DUNU DK-2001

Sometimes it's difficult to review things that you love. All the analysis can't always portray the emotional connection you have with things. This is not about graphs or breakdowns. This is a very brief , emotive review ! If that's not your bag , please keep scrolling ! DUNU have been around in shape and form for some time now. Their excellent DK range which includes the 3001 pro and the 4001 have been rightly praised to the hilt by some of the best reviewers around. The Luna along with their equally excellent studio range ( SA3 and the SA6) have rode the hype train. The brand new ZEN is a single driver set that brings futuristic tech to the table. Whilst the 2001 straddled the lower middle price range don't sleep on this beauty. Blessed with a fantastic cable and a retro style , non resin design this little wonder is not to be dismissed. With a 13 mm beryllium driver and 3 Knowles BAs the dk2001 incooperates tech that on paper doesn't cry futurism . But hear me out , the tuning for the price belies it's brilliance. While it seems one might be getting carried away let me try and explain why I love this set so much. I bought these full priced in the summer of 2020. In the middle of lockdown and with covid running rife , I had more time than normal to digest music. It was my gateway out of an uncertain future . On first listen , I was rather non plussed. Yeah they were good but to my ears nothing special. One night I thought I paid a bit of money for these let me check them out again . Over a 4 hour period they won me over big time. What got me was the graceful way it presented my library. Whilst not having the biggest soundstage or the most extended highs I'd ever heard what got me was it did everything right. The bass was fantastic. Full lower mids , beautiful balanced upper mids. Vocals sound delightful. The highs were rich never descended in splashiness or sounding particularly dark they blended beautifully with the range. I couldn't put this set down. Dawn rose and there I was blissed out listening to Do it again by Steely Dan. Wow ! I was taken aback. No fatigue just sheer exhilaration. Ok this is not the most analytical of reviews , many far better at articulating what they hear have done that many times with the DK2001. I have many sets but few have taken me to that place like this set has. Anyway , it's 6am in London time to wrap this up. Apologies if you we're expecting a blow by blow detailed account on this iem. I just wanted share how a great iem should make you feel. As I said before there are many sets with better technicalities etc etc etc. But , if like me you want music to feel resolving and emotional and you don't want to break the bank spending 2k plus on a pair of in ear monitors you don't get much better than the DUNU DK 2001.

Hello everyone.

I would like to preface two things.

Firstly, I do not completely believe in audible “burn in” or cable changes (in regard to sound). I have not personally been able to detect any changes in sound with a different cable or hours of burn in. My review however will be based on my final impressions after 20-25 hours of burn in with the stock cable and stock tips.

Secondly, my music preferences consist of many genres ranging from Rock/Metal, Rap, J-Pop/K-Rap, and some acoustical/vocal based music. They will be listed below as examples.

Lastly, my reference over-ear headphones are the Sennheiser HD58x Jubilee. These are the first and only open-back cans I have.

Sample songs used to evaluate gear to get an idea of the type of music I listen to.

Wage War – Twenty One, The River, Low
Slipknot – Before I Forget, Duality, Psychosocial
Hoshino Gen – Koi, Continues, Sun
Mariya Takeuchi – Plastic Love, Yume No Tzusuki, September
Jakubi – Holiday, Pillow, Nobody Better
Gorillaz – Clint Eastwood, On Melancholy Hill, Ascension
Tupac – Ambitionz Az a Ridah, Changes, All Eyez on Me
Mos Def – Mathematics, Hip Hop, Ms. Fat Booty
Polkadot Stingray – Free, Mermaid, A Stinging Spica

Etc.


Overall tonality: Warm V-Shape. I like this as it's quite easy to listen to.

Fit: These fit really nicely. I often use these while sleeping as they sit flush with my ears. They are quite small.
Comfort: Easily the most comfortable IEMs I have ever used. Barely feel them and never cause unnecessary pain/fatigue.
Cable: One of my favorite cables. I love the interchangeable connectors.
Isolation: About average. I wouldn’t really take these out on walk to block outside sounds.

All critical listening was done off the Shanling UP4 (Bluetooth and USB DAC mode) and LG V30 using Flac files or Tidal premium. Casual listening was done with Spotify. This was purchased with my own money as well.

Bass: To start off, I would not call these a “bassy” set but it pulls off bass pretty well. The bass is nicely elevated but does not bleed in the mids/rest of the mix. Bass notes are not the most well defined but definitely have nice slam/texture to them. Bass guitars also impressed me. Typically for the music I listen to (rock/metal in particular), I find that electric guitars sound closer/more prominent in the mix. With these, it felt as though bass guitars were louder(?) or easier to hear. Piano keys were also nice to listen to. They have good weight to them and as though you can really feel the piano keys. Overall, the bass is not overdone but definitely boosted (relative to more neutral sets) and presented well.

Mids: The mids have a nice warmth but are not particularly forward either. This makes instruments sound natural and pretty dang good across the board. Vocals are interesting. They can either sounds really good or a little too shouty for my tastes. Most of the time vocals come across as smooth and really pleasant. It should be noted that I prefer more forward vocals.

Highs: I mentioned this in my previous review, but I do not feel that I am sensitive to sibilance/treble in general. The highs seem to be pretty present in the mix but never it’s never “too much”. Many jazz instruments including trumpets, pianos, drums, and harmonics in general have pretty good energy and presence. I think the main complaint I have is that there isn’t enough “air”.

Soundstage: One of the weaker points in my opinion. Sounds happen left, right, and center. I never really felt as though I was getting a larger “out-of-head” experience.

Imaging: A little better than the soundstage. Positional accuracy was not spectacular, but it was good.

Resolution: These are not highly a resolving set. Although they are pretty good, I would not get these if that’s what you’re after.

Genres that work well for these: Rap, Indie Rock, Pop, Jazz
Genres/songs that tend to be "busy" can sound quite congested in my experience.

Select Comparisons:


FiiO FH3/FH5

I’ll be referring to the FH5 for the most part, but this includes the cheaper FH3. Bass and mids are definitely more prominent on the FH5’s. The DK2001’s sound a little more natural to my ears though. I prefer the quality of the mids on the DK2001 but wish they were a bit more forward like on the FH5. Vocals are better on the DK2001 when they are “shouty”. Highs seem a little more resolving on the DK2001 but easier to listen to with the FH5. Soundstage/imaging are better on the FH5. Fit and comfort go to the DK2001.



Sony XBA-N3AP

Similarly to the FH3/5, the bass is more prominent (and fun) to listen to on the N3AP. Mids are easier to listen with the DK2001 but more detailed on the N3AP. Vocals are more pleasant to listen on the DK2001 but slightly smoother on the N3AP. Highs are more detailed than the N3AP but not as forward. Soundstage/imaging are better on the N3AP. Fit and comfort go to the DK2001.



Moondrop Blessing2

The Blessing2 seems to be the opposite of these. Bass is stronger/more impactful on the DK2001. Mids are more detailed on the Blessing2. Vocals sound more pleasant on the DK2001 but are more detailed with the Blessing2. Highs are more detailed on the Blessing2. Soundstage/imagining are easily better on the Blessing2. The DK2001 is far easier to listen to compared to the Blessing2. Fit and comfort go to the DK2001 hands down unless you have very large ears.



Conclusion

The DK2001 is a pretty great set. But would I personally want to pay full price for it? Yes and no. While I do like these quite a bit, I think they have minor setbacks for the price. That being said, they are on the road to becoming one of my most used IEMs. The comfort/fit alone make these just that much better.

In the interest of full disclosure, I want to thank Tom of Dunu for sending these along to me for review. At the end of the review period, they’ll be returned.

Here are some brief comments on the build and whatnot:

• Great cable quality and pouches for the IEMs. DUNU clearly cares and is putting in a good deal effort here.
• All of the IEMs are quite small. This is definitely a plus for smaller ears. However, if you have larger ears, it might feel like the IEMs are a bit loose (although I doubt they’ll actually fall out). None of them isolate particularly well.

