Dunu Kima 2 VS Kiwi Ears Airoso

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Dunu Kima 2 goes straight for the dopamine: a single dynamic driver with a DLC composite diaphragm and beefy magnet system that’s being compared to Falcon Ultra—only this time the tuning hits even sweeter. The limited green shells feel properly weighty, the 2-pin sockets are neatly angled, and the accessories scream overkill for the tag: a chic Dunu case, an interchangeable-plug cable that looks and handles like “flagship” kit, and the excellent Dunu S&S tips amid a pile of spares (plus a cheeky waifu placard). The kicker is the price: at around $119, this package reads like a prank on the mid-tier.

Sonically it pours like a great coffee—creamy and smooth yet bold—with an intimate stage that keeps everything “right here,” not stadium-wide, and somehow makes the volume creep up because the presentation stays clean and composed. The imaging punches well above class, vocals project with that “front-row, back-of-the-skull” focus, and the bass hits like a steady heartbeat—present, textured, never sloppy. It’s the kind of single-DD tuning that makes multi-driver sets feel fussy: refined treble, lively macro-dynamics, and zero harshness. In short, a value nuke that can bully most $100–$250 competitors on sound alone—and with this cable and accessories, there’s barely a reason to look elsewhere.

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Kiwi Ears Airoso brings a hybrid recipe that just works: 1DD + 4BA with the dynamic driver clearly doing the low-end heavy lifting while the BAs keep mids and highs clean and balanced. The presentation is warm, musical, and staged with satisfying depth—vocals sit a step back without getting hazy, and the overall image is organized rather than in-your-face. Comfort is on point, the stock cable is light and nicely straight, and the box tosses in a case plus three styles of silicone tips. At around $129.99, the feature set and tuning feel cheekily generous.

On music, the Airoso delivers sub-bass authority without bloat, stellar imaging that pins pianos and cellos in distinct spaces, and treble that’s controlled enough to survive vinyl/tape hiss tests without turning sharp—there’s only a hint of “S” energy on some tracks. Separation through the midrange is strong for the price, and the whole signature has that “sing-along” ease that makes long sessions effortless. Isolation is decent with the right tips, and at about 15 Ω it’s easy to drive from modest sources.

Nitpicks? The look is not a showpiece—plain metal faceplates and a logo font that won’t win design awards. The cable is 3.5 mm only, so balanced users will want an upgrade. Beyond that, it’s hard to gripe: this set behaves like a confident all-rounder with better-than-budget control up top and real weight down low. Value talk veers bold—easily feels like a $160–$200 tuner—so at the actual tag it’s an easy recommend, nudging into “nine-ish” territory on a scorecard.

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Dunu Kima 2 keeps it simple with a single dynamic driver and a design that punches well above its price. The CR Edition in vibrant green looks unique and feels premium: a compact metallic shell, recessed 2-pin, and a tasteful gold nozzle that fits comfortably for long sessions. Accessories are stacked—loads of tips, shirt clip, cleaning tool, and DUNU’s quick-swap cable (3.5/4.4) that changes in seconds—plus a leathery cup-style case that’s genuinely excellent. Overall packaging and build quality come off as impeccable and thoughtfully executed.

Tonally, it leans a touch bass-light at times, but the upper mids, air, and detail impress for the money, delivering a clean, even, and musical presentation with pleasing imaging and soundstage. Compared with bass-heavier or older-school V options (e.g., Titan S), this tuning sounds more cohesive and refined; versus costlier sets like Falcon Ultra, it offers a similar sense of open, airy presence at roughly ~$80 less, and it avoids the occasional bass oddities heard on some rivals (e.g., DaVinci). Not a basshead pick—though a small EQ lift near ~100 Hz can help—this is a chill, vocal-friendly set that shines across genres and even light studio work. With its great value, standout accessories, and tasteful tuning, Dunu Kima 2 earns a full recommendation as a bang-for-buck daily driver.

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Solid build for the price: compact metal shells that feel durable, a metal nozzle with a small lip, and a flat 2-pin cable with a working chin slider and clearly marked channels. The accessories are straightforward but good—three tip sets and a surprisingly nice, leatherette-style case. Overall fit is comfortable and the presentation feels a notch above typical budget fare.

Tonally, Airoso is a fun, slightly V-shaped hybrid (1DD+4BA) with punchy bass, weighty mids, and a lively top end. The graph shows a tasteful bass rise to ~300 Hz, a small presence dip around 4–5 kHz, and extra energy through the 6–8 kHz and upper “air” region—peaking near 13 kHz—that can sound brilliant on many tracks yet occasionally spicy for sensitive ears. Note weight, air/space, and overall engagement are strong; however, that treble character can nudge imaging and highs to about 7/10 depending on the listener and fit.

