Variationsvs.x Crinacle DUSK
Sound & Specs Comparison
Information
Both IEMs are widely regarded in the audiophile community. See how they differ in terms of sub-bass response, upper mids, clarity, and overall tonality. Spider charts and rating breakdowns included.
Objective Comparison
Facts, details, stuff.
| General Info | Variations | x Crinacle DUSK |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | Moondrop | Moondrop |
| Country | China | China |
| IEM Description | Moondrop Variations is a hybrid in-ear monitor combining electrostatic, balanced armature, and dynamic drivers for a precise and immersive listening experience. Known for its balanced, reference-style tuning with tight bass, clean mids, and extended treble, it’s a favorite among audiophiles who crave clarity and technical performance. Ideal for detail lovers and those seeking a high-fidelity sound signature. | MoonDrop × Crinacle DUSK is a highly acclaimed hybrid in-ear monitor co-developed with tuning expert Crinacle. It features a precise, neutral-bright tuning with a slight sub-bass lift, offering exceptional clarity, detail retrieval, and tonal balance. Known for its reference-grade performance, the DUSK is often considered one of the best IEMs under $1,000 and a benchmark in the audiophile community. |
| Price Level | 500 – 1.000 | 100 – 500 |
| Housing & Driver | ||
|---|---|---|
| Driver Config | Tribrid | Tribrid |
| Driver Types | Dynamic Driver + Balanced Armature + Electrostatic | Planar Magnetic Driver + Dynamic Driver + Balanced Armature |
| Shell Material | Copper | Resin |
| Cable | – | – |
| Technical | ||
|---|---|---|
| Freq Range | 9-40,000 Hz | 10Hz- 24kHz |
| Impedance (Ω) | – | 14.5 |
| Sensitivity (dB) | – | 119 |
| Crossover | – | – |
| Platform Info | ||
|---|---|---|
| Comments | 1 | 0 |
| Visit Count | 69 | 99 |
| External Reviews | 3 | 1 |
Meta Ratings
x Crinacle DUSK reveals microdetails and transient responses with clearly better articulation, helping listeners uncover nuances often missed with Variations. For comfort fit, It performs readably better (8 vs 7). From the connector housings to the shell seams, It demonstrates noticeably tighter tolerances and higher production standards. Cable-wise, It is substantially better built, featuring sturdier connectors and less tangling — traits where Variations falls slightly short. Regarding included accessories, It offers a significantly more complete and useful package, which may include additional tips, a better case, or enhanced extras.
| Variations | x Crinacle DUSK | |
|---|---|---|
| Sound | 6.5 | 7.5 |
| Comfort Fit | 7.0 | 8.0 |
| Build Quality | 6.5 | 7.5 |
| Stock Cable | 5.5 | 8.0 |
| Accessories | 6.0 | 8.0 |
Sound Characteristics
Variations delivers a tighter sub-bass response, controlling low-end rumble with more precision than x Crinacle DUSK (6.5 vs 5.3). The low-end on It is s more controlled and rhythmic, offering better definition than x Crinacle DUSK (6.5 vs 5). The bass in It feels s more physical and textured, with improved rumble and body compared to x Crinacle DUSK (8.5 vs 5.3). It achieves d better warmth and coherence in the lower mids, bringing more realism to guitars and cellos (7.5 vs 5.8). It strikes a d better balance between presence and smoothness in the upper mids compared to x Crinacle DUSK (8 vs 6.5). The upper treble of x Crinacle DUSK extends a further, offering more sparkle and openness than Variations (8.8 vs 8). Variations paints a a broader sonic landscape, offering better instrument positioning across the stage (7.5 vs 6.8). With a higher resolution, It allows finer textures and room ambiance to shine more than x Crinacle DUSK (8 vs 7). It shows s better control of masking effects, maintaining clarity across frequency ranges better than x Crinacle DUSK (7 vs 6.3). Notes on It feel s more grounded and weighty, whereas x Crinacle DUSK can sound thin or hollow (8 vs 6.5). It delivers a stronger slam and physicality, making drums and transients hit harder than x Crinacle DUSK (8.5 vs 6.8). Listeners may experience a fewer sharp edges in 'S' and 'T' sounds with It, whereas x Crinacle DUSK can get fatiguing (9 vs 8.3). x Crinacle DUSK presents instrument timbre with n more natural coloration, giving a realistic tone that Variations lacks (8.5 vs 7.5). Across the frequency range, It stays m more consistent in tonal balance, resulting in a smoother listen than Variations (8.5 vs 7). It renders texture a more precisely, making instrument surfaces and vocal grain more palpable than Variations (8.3 vs 7.5).
| Variations | x Crinacle DUSK | |
|---|---|---|
| Sub Bass | 6.5 | 5.3 |
| Bass | 6.5 | 5.0 |
| Bass Feel | 8.5 | 5.3 |
| Lower Mids | 7.5 | 5.8 |
| Upper Mids | 8.0 | 6.5 |
| Lower Treble | 7.5 | 7.3 |
| Upper Treble | 8.0 | 8.8 |
| Sound Stage Width | 7.5 | 6.8 |
| Detail | 8.0 | 7.0 |
| Layering | 7.0 | 7.3 |
| Masking | 7.0 | 6.3 |
| Note Weight | 8.0 | 6.5 |
| Slam | 8.5 | 6.8 |
| Sibilance | 9.0 | 8.3 |
| Timbre Color | 7.5 | 8.5 |
| Tonality | 7.0 | 8.5 |
| Texture | 7.5 | 8.3 |
Tonal Signature
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