This is the “fun” IEM out of the DUNU lineup, and it’s something of a V-shape with a steep-rise to the upper midrange and treble. It’s packing some surprises. First, the bass is in a bit of a weird spot; it seems to have slightly more quantity than the DK-3001 Pro. But it’s lacking some of that dynamic slam and texture that I would normally expect; the 3001 Pro does it better. Granted, the 3001 Pro does have more of a mid-bass emphasis, but I think that this is where some of that price difference is reflected. The 2001’s bass is still pretty decent and I don’t think most listeners would notice unless they were A/Bing.

Midrange is probably one of the better points of this IEM, especially with female vocals. Of course, this is personal preference as it occasionally slips into shout and sibilance. But the benefit of the rise to the upper frequencies is that vocals are delivered with quite the good resolution. Most definitely better than the DK-3001 Pro in this respect.

This extends to the treble region which is fairly energetic. There does seem to be a spike somewhere after 10kHz, though, and it presents itself annoyingly on some songs. A prime example is on Joe Nichol’s “Sunny and 75”. There’s an electronic, piercing sound to the left side of the stage at 0:24. With most IEMs, I find that it blends gently, subtly into the song, but on the DK-2001 it’s far more pronounced than it should be. Not unlike the DK-3001 Pro, the 2001 seems to lack sufficient air in the treble too.

Staging, as with all the DUNU IEMs, is pretty average. The DK-2001 never breaks the head-stage barrier for me. That being said, the 2001 is surprisingly technical otherwise. Imaging and layering capability are above average; and as I alluded to earlier, pure resolution is good. I find that most hybrids present issues with coherency in the timbre. And to this end, the DK-2001 is one of the better offenders. There’s still a plasticky-quality, but it’s not nearly as bad as the DK-3001 Pro’s.

Personally, I think the DK-2001 would benefit from some added bass boost. The greater emphasis on the upper frequencies can make it a fatiguing listen, and it’s a bit jarring A/Bing with more neutral IEMs. Recommended? With caution. It’s certainly not bad, and I like it in moderation, but tonality will likely be the biggest roadblock for most listeners.

Introduction:

Dunu are a well-established company by now and will need little introduction from me. Having produced many well-regarded IEMs in the budget and now mid range, they’ve recently been pushing into the TOTL market with their acclaimed Luna earphone.

Today, I’m going to be looking at an IEM which, according to the IEM world today’s ever-changing pricing would fit at the upper-lower end of the mid-range price tier, or the very upper end of the lower price tier...
As you wish. It’s all relative, don’t you know? Basically, they’re $299 at time of writing

My sincere thanks to Tom and the team at Dunu, for providing me with a review unit to keep in exchange for an honest review.

Photos:





Unboxing, packaging and accessories:

I think the packaging is decent for this price point; it’s understated, but functional. The IEMs themselves very much do all the talking here.

The accessories package was a mixed affair; a blue carrying case was included, but for my personal tastes, I didn’t much like it. I think it might have been better to go with genuine leather or a more classy-looking synthetic material, or with a tin of some kind.

On the other hand, there were plenty of ear tips to choose from, even ones chosen to match the colour scheme of this particular IEM, which I found to be a lovely touch, showing the care and attention to detail that’s gone into the overall design.
A cleaning tool and an guitar-style adaptor round out the package.

The Fit:

These IEMs are astonishingly small. The pictures don’t do them justice at all; they’re just under 1.5cm in diameter (that’s approximately two bushels and half a peck, for those using Imperial measurements)

Which makes the sound they produce (of which more later) all the more surprising.

They have a pretty ideal insertion depth for me personally, such that I can use any of my ear tips and get a good seal. They are utterly comfortable and I can – and indeed do – wear them all day with no discomfort or fatigue.

They are simply faultless in this regard for me; the best I’ve ever experienced.

The Sound:

So, as ever, I’m going to start my review with critical listening to a variety of tracks, in order to draw forth impressions of how these IEMs sound with different genres of music.
Listening was done on a Sony WM1Z, on the 4.4mm balanced output.
Time to tell it like I hear it
"So sit back, relax and let the good times roll" ('Stiffler')

Tanita Tikaram – Little Sister Leaving Town (16-44 FLAC)
This is a song that features a bassline from what sounds like an acoustic double bass; on the right kind of IEM, this is infused with authority and rumble.

It gives me great pleasure to report that the 13mm DD of the DK-2001 eats such things for breakfast and manfully spits out the bones afterwards

I can hear very clearly the plucking of the bass strings and the bass extends deeply.

This song features delicate percussion which dances around the more prominent thumps of the bass and main drum. On some IEMs, that extra percussion can get lost somewhat in the mix, but here the hi-hat, cymbals and all other percussion is distinct, clearly separated and audible.



Then comes the string section; cello and violins sound lush, with a warm timbre.

Similarly, so do the vocals; Tanita Tikaram has an unusually deep and husky voice for a female vocalist, but the DK-2001 presents it beautifully.


The Divine Comedy – Tonight We Fly (16-44 FLAC)
A boisterous piece of classical-pop fusion wizardry, this song features clattering drums, fairly rapidly-played classical stringed instruments and the ever-so-refined vocal stylings of Neil Hannon.

As I expected from the previous song I mentioned, the drumming is presented very distinctly, doing very well to present both the main drum beat with authority, whilst distinctly separating out the high percussion that accompanies it and allowing that to shine as well.

The staccato stylings of the strident stringed instruments are a challenge for any IEM in terms of how it handles the transients and decay; I feel the DK-2001 does admirably well here.

I can feel the difference from the TOTL IEMs I have had the blessing of becoming accustomed to, but this must be tempered with realistic expectations based on the price point at which the DK-2001 is positioned.


Marit Larsen – Faith & Science (16-44 FLAC)
In this song, I’m looking for how the IEM handles thumping percussion, mastered in a modern fashion with impact and prominence.

The DK-2001 does this excellently; it’s never overbearing or sloppy.
There’s delicious, powerful slam and impact, but with everything kept tight and focused.
No bloat, no bleed. Just superb musical goodness.


Alanis Morissette – All I really want (24-192 HDTracks FLAC, 2015 Remaster)
This is a pretty dense song, musically speaking, with its thumping drum beat, guitars and various effects. It can sound a bit stodgy and congested without good gear to open it up and bring clarity and separation. Fortunately, that’s exactly what the intrepid DK-2001 achieves.

This is a track with a lot of little sounds going on in the background; little guitar squeals, wah-wah, vocal echoes, keyboards etc, all in addition to the standard instruments.

When I feed the DK-2001 a hi-res track like this, the effortless way it presents all that detail is really mature and accomplished. I can constantly perceive all of the sounds I have described; they pop out, but in a natural way that leaves me free to enjoy the song as a whole, or to mentally ‘zoom in’ and focus on a specific instrument or effect should I wish.


Buena Vista Social Club – Chan Chan (24-96 HDTracks FLAC)
This song, I have to say, is very similar to the previous one.
Not, I hasten to add – before the mob with burning torches and pitchforks appears – in musical terms, but rather in its complexity, and the way in which the DK-2001 presents every detail.
I think I’d still say that the DK-2001 presents details in a natural, rather than an analytical way. Transients are good, but not especially fast; I don’t hear noticeably clean and crisp edges around the percussion, but still I find that I hear and feel the percussion in an emotional and engaging way, which is certainly aided by the well-executed separation, layering and imaging, along with a generously holographic soundstage.

I have to add that the way this IEM presents the bass guitar hear, along with the guitar plucking, is hugely enjoyable. There’s just a really engaging timbre and musicality about it all. Finally, the DK-2001 passes the trumpet solo test on this song with flying colours.
With some IEMs, this can make me wince a bit with its sharpness, but there’s none of that tomfoolery here; just a gorgeous and enchanting presentation.

CHVRCHES – Leave a trace (24-48 HDTracks FLAC)
Just a quick track to see how this IEM does with a very modern style of pop-rock.

This song is heavy on the synths and driving electronic bass; yet again, it’s hugely engaging with the DK-2001. My head keeps nodding, and it’s not just because of chronic sleep deprivation

Röyksopp – Monument (T.I.E version, 16-44 FLAC)
Interesting. Something I’ve noticed on the previous song and again with this one is that the DK-2001 seems to handle transients better with electronic music.
They are very clearly delineated and defined, and still maintain that addictive musicality.


