Brooko, I noticed in your review, the Spiral Dots were to loose, so loose you leave them in your ear when you removed them? I love the wide bore on those tips. Also, I prefer silicon, but do the Comply's tame any harshness?

People who are sensitive to sibilance should be using the Comply foams with the DN-2000J. The peaks sound a lot smoother, even without the "x" series wax guard. They should also wear the DN-2000J as deeply as reasonably possible --- a deeper fit will always push quarter wave resonances in the treble to higher frequencies. Also, the tuning of the DN-2000J gives it an advantage at low volumes, not high volumes. If you listen at higher volumes, first of all, don't --- it's unsafe for your ears. Always listen to volumes that are as low as possible.
 
Being an extremely low impedance earphone, the DN-2000J will inherently be picky with sources. If you want an earphone that will sound great on all manner of sources, the DN-2000J is not for you. Ideally, you will need a source amplifier that delivers high current and quick voltage swing, and great THD+N as well as IMD performance. The low impedance of the DN-2000J will be a definite strain on amplifiers. However, this does not mean that you will need a very expensive amplifier. You will just need to look around for one that's most suitable. For example, I find the FiiO E11K (A3) is the one amplifier that I feel pairs best with the DN-2000J when it comes to taming treble hotness.

mochill said:

  aurisonics ...get the as1plus I think the customs are called

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So Aurisonics would be the fastest? Like how long? do you know? thx again Moochill

Not sure where JDS C5D sits relative to those amp properties, but they do sound noticably better/tamer vs straight out of my walkman, clip+, note2, or laptop (well laptop is horrible no matter what, which is why i have the C5d ). Do these look relatively appropriate? "THD+N (20-20kHz, 32 Ω) 0.0045%, 14.0 VPP/1.182 VRMS(32 Ω).... IMD (ccif) 19/20 Khz 0.0015%, though I was using walkman as input and JDS lists that as DAC property.
 
Been using the stock hybrid-foam things, did try the spiral dots briefly, they stay on the nozzle for me but they do press down so the nozzle goes right to the top of the tip, making a spacer with an extra tip or using some tacky substance might solve that. *edit* lol, completely ignored the space rings the 2kj comes with- I get just about right length with the red spacer.
 
@subguy812 I mostly notice sibilance on particular male vocal tracks so far, but not universally- per tomscy's advice a deeper fit has helped solve that for me in the past (notably w/ the ex1000), so I'll update after i've tried some different tip combos- unfortunately my ears are not the most accomodating to deep fit, but hopefully will work out. *edit* found sony hybrids really  helping on the john foxx track i linked and h2o's ane brun track, complys a little less

I usually use a deep fit anyway. It will work out fine. Most of my full size headphones and iem's recently have been neutral or colored dark. I kind of look forward to hearing something a little bright, it has been a while.

I want those sony hybrids! Someone help me get them!

subguy812 said:

Brooko, I noticed in your review, the Spiral Dots were to loose, so loose you leave them in your ear when you removed them? I love the wide bore on those tips. Also, I prefer silicon, but do the Comply's tame any harshness?

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Yep - Comply for me has always softened the top end, and as Tom has stated, depth also helps. With either Sony Isolation or Comply I am getting a complete seal, and I usually have them deep. Again though I experienced no real sibilance with my own music.

Played around with tips today. Can't get a deeper fit w/ my ears, but the Complys do soften the sibilance. Also had similar luck with the Sony Hybrids, softened and not so piercing (narrow bore maybe?), unfortunately they barely squeeze on there and extend the shells against my outer ear, rather painfully- fins help a bit. Playing around with the spacer rings, I got a pretty good fit with my medium spiral dots, undecided between just the reds or blue and silver together- they don't seem likely to pull off in my ear, though they are fairly new, maybe with age they get streched out a bit?
 
Overall, like the sound/comfort level w/ the dots & red rings, though stock tips are acceptable.
 
Really like what the bass ring does for the subs on these, but as has been mentioned, unsettling driver flex.

Wonder if I should cancel my order... I made a side grade from the Senn IE800 to these, but, mmm, idk. I would think these are better than the IE800's, and better than anything below and a bit above its price range. 

soamusing777 said:

  Wonder if I should cancel my order... I made a side grade from the Senn IE800 to these, but, mmm, idk. I would think these are better than the IE800's, and better than anything below and a bit above its price range. 

