DUNU Falcon Ultra

DUNU Falcon Ultra Meteorite Titanium REVIEW: 22 YEARS OF GOODNESS​

WATCH FULL REVIEW HERE: ​

PRICE: $219​

PROS​

• Bountiful package and inclusions
• Superbly built
• Great fit and comfort
• Modular cable
• Tuning nozzles
• Very fun yet inoffensive sound signature
• Lush yet impactful and engaging bass
• Very natural sounding midrange
• Smooth yet detailed treble
• Fantastic coherency

CONS​

• MMCX connector (biased)
• Build is very scratch and fingerprint-prone
• Modular cable is a little stiff and tangle prone
• A little too smooth and safe for my tastes
• Bass lacks tactility
• Not the cleanest separation

WHO THIS SET IS FOR​

• People who want an all-rounder IEM
• People who want a well-accessorized and full package
• People who want a small yet well built and comfortable IEM
• People who want tuning versatility
• People who want modularity

WHO THIS SET ISN’T FOR​

• People who hate MMCX cables
• People who want a more engaging and tactile bass
• People who want a set that isn’t as fragile (aesthetically)
• People who want a softer cable
• People who want a technical beast

GENRES:​

• R&B
• Pop
• HipHop
• Funk
• Rock

SHORT REVIEW:​

Arguably one of the best sets to recommend for beginner audiophiles who have a little bit of cash in their pocket, the Falcon Ultra M.T. gives you everything you need and more. A complete package with all the tips, cleaning tools, and pouches you might need, a very well-built and comfortable IEM that is quite the looker, and a very safe yet fun sound that is hard to hate. It may not be a set that stands out for one single thing in terms of its sound and some might dislike some aspects like the finish and the cable, but there’s nothing about this IEM that’ll make it anything but a top recommendation. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!

FULL REVIEW:​

A trend that has been going around in Chi-FI is the many startup audio brands that promise to provide the next big audio thing. Obviously, there are industry standards that have been in the market for a few years. But with the recent boom of portable audio in general, there has been an increase in demand which means companies want to get a taste of the pie.

But unless they hire people who have worked in the industry for a while, they’re destined to just be the flavor of the month that eventually loses relevancy as fast as they get famous. But one company stands as a pioneer in not only Chi-Fi but portable audio in general. And when this company with 22 years of experience creates an update to their legendary single DD series, how would it stand against the current influx of in-ears in a very competitive market?

DISCLAIMER: The Dunu Falcon Ultra Meteorite Titanium was sent in exchange for my honest thoughts. I am eternally grateful for the opportunity. I was not paid. Rest assured, my thoughts and opinions on this product will be my own honest opinions and will not be affected by the facts beforehand.

Audio is a very subjective hobby and as much as I try to objectively explain my thoughts and opinions, your mileage will vary. My preferences will also affect how I perceive the gear that I review. Sources and other accessories will also modify your experience. Lastly, my reviews should always be used only as a guide and not as the definitive bible. Trust your ears to know what’s good.

22 YEARS.​

Obviously, I’m talking about Dunu. Dunu is one of, if not, the oldest “Chi-Fi” brands in the market today. They’ve been making OEMs since 1994 and finally established in 2002 to become the Chi-Fi giant they are today. They’ve released some very iconic in-ears like the Falcon, Titan, and SA6 series of IEMs over the years that have gained popularity amongst audiophiles. I personally knew about them with the Titan S, the alleged “Heart Mirror upgrade” that caught my attention for claiming such a bold statement. So how does this Falcon soar against the competition? Let’s find out!

UNBOXING​

One of the first things that stood out to me with the Falcon Ultra M.T. was how mesmerizing the box is. It’s this pearlescent finish that just looks stunning under any lighting condition. But it only gets better because by opening the box and laying out all the accessories, you get arguably one of the best value packages in an IEM ever.

