Tanchjim Origin VS Dunu Kima 2

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Tanchjim Origin gets the “Legendary” treatment for good reason: it’s a clarity-first single-DD that puts finesse over flash. The full-metal shells feel premium but can be slippery and a bit tricky to seat; expect some tip-rolling. Build notes include a semi-recessed 2-pin, a well-cut nozzle, and finish wear that can show with time—ergonomics are fine, just not as contoured as newer designs.

Tuning skews neutral and mid-focused: bass is clean with a light, non-exaggerated thump and controlled mid-bass, so no boom. The midrange is the star, while the treble brings smooth extension and a surprisingly refined sparkle. Technicals impress—pristine resolution, tidy separation, and standout imaging—but there’s no “thunder” down low; some listeners may notice a touch of brightness in the mid-treble. Swappable filters exist, yet their effect is subtle.

Reception has been bullish: Zeos called it obsessively neutral and nearly perfect; Timmy praised it as one of the year’s best with lovely, smooth treble; Super* Review rates it among the better sets under ~$260 while preferring the Chopin. In today’s field—with value picks like Tanchjim Bunny (to sample the signature cheaply) and modern darlings like Softears Volume S—Origin still stands as a refined, resolving choice under $300. Verdict: an A+ recommendation for listeners chasing cleanliness, mids, and imaging; bassheads should look elsewhere.

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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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Tanchjim Origin shows up with grown-up design, a slick logo, and a surprisingly nice stock cable—though it’s only 3.5 mm. Under the hood: a single dynamic driver and interchangeable nozzles. The “Dynamic” nozzle thickens the bass into a chewy, fun thump; the “Light” nozzle unlocks the magic—shockingly clean, near-neutral tuning with a tight low end. Tip rolling pays off (foam-filled silicone adds a touch of seal and snap), and the shells feel like proper adult jewelry. The carry case is comically huge, and the 2-pin posts are long, but build is otherwise dialed.

Sonically, Origin hits that “how is this this clean?” tier: vocals are dead-on, the treble stays smooth without bite, and the low end sits ~a hair north of flat for just the right weight. Staging isn’t stadium-wide—image arcs just behind the eyes—but layering, punch, and overall polish scream high-end without needing a mega amp. Swap to the Light nozzle, get a good seal, and it’s a full send: one of the best-sounding single-DD sets in this bracket, the kind that could still be recommended even at a higher tag. Call it a 9/10—dock a point for the non-modular cable and oversized case—but the tuning and refinement are spectacular for the price.

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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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Tanchjim Origin targets a balanced and clean tuning with a sprinkle of mid-bass. Dynamics come across smooth like the EA500LM but a touch cleaner; low-end is punchy, textured, and well separated, just not as tactile in attack as EA1000. The spotlight is vocals: female voices sound sweet, open, and extended without thinness or shout, though there’s less chest depth and a desire for a bit more sparkle. Stage feels tidy rather than expansive—EA1000 projects a more open headspace—so the Origin reads as “very correct,” not showy.

Treble is smooth, clean, and well-extended with no harshness; not Helios-level airy, but enough. Resolution sits close to EA500LM, while EA1000 delivers sharper transients and a slightly more resolving edge. Character map: Origin = balanced/clean, EA1000 = slightly bright/sparkly, EA500LM = warmest/bassiest. All three are mid-volume listens stock. With mods, EA1000 proves the most flexible and gains that engaging “special sauce” with more tactile bass and vocal energy; Origin is easier to dull or darken; LM can tip into too much bass with added damping.

In today’s market the Origin sits in a tough spot: EA1000 beats it on price, engagement, and mod scaling, while EA500LM undercuts it with better bass texture and value. With contenders like Nova, Chopin, Quintet, and Hype 2 swirling around, Origin makes the most sense if a balanced, smooth single-DD is wanted without a mid-bass scoop. The extra nozzles don’t meaningfully change things, and a price near $150 would feel far more justified. Otherwise, waiting for the next wave may be the smarter play.

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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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Origin aims to update the classic Oxygen recipe with a mid-bass lift and a long bass arc, but the execution pushes the upper mids (3–5 kHz) too high and adds an oversized air/upper-treble shelf. The net effect is a neutral-bright balance where mids lose weight and naturalness, while the supposed sub-bass roll-off is mostly a masking effect from the hot top end.

The bass arc itself is solid, yet it stays masked unless another 1–2 dB is added around ~50 Hz; vocals come across lighter and faster rather than organic, and the extra air sounds more like artificial sheen than true resolution. With so much top-end energy, the stage flattens into the head and becomes fatiguing at moderate volume, undermining the otherwise capable driver and leaving little genre flexibility compared with Oxygen.

