x Crinacle Dusk IEMs 2DD+2BA+2Planar Earphones with 0.78 2 Pin 3.5mm/USB-C Plug

Up until now I've been using the Truthear Hexa as my daily driver earbud. I've also used the 7hz Zero and a pair of Airpods Pro, and these are definitely far and away the most resolving and high quality earbuds I've ever owned. Prior to owning these, I EQ'd the Hexa to match the sound signature of the DUSK to prepare me for a side by side comparison. The build of the drivers in DUSK definitely makes a difference. The bass is far more punchy and full while maintaining the upper range's fidelity. They are incredibly comfortable due to the nozzle being an average size, and the spring tips are actually quite nice. I would say if you are in the sub $200 category and you're wondering if upgrading is worth it, I'm here to say it absolutely is! Negatives: Dinky analogue cable, moondrop app with DSP cable is wonky Another banger by Moondrop and Crinacle! Edit: since there is a lot of discourse over the DSP cable, I’d like to throw my hat into the ring. Using the analogue cable, this is still a highly capable IEM that punches far above its price bracket. The bass is punchy thanks to the diametrically opposed DDs, there’s no BA timbre due to keeping them in the midrange, and the 2 planars in the treble are highly resolving. When you use the DSP cable, you get a slightly more refined tuning that improves the sound by about 5% at the cost of using a less than ideal interface. If you’re that picky about tuning, you already know how to EQ and should just EQ to your hearts desire to make your perfectly tuned IEM. In my opinion, the people that say “oh you only get half the product if you don’t use the DSP” is hyperbolic and ridiculous. Your experience with an IEM will not be shattered by a slight tuning adjustment. You’re still purchasing high quality drivers with a crossover matrix and a GREAT stock analogue tuning. The DSP cable is there and a fun tool for beginners looking to try different sound profiles, but to recommend that a $30 piece of technology is what makes or breaks a $360 IEM is ridiculous. Still love this, still highly recommend this product

(actually 4.5 rating since Amazon only lets me rate either 4 or 5 stars) Have been using it for several months, in short: (comparing to HD600) Characteristics: 1. Improved bass but it doesn’t make you feel weird. Pros: 1. In terms of resolution, it captures most details. Probably way better than my HD600 2. Great values at this tier if only taking about sound quality Cons: 1. Chambers are too large. For certain people, it probably doesn’t make you feel good when you wear it for about over an hour. 2. Hard to install spring tips. 3. The in-box cable looks too basic (you can upgrade it for additional cost) Overall: 1. Great values in terms of sound 2. Feel a bit uncomfortable when some people wear it for a long time. If there isn’t any issue with this problem I believe it can be the first choice for most people at this price level

