Thanks to DUNU for sending me a pair for review.
Back when I got to unbox a pair of Sony IER-Z1R IEMs, I was impressed by the luxury packaging. Little did I know that DUNU planned to exceed that with their LUNA flagship IEMs. The box was so large that I could barely fit it onto my table to shoot.
Featuring a titanium shell with beryllium drivers, the LUNA IEMs are so small and light that they could have been packed neatly in a large earring box. Centred at the top of the stack of trays, they look comically tiny.
I’ve had enough pairs of IEMs arrive with carry cases, but this was the first pair that had two. Not just a small carry pouch, but a full man-bag which can contain a DAP and a bunch of accessories as required. This alongside a bunch of tips (silicon, Spinfit, and a set of foam tips in a separate bag), airline adaptor, USB A/C audio adaptor and cable adaptors.
Speaking of the cable, it uses DUNU’s cable adaptor system, allowing one cable to be re-terminated by just switching a plug. 2.5mm, 3.5mm (both regular and HFM balanced) and 4.4mm come in the box. The connector system is lovely to use, with a very precise fit of the aluminium plugs.
For such very light IEMs, the cable seems almost too thick, even though it isn’t really that thick of heavy by high-end IEM standards. Switching around cables among IEMs, I found it to be a good cable overall, with at least one other person I know buying one to use with other IEMs.
I briefly tried the included USB C dongle and found that it does the job, if not doing total justice to the LUNAs. If I realistically owned a pair, I could see myself using this dongle with the LUNAs, my iPhone a Linum Bax cable for maximum portability.
Sound Impressions
I primarily used Spinfit and Spiral Dot tips with the LUNA. My source was primarily the Chord Hugo 2 and 2go.
Describing the sound with the LUNA is tricky, as it comes across as a bit unconventional.
Depending on my mood, I sometimes found the treble a touch muted for preference (fixable by switching to wider-bore tips such as the Spiral Dots) and the upper mids a bit too forward, but only by 1-2dB. This brings instruments and vocals forward, but the treble reduction makes them feel slightly muted at the same time, lacking the last bit of sparkle that would be most ideal. Then again, for an IEM, a treble that is too strong becomes quickly fatiguing if there is outside noise mixing with the music.
The LUNA has a very punchy and detailed bass which is present enough, without being too far forward, though I can see some people wanting a bit more. While the quality is excellent, it rolls off when you get down to the low bass, something only really noticeable on tracks that have very low bass lines.
The main consequence for the tuning is that while the IEMs are very crisp and punchy in their delivery, percussion can not come through as well as it does with other IEMs, and the overall soundstage ends up sounding somewhat more narrow than with more v-shape-tuned IEMs.
So, while they are generally quite good with all music, and quite enjoyable to listen with for the most part, they aren’t the most detailed, don’t have a particularly wide soundstage, and the tuning isn’t perfect.
Music Impressions
These were taken from notes I made while comparing multiple IEMs at the same time.
Mirrors – SEED Ensemble (Spinfit tips)
The forward 4kHz (upper mid/lower treble) sound, alongside the more muted treble makes percussion sound a bit odd, and detracts from the impact from what is otherwise what is a very competent presentation. Cymbals are missing sparkle.
Micro detail isn’t as present with the A8000 and Andromeda MW10 (at least from the Hugo 2). The Sax doesn’t show itself as forward as it should towards the end.
Switching to Spiral Dot tips brings out a bit more treble, but doesn’t fundamentally change the above.
Aurora en Pekin
Tonality with Spiral Dots works well on this track with the guitar and other instruments coming through crisply and with great intensity.
Dreams – Fleetwood Mac
The weakness in the treble that affects percussion is very apparent here on what is a track that does no favors to bright IEMs. The more mid-bass and mid-range focus narrows the perceived soundstage somewhat too, compared to the slight “v” of the A8000.
Porch Swing – Trace Bundy
Crisp guitar and mid-range listening. Lovely.
Sitta – Merge of Equals
The slightly muted treble works well with this brighter track, though for preference some people might prefer more sparkle and a bit more bass. It is less thick-sounding than the Andromeda MW10 and 2020. The bass is beautifully clean and dynamic, something that the BA-bass driver IEMs can’t quite match.
Conclusion
While there are IEMs that are more technically competent and prettier looking, if I were to actually consider a pair of expensive IEMs for portable use, I’d definitely consider the DUNU LUNA. They simply did a good job of making music enjoyable, especially not being as heavy as many other IEMs. For portable use, being light-weight, and generally good-sounding with most music, I’d know I’d get enjoyment from listening with them.