Here is the full list of inclusions:

• Dunu Falcon Ultra M.T IEMs
• MMCX modular cable
• 3 Pairs of Dunu Candy eartips
• 3 Pairs of Olive Grey Eartips
• 3 Pairs of Basic Blue Silicone EArtips
• 5 pairs of Dunu S&S
• Cleaning tool
• 4.4mm Modular Jack
• 3.5mm to 6.35mm Adaptor
• Protective pouch
• Removable nozzle
• Carrying pouch
• Cleaning cloth
• Paperwork

I’m stunned, I’m speechless, I’m absolutely overwhelmed with the amount of accessories that Dunu provided with the Falcon Ultra. And they’re not high-quantity, low-quality accessories either.



The case is very big and spacious and has a slot big enough to put a small DAP or a dongle DAC inside as well as webbed netting to put other accessories.


You also get a protective pouch for your IEMs. Not a case, but actual tiny pouches for each earpiece.






You also get probably the best set of eartips you can ever get in a package. The Dunu S&S and Candy eartips. I’ve expressed my love for the S&S for quite a while and the fact that you get 5 pairs here is absolute insanity. The Candy eartips are like a mini Spinfit that fits and seals really well for most IEMs. The other eartips are pretty basic but they’re still very welcome.




You also get cleaning tools, modular nozzles, and a freaking studio 6.35mm adaptor. It’s insane. I thought the TRN Conch and Zhulinniao Qingluan had insanely good value for the money in terms of the overall package, only for the Falcon Ultra Titanium to basically define what value is.

BUILD & FIT​

And if you thought they did all that to skimp out on the build, you’re absolutely mistaken. This thing is not only beautiful but very well built and comfortable.

Starting with the internals, the Falcon Ultra M.T. features their “patented” 2nd generation ECLIPSƎ Architecture and Ring-Type Magnet Assembly with Ultra-High Magnetic Flux Density 10.7mm Dynamic Driver. Quite the mouthful, like the SPDGM of SImgot. And just like the Simgot, this thing packs quite the punch in terms of sound (which we’ll talk more about later).



As for the aesthetics, this thing is absolutely gorgeous. A full titanium finish aluminum alloy shell that puts some flagship IEMs to shame. Such a unique, clean yet very attractive-looking construction surely makes this one of the most distinct-looking IEMs in the market. And the fact that this also features interchangeable nozzles only adds to the value proposition that this thing has and it’s absolutely amazing.



My only gripe would honestly be the MMCX connector. Don’t get me wrong, it’s a great connector compared to other MMCX IEMs and actually feels like it’ll last. But I’ve had far too many bad experiences with MMCX connectors for me to feel confident that that’ll last years of cable rolling.



Thankfully, the cable is quite good. It’s a little stiff and I’m really not a fan of the material as it feels a little rough, but the overall construction is very premium and features a pretty solid modular system that Dunu has used in other IEMs. It’s not as secure as Q-Lock, but Q-Lite feels secure enough to last a couple of modular changes. I don’t like how tangle-prone the cable is, but it feels durable enough not to feel like it’d break itself by tangling. But speaking of tangling, the stuff causes tangles to be quite a common occurence.

As for fit, this is probably one of the most comfortable small IEMs I’ve ever worn. Seriously, its shape perfectly contours my ear which I not usually common with these kinds of IEMs. I have 0 complaints about the fitting of this thing and the seal is also really really good because of that. It’s genuinely the perfect fitting IEM hands down.

SOUND​

Note: Due to the Falcon Ultra having 2 different tuning nozzles, I will be talking about the stock nozzle (Red Ring) in this review and compare it with the blue ring nozzle in its own section

Sound Signature​

The Falcon Ultra features U-Shaped sound signature that is genuinely one of the best timbres in any single DD IEMs I’ve heard. From bass all the way to the treble, I found the sound to be in perfect harmony with each other with the rich, powerful and soothing bass, warm, enveloping midrange and the energetic yet smooth treble presentation.