Dave – Streatham (16-44 FLAC)
Again, just a really accomplished presentation of this UK Grime track.

Immediately, I notice how well the DK-2001 presents the male vocals here, front and centre and very slightly forward.

I can hear the timbre of his voice in a way that I haven’t really noticed before (and I’ve heard this on plenty of TOTL IEMs too). By now, it ought to go without saying that the rest of the instrumentation/electronica is absolutely on-point here. But I’m saying it anyway, because it deserves mention


Grant Lee Buffalo – The Shining Hour (16-44 FLAC)
Again, instruments all separated out, with an excellent technical performance.

On this track (and a few others, mainly old 80’s/90’s ‘hair rock’ tracks), there’s a slight sharpness coming through, although by way of disclaimer, I’m rather treble-sensitive normally, and I’m currently pretty sleep-deprived. So it may be that you don’t hear this at all. Nevertheless, I’d suggest there’s a lift in the upper mids (or lower treble) that gives a prominence to searing electric guitar lines. Generally, the DK-2001 has a balanced and musical tuning; the mid-bass and lower mids are tastefully and engagingly tuned, without any excess warmth. On the vast majority of tracks, this is perfect, but I feel on a few tracks like these ones I’ve just mentioned, where the bass is mastered in rather a lean fashion, the DK-2001 can sound slightly thin and sharp.

I do need to emphasise here that this is something I’ve noticed on all kind of IEMs, all the way up to $2k+ flagships. I think – for my personal tastes at least – such music shines best with IEMs that have a rich and warm sound signature, with a powerful low end and a bit more smoothness in the mids and treble.

Gomez – We haven’t turned around (16-44 FLAC)
Well, this song was just a random choice, but it is very much back to business as far as the DK-2001 is concerned; this song opens with a deep cello flourish, which this IEM presents with jaw-dropping timbre. Throughout the song, every time I would wish for some depth, richness and faithful timbre, the DK-2001 delivered.

As the geeky protagonist in ‘Ten things I hate about you’ joyfully exclaimed:
“And I’m back in the game!”


Conclusion:

Ok, time to wrap this all up, more efficiently than one of Santa’s elves working on commission

My impressions of the DK-2001 are overwhelmingly favourable. It has a balanced sound signature, with nothing recessed or overly prominent.
It handles both male and female vocals with aplomb and draws out the emotion in those performances.

The low end is tight and focused, but with plenty of power and slam.
Mids are relatively rich and engaging, but without ever becoming congested.
This is a delightfully musical IEM, with upper mids and treble that highlight tonnes of detail, in the vast majority of cases without being sharp or compromising on smoothness.
It’s not lightning-fast in the transients and features a slower decay, but I found this to fit very well with the hugely engaging timbre that the DK-2001 brings to the table.

And doubling down on the favourable impressions of the sound signature, it gives me joy to report that the form factor of the DK-2001 is as close to perfect as I’ve ever experienced.
The design is slick, tastefully modern and attractive, the same goes for the gunmetal grey themed cable with its built in adaptor for multiple plug options, and the IEMs are unfeasibly tiny; even more so when you consider the sound quality they’re packing inside.

They disappear into my ears, with zero protrusion, such that I can report with delight that I have finally found an audiophile-quality IEM that I can comfortably wear in bed; something of a holy grail for me!

I think this IEM is easy to recommend to anyone. It offers simply terrific value at an accessible price point, without compromise on the build or sound quality. Two enthusiastic thumbs up!

Product page : https://www.dunu-topsound.com/dk-2001
Price : 299$

Fit, Build & Isolation
As I said in my DK-4001 review, the DK-2001 fit is one of the best I have had with an universal IEM, it is small, lightweight and ergonomic. The form factor is consistent across the DK lineup and I fit the whole range perfectly.

Design wise, I like that the nozzle has a small ridge line to allow for deeper tip insertion, I didn’t need it but it can come in handy and reflects the ergonomic focus in the DK-2001 design. Included spinfits are really good and I didn’t need to do any tip rolling with my own tips. The over the ear cable configuration with preformed hook makes wearing the DK-2001 very secure. Isolation is good thanks to deep insertion and as usual for best results comply tips provide additional isolation.



As usual with Dunu, the DK-2001 comes in with a modular design cable, in this case the newcomer “DUW-02” and it’s beautifully built and performs superbly. Contrary to the DK-3001 Pro and DK-4001, all the plugs don’t come bundled – just regular 3.5 – but can be purchased separately (unless you own another Dunu IEM and own the plugs already). This makes sense for a lower tier IEM.


Introduction
Dunu is a well established brand in the audiophile world, which started as an OEM for famous brands. Since 2014, Dunu built its own IEM and now has a fairly complete lineup of dynamic and hybrid IEMs (Titan series, DN series, DK series and the flagship Luna I reviewed recently as well as the upcoming full BA Studio lineup). When they launched the DK hybrid series in 2015, Dunu set out to design the most compact, optimal shell fit that would define our flagship series. It still works very well and Dunu fortunately decided to stick with the form factor with the DK-2001.

The DK-2001 is a much welcome addition to the DK lineup that included top and mid tier offerings with the 3001 Pro and 4001 but lacked an entry in the lower segment of the market. I was really curious as to how Dunu would differentiate the little brother of the lineup but they started by including some fun colors to the mix with a turquoise and orange (sorry, topaz) paint as well as the more traditional black finish. I picked the topaz for my unit but turquoise is pretty great as well.

I took this as a hint that the DK-2001 was tuned for fun and aimed at younger customers, but how would a forty something audiophile like them? Well, let’s check that out!


Sound
Upon first listen, I was a bit surprised by the DK-2001 : it instantly struck me as a mature, highly coherent refined tuning. It sure will do great with Pop, EDM or rap but it did fare so very well with all the other genres all the way through Jazz and Classical. I must confess, I didn’t expect that.

The DK-2001 is neither U nor V shaped but rather features a very balanced and smooth signature with a great deal of fun in all the right places. Bass are punchy and well controlled, with a nice mid bass slam and decent extension although they don’t feature as much sub bass as the DK-4001 or the DK-3001 Pro. Mids are the real surprise with surprising level of clarity and transparency that is quite unusual in this price bracket. The upper section is just as impressive with very good extension and just the right touch of energy. The DK-2001 is smooth and non fatiguing as well across the whole range. I quickly enjoyed it as a daily driver as it could do all genres very well. Soundstage is another aspect of its engaging nature with very good width and height and good depth. Certainly punching above its price point.

But now, let’s dive a bit deeper!



Bass
The DK-2001 is faithful to the great bass performance of Dunu hybrid lineup. It’s closer to the DK-3001 Pro with a nice hefty mid bass slam than the DK-4001 which has more controlled mid bass and a sub bass focus. The DK-2001 has a nice mid bass slam with very nice texture and perfect control. It packs some nice punch and the extension is very good as well.

The bass line is strong and the DK-2001 clearly has a toe tapping factor with a very good sense of rythm, thanks to good speed for a dynamic driver. Decay is very natural and attack is snappy. I’d go as far as say that it’s also a more balanced presentation than DK-3001 Pro (we’ll come back to this in my DK-3001 Pro upcoming review with a detailed comparison section to both the DK-4001 and DK-2001). This is especially apparent out of the “golden reference” provided by the Lotoo PAW Gold Touch but is already clear with the PAW S1 and to a lesser extent to the more coloured AAW Capri cable that has a bit of a warmer tilt.

Mids
The DK-2001 mids were the surprise of this review, I didn’t expect the mid tuning to be as balanced, articulate and dare I say refined presentation. The DK-2001 is fun for sure both bass and treble provide excitement, but it features quite serious mids with very strong technical qualities.

The lower mids are very balanced making for full but not thick mids, providing nice body and upper mids are forward enough to provide a nice amount of bite without ever compromising an overall smoothness that makes the DK-2001 a non fatiguing yet exciting listen. This is a delicate balance and very few IEMs manage to pull this off, let alone at this price point.

