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 | 1 |
| Visit Count | 75 | 103 |
| External Reviews | 3 | 1 |
Meta Ratings
In terms of overall sound impression, x Crinacle DUSK notably outshines Variations. It presents music with clearly greater accuracy, air, and stereo separation (7.5 vs 6.5). For comfort fit, It performs readably better (8 vs 7). Even under close inspection, It maintains a clearly cleaner, more seamless design — whereas Variations occasionally reveals minor imperfections. Users may find the It cable notably more confidence-inspiring for both daily use and long-term durability. It’s bundled components feel measurably more premium, suggesting a stronger focus on user satisfaction and long-term value.
| 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 c tighter sub-bass response, controlling low-end rumble with more precision than x Crinacle DUSK (6.5 vs 5.3). It renders bass with d greater punch and separation, where x Crinacle DUSK sometimes feels bloated (6.5 vs 5). The bass in It feels n more physical and textured, with improved rumble and body compared to x Crinacle DUSK (8.5 vs 5.3). Male vocals and lower instruments sound m richer and better defined on It, unlike x Crinacle DUSK which can seem hollow (7.5 vs 5.8). In the upper mids, It sounds s clearer and more articulate, highlighting vocals and lead instruments better than x Crinacle DUSK (8 vs 6.5). x Crinacle DUSK captures ambient cues and reverbs a more precisely through its upper treble, enhancing spatial perception over Variations (8.8 vs 8). The stereo field on Variations feels a wider and more holographic, whereas x Crinacle DUSK sounds more intimate (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 keeps competing frequencies under control a more effectively, reducing sonic congestion compared to x Crinacle DUSK (7 vs 6.3). Notes played through It feel s weightier and fuller, giving a more satisfying impact than those from x Crinacle DUSK (8 vs 6.5). It delivers m stronger slam and physicality, making drums and transients hit harder than x Crinacle DUSK (8.5 vs 6.8). The upper range of vocals is a cleaner and more forgiving on It, helping it avoid sibilant harshness that x Crinacle DUSK shows (9 vs 8.3). Timbre on x Crinacle DUSK sounds a more realistic and natural, whereas Variations feels slightly more artificial or colored (8.5 vs 7.5). Tonality on It is d more coherent and refined, yielding a more pleasing overall signature than Variations (8.5 vs 7). It portrays textures in vocals and strings with a more realism, enhancing emotional depth over 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
// Nothing to compare yet.