEM like the Dusk. The Dusk is like a mechanical watch with a computer chip. The chip makes it more accurate, but if that's what you're after, you could have gotten a cheap Casio. At this moment in time Moondrop can charge 350$ for this, but if it becomes the norm the market will be full of 50$ IEMs that can compete with todays 1000$ IEMs.
I kind of agree, and with the watch analog the cheap Casio doesn't mean the more expensive watches are pointless, just that if your goal is simply telling the time, you can do that well for cheap.
thanks for comparing blessing 3 with EQ to the dusk. I'm just gonna buy blessing 3 for 230USD here, and playing with EQ a little bit. Thanks for saving my money, Mark.
@@taidee i dont think those eq files from timmy and crin will work for the blessing 3, since the base tuning of both iems do differ, instead you can just go to squig link and auto eq the blessing 3 to the dusk, go find some tutorials on google on how to do that on squig link as it will be more detailed in explanation
After seeing both really positive and really negative reviews for this set, I consider this as being an easy skip. The moondrop app is, to be as polite as possible because I have to view it through the lens of having an iphone, basically non-existant. There is one listed on the app store, but it doesn't work at all. This rules dsp out for me basically 100%. I did notice that you have had a lot less issues with the dsp than most other reviewers have mentioned. So I have to view it as an analog iem. With that in consideration, at $360, I personally look at things within +/- $50. I think the hype 4, xenns tea 2, and performer 8 are too close in price to make the dusk a must buy. If dsp and eq are the selling point that moondrop and crin are going for, I would rather stick to an analog cable and use eq through equalizer apo/peace on my computer or my qudelix 5k because they are really great and, most importantly, well functioning eq options. Idk how people are constantly calling this a new benchmark. I'll find out when I demo it at a store after they get it because despite my problems, if I can demo it I'll do that.
You don't need the app, period. The DSP is already on the cable. Moondrop has already confirmed that you are unable to change the tuning on iOS. It's an iOS limitation, so not really their fault. I would end up using my Qudelix 5K, as well. That's something every audiophile should truly have.
You're right, the market is always getting more competitive. However, people are way too fixated on the nitty gritty about the app and dsp issues. I feel like if it released without the DSP cable it'd probably get better press. Having the DSP cable in addition to the analog cable is objectively better even if it's not a perfect addition but because people love fixating on the negatives it muddies their perception of the product as a whole. We knew it was going to be more expensive than the b2d due to the addition of the planar drivers, but now we also get a DSP cable on top.
@@hssnnkim Crin himself used to preach to not pay for tuning and just use eq, so if the difference between the blessing 3 and the dusk is just two planars and the dsp cable, why would I ignore the dsp cable and its faults? If they can’t get their app to function in a way that allows everyone to easily use it, I have every right, and as consumers we should, to call them out for their garbage implementation.
@@gpeaes in what way is it an iOS limitation and not a Moondrop app issue? How does the qudelix have full parametric eq available but the Moondrop link app can barely function for people to change presets built into the app?
@@SuperReviewit's interesting to try EQ'ing one of your IEM/headphones with squig to another that you own, and see how they compare and what EQ can and can't realistically do. As fun as it is to think your EQ's Sundara is just as good as an HE-1..
not a bad iem with the dsp configuration. sound reproduction is not homogenously competent across all genres. fair price and one of the best in price bracket.
That HS18 eartips really works well with everything. And yeah, the DSP cable (FreeDSP, May's, Dusk's) have this annoying sweeping beep noise. That's totally a dealbreaker for me.
Yet another club, this time sporting an enchanted cable. Looks like a good fit for my iPhone. Also, can’t wait to try that cable on some other IEMs. Crinacle usually throws in something extra. I’m up for it!👍🏻
Can I ask for the profile you edited on free dsp with the blessing 3? I'm about to buy a free dsp cable for my moondrop blessing 3 and I want to try it out.
After hearing your review I feel the analogue has some merits. I think Crin should have released the Dusk without esp and later sell it as a tuning pack like the ea500. Would have reduced the backlash as many people think it's not good without esp. Could have been cheaper at release.
360$ is quite a lot in some countries. Maybe they could have sold a slightly cheaper variant minus the DSP cable or something like that. Blessing3 are almost 360$ in India.
Blessing 3 is already 300$+ so it doesn't make sense for the dusk to be very close with B3 in price, as for the DSP it's only 20$ and they even include it as a bonus in moondrop aria 2 and may which is 100$- IEM so let's just say DSP is just a free bonus
@@John.Christopher for something that originally cost 300$ I think it's more of a bonus. let's have some logic, moondrop aria 2 is 90$ and moondrop may is 65$, if the DSP is 40$ then those two IEMs would actually cost 50$ and 25$, for that amount of price I don't think it'd be worth for them profit wise, and there's no way moondrop may actual quality only costs around 25$. Even at 100$- the DSP cable is actually only worth for about 15$ or so, and the tress hold gets bigger the higher the price is (so the actual DSP price is smaller and less worthy) hence why I think DSP cable for something that's originally 300$ (B3) is not worth considering the price and I would go as far as saying that the DSP is pretty much a free bonus at that price point. the analogy is when you buy a very expensive house and you get 1 carpet as a bonus, sure you could say the carpet is probably expensive as a stand alone product for 50$ and it's probably not any better than 10$ carpet, but if you just bought 500k$ house the carpet instantly became invaluable compared to the house and in the end it doesn't really matter aside from some silly jokes and laugh for a moment thinking how dumb the bundle is. The analogy might be too far but you'll get the idea, lol
@@VSN-wb2ly Understood. From a price premium perspective, it's likely headroom to split revenue for the project if not for the included DSP. In this review, it is stated that they perform indistinguishly from each other when EQed the same. With treble presentation being negligibly better on the B3 with the Dusk bringing the same approach to dynamism as its predecessor and is more musical. But again, you can tune them to your liking, and both are great. Unless, of course, you don't care to EQ, or don't have preexisting tuning/amp methods the Dusk is hands down the pick
I'm curious how hard it is to release the new batch of dusk with the "DSP tuning" instead, make the dsp cable just an option for purchase, make the analog cable better quality. Crin said that the DSP is just EQ, nothing more that magically improves the iem.
