Introduction:
IEM’s have always been the little brother to full-sized headphones. Always have, and many believe always will be. But many companies are taking strides to close that gap, or at the very least providing something truly unique to the IEM market. DUNU is on the forefront of those companies; their DN-2000 and Titan 1’s have been widely praised on the IEM market for their build quality, and more importantly, their sound. IEM companies have to struggle with not only the sound tuning, but also with the small size allotted to them as expectations for IEM sizes grow demandingly small. DUNU is no exception, and although I do not envy the demands that are made of them, I do envy the results.
Why does this matter? Because above all things, it’s comforting to know a company you’re buying from knows its mistakes and is willing to learn to avoid more. A company that’s willing to learn from its customers is one I’d feel most comfortable to rely on.
So what’s the DN-2000J? I’m not sure whether to regard it as a large revision over the DN-2000 or an entirely new beast altogether. I think it deserves to be recognized as both. The DN-2000J looks similar to its predecessor, with a few improvements. While I’ve heard of DUNU applying titanium to the diaphragm of the DN-2000J to improve sound, the main difference I was interested in was the reduction in size compared to the DN-2000. Indeed, looking at pictures of both, I can say that DUNU succeeded in provided a small package in an even more compact shell – something that should not be taken lightly, given how hard it is to meet size demands.
Other differences include an upgrade to the wiring of the cable, which besides for sound benefits, allows it to be easily terminated to a balanced output with just a soldering job, something that’s a definite hit for those who want to use it for the new flagship players, and know the benefits of a balanced output.
Okay! Now we got that out of the way… but wait! There’s more –
Packaging:
Boxing and such usually isn’t my thing, but for those that can appreciate a good boxing, the DN-2000J definitely brings a nice amount to the table. It comes in a sturdy black box that doesn’t feel at all cheap - definitely a good start. On the back of the box it has a few details about the DN-2000J, as well as its accessories.
When you open the front flap though, you get a much more detailed explanation of the DN-2000J in both Chinese and English – a great way to give people something to read about the product they bought without having to search for it online. Opening the second flap, you get a view of the DN-2000J, the carrying case, and some of the many tips it comes with.
DUNU did not neglect the boxing at all – I don’t care much for packaging in general, but good boxing sends a message to the buyers that “hey, we care.” It’s nice to see that here, and it’s something to keep in mind.
Accessories:
The DN-2000J comes with a great deal of accessories – definitely something for every buyer here. First off – the tips. There’s 6 pairs of regular black silicone tips – 2 pairs of small, medium, and large, respectively. Then there’s 3 pairs of white silicone tips, small, medium, and large again (plus a pair of medium-sized white silicon tips that came on the DN-2000J).
I could not find any differences between these tips, either in nozzle size or in build, so I think it’s safe to assume that the other pairs are spares, not different types of tips to go crazy over (“am I using the right ones? Perhaps the nozzle size of this one will give me more soundstage…” etc.). The tips themselves are of better quality than your average tips; the feel more solid and less flimsy than normal tips, which lends a hand to the isolation aspect of the DN-2000J, as well as comfort and fit. More on these two later, so stay tuned.
In addition, DUNU provides you with 3 sets of Comply foam tips, models T-500, Tx-500, and Ts-500. In English, the first pair is the standard Comply eartips for isolation, the next is a pair even more geared for isolation (Isolation Plus), and the last is modeled for comfort. Each can be quite expensive on their own, so it’s nice that DUNU decided to be all-inclusive here and include them for the customers.
The DN-2000J comes with a metal case, which is velvet on the inside. The case is sturdy and solid aplenty, and has plenty of room for both the IEM’s and the plethora of accessories it provides. The one thing I would think about for the future though would be the size of the case. While bigger cases cost more, and provide more room for accessories, I find the DN-2000J’s case to be a bit on the larger side, and isn’t one I could put in my pocket; only in my jacket/coat pockets and backpack. A lot of customers are more on-the-go though, so if there was one tip I could give here, it would be to perhaps provide a smaller, even cheaper, case just for the IEM’s themselves for people who don’t want to use larger cases. Other than that, I have no gripes here.
Then there are the accessories for your ear – ear hooks, and two different types of stability fins (to help keep the DN-2000J in your ear). There’s one pair of ear hooks, and two pairs of each type of fin. The fins feel sturdy, but I’ve gotten a great fit without the fins, so I don’t personally use them. But when I did try them I understood how they help keep the IEM in your ears; definitely a good move for those who have trouble with IEM fits. The ear hooks are great for those who want the DN-2000J around the ear, instead of being worn down – these need no introduction, as it’s a no-brainer for what they do.
Then there are the tuning rings – two pairs of rubber bass rings, and 3 other types of tuning rings (2 pairs of each, color coded for each type). Each type has a different width, and can be placed to determine how far the tips are (on the nozzle) from the housing. While I didn’t personally test the sound differences between them, I can definitely say these will come in handy in decided how long they should be for your ears – people with larger ears may want the tips sitting further away from the general housing, while people with smaller ears, like mine, would probably want the thinner tuning rings or none at all.
The bass rings could be used for (obviously) more bass, and (not so obviously) more isolation, but I found that the DN-2000J has enough of both for my tastes to warrant the disuse of the bass rings. However, when I tried them, I did notice an increase in bass, as well as in isolation.
Along with the tuning rings are the rear IEM covers, to prevent scratching of the housing, better grip, and possibly for preventing irritation to the ear (by having rubber touch the back of your inner ear, rather than the metal of the housing). However, I found that the rubber covers make the DN-2000J a little too bulky for my tastes, so for personal use I keep them off the IEM. Why is this in the same section as the tuning rings? Because I was an idiot and initially thought that these were tuning rings as well, so the pictures have them together. I should have read the manual, ja?
First Picture: Color coded rings on the left (for spacing), Bass rings in the middle, and IEM rear covers on the right.
Finally, for the last group of accessories, you get a 3.5mm to 6.35mm adapter, a shirt clip to reduce microphonics, an airplane 2-pin adapter, and a cable tie, for lack of a better word. To me, the airplane adapter is unnecessary, but the cable cinch is a lot more useful than people might think. Gone are the days when keeping cables wrapped was a pain – the cable cinch makes that a - okay fine, I won’t make the pun.