Source Pairing​

The Falcon Ultra is a VERY easy-to-drive pair of in-ears with a sensitivity of 108db and impedance of 18ohms. However, it’s also a very good scaler when using better, cleaner sources. The bass texture, as well as treble detail, is improved drastically when going from lower-quality sources to higher-quality sources, so I highly recommend pairing this with something good. Particularly, something more neutral and cleaner rather than warmer and smoother. I personally enjoyed using the HiBy R4 with this as it cleaned up the overall sound really well without inducing too much warmth. However, the Topping DX1 did improve bass dynamics CONSIDERABLY at the cost of treble definition

Bass​

When we talk about dynamic driver IEMs, we often expect the bass to sound fantastic. Well, the Falcon Ultra is the perfect definition of how bass should be tuned on a dynamic driver IEM. The bass is genuinely just right with a good balance of subbass and midbass. There’s a little bit more midbass emphasis, so there’s more punch rather than deep subbass rumble. However, the rumble is present when the track calls for it. It’s a very soothing, warm, and thick bass that unfortunately lacks a little bit of texture for my liking. However, it’s a very well-balanced overall bass presentation and I could forgive the lack of texture for how well it transitions into the lower mids.

Listening to Childish Gambino’s Album, “Awaken My Love” was quite the treat with that thick, meaty and rich bass perfectly complimenting the very soulful and groovy tracks. The track Redbone sounds particularly fantastic due to how smooth yet punchy the bass sounds where it was straddling between sounding muddy and being just perfectly warm.

Mids​

In theory, the mids of the Falcon Ultra should suffer due to the rather big bass emphasis and the forward upper mids that I’ll be talking about later. However, listening to it is a completely different story as the harmony of the lower mids to the upper mids is absolutely fantastic. The rich lower mids oozes with richness thanks to the midbass emphasis while the forward yet inoffensive upper mids sound euphonic thanks to the contrast in the lower frequencies. Obviously, this is not a midcentric set in any way. Lower male vocals aren’t the most nuanced or textured as the note weight can get a little too heavy and can mush up the details and mids can suffer in more complex tracks. The upper mids might also be a little bit too forward sounding on mid-forward tracks, but never to the point of shoutiness.

Listening to Amateurish’s album called, “a gentle reminder to rest” on the track Turbulence, the mids have perfect harmony with the bass guitar offering a very rich and smooth sound that envelops your ears in such a thick and bodied bass presentation with the electric guitars and percussive instruments in the upper frequencies offering a very satisfying level of nuance without getting harsh. The only thing that suffers is the midrange definition during the busier parts, especially nearing the end of the track where the ensemble comes together and somewhat drowns out some of the vocals and instruments.

Treble​

The treble of the Falcon Ultra perfectly compliments the warmer tuning of the IEM by slightly boosting the lower treble to compliment the lower mids being quite prominent. This allows the treble to sparkle without sounding edgy, harsh or sibilant. This ends up with the treble being some of the most natural sounding I’ve heard without sounding dark or dull in any way whatsoever. I honestly cannot think of any major flaws with the treble of the Falcon Ultra besides it sounding very safe. Normally I prefer a more sparkly and more energetic treble with better transients and nuance, but I can also see that it really would not fit. It’s not the most airy-sounding set, but its resolving ability is fantastic.

Probably the best way to show how the treble of the Falcon Ultra compliments the bass is with the track Ghost by Chon. The thicker, more emphasized low end is perfectly balanced with the sparkly, snappy yet inoffensive treble of the Falcon Ultra. It offers a decent amount of microdetails without overdoing it. Attack of the cymbals and hi-hats are represented with such finesse and smoothness that perfectly harmonizes with the lower frequencies.

Technicalities:​

I have to admit, the Falcon Ultra really isn’t the most technical-sounding set you can get at this price range. It’s technically capable, don’t get me wrong. But it’s fundamentally a musical IEM where it focuses on providing a rich and soothing listening experience that affects the cleanliness and separation of instruments. However, it’s no slouch as, despite the warmth, it’s still capable of making more complex tracks sound listenable. Probably the best thing about the Falcon Ultra’s technicalities is the imaging and head stage. The depth thanks to the bass paired with the competent resolving ability makes the Falcon Ultra a very immersive and nearly holographic listening experience. Tactility and transients are decently defined, but nothing mind-blowing.

