The MOONDROP x Crinacle DUSK is the latest version of DUSK, a premium in-ear monitor. These earphones are equipped with 2DD+2BA+2 Planar Magnetic drivers and Digital Signal Processing (DSP) Type-C and 3.5 mm cables. The cable features EQ presets that enable you to adjust the sound of the earbuds. They are suitable for office use as they are comfortable enough and have no audio leaks. You can enjoy decent audio reproduction accuracy and a warm sound profile. Crinacle DUSK doesn’t support Bluetooth, so you need a cable to work.
Given that these earpieces are in-ear devices, they do not generate audio that engages with the outer ear. The bass has a nice roar, texture, and clarity, but lacks quantity, feeling balanced and tight.
Despite having two bass drivers, it falls short compared to other IEMs, such as the Monarch MK3, SoundPEATS Engine4, and Edifier X5 True Wireless Stereo, which offer a more pronounced bass presence and a better head-filling experience. The DSP Type-C cable significantly improves the bass quantity. However, it still lacks the physical and tangible bass feeling present on other 2DD IEMs for low frequencies.
Furthermore, the midrange of the MOONDROP x Crinacle DUSK remains similar to that of the 3.4 mm stock cable. While the tone is slightly spicier and brighter with the cable, it adds more musicality to the performance. On the other hand, DUSK has a little more thump and rumble than the TOZO T6 but lacks the T6 detail and sizzle. Certain sounds, such as those produced by cymbals, may appear somewhat uneven, oscillating between a slightly piercing and slightly dull quality.
Overview of JBL Tune Flex
Let’s take a quick overview of the major features and specifications of the MOONDROP x Crinacle DUSK.
The peaks and dips performance of these earpieces is excellent, and the bass and mid-ranges follow their sound profile well. Android users can download the MOONDROP Link 2.0 app to make their own EQ profiles, but there is bad news for Apple users, as the app doesn’t work for iOS.
Specifications and Features of MOONDROP x Crinacle DUSK
See the main features of DUSK in the table below:
| Model: DUSK | |
| Manufacturer: | MOONDROP Co. |
| Cavity Material: | 3D-Printed Medical Resin |
| Driver: | 2 Dynamic Drivers + 2 Balanced Armature + 2 Planar Magnetic Drivers, 3-Way |
| Earphone Jack: | 0.78- 2-pin |
| Cable Plug: | 3.5mm Single-ended / USB-C |
| Frequency Response: | 10Hz- 24kHz |
| Effective Frequency Response: | 20Hz – 20kHz (IEC60318-4, 3dB) |
| Impedance: | 14.5Ω±15% (@1kHz) |
| Sensitivity: | 119dB/Vrms (@1kHz) |
| THD: | ≤0.5% (@1kHz, 94dB) |
| Origin: | China |
| Price: | US $399.99 |
Design and Comfort
DUSK has a faceplate made of carbon fiber, and the outer shell is 3D printed using medical-grade resin. A wooden wave pattern is present on the faceplates, but I prefer a semi-transparent and darker shell. The logo text “DUSK” is printed on the right side of the shell. I also found glue between the faceplate and shell. In this case, I think using a half-transparent, darker shell would be beneficial, as it also gives the item a nicer look.
The fit and shell size are similar to the MOONDROP Blessing 3 model. People with small ears may face challenges with in-ear adjustments due to the ear tips and their placement. While people with medium to large ears have a perfect fit with no audio leakage. You feel light and comfortable while wearing them because of the large shell IEMs. Furthermore, the inner side has curves and bends that contribute to a snug fit, providing noise isolation.
If you haven’t worn that, it probably doesn’t help you that much, but if you have worn something like the MOONDROP Blessing 2. This will be very familiar, as the shell shape is essentially the same. The only difference they made to the original Blessing 3 was to narrow the nozzle significantly.
The rest of the IEM is still pretty bulky. I’ll be honest, and I would describe this as a medium to large fitting that fits quite comfortably in the ears.
