Dunu has carved a niche in the high-end in-ear monitors industry and has been churning out award-winning earphones over the years. One such model which is an excellent addition to the earphone collection is the Dunu EST 112. It is a hybrid IEM that comes with a balanced armature, dynamic, and electrostatic driver for voice reproduction and fidelity. This review will be detailed as we will look at the performance of the Dunu EST 112 in such factors as its design, build quality, performance, and competition with other IEMs of the same category. Additionally, we will present the frequency response graph of the Dunu EST 112 Graph and see how it helps determine the sound signature of the device.
Presentation of the brand Dunu and the model EST 112
Dunu is a company that specializes in manufacturing top-notch audio products mainly known for their ear monitors. They have been in the business long enough to know the right types of IEMs that will fit the needs of both enthusiasts and non-enthusiasts. The EST 112 is one of the company’s top models, and its goal is to provide an enjoyable but well-controlled, rich yet sufficiently detailed, and nicely engaging sound with the use of a hybrid driver arrangement.
This means that inside the EST 112, there are four drivers, a dynamic driver focusing on the lower bass frequencies, two Balanced Armature drivers in the middle spectrum, and an electrostatic tweeter at the high end. Such a design guarantees a wider spectrum and precision of sound, which perfectly suits a listener who prefers warmth as well as detail.
Design and Build Quality
The first thing noticeable in the Dunu EST 112 is the design of the IEM. It is safe to say that the product is premium from the onset. The materials used in the IEMs are metals which makes them solid and long-lasting. They also have a smooth matte coating that has minimal logos on them which creates a beauty feel of simplicity. The ear shell design strikes a perfect balance and is not only functional; it is designed in a way that the user would not feel pain even while listening for hours.
One of the benefits that Dunu’s IEMs are well-known for is their cables which can be detached, and the EST 112 is not any different. The high quality of the braided cable that comes with the system also offers modular connectors whereby one can effortlessly switch from 3.5 mm plug to 2.5 mm balanced plug and also to 4.4 mm balanced plug. This makes the EST 112 flexible enough to deal with a wide range of audio sources with no adapters needed. The modular cable system is very functional but also serves to protect the IEMs from becoming obsolete.
The connectors are made of durable and easy to connect MMCX (Micro Miniature Coaxial) connectors, which are very common in high-end IEMs. Their Connectors facilitate attachment of the cable into the earpieces, providing a rotating mechanism to the earpieces that allows for comfortable fitting of the earpieces into the users’ ears.
Comfort and Fit
For any IEM, comfort is important, especially if long hours of listening are anticipated. Here, Dunu EST 112 does well. The shape of the ear shells and how light the IEMs are even with the presence of metal makes it easy to insert the IEMs into the ear without any irritation or unnecessary fatigue. The design of the nozzle length and angle ensures that the nozzles fit into most ear tips.
Before going into details about ear tips, it’s worth mentioning that Dunu has included a very rich kit of ear tips in different sizes as well as materials including both silicone and foam based tips. This also means the matching of ear tips comes with comfort in wearing but also achieved in sound blocking as well as performance in producing bass from the speakers.
Dunu EST 112 Graph and Frequency Deploy Forecast
Any IEM review will always include a section that discusses and analyzes the sound signature of that IEM, and to fully appreciate the sound of the Dunu EST 112, one has to refer to the frequency response graph of the device. This graph for audiophiles is an important indicator of the performance of the IEMs depending on the frequencies.
Bass (20Hz – 250Hz)
Dynamic driver utilized in the Dunu EST 112 is utilized for the bass and that is visible in the frequency response graph. The bass in this region is also well extended to the sub bass frequencies and does not lose any clarity above the very low 40 Hz. A small bump is also present in the mid bass region (between 80 Hz and almost 200 Hz) which makes the sound signature of the EST 112 warm and punchy but still not excessively bloating the mids and highs.
What this means in practice is that the bass found in the EST 112 is manageable and rubust. It does not show signs of being excessive or other undesirable muddy boom in other IEMs taken as examples that may make music listening genres such as classical and jazz very difficult due to poor bass reproduction. It does, however have enough punch to allow listening of sounds from bass heavy genres such as hip hop and EDM.
Mids (250Hz – 4kHz)
Two balanced armature drivers are responsible for distributing the mids range of the audio spectrum; frequency response graph reveals a seamless transition from the bass response into the midrange. There’s a slight dip in the lower mids (around 500Hz) which further enhances the effect of preventing bass bleed, keeping the midrange clean and not muddy. The upper mids which range from 2kHz to 4kHz are somewhat raised in relation to the rest of the frequencies which increase the presence of the vocals and instruments.
This particular tuning however makes the EST 112 best of all for music that is rich in vocals. Both male and female vocals are reproduced with a great sense of detail and realistic tone. Other instruments like guitars, pianos, strings and so forth are also quite good with the sense of realism and space which is usually not present in IEMs of simpler drivers configurations.