REAL WORLD USAGE:​

Casual Use​

I’m going to say it now, the Falcon Ultra is probably the best casual use IEMs that I’ve ever used hands down. The combination of a comfortable, lightweight fit and a very safe yet fun sound makes this the perfect partner for long listening sessions. Movies sound fantastic with the thicker low end giving a very punchy sound without drowning the dialogue in the midrange and you can appreciate the small details in the sound design with the complimentary forward treble presentation. My only gripe would be the cable, but that’s something you can replace for a better (and probably cheaper) one.

Gaming Use​

Just like movies, gaming is absolutely fantastic on these. Not the best gaming set I’ve heard hands down, but the combination of sound and fit made these some of the best I’ve used when playing multiple games of Valorant. The thick lower mids paired with the forward upper mids brighten out both the footsteps and the sharper sounds while separating them really well. It’s also perfect for immersive games like Sky: The Children of The Light where the orchestral tones perfectly blend with the ambient sounds.

COMPARISONS:​

vs Simgot EA1000​

Let’s go straight up with my favorite IEM of all time. The Falcon Ultra is a smoother, safer more soothing IEM to listen to overall while the EA1000 is more technical, more detailed and more tactile sounding. I still personally prefer the EA1000 due to my treblehead and tactile bass preference, but the Falcon Ultra competes quite closely with the EA1000 as it’s essentially better for people who are sensitive to treble and couldn’t handle the hotness of the EA1000

vs Orivetti OD200​

Two very similar-sounding sets with a focus on warmth and musicality, the Falcon Ultra is ahead in every single department in my opinion. The OD200’s bass sounds more bloated which makes the vocals sound more recessed and distant. The treble is also considerably darker with the air region sounding more rolled off. The OD200’s darker sound makes it smoother and soothing on longer listening sessions, but I personally would rather listen to the Falcon Ultra any day.

vs HiBy x F.Audio Project Ace​

The Project Ace and Falcon Ultra initially have very similar sound signatures. Where they begin to deviate however is the fine details. The bass is more tactile on the Project Ace while the Falcon Ultra has more quantity and smoothness. The mids are more linear on the Project Ace while the Falcon Ultra is more open. The big difference is in the treble. The Falcon Ultra is CONSIDERABLY smoother sounding in the treble compared to the Project Ace. Technically speaking, the Project Ace is better

vs Simgot EA2000​

The EA2000 has a considerably more technical, dynamic, and textured overall sound but worse timbre and tuning compared to the Falcon Ultra. The massive peak on the EA2000 makes it a considerably more offensive-sounding IEM overall despite its technical superiority.

CONCLUSION​

22 years of experience allows a company to create something that sounds so natural and effortless in a price range that usually rewards those who try to do something weird or revolutionary. And while you may argue that the Eclipse tech they flaunt in their driver is the “revolutionary” tech, the Falcon Pro is a fundamentally good IEM by nature.



It’s not a set that claims to be the best in the price, nor does it try to be competitive. Instead, the Falcon Pro just does everything right. From the unboxing experience with the treasure trove of accessories all the way to the very safe, easy-to-love, and fun sound. The Falcon Ultra has all the makings for a very easy recommendation. After my personal experience with the Falcon Ultra, I can wholeheartedly say that this is probably the best beginner-friendly IEM in the market today. And if you want a safe-sounding, well-accessorized, comfortable, and well-built IEM, then the Dunu Falcon Ultra Meteorite Titanium is the best IEM to get right now.

Thank you for reading my review of the Dunu Falcon Ultra Meteorite Titanium. If you would like to order one, consider using the non-affiliated link below:
https://www.aliexpress.us/item/1005...1752959.1005006864808202&gatewayAdapt=glo2usa

Dunu Falcon Ultra Titanium review and comparisons.

I would like to thank Dunu for sending me these beautiful in-ear monitor (IEM) earphones for a review. Dunu never told me what I could or could not say, and there is no money gain on my part. You can rest assured that this review will be truthful according to my perception.