Sound Quality
You can find two cables with the DUSK: a 3.5 mm cable and a Type-C DSP cable. Both cables offer distinct sound profiles. As we discussed, the Type C cable has digital processing capabilities. Using the EQ presets, users can adjust the sound of the buds while also utilizing these IEMs with their included analog cables. In short, the Dusk is a slightly better version of the Blessing 3 IEM, with notable changes in treble and bass detailing. In my opinion, the DUSK lacks quantity, but the bass has nice rumble, clarity, and texture.
Despite having two dynamic drivers for the bass, the earpieces fall short compared to other IEMs, such as the Monarch MK3 and Hype 2/4, which offer a more immersive and physically present bass. When it comes to midrange, it boasts brilliant clarity, body, and tonality. The headphone produces details and tones, making male and female vocals more accurate and realistic. I didn’t find any noticeable sharpness or harshness in the upper midrange, which produces a remarkable vocal performance.
When discussing treble, it is characterized as sparkly, detailed, crisp, musical, and layered. Each instrument in the treble is distinct without blending into others, which provides a 3D holographic treble presentation. The instruments sound natural and realistic, with well-rounded upper frequencies. It results in producing an impressive and musical sound with crisp sparkle. I found the improved bass quantity with the DSP cable, both in mid-bass and sub-bass.
For low frequencies, it still lacks the tangible and physical bass feeling present in other 2DD IEMs. Whereas the midrange remains similar to the 3.5 mm stock cable, with no significant changes noted. The soundstage is holographic with good depth and height but lacks width. Layering and imaging are precise, allowing you to locate vocalists and instruments accurately.
Horizontally-Opposed Double Dynamic Driver Module Unite System
The scientifically engineered HODDDUS system uses horizontally opposed dual 10 mm dynamic drivers arranged symmetrically through 3D-printed modular components. This setup effectively emphasizes the strengths of a hybrid earpiece, particularly in enhancing bass dynamics. The close and precise alignment of these drivers allows for a compact yet powerful sound delivery system.
These 3D-printed components form a physical band-pass filter, equipped with two independent filtering structures and damping devices. This enables fine-tuned acoustic adjustments, resulting in a doubled sound pressure output. And, the diaphragm stroke remains less than half under identical pressure, allowing for extended dynamic range and significantly reduced nonlinear distortion.
The symmetrical HODDDUS layout is specifically designed to concentrate the magnetic field generated by the twin dynamic drivers. This focused magnetic alignment improves energy conversion efficiency while further minimizing distortion across the board. As a result, the earphones deliver more accurate low-end performance and greater overall clarity across the entire frequency range.
Configuration
The DUSK has a low-distortion planar treble driver, effectively replacing the balanced armature treble driver. Further, it optimizes the treble timbre through collaborative tuning, resulting in a more natural treble definition. Fine-tuning relies on the robust foundation of Blessing 3’s dual dynamic drivers, a more advanced frequency crossover circuit filter, and a 3D-printed physical filter acoustic structure, meeting Crinacle’s stringent requirements as in Truthear X Crinacle Zero: Blue 2.
Planar Driver
DUSK features two brand-new miniature planar magnetic treble drivers on both sides. While the manufacturing precision matches that of balanced armatures, miniature planars circumvent the issues of narrow bandwidth and high odd-harmonic distortion that arise from the drive pins of balanced armatures.
The dual miniature planar magnetic drivers deliver more detail, lower distortion, and increased treble than the same balanced armatures and are easier to drive than earpieces with electrostatic drivers.
What is in the Box of MOONDROP x Crinacle DUSK?
The following items are present in the box:
Pros and Cons of MOONDROP x Crinacle DUSK
The following are the good and negative aspects of the earphones:
Pros
Cons
FAQs About MOONDROP x Crinacle DUSK
Before making up your mind to buy Dusk, read our FAQs section to make your mind clear about these headsets.
