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Dunu DN-1000

Dunu DN-1000 Review

Dunu DN-1000
Reviewed February 2014

Details: Dunu’s dual BA – dynamic hybrid earphone
MSRP: $215 (manufacturer’s page)
Current Price: $160 from amazon.com$170 from ebay.com | $215 from CTC Audio
Specs: Driver: Dynamic + Dual BA Hybrid | Imp: 10Ω | Sens: 98 dB | Freq: 16-22k Hz | Cable: 3.9′ L-plug
Nozzle Size: 5mm | Preferred tips: Stock wide-nozzle single-flanges, Stock & Comply T-400 foam tips
Wear Style: Straight down or over-the-ear

Accessories (5/5) – Single-flange wide-channel (3 sizes), single-flange narrow-channel (3 sizes), and bi-flange silicone tips, 4 pairs of foam tips, eartip spacer set (6 pairs in 3 sizes), shirt clip, ¼” adapter, airline adapter, cleaning cloth, pair of cable guides, soft carrying pouch, crushproof metal carrying case, and integrated cable wrap
Build Quality (4.5/5) – As with all of the other Dunu products I’ve tried, the construction of the DN-1000 is very solid. The metal housings have a nice finish to them and the latest iteration of Dunu’s cable is soft, smooth, and tangle-resistant. The machined aluminum y-split and cable cinch add to the premium feel. It may be a little more impressive to see this same level of build quality on Dunu’s sub-$100 models but that doesn’t detract from the DN-1000 in the least. There doesn’t seem to be any driver flex on my unit, either. My one complaint is that the silver L/R markings can be tough to see and the small bump on the left strain relief meant to help identify the left earpiece is too close to the earphone housing
Isolation (3.5/5) – Very good for an earphone with this form factor
Microphonics (4/5) – Good when worn cable-down; excellent when worn over-the-ear
Comfort (3.5/5) – The housings are on the heavy side and large enough to hold the hybrid driver setup. The weight and size can lead to mild discomfort in the long term but the earphones lend themselves nicely to over-the-ear wear, which helps with the weight. Overall, the DN-1000 is similar to the AKG K3003 in size and fit, though its strain reliefs are not offset like those of the AKGs. Dunu’s new eartip spacers help position IEM housing farther out of the ear and can also have an effect on sound, similarly to what we normally accomplish with tip rolling. That said, the DN-1000 is a little pickier with fit than sets like the RHA MA750 and some of the possible tip/spacer combinations make it easy for the tips to slip off the nozzles

Sound (9.2/10) – Balanced armature / dynamic hybrid earphones have been gaining popularity in the past year or two, but few have impressed me as much as the DN-1000. Dunu’s new flagship does what every hybrid hopes to – combines the bass performance of a good dynamic driver with the strengths of a BA setup, in this case the popular Knowles TWFK. The bass driver of the DN-1000 performs very well, providing plenty of both mid-bass and sub-bass, and should satisfy all but the most die-hard bassheads. The bass extends deep and is pretty quick considering the quantity. The RHA MA750, for example, is slower and can sound a bit “bassier” in the conventional sense as a result.

The DN-1000 has a thinner note presentation than the RHA MA750, especially in the midrange, but also sounds clearer than the more veiled RHA set. In keeping with other TWFK-based earphones, the mids of the DN-1000 are a touch thinner compared even to some BA setups, such as the InEar StageDiver SD-2 and EarSonics SM64. That said, the DN-1000 has very little bass bleed and superb midrange clarity, helped further still by the excellent treble energy. The DN-1000 has more perceived clarity compared, for example, to the HiFiMan RE-400 and StageDiver SD-2, which both sound duller at the top end.

The top end of the DN-1000 is bright and crisp, and again rather typical of a TWFK-based earphone. It can be a touch splashy, especially at high volumes, and it takes some playing with all of the included tips and eartip spacers to get the optimal (i.e. smoothest) treble performance out of the DN-1000. I personally found foam tips (especially Comply T-400s) with a deeper seal to work best for me, and the wider single-flange silicone tips with the red spacers to be good as well. In truth, I tend to listen at lower volumes and generally quite like TWFKs, but those who expect to crank up the volume with the DN-1000 to maximize bass impact may find the treble a little too prominent. The RHA MA750, for example, has overall smoother treble and makes the DN-1000 seem a bit fatiguing in comparison. The same goes for the pricier EarSonics SM64 – its treble is smoother, especially at high volumes. 