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DUNU Kima 2 presents as a very refined single dynamic driver set with excellent build, metal shells and a generous accessory pack including the familiar modular Q-Lock cable with both 3.5 mm and 4.4 mm terminations. The Eclipse DLC driver inside feels clearly a step above typical $100-class dynamics, giving the tuning a solid foundation and making the overall tonality come across as full-bodied and smooth.

Sonically, the Kima 2 follows a slight V / Harman-inspired balance with a linear 5 dB bass shelf that prioritizes weight and timbre over slam, feeding into thick but appealing lower mids that keep vocals and instruments nicely grounded. Upper mids are energetic yet controlled, avoiding shout or harshness, while the treble mostly tracks a Harman-like contour, only rolling off a bit early around 10 kHz which contributes to a warm, relaxed character, especially at lower listening volumes.

This slightly undercooked 10 kHz region is the main nitpick, as it holds back perceived technical performance; the mids can sound less sharply focused and microdetail is a touch softer compared with the best single dynamic driver competitors until that area is nudged up with EQ or higher volume. Still, staging is spacious and well-imaged, the tuning is coherent and easy to enjoy, and with a minor treble tweak Kima 2 comes very close to being a true standout one DD option around the 120 dollar mark.

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Tanchjim Origin is presented as a dual dynamic driver flagship style IEM with a very premium unboxing, excellent build quality and a modular tuning system using interchangeable nozzles and tips. The metal shells are shiny yet understated, the deep recessed 0.78 two pin connectors feel robust, and the soft low microphonic cable plus hard magnetic case make the whole package feel very refined. With multiple silicone tips labeled for bass or treble emphasis and tuning filters that subtly shift balance, Origin offers a flexible way to adjust the sound without touching EQ.

Tonally the Origin targets a very neutral signature with clean, dynamic bass, slightly forward mids and detailed but smooth treble. Bass hits hard and meaty with excellent punch and separation, remaining free of bleed into vocals while still giving drums and low notes satisfying weight. Male and female vocals sit naturally forward, coming through rich and clear, while the treble brings a lot of air, micro detail and sizzle to cymbals and high hats without ever becoming sharp or fatiguing even at higher volumes, helped by the very low distortion and smart venting that keeps long sessions comfortable.

In direct comparisons the Origin is described as cleaner and less fatiguing than Moondrop Kato, more detailed and controlled than Blessing 2 and Blessing 2 Dusk, and effectively a clear step up from the classic Tanchjim Oxygen while keeping the same house sound. It delivers stronger and cleaner bass, more forward mids and more detail than those references, becoming a new benchmark sub kilobuck IEM despite a soundstage that stays only average for an in ear. Imaging, however, is excellent, allowing precise placement of sounds left and right, which combined with the non fatiguing yet very resolving tuning makes Origin one of the strongest all rounder options heard under 1000 dollars.

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The Tanchjim Origin comes in at 259 USD and is presented as a refined single dynamic driver set with a very solid accessory package. The metal shells feel dense but remain comfortable thanks to a well shaped inner shell and nozzle angle that gives a secure, deeper fit, while the stock cable is light, tangle free and easy to manage. The hard case, multiple tip options and three swapable nozzles all contribute to a sense of a well thought out package, even if the different nozzles do not radically change the sound, so the overall build, design and included accessories feel very premium for this price bracket.

Sonically the Origin offers a neutral, slightly mid forward signature that many will hear as very well balanced and natural. Bass has enough presence and mid bass lift to keep the energetic upper mids in check, with excellent bass dynamics, punch and tactility and only a small trade off in speed compared with fast BA or hybrid competitors. The midrange carries a bit of extra low mid energy which adds warmth, richness and note weight to vocals and instruments without becoming bloated, and the rise into the upper mids brings strong presence and focus without sounding peaky or shouty. Treble and upper treble stay on the smoother side but still have good air, shimmer and extension, adding pleasing micro detail without harshness, resulting in a very coherent and smooth overall presentation.

Where the Origin really stands out is its technical performance for a single dynamic driver. Detail retrieval across the band is impressive, the stage is wide for an in ear and there is respectable forward depth and layering, even if the overall stage still leans a little intimate compared with more expensive sets. Imaging is clean and stable with instruments easy to locate across the stereo field. Within the sub 300 USD range it competes not only with other single dynamic driver sets but also with respected hybrids and BA models, trading a touch of bass speed and a slightly intimate stage for a very natural tonality. For listeners who want a balanced, natural, low mid rich tuning with strong resolution and do not mind a price that sits toward the top of the mid tier bracket, the Origin is a very compelling option.

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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.