Thanks for the great review Mark, nice work as always. May I have question, how does the Dusk compare to Moondrop Variations? Any honest opinion from you is more than welcome. cheers : )
@@AliR03 I believe Gizaudio made a review video of the Dusk, in which he makes the same suggestion i.e. you can use EQ on your DAP to get the exactly the same sound profiles, without having to use the DSP cable. I think he also briefly shows the plus/minus values at various frequencies as set by the Moondrop App. I'm not sure if he produced downloadable wavelet files, but in theory you can pause the video, get the values and create your own wavelet files.
@tobydavies6240 NoNoNo What I mean is that he can fully equalize the blessing 3 to the dusk, Moondrop app allows you to play with 60-10k region only, which is good for the air region, but not for the sub-bass Bro it's 40$ with msrp and 75$ now on Ali Express "price diff"
I think it's a mistake to include the dsp cable. Dsp being software tuning will definitely surpass analog tuning. Now people are saying the original tuning doesn't sound as good. That's probably why big brands like Dunu, Letshuore,... didn't want to do it. 😅
What should I buy about x crinicle dusk or blessing 3 with dsp cable Because I want to use a mic. I want to use in daily life like if someone call to me I can talk with them.
I find very interesting how cable preferences can differ. Mark seems to enjoy his cables to be more minimalistic, like the ones on the Chu, SSR or Hola. Timmy (Gizaudio) said he'd prefer the cable of the Kato. Almost like a rope. I'm somewhere in between. I've found the Tripowin Zonie cables and if I could I'd have them on pretty much every iem I own.
I’m not particularly fussy, and I don’t consider myself an expert audiophile. But I do experience different sound with different cables. For instance, I was curious about the Hola cable. Well, connected to my S8’s I (think I) lose weight/authority/realism (don’t know how to explain) and extension at both ends when compared to Linsoul’s Euphrosyne. At the same time, I followed Mark’s lead on the Fiio HS18 tips and…. OMG! They work so well for me on my S8. To the point that I wanted to sell the S8’s as I ordered the Supernovas and would help funding the purchase. But I am keeping the S8 now 😅
@@gripau92 DSP cables usually change sounds by applying EQs. Otherwise, cables are only different by impedance, and in turn, only affect loudness in 95% of cases. Ppl do tend to perceive diff loudnesses as diff sounds, but, in the end, we can change loudness w/o changing cables. Tips do make big differences tho.
Luckely, you can run the eq profile on your pc and/or with a quadelix using the analog cable. If it wasn't for that, i dont think i would have ordered a pair.
Even though Birocratic licenses his music for TH-cam use, I keep getting copyright claims from music publishers that are a pain in the butt to dispute so I give up.
Great review, I get so confused as my hearing drops out at 9K (motorcycle damage I guess) so I am lost deciding between the Blessing 3 vs Dusk vs Thieaudio Hype
I don't have the P8 on hand to compare, but from memory the Dusk is just a sharper, more incisive and punchy listen vs. the P8. The P8 is maybe smoother and less bass impactful. P8 is like tap water, Dusk like seltzer water. Just got that extra bit of bite and excitement, but still pretty neutral.
Thank you for this. And a question at the end if you're able to give your thoughts. I had been wondering where your review was, and had been waiting for a true deep analysis of it's analog performance as I normally use 4.4mm cables with my preferred USB C DAC - then tune to my liking with the PowerAmp android app. The overemphasizing of the DSP had me worried since in had pre-ordered the Dusk, but I feel safe now after your review
Call me crazy, but if your main selling point is a DSP USB-C cable, doesn't that sort of ignore your core customer? How many people spending this much on IEMs are running them without their own preferred DAC? What about the hundreds of millions of people with Pre-iPhone 15 Lightning connectors? This product baffles me as using the USB cable would sidestep your own DAC and EQ settings so again, Who is this for??
Wow. I wasn't expecting 5 stars considering the amount of DSP-related issues, and the May comparison made Dusk seem a bit overpriced. I hope you'll review the Dunu DaVinci and compare it to Dusk; it seems a better option for those seeking the best out-of-the-box experience.
I can’t afford a Dusk right now but I’m thinking about saving up for one. I really like my Hexa, I just wish it had better bass. I also enjoy my Kato, I just wish it had better treble extension. Would the Dusk be a good upgrade path?
Great review! Would I be able to use the DSP cable on the Hiby M300, Hiby r3 ii, or the Shanling m0 that you reviewed? I know you mentioned two Hiby's it did not work, but would the M300 hiby work since it is android?
Not a dumb question. AirPods Pro 2 are actually really quite good. If you really like vocals, I think Dusk beats them, and the bass tactility is more engaging on Dusk. But nothing wrong with AirPods.
Sorry if I'm being daft here, but please someone help me understand. If the cable contains a DAC (Digital to Analog Converter) and does DSP (Digital Signal Processing) doesn't that mean that the cable will bypass or override anything your DAP (Digital Audio Player) is doing? If purchase an expensive DAP it is because I believe it will take the data from a digital file, convert it to an analog signal, pass it on to an internal amplifier, and then pass out a signal, via a jack, to my earphones. But if all the the DAP does is pass a digital signal to an external DAC in the cable, that suggests to me that my expensive DAP has become nothing more than a very expensive digital storage device. Or in other words, the logic of this argument dictates that, using a DSP cable with an internal DAC, there should be no sound quality differences regardless of whether you are using a very expensive or very cheap DAP as the source. Can someone please explain to me, in layman's terms, why I am wrong?
You could always use an analogue cable and use an app on your dap to peq it. Crin has the values posted somewhere, so you don’t need the dsp cable. But yes if you used the dsp cable it would bypass your daps amp.
yes, if you use this cable, the cable's dac and amp takes over. the dap will only output digital signal. however terrific the hardware of you dap is, it won't matter anymore.