Select Comparisons

T-Peos H-100 ($120)

T-Peos’ dual-driver hybrid is a rather unique-sounding earphone with a bright and cool tonal character. In comparison to the H-100, Dunu’s DN-1000 hybrid is bassier but also clearer – an impressive accomplishment. The midrange of the H-100 appears to be more scooped out, sounding more distant compared to the Dunu. The H-100 is also brighter and has greater upper midrange emphasis, which causes it to sound a bit “nasal” with the vocals on some tracks. The DN-1000 consistently sounds more natural in comparison. Still, despite its brightness, the H-100 is a touch less revealing of sibilance than the DN-1000, though that’s not quite enough to shift the balance in its favor. The T-Peos unit also exhibits more driver flex compared to the Dunu.

VSonic VC1000 ($125)

VSonic’s dual-armature release is based on the same Knowles TWFK driver as the DN-1000, but without the dynamic driver of the Dunu. The performance of the two earphones is very close despite the differences in sound signature. The most glaring difference is, of course, the far greater bass quantity of the Dunu. However, even in comparison to the bass-heavy DN-1000, the VC1000 sounds pretty punchy. Its bass is also tighter, and it has a more prominent midrange next to the somewhat v-shaped DN-1000.

Clarity is on par between the two earphones but the VC1000 has a slightly smoother top end, which is especially noticeable at higher volumes. On the whole, these earphones illustrate two very different tunings but neither really has the upper hand in performance. The DN-1000, for example, consistently seems to have too much bass when heard back-to-back with the VSonic set. The VC1000, likewise, seems to have too little but, admittedly, is closer to my own personal target than the Dunu.

Philips Fidelio S2 ($150)

The Fidelio S2 is a dynamic-driver earphone with an accuracy-oriented tuning. The DN-1000, which boasts a v-shaped sound signature, has much more of a “wow” factor to its acoustics. Its powerful bass easily outpaces the Philips set, which itself is no slouch when it comes to depth and impact. More surprisingly, the Dunu seems a bit clearer than the more balanced-sounding Philips, due in part to its brighter tonal character. The Fidelio S2 is not the most exciting earphone in the first place, and next to the DN-1000 it sounds especially dull. On the downside, the treble of the DN-1000 has a more “metallic” timbre than that of the Fidelio S2, especially at higher volumes, which is not uncommon for earphones based on the Knowles TWFK driver. The Fidelio S2 is significantly less efficient than the DN-1000, and while it is undoubtedly very proficient and more accurate overall, I couldn’t help but reach for the Dunu when given the choice.

VSonic GR07 Bass Edition ($179)

I’ve always maintained that in the case of this GR07 model, “Bass Edition” is a bit of a misnomer – while it is bassier than the regular GR07, it’s far from a basshead earphone as the name may suggest. The DN1000 has significantly more bass, especially deep bass, than the GR07 BE, and on the whole its sound signature is more v-shaped – closer to the GR02 Bass Edition than any of the other VSonic sets I’ve tried.

The GR07 BE is overall more balanced with less bass emphasis/more linear bass response and mids that are more in line with everything else. Due in part to the treble boost, the DN1000 can sound a little clearer and while the Dunu can be a little sibilant, the GR07 fares worse in this respect. The DN-1000 also has a slightly deeper, more layered presentation than the GR07 BE.

1964EARS 1964-V3 ($425)

Moving well outside of the $200 price bracket, the 1964-V3 triple-driver monitors offer a bass-heavy BA sound in a custom-fit form factor. While the dynamic driver of the DN-1000 affords the Dunu set better bass depth compared to the 1964EARS, the 1964-V3 actually has more mid-bass, which gives it a characteristically warmer, more full-bodied sound. At the same time, the BA-based bass of the 1964-V3 is a little quicker while the DN-1000, in a way consistent with its dynamic driver, has slightly softer, less immediate bass impact.

