AFUL DAWN-X

https://www.head-fi.org/showcase/aful-dawn-x.28600/reviews

It's rare for an IEM to come along and tick basically every box on my audiophile wish list, but that is indeed the case with AFUL's new flagship, the Dawn-X. I truly believe this to be the culmination of lessons learned from their past models, poured into one of the best IEMs on the market today. Wait, before I go on, let's just take a moment to talk about that name, since I neglected to do so earlier in the review. I wouldn't say AFUL is a company recognized for its great naming conventions, but come on—Dawn-X? Why even include the X? Just name it Dawn, or even Risen Dawn would have been better.

I see the AFUL DAWN-X as an admirable attempt. It’s good that the company took its time to release a flagship and managed to get a lot of things right.

The 14 drivers work together in a way that feels deliberate, giving a warm-neutral sound that’s easy to like.

The bass strikes with polite authority, the midrange pours a rich musical layer, and the soundstage spreads wide enough to let everything breathe. The bone-conduction driver lends a nice supporting role by adding a gentle tactile layer that feels almost ticklish at times.

Still, the kilobuck space is crowded. On one side, we have the Monarch MKIV playing the grown-up card, which feels more refined and mature in its tuning, and on the other, the Solomon, which sounds truer and more honest with its stingy and sparkling treble.

The DAWN-X chooses the middle seat, leaning toward a relaxed and easy-going presentation without losing detail. The IEM is certainly not the last word in slam or shimmer, but pushes itself hard into the competition.