Overall, the DN-2000J comes with a profusion of accessories – I can’t find anything more I would want here. DUNU did a great job on this one, and besides for the questionable size of the metal case provided, I’m happy with what they’ve done.
Build Quality & Design:
The housing of the DN-2000J is solid metal, just like its predecessor. The back of the shell has the DUNU logo, which is a nice touch, and on the shell itself, there is a small protrusion for the fins. Also on these are the L/R signs, although an unintended benefit is that it’s easy as pie to tell which one is left and which one is right – whenever you see/feel the protrusion facing towards you, you know the earpiece is facing the right way. It’s as simple as that, and now I don’t even need the L/R markings. It’s brilliant, and an effective way to tell the left/right from each other, even without much light. Kudos to DUNU on this one.
Moving on, the next point of interest is the connection between the cable and the shell. The stress relief there is a small, rubber piece that more of a sturdiness to the connection than looks may seem to indicate. It’s small, but provides ample stress relief so that you don’t tear the cable near the housing. A firm wiggle test seemed to confirm this as well. However, at this price range, I would expect a detachable cable, because accidents do happen. If not, then I would hope there would be a big and rough stress relief piece to calm customers. People new to DUNU may take a look at the connector and decide right there that they won’t buy the product, because it looks like it could break easily. While DUNU’s small connector is sturdy enough to confirm that it won’t, I would keep in mind that many potential customers can’t actually feel how strong it is before buying it. Although DUNU’s secret formula included non-detachable cables, since so many companies have implemented a detachable cable, I would perhaps give thought to the possibility of providing one in the future, especially given the price. If not, then implementing a stronger & bigger stress relief near the housing would be a great idea. However, the stress relief is ample, despite the looks of it being weak.
Next is the cable itself. Before the Y-split, it is on the thinker side and sturdy, without being springy, a hallmark of a good wire. After the Y-split, it’s thinner, probably so that it doesn’t feel too bulky when you wear it. Either way, the wire on both sides is of high quality. The only request I would have for this would be to provide a braided cable, like the one found on the Titan 1’s. The fact that they didn’t implement it for the new DN-2000J is a bit of a bummer, as I really liked the braided cable on the Titan 1. If they would have used it for north of the Y-split, they probably could have eliminated most of the microphonics as well, as I’ll get to later. Either way, if a braided cable can be put on the newer DN-2000J’s from now on, it would provide a lot of benefits, in my opinion.
The Y-split itself is made out of metal, and has ample stress relief leading up to it. Despite its build, it is actually quite light, so it doesn’t weigh down the earphone too much. Printed on it is the model name, and it has a great feel to it overall.
The 3.5mm jack is right-angled, and – surprise! – it’s also built out of metal. I haven’t seen too many metal jack housings (for lack of a better phrase) so this really shows build quality to me. There’s a large amount of stress relief leading up to it – no breakage worries there. The right angled jack is definitely more useful than a regular jack with music players and phones, as it lies parallel to the device, eliminated many potential bending accidents.
Overall, the jack is solid, as well as the rest of the build. DUNU has been well known for their products’ build quality, and this is no exception. The DN-2000J is one of the sturdier IEM’s I’ve handled, and doesn’t leave much to be desired. However, I would love, if possible, for there to be a detachable cable in the future; to me that would give ample stress relief (no pun intended) to buyers who are worried about breakage. The design is brilliant, especially given the L/R protrusions, and the housing makes the DN-2000J look really classy – even non-headphone gurus can tell from the looks that it’s a well-priced item.
Fit & Comfort:
The comfort factor is excellent straight out of the box – I wore these for over an hour straight and had no problems whatsoever. In fact, these are so good, after a few minutes I forgot these were in my ears altogether. Part of this success may be attributed to the quality of the tips – as I mentioned before, even the silicone tips provided were of high quality, and are much less flimsy than your standard tips. Due to the firmness of these tips, once they’re in your ears, they create a snug fit that is very comfortable. Using the Comply tips instead can also be very comfortable, if you like foam better. Worn straight down, the back of the housing, although it is metal, did not create any comfort issues for me whatsoever. If blind tested, I would not be able to tell that the housing is metal. I dunno how they did this, but it deserves a very enthusiastic and slightly confused thumbs up from me. Using the DN-2000J over the ear also produced very comfortable results; the DN-2000J’s performance in this department is excellent, and I’m not even sure how much better than this it can get conceptually.
The fit is also excellent, due to all that I’ve mentioned above. It is important to note the since everyone’s ears are different, your results may vary. In the off chance that the standard fit is not good enough for your tastes, the included fins and ear hooks make it very easy to give DUNU a nod of approval for the fit of these.
Isolation:
Going back to the tips, their high quality blocks out sound quite efficiently; I asked one of my friends to talk to me so I could gauge how good these were in isolating sound, and with no music on, I got very cross with my friend that he wasn’t willing to talk to me. –Only he was, and since I couldn’t hear him I was convinced that he wasn’t. Point made; and although I can’t guarantee these specific results for everybody, the isolation on the DN-2000J is quite good for an IEM.
However, if you find the standard isolation isn’t enough for your busy environment, the Comply foam tips (especially the “isolation plus” model) can definitely help improve on the good isolation it already provides. I personally found the regular tips to provide more than enough isolation for me, and I’m not one for foam tips, so I didn’t bother testing the Comply tips, but Comply is one of the biggest and highest rated manufacturers for quality isolation foam tips, so I wouldn’t expect anything less. Another way to boost isolation would be to use the bass rings, but it will have an effect on the sound, so if you want the bass boost, and also would like the added isolation benefit, great. Otherwise, you should be able to find good isolation without them.
Overall, a great IEM for a busy environment, as these isolate quite well, in my opinion. Bass rings or not, there’s enough opportunities through tips (to improve on the already good isolation) to satisfy most customers.