I've been listening to music on earphones for more than 30 years now, and I find Dunu to be one of the oldest audio companies that are still operating today. Dunu, based in China, has always been, for me, a middle- to high-end company that produces high-class and high-quality IEMs at longer than usual intervals between product releases compared to other brands. I've never seen Dunu products that are cheap or poor in quality, and as you can see in the measurement graph that I did (see photo), the channel balance between the left and the right is impeccable; it is practically perfect, a testament to a high production quality standard.

Note: This newly released Dunu Falcon Ultra Titanium grey edition (220 USD) is exactly the same internally as the older Klein blue version; only the color and finish are different, as I was told.




Fit and comfort:

The Dunu Falcon Ultra Ti is a small, mid-sized IEM that doesn't protrude outside the ears so much that sleeping with it is very possible. The parts towards the nozzle don't touch the outer part of my ear canal, so it doesn't cause discomfort during long listening sessions.

Nozzles:

There are two sets of nozzles included: one is gold, and the other, which is the one pre-installed, is silver. I tried the gold nozzle, but I highly prefer the silver nozzle because it sounds more dynamic and fits my taste better, so this review will be based on the silver nozzles.

Eartips and cable:

The eartips included are one of the best because they include one of my favorite tips, which is highly regarded and known to have excellent sound: the Dunu S&S eartips. It also includes another highly regarded tip, the Dunu Candy tips, as well as two other kinds of tips that also sound and feel excellent. I tried other brands of eartips, but I found the included tips optimal for best sound with the Dunu Falcon Ultra Ti. However, good as they may be, I still find the ePro EP00 tips better; they sound tonally similar to the Dunu S&S eartips but with more defined imaging. So, I used the ePro EP00 eartips for this review.

The modular cable included is good and doesn't tangle easily; it seems to sound good, but I haven't connected it to other cables because I have no other MMCX cables yet. I will upgrade the cable in the future.



Synergy:

The Dunu Falcon Ultra Ti is very sensitive to the sources' own sound signature; be careful when paring it with an ESS Sabre Dac chip source as it can sound very analytical, as in the case with my Fiio M15s. I like it, but some people may not. I tried it with my other Dac/amps such as the Moondrop Moonriver2, Dawn Pro, Topping G5, and Hidizs S9 Pro Plus Martha. They all sound good, but my favorite sound of all is with the Hidizs S9 Pro Plus Martha, as this pairing has the best balance between details and musicality.

Sensitivity and drivability:

The Dunu Falcon Ultra Ti is very easy to drive and has above-average sensitivity. It is easily driven by small dongle DAC/amps and goes very loud with a modest volume setting. I give it two thumbs up for this.

Power handling and distortion:

The Dunu Falcon Ultra Ti can take a lot of power and can go very loud without obvious distortion, more so than most sets; it is highly recommended for loud listeners. I give it an A class status for power handling. This is proof that the drivers employed are of very high quality.

Sound signature, timbre, and resolution:

The Dunu Falcon Ultra Ti has a slightly bright and natural timbre, and depending on the eartips used, it has a slightly V-shaped to slightly U-shaped sound signature. It is also very revealing and sometimes unforgiving of the quality of the recordings. The resolving capability is excellent.

Sound staging, imaging and holography:

It has above-average spherical sound stage size, and with the ePro EP00 eartips, the imaging and holography are superb; it can project sound from near to far and sometimes from behind; and the left to right instrument panning performance is seamless. The Dunu Falcon Ultra Ti is the best single DD IEM I have heard in these regards, but I haven't heard them all, so you may take this with a grain of salt.

To give you an example, on the music mix called Chillhop Essentials · Spring 2024 [chill relaxing beats/llofi hiphop] that you can search on YouTube, starting at the 50 minutes and 25 second mark, I can hear a very realistic bird chirping sound coming from 10 feet behind me with above six feet of elevation.

Dynamics:

The vibrant dynamics of the Dunu Falcon Ultra Ti are what caught my attention right away; the Falcon Ultra Ti is consistently energetic throughout the whole audio frequency range.