Treble (4kHz – 20kHz)
In the IEM, the electrostatic driver in the EST 112 is responsible for the treble range, and this is where the implaced earphone really shows its prowess. It is an established fact that class of electrostatic drivers can typically achieve very defined and extended treble and the EST 112 is no different. The frequency response graph indicates that the received signal plummets at the beginning of the treble region disallowing the presence of excessive peaks above 20kHz.
This produces a high-end region that is light and clear with a remarkable resolution and an expansive sound stage. Other elements in the high-frequency range such as cymbals, hi-hats and other percussive sounds are adequately reproduced in the most simple terms without being harsh and sibilant. This factor makes the EST 112 very appealing for the music lovers who like the intricacy of details and a ‘breathable’ feel to their music.
Soundstage and Imaging
Another advantage of the hybrid driver configuration of the EST 112 is that it produces a wide and enveloping soundstage. The dynamic driver gives a good bass section while the balanced armature drivers and electrostatic tweeters enhance the mids and treble. This results in a soundstage that is wide and feels like it has depth, with images of instruments and vocals positioned correctly within the mix.
The imaging in the EST 112 is also on point. You can easily discern the instruments and their location in the 3D space which enhances the realism and engagement aspect. Such characteristics of the EST 112 make it great for listening to a lot of classical, jazz or even acoustic music where there is a need for wide sound dispersion and sharp images in order to enjoy the music.
Sound Isolation
The Dunu EST 112 has decent passive noise isolation primarily because of its design and the ear tips available. With the right ear tip, good noise isolation is achieved where a large degree of outside noise is kept out by the IEMs thus they can be used in places like public transport or busy offices.
Even though the EST 112 lacks an active noise cancellation feature, the passive isolation is adequate to cover most scenarios. Furthermore, the metallic body contributes in preventing any noise from escaping, thus allowing you to listen to music at a reasonable level without bothering anyone nearby.
Adding Sources while Amplifying Them
The Dunu EST 112 isn’t limited to just good quality source devices, but even sometimes amplification due to the addition of an electrostatic driver. Most portable gadgets such as a smartphone or a laptop can easily drive the EST 112, but its sound signature can be easily maximized with the use of a dedicated DAC or headphone amplifier.
The modular cable system allows different sources to be used at ease be it a single ended 3.5mm output or a balance 4.4mm connection. The sound of the EST 112 progressively improves when paired with a high-end DAC/amp, with bass that is punchy and controlled, mid range that is articulate, and treble that is airy and elongated.
Indirect Observations on other IEMs
Dunu EST 112 vs Moondrop Blessing 2
Another hybrid IEM that is affordable just like the Dunu EST 112 is Moondrop Blessing 2 which is a well-known IEM. This IEM also comes with a hybrid driver configuration, however their sound signatures are different from each other.
The Blessing 2 is more of a neutral tuning, meaning it has a lesser bass response and slightly pronounced mids. This is perfect for those who listen for midrange details while wanting a more reference oriented tuning. On the other hand, the EST 112 is more interesting and lively with respect to its tonal quality, fuller in bass and treble character with clarity, all of which is attributed to the electrostatic driver.
Dunu EST 112 vs ThieAudio Monarch MKII
The other hybrid IEM which is comparable to Dunu EST 112 in its price range and sound quality as well as driver setup is ThieAudio Monarch MKII. It is even thought to have panning capabilities that can achieve great detail while the sound is taken to great heights, however this comes with a cost that is higher than that of EST 112.
The sound profile of the Monarch MKII is tuned in a V-shape, with the bass and treble frequencies being more enhanced whereas the EST 112 has more of a flat profile. For those that enjoy more punchier and lively sounds, the Monarch MKII would most likely be their preferred option. On the other hand, if you are an individual that appreciates more realistic and rounded sound, then the EST 112 will be applicable to you most likely.
Conclusion
In the ever-expanding market of hybrid IEMs, the Dunu EST 112 stands out amongst the rest, given that it is a remarkable in-ear monitor. The combination of dynamic, balanced armature and electrostatic drivers creates a sound signature that is difficult to match. The build quality is top notch, and the presence of a modular cable system adds a lot of benefits making it an IEM that is relevant and useful in the years to come.
The sound signature of the IEM EST 112 is neutral, with the bass being tight and punchy, mids being present, and treble that does not strain the ear and reaches high notes. This allows it to fit the audiophile, the casual multi-class music listener and the musician and music analysts who crave for a wide sound stage and perfect sound localization.
There are a few however concerns regarding the EST 112. It could be considered an audiophile’s dream, but its price will probably scare off quite a lot of potential buyers. Also, this device works optimally when a good quality source or an amplifier is used. And excessive treble response may be off-putting for high-frequency sensitive individuals.
All in all, the Dunu EST 112 remains a superb hybrid IEM as it is successfully able to offer a detail-rich, balanced and versatile sound. To those who are searching for a great pair of in-ear monitors without really caring what kind of music genre does its sound signature tends to belong, the Dunu EST 112 is highly recommended. The use of advanced technology, presenting a sophisticated style and excellent sound is why it is one of the best products in the class.