n0str3ss
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I like the looks of the top one, hope to see more information released about them.
Dunu DN-1000 - Dunu's hybrid IEM - Impressions thread
- Thread starter djvkool
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d marc0
Headphoneus Supremus
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DUNU DN-1000 vs T-PEOS H-200 Comparison
I've had a wonderful experience with the T-PEOS H-200. By the time Dunu DN-1000 came, I was a bit hesitant; thinking how much better could it really be over the H-200? Well, let's find out:
SETUP: Ipod Touch 5th Gen > JDS labs C5
T-PEOS H-200 + SPC cable + Sony Hybrid Tips (shallow insertion)
DUNU DN-1000 + Red Rings + Translucent black stock Tips (shallow insertion)
Apple Lossless and 320 kbps mp3s
NOTE:
The DN-1000 comes with various tips and sound adjustment rings. Different combination of tips + rings can result into different intensity in mid-bass and highs. Personally I prefer the least bass thus my setup: Red rings + Translucent black tips + shallow insertion.
BASS
H-200:
Bass is well controlled, fast, tight, and punches hard. I would categorise the H-200 as a borderline bass-head IEM. Decay is just perfect for me to enjoy even the fastest songs in the heavy metal genre. Texture and timbre sounds natural and pleasing even at high volumes. Sub bass is surprisingly present when called for and doesn't intrude if it wasn't originally intended in the mix. There's a subtle mid bass hump but it does not bleed into the upper frequencies.
DN-1000:
Bass is also well controlled, just as tight, but punches harder and sounds fuller in the Dunu. I would categorise the DN-1000 as a bass-head IEM (If H-200 is a 5, the DN-1000 is a 7). Please NOTE that this is not because the Dunu's bass db is way up there; it's more because of how this IEM presents bass -- Fuller Sound (reminds me of the Zero Audio Carbo Basso). There's a tiny bit of delay in sub-bass decay; as a result bass recovery isn't fast enough for me (PERSONALLY) to really enjoy some of the fastest heavy metal tracks. As a consolation, this IEM sounds better with RnB and Hip-hop because of that fuller sound in the bass decay. Texture and timbre sounds marvellous but I can't truly tell if it's natural sounding like the H-200. I don't mind, because it just sounds so mesmerising, oozing with quality layered bass. In regard to mid-bass, I honestly can't tell if there's a hump. I don't hear any bleeding into the upper frequencies but definitely, the DN-1000 sounds warmer than the H-200 (Please NOTE that I'm using an SPC upgrade cable which makes the H-200 sound a bit colder/analytical than stock configuration).
VERDICT:
Both IEMs are equally competent in producing low frequencies. It's more on the presentation that they really differ. I would say: "A basshead will choose the DN-1000 over the H-200 purely because of preference."
MIDS
H-200:
The mid section is very well placed. Vocals (especially female) sound lush and airy; a bit distant from my imaginary stage. Sounds like I'm sitting in the middle of the room. Distorted guitars in rock/metal sounds great on the H-200 because the "crunch" is easily heard. Acoustic strings sound so clear and bright; a tad bit dry and thinner than natural but the crispness and clarity more than makes up for them. Other instruments such as acoustic guitar, piano, trumpets, etc... sound amazing on the H-200.
DN-1000:
Mids are a notch more forward on the Dunu. Vocals are now the star of the show!
Just as lush as the H-200 but now sounds much closer to the stage. Quite intimate as a matter of fact but what makes it spectacularly weird is how the DN-1000 makes everything sound like a live performance. Imagine yourself in a huge concert hall sitting at the 2nd row. The vocals may sound intimate but the rest of the detail and instrument separation are presented in a HUGE "headstage" nullifying any hint of congestion. Instruments sound really natural especially the guitars and percussion. It's amazing how realistic everything sounds: exactly how I hear instruments when played live in front of me. Clarity is as good if not better than the H-200.
VERDICT:
The DN-1000 is slightly ahead because the mids in general just sounds fuller and more natural to my ears. Presentation in relation to staging is only a matter of preference.
