Kurt reviews the INAWAKEN Twilight-DS, a hybrid universal IEM boasting a massive quad dynamic and 8 balanced armature driver design. It is currently priced at $349.00.
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 Linsoul for their support.
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This article follows our latest scoring guidelines, which you can read in more detail here.
INAWAKEN is a relatively new audio brand that first caught the market’s attention with the Dawn Ms, a single dynamic driver IEM that proved they could deliver solid tuning on a budget.
While that first release was simple, it established the company as a serious contender capable of making unique and competitive products right out of the gate.
Now comes the Twilight-DS, a massive step up that packs four dynamic drivers and eight balanced armatures into a premium titanium-alloy and Damascus steel shell.
Will this heavy and complex configuration prove to be a successful step forward for their second release, and how does it compare to the likes of the ZiiGaat Luna and XENNS Mangird Tea Pro? I found out in my full review below.
Features
The INAWAKEN Twilight-DS features a massive 12-driver hybrid configuration, combining four dynamic drivers with eight custom balanced armatures per side.
This complex setup is managed by an RC precision-controlled four-way crossover to ensure proper frequency division.
The bass is handled by a unique coaxial quad dynamic driver system housed within a CNC-machined aluminum alloy module.
These drivers are arranged in a counter-oriented setup to boost dynamic range and reduce distortion.
The midrange and treble are powered by eight custom-made balanced armature drivers. Four of these drivers cover the midrange, while the remaining four are split into two balanced armatures each between the highs and ultra-high frequencies.
To keep everything cohesive, the Twilight-DS uses a “4×4 Equal Division Matrix Architecture” to align the phase of each driver group.
This internal structure is designed to eliminate phase gaps and ensure the different driver types work together smoothly.
Design
The faceplate is crafted from real Damascus steel, featuring a mesmerizing, swirled pattern that mimics the organic lines of a topographic map. Its polished silver surface reflects light dynamically, creating a premium and rugged aesthetic that feels unique to each unit.
The main body uses a CNC-machined titanium alloy frame paired with a medical-grade 3D-printed resin back cavity. This results in a solid black shell that feels durable while maintaining a smooth and seamless finish.
The brand name “INAWAKEN” is printed in crisp white text along the upper edge of the black resin shell. Channel indicators are placed discreetly on the inner side to keep the outer visual profile clean and uncluttered.
A unique, distinctive gold circular vent is embedded into the lower corner of the faceplate, offering a sharp contrast to the silver steel. It features a radial grille pattern that serves as both a pressure relief port and a stylish visual accent.
The nozzle is machined from polished metal and includes a prominent lip to ensure ear tips remain securely attached. It is capped with a metal mesh filter to protect the internal drivers from debris.
A recessed 0.78mm 2-pin socket is located at the top of the shell to house the cable connection. This recessed design provides added stability and protects the connector pins from accidental bending.
Comfort & Isolation
The INAWAKEN Twilight-DS is a physically large IEM that sits with a noticeable protrusion from the ear. Its substantial footprint makes it a difficult recommendation for those with smaller ears.
Despite its bulk, the rounded shape contours surprisingly well to the ear, offering good comfort for hours of use. It avoids creating painful pressure points, which is a pleasant surprise given its massive size.
This ergonomic shaping contributes to a great seal, naturally blocking out a significant amount of ambient noise. The secure fit ensures the isolation holds up well without needing constant adjustment.
However, the Twilight-DS is too big and bulky to be a practical choice for sleeping or active commuting. Its heavy and protruding shell makes it strictly a stationary listening companion rather than a portable one.
Ear Tips
Two distinct sets of silicone ear tips come with the INAWAKEN Twilight-DS, each housed in its own compact plastic storage case. One set contains gray tips inside a clear white box, while the other holds black and yellow tips within a tinted black container.
The gray silicone tips feature a wide-bore design and a shorter stem that positions the nozzle closer to the ear. This configuration creates a more open sound presentation, allowing the staging to feel slightly more spacious.
In contrast, the black and yellow tips utilize a longer stem and a more tapered shape to function as a balanced option. They provide a deeper insertion depth that results in a stronger and more consistent seal than the wide-bore set.
Both types offer excellent comfort, avoiding the scratchy or itchy texture often found with stock accessories. They remain soft against the skin and allow for extended listening sessions without irritation.
Stock Cable
The INAWAKEN Twilight-DS comes with an OCC and alloy copper hybrid cable that features braided silver foil shielding for added durability.
Its visual presentation is striking, boasting thick silver-white braids that feel substantial and premium in hand.