Comparisons paint it as a smart tuner’s set: echoes of high-end shapes (e.g., Annihilator and X-Elise Audio Europa) with less 6 kHz sting and less ultimate air; kinship with the Kiwi Ears Quintet (Airoso has more bass, Quintet’s zing is nearer 10 kHz), and a more energetic, “not boring” alternative to K4. Versus the AFUL Explorer, Airoso brings bigger upper-mid punch while Explorer offers a tidier treble; think of AFUL P7 as a cautionary tale for those sensitive to upper air—Airoso can poke similar nerves if that 13 k region doesn’t agree. At $129—often discounted—this is an excellent value for anyone wanting bold bass, confident mids, and sparkle, with the caveat that treble-sensitive listeners may prefer something smoother.

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Dunu Kima 2 goes for a neutral-warm, relaxing tuning with a distinctly laid-back presentation—very much a chill listen. Resolution sits on the softer side, prioritizing smoothness over bite, so the overall vibe stays silky and easygoing. Fans of similarly mellow sets like the KiRA Ching or the Abyss will feel right at home with this approach.

The trade-off is in the mids: vocals can come across a bit weak and too relaxed, with less power and extension, and the 3–5 kHz region feels tame, so it’s not the most engaging or detailed take for vocal-centric listening. That said, the build and cable quality are excellent, and for those seeking an easy, non-fatiguing daily driver, Kima 2 makes a lot of sense—even if vocal lovers may want to look elsewhere.

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The Kiwi Ears Airoso (1DD + 4BA) goes for a slightly warm-leaning, smooth presentation with a bit of treble air and contrast. It sits between sets like the EM6L and SLA3: fuller and more contrasty than the EM6L, but smoother and less peaky than the SLA3. Vocals are thicker/huskier without congestion, and treble reaches cleanly for a sense of openness; overall the tuning feels intentional and musical rather than clinical.

Technical performance is solid for the price, though options like Nova and SuperMix 4 still edge it for neutral/Harman value. The Airoso scales well but watch the 8–10 kHz region, which can get lively on energetic tracks—best enjoyed at moderate volume. As an all-rounder it fits pop, hip-hop, ballads, and instrumentals, with the appeal driven more by its tonality than by raw resolution. Versus its sibling Aether, the Airoso is warmer and more colored, while Aether is cleaner and more technical. Think of Airoso as a tasteful upgrade over sets like EW300—better timbre and a touch more air—delivering an engaging, musical listen that’s recommended if this tuning profile hits the sweet spot.

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Dunu Kima 2 shows up at $120 with an accessories suite that punches way above class: a big, usable hard case, shirt clip, cleaning brush, shell “booties,” four full tip sets (including Dunu S&S and Dunu Candy), and a modular cable (3.5 mm + 4.4 mm). The cable’s paracord-sleeved lower half feels stiff and behaves differently from the supple top half, but microphonics are low and the QD swap system is convenient. The CNC stainless-steel shells are well-vented and sturdy; a tiny seam misalignment doesn’t affect comfort. Fit is easy—even on smaller ears—and isolation/pressure are handled well. Bonus flair: the acrylic character stand is pure fun.

Sonically, this is a mid-centric neutral tuning with tasteful sub-bass reach rather than boom. The bass stays accurate and textured, doing what the mix asks without spotlighting itself. Mids are the star: instruments separate cleanly and female vocals get a gentle lift without veering shouty. Upper-mids/treble bring a bit of shine for air and detail; generally non-fatiguing, though very treble-sensitive listeners at higher volumes may notice some bite on bright tracks. Technical chops are strong for a single DD—resolution and imaging match sets like EA500 LM, with stereo separation and a convincing 3D stage that scale nicely with good recordings.

Against peers, KZ Krila (all switches off) mimics the tonality but is harsher up top and less refined. Dunu Titan S2 plays it more V-shaped with extra treble energy; if that felt hot, Kima 2 is the calmer, more balanced pick. CVJ Aria (silver nozzles) sits a touch brighter with less sub-bass; the blue nozzles warm it up, but Kima 2 still has the better driver and vocal delivery. Think of it as a modern, slightly warmer, less shout-prone Starfield with a far better bundle. Verdict: a fantastic all-rounder and beginner-friendly choice if neutral with a vocal focus sounds right. Not for bassheads or sparkle-chasers, and the stock cable could be nicer, but overall it earns a firm “this is brilliant” for value, tuning, and usability.