@@haomingli6175 So, essentially, the claim regarding the Moondrop Crinacle Dusk is that, if you use their DSP cable, you avoid the need for an expensive DAP, and can use a very cheap storage device instead. In this scenario, any digital storage device capable of holding FLAC files (e.g. Sansa Zip Clip or any number of cheap alternatives, typically costing about $35), will sound exactly the same as an expensive DAP (typically costing £350 - $1,500 or more), as all of the Digital to Analog conversion actually happens within the cable anyway. If I were a DAP manufacturer, I'd be furious. The need for their existence has just been blown apart by the suggestion that all of the work that is done done in a $1,000+ DAP can be achieved, and provide identical results, if you use a cable that typically costs around $25. This tells me that either ... 1) DAP manaufacturers must to be lying, if they claim that their expensive product will produce better audio results than a cheap storage device, OR 2) Moondrop must be lying, if they claim their cheap cable, with internal DAC, can product sound quality that is identical regardless of the DAP or digital storage device you use. By this logic, one of the above statements has to be true, and the other one has to be false. So which statement is true?
@@tobydavies6240expensive daps or dongle only noticable when using high impedance headphones, most iems don't need that much power and it's barely noticable using 3.5mm on phone and a daps
Eq settings must not to be exactly same But if you don't want to do it by yourself you can try these (it is not Mark's, I made it from scratch) Filter 1: ON PK Fc 130 Hz Gain -3.6 dB Q 0.600 Filter 2: ON PK Fc 550 Hz Gain 0.9 dB Q 1.300 Filter 3: ON PK Fc 2000 Hz Gain -4.5 dB Q 1.000 Filter 4: ON PK Fc 4000 Hz Gain -3.3 dB Q 2.000 Filter 5: ON PK Fc 6000 Hz Gain 1.0 dB Q 2.000 Filter 6: ON PK Fc 12500 Hz Gain -9.0 dB Q 5.000
@@helgiforest it should work for freedsp for latest versions of app May cable should be same as freedsp cable All frequencies are not boosted in resulting fr, because it is one of app limitations
The app needs refinement and the QC needs more time. I will be buying this in a year when the app improves and the channel imbalance is fixed with future batches
Surprisingly close TBH. Dusk is a bit more contrasty / vee, S8 is smoother overall, Dusk bass definitely got the advantage, imaging width slight advantage to S8, but... pretty close.
@@SuperReview thanks for you advice i really appreciate it! currently i use speakers/headphones for music production, specifically the genelec 8331 in a treated room and a dan clark e3 when i have to be concerned for neighbors. but im trying desperately to find an iem i can safely trust for studio production when i can't be at home studio for their portable practicality between: dusk 3.5mm / studio4 / rsv / s8 / clairvoyance / supernova / kinda lava / pilgrim / monarch mk2 which would you take for studio mix/mastering purposes? where the priority is for a balanced neutral reference signature, fast attack/decay transient response through-ought fr especially in bass, detail/texture throughout, and precise imaging?
Love the review! I noticed the ie600, the darling from 2022, has come down to 500 bucks, and I've considered it. Has it aged well enough to warrant the extra $140, or is the Dusk the better bud? Cheers!
Tbh this was the comparison I was looking for as I already had the blessing3 last year and more or less EQ'd it in a similar way before it really started impressing me. Like the driver setup honestly can handle a dirty +6db of bass boost with no issues so it's kind of odd to me that they don't capitalize on that at all. The real surprise insight thoughis how competent the May is. Might be my go to recommendation for friends if thats the case.
Hey Super, thanks for the super in depth review on these! I'm deciding between these or the B2 Dusk that I can potentially get for around 150 less than these, but I'm really not sure what to go with at this point. I only have experience with the Moondrop Aria, Chu 2, as well as the Truthear x Crinacle Zero, which I actually think I prefer the most due to its fun nature. Do you think B2 Dusk is still worth it today for around 150 less than this current Dusk, or should I just save up and go for this Dusk?
@@SuperReview completely agree, I’m heavily contemplating the B2 Dusk just for the price alone. Have you had a chance to listen and test the Xenns Mangird Top?
Moondrop QC, UFC 300, and more in the Q&A available here 👉 th-cam.com/video/1KiMeC5BD6o/w-d-xo.html
Hi mark how does this compare to the original oracle? I have the opportunity to buy an oracle for $300. Like you, I’m not interested in the dsp cable. In terms of tuning how different are since the FR is so similar perhaps the oracle is leaner on the bass?
I'll Stick with my Blessing 2 OG
no one does reviews better than Mark. I just watch them over and over again with no intention or capability of affording one. great job.
You able to get to a show?
@@SuperReview unfortunately not. I live in middle east. can't escape.
Great review, and I agree with the points made.
I pre-ordered my pair a few days ago. Early reviews were pretty glaring about it's analog tuning or if not glaring they really liked the DSP tuning. I am super curious about the analog tuning myself as I don't have anything in my collection like it so I think it'll be fun regardless. Also if anyone isn't bothered by EQ or just want to run it analog with the DSP default tuning, Crinacle posted all the PEQ settings and wavelet files on in-ear fidelity. Also if anyone is worried about using the app the default tuning is pre-baked onto the cable so if you have no intention of using the other tunings you'll never need to download the app.
24:19 the comparisons are what I'm here for and why I like Akros' work so much
Just noticed you’re at 70k subs. Good work, and congrats.
🙏 Thank you.
I listened to both the hype 4 and Dusk at canjam nyc and i would have to say i enjoyed the dusk more. I would have purchased it then even though the hype 4 was 15% off. The hype 4 for whatever reason doesn't fit me right and im finding that i dont prefer as much midbass as i thought i wanted to. Glad I got to try both before making a purchase.
DSP is more of a bonus, if you think it's the main selling point of this IEM then you'd be absolutely wrong since it's only 20$ (if i remember correctly), it's not really the main selling point and just a minor bonus especially it's 300$+, so it's safe to say let's just pretend the DSP never existed at all except if it's the main selling point like the moondrop may
Also great review for being objective reviewer, good reviewers are the ones who review products in objective ways then share their own opinions, not the other way around
So why even add it with the IEMs? It cheapens the product
@@BrandonAdams1010 absolutely agree with that, for 350$ it makes the overall product less premium because the implementation is bad.
Why did they include it? Well damned if I know but again, it's just a bonus, they probably expect you to give it a try not something to be taken seriously
But it isn't really. Crin said the DSP does what they couldn't do in analog. So the DSP tuning is what he wanted in the first place.