Microphonics:
There are some microphonics when worn down, however, this only occurs when tapping the cable north of the Y-split. The main cable produces no microphonics when tapped or otherwise rustled. The noise can be eliminated altogether when worn over the ear, with or without the hooks DUNU provides. However, I am somewhat disappointed that there are microphonics when worn in the standard fashion. This is a problem central to most IEM’s, though, so it’s not something I could specifically fault the DN-2000J on. In addition, the DN-2000J comes with a shirt clip, which is supposed to be a great solution for reducing microphonics. However, since the problem lies north of the Y-split, I’m not sure how effective the shirt clip would be in solving this ancient problem.
If DUNU could implement a braided cable on the future DN-2000J’s, like one that is on the Titan 1’s (with the addition of the cable being braided also north of the Y-split), I think this problem could be almost entirely eliminated, even when not using the shirt clip. This is more of a suggestion than a con though; I’m not even sure if the science behind the braided cable would help here, or whether it’s an easy thing to implement. This is just an idea, and a quasi-idea one at that.
Sound:
The DN-2000J leans toward the analytical side of things, rather than taking a more “musical” approach. The V-shaped nature of the headphone though makes it very interesting, though; the result is a slightly fun but comprehensive sound that is incredibly detailed throughout. I’ve never heard this combination before, and actually originally thought it was inherently paradoxical, but after listening to it for the first time, I’m definitely opting for this combination over completely analytical or a totally “fun” sound; this falls right into my need for a combination of a cohesive/musical sound, and at the same time, a detailed and accurate presentation. While it is near-impossible in my opinion to fully keep the characteristics of both, the DN-2000J manages to grab the best of both worlds in my opinion.
Bass/Lows: The control the DN-2000J has here is very remarkable; the bass is very tight while still having a punchy impact. It is also very textured and detailed, which came as a surprise given the slight boost the DN-2000J has in the bass regions. The bass as a whole is slightly elevated, less so now than out of the box. I would like to note though that the elevation feels natural, rather than artificial, and that it is not elevated by much. Rather than having a “bump,” I feel that these are steady throughout the bass region, and that the lower region alone seems perfectly balanced, and almost flat on its own, so to speak.
This is why I was surprised with the control this IEM wields on the bass. Anything less than amazing texture here would automatically leave me with the impression that the DN-2000J is bloated, given the slight elevation. However, I’m finishing this section please with the bass performance – slightly elevated to give it more “oomph,” but outstanding nonetheless.
Midrange/Vocals: Acoustics sound great; piano and guitars are what I listen to most often, and performance-wise the DN-2000J does a great job. Guitars are detailed well, albeit just slightly laid back, and the pianos sound natural. For the great performances of the DN-2000J, I think this may be its weakest link; acoustics sound great, but doesn’t have the “amazing” edge the rest of the frequency has going for this IEM. Vocals also are very detailed, and are less laid back than the acoustics, but it isn’t as in-your-face as other IEM’s.
Personally, I’m a big fan of this, as not everyone wants such forward vocals; the DN-2000J does great in this regard. Keep in mind though that the DN-2000J isn’t a vocal-centric headphone. It does justice to them as an IEM, but doesn’t focus only on them; the vocals become more as a part of the entire frequency than as the front-and-center of the song.
Due to its analytical nature, I believe this is something that is inevitable, but you’ll either love it or hate it, depending on your tastes and whether you prefer a more analytical and “correct” sound vs. a musical one. Some may find certain songs sounding slightly “thinner” than what they’re used to in this regard, but as someone who doesn’t listen to vocals very often, I can say that in my opinion, it sits between “laid back” and “forward,” although I’m not sure what term to use for that. I think I may be taking that last sentence from someone I heard a while back, although who I’m quoting unfortunately I do not know.
Even though the vocals aren’t exactly forward more than anything else, the cohesiveness of people singing with the other music in the background is truly impressive. That really goes a long way in helping the midrange overall.
Highs/Drums: The DN-2000J is a bit bright here, less so than out of the box, but still (what I would call) between semi-bright and bright. Highs have a satisfying “snap”, and an attack that isn’t often seen, while staying very detailed – more so than the rest of the frequency, in my opinion. Be aware, though, that any tracks that are already somewhat bright will have that revealed and forwarded by the DN-2000J; if you want a resolving IEM for your bright music, I would look elsewhere. However, barring that, the highs are slightly forwards, due to the “attack” it has. This may result in people with sensitive ears having to lower the volume by certain song – which then have to be raised again by songs without naturally bright highs. Violins are slightly less forward than the drums – I don’t exactly want those in my face so often, so I’m glad the exactly way they are.
However, if these things aren’t a problem for you, you’re in for some really refined highs; the only comparison I could here is to a really, really juicy steak, versus a dried piece of meat. The highs here are the juicy steaks, obviously.
Clarity: The DN-2000J is taking strides towards bridging the gap in clarity between IEM’s and over-head headphones – more specifically, the dreaded “veil” sound many find in IEM’s. While it doesn’t completely get rid of it, it is better than any other IEM in this price range I’ve tried – and if what I’m hearing could be relied upon, steps over the previous DN-2000 in this regard. The “air” I’ll elaborate on in the next mini-section also helps in this regard.
Soundstage: The DN-2000J has an “airiness”, and feels much less claustrophobic than other IEM’s I’ve tried. The sound is spacious, and the presentation very 3D-like. If you want more of a sense of space to your music, this IEM is straight up your alley. One of the strongest points of the DN-2000J (along with separation, imaging, etc.), the soundstage is really an improvement over other IEM’s. The refined highs definitely add to this. I think it’s more wide than tall, but this is just speculation on my part.
Separation: I’ve never heard instrument separation this good for any other IEM’s I’ve tried; not even in the same league. Each instrument, while being cohesive with each other, is easily distinguishable. It gives you the impression not of a muddy IEM, but a truly capable analytical headphone.
I wasn’t even keeping this in mind before I started my listening tests, because, you know, IEM’s sound more like a wall of sound. A detailed, textured, wall of sound, but a wall of sound nonetheless compared to competent over ear (especially open-back) headphones.
Not here. It was the first thing that hit me when I started listening to the DN-2000J, and something I want anybody reading this review to keep in mind. It’s been a stereotype with IEM’s, but the DN-2000J sure does a lot to distinguish itself from the rest of the lot in this regard. The soundstage and imaging (mentioned next) definitely lends a hand here, but still a phenomenal feat nonetheless.
