AFUL DAWN-X Review — Headfonics

Nihal reviews the AFUL DAWN-X, a new flagship hybrid single dynamic, 8 BA, 4 EST, and bone conduction driver universal IEM priced at $1299 SRP.

Disclaimer: This sample was sent to me in exchange for my honest opinion. Headfonics is an independent website with no affiliate links or status. I thank HiFiGO and AFUL for this opportunity.

Click here to read more about AFUL products previously reviewed on Headfonics.

This article follows our current scoring guidelines, which you can read in more detail here.

AFUL DAWN-X Review

Summary

The flagship hybrid multi-driver AFUL DAWN-X IEM leans 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.

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8.9

Pros

Warm-neutral, fatigue-free, and relaxed tuning.

Deep, tight, detailed bass.

Impressive soundstage and good imaging.

Cons

Shells are large.

Build could be more premium.

AFUL began its journey in 2018. I don’t think I need to write much about AFUL as a brand, as, by now, most enthusiasts are well aware of their reputation, having released several solid IEMs in the past, such as the Cantor, Explorer, and MagicOne.

One thing I appreciate about AFUL is that they take their time before bringing a new release to market, which means their products are usually more thoughtful and better targeted for their audience.

That’s why their IEMs have received consistent praise, and AFUL remains one of the most respected Chi-Fi brands over the last few years.

I had briefly tried the Cantor, which was one of their premium releases from last year, and found it to have a very mature tuning.

This time, AFUL has released their new flagship hybrid IEM, the DAWN-X, featuring a 14-driver quad-brid setup.

This marks the first time AFUL has stepped into true flagship territory, and it will be interesting to see how it competes with its peers, especially since there are several strong contenders in this price range.

In this review, I’ll dive deep into what this new release brings to the table and see whether it justifies its premium price tag. I’ll also compare it to some recently released heavy-hitter IEMs such as the BGVP Solomon and THIEAUDIO Monarch MKIV.

Features

AFUL has clearly invested heavily in its technical know-how to build the DAWN-X. Each shell houses a 14-driver quad-brid setup with one dynamic driver, eight balanced armatures, four electrostatic drivers, and one bone-conduction driver.

The exact make and specs aren’t mentioned anywhere, but what’s here feels carefully tuned rather than thrown together for the sake of numbers.

Four of the BAs handle the midrange, the other four take care of the highs, and the EST drivers kick in above 5 kHz to add that extra shimmer and extension on top.

The DAWN-X also comes with AFUL’s high-damping pressure-balancing system, which helps manage the air pressure inside the ear for better comfort during long listening sessions.

On top of that, AFUL has used a six-way crossover, both electronic and physical, to split the frequencies cleanly across all those drivers.

And then there’s the RLC Network Frequency Division Correction tech, which basically tames unwanted peaks or resonance, especially in the treble region, keeping the sound smooth and controlled.

The DAWN-X feels like a product where AFUL really focused on refining the technical side to make the sound as coherent and balanced as possible.

It’s a pretty loaded design, and while a lot of that sounds like engineering talk, we will see how these translate to sound very shortly.

Design

The AFUL DAWN-X has a simple, no-nonsense design that doesn’t try too hard to look flashy. The shells are made from medical-grade resin and have an ergonomic shape to follow the ear contours nicely.

The shells fall into the larger category overall, but they have a relatively compact front profile with an elongated shape along the lateral axis.

The faceplate, though, is where things get interesting. It has this beautiful custom-stabilized wood design with a deep maroon-red base and swirls of copper, gold, and amber running through it.

The pattern looks like something between polished stone and resin, giving it a natural, handcrafted feel. Every pair is a one-off, so no two sets are the same, and that little secret between you and the IEM is half the fun.

When light hits the faceplate, there’s a soft shimmer that brings out the layers and depth to the finish. The whole plank is sealed under a glossy, piano-smooth finish that feels cool and premium in the hand.

The DAWN-X uses standard 0.78mm 2-pin connectors. The nozzles are fairly long with a normal width, but they lack lips.

For me, it always takes a bit of struggle to mount ear tips on them. The nozzles have a metal mesh on top to prevent dirt and dust from entering inside.

Overall, the faceplate stands out with its vibrant, organic look. The shells feel solid and well-built, but it’s not the jewel-box precision of something like the BGVP Solomon or Monarch MKIV.

Maybe AFUL saved all their magic for the sound; we’ll find out soon enough.

Comfort & Isolation

The AFUL DAWN-X has fairly large shells, though the ergonomic shape and a very light weight help it sit naturally in the ear.

The inner side of the shell is smoothly curved, following the contours of the inner ear quite well, but there’s a slight bulge that can press against the inner lobe if you try to push it in too deeply.

If your ears run petite, it can feel like someone left a coin in the wrong pocket. For me, with slightly larger than average ears, the shell just nestles easily in my ears with zero drama. I can wear the DAWN-X comfortably for hours without any issues.