@@rafdesdsp is just EQ as he had repeatedly said. He also shared the dsp tuning if you don't want to use the dsp provided. I'd probably just release a new batch with the dsp tuning as default then have the option for buyers if they want to get the dsp cable. I'll also want the analog cable to be of higher quality
@@alrizo1115 Yes, I know about the wavelet files, it's on Timmy's review of it. But, they couldn't get the tuning as he wanted so the only way was to use the DSP for straight plug 'n play. They can't just release the it with the analog cable with the DSP EQ. It's not possible. Either way, you would need an EQ to get it to sound the way Crin want's it to be. Analog is just a slightly better Blessing 3 without it.
I love the inclusion of both cables. Crinacle’s DSP tuning is being criticized as “just EQ”, but it what they don’t realize is that it is crafted by an expert to realize his ideal beyond the capability of analog physics. That expertise is worth its weight in gold to me. Inclusion of tuning parameters by Crin gives you the opportunity to enjoy the same with the analog cable as well. If you can do that yourself, then don’t buy it.
damn is your throat sore bro?
that's what i think as well. Also, yes, EQ is free, but we don't have expensive equipments to let us know how the EQ will actually affect the iem's frequency response.
@@KanyeWestFan69 i think EQ affects the FR in a predictable way (until the drivers distort).
Also, AFAIK using measuring rigs to base your EQ on can be misleading as they don't 100% replicate the human ear.
For example: I heard both Variations and Nova. And while they graph similarly, they sound totally different.
@@elijahpalmer6323 Ooh, sick burn. You really roasted me there. Wow!!
@@kaavik47 chill out lil bro
actually managed to test this out earlier at crin hangout
coming from a z1r, the first thing I noticed was how comfortable and perfectly it fit into my ears
it was also as resolving as the z1r and had a really natural bass to it
biggest selling point for me was the ease of connection, just plug and play into your phone with dsp cable, still sounded amazing
After all that has been said, I wasn't particularly blown away and decided to order a mega5est instead rofl
Ahh the review we were all waiting for… I was so happy to see this review pop up on my phone…great review as always….i have been back and forth on this and I think I’m gonna hold off on this one till Dunu davinci comes out … my iem preferences are a little more meat on the bones like the Dunu sa6’s Xenns up and symphonium meteor
Can we please get the Tuning profile you used to get the Blessing3 match the Dusk DSP response?
Just use squig, brother. Or better yet, Crin's graph tool with 5128 measurements. It'll be more precise too.
Great job as always Mark. Very well done review. I like seeing that the Dusk is a good IEM on its own merit. I've found the DSP cable to be a bit problematic as well on my FiiO M11 Plus ess, M17 and the iBasso DX240. So I think it's more the app and not a hiby issue exclusively.
As a person who loves my Blessing 3, this review speaks a lot to and confirms what I thought when looking at the graphs for the Dusk. Timmy released the wavelets files on his review for the Dusk and Crin has also done so finally, which means that for desk use and such you will miss very little from the actual Dusk if you already have the B3. I was actually watching this using the B3 with the Hulk Pro mini cable, the one that comes with Dunu SA6 MkII, I must say, I never liked the B3's cable and was really surprised that Moondrop released the Dusk with that cable after giving the Aria 2 at a far lower price better modular cable with 3.5mm & 4.4mm jacks.
The Aria 2 cable is pretty nice.
You can EQ it to the digital tuning. If I buy one, that's what i will do, and get the best of both worlds.
amazing review, thanks for the info on the DSP cable, i was about to buy that one
For $30 it's very useful with limitations / annoyances.
If i had the blessing 2 dusk i could probably consider these a skip. But since i dont i think ill be picking these up soon 😊
The only thing i wish it had was the Aria 2's cable with a mic in the box instead of that garbage 3.5mm cable it currently does. I'd like to try this out with the 4.4mm balanced jack. And also a carbon coloured DSP cable instead as well.
I don't like the DSP cable look and feel at all. Wish it was just a dongle instead of a full cable. Don't mind the analogue cable at all. I'm currently using the hype 4 cable and that's plush.
21:10 This is actually my standard practice, I eq my sets to sound the same before properly comparing
how do you do that? Isn't it quite difficult?
@yellow_fellow At first it takes a while, but with experience more like 10-15 minutes
@@1fareast14 what app you use for EQ?
@drizzlydr4ke For quick jobs and testing I use the android system wide eq, though the auto gain is a little annoying. For final setup I use peace eq to make a profile, then export to qudelix 5k
I really want Crinacle Dusk but it seemed super expensive and not sure if it'll be available in my country (Indonesia). It's 390USD if I'm buying from Singapore (The Hangout) plus cost of delivery and 11% tax added to the total cost (so maybe an added 50 USD tax). My most expensive IEM is Moondrop Kato. I'm looking to upgrade and after watching reviews, it seems like this would be a great fit for me (especially the default DSP setting). I'll wait I guess (and I'll have to wait anyway so I'm not left with 0 money in my bank account for a pair of IEMs. Haha). I was gonna buy Moondrop Variations in a few months because I wanted better treble. I heard variations is a bit peaky and with the tuning here, Dusk seems more fitting (and cheaper).
The definitive review indeed, brilliant! I've equalized my Variations to the Dusk default DSP, inspired by your use of DSP on the B3 to make it sound like the Dusk, and find it pretty good. I imagine the Variations has enough technical chops to mimic the Dusk, plus I use eq software (Wavelet, Easyeffects) that covers beyond 10k. And now I'm on the road to madness, re-listening to all my IEMs with different sound signatures... :)
Been wondering whether the Variations is better than Dusk. You mind giving some feedback?
@@F8Msssss I only have the variations, so I can only answer with relation to equing the variations as a Dusk. I personally always prefer the variations equalized to the Dusk's dsp response. That probably means I prefer the Dusk's tuning. I'm not a great fan of the variations, but I think it has good drivers, and lends itself well to eq. Having said that, since you need a dsp cable to get the Dusk's better tuning, might as well get a discounted variations and eq it: the Dusk's sound signature is good but is not the best possible eq for the variations.