Imaging: Imaging is good for an IEM. As mentioned earlier, the sound is 3D-like, and provides a good sense of where everything is. Over-ear headphones will still be better in this regard, but for an IEM, it does a good job.
Detail: Another one of the elite benefits of the DN-2000J. Throughout all the frequency range (lows, mids, and highs), the detail is especially good, but really has a slight upper hand in the higher regions. Keep in mind the contrast between the highs and the rest is “very good” and “even better,” so the detail retrieval throughout gets a thumbs up from me from every part of the spectrum.
Frequency Range: I took a quick glance at the specs and was surprised to see that the response goes all the way from 4 Hz to 40 Khz, a considerably larger range than what headphones usually produce. I did some listening tests, and with the volume raised, I definitely felt/heard it producing sound from the 15 Hz range and up; that’s where my frequency testing tracks start from lol. So I give credit to DUNU for having the frequency response extended more than the original DN-2000’s. Yes, DUNU, that isn’t going to go unappreciated. Well done there.
Frequency Shape: The DN-2000J would be closer to V-shaped than anything else I could describe. With a linear boost to the bass, and a somewhat bright treble, the midrange takes a bit of a back seat here, although I wouldn’t call it laid back.
Coherency & Flow: While being analytical, it still stays quite cohesive, especially after burn-in. Not leading class compared to top-notch over ear headphones, but probably as good as it can get while being an analytical IEM. I have no gripes here.
Overall Tonality/Balance: Despite being V-shaped, the DN-2000J is very balanced, without any frequency drowning out the others. No part of the sound seems artificial or unnaturally boosted in any way. The DN-2000J forgoes the warm sound many IEM manufacturers have gone for, and instead decided to take on the analytical and technical side of sound. It wouldn’t be correct for me to say that’s it’s laid back, though, just not particularly forwarded.
Hiss: The DN-2000J hisses quite loudly with my Shozy Alien player, which leads me to believe that it is quite sensitive, and prone to hiss. Something to keep in mind, depending on what source component you generally use.
Genre Recommendation: Music that is one-dimensional or vocal-centric may not seem to do great with these IEM’s, although those two will do great as well, if you’re looking for a more analytical sound.
To get more to the point, genres matter less here than the type of music listener you are. If you’re the analytical one, paying attention to detail, but also likes to get in the groove, the DN-2000J is a perfect choice. People who like a very musical presentation might not be totally happy with this IEM, although the V-shaped signature provides something to those as well. To those who are completely devoted to analytical sound, the DN-2000J is much better than most of the IEM’s out there in the analytical sense (in my opinion), so it’s definitely something you should try out.
Sound Summary: The DN-2000J definitely brings quite a bit to the table. Extremely detailed, precise, and wide sound is the game DUNU plays. Although the midrange is not as forwarded due to the frequency’s V-shaped nature, nothing is left behind.
Although I would love to continue to praise the DN-2000J, I think that about sums it up. DUNU’s product here is definitely topsound (you knew that was coming).
Seriously though, the DN-2000J’s sound is quite analytical, and excels at what it set out to do, so it more than earned its price tag. While it may not seem as impressive out of the box, over a short amount of time you may find, like me, the sound of the DN-2000J to be unique and completely addictive.
Amplification:
While it sounds better with amplification in my experience (the Meier Corda HA-2), it’s definitely not needed. With an impedance of only 8 ohms, this is one of the easiest IEM’s to drive. Although there is a slight improvement to my ears, amplification here is more to help your source player bring out the nice details rather than for the DN-2000J to be driven better.
How much of a benefit in sound you’ll get from amplification is dependent on what your rig is, but I can say with surety that you’ll be fine without one, provided that your source component is capable enough to produce the sound you want on its own.
Value & Conclusion:
The DN-2000J is definitely not a cheap IEM. However, it does more than enough to justify its price. The sound quality of the DN-2000J is like fine wine; the more time you spend with it, the more you appreciate what it has to offer.
The difference between non-summit-fi IEM’s and over ear headphones has been a hard one to bridge. Many companies have simply given up, and are of the opinion that it’ll never change. However, DUNU’s new offering makes breakthroughs in this price range – you simply cannot get a more 3D-like, airy, and balanced sound for the price, from what I’ve seen. No, the asking price of $350 is definitely not cheap, but is it a worthwhile investment? Yes, in my opinion, and more. The fact that this IEM tried going head-to-head with the K3003, an IEM 3 times the price, shows a level of quality that DUNU’s willing to push the limits here.
Disregarding its somewhat bright presentation, the DN-2000J stays quite balanced. As an overall IEM, it does an amzing job at what it set out to do. The DN-2000J has enough detail and separation for anyone’s analytical tastes, and complemented by outstanding build quality and accessories for all types, the DN-2000J makes a very compelling case for a long term, well-tuned IEM.
Hi-Res indeed; DUNU has done well on this one. I'd like to express a huge thanks to DUNU for sending me this review sample; it is truly a great IEM and I will enjoy it for as long as it lasts.
- Avishai Zitron
IEM’s have always been the little brother to full-sized headphones. Always have, and many believe always will be. But many companies are taking strides to close that gap, or at the very least providing something truly unique to the IEM market. DUNU is on the forefront of those companies; their DN-2000 and Titan 1’s have been widely praised on the IEM market for their build quality, and more importantly, their sound. IEM companies have to struggle with not only the sound tuning, but also with the small size allotted to them as expectations for IEM sizes grow demandingly small. DUNU is no exception, and although I do not envy the demands that are made of them, I do envy the results.
Why does this matter? Because above all things, it’s comforting to know a company you’re buying from knows its mistakes and is willing to learn to avoid more. A company that’s willing to learn from its customers is one I’d feel most comfortable to rely on.
So what’s the DN-2000J? I’m not sure whether to regard it as a large revision over the DN-2000 or an entirely new beast altogether. I think it deserves to be recognized as both. The DN-2000J looks similar to its predecessor, with a few improvements. While I’ve heard of DUNU applying titanium to the diaphragm of the DN-2000J to improve sound, the main difference I was interested in was the reduction in size compared to the DN-2000. Indeed, looking at pictures of both, I can say that DUNU succeeded in provided a small package in an even more compact shell – something that should not be taken lightly, given how hard it is to meet size demands.