Vocals:

Excellent, especially the female vocals, which are really clear and natural. The vocals have great intensity when they are in the recording, and male voices are also great. This is an excellent IEM for vocal lovers.




Bass:

It has one of the best neutral-head bass I have heard among the 30+ IEMs that I own, including the more expensive ones. It's not for bassheads; it's for people who don't like to have excessive bass sound in their music and who value neutrality, such as myself.

The bass is slightly boosted with a balanced sub-bass and mid-bass presence; it sounds very detailed and articulate; it is neither dry nor boomy. When a passage with excellent sub-bass presents itself, the Dunu Falcon Ultra can go from 0 to 60 in an instant; the sub-bass transient response is very fast with superb depth, but on tracks with normal bass, you won't suspect that this IEM is capable of such performance; the bass only goes loud when need be. I feel that this is due to the excellent dynamic drivers employed and, of course, the tuning.

To give you an example, on the music mix called Chillhop Essentials· Spring 2024 [chill relaxing beats/llofi hiphop], which is the same example I have given in the Sound staging, imaging, and holography section and can be searched on YouTube, the song at the 52 minutes and 10 second mark, the Dunu Falcon Ultra, has no problem reproducing the sub-bass, as well as other sub-bass in some Rap and other electronic music songs I listened to. But keep in mind that this is not a bass-head-tuned set, but for a neutral-head like me, the bass is perfect.



Midrange:

Neutral with excellent accuracy and clarity, it's neither thick nor thin and sounds very clean, but be aware that this has a pinna gain that peaks at 3 KHz but is not high enough to make it fatiguing. Pinna gain in IEMs is necessary to make them sound as natural as speakers with flat frequency response sound; it also helps IEMs achieve very good imaging, sound staging, and holography, and the Dunu Falcon Ultra has those in spades. Overall, the midrange sounds very natural, and there are no sudden jumps in the response like shoutiness or distortion. The midrange is never fatiguing and is very well mannered.

Treble:

Clean, clear, detailed, and slightly boosted, with very good macro and micro details. The upper treble is very extended and smooth and doesn't sound like it needs the help of another driver that would act as a tweeter. I hear no obvious driver diaphragm break-up distortion, unlike other IEMs with lesser quality drivers. Again, a good indication of how good the drivers are on the Dunu Falcon Ultra Ti.



Comparisons:

I will be focusing mostly on sound quality to make this section as concise as possible, and I will be comparing it to IEMs with different price brackets. If there are aspects of sound quality I didn't mention, it means I have no issues with those particular aspects, or it could also mean I forgot to. I'm not perfect, you know. I intend to guide the readers in the right direction and not waste their hard-earned money.

Compared to Simgot EA1000 (220 USD):

The Simgot EA1000 is a direct competitor to the Dunu Falcon Ultra Ti; both have the same driver configuration and price; they have similar tuning; and the quality of the drivers used on both is also similar. I use the default silver nozzle and ePro EP00 tips on the EA1000.

I find the bass on the Dunu Falcon Ultra to be slightly superior to the Simgot EA1000's bass, it has a little more sub-bass, and a tighter, punchier, and more detailed mid-bass, but again, only slightly so. On casual and non-critical listening, I find the difference to be subtle and almost negligible.

The midrange on both is equally clean and clear, but the Dunu Falcon Ultra Ti has slightly more energy in the upper midrange than the Simgot EA1000, making the EA1000 sound more relaxed in the midrange, but again, only slightly so, and due to the Falcon Ultra Ti having slightly more energy in the upper midrange, it has better imaging, details, and holography.


The treble on both has about the same boost or elevation, but I find the upper treble on the Simgot EA1000 to be a smidge more enegetic. I can hear more fine sparkles on the EA1000, but the difference is really small. On the other hand, I find there is slightly more clarity and immediacy on the overall treble with the Dunu Falcon Ultra.

They have similar soundstage sizes, but the presentation of the Dunu Falcon Ultra Ti is slightly more forward and three-dimensional.

If you already have the Simgot EA1000, is it worth getting the Dunu Falcon Ultra Ti too? No, and vice versa, as they perform equally well and sound equally good, the differences are small.

