Thank you for the time for this post. I didn't realize there were so many different kinds of IEMs out there.
(3A79) Dunu DN-22M Detonator
Added Jun 2013
Details: Entry-level headset model from Dunu
Current Price: N/A (MSRP: $45)
Specs: Driver: Dynamic | Imp: 16Ω | Sens: 112 dB | Freq: 20-20k Hz | Cable: 3.9' L-plug
Nozzle Size: 4.5mm | Preferred tips: Hybrid-style single-flanges
Wear Style: Straight down or over-the-ear
Accessories (5/5) – Single-flange regular (3 sizes), hybrid-style (3 sizes), bi-flange, and triple-flange silicone tips, shirt clip, soft carrying pouch, clamshell carrying case, and integrated cable wrap
Build Quality (5/5) – Overall construction is excellent. The cable is similar to the one on the old Trident model – a little rubbery but mostly soft and flexible. The housings are metal and feel very solid, boasting also a very nice finish. A single-button mic and remote – the first I’ve seen from Dunu – is located on the left-side cable
Isolation (3.5/5) – Very good for a dynamic-driver earphone
Microphonics (3.5/5) – Quite tolerable when worn cable-down; over-the-ear wear may be restricted by mic position
Comfort (3.5/5) – The housings are one the heavy side but rounded at the front for comfort. The fit is typical of a straight-barrel earphone
Sound (6.7/10) – The sound of the Detonator is decidedly explosive, underpinned by the enhanced bass response. The low end has good extension but also quite a lot of mid-bass emphasis, which gives the earphone a slightly boomy and bloated sound. Overall, the bass is a little too enhanced for my tastes, with more impact compared to Dunu’s popular Trident model as well as the VSonic GR02 Bass Edition.
The mids are warm and smooth – not as recessed as with the GR02 Bass Edition or RHA MA-350, but still not too prominent due to the bass emphasis. Clarity is similar to the Dunu Trident and lags behind the pricier DN-23 Landmine model. The earphones remain very smooth up into the treble and roll off at the top, giving up the energy – but also the potential for harshness and sibilance – of sets such as the GR02 Bass Edition.
Although the pricier DN-23 manages to be almost as bassy with less bloat, the bass of the DN-22M intrudes on the midrange at times. This causes the earphone to sound more congested than and less natural than the DN-23. Other than that, the presentation is quite good – a little wider compared to the Trident but otherwise similarly competent.
Value (8/10) – While the Detonator is not an upgrade to the popular DN-17 Trident, it does offer a slightly bassier sound with better accessories. Plus, it boasts an inline microphone and remote – the first I’ve seen from Dunu – and retains the fantastic build quality Dunu has become known for. For those in search of a bulletproof entry-level smartphone headset, it’s a tough one to beat. Purely for audio quality, the less expensive DN-17 Trident is still my recommendation.
Pros: Fantastic build quality; well-accessorized
Cons: Not as accurate as the DN-17 Trident
(2C57) Dunu DN-23 Landmine
Added Jun 2013
Details: Mid-range dynamic-driver earphone from Dunu
Current Price: N/A (MSRP: $80)
Specs: Driver: Dynamic | Imp: 16Ω | Sens: 120 dB | Freq: 20-20k Hz | Cable: 3.9' L-plug
Nozzle Size: 4mm | Preferred tips: Hybrid-style single-flanges
Wear Style: Straight down or over-the-ear
Accessories (5/5) - Single-flange regular (3 sizes), hybrid-style (3 sizes), and bi-flange silicone tips, shirt clip, ¼” adapter, airline adapter, soft carrying pouch, clamshell carrying case, and integrated cable wrap
Build Quality (5/5) – As with the cheaper DN-22M, the construction is extremely solid. The metal housings have great finish and the cable is smoother and more tangle-resistant than with some of the other Dunu earphones
Isolation (3.5/5) – Very good for a dynamic-driver earphone
Microphonics (4/5) – Pretty good when worn cable-down; excellent when worn over-the-ear
Comfort (3.5/5) – The housings are one the heavy side and flare out to hold the drivers, which can lead to mild discomfort in the long term. The earphones lend themselves well to over-the-ear wear
Sound (7.5/10) – Like the entry-level DN-22M Detonator, the DN-23 Landmine is a warm and smooth-sounding earphone reminiscent of Dunu’s popular Trident model. The bass of the DN-23 falls in the realm of “enhanced”, with more boost compared to the Trident but not quite as much as with the Detonator. It is very satisfying in both impact and depth but also rather clean and controlled, considering the quantity. Though the DN-23 sounds a little more full-bodied than both, bass tightness is actually about on-par with the Brainwavz M5 and VSonic GR02 Bass Edition.
Due in part to the more controlled bass, the DN-23 has clearer and more prominent mids compared to the DN-22M. The midrange presentation is spot-on – not overly forward, but not as recessed as with the Brainwavz M5 and VSonic GR02 BE. Detail retrieval is good and the midrange gives way to equally smooth treble. As with the lower-end DN-22M, the treble is inoffensive, without a hint of grain or sibilance. The DN-23 is not as rolled-off, however, which again leads to improved accuracy over the DN-22M.
The presentation of the DN-23 is spacious and well-rounded. The soundstage is larger and less intimate than with the Trident and DN-22M, and the earphones have a fairly open, airy, and uncongested sound. The DN-23 still isn’t as spacious as Dunu’s flagship Tai Chi model, but it’s not too far behind and competes well with other sets in its price bracket.
Value (8.5/10) – With its stellar build quality and smooth, easy-going sound, the DN-23 Landmine is a difficult earphone to dislike. It may not be as accurate and spacious as the higher-end DN-19 Tai Chi, but it’s an easy recommendation for fans of warm and smooth sound.
Pros: Fantastic build quality; well-accessorized; smooth, enhanced-bass sound
Cons: Housings a bit on the heavy side