Other differences include an upgrade to the wiring of the cable, which besides for sound benefits, allows it to be easily terminated to a balanced output with just a soldering job, something that’s a definite hit for those who want to use it for the new flagship players, and know the benefits of a balanced output.
Okay! Now we got that out of the way… but wait! There’s more –
I am in no way affiliated or work for DUNU-Topsound. For this review, I’ve received the DN-2000J as a review sample courtesy of DUNU. Despite that, this review is my honest and (attempt at) objective opinion towards the DN-2000J. Of course, all reviews are subjective by nature, so feel free to have a feel differently about anything I'll say in this review. Enjoy!
Packaging:
Boxing and such usually isn’t my thing, but for those that can appreciate a good boxing, the DN-2000J definitely brings a nice amount to the table. It comes in a sturdy black box that doesn’t feel at all cheap - definitely a good start. On the back of the box it has a few details about the DN-2000J, as well as its accessories.
When you open the front flap though, you get a much more detailed explanation of the DN-2000J in both Chinese and English – a great way to give people something to read about the product they bought without having to search for it online. Opening the second flap, you get a view of the DN-2000J, the carrying case, and some of the many tips it comes with.
DUNU did not neglect the boxing at all – I don’t care much for packaging in general, but good boxing sends a message to the buyers that “hey, we care.” It’s nice to see that here, and it’s something to keep in mind.
Accessories:
The DN-2000J comes with a great deal of accessories – definitely something for every buyer here. First off – the tips. There’s 6 pairs of regular black silicone tips – 2 pairs of small, medium, and large, respectively. Then there’s 3 pairs of white silicone tips, small, medium, and large again (plus a pair of medium-sized white silicon tips that came on the DN-2000J).
I could not find any differences between these tips, either in nozzle size or in build, so I think it’s safe to assume that the other pairs are spares, not different types of tips to go crazy over (“am I using the right ones? Perhaps the nozzle size of this one will give me more soundstage…” etc.). The tips themselves are of better quality than your average tips; the feel more solid and less flimsy than normal tips, which lends a hand to the isolation aspect of the DN-2000J, as well as comfort and fit. More on these two later, so stay tuned.
In addition, DUNU provides you with 3 sets of Comply foam tips, models T-500, Tx-500, and Ts-500. In English, the first pair is the standard Comply eartips for isolation, the next is a pair even more geared for isolation (Isolation Plus), and the last is modeled for comfort. Each can be quite expensive on their own, so it’s nice that DUNU decided to be all-inclusive here and include them for the customers.
The DN-2000J comes with a metal case, which is velvet on the inside. The case is sturdy and solid aplenty, and has plenty of room for both the IEM’s and the plethora of accessories it provides. The one thing I would think about for the future though would be the size of the case. While bigger cases cost more, and provide more room for accessories, I find the DN-2000J’s case to be a bit on the larger side, and isn’t one I could put in my pocket; only in my jacket/coat pockets and backpack. A lot of customers are more on-the-go though, so if there was one tip I could give here, it would be to perhaps provide a smaller, even cheaper, case just for the IEM’s themselves for people who don’t want to use larger cases. Other than that, I have no gripes here.
Then there are the accessories for your ear – ear hooks, and two different types of stability fins (to help keep the DN-2000J in your ear). There’s one pair of ear hooks, and two pairs of each type of fin. The fins feel sturdy, but I’ve gotten a great fit without the fins, so I don’t personally use them. But when I did try them I understood how they help keep the IEM in your ears; definitely a good move for those who have trouble with IEM fits. The ear hooks are great for those who want the DN-2000J around the ear, instead of being worn down – these need no introduction, as it’s a no-brainer for what they do.
Then there are the tuning rings – two pairs of rubber bass rings, and 3 other types of tuning rings (2 pairs of each, color coded for each type). Each type has a different width, and can be placed to determine how far the tips are (on the nozzle) from the housing. While I didn’t personally test the sound differences between them, I can definitely say these will come in handy in decided how long they should be for your ears – people with larger ears may want the tips sitting further away from the general housing, while people with smaller ears, like mine, would probably want the thinner tuning rings or none at all.
The bass rings could be used for (obviously) more bass, and (not so obviously) more isolation, but I found that the DN-2000J has enough of both for my tastes to warrant the disuse of the bass rings. However, when I tried them, I did notice an increase in bass, as well as in isolation.
Along with the tuning rings are the rear IEM covers, to prevent scratching of the housing, better grip, and possibly for preventing irritation to the ear (by having rubber touch the back of your inner ear, rather than the metal of the housing). However, I found that the rubber covers make the DN-2000J a little too bulky for my tastes, so for personal use I keep them off the IEM. Why is this in the same section as the tuning rings? Because I was an idiot and initially thought that these were tuning rings as well, so the pictures have them together. I should have read the manual, ja?
First Picture: Color coded rings on the left (for spacing), Bass rings in the middle, and IEM rear covers on the right.
Finally, for the last group of accessories, you get a 3.5mm to 6.35mm adapter, a shirt clip to reduce microphonics, an airplane 2-pin adapter, and a cable tie, for lack of a better word. To me, the airplane adapter is unnecessary, but the cable cinch is a lot more useful than people might think. Gone are the days when keeping cables wrapped was a pain – the cable cinch makes that a - okay fine, I won’t make the pun.
Overall, the DN-2000J comes with a profusion of accessories – I can’t find anything more I would want here. DUNU did a great job on this one, and besides for the questionable size of the metal case provided, I’m happy with what they’ve done.
Build Quality & Design:
The housing of the DN-2000J is solid metal, just like its predecessor. The back of the shell has the DUNU logo, which is a nice touch, and on the shell itself, there is a small protrusion for the fins. Also on these are the L/R signs, although an unintended benefit is that it’s easy as pie to tell which one is left and which one is right – whenever you see/feel the protrusion facing towards you, you know the earpiece is facing the right way. It’s as simple as that, and now I don’t even need the L/R markings. It’s brilliant, and an effective way to tell the left/right from each other, even without much light. Kudos to DUNU on this one.