HIGHS
H-200:
The H-200 has really good treble; bright and airy (brighter than the DN-1000). There is just a very little hint of the grainy texture or metallic tinge at a high listening volume; BUT this is only apparent in crappy recordings and some singers' voice characteristic. On a positive note, the H-200 sounds really natural in the treble region that the cymbals, high-hats, and percussion instruments are such a pleasure to hear. There's an occasional peak in the upper treble that may affect one's listening experience but I personally, am not affected by this in most of the songs I listen to. Please NOTE that this will vary depending on your source, song quality, tips, and depth of insertion. I personally use the large Sony hybrid tips, SPC upgrade cable, plus shallow insertion which to my experience have greatly reduced the peak problem. A foam filter mod will completely nullify the peak but at the expense of the airiness which is a unique characteristic of the H-200 that I truly love.
DN-1000:
The DN-1000 is quite impressive in the treble region. Everything sounds so natural and airy. Micro-detail is just as good as the H-200 and best part is: there is almost no trace of grainy texture or metallic tinge even at high volumes. Very transparent and just as good as the H-200 in revealing artefacts in crappy/compressed recordings. There is a peak around 6.5 kHz which I managed to identify through Accudio's parametric EQ. It is ONLY apparent in certain songs/singers. You usually hear this in the "SSSSs", especially from female singers/vocalists. VERY IMPORTANT--The intensity of this peak will depend on your tips and depth of insertion. I discovered that wide bored tips coupled with shallow insertion are very effective in reducing this peak to a point where it is negligible. Narrow bored tips tend to increase the peak to the extent of sibilance.
VERDICT:
The DN-1000 is slightly better in the higher regions because it doesn't have the problems that plague the H-200 treble. Aside from that, the slight problem with the peak around 6.5 kHz can easily be remedied with no modification needed. Just the right tips + the right sound adjustment rings + shallow insertion = well controlled treble.
DETAIL/SEPARATION
H-200:
Detail is above average with great separation and placement. Only in really complex songs with heaps of instruments playing at the same time does it affect the H-200's coherency. Everything is still there but I find it a bit more challenging to distinctly separate the various instruments.
DN-1000:
Detail is a bit better and clearer on the Dunu with just as good separation and placement. What sets the DN-1000 ahead of the H-200 is how coherent everything sounds: no matter how layered the track is, the Dunu never fails to present each and every instrument separately.
SOUNDSTAGE
H-200:
Above average soundstage when paired with SPC or pure Silver upgrade cable. I own a SPC cable and have auditioned the pure Silver cable for two weeks. I've come to a conclusion that upgrade cables significantly widen the soundstage and change the sound signature to a bit more colder/analytical sound.
DN-1000:
Just slightly above if not equal in width to the H-200(with SPC cable). It is hard to determine because the Dunu has a HUGE "headstage" presentation that it intersects with my illusion of soundstage. So it may sound wider but in reality it may just be as wide with much bigger height and depth.
SOUND SIGNATURE:
H-200:
Slightly warm and analytical.
DN-1000:
Warm and analytical.
CONCLUSION:
I will leave the conclusion to you guys because despite the technical advantages of the DN-1000 over the H-200, the latter still holds certain qualities that the Dunu just cannot replicate. As a huge metal head, I will still be using the H-200 heaps because it's still the best IEM I have for my favourite genre.
I hope I've provided enough detail that'll help you determine if the DN-1000 is a keeper or just another FOTM. Personally, I think it's a keeper.
I'll be collecting hybrids from now on… and I can't wait to get my hands on the Sony XBA-H1 and do another comparison: "Battle of the Hybrids".
Cheers!
I've had a wonderful experience with the T-PEOS H-200. By the time Dunu DN-1000 came, I was a bit hesitant; thinking how much better could it really be over the H-200? Well, let's find out:
SETUP: Ipod Touch 5th Gen > JDS labs C5
T-PEOS H-200 + SPC cable + Sony Hybrid Tips (shallow insertion)
DUNU DN-1000 + Red Rings + Translucent black stock Tips (shallow insertion)
Apple Lossless and 320 kbps mp3s
NOTE:
The DN-1000 comes with various tips and sound adjustment rings. Different combination of tips + rings can result into different intensity in mid-bass and highs. Personally I prefer the least bass thus my setup: Red rings + Translucent black tips + shallow insertion.
BASS
H-200:
Bass is well controlled, fast, tight, and punches hard. I would categorise the H-200 as a borderline bass-head IEM. Decay is just perfect for me to enjoy even the fastest songs in the heavy metal genre. Texture and timbre sounds natural and pleasing even at high volumes. Sub bass is surprisingly present when called for and doesn't intrude if it wasn't originally intended in the mix. There's a subtle mid bass hump but it does not bleed into the upper frequencies.
