Moondrop Meteor VS Dunu DK-3001 BD

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Moondrop Meteor arrives as a hybrid with one dynamic, two BA mids, and four treble planars, now priced around $550. The shell is massive but well-contoured resin with a flat 2-pin connector; fit can be good after some tip rolling, though the nozzle runs large. The stock cable feels cheap for the price and the accessory pack is underwhelming—no DAC, a basic case—so the unboxing doesn’t add much value.

Tonally this is a treble-focused set that sounds clean, clear, and crisp, with pleasing air and microdetail. Bass is the weak link: quantity and slam are light, leaving dynamics and note weight on the lean side; lower mids could be richer. Graphs show typical Moondrop-leaning tuning that sits close to target but wants ~2–3 dB more bass. It measures stable with impedance, which, paired with precise imaging and tidy staging (good, not “huge”), makes it a plausible studio monitor-style choice.

Against peers, Variations brings more energy and is the safer pick; Moondrop’s own Concerto and even Caden-line sets feel fuller down low. Cheaper rivals like EPZ P50 and AFUL P7 offer more fun, while HiSenior Mega 5 EST and Softears Volume S present stronger overall value and bass presence. Verdict: a solid, airy detail-getter with attractive aesthetics, but not an upgrade to bass-richer favorites; recommended on the used market or with a discount, and an easy skip at full MSRP if seeking warmth and impact.

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Build & accessories are dialed: a glossy white shell with a subtle steampunk-style faceplate, a metallic nozzle with filter that holds tips securely, and a comfy, slightly thicker ergonomic body. The cable uses recessed 2-pin sockets and DUNU’s swappable terminations (quick screw-on system), plus a quality Y-split, locking chin slider, and a leather cable tie; the right side is red-marked for easy orientation. The package is stacked with tips, a 6.3 mm adapter, and a handsome, leather-textured magnetic case that feels premium. Colorway might divide tastes, but the overall presentation lands as exceptional.

Sonically, this hybrid (dynamic + BAs + micro-planars) aims for a slight U-shape with an even keel: clean vocals, crisp detail, and standout treble extension and air without tipping into fatigue. Bass is tasteful but a bit tucked, note weight leans lighter, while imaging is precise and the soundstage feels open and hi-fi. Compared with DUNU’s Da Vinci/Mirai, this brings more upper-energy and extension; versus sets like Pilgrim, Kiwi Ears 4, and Studio 4, it keeps the sparkle yet sounds more complete up top.

The twist: add an ~80 Ω impedance adapter and the DK-3001 BD flips from neutral-leaning to a fun, bassy brawler—bigger slam, cleaner upper-mids, treble air intact, with diminishing returns above ~80 Ω. That puts it toe-to-toe with curves reminiscent of Fatfreq Deuce (but with smoother highs) and even the HiSenior Mega5EST (Bass) vibe. Stock, it’s a firm S-tier pick that prioritizes extension, imaging, and refinement; with the adapter (or a touch of EQ), it climbs to an even higher S. For a $500–$1,000 bracket IEM, this is a standout all-rounder that many enthusiasts might reach for even over pricier sets.

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Moondrop’s new “flagship” Meteor lands with a decent first impression: a natural planar timbre that avoids the overly sizzly or peaky upper ranges found in rivals, and clean, forward vocals that shine on ballads at mid volume. The overall tuning sits neutral with a tilt toward female vocals, and technical performance is good—competitive but not class-leading at its bracket. Fit is on the thicker side with a quirky curve, so a demo is wise. The catch: the low end is tame to the point of feeling clinical, lacking slam, authority, and bass-guitar/drum texture in busier rock and metal. Treble is balanced with some extension, yet it lacks air and micro-nuance, making the presentation feel less special. Net result: more a side-grade to Dusk than an upgrade—and at $500+, that stings.