YOUTUBE REVIEWS, CONTROVERSY RELATED: -----First things first, this iem has decently agreeable tuning with the analog cable. But I agree with others - it's not adequate to justify a nearly $400. Although I was not quite content with using this set in analog, the DSP cable (default setting used) smooths out some odd tonality in the upper mids / high frequencies which retrieves a more natural timbre and full bodied presentation. DSP Default sonically correlates with the price point and is how I prefer to enjoy Dusk. As an iPhone user, I haven't even thought about using the horrendous Moondrop app on one of my friend's Android devices to try other EQ presets. :) -----I rarely hear any noise from the DSP cable. Test tracks like Radiohead's "Weird Fishes" with loud clicks followed by immediate silence show this deficiency - but in normal listening this hasn't come up. -----The L/R channel balance also seems even to my ears, although I have not measured them on a rig. -----The nozzles... are girthy. Not as comfortable as smaller in-ears I've used, but it also does not detract from long listening sessions - thank goodness. BASS: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ -----Crazy good extension and punch, WOW. -----It's clean and fast. "100°" by Zoology, and "Shimmer" by Singin Hawke, "The Wheel" by SOHN, "Love You Bad" by Terrace Martin, and "Shudder (Gxnxvs Remix)" by BASECAMP are all satisfying and beyond fun on Dusk. "Bop for Aneho" by Jyoiti and "Just Five Minutes" by Gabriele Pribetti both have a gobbs of sub bass that this iem rumbles out with confidence. -----Classical music is handled uniquely well, pleasant slam for sountracks, and this lovely low end pairs wonderfully with the airy/lifted highs. Bass guitars, bass violins, are delightful to listen to on Dusk. MIDS: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ -----Sound correct, particularly with the DSP cable. Female vocals have good presence and timbre. Male vocals sound good as well but don't stand out. -----Dusk generally seems competent with all genres. -----The only thing I find lacking in the midrange is instrument separation. High distortion is typically handled well by Dusk, for example on "Pretend Lovers" by Montell Fish. However, complex mixes can be hit or miss in my experience. "Cry Tomorrow, Laugh Today" by Knower and "Pulse" by Slowya.roll sound less clear than I was hoping. HIGHS: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ -----Fairly resolving set. Dusk revealed artifacts in Jacob Collier's "World O World" that I had not noticed before! Other quirky songs like "Anamorphoses" by Benoit Delbecq (the version WITHOUT MARK TURNER, white album cover) and "Alo, Alo" by Gretchen Parlato have great texture and airiness. -----Rarely, certain mixes like "It Was You" by Shubh Saran and "Water" by Still Haze are presented in a way that percussion sounds unnatural. Not sibliant, but an artifical brightness/timbre. The raised airiness in the tuning, both on analog and default DSP combined with the very present lows make for a U-shape signature. IMAGING: ⭐⭐ -----Very dependent on the recording/mix. Generally non distinct, not a major focal point of this IEM. STAGING: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ -----Songs with distinct panning like that of "Darktown Strutters' Ball" by Wycliffe Gordon and "....Despite the Weather" by Nickel Creek, are NAILED by Dusk. Jazz pieces like "Undecided" by Curtis Fuller or "Crazy Race" by The RH Factor Quintet are also super enjoyable. -----Songs that don't have wide or unique panning sound inside/in front of my head. I expect that over time, this IEM will shape many listeners' preferences for music, and guide them towards tracks that have considerably noticeable panning. WISHLIST FOR IMPROVEMENT -----Smaller nozzles -----More tips included -----Non velcro cable wraps (pulls on included case's inner mesh fabric)

Missed out on the Meta from Crin, and in spite of my better judgement, I tried these for the second time. Again, the DSP cable failed to work with not one of FOUR separate DAPS. I tried them with a balanced two pin cable off another set and found that the right bud was lower by about 10 dB. This is roughly the same experience I had the second time I ordered them. The first time, the Amazon seller attempted to scam me. Moondrop makes some really nice sounding IEMs, but the unholy mess that is the Dusk just needs to go away. If you’re reading this please take note; I’ve ordered these 3 times, gotten 2 sets and been able to use 0 of them. Good luck people.

Edit: So I'm dumb. I did in fact try all of these tests out but forgot one common denominator: the source. I was using a Schitt Magni Unity for all of these tests and did not end up trying another source. That was my bad. So after returning the original pair, I tried my new pair after using other headphones/ iems on my Magni and I learned that it has a significant left-of-center channel imbalance. Learning this, I repurchased the Dusk and plugged them into another source, and zero issues. All of the impressions of sound still hold true and I am glad to have them back. However, I am glad that I bought a new set because the first box arrived with a decent bump in the corner and the actual iem earpieces rolling around in it, the second time this was not so. Also, the fact that Moondrop has had issues with channel imbalance makes me cautious to recommend them and almost makes my silliness seem reasonable. An easy recommendation at this price range if you're able to win the QC lottery (which a majority have, but is still possible at this price). Old review: To start, these iems are fantastic and have the best bass I've heard in anything ever - speaker systems, headphones, and any other iems. Add an unbelievable amount of detail without ever being sibilant or sharp and you should get a fantastic experience. However, there is a noticeable issue with either channel imbalance or loudness matching between both ears because of an uncomfortable quietness from the right ear. This makes it so that instead of vocals being central, they are skewed to the left (at best) and literally only in the left channel (at worst). I've owned and still own other iems (including other Moondrop products), so I know that moisture build-up can do this. So I throw them in a bag with silica gel packets: nothing. Swap through 4 cables, including the ones in the box: nothing. Swap through 4 types and 5+ sizes (including uneven sizes per side) of eartips: nothing. Worried that this wasn't a common issue I looked it up, and low and behold a thread on the headphones Reddit describing my same situation. This sucks. I love how these sound, but this just is not acceptable at the price they're selling this at or really, at all. It's a lose-lose: Moondrop gets bad press and I don't get a fantastic iem. So, buy at your own risk. Either roll the dice on Dusk's QC or try out the Thieaudio Hype 4 for something solid in this price range (or if you have the money the Highsenior Mega5est).

