Last year, we took a look at the DUNU Kima, an affordably priced pair of single-driver IEMs that leaned into crisp detail and exceptional comfort. The Kima Classic is the latest version of these earphones and embraces a more V-shaped tuning with bigger bass and even more detail. It’s well suited to rock, pop, and especially gaming, punching above its affordable pricing. It’s as comfortable as ever, and at $109.99, won’t break the bank to try it for yourself.
Specifications
- Current Price: $109.99 (Linsoul)
- High-Quality DLC Diaphragm Dynamic Driver.
- Strong Magnetic Circuit Featuring N52 Neodymium Magnets.
- Resonance Chamber Dual-Cavity Design.
- High-Airflow Design Architecture.
- High-Density Metallic Alloy Shells.
- All-New Color Scheme.
- Improved Tuning For Cleaner & More Transparent Sound.
- Ergonomic & Comfortable Shell Design.
- High-Purity Single-Crystal Copper Silver-Plated Cable.
- Standard 0.78mm 2-pin Connectors.
- 3.5mm Single-Ended Termination Plug.
- Impedance: 32Ω@1kHz.
- Sensitivity: 108±1dB.
- THD+N: <0.3%.
- Net-Weight: 15 grams.
- Package-Weight: 390 grams
DUNU Kima Classic - First Impressions and Key Features
The DUNU Kima Classic is a revision not a reinvention, so if you’re already familiar with the Kima, you’re already most of the way to understanding the Kima Classic. Like the original, it’s a single-driver IEM that utilizes a high-quality dynamic driver to craft its soundscape. It’s small, comfy, and durable: perfect for travel. The main visual difference is that the classic has a new, darker color.
The Kima Classic joins DUNU’s other affordable IEMs, including the Titan S. Even though they’re affordable at just over $110 (or less if you can find them on sale — as of this writing, they’re only $99 with an instant $10 discount), they’re surprisingly well made. The shells are entirely aluminum and feel like they’re made for the rigors of life. I’d daily carry these without a second thought.
Inside their aluminum shells, the drivers are equally high quality. DUNU has opted for a diamond-like carbon (DLC) diaphragm. This material is rigid yet lightweight, allowing the driver to move rapidly and stop just as quick. This adds speed and realism to bass notes and enhances their overall detail throughout the frequency spectrum. It also uses a dual cavity, high airflow design to enhance its reproduction.
When it comes to frequency response and technical specs, things are much the same as the original Kima. The buds have a wide 5Hz to 40kHz frequency range, extending well beyond the bounds of human hearing. They’re also very easy to drive at only 32 ohms of impedance and a very sensitive 108dB.
The buds don’t follow a traditional universal IEM design but are small enough that they still fit fine without the added hooks and contours on its inner side. The faceplates are somewhat ovular with angular bezels for flair. The inside is smooth and flat. They mainly secure in the ear through the ear canal, but since they’re so small and lightweight, that works fine here.
Also included in the box are a bunch of goodies that make it an even better value. You have an excellent zippered carrying case, a 4-strand high-purity copper cable that’s color-matched and ends in a single 3.5mm termination, a 3.5mm to 6.35mm adapter, and a wide selection of ear tips to help you find your proper fit. There are several different kinds to choose from, including DUNU’s own Candy and S&S tips.
DUNU Kima Classic - Fit and Comfort
Like the original Kima, the Kima Classic offers a great fit that should work well for most listeners. Since it only needs to fit a single dynamic driver inside of its shell, it’s able to be quite small. The nozzles are standard diameter and with the nine pairs of ear tips included, you should be able to find a match that will work well for long-term wear.
DUNU Kima Classic - Listening Impressions
If there was any criticism of the original, it’s that it could sound a little bit lean, especially in the sub-bass. That’s no longer the case. In the graph above, you can see the two IEMs compared and clearly see that the Classic offers a much more V-shaped tuning. From 300Hz down, the Classic rises high, offering up much more sub-bass.
This is a great thing because, as I remarked in my original review, the Kima already had a good amount of mid-bass to fill out synths and bass guitars. I wasn’t one of the listeners who considered it lean, to be honest, but I think the Kima Classic will go a long way toward satisfying a wider range of listeners. Without risking being overdone, the bass is more powerful yet no less refined. You can expect plenty of texture and speed thanks to the DLC driver and purely more volume within the lower register. It’s a much better fit for pop, hip-hop, and video games.
There’s still a recession here in the mids, just like last time, but I would argue that it’s even more noticeable here. Vocals are slightly stepped back but are still detailed and resolving. I especially appreciated listening to Adele on these and Polyphia’s guitars remained soaring. The difference is that the surrounding ranges push up even higher.
Hi-hats, cymbals, and upper harmonics all ring out true on these and come forward even more. The changes to the treble aren’t drastic, even though the graph might make it seem as such. They’re stepped forward enough to make the earphones sound more revealing, detailed, and resolving but aren’t heightened enough to sound sharp.
The culminating effect of these changes is a pair of earphones that are simultaneously more fun, more versatile, and offer a higher degree of perceived clarity than the original. Are they worth upgrading the original Kima for? Probably not since you can EQ these same qualities in yourself. But if you’re choosing between the two and like a little more authority in your listening experience, going for the classic is an easy choice.
I really like the Kima Classic for gaming. The soundstage isn’t exceptionally wide but it’s not constrained either, so the spaciousness is about on par with other closed-back IEMs and gaming headsets (without virtual surround sound). The bass makes them more fun while the higher upper mids and treble pull out immersive and competitive details in the mix. Just as importantly, they’re comfortable enough that you can wear them for hours without risking soreness or ear fatigue.
Are these earbuds competing with higher-end single dynamics and hybrids? In detail and timbre, no. You’ll find higher-performance IEMs pretty quickly as you start escalating in price. But for the modest cost of entry, they do seem to be punching above their class. DUNU has offered a well-balanced, performant pair of IEMs with the Kima Classic, and I’m here for it.
Overall Impressions and Final Thoughts
I have a wide range of tastes when it comes to music. I’m a devout fan of post-hardcore and modern prog metal. I love ambient chillstep and fingerstyle acoustic guitar. Atmospheric worship and live recordings whisk me away. Heck, I’ve even been exploring modern country and finding that it reminds me a lot of the classic southern rock I was raised on. When I’m gaming, I want the real world to fade away so I can get lost in my game and turn my brain off. The Kima Classic is all around better for each of these genres. It really lacks nothing compared to the original. Like so many things, sticking with the classic choice is the wisest course of all.
The product described in this article was provided by the manufacturer for evaluation purposes. Articles may include affiliate links from which we may earn a small commission to help support the site. Authors do not earn affiliate revenue or commissions.