Vocal presence is very good, with the right touch of forwardness to my taste and the tonal balance is pretty impressive as well. There is a touch of sweetness that is slightly north of neutral that I like to call natural. Both male (like Pete Alderton “Malted Milk”) and female (Etta James “At last”) are faithfully portrayed, with very nice nuances making for a very engaging experience.

Treble
The treble section carries the same fun as the bass, it’s well extended, with good energy and sound technical foundations. This is a mastered tuning showing both decisiveness and restraint, again taking advantage of a long experience in tuning hybrid IEMs with the DK-3001 (and Pro) and DK-4001.

Lower treble is quite energetic providing a lot of excitement and fun, with clearly punctuated hi hats, nice sheen to electric guitar… Upper treble is well extended and provides very good resolution and air to the DK-2001. I started with Spin Doctors “So bad” and then went through the whole “If the river was whiskey” album. A pure treat. The Hot Sardines “Comes love (l’amour s’en fout)” piano intro was also a nice moment of this review.


Verdict
As a reviewer, when you have purchased, owned and auditioned quite a few IEMs including some top of the line gear like I did it’s easy to get jaded and forget that this hobby is about music and enjoying getting engaged in a great listening experience. For me the magic happens when you forget the gear to be “in” the music and I must say very few IEMs have taken me to this place.

I have had the pleasure of experiencing this with some superb TOTL, but rarely with mid and lower tier. I expected the DK-2001 to be fun and good, but not that good and definitely not taking me to that sweet spot where I loose track of time and gear. Obviously your mileage may vary and it might not work for you but it did for me in a big way and that took me by surprise!

If you’re looking for a highly engaging IEM featuring a balanced and smooth signature with a great deal of fun in all the right places and a very rare level of refinement at this price point then look no further, the DK-2001 is in my opinion a gem and a steal at its price! It clearly shows the mastery of a manufacturer that has gained superb insight from developing a hybrid lineup for quite some time now.

Listening notes
I spent approximately 80 hours with the DK-2001, listening on Lotoo PAW S1 out of the iPhone XS Max and Lotoo PAW Gold Touch using the stock cable.

Special Thanks
Thanks to Dunu for providing a review unit of the DK-2001 . As usual, this review is my honest opinion. No incentive was given for a favorable review.



Accessories

• High-Purity Silver-Plated OCC Copper Litz (Type 1) Cable
• Modular 3.5 mm Single-Ended Plug
• Cerulean Blue Leatherette Zip-Up Carry Case
• DUNU DC-16 3.5-to-6.3 mm Adapter
• Cleaning Brush & Loop
• ‘Balanced’ Silicone Ear Tips (4 Pairs)
• ‘Transparency’ Silicone Ear Tips (3 Pairs)
• ‘Vocal’ Silicone Ear Tips (3 Pairs)
• Memory Foam Tips (1 Pair)

Specifications

• NET WEIGHT: 14 g
• FREQUENCY RESPONSE: 5 Hz – 40 kHz
• IMPEDANCE: 13 Ω
• SENSITIVITY: 109 ± 2 dB at 1 kHz
• TOTAL HARMONIC DISTORTION：< 0.5% at 1 kHz
• WIRE MATERIAL: High-purity silver-plated Ohno continuous cast (OCC) copper Litz Type 1 wire
• CABLE LENGTH: 1.2 mm
• CABLE CONNECTOR: Catch-Hold® MMCX
• DYNAMIC DRIVER: 13 mm dynamic driver with dual-sided Beryllium diaphragm coating
• BALANCED ARMATURE(S): 3 custom-ordered Knowles BA Drivers (1 mid-high, 2 ultra-high)

Firstly I would like to thank Dunu for sending this sample to review, they were the first company I ever wrote a review for and it's been a while since I last reviewed a product of theirs.

*disclaimer: This sample was provided for the purpose of writing a review, no incentive was given to write a favourable review. All opinions expressed are my own subjective findings

Gear Used:

JDS Labs Element II > DK-2001
iBasso DX200 > DK-2001



Tech Specs:
Net weight: 14 g
Frequency response: 5 hz - 40 khz
Impedance: 13 Ω
Sensitivity: 109 ± 2 db at 1 khz
Total harmonic distortion：< 0.5% at 1 khz
Wire material: high-purity silver-plated ohno continuous cast (occ) copper litz type 1 wire
Cable length: 1.2 mm
Cable connector: catch-hold® MMCX
Dynamic driver: 13 mm Dynamic driver with dual-sided beryllium diaphragm coating
Balanced armature(s): 3 custom-ordered knowles ba drivers (1 mid-high, 2 ultra-high)
MSRP: $299.99

Buy here

Packaging, Build Quality and Accessories:
Dunu have always known how to make the unboxing experience as good as possible, the DK-2001 is no different. The box feels premium and everything is well spaced inside, as well as well protected. The packaging gives plenty of detail about the product without looking cluttered, and the colour scheme is bold which I quite like.

Build quality has also never been a problem for Dunu, however their old hybrid series was always crying out to have a detachable cable. The DK-2001 have extremely well made metal housings, and the cable is excellent. It is soft and ergonomic, has great strain relief, uses good material and best of all have a changeable jack. Mine came with both the 3.5mm and 2.5mm balanced jack options, it's great being able to change the termination without having to change the cable. The MMCX connectors are tight and use their own stregthened design that is fully compatible with normal MMCX connectors. Overall I am really impressed but the level of quality for the price.

Accessory wise you get 3 sets of silicone single flange tips, all of which have a slightly different material which subtly changes the sound. You also get a pair of Medium size foam tips, a leather case (the blue really complements the orange of the IEM's), 6.3mm adaptor and a wax cleaning tool. More than enough accessories to satisfy everyone, nothing at all is missing here.

Comfort and Isolation:
Once you find the right tips the DK-2001 is comfortable to wear, even for long listening sessions. The housings don't put pressure on your ears, and the cable is excellent, it also has a chin slider. No issues for me, even with my small canals.

Isolation is also very good, they have a vent due to the dynamic driver but it faces inwards and doesn't affect the isolation much. Perfect for travelling and commuting.



Sound:
Dunu have made a few hybrid models now, and the DK-2001 is a quad driver array, with a single 13mm beryllium coated dynamic driver, single BA mid/high and 2 BA's for ultra-high. The BA drivers are custom made by Knowles.

Lows: From the specs you might expect the DK-2001 to have a slightly more bass oriented sound with that 13mm dynamic driver, however this driver is tuned to add extension and mild body rather than overall quantity. You get articulate yet well controlled bass from the DK-2001, more body and impact than the old DN-2000j but they follow in similar footsteps.
There is excellent extension reaching well in to the sub-bass but without any bloat, mid-bass punch is good, not huge but kicks are backed up with appropriate body. They sound balanced and controlled, with a hint of added warmth which lets them lend their hand to all genres.

Midrange: The midrange is expertly separated from the low end, with a natural tonality and realistic portrayal. There is no unwanted interference from the bass, which allows male vocals to cut through with ease and accuracy. There is a slight lift towards the upper midrange which brings out female vocals a bit more, but it's not a sharp peak and doesn't add any unwanted sibilance. I think what really stands out in the midrange is how natural they sound, guitars whether electric or acoustic always sound real, the same goes for the vocals. There is also plenty of detail retrieval and you can easily hear subtle details in the recording. No matter what you throw at the DK-2001, the midrange will always remain perfectly balanced between the lows and highs, and they will always sound natural.

Highs: The slight lift in the upper midrange doesn't translate to a peak in the lower treble, allowing there to be a smooth but detailed transition without unwanted sibilance. High-hats sound excellent, snares snap with precision and there is no unwanted reverb. The top end is snappy and precise, yet has a refined touch that allows it to extend without introducing any fatigue. There is plenty of energy up top, and the tonality is very impressive, yet they are not pushed forward to add a false sense of detail. The DK-2001 really nail how to do treble properly, all the energy and extension without painful peaks, always present, always clear, always tonally accurate yet never fatiguing.

Soundstaging is good, there is enough width and height to allow for some out of head experiences, but the separation and layering are excellent due to the controlled nature of the sound.