For comparison, the DAWN-X shells are a touch smaller than the THIEAUDIO Monarch MKIV and Origin, so while they’re big, they’re not huge by any means.

The nozzle design really helps here. It’s longer than average, which gives a more secure fit and consistent seal without the usual ear tip struggle that comes with shorter nozzles.

Isolation is quite impressive, so once fitted properly, it cuts down a good amount of ambient noise, making it easy to listen in cafes and lounges without cranking up the volume. I didn’t experience any driver flex or discomfort, even during longer sessions.

Overall, the DAWN-X fits comfortably for medium to large ears, stays secure, and provides excellent isolation without much effort. Once fitted, they do not fall off or need any frequent readjustments.

Ear Tips

AFUL didn’t hold back on ear tips, as they’ve included four full sets, twelve tips in total, with each type in small, medium, and large sizes. You get them in different colors: white, grey, black, and grey with red stems.

But I find this variety to be mostly just on the surface. Flip them over and you’ll see they’re all the same shape, with long stems, narrow bores, and identical flange thickness. The length works fine since the DAWN-X has a fairly long nozzle, so it keeps things covered.

Personally, I’ve never been a fan of narrow bores; they tend to roll off the highs and make the bass sound a bit heavy. Cymbals lose sparkle, and everything feels a little too warm and closed in.

The good thing is, the nozzle’s diameter is normal, so tip-rolling is easy. I spent a good while swapping tips around and found the wide-bore ones made it sound more open. Among the ear tips I tried, the Final E, AZLA Sedna Light, and SpinFit W1 fit without much struggle.

Bottom line: don’t just stick to the stock tips. A small change in bore size or material can make a big difference in how the DAWN-X sounds. It’s worth experimenting.

Stock Cable

AFUL tosses in a high-purity 6N single-crystal copper cable with the DAWN-X that uses an 8-strand Litz braided design.

This dark chocolate-brown colored cable goes well with the IEMs and looks clean and understated. It uses standard 0.78mm 2-pin connectors and has a 4.4mm balanced plug termination, though you can pick a 3.5mm version when ordering.

For a premium release, this cable already feels dated when many other brands are shipping modular cables with swappable plugs, so that feels like a bit of a miss from AFUL.

On the plus side, the cable has a nice thickness to it and is soft enough to coil around four fingers without any fuss, and it feels light and easy to manage. It’s flexible enough to pack away without fighting back or twisting up.

The termination plug is simple and metallic with the AFUL logo printed on it. The Y-split is a plain cylindrical piece, with no fancy branding, and the 2-pin connectors have that slightly angled, old-school style. Everything feels solid and well put together, but nothing really screams “premium.”

Personally, I think the cable does its job fine, but it’s just not the kind that gives off a high-end feel. For a flagship like this, I’d love a bit of theater; something a little more refined or a collaboration with a known cable brand would’ve elevated the whole package.

Packaging & Accessories

AFUL has gone with a simple, no-frills approach for the DAWN-X packaging. It comes in a compact box, smaller than what you usually see at this price point, which already gives off a minimalist vibe.

The outer sleeve features the IEM’s image along with some details about the drivers and the tech inside. Peeling off the outer sleeve, you find a clean matte charcoal-blue box with the AFUL logo pressed on the top of the lid like a quiet signature. It’s nothing flashy, just neat and understated.

On opening the lid, you’ll find the IEM faceplates glowing against the black foam and a carry case that sits snugly in dense padding, giving a nice first impression. The IEMs really pop against the dark background.

The large leather-textured case adds a bit of luxury to the look, immediately drawing attention. The presentation feels tidy and well thought out, without trying to look overly premium. It’s straightforward, but it works.

Inside the carry case, you’ll find the cable, a cleaning brush, and four little baggies of ear tips rattling around. AFUL basically trusts you already own a T-shirt for wiping fingerprints. The four sets of ear tips make up for it, and the roomy case itself is a nice inclusion.

Personally, I’d say it’s a practical and balanced unboxing, more thoughtful than some flashy packages like the Monarch MKIV, but still grounded and functional, which fits AFUL’s style perfectly.

Carry Case

The AFUL DAWN-X comes with a carry case that has enough space inside to comfortably store the IEMs and the cable.

This case has a dark navy-blue leather-like finish with a grainy texture that helps you with grip. The AFUL logo is neatly embossed on the top of this case.

The case has a sturdy build that feels protective enough to safely store the IEMs. With the hard edges around, it won’t get pressed easily under light pressure. A golden zipper runs smoothly along the perimeter.

Opening the carry case, you’ll find soft, tan, suede-ish padding all around, giving a cushioned feel. A mesh pouch is stitched under the lid, which comes in handy for spare tips, a tiny dongle, or other accessories.

It’s the kind of case you keep even after you’ve upgraded the IEMs inside. More brands should take the hint: if you’re charging flagship money, throw in a case that actually protects the investment instead of a small, cramped one where the IEM struggles for space.

Click on page 2 below for my sound impressions and recommended pairings.

Click on page 3 below for my selected comparisons.

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