Priced around $1,350, the Dunu Glacier is a premium nine-driver tribrid IEM featuring one dynamic driver, four balanced armatures, and four electrostatic drivers. The build quality is exceptional with a beautiful mirrored polished steel shell, though it's noted as a bit large, heavy, and a fingerprint magnet. Comfort is generally good, and it includes a high-quality, pliable cable with interchangeable connectors and a secure chin slider. Packaging is also highlighted as exceedingly well done, typical of Dunu's recent standards.

Sonically, the Glacier delivers a very bassy, extremely fun, and highly engaging V-shaped signature. The strong bass is balanced by prominent upper mids, offering good detail resolution and micro-details. However, a noticeable energy peak around 3kHz can make some tracks feel overly energetic, intimate, or even slightly shouty, limiting its versatility for mellower listening sessions. Comparisons place it near sets like the LETSHUOER Tera (less bass, cleaner) and ThieAudio Monarch MK I (less bass, more even upper mids), while noting it surpasses the Dunu Brain Dance (DK-31) in detail and bombast, though the Brain Dance offers significant value at half the price.

Ultimately, the Dunu Glacier stands out as a fantastic and unique IEM with satisfying bass weight, good imaging, and excellent micro-details. Its fun, bombastic character and high-quality build make it a compelling choice, but the specific upper-mid energy requires careful consideration. It earns a recommendation for those seeking an ultra-engaging Harman-style listen with top-tier driver tech, though demoing is advised due to its distinct tonal quirks.

The Dunu Glacier stands as the brand's latest flagship tribrid IEM, priced around $1,350. Its standout feature is its adherence to the Harman target curve, a rarity at this level, executed with notable success. The Glacier boasts exceptional build quality, featuring polished 904L stainless steel shells that feel substantial and genuinely premium, justifying its price tag aesthetically. It comes loaded with accessories, including a plethora of ear tips (like the Candy and new clear Dunu Lunnies) and a large carry case, though the case design is noted as slightly awkward. The included cable is thick, well-made, and features Dunu's signature swappable terminations (3.5mm and 4.4mm included), though its ear hooks are somewhat loose and the chin cinch doesn't hold perfectly.

Sonically, the Glacier delivers a contrasty, V-shaped signature true to Harman but avoids the thinness sometimes associated with that target, thanks to extra bass emphasis. The bass is a major highlight – big, impactful, deep, well-textured, and satisfyingly clean with zero bleed into the mids. The treble is forward yet remarkably smooth, avoiding sharpness or sibilance. While technically proficient with good imaging and a strong sense of depth (especially from the bass), it leans slightly more towards contrast than nuanced micro-detail, particularly in the mid-range. Compared to rivals like the 64 Audio U4s (more mid-focused, warmer, laid-back) and the Dunu Mirai (brighter, most mid-focused, wider stage but less satisfying bass and slightly digital/scratchier treble), the Glacier excels in bass impact and separation, smoothness, and depth perception, while the others might appeal more for pure mid-range focus.

Overall, the Dunu Glacier is a highly refined IEM with no glaring weaknesses. Its excellent build, satisfying Harman-tuned sound (especially the standout bass and smooth treble), and competitive technicalities make it a compelling option in the flagship tier. While its weight and aggressive shell molding might cause minor comfort issues when lying down, and the ear hooks could be tighter, it earns a very solid four-star rating for delivering a premium experience that largely justifies its cost and successfully champions the Harman target.

The Dunu Glacier delivers an extraordinary premium experience right from the unboxing, featuring a lavish presentation, a massive high-quality fabric cable with interchangeable terminations, and hand-polished stainless steel earpieces that feel substantial and expensive. Despite the controversial MMCX connectors, the cable and fit are praised, complemented by a ton of accessories including multiple ear tip types, a leather case, and even a brush. This is Dunu’s flagship effort at $1300, and the physical presentation screams luxury.

Sonically, the Glacier is a revelation with a massive, immersive soundstage that places instruments at a distance, creating a surround-like experience rather than an in-your-head assault. The tuning is remarkably relaxed and natural, prioritizing smoothness and spatial depth over aggression. Tracks with atmospheric elements or live recordings become breathtaking, revealing layers of echo and venue acoustics that feel expansive and holographic. This isn’t hyper-detailed or clinical; it’s chill, luxurious, and emotionally resonant, making even familiar music feel newly captivating.