Conclusion:
Well for my first Dunu review in a while I am very impressed by how far they have come. The DN2000j were truly excellent, but maybe a little hot for some users. The DK-2001 are more grown up and refined, but without sacrificing engagement and energy. The DK-2001 have tons of detail in a well balanced and natural sounding signature. These are a brilliant, there are a few good IEM's around the same price, and the DK-2001 are well worth a listen.

Sound Perfection Rating: 9/10 (Balanced, controlled, engaging and well built)

p.s. These put a big smile on my face when listening to them, and got me tapping along with the beat.

Disclaimer: I purchased the DK-2001 with my own money. This review is based on my subjective opinion. I'm no spring chicken so I can't hear much above 17khz, and I like bassy, fun sound. Your milage may vary, as may your tastes.

Update: A few months in, I've added some additional clarity to the review. TL;DR of the changes: if anything I'm more in love with the DK-2001.

In the last month or so, the Dunu DK-2001 has become one of quickly become one of my beloved IEMs. As a basshead, I often have to sacrifice detail and vocal and strings performance to get fast, textured bass. The DK-2001 brings the midrange and trebel clarity I expect from expensive headphones 3-5x it's price while still bringing a fun low end.

Build quality and ergonomics
The build quality is excellent - the housings are small and thoughtfully designed so as to fit nicely within the ear. I can wear them for hours on end with foam tips without fatigue or soreness on my ear canals.

The included cable is a delightfully supple affair with a clever exchangeable termination. For stationary desk use, this is easily the nicest cable I own. If I leave the house and get active with it, the twists can get a little kerfuffled and need some fussing to look nice again.It comes with a 3.5mm single ended termination, and I got the 2.5mm balanced adapter as well. On the more expensive Dunu IEMs the full set of 2.5mm, 3.5mm, and 4.4m come in-box, it's a shame to lose them on this headphone, but hey, it's $150 cheaper than the DK-3001.

How it sounds
These are very tip-sensitive. Rolling tips is encouraged to get the sound profile you like. The default orange rubber tips, these deliver good bass, but it smothers their mids a touch I found putting memory foam tips on lead to the most balanced results, slightly reducing the impact of the bass and sub-bass, letting the mids and upper registers really open up and shine. On the other hand, using Final Type-E tips turned the DK-2001 into full on bass cannons.

The DK-2001 is a great all-around hifi headphone. That being said, every good headphone has something it's best at. The DK-2001 is great at the broad guitar-centric world of rock and metal. Powered by a decent source, they give a wonderfully fast and detailed rendition for any of the tracks listened to for the review below (more listening notes after the body of the review):

Court of the Crimson King - King Crimson
B.F.G. Division - Doom 2016 Soundtrack
Blackwater park - Opeth
Blue Orchid - The White Stripes
Debaser - Pixies
Eye of the Tiger - Survivor
Hallowed Be Thy Name - Iron Maiden
I Stand Alone - Godsmack
Inertiatic Esp - Mars Volta
Knights of Cydonia - Muse
L'Via L'Viaquez - Mars Volta
Locus - Machine Head
Slauter of the Soul - At The Gates
Symphony of Destruction - Megadeth
Straight to Video - Mindless Self Indulgence
Walk with Me in Hell - Sacrament

Guitars are clean and forward. Both male and female vocals are smoothly rendered, with the dual high BAs nailing all the breathy little details. With the foam tips, percussion has a great kick, but the sparkle of cymbals and high hats still shines through. The DK-2001 is fast and dynamic enough to keep up with blistering speed metal, while still having enough smoothness to make jazz emotional. Dunu nailed it with a warm, energetic presentation.

The DK-2001 has a great low end. Bass is well-extended and delivered with precision. These aren't the ultimate bass cannon (see Polaris comparisons below), but they do a much better job of rendering low frequencies than most IEMs. Most impressively, Dunu nailed the tuning such that the low end doesn't flub over the mids, and instead layers under them nicely leaving lots of space for vocals while still adding good rhythm and drive to most tracks. The low end is very tip sensitive so trying different options will be important in finding your preferred rendition of bass, and if you're a basshead try some narrow-bore tips like the Final Type-e.

When listening to electronic music the basslines are textured and precise, but such control comes at the price of the sheer impact and air movement. Those liking a more neutral and honest handling of the low end will really enjoy the DK-2001, and the less nutty bassheads will like it as well, but those craving pure sub-bass will find these IEMs are a little too reserved to rattle their skull around, preferring a more polite (but accurate) percussion on the 'ol ear drums with the included tips. Rolling to narrower bore tips will give these a ton of thump.

Headstage on the DK-2001 is above average in width and depth. Instrument placement felt very source-dependent. On the right system, these help place the listener in the room, hearing where every instrument is situated.

I was surprised with any level of isolation provided given the little grille on the front of each IEM venting. It doesn't block out much noise, but with the vent I was expecting it to utterly lack isolation. The DK-2001 did a surprisingly good job of keeping my music going, even while walking out and about using a Fiio BTR5 to play music from my phone. That being said, there are many IEMs with more isolation, so if that's your primary factor, look elsewhere.

Comparing to...
...the Fiio FH7
The FH7 and the DK-2001 are very similar offerings. I lack the hearing nor the vocabulary to put a finer point on their sonic differences. Both are well-balanced implementations of BA/dynamic hybrid IEMs. Both have great clarity and detail. Both punch way above their price range in terms of overall sound. I think the FH7 might have a little bit more detail in the midrange and a hint more sub-bass, but both are pretty small differences. The FH7's replaceable filters might add a little more tunability. The DK-2001 is easily the more comfortable of the two, featuring smaller, lighter housings.

Between the two, I'd go for the DK-2001. It's 1/3rd cheaper, comes with a similar set of accessories, and sounds very much in the same general category. You're losing out on the filter rolling, but that kind of tweaking doesn't feel like it justifies the price hike.

...the CA Polaris
The Polaris are one of my all-time favorite headphones for being exciting bass cannons. They match the DK-2001's precision and texture in the low end, but turn the volume up a few more notches. That being said, the Dunu has more clarity and detail in the mids, and a much more airy and resolving treble presentation. For electronic music, I prefer the sound profile Polaris. For everything else, I usually reach for the DK-2001.

...the CA Andromeda
It's not often I'd compare a $300 IEM to one costing four times that amount, but in this case I think there are some worthy comparisons. The Andromeda is renowned for its detail and resolution, and I've spent a good part of this review hyping up the DK-2001's handling there. Does the Andromeda beat the DK-2001 in revealing subtle details in music? Sure! Does the Andromeda have better tonal balance across the mids and treble range? Absolutely. Is the DK-2001 in the same realm for both of those measures at a quarter the price? 100%.

Where the DK-2001 wins is of course the low end - the 13mm beryllium dynamic driver pumps a lot more air than a pair of balanced armatures. The Andromeda Special Edition: Gold gives it a good run for the money (and might win on texture and speed, although not on impact), but the Dunu wins plain and simple against vanilla Andromeda's rumble and thump.

If you've got Andromeda money to drop on IEMs, you'll get a little more than the DK-2001 can offer, but honestly for most people, the DK-2001 is 'close enough' and a fraction of the cost. The Andromeda really needs a proper DAC and headphone amp to shine, the Dunu sounds better on relatively modest to midrange sources. A great example is how the Andromeda sounds hollow and dead over Bluetooth on the BTR5, while the DK-2001 sounds pretty good (both on the balanced output).

Appendix: Selected listening notes
MGMT - Little Dark Age: the DK-2001 do a fantastic job of rendering this indie pop classic album. The titular track has both textured bass and impeccable, detailed vocals. The entire album shines with smooth details and sparkle from the high hats and cymbals.

Radiohead - In Rainbows: another indie album that highlights detail in the vocals. The reserved bass on this album is detailed and has great presence, but the tuning avoids it from being too present for the somewhat acoustic feel. House of Cards rendered the low end crisp and textured. Lotus Flower and Separator (from their next album) felt mildly fatiguing - the drums and cymbals were a touch too sharp for my tastes.