Overall, the DN-1000 sounds more v-shaped than the V3, which has a relatively forward and energetic midrange. The mids of the DN-1000 are thinner and more withdrawn while its treble is a little brighter. The Dunu is also more sibilance-prone, though the V3 itself is not perfectly smooth, especially at higher volumes.

Sennheiser IE 800 ($800)

The Sennheiser IE 800 is a rather unique earphone that does a few things very right but is somewhat let down by its design. The DN-1000 reminds me of the IE 800 in several ways, right down to the fit sensitivity. The IE 800’s treble has an extra spike that appears unless it’s inserted very shallowly, thanks to its proprietary D2CA tuning system, while the DN-1000 seems to work the opposite way with my ears, requiring a good seal for the smoothest sound. In terms of performance, the IE 800 is overall more detailed and refined, and sounds warmer without a drop in clarity. When it is inserted properly it is less bright and more forgiving of sibilance than the DN-1000, but it is five times the price with a very slight gain in refinement, which speaks volumes for the Dunu DN-1000.

AKG K3003 ($1300)

Though the K3003 and DN-1000 are separated by a huge gap in price, they are both triple-driver hybrid designs and don’t differ all that much in sound signature. To me, the DN-1000 makes for an excellent reasonably-priced approximation of the K3003. Compared to the AKGs with my preferred “Reference” filter installed, the DN-1000 has more prominent bass and a more subdued-sounding midrange. The two earphones have similar overall treble energy but because of its extra bass emphasis, the DN-1000 appears less bright overall.

The K3003 has a stronger midrange, dipping down less than the DN-1000 for a less v-shaped overall signature. Its mids appear a little clearer but overall aren’t too different from the Dunu’s, especially on tracks where the DN-1000 doesn’t have occasion to exhibit its explosive bass. The K3003 is somewhat less prone to sibilance despite similar overall treble energy – something about the way its treble peaks are positioned often makes it stop right on the verge of sibilance when the DN-1000 oversteps. Lastly, the K3003 has a slightly more spacious sound and images a touch better, though again it’s hard to justify the price difference based on the performance gap between the two earphones.

THL Recommended Badge 2014Value (9/10) – The Dunu DN-1000 is a high-end earphone of a very rare breed – one of a select few that are both quite bass-heavy and superbly clear, and also rather well-isolating. This is an especially unusual combination because bass-heavy earphones tend to have large, often vented, dynamic drivers. The DN-1000 uses its hybrid configuration to obtain rumbling, hard-hitting bass from its medium-sized dynamic driver while maintaining excellent clarity outside of the bass region. Its V-shaped signature makes it especially great for modern music – EDM, pop, and so on – and the excellent construction, though typical for Dunu, still stands out among other $200 IEMs.

Pros: Voluminous bass with excellent midrange clarity; lots of eartips included with many possible fit configurations; very well-made
Cons: Treble can get peaky typical of a TWFK earphone; a bit heavy in the ear

Note: the DN-1000 receives my first-ever “recommended” badge. Products that achieve a 9/10 value rating, make one of our buyer’s guides, or are otherwise especially worthy of recommendation will be eligible to receive this badge in the future. It is my hope that this will further help our readers make sense of the increasingly large number of competent in-ear earphones.

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ABOUT AUTHOR

ljokerl

ljokerl

Living in the fast-paced city of Los Angeles, ljokerl has been using portable audio gear to deal with lengthy commutes for the better part of a decade. He spends much of his time listening to music and occasionally writes portable audio reviews across several enthusiast sites, focusing mostly on in-ear earphones.

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171 Responses

  1. Thanks for the response Joker. I actually thought the DUNU-1000s were ever so slightly too v-shaped for my taste on some of the music I listen to, but only just so. It wasn’t a big enough deal for me to not really like them. So if one of those you recommended has a slightly flatter profile than the DUNU-1000s that would be good. Of course I already have the HF5s so I’m not looking for that kind of reference sound.