If I had to choose only one, which one would it be? It'd be the Dunu Falcon Ultra Ti for me; I like it more because of the punchier bass, the better imaging and holography, and the overall clarity. In the Simgot EA1000's defense, it has a more easy-going sound that is more forgiving and relaxed. But again, the differences between the two are small.



Compared to the Xenns Mangird Top (530 USD):

The Xenns Mangird Top is a hybrid IEM consisting of one dynamic driver and eight balanced armature drivers for the midrange and treble for each channel.

The Xenns Mangird Top has more fine micro details and better imaging, holography, and sound stage, but the Dunu Falcon Ultra Ti is not far behind, and when it comes to the bass, I find the Falcon Ultra Ti to be better. The Xenns Mangird Top has a louder bass but could sound detached at times. The bass on the Falcon Ultra Ti is very coherent. I also find that in terms of consistency, the Xenns Top sounds more bassy at low volumes and becomes brighter at high volumes. This can be caused by the different kinds of drivers behaving differently at different volumes, but I never had that issue with the Dunu Falcon Ultra Ti.

They are equally capable of handling a lot of power and delivering loud sounds without obviously distorting.

Whether you want coherency or more details with less coherency is essentially what determines which one to pick.



Compared to the Hidizs MP145 (150 USD):

One of my favorites, the single-planar IEM Hidizs MP145, offers sound quality and tuning comparable to much more costly sets.Compared to the Dunu Falcon Ultra Ti, the MP145 is warmer-sounding with elevated midbass, recessed upper midrange, and an energetic upper treble. The MP145 has more micro-details in the upper treble too. On the other hand, the Falcon Ultra sounds more accurate overall, has more immediacy in transient attacks, has clearer details due to its more forward presentation, and for me, has better vocals. The MP145 has a bigger soundstage, but the Falcon Ultra has better holography.


Compared to Kinera Celest PhoenixCall (120 USD):

Another favorite of mine, the PhoenixCall, is a tribrid IEM with a micro-planar driver for the upper treble, balanced armatures for the treble, and a dynamic driver for the bass and midrange.

Due to its driver configuration and V-shaped tuning, the PhonenixCall has more fine-sounding micro details, a more illuminated treble, and a warmer-sounding bass. On the other hand, the Falcon Ultra Ti has more accurate sound across the audible frequency range, a deeper sub-bass, and better imaging, holography, and vocals.



Compared to Moondrop Starfield 2 (100 USD):

The Dunu Falcon Ultra Ti is a direct upgrade to the Moondrop Starfield 2. If you own a Moondrop Starfield 2, you know how good it is at imaging and holography, yet the overall sound lacks polish. Well, the Falcon Ultra Ti is a refined version of that. It has all the positives but none of the drawbacks, with the exception of the price..

Compared to other less expensive IEMs such as:
Simgot EA500, Mondrop May, Moondrop Lan and Kinera Celest Pandamon.

These are very good-sounding sets for their price range, and I highly recommend them if you are on that budget. But if you are looking for a real upgrade to these and have the funding, just get the Dunu Falcon Ultra Ti if you are already on the fence. I said this because I see so many people asking for upgrades to their good-sounding budget sets like those mentioned, and then people would suggest another budget set that has similar, if not worse, performance than what they already have. What I'm trying to say is that if you want a true upgrade, you have to spend more money rather than wasting it on side grades, though not necessarily on the Dunu Falcon Ultra Ti.



Pros:

+ spherical sound stage
+ imaging and holography
+ high-power handing
+ high sensitivity
+ high volume capability
+ excellent vocals
+ shell design

Cons:

- perhaps the MMCX connectors...
- Sonically, none that I can think of for the price.


To wrap it up:

I have nothing but praise for the Dunu Falcon Ultra Ti. It performs on par with more expensive sets; for me, it has a flagship level of performance. The excellent vocal performance and engaging dynamics only add to its excellent tuning. I highly recommend this if you are a vocals lover and/or want a near-neutral-sounding IEM. Thanks for reading! Cheers!