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What kind of sound are you looking for? That's what's most important. I can't say the DN-2000J has my ideal signature, as I do prefer treble that is smoother, but given Comply foams or the right amp pairing, I find the treble to be tame enough for long-term consumption. With that being said, not everyone will be willing to accept this amount of treble.
 
If you're coming from the IE800, however, it shouldn't be a problem. I can state bar none that the DN-2000J is a flagship-level earphone, and for people who like the K3003-style signature, it'll be an ideal earphone. There's a big reason why I keep comparing the DN-2000J to the K3003, and it's that they really do exhibit very similar characteristics, with the 2000J surpassing the AKG in the bass and lower midrange, while the K3003 possesses a tiny bit better treble refinement and tuning flexibility in the treble.

tomscy2000 said:

 
What kind of sound are you looking for? That's what's most important. I can't say the DN-2000J has my ideal signature, as I do prefer treble that is smoother, but given Comply foams or the right amp pairing, I find the treble to be tame enough for long-term consumption. With that being said, not everyone will be willing to accept this amount of treble.
 
If you're coming from the IE800, however, it shouldn't be a problem. I can state bar none that the DN-2000J is a flagship-level earphone, and for people who like the K3003-style signature, it'll be an ideal earphone. There's a big reason why I keep comparing the DN-2000J to the K3003, and it's that they really do exhibit very similar characteristics, with the 2000J surpassing the AKG in the bass and lower midrange, while the K3003 possesses a tiny bit better treble refinement and tuning flexibility in the treble.

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Balanced, neutral, linear, reference quality, quality bass with a slight emphasis, something that doesn't bother my tinnitus (highs/siblance, I'm looking at you), and that's about it. Having a big soundstage, especially coming from the IE800, and great imaging is also nice. Good to know about the treble.

Oh I remember how similar they are. Just wondering if the 2000J is the one to get. Does it best all those below $300? Best those up to say, $500/$550? I had my eye on the Ortofon EQ-8 as well.

@tomscy2000 Apologies if this has been asked before, but how does the treble on the DN-2000J stack up against the DN-1000? Is it similar or harsher?
I own the DN-1000, and just bought the DN-2000J off Massdrop because my wife stole my 1000's and now won't give them back. 

I'm supposed to be getting a pair of DN-1000s back again any day now.  I'll let you know when they arrive.
 
I know H20 has both the DN1000 and DN2000 with him - so hopefully he'll be able to compare and answer.

rschoi75 said:

  @tomscy2000 Apologies if this has been asked before, but how does the treble on the DN-2000J stack up against the DN-1000? Is it similar or harsher? I own the DN-1000, and just bought the DN-2000J off Massdrop because my wife stole my 1000's and now won't give them back. 

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It has been asked before, but that's okay --- I've not done a direct comparison between the DN-1000 and 2000J, so I can't say for sure, but from all my auditions of the DN-1000 (don't own it), I found it to be sibilant, sometimes to the point of irritating. I don't get the same feeling with the DN-2000J, even though it seems to be brighter overall.
 

soamusing777 said:

  Balanced, neutral, linear, reference quality, quality bass with a slight emphasis, something that doesn't bother my tinnitus (highs/siblance, I'm looking at you), and that's about it. Having a big soundstage, especially coming from the IE800, and great imaging is also nice. Good to know about the treble.
Oh I remember how similar they are. Just wondering if the 2000J is the one to get. Does it best all those below $300? Best those up to say, $500/$550? I had my eye on the Ortofon EQ-8 as well.

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The best way to combat tinnitus is to turn down the music. I know it's tempting to turn up the volume for certain tracks, but I can't stress that enough --- that's coming from the perspective of both a head-fier and a medical professional.
 
"Does it best all those below $300" is a difficult question to answer --- what parameters do you value in one product "besting" another? If you ask me, yes, I think so. But someone who values a lot of thick warmth in music will probably trash this earphone in one way or another, but even that person won't deny the DN-2000J is revealing on a TOTL level.
 
I have not had the fortune of auditioning the e-Q8, though I've heard good things about it. I imagine it's similar to the e-Q5/7, and the GR8e/10e (all of which I've heard) --- but perhaps a bit better refined. I do find the DN-2000J to be a superior overall earphone to them, but some people might just prefer the moving armature sound.
 