    The FLC8 are more than I want to spend, so it really comes down to whether I want to spend the extra money on the A83 or T20, or just go with the MA750. I do really like the crispness and accuracy you get at the top from the BA hybrid setup, so I’m attracted to the A83s. But your review of the T20 makes it sound like they have really incredible sound as well. You never compare the two head-to-head though – what are your thoughts on that front?

  2. The post right below this one asks a similar question, and the MA750 is one of the sets I recommended. You can actually stay closer to the DN-1000’s sound with something like a Fidue A83 or even FLC Technology FLC8 if you can afford it, but the only reason those keep up with the MA750 or ER4 in build quality/reliability is due to their detachable cables. And they’re a lot pricier.

    I never advise against the ER4 just because I think everyone should hear an Etymotic earphone at least once, but you’ve already had that experience with the HF5 so I don’t think it’s worth it in this case.

    The RHA T20 may be worth checking out too if you are interested in a little more bass impact and slightly more v-shaped (i.e. more DN-1000-like) sound from an RHA unit.

    Reviews:
    A83: https://theheadphonelist.com/headphone_review/fidue-a83/
    FLC8: https://theheadphonelist.com/headphone_review/flc-technology-flc8/
    MA750: https://theheadphonelist.com/headphone_review/rha-ma750-ma750i/
    T20: https://theheadphonelist.com/headphone_review/rha-t20-t20i-in-ear-earphone-review/

  3. Joker,

    I should have said, I always come to this site first and almost solely because your reviews are so amazing. You advised me on the HF5 and GR07 purchases, and I couldn’t have been happier. I had been eyeing the DN-1000s since then, and finally made the jump. So disappointed they didn’t work out.

  4. I bought these headphones on March 9. This morning something failed in the left headphone. I think one of the BAs has stopped working. I tried multiple sources, switching tips, switching sources, switching ears, everything. It’s very clear something has broken – the right one sounds completely different.

    I looked at their warranty and it’s almost indecipherable how to use it, and their website is useless. So I’m just returning back to Amazon. So now I have to find new headphones to buy. I don’t want to deal with DUNU again. Is there anything you’d recommend that’s of similar quality? I bought the HF5 and GR07 a couple years ago to compare dynamic to BA, but the DN-1000s were still better by far. I’m considering the RHA MA-750. Or the ER4s. I know they’re not the same price, but that’s ok. I’m also fine with the more neutral/balanced sound of the Etymonics and understand the DN and RHA have a different sound profile.

    Just wondering if you have any recommendations.

  5. That’s a very unfortunate experience with DUNU. You didn’t get them through any of the well-known audiophile resellers, right? I would expect them to help facilitate the warranty process if you had.

    The closest thing I can think of to a DN-1000 alternative that’s not from DUNU and maybe has a bit less treble energy is the Fidue A83. It’s a little pricy at about $260 but it also has the benefit of detachable/replaceable cables which should make it easier to keep the earphones for a while. I compared it to the DN-1000 in my review here: https://theheadphonelist.com/headphone_review/fidue-a83/

    If you’d rather spend less than more, the closest things I can think of would be an RHA MA750 or maybe a JVC FXT90, but these won’t quite keep up with the DN-1000 in areas such as clarity and detail resolution.

  6. First, let me start by saying your headphone reviews are amazing and have led me to several great pairs.

    I bought the Dunu DN-1000 after reading your review and loved the sound. They broke after about 8 months which normally would have been fine considering the warranty, but I had such trouble coordinating the replacement with their headquarters in China, I ended up not even getting the replacement.

    I was wondering if you recommend anything in a similar price range with similar qualities. I thought the top and bottom ends of the DN1000s really complimented each other, though the top end could be a little much sometimes.

    Thanks!

  7. Sorry, no experience with the XBA-A2s. The only Sony hybrids I have are the XBA-H3s and XBA-Z5s. They are both tuned for a warmer and smoother sound compared to the more v-shaped DN-1000. All three deliver good bass impact with the Z5 moving into “excessive bass” territory.

