Introduction

DUNU has impressed me every time I have tried their IEMs, be it with the excellent single dynamic driver ZEN PRO or the more eccentric VULKAN going for a 2 DD/4 BA configuration. In its 21 years of existence, the company behind DUNU has put out a lot of IEMs and other accessories including cables and portable DAC/amps too. But if you were to ask anyone remotely familiar with DUNU to name the product it is most known for, chances are high they would say the SA6. This was part of DUNU's Studio series and used six balanced armature drivers in a handcrafted design to put out a highly pleasant sound at a time where IEM tonalities were all over the place—the looks and comfort probably helped too. There was a limited edition SA6 Ultra collaboration released a few months ago which only got people more hungry for a true successor. Today we take a look at the new SA6 MK2 and thanks to HiFiGo, via DUNU, for providing a review sample to TechPowerUp.


I was watching with interest when DUNU and HiFiGo started teasing the SA6 MK2, including by crowd-sourcing ideas on the shell design and face plates. There was a version which went with a safer, more universal shell design and another which looked more similar to CIEMs. DUNU went with the latter, which was already a bold move, and decided to also keep a similar driver configuration with the SA6 MK2. The brand also promises a different sound signature compared to both the original SA6 as well as the SA6 Ultra while also updating the aesthetics and accessories for a fresh new look. The DUNU SA6 MK2 comes in at a price point that already leads to high expectations, so let's get on with this review to see how well it stacks up in today's competitive IEM market beginning with a look at the product specifications in the table below.

Specifications

Packaging and Accessories

You have probably noticed by now how the face plates on the DUNU SA6 MK2 have gone with an orange-colored stabilized wood. Keeping up with the orange theme is the product box itself which has a glossy bright orange sleeve with a hilariously large Hi-Res Audio logo on the front to go with the product and brand names. On the back we see product specifications in multiple languages along with contact information for DUNU. More branding on the sides reminds us the company has been around for 21 years now and we can now slide out the inner black cardboard box too. This one is simple with a small DUNU logo in white on the lid and inside is a thick foam layer with machined cutouts to hold the various items of interest. The accessories box has paperwork in the form of a QC sticker as well as a note on how to use the modular cable connectors available here. There are also several individually wrapped bags with the rest of the accessories.


DUNU has always been generous with its IEMs when it comes to the extras you get. With the SA6 MK2, there's the expected cleaning brush and a 3.5 mm to 6.35 mm (1/4") single-ended TRS adapter, but also a 4.4 mm TRRS balanced cable connector to be used with the modular cable itself. We also get four different types of ear tips covering silicone and foam in different sizes (S/M/L) for silicone and M for the memory foam tips. These include the new DUNU Candy tips as well as the novel S&S tips which also come in a bonus fourth XL size too. The third silicone set is a more traditional one we saw with other DUNU IEMs and has a stiffer flange. You should try them all out to see what works best for you. To no surprise, the box marked "Cable" has the cable that itself comes inside a plastic zip-lock bag.


The carry/storage case that comes with the DUNU SA6 MK2 continues the orange theme and is one of the more catchy such options on the market. It uses a puck-style form factor except that the lid does not fully come off. The semi-hard case has a leatherette cover on top with a blue base and orange accents that are stitched well. The top and bottom surfaces have the DUNU logo embossed multiple times and inside we see the IEMs themselves in yet more foam. You can remove this foam insert and find plenty of room for the IEMs with the cable and ear tips attached, if not also a small DAC/amp too. There is suede lining all around the inside to help protect the contents from scratches.