Just got these and I agree with everything you said. It’s so natural and organic sounding, with excellent bass, forward vocals, and tons of detail. It’s so good!
Great video! Can you please do a quick comparison between these and the Monarch mk3? Imagining, resolution, soundstage, long term comfort, bass, details, etc I was about to buy the mk3 until seen your review.
Thanks, @h1a8. The DUNU Glacier has better sub-bass, more forward vocals, and cleaner treble. When compared side by side, the Monarch MK3 sounds "slightly" warmer. Long-term comfort is subjective, depends on the ear tips I use, and honestly, I feel comfortable using both. Maybe the Monarch is "slightly" more comfortable because the DUNU Glacier is heavier. For Imaging, resolution, soundstage, and details, I have to sit down for some time and focus before I answer that because they are close. All I am going to say is the Monarch MK3 is very resolving. The Glacier is also extremely resolving, has a great technical performance, and sound natural. If you have a chance of listening to them both and comparing, I would recommend that. Hope this helps.
The Monarch MK3s have insane seperation especially in the high end and low end but the highs in particular scream through the rest of the mix and are pretty harsh in comparison to the rest of the mix. On the contrary the variations have less harsh lows and treble, but they don't seperate as well, even with eqing both respectively. But the mids punch much more into the mix compared to the MK3s which still have the mids but I have to really focus on them in the mix in comparison. Seeing these these are tuned similarly to the Moondrop Variations, do these have the same seperation and soundstage as the MK3s? Ive heard maybe the symphonium lineup (helios & crimson) can compete as well but I haven't heard of tested them.
The DUNU Glacier has better imaging and separation than the MK III in my opinion. Not to mention the zero sibilance and harshness in the Glacier. This is all my subjective opinion of course. About the soundstage, other than a few IEMs like the Andromedas, most IEMs are intimate. The Glacier sounds wider with more space around the instruments compared to the MK III. Hope this helps
Thanks for reviewing the glacier. When you said sub bass focus does it have a hole in the lower mids aka harman or a proper slope like the effect gaea? Honestly I dont think being jaded is a bad thing. It gives you a sense of skepticism and the want to actually hear it for your self. Hmmm I assume you are refering to the zen pro as the zen as fun as it is has 0 soundstage and doesnt image well. Maybe my chase for better hardware is different from yours but being able to blast to ear spliting levels is the not even on my mind but can the DAC/AMP control the the drivers well in a tight and precise way and produce fine texture that you can hear 7 layers down in a brickwalled track. Then again this is me coming from a rythem game background. Also if you dont mind can you say which beetles song you are refering to?
Hey @llysender. You're welcome. What do you mean by "a hole in the lower mids"? I haven't heard the GAEA. I was referring to the DUNU Zen. I agree with you on the small soundstage. My comment about the volume comes from me categorizing a product as portable or not. I love the Tin P2 but I can use it only with my desktop equipment. Obviously listening to high volume is 100% dangerous & not recommended, but if something can get loud using a dongle or a Bluetooth amp, then I could take it anywhere and use moderate volume and be happy that I don't have to carry a big amp to enjoy it. Better hardware allows you to perceive detailed texture & layering, but getting moderate volume is like a basic, first requirement. The driver has to move first (volume) before we talk about if this movement is controlled or even distorted. I also mentioned the volume comment because this is the first question many of my friends always ask, is it easy to drive? About the Beatles songs, I was not referring to a song in particular, here are a few Beatles tracks I listened to while reviewing the DUNU Glacier: - In My Life - Here Comes the Sun - Eleanor Rigby - Yesterday - Blackbird - Hey Jude Hope this helps :)
@@Atechreviews Im refering to very harman in ear tuned iems like the thie monarch where the subbass is boosted to the point where the upper bass/lower mids feels extremely recessed by comparison. Oh yeah by biocellulose its refering to where the internet calls paper drivers. It tends to have lesser slam with the given advantage of being easier to drive with usually added decay compared to the usual plastic drivers. Thanks for the test songs will check them out. Also will be waiting for the glacier to come to my local dealer. Just curous do you have easy access to a dealer to test out varous gear or you are limited to what you have/buy and review units?