    Generally speaking, the DN-1000 will do what you want (impact bass while also maintaining very good clarity outside of the bass region) – I just can’t put it in context against the XBA-A2.

  8. Hi Joker

    Loved your review of this unit as this is one of the most informative articles I’ve read regarding the DN 1000, and all other posts I read online speak of the same thing about these beauties – a testament to how good this DUNUs are.
    I am contemplating on getting these against the Sony XBA A2s. They are about the same price and I am actually lost between the two of them, so I was wondering you might be able to help me. I listen to pop, classical, acoustic, instrumental and semi rock music so I am looking for the clarity and overall detail while having a respectable bass output. Hoping you could help me here seeing as there are no reviews of the XBA A2 here. (Was supposed to just compare what you had written for the DUNUs and the Sonys but the latter was not reviewed so I couldn’t do a direct comparison. What makes this decision harder is the fact that I cannot source a demo unit for these DUNUs unlike the Sonys which are available in our local Sony store for testing)

  9. Yes, the DN-2000 (https://theheadphonelist.com/headphone_review/dunu-dn-2000/) is already slightly rebalanced from the DN-1000 in terms of bass vs midrange, and the FLC Technology FLC 8 (https://theheadphonelist.com/headphone_review/flc-technology-flc8/) even more so, depending on the configuration you choose to use it in, of course.

    I don’t recommend relying on physical burn-in to improve an earphone. “Brain” burn-in (i.e. getting used to a new sound signature) is a different matter, but beyond that you’re much better off taking things into your own hands as you’ve done with the tips and spacers. Totally agree that some aspects of the DN-1000’s sound vary significantly with fit.

  10. Hi again Joker,
    after reading lots of your reviews and trying a couple of IEMs – I couldn’t find many in France, unfortunately – I landed on the DN-1000.
    I wan’t used at all to that SQ, I could appreciate lots of detailed sounds. Particularly in the bass regions e.g. I manage to appreciate tracks from bands like Korn’s far, far more.

    Though great, somehow I am still not 100% convinced:
    – Is there an IEM with similar or better SQ but just slightly less emphasis on bass and a bit more on mids? I like some bass enhancement, but I feel the DN-1000 may have just a bit too much, overshadowing the rest. Trebles are fine, though: I had to spend lots of time trying various combinations of rings+tips and noticed that the sound is very dependent on it and on positioning (perception of bass and treble in particular). Probably because of this last point, I found the DN-1000’s trebles much smoother and less fatiguing than the RHA 750, from which somehow I didn’t manage to get much out.
    – Does the sound change with use? I read about burn-in but hasn’t really understood its implications yet.

    Thanks!

  11. Yes, the Altone is slimmer than the DN-1000/DN-2000, and lighter as well. It’s the most lightweight and comfortable triple-driver hybrid I have tried except for the pricier FLC Technology FLC8: https://theheadphonelist.com/headphone_review/flc-technology-flc8/ .

    It is similar in size and shape to the T-Peos H-100. However, keep in mind that the nozzle (the part that fits the eartip and actually goes inside the ear canal) is similar in diameter between all of these. It’s the main housing that varies a lot in size and shape (and weight), but for comfort it’s quite important that the main housing isn’t so large that it has to be pushed right up against your ear for you to get a seal.

  12. Hi Joker,

    Thank you for all the hard work !
    I would need your advice regarding a pair of earphone.

    I’m hesitating between two models of hybrid :
    – Dunu 1000, but it is a little big for my ear canal.
    – I’m very interested in the T-peos Altone200, but I have no way to try them. Are they thinner than the Dunu 1000 ? are they the same size than the T-peos 100 – these I can try ?

    If you have any other recommandation for narrow ear canal people regarding hybrids, thanks in advance !

    Sincerely,

    David

  13. Glad you like ’em!

    Appreciate the feedback, by the way – helps me hone my recommendations going forward 🙂

  14. Hey Joker, thanks so much for your advice and this awesome site. I wound up getting the Dunu 1K and I couldn’t be happier. If you recall I had told you I wasn’t too happy with the RHA 750 and was looking for a more forgiving EP due to so many poor recordings. Anyway after the Dunu Titan, HiFiMan 600, terrible quality, and the RHA’s, really good EPs but not with my recordings I went for these. I basically haven’t taken them off since they arrived.