Moving on, the next point of interest is the connection between the cable and the shell. The stress relief there is a small, rubber piece that more of a sturdiness to the connection than looks may seem to indicate. It’s small, but provides ample stress relief so that you don’t tear the cable near the housing. A firm wiggle test seemed to confirm this as well. However, at this price range, I would expect a detachable cable, because accidents do happen. If not, then I would hope there would be a big and rough stress relief piece to calm customers. People new to DUNU may take a look at the connector and decide right there that they won’t buy the product, because it looks like it could break easily. While DUNU’s small connector is sturdy enough to confirm that it won’t, I would keep in mind that many potential customers can’t actually feel how strong it is before buying it. Although DUNU’s secret formula included non-detachable cables, since so many companies have implemented a detachable cable, I would perhaps give thought to the possibility of providing one in the future, especially given the price. If not, then implementing a stronger & bigger stress relief near the housing would be a great idea. However, the stress relief is ample, despite the looks of it being weak.
Next is the cable itself. Before the Y-split, it is on the thinker side and sturdy, without being springy, a hallmark of a good wire. After the Y-split, it’s thinner, probably so that it doesn’t feel too bulky when you wear it. Either way, the wire on both sides is of high quality. The only request I would have for this would be to provide a braided cable, like the one found on the Titan 1’s. The fact that they didn’t implement it for the new DN-2000J is a bit of a bummer, as I really liked the braided cable on the Titan 1. If they would have used it for north of the Y-split, they probably could have eliminated most of the microphonics as well, as I’ll get to later. Either way, if a braided cable can be put on the newer DN-2000J’s from now on, it would provide a lot of benefits, in my opinion.
The Y-split itself is made out of metal, and has ample stress relief leading up to it. Despite its build, it is actually quite light, so it doesn’t weigh down the earphone too much. Printed on it is the model name, and it has a great feel to it overall.
The 3.5mm jack is right-angled, and – surprise! – it’s also built out of metal. I haven’t seen too many metal jack housings (for lack of a better phrase) so this really shows build quality to me. There’s a large amount of stress relief leading up to it – no breakage worries there. The right angled jack is definitely more useful than a regular jack with music players and phones, as it lies parallel to the device, eliminated many potential bending accidents.
Overall, the jack is solid, as well as the rest of the build. DUNU has been well known for their products’ build quality, and this is no exception. The DN-2000J is one of the sturdier IEM’s I’ve handled, and doesn’t leave much to be desired. However, I would love, if possible, for there to be a detachable cable in the future; to me that would give ample stress relief (no pun intended) to buyers who are worried about breakage. The design is brilliant, especially given the L/R protrusions, and the housing makes the DN-2000J look really classy – even non-headphone gurus can tell from the looks that it’s a well-priced item.
Fit & Comfort:
The comfort factor is excellent straight out of the box – I wore these for over an hour straight and had no problems whatsoever. In fact, these are so good, after a few minutes I forgot these were in my ears altogether. Part of this success may be attributed to the quality of the tips – as I mentioned before, even the silicone tips provided were of high quality, and are much less flimsy than your standard tips. Due to the firmness of these tips, once they’re in your ears, they create a snug fit that is very comfortable. Using the Comply tips instead can also be very comfortable, if you like foam better. Worn straight down, the back of the housing, although it is metal, did not create any comfort issues for me whatsoever. If blind tested, I would not be able to tell that the housing is metal. I dunno how they did this, but it deserves a very enthusiastic and slightly confused thumbs up from me. Using the DN-2000J over the ear also produced very comfortable results; the DN-2000J’s performance in this department is excellent, and I’m not even sure how much better than this it can get conceptually.
The fit is also excellent, due to all that I’ve mentioned above. It is important to note the since everyone’s ears are different, your results may vary. In the off chance that the standard fit is not good enough for your tastes, the included fins and ear hooks make it very easy to give DUNU a nod of approval for the fit of these.
Isolation:
Going back to the tips, their high quality blocks out sound quite efficiently; I asked one of my friends to talk to me so I could gauge how good these were in isolating sound, and with no music on, I got very cross with my friend that he wasn’t willing to talk to me. –Only he was, and since I couldn’t hear him I was convinced that he wasn’t. Point made; and although I can’t guarantee these specific results for everybody, the isolation on the DN-2000J is quite good for an IEM.
However, if you find the standard isolation isn’t enough for your busy environment, the Comply foam tips (especially the “isolation plus” model) can definitely help improve on the good isolation it already provides. I personally found the regular tips to provide more than enough isolation for me, and I’m not one for foam tips, so I didn’t bother testing the Comply tips, but Comply is one of the biggest and highest rated manufacturers for quality isolation foam tips, so I wouldn’t expect anything less. Another way to boost isolation would be to use the bass rings, but it will have an effect on the sound, so if you want the bass boost, and also would like the added isolation benefit, great. Otherwise, you should be able to find good isolation without them.
Overall, a great IEM for a busy environment, as these isolate quite well, in my opinion. Bass rings or not, there’s enough opportunities through tips (to improve on the already good isolation) to satisfy most customers.
Microphonics:
There are some microphonics when worn down, however, this only occurs when tapping the cable north of the Y-split. The main cable produces no microphonics when tapped or otherwise rustled. The noise can be eliminated altogether when worn over the ear, with or without the hooks DUNU provides. However, I am somewhat disappointed that there are microphonics when worn in the standard fashion. This is a problem central to most IEM’s, though, so it’s not something I could specifically fault the DN-2000J on. In addition, the DN-2000J comes with a shirt clip, which is supposed to be a great solution for reducing microphonics. However, since the problem lies north of the Y-split, I’m not sure how effective the shirt clip would be in solving this ancient problem.
If DUNU could implement a braided cable on the future DN-2000J’s, like one that is on the Titan 1’s (with the addition of the cable being braided also north of the Y-split), I think this problem could be almost entirely eliminated, even when not using the shirt clip. This is more of a suggestion than a con though; I’m not even sure if the science behind the braided cable would help here, or whether it’s an easy thing to implement. This is just an idea, and a quasi-idea one at that.
