Dunu Falcon Ultra Single Dynamic Driver IEMs

The DUNU Falcon Ultra is a single dynamic driver in-ear monitor that upgrades DUNU’s classic Falcon Pro. It keeps the Falcon Pro’s shape and ergonomics but is redesigned from the inside out, around a 10.7mm second-generation ECLIPSE driver with a lithium-magnesium alloy dome and a new ring-type magnet assembly. Mirror-polished stainless steel shells, two pairs of tuning nozzles and a DUW-02 PRO cable with swappable 3.5mm and 4.4mm plugs complete it. Colours: Klein Blue or Titanium.

Second-generation ECLIPSE driver

The ECLIPSE architecture was introduced in DUNU’s flagship Zen. In the Falcon Ultra, its composite diaphragm is pure metal foil, with no polymer at all: an ultra-rigid, lightweight lithium-magnesium alloy dome joined to a soft, compliant, fully independent suspension, for lightning-fast transients and effortless, accurate reproduction. The original Falcon’s diaphragm was plastic; the new alloy is similar to the magnesium-aluminium alloy of the flagship Zen Pro, light and strong, for clearer sound, crisp imaging and more energy.

Ring-type magnet

At the heart of the Falcon Ultra is a powerful, newly designed external ring-type magnet assembly. To reach an ultra-high flux density at the voice coil, at or above 2 tesla, the magnet pieces are milled on a CNC lathe to micron-level tolerances. DUNU says the result exceeds the magnetic flux density of the flagship Zen Pro’s magnet assembly, so no detail in the music is lost, with very low distortion.

As with all external ring-magnet designs, the two earpieces attract or repel each other. That does no harm to the drivers, but keep them apart to protect the finish from scuffs.

Airflow and comfort

DUNU’s engineers evolved the multipath damping first used in the Falcon Pro. Several carefully placed vents over the front and rear chambers control the airflow precisely, which with the ECLIPSE driver gives superior dynamics and a robust low end. The new arrangement also balances damping with isolation better, so the Falcon Ultra is more comfortable than before and doesn’t build up pressure in your ear canal. An internal and external dual-cavity design suppresses resonance.

Mirror-finish steel shells

The housings are cast from S316 stainless steel, then CNC-milled to exacting tolerances by DUNU’s engineering team, with more than 20 years’ experience, for consistency, build quality and sound. They are polished to a mirror shine, and the bevel is sandblasted and frosted with a vintage logo motif, like a proof coin. The Klein Blue version takes anodised surface treatment a step further, with colour that shifts with the angle of the light; a Titanium finish is also available.

Interchangeable tuning nozzles

Two sets of nozzles are included, one in stainless steel and one in gold-plated brass. They look and sound different, so you can fine-tune the sound to your taste.

DUW-02 PRO cable and expanded MMCX

The new premium DUW-02 PRO cable is four-core, 26AWG monocrystalline silver-plated copper Litz (Type 4), with silver plating over 30µm thick. It carries DUNU’s Q-Lock LITE modular plugs, 3.5mm single-ended and 4.4mm balanced, for almost any modern portable player. At the earpieces, DUNU’s patented catch-hold MMCX connectors use an expandable pin, more reliable and durable than a fixed one, and stay compatible with other standard MMCX earphones and cables.

Four kinds of ear tips

• S&S (Stage & Studio): all flexible silicone, with straight walls on the outer umbrella and the tube, for a better soundstage and studio-level natural sound.
• Candy: a flexible silicone umbrella on a thicker sound tube for support, with a better sense of staging and rich density.
• Balanced (grey): DUNU’s standard tips, balanced, straightforward and accurate, for most music.
• Vocal (blue tube): enhance the human voice, with clearer vocal structure, for vocal-led music.

Good to know

• In the box: Falcon Ultra, two pairs of tuning nozzles with rubber rings, DUW-02 PRO cable with 3.5mm and 4.4mm plugs, three pairs of Candy tips (S, M, L), four pairs of S&S tips (S, M, L, XL), three pairs of balanced tips (S, M, L), three pairs of vocal tips (S, M, L), hard carrying case, mesh pouch, 3.5mm to 6.35mm adapter, cleaning tool and cloth.