It's been a while since I listened to the DN2000J. I just tried them again and have to admit they sounded a fair bit better than my memory would have me believe. Aside from the fit though, which has just never been quite right for me, I did find myself being distracted by the bass and then the treble and then the bass and so on. It's not that either is necessarily bad, but they just don't provide me with an immersive experience. There's a bit more bass with the DN2000J but it's not as well defined or controlled as with the IT04, and it's more forward. But it does lack the same impact. And for me, the treble on the DN2000J has too much sparkle at times. I listened to Hotel California (from Hell Freezes Over) with the DN2000J and the guitars just seemed like they're in the wrong place and the bass is almost overpowering. Going back to the IT04 it's definitely different. More balanced. In fact, I think the IT04 is very balanced and does a fantastic job of delivering what's there. Another track I like to test with is the title track from Porcupine Tree's Anesthetize Blu-Ray (actually Fear of a Blank Planet and Normal as well from that disc). There's a lot going on there and the DN2000J sounded good but lacked the same clarity that the IT04 delivered and actually sounded a bit muddy at times (in comparison).
It's not to say that the DN2000J aren't good because they clearly are. I just think the IT04 are in another league. And I do NOT have a mint pair of DN2000J for sale, but I do have a brand new set of Fidue A83 in the box that I could part with.
All the above is very subjective of course. And maybe somewhat source dependent. Which may be why they sounded better than I recalled. This time I was using the DX150/AMP7, which is a fantastic combination.