Sound:
The DN-2000J leans toward the analytical side of things, rather than taking a more “musical” approach. The V-shaped nature of the headphone though makes it very interesting, though; the result is a slightly fun but comprehensive sound that is incredibly detailed throughout. I’ve never heard this combination before, and actually originally thought it was inherently paradoxical, but after listening to it for the first time, I’m definitely opting for this combination over completely analytical or a totally “fun” sound; this falls right into my need for a combination of a cohesive/musical sound, and at the same time, a detailed and accurate presentation. While it is near-impossible in my opinion to fully keep the characteristics of both, the DN-2000J manages to grab the best of both worlds in my opinion.
As a semi-disclaimer, I would like to say that although I’m not a big fan of burn-in, I believe that the DN-2000J are one of the few that truly sounds better after a few hours of burn-in than out of the box. I don’t think this is due to being used to the signature either; I made sure to only listen to the DN-2000J for less than 10 minutes out of the box (while taking careful notes during that time), leave it overnight with some burn-in tracks, and take another analysis the next day. Today (which is the next day), I’ve found there to be a few small changes that make a big difference in the long run. Out of the box, it had bright highs (albeit not Beyerdynamic-bright, but still bright enough to be uncomfortable to sensitive ears) and the bass was a bit too unnaturally large. The most noticeable changes were that the bass and highs seem more tamed. But more of that in the rest of the section.
For the non-skeptics of burn-in, DUNU recommends 100 hours for the DN-2000J to be fully burned-in, so to speak. I was only able to put a few hours on these, for the sake of publishing this review in a timely manner. So it is definitely not at its optimal state, but I think it’s close enough that I can do this section with confidence
For the non-skeptics of burn-in, DUNU recommends 100 hours for the DN-2000J to be fully burned-in, so to speak. I was only able to put a few hours on these, for the sake of publishing this review in a timely manner. So it is definitely not at its optimal state, but I think it’s close enough that I can do this section with confidence
I originally tried using the Shozy Alien with the DN-2000J, and felt it wasn’t a good match; the sound signatures of the two clashed, as well as there being more hiss than I liked. Listening to the pairing now, it sounds much better than it originally did, which leads me to the conclusion that burn-in is indeed a big help to the DN-2000J, although it could always be my mind playing tricks on me.
In the end, I used my Cowon J3 for listening tests, as it’s a pretty capable DAP as well. Amplification is for a separate section later, so stay tuned!
In the end, I used my Cowon J3 for listening tests, as it’s a pretty capable DAP as well. Amplification is for a separate section later, so stay tuned!
Bass/Lows: The control the DN-2000J has here is very remarkable; the bass is very tight while still having a punchy impact. It is also very textured and detailed, which came as a surprise given the slight boost the DN-2000J has in the bass regions. The bass as a whole is slightly elevated, less so now than out of the box. I would like to note though that the elevation feels natural, rather than artificial, and that it is not elevated by much. Rather than having a “bump,” I feel that these are steady throughout the bass region, and that the lower region alone seems perfectly balanced, and almost flat on its own, so to speak.
This is why I was surprised with the control this IEM wields on the bass. Anything less than amazing texture here would automatically leave me with the impression that the DN-2000J is bloated, given the slight elevation. However, I’m finishing this section please with the bass performance – slightly elevated to give it more “oomph,” but outstanding nonetheless.
Midrange/Vocals: Acoustics sound great; piano and guitars are what I listen to most often, and performance-wise the DN-2000J does a great job. Guitars are detailed well, albeit just slightly laid back, and the pianos sound natural. For the great performances of the DN-2000J, I think this may be its weakest link; acoustics sound great, but doesn’t have the “amazing” edge the rest of the frequency has going for this IEM. Vocals also are very detailed, and are less laid back than the acoustics, but it isn’t as in-your-face as other IEM’s.
Personally, I’m a big fan of this, as not everyone wants such forward vocals; the DN-2000J does great in this regard. Keep in mind though that the DN-2000J isn’t a vocal-centric headphone. It does justice to them as an IEM, but doesn’t focus only on them; the vocals become more as a part of the entire frequency than as the front-and-center of the song.
Due to its analytical nature, I believe this is something that is inevitable, but you’ll either love it or hate it, depending on your tastes and whether you prefer a more analytical and “correct” sound vs. a musical one. Some may find certain songs sounding slightly “thinner” than what they’re used to in this regard, but as someone who doesn’t listen to vocals very often, I can say that in my opinion, it sits between “laid back” and “forward,” although I’m not sure what term to use for that. I think I may be taking that last sentence from someone I heard a while back, although who I’m quoting unfortunately I do not know.
Even though the vocals aren’t exactly forward more than anything else, the cohesiveness of people singing with the other music in the background is truly impressive. That really goes a long way in helping the midrange overall.
Highs/Drums: The DN-2000J is a bit bright here, less so than out of the box, but still (what I would call) between semi-bright and bright. Highs have a satisfying “snap”, and an attack that isn’t often seen, while staying very detailed – more so than the rest of the frequency, in my opinion. Be aware, though, that any tracks that are already somewhat bright will have that revealed and forwarded by the DN-2000J; if you want a resolving IEM for your bright music, I would look elsewhere. However, barring that, the highs are slightly forwards, due to the “attack” it has. This may result in people with sensitive ears having to lower the volume by certain song – which then have to be raised again by songs without naturally bright highs. Violins are slightly less forward than the drums – I don’t exactly want those in my face so often, so I’m glad the exactly way they are.
However, if these things aren’t a problem for you, you’re in for some really refined highs; the only comparison I could here is to a really, really juicy steak, versus a dried piece of meat. The highs here are the juicy steaks, obviously.
Clarity: The DN-2000J is taking strides towards bridging the gap in clarity between IEM’s and over-head headphones – more specifically, the dreaded “veil” sound many find in IEM’s. While it doesn’t completely get rid of it, it is better than any other IEM in this price range I’ve tried – and if what I’m hearing could be relied upon, steps over the previous DN-2000 in this regard. The “air” I’ll elaborate on in the next mini-section also helps in this regard.