    The first thing that stood out was how airy they are. Separation is outstanding and they are so comfortable. I was really concerned about the comfort level and these just work for me. What a wonderful sound experience Dunu accomplished for a reasonable price. i ordered the comply T-500 and found that they were included. lol. Can never have too many eartips.

    Thanks again!

  15. I wanted to thank you again for the recommendation. I just received the pair today and it sounds fantastic. The housing is indeed large, but the smallest foam tips that were included fits me well. The default silicon tips are very bassy and sibilant, but the foam tips changed everything. Haven’t tried the spacers, but I don’t expect drastic improvement. Thanks again!

  16. There’s a good number of tips included and I do suggest trying those (and any others you may have sitting around) before spending more on replacements. With that said, I do think Comply T400s are a good match for these. They are pricy buggers, but may be worth the cash if you like what the DN-1000 can do and just want to maximize the comfort (and don’t take your earphones off and put them back on dozens of times per day – foam tips can be a bit annoying for that).

  17. I’m guessing my GR07 is at the end of its lifespan since it’s already been 2 years of moderate use. I am actually pretty surprised that it has lasted this long. I hope the DN-1000 lasts more than 2 years too. One final question I have is about the tips. I see all these cons about stock tips and getting 3rd party tips. Do you have any experience in trying out 3rd party tips, if so do they really make a big difference to justify extra let’s say extra $20?

  18. Good price!

    My only suggestion – because the GR07 is a more neutral earphone, I would put it away for a few days after getting the DN-1000 to give yourself time to acclimate to the more v-shaped sound sig, and also to play around with the included spacers, because they do affect the perceived treble response of the DUNU.

  19. Thank for the reply. I think I will go with DN-1000 since I have been able to find a relatively new pair for around $140. The FXT90 currently is $90 for new on Amazon. I am very used to sparkly sound sig since I frequently use DT880 and also used to the laid back highs of HD650. I haven’t experienced a v-shape sound sig yet, but I think DN-1000 will be the perfect upgrade for me from GR07. Thank you again.

  20. The DN-1000 is better overall but both are pretty sparkly. The DN-1000 has less bass impact and more bass quality, with better depth and resolution. The FXT90 has more of a mid-bass hump. The midrange of the DN-1000 is more recessed, but still clearer, partly because the bass is more controlled. Both have good treble energy – the emphasis on the DN-1000 comes in higher up whereas the FXT90 has more upper mids/lower treble. The GR07 happens to be less sparkly than both because it lacks the high treble emphasis of the DN-1000 AND the lower treble lift of the FXT90. Soundstaging is good on both, just depends if you prefer a more forward presentation (FXT90) or the more laid-back sound of the more v-shaped DUNU.

  21. Hi, thank you for such detailed reviews of IEMs.
    I would like to ask some questions seeking answers from an experienced listener.
    I’ve used GR07 for 2 years now and am looking for similar IEM with more treble and sparkly highs. I find the GR07 to be excellent sounding, but I feel that it can be a little dull when listening to modern pop and EDM due to lack of sparkly highs and extension.
    I have narrow my choices down to JVC FXT90 and DUNU DN-1000, but cannot surely decide as there are not many comparisons out there for both of them.
    Could you give me some insight on comparison between these two IEM in terms of bass, mids, highs, treble, and soundstage?
    Thanks you.

  22. Thin earphones actually tend to have better detail – for example the really flat (often called “analytical”) BA sets, like the Etymotic Research models and VSonic VC1000, tend to have low note thickness and very good detail. It is thick/rich/full-bodied earphones that tend to struggle more, because they usually have an excessive, bloated low end.

