I don't think I'm qualified to answer this. I listen for enjoyment and don't listen too critically. I have an (almost) 21 month old toddler, so my available listening time is limited. When I do get a chance to listen I also usually have to multi-task (probably ~2/3 of my listening time is while working). Huge part of why I switched from headphones to IEMs as well; so I can listen at work and run around the house instead of being limited to an area.
Glad to hear that about californication. It's my go to album to see if something is forgiving because there are a few songs on it I really love (this velvet glove in particular). I have some pairs that it sounds absolutely terrible with because it's such a crap recording and they're too analytical (CL2, tape, etc).So this arrived much faster than expectedThe NOBLE will be going on my Empire Ears Legend X.
I'm not a reviewer by any means. Normally I don't bother because there are plenty of other opinions from folks far more experienced than me, but this is actually my first time pre-ordering something that wasn't already hyped up by reviewers getting early access. Additionally, DUNU was FANTASTIC in terms of support. I PM'd on here back and forth several times with questions and they were very quick and thorough on their responses. I also think they are doing a fantastic job engaging with the community here on Head-Fi and provide thoughtful responses. I love to support a company willing to go above and beyond like that, so I'll share my first impressions.
Unboxing:
Very nice for the price point. Nothing left to be desired for me.
Accessories:
Wow, the cable is spectacular. The softness/flexibility is wonderful. The heatshrink for the ear guides is relatively thin and sits well. Very low microphonics. And obviously the interchangeable plugs are the showstopper. It comes with 3.5mm SE standard, but I also bought 4.4mm and 2.5mm balanced separately. I haven't listened to them extensively, but confirmed everything is working well on my FiiO M11 Pro, which has all 3 output types and it is very easy/quick to switch plugs. I haven't tried the stock tips, so no comment there (initial impressions are with SpinFits I already had) . My only niggle is the carrying case. The style and color way (bright blue with gold zipper) make it look like a woman's coin purse. I know this would increase the cost, but I think it would be better if the case color matched the IEM color (black, orange, or turquoise). Anyways, not a big deal for me because I already have other cases I use. Eventually the cable will be sold separately for $79, which I think is an amazing bargain.
Build quality & fit:
Stellar. A little heavy for the size, but feels like great quality. I love the size and fit. I can get them to sit flush in my ears, which is great because often times I like to listen to music when going to bed and I'm a side sleeper. Overall really pleased. I think even if it was double the price the entire kit wouldn't feel out of place.
Sound:
Here's where I don't really have the vocabulary to do reviews, justice. Also keep in mind I don't have golden ears either, so take my impressions with a boulder of saltReal quick impressions from <2 hours of listening.
Rap/Hip-hop: nice dynamic bass. It can go deep and is rumbly, but it's not basshead quantities. Couple of my go-to tracks to test bass: J.Cole - Middle Child. Future - Mask Off. The bass on these is ridiculous (in a good way) on my EE LX. The 2001 don't get anywhere near close to that level, but it's good bass and definitely emphasized above neutral.
Orchestral: Star Wars theme. Sounds very nice. Pretty good soundstage and good separation between instruments. Clarity is average.
Rock/Alternative: My favorite on this set so far. Seether - Fine Again, Tool - Inoculum, Sublime - What I Got all sound great.
This is a pretty forgiving set as well. I have a CD rip of Red Hot Chili Peppers - Californication and that album is recorded/mastered very poorly. There's distortion and clipping throughout and on revealing gear it's almost to the point of unlistenable. I listened to 4-5 tracks from the album and they were pretty enjoyable on this set.
Other:
Easy to drive. 40-50 steps out of 120 on my M11 Pro on low gain was plenty. Haven't tried it on my KANN CUBE yet, so no comment on how it scales.
Haven’t experienced any driver flex.
Isolation is not great. Wearing them in the living room with nothing playing and the TV on and I can hear the TV very clearly. Might not be great if the plan is to use them for commuting like on a plane/train.
Overall very pleased with these at the price point! I don't really have very many things to nitpick. It's a great package at an attractive price!
So this arrived much faster than expected
I'm not a reviewer by any means. Normally I don't bother because there are plenty of other opinions from folks far more experienced than me, but this is actually my first time pre-ordering something that wasn't already hyped up by reviewers getting early access. Additionally, DUNU was FANTASTIC in terms of support. I PM'd on here back and forth several times with questions and they were very quick and thorough on their responses. I also think they are doing a fantastic job engaging with the community here on Head-Fi and provide thoughtful responses. I love to support a company willing to go above and beyond like that, so I'll share my first impressions.
Unboxing:
Very nice for the price point. Nothing left to be desired for me.