@@llysender Ah, I understand what you mean. In that case, no, it is NOT similar to the Thieaudio Monarch's sub-bass at all. The bass, upper bass, and lower mids on the DUNU Glacier is definitel not recessed. I wanted to say that it is one of the IEMs where the textured bass is good, but the seismic sub-bass is in your face. The bass is punchy and has an impactuful slam for sure , but what caught my attention was the clear rumble of the sub-bass on many songs that had sub-bass. It is like the sub-bass & bass of a super high definition Moondrop Variations. The lower mids are forward, the whole midrange is forward with clarity and definition on both ends of the spectrum (bass & treble). Thanks for the info on the bio-cellulose. I need to know more about it. Let me know if you listen to it and enjoy the slam :) Unfortunately, I don't have access to any local dealers. Just your regular audiophile here. I do have local friends who could lend me a few items, other than that, I am limited to stuff I have or buy.
@atechreviews you mention dunu zen original. What you like and don't like with dunu zen? Have u ever review zen? I also have zen. I like the vocal and timbre of zen. Any recommend better iem around $500 and around $1000
I currently don't own the DUNU Zen or the Origin, as I had to let them go to fund other IEM purchases. My daily driver IEMs now are the DUNU Glacier and the Elysian DIVA 2023.
I haven't tried the Empire Ear Mest Mark 1, but between the Campfire Andromeda 2020 and the DUNU Glacier, the Andromeda has a more holographic soundstage while the Glacier remains one of the best IEMs I've heard for soundstage. Both are great, just with different sound signatures!
In my opinion, they are an upgrade over the Moondrop Variations in every conceivable way. First, the Glacier has a much better, textured and cleaner bass. The bass is punchier slams harder on the Glacier. As much as I love the sub-bass on the Variations, the Glacier still beats it. Second, Glacier wins in the clarity, imaging, and separation departments. So much effortless detail is offered by the Glacier. Third, the Glacier is the first IEM I have listened to that has a natural, organic timbre. It sounds life like. The Glacier is also heavier and has better passive sound isolation. Honestly, the Variations is an excellent IEM. Variations vs Glacier is like comparing HiFiman Ananda and Arya if this makes any sense. Hope this helps
Certainly. I have extensively tested the DUNU Glacier with rock and hard rock music. The Glacier excels in handling rock and hard rock music, particularly in reproducing the clean bass and drum sounds while maintaining exceptional clarity, detail, and instrument separation. The clarity, detail, and separation of instruments are top-notch. Vocals are clear and slightly upfront, while the treble is crisp but never sharp.
Thank you for your detailed response. I love all genres but especially hard rock and vocal. I would imagine that electric guitars come across with plenty of excitement, detail, and energy as well.
@dragularob Sure thing. What does "flat gear" mean to you? Are you referring to something like A90 & THX 789? I use both as well as the BTR7. Which version of the DUNU SA6 are you interested in?
@@Atechreviews Thank you! I use both BTR7 or actually a Behringer audio mixer, that has a very clean balanced, and powerful output. Usually, the mixer wins any amp I tried so far. That's why I say "flat". SA6 original one if you can. :) My primary fears for the Glacier: - Are the highs fatiguing / piercing or just gracefully clear and sharp? - I have a love/hate relationship with the mids on the moondrop variations. They can sound nasal which makes female voices sometimes harsh or electric guitars in metal too rough and almost unlistenable to me, on both sources. How does Glacier handle that? - I listen to a lot of symphonic metal and busy electronic music. How do these handle complex, busy and distorted music? I.e. Nightwish or Amethystium for example.
@@ivanivkovicmusic I don't have the original SA6, but here's what I can share about the Glacier: - The highs on the Glacier are really nice. They're not sharp or fatiguing; instead, they're airy, clear, and detailed. I'm sensitive to treble, but I find these highs very comfortable. - The mids are also good. They're clear, forward, and not shouty at all. They're neutral and forward, and electric guitars sound detailed without being sharp. - I listen to bands like Nightwish, Epica, and Eluveitie. With the Glacier, their music sounds clear and separate yet cohesive. The drums and guitars are clear, vocals and electric guitars are forward, and everything feels defined and realistic. The soundstage is pretty good too. Hope this helps.
I'm trying to decide between glaciar and prestige ltd. I heard prestige ltd is like listening to music in a hall filled with speakers, so I was attracted to prestige ltd for soundstage, imaging, and clarity, and this glacier seems like a direct competitor. Can i ask how accurate is the separation?