It terminates in a fixed 4.4mm balanced plug, which means it cannot be used directly with standard smartphones without an external DAC dongle.
The connectors use a standard 0.78mm 2-pin interface, ensuring compatibility with a wide range of aftermarket options if needed.
Despite the excellent build quality, the lack of a modular plug system is a disappointing omission for an IEM in this category. A swappable termination would have better matched the versatile and high-end nature that the Twilight-DS aims to project.
Packaging & Accessories
The INAWAKEN Twilight-DS arrives in a sleek black box featuring a high-quality render of the IEMs and silver angular lines.
The front prominently displays the model name alongside the slogan “As Twilight Falls, Enjoy The INAWAKEN” at the bottom.
Flipping the box reveals a detailed breakdown of the technical specifications and exploded diagrams of the internal driver structure. A frequency response graph is also printed here, offering a preview of the tuning before you even open the package.
Removing the outer sleeve exposes a minimalist matte black inner box with the INAWAKEN logo centered in silver. A pull tab located at the top of the back panel allows for easy access to the internal contents.
Upon lifting the lid, you are greeted by a thin black cardboard envelope containing the warranty card and paperwork. This layer acts as a divider, keeping the presentation clean and hiding the products underneath.
Beneath the paperwork, the two IEM earpieces sit securely in a dedicated foam cutout on the left side of the tray.
Adjacent to them on the right is a separate rectangular compartment that houses the smaller accessory boxes that contain a premium blueish grey leather storage case and the eartips with their containers.
Sound Impressions
The following sound impressions of the INAWAKEN Twilight-DS were completed using a mix of the FiiO SNOWSKY Tiny B, the Heartfield R1, and the Colorfly CDA-M2.
Bass
The INAWAKEN Twilight-DS delivers a massive sub-bass response that dominates the low-end. It creates a semi-subwoofer effect that provides a constant, visceral rumble throughout every track.
This focus on the lowest frequencies allows for excellent detail retrieval in the sub-bass region. The low rumbling is not just loud but textured, revealing the nuance in deep bass notes.
Consequently, the mid-bass takes a step back and feels noticeably overshadowed by the sheer power of the sub-bass. While the punch is still audible, it lacks the immediate slam and authority found in more balanced tunings.
Overall energy remains high, ensuring the low end never feels lifeless despite the uneven balance. It favors a bottom-heavy presentation that prioritizes rumble over impact.
Bass guitars retain a heavy and satisfying weight that anchors the mix effectively. The texture here is impressive, giving the strings a thick and gritty character that feels highly engaging.
Mids
Timber timbre is correctly natural, avoiding any sense of artificiality in its presentation. It strikes a balanced tonality that manages to be neither shouty nor overly warm.
Vocals are positioned correctly forward, sitting neither too aggressively close nor too far back in the mix. There is no bass bleed here at all, ensuring that clarity remains high throughout.
This region is highly detailed, making subtle vocal nuances easily visible to the ear. Nothing is smoothed out, allowing distinct textures and breathiness to come through clearly.
Instruments share this proper timbre and tonality, sounding lifelike and grounded. Stringed instruments in particular have a proper sheen, capturing the natural bite of the strings.
Treble
The treble is very sparkly, offering good airiness that gives the sound a lively and energetic character. It maintains a high level of energy without ever becoming fatiguing or aggressive.
Remarkably, there is no sibilance at all, and it avoids straying into overly bright territory. It strikes a balance where excitement is present, yet the presentation remains smooth and controlled.
Detail retrieval is great, capturing tiny details and small sounds with excellent precision. Numerous nuances in the music are captured properly, allowing for a highly resolving listening experience.
Percussive elements like cymbals land with the expected bite, cutting through the mix with authority. Their decay is preserved perfectly, ensuring that the tone remains realistic and natural rather than metallic.
Staging & Dynamics
The soundstage is functionally average, offering a presentation that is not particularly expansive or holographic. Width extends just slightly beyond the ears, while height and depth are only faintly perceptible throughout the listening experience.
Its imaging fares much better, placing sounds with a distinct sense of vertical and longitudinal precision. Although the available space is limited, the Twilight-DS utilizes it effectively to anchor instruments correctly.
Surprisingly, separation remains great despite the confined staging. It successfully manages both macro and micro elements, ensuring that sounds do not collapse into congestion.
The dynamics are handled with correctness, accurately rendering the subtle shifts in volume across the mix. Sounds positioned further back are appropriately quieter yet remain detailed, demonstrating good control over distance cues.
Click on page 2 below for my recommended pairings and selected comparisons.