DN-1000:
Bass is also well controlled, just as tight, but punches harder and sounds fuller in the Dunu. I would categorise the DN-1000 as a bass-head IEM (If H-200 is a 5, the DN-1000 is a 7). Please NOTE that this is not because the Dunu's bass db is way up there; it's more because of how this IEM presents bass -- Fuller Sound (reminds me of the Zero Audio Carbo Basso). There's a tiny bit of delay in sub-bass decay; as a result bass recovery isn't fast enough for me (PERSONALLY) to really enjoy some of the fastest heavy metal tracks. As a consolation, this IEM sounds better with RnB and Hip-hop because of that fuller sound in the bass decay. Texture and timbre sounds marvellous but I can't truly tell if it's natural sounding like the H-200. I don't mind, because it just sounds so mesmerising, oozing with quality layered bass. In regard to mid-bass, I honestly can't tell if there's a hump. I don't hear any bleeding into the upper frequencies but definitely, the DN-1000 sounds warmer than the H-200 (Please NOTE that I'm using an SPC upgrade cable which makes the H-200 sound a bit colder/analytical than stock configuration).
VERDICT:
Both IEMs are equally competent in producing low frequencies. It's more on the presentation that they really differ. I would say: "A basshead will choose the DN-1000 over the H-200 purely because of preference."
MIDS
H-200:
The mid section is very well placed. Vocals (especially female) sound lush and airy; a bit distant from my imaginary stage. Sounds like I'm sitting in the middle of the room. Distorted guitars in rock/metal sounds great on the H-200 because the "crunch" is easily heard. Acoustic strings sound so clear and bright; a tad bit dry and thinner than natural but the crispness and clarity more than makes up for them. Other instruments such as acoustic guitar, piano, trumpets, etc... sound amazing on the H-200.
DN-1000:
Mids are a notch more forward on the Dunu. Vocals are now the star of the show!
Just as lush as the H-200 but now sounds much closer to the stage. Quite intimate as a matter of fact but what makes it spectacularly weird is how the DN-1000 makes everything sound like a live performance. Imagine yourself in a huge concert hall sitting at the 2nd row. The vocals may sound intimate but the rest of the detail and instrument separation are presented in a HUGE "headstage" nullifying any hint of congestion. Instruments sound really natural especially the guitars and percussion. It's amazing how realistic everything sounds: exactly how I hear instruments when played live in front of me. Clarity is as good if not better than the H-200.
VERDICT:
The DN-1000 is slightly ahead because the mids in general just sounds fuller and more natural to my ears. Presentation in relation to staging is only a matter of preference.
HIGHS
H-200:
The H-200 has really good treble; bright and airy (brighter than the DN-1000). There is just a very little hint of the grainy texture or metallic tinge at a high listening volume; BUT this is only apparent in crappy recordings and some singers' voice characteristic. On a positive note, the H-200 sounds really natural in the treble region that the cymbals, high-hats, and percussion instruments are such a pleasure to hear. There's an occasional peak in the upper treble that may affect one's listening experience but I personally, am not affected by this in most of the songs I listen to. Please NOTE that this will vary depending on your source, song quality, tips, and depth of insertion. I personally use the large Sony hybrid tips, SPC upgrade cable, plus shallow insertion which to my experience have greatly reduced the peak problem. A foam filter mod will completely nullify the peak but at the expense of the airiness which is a unique characteristic of the H-200 that I truly love.
DN-1000:
The DN-1000 is quite impressive in the treble region. Everything sounds so natural and airy. Micro-detail is just as good as the H-200 and best part is: there is almost no trace of grainy texture or metallic tinge even at high volumes. Very transparent and just as good as the H-200 in revealing artefacts in crappy/compressed recordings. There is a peak around 6.5 kHz which I managed to identify through Accudio's parametric EQ. It is ONLY apparent in certain songs/singers. You usually hear this in the "SSSSs", especially from female singers/vocalists. VERY IMPORTANT--The intensity of this peak will depend on your tips and depth of insertion. I discovered that wide bored tips coupled with shallow insertion are very effective in reducing this peak to a point where it is negligible. Narrow bored tips tend to increase the peak to the extent of sibilance.
