The Ziigaat Horizon and DUNU Falcon Ultra are both wired IEMs aimed at the portable audiophile crowd, but they take different routes to get there. The Horizon is a tribrid with an ambitious tuning and a larger stage; the Falcon Ultra is a single-dynamic-driver design that plays it safer. Neither has wireless features, so the decision comes down to what you value more: raw technical performance or everyday consistency.
Price and positioning
The Ziigaat Horizon costs $329, placing it in the upper mid-range of wired IEMs. It was released in 2025 and uses a 1DD + 2BA + 2PL tribrid configuration. The DUNU Falcon Ultra is cheaper at $220 and arrived in 2023, built around a single dynamic driver. That $109 gap is meaningful: the Falcon Ultra undercuts the Horizon by a third, and it does so without sacrificing build quality.
The Horizon asks you to pay for driver complexity and a more adventurous sound. The Falcon Ultra asks for less money and delivers a more conservative, proven formula. If you are on a tight budget, the Falcon Ultra is the easier choice; if you want to stretch for more detail retrieval, the Horizon justifies some of its premium.
The scores, side by side
According to the HearWiki database, the Ziigaat Horizon has a headline score of 83/100, while the DUNU Falcon Ultra scores 81/100. That two-point gap is small enough that it should not be the deciding factor. The sub-scores tell a similar story: the Horizon gets 8.6/10 for sound and 8.2/10 for value; the Falcon Ultra gets 8.5/10 for sound and 8.0/10 for value. Both are close, and neither has a clear edge in any recorded category.
For noise cancelling, battery life and call quality, neither product has recorded sub-scores; both are wired IEMs with no ANC, no battery and no microphone array. Do not expect any of those features from either model.
Sound
The Ziigaat Horizon delivers a W-shaped tuning that balances clarity and engagement. Its soundstage is described as large and holographic, with strong imaging and excellent detail retrieval. That technical ability is its main selling point. However, the bass is more technical than physical, with limited mid-bass punch, and the treble can become fatiguing or slightly sibilant for sensitive listeners. If you like a lively, energetic sound and can tolerate a bit of edge, the Horizon rewards you with a spacious presentation.
The DUNU Falcon Ultra offers a balanced and clear sound signature that is easier to live with. It is less flashy than the Horizon, but it is also less likely to irritate you over long listening sessions. The trade-off is that its sound quality is source-dependent; you may need a decent DAC or dongle to get the best out of it. In terms of raw technical performance, the Horizon has the edge, but the Falcon Ultra is more forgiving.
If you are comparing them purely on sound, the Horizon is the more impressive on paper, but the Falcon Ultra is the safer recommendation for most listeners. The difference between 8.6 and 8.5 in the sound sub-score reflects that closeness.
Noise cancelling and battery
Neither the Ziigaat Horizon nor the DUNU Falcon Ultra has active noise cancelling, and neither has a battery. They are wired IEMs, so they draw power from your source device. The Falcon Ultra provides only average passive isolation, according to its summary, while the Horizon's isolation is not recorded. If you need to block out background noise, look elsewhere, perhaps at ANC earbuds or true wireless options.
Calls and everyday use
Call quality is not a strength of either product, and neither has a recorded call sub-score. They are not designed for phone calls; they are for music listening. In everyday use, the Falcon Ultra's compact, well-built shell makes it easier to carry around and less likely to feel cheap. The Horizon's build quality is described as somewhat cheap for the price, which is a letdown given the $329 asking price.
For portable use, the Falcon Ultra is the more practical choice. It is lighter on the wallet and more robust in the hand. The Horizon is better suited to a desktop setup where you can pair it with a good amplifier and do not need to worry about the shell feeling flimsy.
Which one should you buy?
Buy the Ziigaat Horizon if you want maximum technical performance and are willing to pay $329 for it. You get a larger soundstage, better detail retrieval and a more exciting tuning. You also get a build that feels less premium than the price suggests, and you need to be comfortable with a potentially fatiguing treble.
Buy the DUNU Falcon Ultra if you want a well-rounded, reliable IEM for $220. It is cheaper, better built and easier to recommend to someone who wants a balanced sound without surprises. The source dependency is a minor caveat, but it is a fair trade for the savings.
If you are still undecided, look at the full comparison table or browse other wired IEMs to see how they stack up against the wider market.
FAQ
Is the Ziigaat Horizon worth the extra money over the DUNU Falcon Ultra?
Only if you value the Horizon's larger soundstage and better detail retrieval. The $109 price difference buys you more technical ability, but you also get a less premium build and a more fatiguing treble. For most listeners, the Falcon Ultra is the better value.
Which IEM has better build quality?
The DUNU Falcon Ultra has excellent build quality, while the Ziigaat Horizon feels somewhat cheap for its price. If the shell material and finish matter to you, the Falcon Ultra is the safer choice.
Do either of these IEMs have noise cancelling?
No. Both are wired IEMs with no active noise cancelling and no battery. The Falcon Ultra offers average passive isolation, and the Horizon's isolation is not recorded. For noise cancelling, you would need to look at wireless earbuds instead.