While I don't own the Prestige Ltd, I can certainly share my experiences with the Glacier. The Glacier has an expansive soundstage with outstanding imaging, separation, and clarity. You'll find that it allows you to pinpoint the exact source of a sound while still providing a wide, immersive soundstage. The separation is incredibly precise, giving each instrument and vocal its own space and depth. This makes the Glacier exceptional IMO for picking out details in complex music. In my opinion, it's one of the best IEMs for instrument separation and clarity that I've listened to. Hope this helps.
wow, thank you for the detailed description of Dunu Glacier. can i ask what music platform and dac you use for the Glacier? i always wonder what kind of setup you would need to do justice for an IEM of this caliber @@Atechreviews
@@radiofreealbemuth Sorry for the late reply-I just saw your comment! For my high-end IEMs like the Glacier, I love using either the TOPPING D90LE/A90 combo or the TOPPING E70/THX 789. Anything with a balanced connection and a flat, linear sound works wonders with the Glacier as it allows me to enjoy the clarity of the vocals, clean bass, and excellent imaging and soundstage it offers. As for a portable setup, I'm really impressed with the FiiO BTR7. While it doesn't unlock the Glacier's full potential, it still provides a really enjoyable listening experience on the go!
@dragularob it doesn't collect any dirt. It looks the same now as it did on the first day. No idea about stains but the outer layer is made out of cloth so I imagine it could easily get stained. I drink my coffee away from the cable these days lol
I heard them at Can Jam NYC a few days ago, they were sooooo good that I bought them on the spot #I'mInLove.
That's awesome to hear! Looking back, I realize I didn't praise them enough. Seriously, every day I'm just blown away by how awesome they are.
I'm trying to decide between glacier and prestige ltd. I read someone say that the soundstage is wider than prestige ltd 😳
I have no experience with the Thieaudio Prestige all I can say is that the Glacier soundstage is pretty wide! @@radiofreealbemuth
@@radiofreealbemuth Could you let me know which one you ended up choosing?
Just got these and I agree with everything you said. It’s so natural and organic sounding, with excellent bass, forward vocals, and tons of detail. It’s so good!
Glad you like them! They're really good.
The unboxing is second to none! What an amazing iem ! Omg i will buy it
I'm glad you enjoyed the unboxing! The IEM is truly amazing. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.
Thank you 🙏
@@Rex88282 You're welcome 👍
Great video!
Can you please do a quick comparison between these and the Monarch mk3?
Imagining, resolution, soundstage, long term comfort, bass, details, etc
I was about to buy the mk3 until seen your review.
Thanks, @h1a8. The DUNU Glacier has better sub-bass, more forward vocals, and cleaner treble. When compared side by side, the Monarch MK3 sounds "slightly" warmer. Long-term comfort is subjective, depends on the ear tips I use, and honestly, I feel comfortable using both. Maybe the Monarch is "slightly" more comfortable because the DUNU Glacier is heavier.
For Imaging, resolution, soundstage, and details, I have to sit down for some time and focus before I answer that because they are close. All I am going to say is the Monarch MK3 is very resolving. The Glacier is also extremely resolving, has a great technical performance, and sound natural.
If you have a chance of listening to them both and comparing, I would recommend that. Hope this helps.
The Monarch MK3s have insane seperation especially in the high end and low end but the highs in particular scream through the rest of the mix and are pretty harsh in comparison to the rest of the mix.
On the contrary the variations have less harsh lows and treble, but they don't seperate as well, even with eqing both respectively. But the mids punch much more into the mix compared to the MK3s which still have the mids but I have to really focus on them in the mix in comparison.
Seeing these these are tuned similarly to the Moondrop Variations, do these have the same seperation and soundstage as the MK3s? Ive heard maybe the symphonium lineup (helios & crimson) can compete as well but I haven't heard of tested them.
The DUNU Glacier has better imaging and separation than the MK III in my opinion. Not to mention the zero sibilance and harshness in the Glacier. This is all my subjective opinion of course.
About the soundstage, other than a few IEMs like the Andromedas, most IEMs are intimate. The Glacier sounds wider with more space around the instruments compared to the MK III.
Hope this helps
Thanks for reviewing the glacier. When you said sub bass focus does it have a hole in the lower mids aka harman or a proper slope like the effect gaea?
Honestly I dont think being jaded is a bad thing. It gives you a sense of skepticism and the want to actually hear it for your self.
Hmmm I assume you are refering to the zen pro as the zen as fun as it is has 0 soundstage and doesnt image well.
Maybe my chase for better hardware is different from yours but being able to blast to ear spliting levels is the not even on my mind but can the DAC/AMP control the the drivers well in a tight and precise way and produce fine texture that you can hear 7 layers down in a brickwalled track. Then again this is me coming from a rythem game background.