  23. One more question I have, you mentioned in the review that the midrange is a little recessed and veiled and also is thin, but it has quite amount of detail. So how can a headphone sound both thin and detailed in the midrange simultaneously.
    Probably the main reason of my question is that i’m not familiar enough with the thin presentation expression.
    Thanks

  24. Thanks for the answer, So how does the DN1k responds to EQing? Is it possible to degrade the peak around 9KHz by EQing?

  25. 1) Good question. I would probably rank them (smoothest first): Piston 2 > Image S4 >= DN-1000. The S4 and DN-1000 are actually about even, but the S4 is smaller and you can somewhat help the sibilance by finding a deeper fit. With the DN-1000 you have the spacers and decent eartips, which can help quite a bit, but on balance I think the S4 is easier to deal with.
    2) Mine is still going strong. I don’t expose the cable to any sweat, though.

  26. Hello dear ljokerl,
    I have some questions to ask about dunu dn1000:
    1) How do you compare the peaky treble of Dunu to the Pistun 2 and Image s4 first gen. ?
    2) Have you faced the cable stiffness problem with these headphones?
    Thanks

  27. GR01 will give you excellent clarity – way ahead of the SE215 – and better treble presence and quality (more akin to the TF10) but the bass won’t be what you’re used to with the Ultimate Ears. For bass quantity I would say DN-1000 >= SE215 > TF10 >> VC1000 = RE-400 (RE-400 and VC1000 both have very level bass; RE-400 tends to be a little more full-bodied while the VC1000 tends to be a little punchier and more extended).

  28. That was helpful. Thanks a lot.

    I’m just a bit concerned regarding the dn-1000’s comfort. This is why I considered the RE400 an alternative which are widely regarded as very comfortable.

    What would you say about the VSonic GR01 if I’d thrown them in my possible choices?

    Just to add that I currently have the SE215 and I want to get rid of them. This is not the sound I’m after, especially when compared to what I got from the TF10s in the past.

    Thanks again.

  29. They’re very different earphones. The DN-1000 has a somewhat v-shaped sound signature, with the bass and treble boosted over the midrange, while the RE-400 is the opposite – it’s designed so that nothing gets in the way of the midrange, and its deep bass and upper treble aren’t very prominent. If you loved the TF10, I’d probably go for the DN-1000 – the TF10 was also a slightly v-shaped earphone (though less so than the DN-1000), so while the DUNU is not a perfect match for the TF10 signature, it’s at least in the same ballpark.

  30. Hello Joker,

    I’m on the fence between Hifiman RE-400 and the DN-1000.
    I mostly listen too classic rock and metal, soft rock, 80’s pop, some symphonic music and smooth jazz. I also had the TF10s in the past and I loved them.

    Which of the 2 would you recommend me to buy? Thanks.

  31. Yes, I thought so. I certainly didn’t find the DN-1000 lacking in sparkle, but again it can be a touch strident. Reminds me a bit of the ancient Audio-Technica CK10.

  32. Thank you very much for the reply! That confirms my concerns about the DN2000 being too smooth in the upper miss/lower treble region just like the TF 10 which I personally can’t stand (I would love the timbre around there being accurately presented). BTW is DNK more sparkly that the TF10? I am a little concern about the treble peak around 10kHz.

  33. Well, I can’t read the measurements any different than you but subjectively I prefer the smoother upper mid/lower treble of the DN-2000 to the DN-1000. The DN-1000 can be strident at times, which I never really thought was the case with the TF10. Admittedly. the DN-1000 and DN-2000 are both fairly sensitive to fit so there might be a configuration that makes the DN-1000 sound more natural than the DN-2000 (and if you prefer enhancement where the DN-1000 offers it, that could obviously tip the scales).

    The emphasis of the BA200 comes in lower down (again, subjectively) which makes it sound a little more mid- than upper-mid/treble focused (and thereby less bright, etc). I find the BA200 to sound more natural in the midrange, but with a little less overall treble energy than I personally like.

  34. Hi, I am lingering between the DN1000 and DN2000. From the measurements on Innerfidelity I found the DN2000 is more recessed in the upper mid/lower treble (around 3khz)region, just like the Triple-fi 10. Personally I am very sensitive to that region and I think it affects the tone of overdriven guitar very much, and makes the vocals and guitars rounded to my ear. I was wondering if it is indeed the case in DN2000. Is DN1000 better in this regard? Other than these two model, I found the TDK BA200 pretty awesome in this frequency region, how do you comment on it being a upper-mids enhanced triple-fi 10? Thanks!