When I first heard the K3003 back in 2012, I thought it was incredibly detailed, but I was unmoved by its presentation. I also thought there was a bit of a disconnect between dynamic driver and the TWFK unit, as though they were doing their own thing. The hybrids that came out afterward didn't do much to improve my opinion of them; I bought the Astrotec AX60 --- absolutely hated it. The Ultrasone IQ has forever ruined my image of Ultrasone as a company --- that thing is a hot, sibilant mess with muddy bass. I thought the DN-1000 was a good value, but nothing compelled me to want to buy it. Plus, it was sibliant. The DN-2000 was an improvement on the DN-1000, as it was smoother and had a more complete soundstage, but I prefer my mids a bit more forward. I am not shy about my distaste for the Fidue A83 --- I think it has a critical technical flaw, and that's the upper midrange notch tuning. The DN-2000J the first complete sounding coaxial hybrid that I've been able to use. Bass is speedy and textured enough to sound like it's one with the BA, but still possesses the feel of a dynamic. Resolution is on par or greater than (if you count the added resolution to the low end) that of the K3003. Is it on the bright side? Yes. Is it annoyingly bright? I don't think so. So in this frame of thought, I think that the DN-2000J is probably the best overall hybrid you can possibly get, regardless of price. Let's start talking about CIEM-style hybrids. Have not heard the iBasso Oriolus. I think the Rooth LS-5X is too sibilant. Perhaps the Lear BD-4.2 is good, but I have not heard it, and I have heard very mixed opinions of it. The 1Plus2 is more sibilant as well and the mids are faraway sounding. Have not heard the Ref. It's really hard for me to really get behind any hybrid design in general. I have increasingly built respect for the K3003 over the years, however, and I do think the DN-2000J is every bit as good as it. I had a few other local audiophiles A/B between the two, and they all agree --- there is basically no gap between the two. The differences they point out are basically as I describe.

tomscy2000 said:

 
The best way to combat tinnitus is to turn down the music. I know it's tempting to turn up the volume for certain tracks, but I can't stress that enough --- that's coming from the perspective of both a head-fier and a medical professional.
 
"Does it best all those below $300" is a difficult question to answer --- what parameters do you value in one product "besting" another? If you ask me, yes, I think so. But someone who values a lot of thick warmth in music will probably trash this earphone in one way or another, but even that person won't deny the DN-2000J is revealing on a TOTL level.
 
I have not had the fortune of auditioning the e-Q8, though I've heard good things about it. I imagine it's similar to the e-Q5/7, and the GR8e/10e (all of which I've heard) --- but perhaps a bit better refined. I do find the DN-2000J to be a superior overall earphone to them, but some people might just prefer the moving armature sound.
 
When I first heard the K3003 back in 2012, I thought it was incredibly detailed, but I was unmoved by its presentation. I also thought there was a bit of a disconnect between dynamic driver and the TWFK unit, as though they were doing their own thing. The hybrids that came out afterward didn't do much to improve my opinion of them; I bought the Astrotec AX60 --- absolutely hated it. The Ultrasone IQ has forever ruined my image of Ultrasone as a company --- that thing is a hot, sibilant mess with muddy bass. I thought the DN-1000 was a good value, but nothing compelled me to want to buy it. Plus, it was sibliant. The DN-2000 was an improvement on the DN-1000, as it was smoother and had a more complete soundstage, but I prefer my mids a bit more forward. I am not shy about my distaste for the Fidue A83 --- I think it has a critical technical flaw, and that's the upper midrange notch tuning. The DN-2000J the first complete sounding coaxial hybrid that I've been able to use. Bass is speedy and textured enough to sound like it's one with the BA, but still possesses the feel of a dynamic. Resolution is on par or greater than (if you count the added resolution to the low end) that of the K3003. Is it on the bright side? Yes. Is it annoyingly bright? I don't think so. So in this frame of thought, I think that the DN-2000J is probably the best overall hybrid you can possibly get, regardless of price. Let's start talking about CIEM-style hybrids. Have not heard the iBasso Oriolus. I think the Rooth LS-5X is too sibilant. Perhaps the Lear BD-4.2 is good, but I have not heard it, and I have heard very mixed opinions of it. The 1Plus2 is more sibilant as well and the mids are faraway sounding. Have not heard the Ref. It's really hard for me to really get behind any hybrid design in general. I have increasingly built respect for the K3003 over the years, however, and I do think the DN-2000J is every bit as good as it. I had a few other local audiophiles A/B between the two, and they all agree --- there is basically no gap between the two. The differences they point out are basically as I describe.

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I wish they had a cure for Tinnitus. I wish I could "hear" silence. Quality and balance I'd say are the parameters. Thanks for the info. I will never buy a custom IEM though. That's quite great then.