Compared to competitors like the Thieaudio Prestige Limited or Monarch MkIII, the Glacier carves its own niche with its unparalleled sense of space and effortless presentation. It doesn’t compete on technical aggression but instead offers a transportive, almost spiritual listening experience. If you crave an endgame IEM that emphasizes grandeur, natural tonality, and pure musical immersion over analytical prowess, the Glacier is a jaw-dropping contender. Just be prepared for its unique, room-filling signature—it’s less an in-ear monitor and more a portal.

The Thieaudio Monarch MK IV presents two distinct tuning options, elevating its versatility. The balanced switch delivers a clean, smooth, and slightly airy presentation, offering a refined all-rounder sound that's very detailed, well-layered, and resolving – essentially a direct upgrade to predecessors like the Monarch MK3 and Top Pro, with slightly more treble detail and air. Conversely, the bass switch provides a significantly fuller, warmer low end with punchy, well-textured bass and a tamer upper midrange, addressing criticisms of thinness in earlier models and offering a specialized, engaging listen for bass-heavy genres.

Technically, the MK IV sits comfortably in the $1,000 tier, offering a slight bump in detail retrieval, refinement, and smoothness over the MK3 and MK2, comparable to the Dunu Glacier and Prestige LTD. While not a giant leap, the dual tuning options make it arguably a better all-rounder than single-tuning competitors; the balance switch excels with acoustic, classical, and cleaner genres, while the bass switch shines with rock, metal, R&B, and pop. Build quality is improved with an all-metal shell, though the flimsy cardboard case is a notable disappointment. Vocals are smooth, balanced, and enjoyable, though sets like the Monarch MK2, Mystic 8, RSV, or Arcanis offer more forwardness or unique character. Bass quality is excellent for most, though pure bass enthusiasts might prefer models like the Thieaudio Origin for its unique texture.

Ultimately, the Monarch MK IV is a highly compelling endgame option for the vast majority. It combines strong technical performance with exceptional versatility through its two excellent tunings, covering a wide genre spectrum effectively. While value-focused options like the Top Pro, Volare, or Mega5EST offer similar technicalities at lower prices, the MK IV's refinement, tuning flexibility, and slightly superior performance make it easy to recommend. It allows listeners to leave the hobby satisfied, provided they resonate with its sound – though chasing marginally better flagships involves steep diminishing returns. The king might be debatable, but the MK IV is undoubtedly a very solid $1,000 contender.

Priced between $1,150 and $1,300 depending on custom faceplate options like the butterfly design shown, the Thieaudio Monarch MK IV boasts exceptional build quality with a large but well-contoured titanium shell offering a secure and comfortable fit. Key features include the innovative rumble switch for adjustable bass levels on the fly, a durable two-pin connector, and a solid feel that inspires confidence in longevity. While the included accessories are considered fair but unexciting, the shell's customization potential and rugged construction are major highlights.

Sonically, the Monarch MK IV delivers a detailed, exciting, and clean sound signature that stands as the best in the Monarch lineage. The rumble switch provides two distinct profiles: the red switch (no rumble) offers a balanced, tactful bass presentation, while the gold switch (rumble) adds a satisfying sub-bass shelf ideal for genres like hip-hop. Treble performance is notably improved over the MK III, though a 10k peak requires careful ear tip selection for some listeners. It trades blows with flagships like the $3,000 Annihilator (better sub-bass focus) and the $1,800 Elysian Apostle (more vocal forward), often matching or exceeding their technicalities while offering its unique tuning flexibility.

Scoring a top-tier 9.8, the Monarch MK IV earns its place through a compelling combination of premium build, the highly functional rumble switch, and outstanding sound quality that feels both special and refined. While acknowledging the high price, it represents significant value against competitors like the $2,000 Thieaudio Valhalla or the fiddly Grand Maestro, offering a feature-rich, durable, and sonically excellent package that justifies its position as a current summit-fi favorite.