Les talos on pris une rouste par "Practiphile" sur son groupe facebook...
DUNU TALOS
DISLCLAIMER:
These are Timmy Vangtan's set.
Audition was done at E-earphones Nihonbashi Osaka. Attached tips were used.
These are very short listening sessions. Probably about 10-15 minutes. Please bear in mind that my impressions might not be accurate. My ears have been biased by my staple sets and the pair I was using before this test. Take this short impression with a grain of salt. Please..
Also, since this is only auditioned, please take my impressions with caution. My rank could be higher or lower had I owned the set.
COMFORT and BUILD:
Build is really good and premium. It feels expensive. Dunu does not disappoint. Comfortable on my ears too! I like the fit a lot!
Cable is fine haha
SOUND PROFILE:
Neutral. My kind of neutral. Its not so bassy and not bright. I also can't call it balanced because I thought there were no boosted frequencies. This is already a 3 in my tuning even for $200.
Bass is not elevated yet has good texture. It is pretty linear and I never heard any muddiness or whatnot. Call it flat or lean, bass notes are still well resolved. This is not really for bassheads and people who prefers bass might find this unenganging. But for me, it is smooth without making the mids too lean.
Mids are clean and clear. I did not find it lean as I mentioned. Vocals are forward in presentation and are not thin for my ears in both male and female. Instruments sounded dry at times,probably because of its signature, but nothing distracting. I cant help but be reminded of k64 earbuds for the mids. If uve heard of it, its pretty close.
Highs arent as airy as S12 but safely tuned. Quite nice actually. Resonance on cymbal strikes sounded natural and not as splashy as other planars. I didnt notice any peaks. This is the most natural treble presentation I have heard from any planar. Not extended but natural for my ears.
Technicalities are good too! Well it's a planar and its made by DUNU. Even if treble isn't that forward, Talos is still a very detailed set. Resolution is good, probably a little above ZETIAN or around the level of S12. Only that S12 is more airy and harmonics might be too bossted for someon's preference. Layering and separstion is great. I mean this is cheaper than Hook X. Stage is intimate because of the lack of air but has food proportions. Good layering and depth.
BA TUNING ON:
I will be straight, It did not last a minute on my ears and gave them back to Timmy. He might even saw me squinting my whole face lol..
They are borderline unlistenable for me. I get it, they become "detailed" and airy, but at the same time, it becomes very spicy and harsh. Harsher than Heart Mirror if you find them harsh. I dunno, I am confused how to rate this.
PLANAR MODE PROS
linear bass response but resolving
leaner bass
mids are cleaner and vocals are more forward
treble is safe but still sparkly
good techs still, good detail
PLANAR MODE CONS
bass might be too lean for some
some people might look for more air
intimate stage
HYBRID MODE PROS
detailed? Airy? I dunno haha
I cant think of any
I really cant..
HYBRID CONS
harsher on hybrid mode
unlistenable for me on hybrid mode. It might actually work if the bass has more quantity. But since the shelf is less to begin with, you be the judge..
P.P SCORE PLANAR MODE= 12.5 (A RANK, generally better than other sets. Very good for the price but the tonality might not match your preferences)
TUNING - 3
BASS - 2.5
MIDS - 2
TREBLE - 2.5
TECHS - 2.5
P.P SCORE HYBRID MODE = 9 (C RANK, can be recommended but with caution. Modding might be involved)
TUNING - 1
BASS - 2
MIDS - 2
TREBLE - 1.5
TECHS - 2.5
Check my scoring here :
FINAL THOUGHTS:
What can I say, A BIG 残念 (ZANNEN)!!! In Japanese it means like "that's a pity" in the context that it could actually be better.
I personally think this is such a waste. This is a potential top performer had it been priced lower without the tuning switch for BA. Like really.. Or maybe lower down that BA peak if they want to keep it.
Nonetheless, I still think the PLANAR MODE sounds good. Great tuning, great sound, great techs. But for $199 and an unusable switch, at least for me, I'd be thinking hard especially with the options I have now..
GEAR and TRACKS:
I used my shanling M3x, UAPP player. I did not finish every track. Probably 2 mins at most. I just have to check what I was looking for in a song. Timbre, harshness, texture, treble details, resolution, etc.
-Unwell, Matchbox 20
-Under my umbrella, Incubus
-Hi spring bye, IU
-Playing God, Polyphia
-The worst, Polyphia
-We've just begun, Sinne Eeg
-Good Mystery, Amber Rubarth
-Letter, Yosi Horikawa
-Amore, Babymetal
-Here without you, 3 doors down
).