Seeing this video now, after just getting my pair in yesterday, they're really good. I am very satisfied with them thus far. Mind you, I am new to IEM's and audio in a more enthusiast setting, and this is the first IEM I have gotten that's over $100, and I was excited and anticipating this release (ordered it approx 10-15 minutes after the announcement video from Crin released.) so my input is coming from a background of inexperience, and limited amount of experience as well as hype. However it's unlike anything I've heard before, and feels clean. Does have a bit more bleed of external noise than I was expecting, and compared to the other IEM's I have, however I have yet to determine if I prefer it or not, as noise isolation is something I've grown accustomed to more than anything. I was also concerned with the size coming from smaller IEMs, however it's much more comfortable than anything I've had thus far. The added size doesn't impact my canal as much as I thought it would it seems as though it extends outward from my ear more than disrupting the inside, and the mold seems to distribute the mass very evenly, with no discomfort, or pressure points of any kind. Very satisfied with fit and feel overall, and this is only day one.
What other IEMs do you have experience with under the $100 mark? Curious to hear exactly how this stacks up
YES. Your review was the one I've been waiting for~!
Good to hear that it still sounds great on analogue. Crin's announcement/introduction video on the Dusk 2 focused a lot on the DSP features, and although I do daily-drive an Android and like an imbedded mic/controls on my cable, I did want to hear your opinion on the analogue performance.
Hoping I enjoy the feel of Moondrop's spring tips
The first half of the video bro was like bouncing around between "I'll tell you later" and "as I mentioned before" 😅
Does it stand parallel to supernova?
Very detailed and helpful review! How does it compare to the performer 8?
He discussed it on the stream.
I don't hear the artifacts at all with the cable. I use my Dusk with my LG V20 and use USB Audio Player Pro with Morphit Tonebooster PEQ. I find i can use the cable and add a +2db bass shelf at 200 hz and a -.5 DB treble shelf starting at 400 hz. When I add those shelves, it sounds just about perfect.
With better software, you probably could have gotten the May to sound even closer, if not identical, to the Dusk. Which supports my current thoughts in DSP - i'm not against it, but if you're using it, you don't need an IEM like the Dusk. The Dusk is like a mechanical watch with a computer chip. The chip makes it more accurate, but if that's what you're after, you could have gotten a cheap Casio. At this moment in time Moondrop can charge 350$ for this, but if it becomes the norm the market will be full of 50$ IEMs that can compete with todays 1000$ IEMs.
I kind of agree, and with the watch analog the cheap Casio doesn't mean the more expensive watches are pointless, just that if your goal is simply telling the time, you can do that well for cheap.
thanks for comparing blessing 3 with EQ to the dusk. I'm just gonna buy blessing 3 for 230USD here, and playing with EQ a little bit. Thanks for saving my money, Mark.
Both Timmy of Gizaudio and Crin have released the EQ files so you can kinder Dusk your Blessing 3, that's what I've done.
@@taidee where can I get those ya?
@@taidee i dont think those eq files from timmy and crin will work for the blessing 3, since the base tuning of both iems do differ, instead you can just go to squig link and auto eq the blessing 3 to the dusk,
go find some tutorials on google on how to do that on squig link as it will be more detailed in explanation
Gizaudio Dusk review has a link to the text files for wavelet EQ.
@@earlybird3668 what I was looking for is the Blessing 3 to the Dusk DSP. nvm I'll just EQ using squig.
HA! Someone reported this handle to youtube. As if I dont 509 other handles that are currently leaving comments on here. You guys are funny.
After seeing both really positive and really negative reviews for this set, I consider this as being an easy skip. The moondrop app is, to be as polite as possible because I have to view it through the lens of having an iphone, basically non-existant. There is one listed on the app store, but it doesn't work at all. This rules dsp out for me basically 100%. I did notice that you have had a lot less issues with the dsp than most other reviewers have mentioned. So I have to view it as an analog iem. With that in consideration, at $360, I personally look at things within +/- $50. I think the hype 4, xenns tea 2, and performer 8 are too close in price to make the dusk a must buy. If dsp and eq are the selling point that moondrop and crin are going for, I would rather stick to an analog cable and use eq through equalizer apo/peace on my computer or my qudelix 5k because they are really great and, most importantly, well functioning eq options. Idk how people are constantly calling this a new benchmark. I'll find out when I demo it at a store after they get it because despite my problems, if I can demo it I'll do that.
Moondrop Link is working fine on my Android phone. I also disable certain permissions. Love the app + Moondrop May
You don't need the app, period. The DSP is already on the cable. Moondrop has already confirmed that you are unable to change the tuning on iOS. It's an iOS limitation, so not really their fault.
I would end up using my Qudelix 5K, as well. That's something every audiophile should truly have.
You're right, the market is always getting more competitive. However, people are way too fixated on the nitty gritty about the app and dsp issues. I feel like if it released without the DSP cable it'd probably get better press. Having the DSP cable in addition to the analog cable is objectively better even if it's not a perfect addition but because people love fixating on the negatives it muddies their perception of the product as a whole. We knew it was going to be more expensive than the b2d due to the addition of the planar drivers, but now we also get a DSP cable on top.
@@hssnnkim Crin himself used to preach to not pay for tuning and just use eq, so if the difference between the blessing 3 and the dusk is just two planars and the dsp cable, why would I ignore the dsp cable and its faults? If they can’t get their app to function in a way that allows everyone to easily use it, I have every right, and as consumers we should, to call them out for their garbage implementation.
@@gpeaes in what way is it an iOS limitation and not a Moondrop app issue? How does the qudelix have full parametric eq available but the Moondrop link app can barely function for people to change presets built into the app?
Clearly the most neutral and unbias Dusk 2 review so far. Great work!
Does the eq/dsp work with streaming like Qobuz or Tidal?
Good to know you 5 star it without DSP. I can't be bothered with EQ generally but I might dip my toes in the water with this one.
EQ is a good learning tool if nothing else.
@@SuperReviewit's interesting to try EQ'ing one of your IEM/headphones with squig to another that you own, and see how they compare and what EQ can and can't realistically do. As fun as it is to think your EQ's Sundara is just as good as an HE-1..
Great review! I was wondering if you can post the EQs you used for the Moondrop May and B3?
Hit me up on Discord.
not a bad iem with the dsp configuration. sound reproduction is not homogenously competent across all genres. fair price and one of the best in price bracket.
That HS18 eartips really works well with everything. And yeah, the DSP cable (FreeDSP, May's, Dusk's) have this annoying sweeping beep noise. That's totally a dealbreaker for me.