Opeth - In Cauda Venenum: a generally fast, highly varied and dynamic album like this shines on the DK-2001. The balanced armatures handling the mids and highs keep up with the crisp percussion found throughout the album, while nailing all the tiny little environmental details mixed in. The guitar work is very forward in the presentation while not fighting against the huge dynamic range of the album. Everything ranging from the soft, distant vocals to the aggressive, almost operatic passages, and the breathy solo segments in between 'just work' on the DK-2001. A testament to how well rendered the vocals are: after listening to the English version of this album, I had to turn around and listen to a few tracks of the Swedish version as an 'excuse' to enjoy them again.

Muse - Black holes and revelations: The midtones shine with lots of detail on this album. A very 'meaty' rendition, something that lots of IEMs go awry with and end up sounding muddy, but the DK-2001 pulled off an almost palpable rendition of the mids. At a few times it came across as a wall of sound, but in a good way!

Daft Punk - Random Access Memories: Giorgio by Moroder has great clarity and micro-detail on the male vocals in the intro, great separation over the rest of the music. A more bass-centric headphone gives this album a bit more of a kick, but I liked how the balance worked here. It still had that toe-tapping quality to the basslines, even if their presence was a touch less impactful than I generally prefer.

No review from me would be complete without listening to some thundering electronic beats. As I said above, electronic music is one of the few places where the DK-2001 didn't have quite as much bass as I'd like, but bear in mind that I'm a nutty basshead and you should take my words with a grain of salt. I didn't spend a ton of time here because the DK-2001 was so great with rock, and I have other IEMs that are more my taste when it comes to EDM. A few of the tracks sampled:

Infected Mushroom - Unbalanced
Penta - Eater of Worlds
Broken Toy - Toys Just Want To Have fun
He.art - Astix
Psychedelic Knights - Talamasca
Bordeaux - Cagedbaby, Infusion

DUNU DK2001

SOUND: 8.5/10
CONSTRUCTION-DESIGN: 9/10
ACCESSORIES-PACKAGING: 8.5/10
VALUE: 8/10

Click to expand...

DUNU is a veteran in Chinese audio industry and creates a lot of well respect earphones in the past, after a rather long hiatus, they come back with new models. Today I will make the review of the DK-2001 model which is a logical follow-up of older DN-1001 earphones. At 300$, this 3BA+1DD hybrid earphones fall into mid-tier sub-500$ iem market but is still accessible for the most audiophile.

INTERN

For the DK-2001, Dunu chooses to use 3 Knowles balanced armature and 1 Big double-sided beryllium plated dynamic driver. Configuration of drivers is carefully done, we have one BA that deals with mids to upper mids-lower highs and is connected to a tube to keep its sound clean from any resonance or congestion, other drivers aren’t with tube so it has more spacious decay to it, it’s a dual BA for highs and ultra highs and a large and thick 13mm dynamic drivers.

PACKAGING






I expect a meticulous presentation as well as a generous amount of accessories for a product in this price range and DUNU deliver it quite enough. Boxing is nice and fancy, with good care to details. Number of accessories is very satisfying, we have a very generous amount of eartips (11 pairs!), including different type of silicone and one memory foam ear tips, we have a beautiful blue leather carrying case which is not just a looker but feel durable too, we have the excellent cable with changeable plug (but no extra jack), a 3.5mm to 6.mm adapter and a cleaning tool.

CONSTRUCTION








The body is made of high-grade S316 stainless steel for the front and high strength aluminum-magnesium for the back, wich a venting screen in its middle. In hand, it feels extremely solid, especially the bigger part wich is mate black and have good heaviness to it, the material used promise extra-low resonance to cancel any resonance in the sound chamber. DK-2001 housing has a unique look as well as a very appealing orange color. The MMCX connection is very secure and connects very tight, but not in a way it makes me afraid it can break because of well-thinked design.



CABLE is another great achievement and perhaps the best mmcx cable with interchangeable jack on the market. I prefer it to the DITA cable with the same jack design cause the DUNU to have a mechanism to clip the jack. As well, the use of a 4 cores high purity single copper-silver cable is an excellent idea, the cable is very flexible and do not create any unwanted microphonic noise. The only drawback about the cable is that it only includes the 3.5mm plug in the package, which is a little frustrating for the consumer that need 2.5mm balanced, but I can understand it to some extent as some other consumer will perhaps prefer the 4.4mm balanced. Anyway, be prepared to pay an extra 20$ for an extra plug.

DRIVEABILITY
At 13ohm of impedance and 109db of sensitivity, the DK-2001 is super easy to drive without being too sensitive. Any source will drive them properly and you will not encounter the impedance output issues. They really work like a charm with either low or high amping gear.

COMFORT & ISOLATION

To put it simply, the DK-2001 is among the more comfy iem I have. They are rather small more multi-hybrid and have enough long nozzle to go deep in ears without discomfort. As the back of the housing is flat, I can wear them under my toque with feeling strange pressure around my ears, which can happen too often with other iem like Audiosense T800, Final Audio B serie, BQEYZ Sping1 or other universal custom shapes. Strangely, even if it has a semi open-back design, the sound isn’t affected by tissue on it.
Isolation is about average and you will heard some outside noise if you listen to music at low volume, sound leakage is present, but to be honest, we talk about low noise leakage that only totalitarian freaks would get annoyed buy. I consider IEM to be wearable anywhere, unlike earbuds or headphones.

SOUND



The DK-2001 has a lush, thick and slightly organic sound that has a warm natural timbre, emphasised sub-bass, clear mids, and delicate treble. Presentation is a little intimate and laid back, it’s not an aggressive sounding earphones and technicalities are more vivid in the upper range, while low and mids are more about musicality. It was love at first listen for me, due to the fact the DK-2001 deal very well with both female and male vocal, which is among the best you can find in sub-300$ price as they take the first seat and are near you without sounding too lipsy, edgy or textured. Lush dream come true.

SOUNDSTAGE isn’t the biggest, wich surprise me due to semi-open back design, it’s tall and intimate, putting your head in a bubble. Widness is the weakest part and I would not call the sound particularly airy.

IMAGING too isn’t super precise due to the lack of silence between instrument, especially with bassy track. Here it’s more about a compact layering, but when you listen to instrumental music suddenly the bass layer curtain is pull off and the whole sound gain in deepness so instrument separation became more resolved.

BASS extends to its very end effortlessly, as well, it is notably boosted in the lower end and sub-region. This gives extra thickness, weight and rumble, but extra warmth too that affect mid-bass punch definition and separation. Warm is the bass and warm is the overall sound of DK2001 until its slightly emphasised upper treble. I really like the bass, but the control isn’t very precise or thigh, for electronic or rock that needs precise weighty energic kick, I would not suggest the DK2001, but for classical, jazz, pop or anything that’s kore on the slow side of the bass or need extra sub presence, this sure give extra enjoyment. To be noted that a lush sinergy with bass, mids and lower highs happen with the DK2001 without affecting the overall resolution. In fact, it tends to thicken timbre and add naturalness and richness to tonality. Cello and acoustic bass have enlightened presence, smooth thick timbre, while kick drum is soft in impact and slap bass lack some snap. Personally, I would have liked a little more control, texture and punch, but this would have change the whole sound signature negatively perhaps.

MID RANGE is extremely addictive with its lushness, wide airy presence and warm tonality. Female vocal is particularly enjoyable with the DK2001 and might be the best I heard in this price range. No sibilance, everything is mellow and embrace the whole sound spectrum with its gently forwarded presence that does not feel forced or artificial. Timbre is thick, natural and transparent, it’s edge is softened without affecting tonal balance. Sure, mid-range isn’t very textured or detailed, but layers of sound are clearly separated and have an organic cohesion. The only drawback would be the speed of attack, which is just average, if your searching for analytical or super accurate mid-range, the DK2001 sound will be too romantic for you. Here elegant musicality is the ultimate goal, to the cost of critical accuracy. Anyway, everything sounds good with the DK2001, piano note is well rounded and impactful, wind instrument is natural and lush, vocal is to die for, when you listen to folk or bass light music, the clarity and definition became more articulated.