Also if you dont mind can you say which beetles song you are refering to?
Hey @llysender. You're welcome. What do you mean by "a hole in the lower mids"? I haven't heard the GAEA. I was referring to the DUNU Zen. I agree with you on the small soundstage.
My comment about the volume comes from me categorizing a product as portable or not. I love the Tin P2 but I can use it only with my desktop equipment. Obviously listening to high volume is 100% dangerous & not recommended, but if something can get loud using a dongle or a Bluetooth amp, then I could take it anywhere and use moderate volume and be happy that I don't have to carry a big amp to enjoy it.
Better hardware allows you to perceive detailed texture & layering, but getting moderate volume is like a basic, first requirement. The driver has to move first (volume) before we talk about if this movement is controlled or even distorted. I also mentioned the volume comment because this is the first question many of my friends always ask, is it easy to drive?
About the Beatles songs, I was not referring to a song in particular, here are a few Beatles tracks I listened to while reviewing the DUNU Glacier:
- In My Life
- Here Comes the Sun
- Eleanor Rigby
- Yesterday
- Blackbird
- Hey Jude
Hope this helps :)
@@Atechreviews Im refering to very harman in ear tuned iems like the thie monarch where the subbass is boosted to the point where the upper bass/lower mids feels extremely recessed by comparison.
Oh yeah by biocellulose its refering to where the internet calls paper drivers. It tends to have lesser slam with the given advantage of being easier to drive with usually added decay compared to the usual plastic drivers.
Thanks for the test songs will check them out.
Also will be waiting for the glacier to come to my local dealer.
Just curous do you have easy access to a dealer to test out varous gear or you are limited to what you have/buy and review units?
@@llysender Ah, I understand what you mean. In that case, no, it is NOT similar to the Thieaudio Monarch's sub-bass at all. The bass, upper bass, and lower mids on the DUNU Glacier is definitel not recessed. I wanted to say that it is one of the IEMs where the textured bass is good, but the seismic sub-bass is in your face.
The bass is punchy and has an impactuful slam for sure , but what caught my attention was the clear rumble of the sub-bass on many songs that had sub-bass. It is like the sub-bass & bass of a super high definition Moondrop Variations. The lower mids are forward, the whole midrange is forward with clarity and definition on both ends of the spectrum (bass & treble).
Thanks for the info on the bio-cellulose. I need to know more about it. Let me know if you listen to it and enjoy the slam :)
Unfortunately, I don't have access to any local dealers. Just your regular audiophile here. I do have local friends who could lend me a few items, other than that, I am limited to stuff I have or buy.
Thank you for this review. :)
Glad it was helpful
These look awesome!
Couldn't agree more.
Great review🤝🏻🤝🏻
Thanks
@atechreviews you mention dunu zen original. What you like and don't like with dunu zen? Have u ever review zen? I also have zen. I like the vocal and timbre of zen. Any recommend better iem around $500 and around $1000
I currently don't own the DUNU Zen.
Just read that your daily iem is glacier and origin. Please give a few comparison about dunu zen and tanchjim origin.
I currently don't own the DUNU Zen or the Origin, as I had to let them go to fund other IEM purchases. My daily driver IEMs now are the DUNU Glacier and the Elysian DIVA 2023.
plzz, compare with Empire Ear Mest Mark 1 and Campfire Ear Andromeda 2020 for soundstage.
I haven't tried the Empire Ear Mest Mark 1, but between the Campfire Andromeda 2020 and the DUNU Glacier, the Andromeda has a more holographic soundstage while the Glacier remains one of the best IEMs I've heard for soundstage. Both are great, just with different sound signatures!
Given the similar fr, how much of an upgrade are they compared to the Moondrop Variations?
In my opinion, they are an upgrade over the Moondrop Variations in every conceivable way.
First, the Glacier has a much better, textured and cleaner bass. The bass is punchier slams harder on the Glacier. As much as I love the sub-bass on the Variations, the Glacier still beats it.
Second, Glacier wins in the clarity, imaging, and separation departments. So much effortless detail is offered by the Glacier.
Third, the Glacier is the first IEM I have listened to that has a natural, organic timbre. It sounds life like.
The Glacier is also heavier and has better passive sound isolation.
Honestly, the Variations is an excellent IEM. Variations vs Glacier is like comparing HiFiman Ananda and Arya if this makes any sense.
Hope this helps
Have you listened to rock/hard rock with the Glacier? How does it handle rock music compared to the Mest Mach II, Hype 4,10 and others?