Yeah I been using those tips a lot lately.
Yet another club, this time sporting an enchanted cable. Looks like a good fit for my iPhone. Also, can’t wait to try that cable on some other IEMs. Crinacle usually throws in something extra. I’m up for it!👍🏻
How does the Moondrop x Crinacle Dusk compare to the Binary x Gizaudio Chopin? is it worth the upgrade in price
Chopin is bassier, Dusk is a little livelier and more open sounding. Better is up to personal preference.
Can I ask for the profile you edited on free dsp with the blessing 3? I'm about to buy a free dsp cable for my moondrop blessing 3 and I want to try it out.
After hearing your review I feel the analogue has some merits. I think Crin should have released the Dusk without esp and later sell it as a tuning pack like the ea500. Would have reduced the backlash as many people think it's not good without esp. Could have been cheaper at release.
I think the point of the DSP is to make that last bit of correction that they couldn't make without it.
Forget about the Dusk. What album should i listen to next.
khruangbins newest, A LA SALA
hey mark! are you going to review letshuoer’s cadenza 4? i’m really curious what you think of it!
Possibly, I'm interested.
Should i pick these up if i am using sony zx300?
1:48 you're shaking your head while saying this is the one to get made that statement very confusing haha
I just received a new dsp cable from moondrop and it doesn't have the noises
Enjoy the hype folks. 🍾
Lots of hype and tons of issue. It's not Crin fault, it's Moondrop.
Sounds like the real win ….
would have been the DSP sound …but configured in the actual sound with a regular cable.
Would the dsp cable work with a Fiio m11 plus?
I tried it with my M11s and it works as intended
@@vianhoho19 thank you
Are you gonna review the Pula Pa02/CKLVX?
Any comparision between Dusk analog and Studio4 in term of tonality and tech?
That's in the q&a video. Links on his discord.
I forgot to comment but this is the review that convince me to buy the DUSK, the bass quality and the treble really sell me who love female vocal.
It is indeed a lovely iem. Had mine about a month now and use it with the Qudelix 5K
Great review. I'd be using it without the cable but would input the eq values into neutron on my fiio dap. However, you can do that for any iem....
Would it be worth it to change the analog cable for another one or is the stock one fine?
Up to you. It's not a factor in the sound.
@@SuperReview Thanks for the answer.
@@tagherion284I'm using the hype 4 cable as its gorgeous. But the stock cable is decent and I don't understand the hate towards it from some.
looking for a Comparison between Dusk and Studio4 since on sale they are the same price.
Would it not be possible to take the edge off the May's higher frequencies by using EQ on top of the DSP?
DSP is just another term for EQ. I guess you could stack EQ from multiple sources, but probably better to do it in one place.
360$ is quite a lot in some countries. Maybe they could have sold a slightly cheaper variant minus the DSP cable or something like that. Blessing3 are almost 360$ in India.
Blessing 3 is already 300$+ so it doesn't make sense for the dusk to be very close with B3 in price, as for the DSP it's only 20$ and they even include it as a bonus in moondrop aria 2 and may which is 100$- IEM so let's just say DSP is just a free bonus
@@VSN-wb2ly DSP is not a bonus if you are paying $40 for it.
you could just buy the DSP cable and put it on something else.
@@John.Christopher for something that originally cost 300$ I think it's more of a bonus.
let's have some logic, moondrop aria 2 is 90$ and moondrop may is 65$, if the DSP is 40$ then those two IEMs would actually cost 50$ and 25$, for that amount of price I don't think it'd be worth for them profit wise, and there's no way moondrop may actual quality only costs around 25$.
Even at 100$- the DSP cable is actually only worth for about 15$ or so, and the tress hold gets bigger the higher the price is (so the actual DSP price is smaller and less worthy) hence why I think DSP cable for something that's originally 300$ (B3) is not worth considering the price and I would go as far as saying that the DSP is pretty much a free bonus at that price point. the analogy is when you buy a very expensive house and you get 1 carpet as a bonus, sure you could say the carpet is probably expensive as a stand alone product for 50$ and it's probably not any better than 10$ carpet, but if you just bought 500k$ house the carpet instantly became invaluable compared to the house and in the end it doesn't really matter aside from some silly jokes and laugh for a moment thinking how dumb the bundle is. The analogy might be too far but you'll get the idea, lol
@@VSN-wb2ly Understood. From a price premium perspective, it's likely headroom to split revenue for the project if not for the included DSP. In this review, it is stated that they perform indistinguishly from each other when EQed the same. With treble presentation being negligibly better on the B3 with the Dusk bringing the same approach to dynamism as its predecessor and is more musical. But again, you can tune them to your liking, and both are great. Unless, of course, you don't care to EQ, or don't have preexisting tuning/amp methods the Dusk is hands down the pick
I'm curious how hard it is to release the new batch of dusk with the "DSP tuning" instead, make the dsp cable just an option for purchase, make the analog cable better quality. Crin said that the DSP is just EQ, nothing more that magically improves the iem.
Well he used the DSP just to perfect what couldn't physically be done, it's more of a bonus feature than required.
Review the Mega 5 est!
Thanks for the great review Mark, nice work as always. May I have question, how does the Dusk compare to Moondrop Variations? Any honest opinion from you is more than welcome. cheers : )
Overall I prefer Dusk. Variations treble might be a bit smoother up top but it's been over a year since I heard it, so not a great comparison.
What if you eq it using a wavelet file from squiglink?
There will be no need to use dsp
Just the default 3.5mm
Can you do it with the B3 and update us?
@@AliR03 I believe Gizaudio made a review video of the Dusk, in which he makes the same suggestion i.e. you can use EQ on your DAP to get the exactly the same sound profiles, without having to use the DSP cable. I think he also briefly shows the plus/minus values at various frequencies as set by the Moondrop App. I'm not sure if he produced downloadable wavelet files, but in theory you can pause the video, get the values and create your own wavelet files.
@@tobydavies6240 crin made downloadable wavelet files so no extra tinkering needed
@tobydavies6240
NoNoNo
What I mean is that he can fully equalize the blessing 3 to the dusk, Moondrop app allows you to play with 60-10k region only, which is good for the air region, but not for the sub-bass
Bro it's 40$ with msrp and 75$ now on Ali Express "price diff"
@@tobydavies6240 Crin gave him the files and Timmy has it for download on his review.