4-29-2024

This is my first review guys, so go easy on me.

Note: This review is based on the included blue nozzle.

Introduction:

DUNU has long been synonymous with premium sound quality and craftsmanship in the audiophile world, and their latest offering, the Falcon Ultra, continues this tradition. This review will explore its design, accessories, and most importantly, its sound performance.

Design and Build:

The Falcon Ultra boasts a sleek and premium design with earpieces made of high-quality stainless steel. The earpieces sit almost flush against your ears, providing a comfortable fit ideal for extended listening sessions. The use of Patented Catch-Hold MMCX Connectors adds to the durability and security of the design, ensuring a reliable connection.


Accessories:

DUNU has set a new standard with the Falcon Ultra's accessories. The package includes a luxurious zipper case, a variety of ear tips including DUNU candy and S&S tips, interchangeable tuning nozzles, and a DUW-02 PRO cable with Q-Lock LITE system that allows for easy swapping between 3.5mm and 4.4mm jacks. The attention to detail and practicality of the accessories enhance the overall unboxing experience and value proposition of the Falcon Ultra.




Sound Quality:

The Falcon Ultra delivers a sound signature that is both engaging and enjoyable, leaning slightly towards a fun and dynamic presentation rather than neutrality.

Bass Performance:

The bass response of the Falcon Ultra is a standout feature, offering a rich and impactful low-end that adds depth and energy to the music. The bass is visceral and impactful, providing a solid foundation to the music. The sub-bass extension is excellent, providing a visceral and immersive listening experience. Despite the emphasis on the mid-bass, the Falcon Ultra maintains a detailed and satisfying bass response.

Midrange and Vocal Performance:

The midrange of the Falcon Ultra is beautifully balanced, with a slight emphasis that adds warmth and richness to vocals and instruments. Male vocals benefit from the added warmth, giving them a full-bodied and intimate quality. The upper midrange is smooth and natural, adding a sense of realism to female vocals and instruments. The synergy between the bass and midrange creates a cohesive and engaging sound signature that is a pleasure to listen to.


Treble Performance:

The treble of the Falcon Ultra is finely tuned, offering a balanced and extended high-frequency response that adds detail and air to the sound signature. The treble presentation is smooth and well-controlled, avoiding harshness or sibilance. High-frequency nuances are rendered with precision, allowing for a truly immersive listening experience.

Imaging and Soundstage:

The Falcon Ultra's imaging is precise, with instruments and vocals placed accurately within the soundstage. The soundstage is intimate, with sounds surrounding you in a close and engaging manner. This, combined with the enjoyable vocals, impressive low end, and lack of harshness, makes the Falcon Ultra a truly enjoyable IEM.



Comparison of Nozzles:

The Falcon Ultra comes with interchangeable tuning nozzles, including blue and gold-plated brass options. The blue nozzles offer a more balanced sound signature with a focus on detail across all frequencies with a mid-bass emphasis. However, switching to the gold nozzles results in a noticeable change in sound. The gold nozzles reduce the upper midrange and treble, resulting in a smoother, more laid-back sound. While this tuning enhances the bass presence, it can make vocals feel more distant and the overall presentation less engaging. The focus shifts entirely to the mid-bass, which may appeal to listeners seeking a warmer, more relaxed sound but may not suit those looking for a more balanced sound..



Comparison to Moondrop Kato:

Compared to the Moondrop Kato, the Falcon Ultra offers more bass and a more engaging sound signature. The Falcon Ultra adds warmth to vocals, making them more exciting, while the Kato has slightly leaner vocals. The Falcon Ultra's soundstage is more intimate compared to the Kato's slightly wider soundstage. In terms of accessories and build quality, the Falcon Ultra comes out ahead with its interchangeable cable and a wider selection of ear tips.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, the DUNU Falcon Ultra is a standout performer in the mid-fi IEM market, offering exceptional sound quality, premium design, and a comprehensive accessory package. It sets a new benchmark in its price range and is a top contender for anyone looking for a high-quality, engaging listening experience.