Certainly. I have extensively tested the DUNU Glacier with rock and hard rock music. The Glacier excels in handling rock and hard rock music, particularly in reproducing the clean bass and drum sounds while maintaining exceptional clarity, detail, and instrument separation. The clarity, detail, and separation of instruments are top-notch. Vocals are clear and slightly upfront, while the treble is crisp but never sharp.
Thank you for your detailed response. I love all genres but especially hard rock and vocal. I would imagine that electric guitars come across with plenty of excitement, detail, and energy as well.
@@jackhandy6211 Indeed. I would also add that they have a realistic, natural timbre.
Glacier vs Prestige LTD, anyone?
Anyone?
@@Atechreviews are you in position to compare these two?
Would love to know also
Can you please compare them with the Monarch MK2 or Dunu SA6 on a flat gear or a BT7R?
@dragularob Sure thing. What does "flat gear" mean to you? Are you referring to something like A90 & THX 789? I use both as well as the BTR7. Which version of the DUNU SA6 are you interested in?
@@Atechreviews Thank you! I use both BTR7 or actually a Behringer audio mixer, that has a very clean balanced, and powerful output. Usually, the mixer wins any amp I tried so far. That's why I say "flat".
SA6 original one if you can. :)
My primary fears for the Glacier:
- Are the highs fatiguing / piercing or just gracefully clear and sharp?
- I have a love/hate relationship with the mids on the moondrop variations. They can sound nasal which makes female voices sometimes harsh or electric guitars in metal too rough and almost unlistenable to me, on both sources. How does Glacier handle that?
- I listen to a lot of symphonic metal and busy electronic music. How do these handle complex, busy and distorted music? I.e. Nightwish or Amethystium for example.
I don't really need you to do a thorough test for me. :D Just from your impressions in short.
@@ivanivkovicmusic
I don't have the original SA6, but here's what I can share about the Glacier:
- The highs on the Glacier are really nice. They're not sharp or fatiguing; instead, they're airy, clear, and detailed. I'm sensitive to treble, but I find these highs very comfortable.
- The mids are also good. They're clear, forward, and not shouty at all. They're neutral and forward, and electric guitars sound detailed without being sharp.
- I listen to bands like Nightwish, Epica, and Eluveitie. With the Glacier, their music sounds clear and separate yet cohesive. The drums and guitars are clear, vocals and electric guitars are forward, and everything feels defined and realistic. The soundstage is pretty good too.
Hope this helps.
@@Atechreviews That's really what I wanted to hear. :) Ty m8
I currently have the SA6 mk2
I'm trying to decide between glaciar and prestige ltd. I heard prestige ltd is like listening to music in a hall filled with speakers, so I was attracted to prestige ltd for soundstage, imaging, and clarity, and this glacier seems like a direct competitor. Can i ask how accurate is the separation?
While I don't own the Prestige Ltd, I can certainly share my experiences with the Glacier. The Glacier has an expansive soundstage with outstanding imaging, separation, and clarity. You'll find that it allows you to pinpoint the exact source of a sound while still providing a wide, immersive soundstage. The separation is incredibly precise, giving each instrument and vocal its own space and depth. This makes the Glacier exceptional IMO for picking out details in complex music. In my opinion, it's one of the best IEMs for instrument separation and clarity that I've listened to. Hope this helps.
wow, thank you for the detailed description of Dunu Glacier. can i ask what music platform and dac you use for the Glacier? i always wonder what kind of setup you would need to do justice for an IEM of this caliber @@Atechreviews
@@radiofreealbemuth Sorry for the late reply-I just saw your comment! For my high-end IEMs like the Glacier, I love using either the TOPPING D90LE/A90 combo or the TOPPING E70/THX 789. Anything with a balanced connection and a flat, linear sound works wonders with the Glacier as it allows me to enjoy the clarity of the vocals, clean bass, and excellent imaging and soundstage it offers.
As for a portable setup, I'm really impressed with the FiiO BTR7. While it doesn't unlock the Glacier's full potential, it still provides a really enjoyable listening experience on the go!
Does the cable easily collect dirt/stains or can it be easily wiped and cleaned? The white color is strange hah...
@dragularob it doesn't collect any dirt. It looks the same now as it did on the first day. No idea about stains but the outer layer is made out of cloth so I imagine it could easily get stained. I drink my coffee away from the cable these days lol
@@Atechreviews Thanks. In my opinion, the cable is too big, too white, too apple. xD