This was my very first experience with true audiophile gear, and honestly, I was shocked. The Moondrop Dusk are simply on another level compared to anything I’ve used before. The sound is rich, detailed, and absolutely addictive — it feels like listening to music all over again for the first time. But here’s the thing: to get the best out of them, you must pair them with a proper DAC/amp. I’m using the DD HiFi USB-C DAC/Amplifier, and without it the Dusks just don’t show their full potential. With a good DAC, though, they transform completely — from average to truly top-tier.

So at this point I think I have most/all of the Crinacle collaborations and I generally agree with his reviews. At this point I can confidently say that if you - like me - enjoyed the 7Hz x Crinacle Salnotes Dioko you're gonna love these. Value-wise, the Dioko wins, but the Dioko never impressed me the way the Dusk does. So that default USB-C tuning? These are...not what I'd call neutral. They're a little weird. There's a LOT of sub-bass. There's some very very crispy treble that sometimes veers into being unpleasantly crackly. You even get some mids. They remind me more than anything else of my Andromeda Golds; some tracks absolutely take my breath away and some...don't. The staging/imaging/separation is consistently at least good and occasionally hits the kind of spread and clarity I'm used to hearing from multi-kilobuck gear. I think my biggest issue is that tracks that aren't particularly diverse - lots going on in a narrow region, hitting one of the three sets of drivers - sound muddy. The songs that sound like they're just playing on 2BA are...not fun to listen to here. It reminds me of the kind of experience I got and hated with the Etymotic ER4XR. So yeah, these aren't going to elevate a poor mix. I can't review the non-stock tunings because I don't have a compatible phone (Android only; seems to require installing a specific APK, the published one doesn't work and the iOS app doesn't support the DAC cable yet - April 2024, will try to update if this changes) to throw at the problem. I'd say this is a significant part of why you'd want to buy these; if you aren't planning to use this cable and USB-C sources, I think you'll want to look elsewhere. These are really good-looking, but not flashy, IEMs. The cable matches the design, feels nice, and has acceptable microphonics. Strain relief at the right points, no memory wire, a 3-button remote, and fits perfectly in the opening of the official iPhone 15 Pro Max case. There's a nice little presentation box (the rattling you hear is some loose manuals and a postcard) with a durable, if forgettable, leather-ish case. The USB-C DSP cable feels and looks substantially nicer than the analog cable, although the tolerances involved meant I had to use quite a bit of force to plug the two-pin in and was worried I'd bent or broken it. Three sets of Moondrop's signature silicone tips - there's no ridge on the IEMs so you'll want to use very grippy tips if you plan to swap them out. Deep insertion is going to require different tips - the nozzle's relatively stubby.

I wanted to like these, gosh did I want to like these. The first pair I ordered, the left IEM was significantly louder than the right, confirmed by 2 additional people that weren't aware of my perception before listening. The replacement pair corrected this issue, no QC problems at all. The rest of this review will be a comparison between the Moondrop Dusks and the Blessing 2 dusks that I've been using for a few years, and will be returning to. Fit/Eartips: Blessing 2 Dusk are way better, not a fan of the tips included with the Moondrop Dusks. Bass: I prefer the Moondrop Dusk, it is punchy but doesn't overwhelm the rest of the sound. I like the thump from these a lot more than the Blessing 2 dusk. Lower Mids: Tie, both are very clear with great tone in this range, no complaints with either. Upper mids/treble: This is where the dusks fall behind. The blessing 2 dusks are plagued by a nasty little peak at 6k Hz from the BA drivers but other than that they are far superior. The Moondrop Dusks for whatever reason almost kind of hurt to listen to when listening to female vocals. I know sound is super subjective, so please try them yourself, but I was not a fan. I realllllllllly wanted to like these better than the blessing 2 dusks, but I just don't. One thing to make clear, I did not use the DSC cable to load any preset tunings, this may have fully take care of my issues. However, I use them for PC audio and there isn't a good way to load the presets, unless you EQ them yourself. (Which is possible, Crinacle released the EQ settings for each preset.)