TREBLE is the best of both worlds, it shows micro details without affecting the balance of macro presentation. While the upper highs are slightly boosted -thus the extra sparkle and micro details- it never sounds metallic, harsh or aggressive. Okay, I’m not treble sensitive, but I’m very demanding about treble, especially with a balanced armature that can sound too edgy or shouty if badly tuned. Knowles BA have the ability to offer more natural timbre, but tend to be less fast or edgy than other BA’s too, here DUNU perfectly tune their gear so whole transient response of 3ba’s and dynamic drivers tend to mix together in a cohesive way, quite similar to a single ‘’genius dynamic driver’’ in face. In fact, this type of sound reminds me of Hifiman RE2000 topology drivers, in the sense that it would be impossible to get as much presence of all individual frequencies to range without magical tricks. Here the magic trick is that bass and treble mix together while the mid range is separated with a tube so the clarity is kept clean. The advantage of dual BA’s for highs is that the sparkle and decay flow naturally. With bass light music, you will hear the treble at its best, while with bassy music it will mix in an organic way and lose some of its texture and definition, but again, in an enjoyable manner.
If I try philosophizing about the sound rendering of DK2001, I would say it have an inconsistent nature, where the bass act more emotionally than mids and treble which are more rational. Bass is passionate and can embrace the whole sound, giving new color to tonality, by adding extra warmth to timbre. It’s like mixing sugar sirup with clear water, slowly sweetening overall taste. Strangely, this makes the DK2001 even more fascinating, because it can render warm dynamic sound with pop, jazz or rock while it became more precise and accurate with instrumental music like world music, classical, or a singer accompanied only by its guitar.

COMPARISONS

VS AUDIOSENSE T800 (300$)
The DK2001 is warmer and lusher than T800, the soundstage is more intimate and imaging less precise. BASS dig deeper and has more rumble while T800 has more thump and is faster, but is rather bassy iem but DK2001 tends to warm lower mids more, affecting overall definition but giving a slightly more cohesive sound too. MIDS are thicker and have more presence than T800, but fewer textures as well as macro resolution for busy tracks. Vocal is a hint more addictive with DK2001, and warmer tonality is more mellow in upper mids. TREBLE is more fully extended with T800, as well as more vivid, which tend to deliver more micro details than DK2001. The decay of upper highs is more sparkly with DK2001. Both soundstage and imaging is more outside of your head and spacious with T800.
All in all, DK2001 is lusher in mids (vocal), more laid back and bassy while the T800 has better technicalities, similar timbre but without the warmth of dynamic driver bass that affects definition.

VS FINAL AUDIO E5000 (280$)
Strangely, even if E5000 is a single micro-dynamic driver, these 2 iems have a lot in common, especially in bass and mids department and overall warm, lush timbre. E5000 is like a darker DK2001.
BASS tends to extend more naturally in the lower end with the E5000, making it feel less roll-off in 40hz region, the DK2001 win in roundness and impact and have more meat to its bass too, as well, it’s a little faster than E5000. MIDS is more recessed with E5000, timbre is thinner too though still lush, DK2001 has more presence but less transparency. TREBLE is more delicate and smooth with E5000, delivering fewer details and layers of sound. The soundstage is wider with the E5000, but DK2001 is taller and deeper.
All in all, DK2001 is like a more detailed and layered E5000 with extra mids and treble presence. I really suggest those who like E5000 to give them a try!!

CONCLUSION



DUNU has done a wonderful tuning job with the DK2001, offering a smoothly balanced sound with overall good resolution and most of all a natural timbre. The charming musicality of these earphones can be both fun, accurate or laid back, depending of music you throw in, and this is the fascinating part of DK2001: it’s multiple personality ” disorder”.
Easy to drive, extremely comfortable to wear and solidly crafted with it’s multi-purpose cable, the DK-2001 is a serious contender in sub-300$ earphones market that has plenty to offer.
For the vocal lover, jazz lover as well as precise instrumental music like chamber orchestra, the Dunu DK-2001 is the perfect mix of smoothness and liveliness to present rich musicality without the unwanted bite of unbalanced treble.

For more honest reviews, go to my official website HERE

The DK2001 is a 4-driver hybrid in-ear monitor (IEM) from Dunu. This colorful IEM comes in orange topaz, turquoise green, and a more traditional obsidian black color choice with each model looking pretty stunning. The model I received from Dunu directly was orange, which I find to be striking yet elegant at the same time.

The round metal housing is essentially the same as the DK3001 Pro model I recently reviewed. I received both of these at the same time, but spent more time with the higher priced model first, and have now moved on to the $299 DK2001 model, which caters to a different crowd.

The shells house a single beryllium dynamic driver and 3 custom Knowles balanced armature drivers, 1 less than the DK3001 Pro. The shell houses mmcx connectors which attach to a really nice set of Dunu cables – which are the same or similar to the DUW-02 cables that Dunu sells separately. This cable, like many of the new Dunu cables, comes with a swappable connector that lets you switch quickly between different sources, such as 3.5mm and 6.35mm headphone jacks. Those two connectors are included with this set, and you can also purchase 2.5mm, 4.4mm and 3.5mm balanced separately.

Also included in the box is a vibrant blue carrying case, as well as a large selection of tips. This includes 3 different sets of silicone tips and a set of foam tips. Also included is a cleaning brush.



Sound
Like the vibrant color choices, the IEM screams “fun” and so does its sound signature. The DK2001 showcases a warm sound that also accentuates the upper mid-range and treble more so than the higher priced DK3001 Pro. It has many traits of a V-Shaped in-ear though I find it a little gentler in both bass and treble than a normal v-shaped sound signature.



The Dunu DK2001 handles bass pretty well. It’s not the hardest slamming or most impactful dynamic driver IEM I’ve heard, but it’s got a decent amount of rumble and slam when called upon. It doesn’t have a mid-bass hump and therefore I don’t think it’s super impactful as some other V-shaped IEMs, but for my preferences, I find the bass levels to be right about where I like it, and even slightly elevated.

Despite having a warmer than neutral bass response, they don’t seem to ever sound bloated and muddy, and that’s partially due to the faster decay and transient speeds of the Be driver. I think this really helps create a nice soundscape, which keeps the lower end controlled and rarely spilling into the lower-mids, while providing a nicer thicker tonality.

The mid-range is coherent, and has generally good timbre and tonality, though it is a little on the warmer side. There is a large rise into the upper mid-range which makes some vocals, specifically females, a bit forward, but I am one who prefers that to an extent.

The lower treble isn’t peaky like many other IEMs and this creates a smoother treble response. There is a small peak later on that creates the exciting fun sound but it’s controlled enough that I don’t find the DK2001 to become sibilant or fatiguing. In general, I think the warmer nature of the IEM dominates here and it creates a nice enjoyable sound.

Soundstage is average width and imaging is actually pretty decent. There’s good instrument separation which allows this IEM to not sound congested and handles busy tracks pretty well.



Overall
When comparing this with the more expensive sibling, the DK3001 Pro, I find the $469 DK3001 Pro to sound more mature and refined, with a more neutral sound that is also warm and toned-down and enjoyable across many hours of listening. While I don’t find the DK2001 as fatiguing as other IEMs, I could see that the V-shaped nature could be to some. The DK2001 is the sibling with a more vibrant outfit and stylish looks, and the sound follows suit, with some mor rough edges along the way.

That said, I find this to be a great package at $299 with a wonderful cable, case, and a generally good sounding IEM. I prefer the DK3001 Pro over this, but it does cost a bit more, and either one gets a recommendation from me. I’ve had some trouble finding a good hybrid IEM at any cost, and these two are pretty good, so they’ll get recommendations from me if you’re into either types of sound.

DUNU DK2001


I would like to thank DUNU Topsound for the review sample which was provided for the purpose of review. I was given a chance to hear one of their newest creations in exchange for my honest take on how they sound. These here are my findings.

My preference in sound is based on a competently tuned balanced sound signature. I would consider myself a basshead but more balanced head now a days. To me if the sound tuning don’t have balance than it better make up for it with something spectacular in the sonics be it great bass, great mids or shimmery clean extended treble with a crazy good stage. A combination thereof would be fine but in today's market if the sonics on a phone design has something good or something bad, I will write about it. With that being said. Onto the review.