I think it's a mistake to include the dsp cable. Dsp being software tuning will definitely surpass analog tuning. Now people are saying the original tuning doesn't sound as good. That's probably why big brands like Dunu, Letshuore,... didn't want to do it. 😅
What should I buy about x crinicle dusk or blessing 3 with dsp cable Because I want to use a mic. I want to use in daily life like if someone call to me I can talk with them.
I find very interesting how cable preferences can differ.
Mark seems to enjoy his cables to be more minimalistic, like the ones on the Chu, SSR or Hola.
Timmy (Gizaudio) said he'd prefer the cable of the Kato. Almost like a rope.
I'm somewhere in between. I've found the Tripowin Zonie cables and if I could I'd have them on pretty much every iem I own.
don't care about the cables as long as they transport signals and hang nicely on my ears.
I’m not particularly fussy, and I don’t consider myself an expert audiophile. But I do experience different sound with different cables. For instance, I was curious about the Hola cable. Well, connected to my S8’s I (think I) lose weight/authority/realism (don’t know how to explain) and extension at both ends when compared to Linsoul’s Euphrosyne. At the same time, I followed Mark’s lead on the Fiio HS18 tips and…. OMG! They work so well for me on my S8. To the point that I wanted to sell the S8’s as I ordered the Supernovas and would help funding the purchase. But I am keeping the S8 now 😅
@@gripau92 DSP cables usually change sounds by applying EQs. Otherwise, cables are only different by impedance, and in turn, only affect loudness in 95% of cases. Ppl do tend to perceive diff loudnesses as diff sounds, but, in the end, we can change loudness w/o changing cables. Tips do make big differences tho.
This or the Kato?
This was very Dusk of you, Mark.
Dusk, I mean, Duh.
Luckely, you can run the eq profile on your pc and/or with a quadelix using the analog cable. If it wasn't for that, i dont think i would have ordered a pair.
if you had the choice between the Dusk 2 X Crin or Dusk 3 X Crin, what would you choose?
Now moondrop need to think beyond dusks and blessings. Enough of these 2. Why not planar, tribrid with est's
Five star review for a five star product!
Your Chopin recommendation was a great purchase for me and I am sure that I will also enjoy the Dusk.
Good review! What's happened to the classic intro by Birocratic btw? lol
Even though Birocratic licenses his music for TH-cam use, I keep getting copyright claims from music publishers that are a pain in the butt to dispute so I give up.
Great review, I get so confused as my hearing drops out at 9K (motorcycle damage I guess) so I am lost deciding between the Blessing 3 vs Dusk vs Thieaudio Hype
Moondrop x Crinacle Dusk or ie600??
Now I watched everything hahaha Thank you
Estamos aí.
Can you use the dusk with 4.4mm?
If you buy a 4.4mm 2-pin cable, yeah.
I bought it day 1 waiting for it 🤘
Was hoping for a comparison with the Aful P8.
I don't have the P8 on hand to compare, but from memory the Dusk is just a sharper, more incisive and punchy listen vs. the P8. The P8 is maybe smoother and less bass impactful. P8 is like tap water, Dusk like seltzer water. Just got that extra bit of bite and excitement, but still pretty neutral.
@@SuperReview thanks
Thank you for this. And a question at the end if you're able to give your thoughts. I had been wondering where your review was, and had been waiting for a true deep analysis of it's analog performance as I normally use 4.4mm cables with my preferred USB C DAC - then tune to my liking with the PowerAmp android app. The overemphasizing of the DSP had me worried since in had pre-ordered the Dusk, but I feel safe now after your review
Call me crazy, but if your main selling point is a DSP USB-C cable, doesn't that sort of ignore your core customer? How many people spending this much on IEMs are running them without their own preferred DAC? What about the hundreds of millions of people with Pre-iPhone 15 Lightning connectors? This product baffles me as using the USB cable would sidestep your own DAC and EQ settings so again, Who is this for??
DSP cable is not the selling point at all. You lost the plot
Business in the front, party in the back popsicles in between wait what
Popsicles in between what? Not the legs I hope.
Great review man. What are the amp specs on the DSP cable. Is it 1V? And is plenty powerful?
Plenty of output for IEMs.
Wow. I wasn't expecting 5 stars considering the amount of DSP-related issues, and the May comparison made Dusk seem a bit overpriced. I hope you'll review the Dunu DaVinci and compare it to Dusk; it seems a better option for those seeking the best out-of-the-box experience.
I’d love to see that comparison as well.
davinci and ziigaat
I can’t afford a Dusk right now but I’m thinking about saving up for one. I really like my Hexa, I just wish it had better bass. I also enjoy my Kato, I just wish it had better treble extension. Would the Dusk be a good upgrade path?
Hype 4 instead Dusk 👍
@@User-s2f3s 6 weeks wait on Hype 4 ! worth it or not ?
Getting into EQ is free soubd quality and Hexa improves a lot with a bass shelf.
@@User-s2f3s You should state reasons why.
I'm in the same camp. I love my Kato but I think I need better treble and Dusk seems fitting. An endgame IEM for me if I ever buy it.
Great review! Would I be able to use the DSP cable on the Hiby M300, Hiby r3 ii, or the Shanling m0 that you reviewed? I know you mentioned two Hiby's it did not work, but would the M300 hiby work since it is android?
On the M300, the cable doesn't really work for me -- the EQ wasn't being applied.
how does it compare to the Variations, the Dusk BN cost similar to a used Variations in my country right now
Does the DSP cable have enough power to drive the dusk
Really dumb question (new to iems) but how does something like these compare to airpod max, airpods pros etc?
Not a dumb question. AirPods Pro 2 are actually really quite good. If you really like vocals, I think Dusk beats them, and the bass tactility is more engaging on Dusk. But nothing wrong with AirPods.
Sorry if I'm being daft here, but please someone help me understand.
If the cable contains a DAC (Digital to Analog Converter) and does DSP (Digital Signal Processing) doesn't that mean that the cable will bypass or override anything your DAP (Digital Audio Player) is doing?