Energy genres expose more issues: the boosted 1–3 kHz pushes vocals shouty past ~60–65 dB and the set doesn’t scale well, especially with K-Pop/J-Pop and mainstream pop where even the Dusk can sound more engaging with better contrast and more low end. Value is the real problem: the EPZ P50 at roughly half the price brings more bass, more air, and similar accessories; competitors like IO Volare (4×EST), Oracle Mk1, or a sale-priced Variations offer smoother, airier treble, finer micro-detail, and better all-round balance. The Meteor’s use of micro-planars instead of ESTs, plus unchanged accessories (think Aria 2/Dusk level), makes the premium hard to justify. Overall, it edges sets like “Brain Dance/Damage” on timbre but gives up technicalities and versatility. Recommendation: skip—grab the P50, go IO Volare/Oracle/Variations, or EQ a Variations (fill the scoop, ease 1–2 kHz) for a result that outclasses Meteor. Bonus note: Moondrop’s new flagship Psyche also gets side-eyed—$2,000 without ESTs feels more cash-grab than value.

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The $500 Moondrop Meteor packs an oversized 13mm dynamic driver for bass, two balanced armatures for mids, and four micro planar drivers for treble. Objectively, its frequency response is fantastic—neutral with a tasteful sub-bass lift and exceptionally smooth, reserved treble that avoids harshness. Vocals sound natural and forward without edginess, and high-frequency percussion retains realistic timbre. Build quality impresses with a glossy, semi-transparent shell and a unique "meteorite" side panel, though the bulky design compromises fit stability versus sleeker Moondrop models. Accessories feel recycled from cheaper offerings, including a basic case and functional but kink-prone swappable-termination cable.

Subjectively, however, the Meteor feels unengaging. Its bass lacks punch and definition despite the large driver, coming across as soft and undynamic. Combined with the relaxed treble, this results in a lackluster sense of separation, layering, and imaging—music sounds cohesive but lacks incisiveness and visceral impact. While tonally balanced, the presentation is overly cautious, missing the excitement expected at this price. Even Moondrop’s own $360 Dusk outperforms it with tighter bass, sharper imaging, and greater overall engagement.

Comparisons highlight its shortcomings. The Dunu DK-31BD offers superior bass impact and more expressive treble at the same price, while the HiSenior Mega5EST delivers better definition and layering despite a warmer tilt. Ultimately, the Meteor’s excellent tuning can’t compensate for its dull technical performance. It’s a competent monitor but fails to justify its cost against rivals—or even Moondrop’s cheaper offerings.

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The Dunu DK-3001 BD “Brain Dance” hits the $500 bracket with a bold cyberpunk-inspired design, metal shells, and a killer cable featuring a swappable 3.5/4.4 plug. Inside is a tribrid array—1DD + 4BA + 4 micro-planars—and the accessory loadout is generous: multiple silicone sets (including S&S) plus foam tips, adapters, pouch, microfiber, the works. Ergonomics are decent but not petite; the shells are a bit bulbous, and a longer tip style can help the fit. The case looks premium yet feels oversized for everyday carry.

On the graph and in the ear, tuning lands at clean-neutral with sub-bass lift: elevated low end focused on sub-bass, a slightly dipped lower midrange for clarity, and an energetic lower-treble/Presence region. The magic is in the execution—this thing rocks. Stage feels wide, separation is laser-cut, transients have crisp bite yet the treble remains smooth for the amount of sparkle on tap. Bass is taut and delineated with a satisfying bounce and real depth, prioritizing texture over mid-bass thump. At very low volumes some of the technical wow factor softens and the tone can lean a touch thin/bright, but at normal listening levels the presentation is downright addictive.

Versus Hisenior’s Mega5EST, the Brain Dance trades the Mega’s rich, mid-forward warmth for greater imaging width, cleaner bass definition, and higher overall engagement. Against the Moondrop x Crinacle Dusk, bass quantity is similar, but Dusk feels more physical and mid-centric while the BD sounds airier, wider, and a bit spicier up top—yet paradoxically smoother in treble timbre. Dusk remains the safer all-rounder and cheaper pick; the Brain Dance is the thrill ride. Verdict: a 5/5 set—one of the year’s standouts for those who want big technicals, crisp sparkle, and sub-bass grunt without mid-bass bloat.