  35. The last model I tried in that series was the FX700 and that was quite bass-heavy, and a touch loose in the bass region as a result. It could also be called slightly mid-recessed, just like the DN-1000. The bass was definitely impressive and by all accounts the FX850 should be an improved take on that sort of sound, but that’s not something I can confirm.

    Also, the smoother, flatter, more mid-centric sound of the BA200 is night and day different from the FX700 🙂

  36. okay thanks, I guess I’ll audition the TDK BA200 this coming weekend at the local store. How about the JVC HA-FX850? I’ve read a lot of reviews about these, and they always praise its bass capabilities. Thanks again, sorry for taking up your time

  37. The DN-1000 is not a good choice for forward mids and not the best for soundstaging, either. Unfortunately I don’t have any experience with the IM70 so I can’t say what the issue may be there or how anything else I’ve heard compares. However, if you want tight bass and non-recessed minds my choice in that price range would be the TDK BA200. No enhanced bass on that but the quality is very good and the sound is very balanced.

  38. I’ve done some more google searching, and I found out about the ATH-CKM500. I think this model will suit my tastes, but the overall sound quality is lower than ATH-IM70. It would be nice if there’s any IEM/headphones with the sound quality of ATH-IM70 and focuses on mid-bass.

  39. Hi there |joker|, great review as usual, I enjoyed reading it :D.
    I’ve been eyeing this amazing IEM for a while now, but I’m having second thoughts since I’ve read one of the comments here from touji666: “Mid bass is slightly disappointing for me. They are there, is consistent, has great depth and positioning, but not enough for me to effectively distinguish bass tones because they are just lacking in loudness.” My preferred sound is very similar to touji666: any level of sub bass, WELL DETAILED MID BASS (FOR BASS GUITAR TONES), spacious or atleast forward mids (i hate recessed mids), decent mid-highs, any level of high.

    I’m a BIG FAN of bass guitars. I listen mostly to rock music. I want to hear every bass notes on songs, if possible. (mostly 320kbps, source is galaxy note 2). I currently own the excellent Audio Technica ATH-IM70 and it is almost perfect for me, the only problem is that the mid bass is lacking in detail for me to hear every bass notes, especially on “busy” parts of songs, when a lot of instruments are playing. In summary, the mid bass gets “muddy” sometimes.

    Do you think the DN-1000 will suit my taste? is there anything else you can recommend (headphones, IEM, earphones) for my preferred sound? Do you think the ones at fault for the “muddy” mid bass is the source? My budget is around $250. My source is my phone, Galaxy note 2. I hope you can respond to this, thanks!

  40. It’s related to sound being rich, warm, full-bodied, etc. It’s just one of many sound descriptors that help describe what to listen for. Warmer, bassier earphones with present mids tend to sound thick. Brighter earphones with weak bass or recessed/withdrawn mids tend to sound thin. What’s better really depends on personal preference.

    Also, like a lot of other things, it’s not just “thick” and “thin” – there’s a continuum.

  41. hi can you explain note thickness. you mentioned “thinner note presentation” im not sure what you meant by that. what would that mean to an consumer. Do you recommend a thicker note presentation

  42. So Im assume the Altone is colder and thinner than the slighty warmer and full bodied Dunu. If so than the Dn1000 fits the bill for what I want. Thanks for the feedback.

  43. You are not bothered by the highs of the GR07 so generally I’d say the DN-1000 and Altone200 are sidegrades, but if more powerful bass is your primary reason for switching, then they can be called an upgrade. They do have greater bass quantity, but the overall balance is not as good as with the GR07 or GR07 BE, as you should expect when adding more bass. I tend to favor the DN-1000 over the Altone but technically they’re about on-par – the Altone has slightly better clarity but the tone is a little bright and the overall sound is not as full-bodied.

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