My history with DUNU IEMs goes back a ways when they created the Titanium coated dynamic in ears the Titan 1s. That earphone showed me how good DUNU can tune a single dynamic and still to this day I listen the Titans. Then a step up in the sound was the DN2000J. While that earphone was a bit polarizing due to how much highly resolving sound was being thrown out of them. The dig on them having a bit too much in the way of treble emphasis. Some were saying they didn’t have quite enough bass for them. Today we have the newest rendition and revision of the old DN2000J in the new DK2001. These are entirely new earphones and not really a revision.


While the clean detailed pedigree and outstanding bass still applies to the new DK2001 that is really where the similarities end. The rest has been redone and retooled. DK2001 is all about pleasing the sound enthusiast where it matters, a clean detailed transparency to the sonics, a nicely balanced sound with extended shimmery treble, a clean dense yet articulate mid section and a deep reaching rumbly adaptive bass. It has all of it and not to mention in one of the most comfortable hybrid designs I have put in my ears.

The build and looks is very modern. A bit mechanical / robotic looking round aluminum shells with some interesting choices for new colors. Topaz which is a kind of orange,Turquoise a shade of green and Obsidian for folks that don't want their DK2001 standing out. To me this is a very refreshing design instead of another resin shell. The brilliance of this design is that the housing hugs the actual drivers used for the DK2001 giving the physical size of the DK2001 a streamlined ergonomic minimally bulky design that fits in your ears with extreme comfort. Compared to all resin semi custom designs that are prevalent now a days. These look more like and offshoot of the good old earbud more than in ear monitors. We get a combo of light plastics and metal.Which incorporates some high tech components. 13mm dual sided beryllium coated dynamic doing bass duties. 1 single custom Knowles BA for the mids to highs and a single dual BA Knowles doing the super highs.


DUNU is always providing the package. A super nice all blue zip up faux leather suede lined case, roomy enough to fit your entire package. 3 different sets of silicones a medium sized set of foam tips, cleaning tool and 4.4mm adapter

The DUW 02 cable that comes with the DK2001 are worth RP $80 by itself. A Taiwan sourced high purity neotech single crystal copper cable coated in silver with Litz structure. As a cable aficionado I can declare the DK2001 is one in ear where you don’t have to upgrade your cable as the cable itself is perfectly matched up with the sonic qualities of the DK2001. This is where other manufacturers can learn a thing or two from DUNU. Hows about throwing in one of the best cables for the earphones included. The cables have a very cool modular system which allows for balanced adaptors which cost $20 a piece to fit right at the jack. Going from single ended to a balance configuration now means you just have to take out the 3.5mm jack and replace it with the custom made 2.5mm or 4.4mm adaptor.


No need to wonder if your gonna bust open your mmcx connector by manhandling them just to replace the cable. Absolutely brilliant design and no need for pigtail adapters either.


Build is of the highest quality here and the housing is designed to fit flush, all of it into your ear. I have to give huge props for comfort of these shells. DUNU has created a shell design which is not only unique but also some of the most comfortable universal designs I have ever put into my ears. I have zero doubts even smaller ears can fit these housings with no issue. Yes this means you can listen to these while laying down with no discomfort.

Now onto the sound.

The DK2001 is an ideal signature for the modern day audio enthusiast. It has one part balance, another part competent levels of technicality, excellent clarity with a bass end that is among the best in the hybrid realm. Did I mention how comfortable these are in the ear?

You never realize just how large your other in ears are until you have the DK2001 in your ears and then have to put in another earphone. Comfort is everything for something that you plan to use for hours on end. But then add an extremely enjoyable sound signature and does it get much better?


Treble of the DK2001 has an enthusiastic amount of energy but not overly cooked. Focused for definition, while there are two main peaks for treble in the 5Khz and another in the 8Khz range the peaks are done tastefully and does not grind your hearing with too much emphasis. Treble is grain free, clean and is about as detailed as it gets without causing fatigue. I can understand for folks that enjoy a Harmon based tuning the treble might be a bit exciting for you but for folks that want all the details from your well recorded tracks. The DK2001 does not skimp here. Treble has good amount of sparkle and excellent shimmer when called for using the right tip for your ears. And here is where I will suggest a deep fitting ear tip for the best sonic reproduction from the DK2001. Treble stands out just a touch more than the rest of the sound but again I feel it has been done to reveal all the treble detail of a tune, injecting some air to the sonics in the process. The key word here is tasteful.

Treble is a bit polarizing for in ears. I have yet to hear something that is considered “high end.” In the audio world that actually has a reserved treble end. I see posts of guys saying. “Nope this has a peak here and peak there. This isn’t for me.” Truth is, in ears are designed this way to give some higher end fidelity to the sonics. What is a higher end sound without a good resolving treble end? A dull sound. If that is what your into then your reading the wrong review. I feel the DK2001 does a very good job of balancing these aspects. As there is absolutely nothing dull about the sonics of the DK2001. Energetic, detailed and engaging are better words to describe the sonics. Music has very good cohesion with a dense quality to the sonics that is well suited for any genre of music. The sound design adds a touch of richness to the tonality while remaining clean always.


Mid bands have enhancement in the upper mids which gives clarity and articulation for the mids. Again done tastefully here. Zero sibilance or shoutiness was heard. Clarity and timbre is the main focus of the DK2001 mid band’s sonic foundation. Vocal nuances, instrument details has very good spacial layering and a precise quality to the imaging. Mids just like the treble end is resolving of details and sounds spacious with a stage that is wider than deep or tall. Has a nicely done sideways oval shaped sound stage. I would say the only real nit pick of the sound design for me is that the stage is not the widest and I am certain it is due to the design. I noticed the better staged in ear monitors usually have a much larger housing for example the Sony Z5, IBasso IT04, ISN H40, Moondrop blessing 2. So the give and take is that while stage is a bit wider than medium, it is mostly average. The take is that the entire DK2001 fit snugly flush within your ears. With vents on the back side of the dynamic drivers, isolation is not as good as it could be but not terrible here either.


Then we have the bass. Bass I feel has an elasticity to it that is uncommon for in ears. Here is where DUNU threw on some magic dust in the form of Beryllium to the mix. Anyone can throw on some BAs and a garden variety dynamic and call it good but dual sided Beryllium coated 13mm dynamics?

I like to call it morphous bass. Bass takes on all sorts of roles here. Sure it is the foundational base of a tune your listening to but more than this. I often read about bass ability to morph into different types of bass and that is what you are getting in the ability of the larger 13mm dual coated Beryllium dynamic driver in the DK2001. Bass has a steady rise which reaches the deepest of notes. There is not a bass note or extremely textured rumble your gonna miss out on with the DK2001. Bass is speedy and tight for the mid bass. Metal music sounds so right due to the speed. Yet the sub bass with its ability to act like sub-woofers has that rumble you want to hear for hip hop and pop music. Bass does what bass do here with great ability and is just one of the crazy good things going on for the DK2001.

This ain't your average punchy dynamic here we are talking about. It takes that textured bass end to the extremities. You think your bass sounds good on your hybrid? Bass emphasis in tunes that have more bass emphasis will and does show up in spades. Light gentle speedy bass rhythmic emphasis is easy. You can clearly tell the abilities for the bass end which has agility, speed, tightness, texture that digs deep and best of all extremely satisfying. Bass fans rejoice. Your higher end monitor has bass and it is of a very high quality.

A tight mid bass is kept a bit leaner vs sub bass for the sake of clarity and definition but comes alive with an atmospheric room filling quality when called for. Giving warmth to them bottom notes. And who don’t like a warm bottom?

So there you have it. The new DUNU sound a revised version of the older DN2000J with remarkable ability and quality in all regions of the sound design. Your sonic goodness comes with a very comfortable fit. Easy to go balanced and a very cool modern look to them.

What do I think of the DK2001? They are an absolute blast to listen to, extremely well implemented hybrid that has a high level of ability for all regions of the sound. It appeals to exactly what I like in a sound signature. This very engaging clean sound has balance, is technically proficient with great dynamics. This is one monitor that is worth every penny spent on a pair. I know folks are always looking for value in audio and here we have a mid ranged monitor that has nothing to do with mid ranged anything. The accessories, the cable, the build, the comfort and most of all the sound. All of it is the utmost of quality and for that I give it the highest recommendation I can possibly give. My first 5 stars of this year.