VERDICT:
The DN-1000 is slightly better in the higher regions because it doesn't have the problems that plague the H-200 treble. Aside from that, the slight problem with the peak around 6.5 kHz can easily be remedied with no modification needed. Just the right tips + the right sound adjustment rings + shallow insertion = well controlled treble.
DETAIL/SEPARATION
H-200:
Detail is above average with great separation and placement. Only in really complex songs with heaps of instruments playing at the same time does it affect the H-200's coherency. Everything is still there but I find it a bit more challenging to distinctly separate the various instruments.
DN-1000:
Detail is a bit better and clearer on the Dunu with just as good separation and placement. What sets the DN-1000 ahead of the H-200 is how coherent everything sounds: no matter how layered the track is, the Dunu never fails to present each and every instrument separately.
SOUNDSTAGE
H-200:
Above average soundstage when paired with SPC or pure Silver upgrade cable. I own a SPC cable and have auditioned the pure Silver cable for two weeks. I've come to a conclusion that upgrade cables significantly widen the soundstage and change the sound signature to a bit more colder/analytical sound.
DN-1000:
Just slightly above if not equal in width to the H-200(with SPC cable). It is hard to determine because the Dunu has a HUGE "headstage" presentation that it intersects with my illusion of soundstage. So it may sound wider but in reality it may just be as wide with much bigger height and depth.
SOUND SIGNATURE:
H-200:
Slightly warm and analytical.
DN-1000:
Warm and analytical.
CONCLUSION:
I will leave the conclusion to you guys because despite the technical advantages of the DN-1000 over the H-200, the latter still holds certain qualities that the Dunu just cannot replicate. As a huge metal head, I will still be using the H-200 heaps because it's still the best IEM I have for my favourite genre.
I hope I've provided enough detail that'll help you determine if the DN-1000 is a keeper or just another FOTM. Personally, I think it's a keeper.
I'll be collecting hybrids from now on… and I can't wait to get my hands on the Sony XBA-H1 and do another comparison: "Battle of the Hybrids".
Cheers!
lin0003
Headphoneus Supremus
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Sounds like you need to get a listen with the 1plus2 lol.
Gintaras
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seriously, Marco, nice review, how much for Dunu?
lin0003
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Lin, you want to ruin his day and empty his wallet?
seriously, Marco, nice review, how much for Dunu?
Lol, that's what happened to me.
d marc0
Headphoneus Supremus
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Lin, you want to ruin his day and empty his wallet?
seriously, Marco, nice review, how much for Dunu?
Thanks mate! Paid $185 + shipping for the DN-1000.
I wish I could afford it
lin0003
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I wish I could afford it
Congrats on your Dunu and H-200 though. I'm sure they sound great.
Gintaras
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I wish I could afford it
no, better you do not
congrats on Dunu, you seem enjoy them a lot and price is so good.
d marc0
Headphoneus Supremus
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Thanks guys! I guess I'll still be sticking around in the mid-tier dept. for a while
Between our house-build and all... everything's just tight at the moment.
Between our house-build and all... everything's just tight at the moment.
Gintaras
Headphoneus Supremus
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Marc, do not worry, this will not take too long
enjoy your Dunu and remember one important rule, you will be safe only till you try more better gear, so cut your lines and hide from headfi
enjoy your Dunu and remember one important rule, you will be safe only till you try more better gear, so cut your lines and hide from headfi
d marc0
Headphoneus Supremus
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Marc, do not worry, this will not take too long
enjoy your Dunu and remember one important rule, you will be safe only till you try more better gear, so cut your lines and hide from headfi
Haha! Thank you. Maybe I should lay low right after I get the XBA H1; be on a honeymoon stage with my 3 hybrids and only come back after two years?
I don't think I can resist head-fi for that long tho...
djvkool
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Turn up as loud as you can handle...showcasing how awesome DN-1000's soundtstage is...
ericp10
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Nice impressions d marc0 ... I agree with you for the most part (I feel overall that the DN-1000 is quite a bit more farther ahead of the H-200, but I also believe cables can have an effect on the T-Peos for the better). Nice read.
n0str3ss
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d marc0 congrats on you complete review and the comparison, from reading it I get the feel you prefer the Dunu always slightly.
waynes world
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Yup, great impressions d marc0! Thanks.
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