If purchase an expensive DAP it is because I believe it will take the data from a digital file, convert it to an analog signal, pass it on to an internal amplifier, and then pass out a signal, via a jack, to my earphones.
But if all the the DAP does is pass a digital signal to an external DAC in the cable, that suggests to me that my expensive DAP has become nothing more than a very expensive digital storage device.
Or in other words, the logic of this argument dictates that, using a DSP cable with an internal DAC, there should be no sound quality differences regardless of whether you are using a very expensive or very cheap DAP as the source.
Can someone please explain to me, in layman's terms, why I am wrong?
You could always use an analogue cable and use an app on your dap to peq it. Crin has the values posted somewhere, so you don’t need the dsp cable. But yes if you used the dsp cable it would bypass your daps amp.
yes, if you use this cable, the cable's dac and amp takes over. the dap will only output digital signal. however terrific the hardware of you dap is, it won't matter anymore.
@@haomingli6175 So, essentially, the claim regarding the Moondrop Crinacle Dusk is that, if you use their DSP cable, you avoid the need for an expensive DAP, and can use a very cheap storage device instead.
In this scenario, any digital storage device capable of holding FLAC files (e.g. Sansa Zip Clip or any number of cheap alternatives, typically costing about $35), will sound exactly the same as an expensive DAP (typically costing £350 - $1,500 or more), as all of the Digital to Analog conversion actually happens within the cable anyway.
If I were a DAP manufacturer, I'd be furious. The need for their existence has just been blown apart by the suggestion that all of the work that is done done in a $1,000+ DAP can be achieved, and provide identical results, if you use a cable that typically costs around $25.
This tells me that either ...
1) DAP manaufacturers must to be lying, if they claim that their expensive product will produce better audio results than a cheap storage device, OR
2) Moondrop must be lying, if they claim their cheap cable, with internal DAC, can product sound quality that is identical regardless of the DAP or digital storage device you use.
By this logic, one of the above statements has to be true, and the other one has to be false.
So which statement is true?
@@tobydavies6240expensive daps or dongle only noticable when using high impedance headphones, most iems don't need that much power and it's barely noticable using 3.5mm on phone and a daps
@@heyking8583 Okay, thank you. Very informative.
A must buy
I do have moondrop may! May you send EQ settings you went with to match DUSK?
Eq settings must not to be exactly same
But if you don't want to do it by yourself you can try these (it is not Mark's, I made it from scratch)
Filter 1: ON PK Fc 130 Hz Gain -3.6 dB Q 0.600
Filter 2: ON PK Fc 550 Hz Gain 0.9 dB Q 1.300
Filter 3: ON PK Fc 2000 Hz Gain -4.5 dB Q 1.000
Filter 4: ON PK Fc 4000 Hz Gain -3.3 dB Q 2.000
Filter 5: ON PK Fc 6000 Hz Gain 1.0 dB Q 2.000
Filter 6: ON PK Fc 12500 Hz Gain -9.0 dB Q 5.000
@@HeroOfAnnihilated than you so much! Did you make it for moondrop link app?
@@helgiforest it should work for freedsp for latest versions of app
May cable should be same as freedsp cable
All frequencies are not boosted in resulting fr, because it is one of app limitations
What did you use when trying to match the frequency response via DSP cables?
Squiglink
What tips are you using on these? If anyone knows also I’d appreciate it
I have Fiio HS18 tips.
The app needs refinement and the QC needs more time. I will be buying this in a year when the app improves and the channel imbalance is fixed with future batches
The measured unit's are mostly fine. Isn't it a single unit that was the cause for the commotion?
Thanks Mark. If you put Dusk DSP cable on Blessing 3, does it sound better than Dusk DSP? 🤔
Can't say they sound noticeably different.
If we use analog cable with the DSP default tuning with wavelet, does it sound the same as with using DSP cable?
Should be, I haven't tested the accuracy of Wavelet's EQ application.
Have you tried it?
Will you be reviewing the I/O Volare? It's on my radar and I'd love to hear from you about it
I will do something about it yeah.
how is it compared to s8?
Surprisingly close TBH. Dusk is a bit more contrasty / vee, S8 is smoother overall, Dusk bass definitely got the advantage, imaging width slight advantage to S8, but... pretty close.
@@SuperReview thanks for you advice i really appreciate it!
currently i use speakers/headphones for music production, specifically the genelec 8331 in a treated room and a dan clark e3 when i have to be concerned for neighbors. but im trying desperately to find an iem i can safely trust for studio production when i can't be at home studio for their portable practicality
between: dusk 3.5mm / studio4 / rsv / s8 / clairvoyance / supernova / kinda lava / pilgrim / monarch mk2
which would you take for studio mix/mastering purposes? where the priority is for a balanced neutral reference signature, fast attack/decay transient response through-ought fr especially in bass, detail/texture throughout, and precise imaging?
Love the review! I noticed the ie600, the darling from 2022, has come down to 500 bucks, and I've considered it. Has it aged well enough to warrant the extra $140, or is the Dusk the better bud? Cheers!
Different sounds, both very good, don't think of good and better.
Oki, makes sense. Thanks!
Tbh this was the comparison I was looking for as I already had the blessing3 last year and more or less EQ'd it in a similar way before it really started impressing me. Like the driver setup honestly can handle a dirty +6db of bass boost with no issues so it's kind of odd to me that they don't capitalize on that at all. The real surprise insight thoughis how competent the May is. Might be my go to recommendation for friends if thats the case.
There's a Dusk preset EQ in the Moondrop app with ungodly bass boost.
@@SuperReview ngl cranking uo the bass boost made me appreciate how much of a trip phonk can be with how fast the bass is on them haha
Hey Super, thanks for the super in depth review on these! I'm deciding between these or the B2 Dusk that I can potentially get for around 150 less than these, but I'm really not sure what to go with at this point. I only have experience with the Moondrop Aria, Chu 2, as well as the Truthear x Crinacle Zero, which I actually think I prefer the most due to its fun nature. Do you think B2 Dusk is still worth it today for around 150 less than this current Dusk, or should I just save up and go for this Dusk?
A $200 B2:Dusk is hard to beat.
@@SuperReview completely agree, I’m heavily contemplating the B2 Dusk just for the price alone. Have you had a chance to listen and test the Xenns Mangird Top?