Accessories:
Wow, the cable is spectacular. The softness/flexibility is wonderful. The heatshrink for the ear guides is relatively thin and sits well. Very low microphonics. And obviously the interchangeable plugs are the showstopper. It comes with 3.5mm SE standard, but I also bought 4.4mm and 2.5mm balanced separately. I haven't listened to them extensively, but confirmed everything is working well on my FiiO M11 Pro, which has all 3 output types and it is very easy/quick to switch plugs. I haven't tried the stock tips, so no comment there (initial impressions are with SpinFits I already had) . My only niggle is the carrying case. The style and color way (bright blue with gold zipper) make it look like a woman's coin purse. I know this would increase the cost, but I think it would be better if the case color matched the IEM color (black, orange, or turquoise). Anyways, not a big deal for me because I already have other cases I use. Eventually the cable will be sold separately for $79, which I think is an amazing bargain.
Build quality & fit:
Stellar. A little heavy for the size, but feels like great quality. I love the size and fit. I can get them to sit flush in my ears, which is great because often times I like to listen to music when going to bed and I'm a side sleeper. Overall really pleased. I think even if it was double the price the entire kit wouldn't feel out of place.
Sound:
Here's where I don't really have the vocabulary to do reviews, justice. Also keep in mind I don't have golden ears either, so take my impressions with a boulder of salt
Rap/Hip-hop: nice dynamic bass. It can go deep and is rumbly, but it's not basshead quantities. Couple of my go-to tracks to test bass: J.Cole - Middle Child. Future - Mask Off. The bass on these is ridiculous (in a good way) on my EE LX. The 2001 don't get anywhere near close to that level, but it's good bass and definitely emphasized above neutral.
Orchestral: Star Wars theme. Sounds very nice. Pretty good soundstage and good separation between instruments. Clarity is average.
Rock/Alternative: My favorite on this set so far. Seether - Fine Again, Tool - Inoculum, Sublime - What I Got all sound great.
This is a pretty forgiving set as well. I have a CD rip of Red Hot Chili Peppers - Californication and that album is recorded/mastered very poorly. There's distortion and clipping throughout and on revealing gear it's almost to the point of unlistenable. I listened to 4-5 tracks from the album and they were pretty enjoyable on this set.
Other:
Easy to drive. 40-50 steps out of 120 on my M11 Pro on low gain was plenty. Haven't tried it on my KANN CUBE yet, so no comment on how it scales.
Haven’t experienced any driver flex.
Isolation is not great. Wearing them in the living room with nothing playing and the TV on and I can hear the TV very clearly. Might not be great if the plan is to use them for commuting like on a plane/train.
Overall very pleased with these at the price point! I don't really have very many things to nitpick. It's a great package at an attractive price!
Glad you're enjoying them! It's totally understandable that some people may find the blue carrying case is a little strange.
The idea for the case came from an evolution of the case that was included with the TITAN 6. We worked to improve its utility by including an elastic pouch for the modular plugs and any extra tips people may wish to carry, while improving the feel of the leatherette texture. Does it look/feel like a coin purse? Sure, some might construe it as being that, and some may even use it as such. We did receive quite a bit of feedback in China to make our cases appeal to both sexes, and fashion accessories are very much in the norm for any gender in Asia. We also understand many of our customers have a lot of cases, and if this case doesn't end up being used, it may end up being used for some other purpose.
One thing it is, though, is definitely a bit of a departure from the very stark, utilitarian look we had with our past products --- for example, our DK-3001 included a waterproof, Pelican-like case, as did our old DN series. We're just trying something different this time around.
We are always trying different things with our cases, we've had a lot of them over the years. It'd be great to get some audience feedback too.
For example, these are some of the various designs we've tried and prototyped as variants off the case included with the DK-3001 PRO and DK-4001:
We definitely encourage people to try out as many tips as possible to try to get the optimal fit. Isolation naturally comes with a good seal and a deep enough fit.
Had been burning the DK-2001 for the last 7 days. It sounded fantastic out of the box and has tightened up a bit more after burning. The mid bass looseness is gone ans it sound tighter and more focused rather than being a bit out of place. I just simply didnt had any problem with the mid range but the upper mid sounded slower which has been tightened up. Treble just simply had nothing to correct about.
The Overall signature is very smooth and delivers one of most engaging sound with plenty of details to it.
Driving the DK-2001 is fairly easy, one can easily drive it out of mobile phones and entry level DAPs.
One of the best things about the new DK series is their modular cable, one just dont need to work on the earpieces which can be a problem with time.
Dunu has implemented a simpler modular design to change plug termination. Much easier and less stressing.
The cable itself is one of the most supple and least microphonic stock cables for under $500 earphones.
The nozzle has been re worked since the DK-3001 which had been facing some heat for its shallow fit.
The DK-2001 bodyis now smaller, doesnt have the notch on the inner side of the earpiece and the nozzle now is longer for deeper insertion.
The most impressive aspect of the DK-2001 is its stage size and its ability to place cues farther than anything else for under $500. The sonicality is simply outstanding.
Because personal audio, especially portafi, has experienced unreal enthusiast demand over the past three years. They, like many other manufacturers, want to have something that is a fit for every level of audio lover and many differing tastes.