Soundstage: The DN-2000J has an “airiness”, and feels much less claustrophobic than other IEM’s I’ve tried. The sound is spacious, and the presentation very 3D-like. If you want more of a sense of space to your music, this IEM is straight up your alley. One of the strongest points of the DN-2000J (along with separation, imaging, etc.), the soundstage is really an improvement over other IEM’s. The refined highs definitely add to this. I think it’s more wide than tall, but this is just speculation on my part.
Separation: I’ve never heard instrument separation this good for any other IEM’s I’ve tried; not even in the same league. Each instrument, while being cohesive with each other, is easily distinguishable. It gives you the impression not of a muddy IEM, but a truly capable analytical headphone.
I wasn’t even keeping this in mind before I started my listening tests, because, you know, IEM’s sound more like a wall of sound. A detailed, textured, wall of sound, but a wall of sound nonetheless compared to competent over ear (especially open-back) headphones.
Not here. It was the first thing that hit me when I started listening to the DN-2000J, and something I want anybody reading this review to keep in mind. It’s been a stereotype with IEM’s, but the DN-2000J sure does a lot to distinguish itself from the rest of the lot in this regard. The soundstage and imaging (mentioned next) definitely lends a hand here, but still a phenomenal feat nonetheless.
Imaging: Imaging is good for an IEM. As mentioned earlier, the sound is 3D-like, and provides a good sense of where everything is. Over-ear headphones will still be better in this regard, but for an IEM, it does a good job.
Detail: Another one of the elite benefits of the DN-2000J. Throughout all the frequency range (lows, mids, and highs), the detail is especially good, but really has a slight upper hand in the higher regions. Keep in mind the contrast between the highs and the rest is “very good” and “even better,” so the detail retrieval throughout gets a thumbs up from me from every part of the spectrum.
Frequency Range: I took a quick glance at the specs and was surprised to see that the response goes all the way from 4 Hz to 40 Khz, a considerably larger range than what headphones usually produce. I did some listening tests, and with the volume raised, I definitely felt/heard it producing sound from the 15 Hz range and up; that’s where my frequency testing tracks start from lol. So I give credit to DUNU for having the frequency response extended more than the original DN-2000’s. Yes, DUNU, that isn’t going to go unappreciated. Well done there.
Frequency Shape: The DN-2000J would be closer to V-shaped than anything else I could describe. With a linear boost to the bass, and a somewhat bright treble, the midrange takes a bit of a back seat here, although I wouldn’t call it laid back.
Coherency & Flow: While being analytical, it still stays quite cohesive, especially after burn-in. Not leading class compared to top-notch over ear headphones, but probably as good as it can get while being an analytical IEM. I have no gripes here.
Overall Tonality/Balance: Despite being V-shaped, the DN-2000J is very balanced, without any frequency drowning out the others. No part of the sound seems artificial or unnaturally boosted in any way. The DN-2000J forgoes the warm sound many IEM manufacturers have gone for, and instead decided to take on the analytical and technical side of sound. It wouldn’t be correct for me to say that’s it’s laid back, though, just not particularly forwarded.
Hiss: The DN-2000J hisses quite loudly with my Shozy Alien player, which leads me to believe that it is quite sensitive, and prone to hiss. Something to keep in mind, depending on what source component you generally use.
Genre Recommendation: Music that is one-dimensional or vocal-centric may not seem to do great with these IEM’s, although those two will do great as well, if you’re looking for a more analytical sound.
To get more to the point, genres matter less here than the type of music listener you are. If you’re the analytical one, paying attention to detail, but also likes to get in the groove, the DN-2000J is a perfect choice. People who like a very musical presentation might not be totally happy with this IEM, although the V-shaped signature provides something to those as well. To those who are completely devoted to analytical sound, the DN-2000J is much better than most of the IEM’s out there in the analytical sense (in my opinion), so it’s definitely something you should try out.
Sound Summary: The DN-2000J definitely brings quite a bit to the table. Extremely detailed, precise, and wide sound is the game DUNU plays. Although the midrange is not as forwarded due to the frequency’s V-shaped nature, nothing is left behind.
Although I would love to continue to praise the DN-2000J, I think that about sums it up. DUNU’s product here is definitely topsound (you knew that was coming).
Seriously though, the DN-2000J’s sound is quite analytical, and excels at what it set out to do, so it more than earned its price tag. While it may not seem as impressive out of the box, over a short amount of time you may find, like me, the sound of the DN-2000J to be unique and completely addictive.
Amplification:
While it sounds better with amplification in my experience (the Meier Corda HA-2), it’s definitely not needed. With an impedance of only 8 ohms, this is one of the easiest IEM’s to drive. Although there is a slight improvement to my ears, amplification here is more to help your source player bring out the nice details rather than for the DN-2000J to be driven better.
How much of a benefit in sound you’ll get from amplification is dependent on what your rig is, but I can say with surety that you’ll be fine without one, provided that your source component is capable enough to produce the sound you want on its own.
Value & Conclusion:
The DN-2000J is definitely not a cheap IEM. However, it does more than enough to justify its price. The sound quality of the DN-2000J is like fine wine; the more time you spend with it, the more you appreciate what it has to offer.
The difference between non-summit-fi IEM’s and over ear headphones has been a hard one to bridge. Many companies have simply given up, and are of the opinion that it’ll never change. However, DUNU’s new offering makes breakthroughs in this price range – you simply cannot get a more 3D-like, airy, and balanced sound for the price, from what I’ve seen. No, the asking price of $350 is definitely not cheap, but is it a worthwhile investment? Yes, in my opinion, and more. The fact that this IEM tried going head-to-head with the K3003, an IEM 3 times the price, shows a level of quality that DUNU’s willing to push the limits here.
Disregarding its somewhat bright presentation, the DN-2000J stays quite balanced. As an overall IEM, it does an amzing job at what it set out to do. The DN-2000J has enough detail and separation for anyone’s analytical tastes, and complemented by outstanding build quality and accessories for all types, the DN-2000J makes a very compelling case for a long term, well-tuned IEM.
Hi-Res indeed; DUNU has done well on this one. I'd like to express a huge thanks to DUNU for sending me this review sample; it is truly a great IEM and I will enjoy it for as long as it lasts.
- Avishai Zitron