In this article, I’m reviewing the DUNU Falcon Ultra earphones. The Falcon Ultra features single dynamic drivers with a Lithium-magnesium pure alloy dome structure and stainless steel shells. It’s priced at $239.

Disclaimer: This sample was provided by HiFiGo for an honest review. All observations and opinions here are my own, based on my experience with the product.

DUNU Falcon Ultra

Specifications

Impedance: 16Ω.
Sensitivity: 108dB.
Frequency Response: 5Hz-40kHz.
THD+N: <0.3%.

In the Box

• DUNU Falcon Ultra IEMs
• DUNU DUW02 Pro Litz MMCX cable
• Zipper carrying case
• Fabric IEM pouch
• Cleaning brush
• 3.5mm to 6.35mm adapter
• 4x pairs of DUNU S&S eartips
• 3x pairs of Candy eartips
• 3x pairs of Balanced eartips
• 3x pairs of Vocal eartips
• Cleaning cloth

Design

When I look at the Falcon Ultra housings, the word that comes to mind is ‘stunning’. Its stainless steel shells have a polished Klein Blue finish with intricate DUNU branding on the outer edge. Both the look and feel of the shells are premium and DUNU continues to be a class leader when it comes to build quality.

Two vents on the inner side of the housings allow air intake and control the airflow. There’s another pinhole vent near the base of the nozzles. Speaking of the nozzles, Falcon Ultra comes with 2x sets of nozzle tuning filters: one blue and one gold. The Blue filters offer a more transparent and clean sound while the gold filters deliver a richer, smoother sound profile.

The shells feel extremely comfortable and secure in my ears. Passive noise isolation is good too, as the stainless steel housings block out a good amount of external noise.

The IEMs include DUNU’s DUW02 Pro Litz silver-plated copper MMCX cable. It’s a high-quality cable with metal components and it handles well. Furthermore, the DUW02 Pro is modular and equipped with the Q-Lock Lite interchangeable plug system. The box includes 3.5mm and 4.4mm terminations, and you can readily swap between them as you wish.

Sound

Gear used for testing includes the iFi Micro iDSD Signature, SMSL DO300EX and HiBy R3 II. These IEMs are easy to drive and don’t have any special source requirements.

The general sound signature of the Falcon Ultra is Harman-ish and has boosted mid-bass and upper midrange. Like many DUNU IEMs, the Falcon Ultra focuses on enhanced clarity and transparency.

Bass

The Falcon Ultra nails it with its bass – just enough oomph to add a cozy warmth and richness to the sound without going overboard. The driver’s super agile, breezing through those high-speed tracks like a champ.

The sub-bass does alright in terms of range, but it’s not the boss in town. It should be cool for most folks, but personally, I think there’s room for a bit more texture in the bass to really step up the game.

Midrange

The midrange is where the Falcon Ultra flexes its muscles the most, showcasing a firm grasp on timbre and natural note weight. Vocals are a captivating mix of clarity and richness, with ample body yet articulate at the same time. Both male and female vocals sound natural and engaging, even if they don’t soar above instruments. However, that’s not an issue thanks to some impressive instrument separation.

I feel that with the Falcon Ultra DUNU was able to achieve the level of midrange clarity they’ve been chasing but thankfully this time without the sharp edges present on the Talos and Vulkan IEMs.

Treble

The treble has got enough extension to sound bright but still natural and full-bodied. Notes start off with a good strike, a bit of sparkle, and some energy that gives them a nice textured feel. The driver’s tech skills shine through, especially in the high notes. They’re delicate, stylish, and crisp, keeping things lively but rich and pleasant at the same time.

The treble tone is done just right, adding some dazzle without stretching things to brittleness. Plus, there’s a touch more airiness up top than usual, but not so much that it compromises on note density.

Soundstage and Technicalities

The soundstage is rather ordinary, neither expansive nor holographic in its imaging. However, Falcon Ultra maintains a high level of instrument separation while maintaining a natural roundness on instruments and vocals.

Comparisons

Moondrop Blessing 3

The Moondrop Blessing 3 (review here) delivers greater sub-bass impact while exhibiting less mid-bass punch. Additionally, it features a less pronounced lower midrange and reduced pinna gain compared to the Falcon Ultra. Its treble presentation is also less pronounced in contrast to the Falcon Ultra.

In summary, the Blessing 3 offers a warmer and more serene sound profile. However, it renders male vocals with less richness than the Falcon Ultra. Female vocals lack some radiance, and overall vocal articulation is slightly subdued on Blessing 3, though it arguably presents vocals in a more natural manner.

Furthermore, the Blessing 3 boasts greater soundstage depth and slightly more precise imaging. Its tonal quality tends to be darker, with slightly less detail retrieval when compared directly to the Falcon Ultra.

ThieAudio Hype 2

The ThieAudio Hype 2 (review here) emphasizes the sub-bass over mid-bass, offering drier lower mids compared to the Falcon Ultra. Additionally, it presents less pinna gain. While both IEMs share similar treble levels, the Hype 2 boasts greater extension in ultra-high frequencies, enhancing higher-order harmonics. However, I perceive the Falcon Ultra’s ultra-high treble timbre as more natural.

In terms of soundstage, the Hype 2 exhibits more depth and occupies a more neutral stage position. Conversely, the Falcon Ultra positions its stage more forward, resulting in a more intimate vocal presentation. Both IEMs showcase a similar level of detail retrieval.

Verdict

In conclusion, the DUNU Falcon Ultra is an excellent IEM for the money. It has a clear, vibrant and natural sound signature with good detail retrieval and instrument separation but otherwise average technical performance.

In terms of physical build, the Falcon Ultra is exceptional and the included accessories are top-notch and generous. Overall, it’s easy to recommend the Falcon Ultra to anyone shopping in the $200-$300 range.