DUNU DN-242 Review : Excellent V shaped IEM

Dunu has been one of the most popular names in the world of IEM. Hailing from China, they have been making some of the best hybrid, single DD and BA based IEMs in various price brackets. Starting as low as $90, Dunu has Flagships priced as high as $1350. Dunu gained recognition with their DN-1000 and DN-2000J back in 2013-14 and DK-3001 and 4001 were highly appreciated for their sound quality but were fairly uncomfortable to wear. In came the DK-3001 pro, with a better cable and smaller, more ergonomic shell that set the benchmark for hybrid IEMs back in 2020. Later that year they launched their Studio Line-up and the SA6 took the IEM by storm!! It came with high quality cables and superb build too. Then came the Zen, single DD flagship IEM loved for it’s warm and smooth presentation. Along with that, they launched the EST112, one of the best EST based IEMs under $500. There were a lot of IEMs since, their Flagship Glacier has been loved all around the world while Falcon Ultra was the last Dunu IEM I had reviewed.

What I have here with me is their latest tribrid IEM, DN242. Priced at $350, it houses 2 DD, 4 BA drivers and 2 Micro Planar Drivers. It comes in only one colour scheme which has Black shell and Red back plate.

This is not their first Micro Planar IEM though, they had the DN3001BD which has 4 Micro Planar drivers in each earpiece. I haven’t heard that but I will be comparing DN242 with a few other similarly equipped IEMs in this price range. 

Let’s dive deeper!!

Get one from these links:

https://www.dunu-topsound.com/product-page/dn242

For Indian buyers:

UNBOXING AND ACCESSORIES:

This is new lineup with an interesting set of drivers and I was expecting Dunu to opt for a slightly different kind of accessies because they have done this before but to my dismay 242 has the exactly same set of accessies as the Falcon Ultra. Yes, the cable is slightly different with the cores and parts used and that’s it.

Open the box. We have the earpieces stuffed in foam while all other accessories are placed inside the carry case under it. We get one set of spinfit like tips, one set of SS tips and one set of generic tips. It comes with a quarter inch adaptor and a cleaning tool ends the list of usable accessories.

BUILD AND ERGONOMIC:

I haven’t come across a Dunu IEM with questionable build and 242 is no exception but their shapes can be. Thankfully 242 has a more generalistic design with curves at the right places. Unlike the older DK IEMs it does away with a resin shell which is lightweight and sturdy. We get a slightly ergonomically designed inner shell with a wing like structure and even though this is thick, its footprint isn’t big. It should fit most ears without much issues. Thanks to it’s theme scheme it doesn’t have any other color options but this red back plate looks nice but it would have been awesome if it had a red inner shell too. We are getting a big pressure releasing vent aside the 2pin socket. There is no issue with the nozzle depth either but this thick metal nozzle can cause a bit of discomfort for those using small ear tips. 

CABLE:

DN242 ships with a high quality modular cable. Unlike the more premium IEMs the DN242 ships with “Q-Lock Mini” plugs. It uses a 4 core silver plated single crystal copper wires. It complements the overall aesthetics of the IEM. This 4 core cable is different from what we used to see on Zen or SA6 but is less supple and softer to the hand increasing bounciness and microphonics compared to the DUW-03. It has its own memory and holds shape which is not exactly desirable but this cable sounds great!! They have used light weight parts, cable guides are aptly relaxed, this plastic cable slider offers good usability too but this cable in its own is a bit on the heavier side.

PAIRING WITH SOURCES:

Pairing with sources isn’t very critical for this IEM. It does have a lot of drivers inside but doesn’t have any issues with various USB DAC/amps. I paired it with warmer and analytical USB DAC/amps and I have to admit, this IEM doesn’t respond much. It maintains it’s accuracy and cleanliness. Just make sure you aren’t using a weak source, at least 200mw/ch is a must for 242 to sound effortless.

SOUND QUALITY:

Currently, I am working on a lot of micro planar based IEMs under $400 and I have to admit this pairing of DD+ BA + Micro Planar has a lot of potential. DN 242 is a bright example of that. This is a slightly differently tuned IEM when compared to the DN 142 but is a more engaging one. In fact it’s one of the most engaging IEMs under $400. This has a slightly V/W shaped signature as the vocals have a bit of pop to them while the bass and highs are slightly more forward. The good thing is, it’s nearly colourless when it comes to flavouring except a bit of added brightness.

I am using iBasso DC07 pro as source and stock grey tips for this review.

BASS:

Powered by two dynamic drivers 242 offers one of the best technicalities while offering a good balance of everything. It isn’t overly bassy or lacking punch. We are delt with one of the best sub-bass extension and rumbles, another thing to keep in mind is dynamics. This IEM has superb control over the heft and decay of the notes, delivering the right amount of heft or tightness when needed and thanks to this it can shift it’s emphasis and weight with ease. Mid bass is offering full bodied, meaty notes with very good weight behind them. It has a big area of impact and moves good amount of air into the head. Strangely, it doesn’t have the capability of changing the direction of the notes which some IEMs in it’s competition can. Notes have very good impact and slam while maintaining excellent definition and resolution. We get high quality contrast of back and foreground notes with equally impressive layering and texture thanks to it’s nicely developed Z-axis depth.

Decay is paced nicely, 242 does let the notes precipitate and notes can get heavy when needed but will maintain tightness depending on the requirements of the track. It has clean upper bass notes too. There is little to no unwanted softness with them.

MID RANGE:

Handled by 4 BA drivers, this mid range is high quality especially when it comes to resolution and details. Tonality and timber could have been slightly more organic or natural. What we are getting is a lot more neutral and slightly dry timber with the instruments. I am more than happy with this but this leads to a bit of extra energy and slightly more crispy presentation and if you are looking for a smooth kind of presentation, especially with instruments, this might feel a bit aggressive. This is not true for vocals though. Dunu has tuned the BA drivers for a comfortable vocal delivery. It has no unwanted gripping or sharpness even with female vocals. Male vocals have the right kind of poise and both have superb texture and throat movements. I do feel the vocal notes could have better depth though.

Instruments on the other hand are slightly more forward with higher finishing energy and better depth too. This definitely helps with micro details, resolution and transparency but can be slightly fatiguing and a bit too crispy. Same is true for upper mids too. They are a bit more bity. I would have liked a bit more dampening with the instruments. I would have liked a bit more Z-axis depth too. It has no issues with back and foreground separation thanks to it’s precise imaging but the background notes do not have enough air and contrast against the foreground instruments. If you feel this kind of energy is not something you are looking for, DN 142 the perfect option for you.

HIGHS:

Highs are simply amazing with the 242 unless you are susceptible to forward highs. Powered by 2 micro Planar drivers this IEM nails it when it comes to agility, sparkle and lively presentation. It’s a delight for treble heads. It gains energy from the upper mids and maintains it uptill the end. 242 has one of the best treble extension under $500. It has beautiful resolution and definition of the notes, maintaining high quality texture. We get high quality micro details too with very good note height, yes, the notes can be slightly more bity and tire one out if sensitive. 242 excels with instrument placements in X-axis while it’s Z-axis layering is kind of average. There is no issues with separation though as it puts some of the best amount of air between the notes enhancing it’s clarity and boosting it’s technical performance. It has superb floor clarity too.

I have to admit, these micro planar drivers are very much comparable to the BA drivers when it comes to energy and transparency.

STAGE AND IMAGING:

DN242 has a big stage. One of the biggest under $500. It’s tall and wide but the Z-axis depth leaves a bit more to be desired. Most of the instruments and even some vocal notes are projected out of the head, giving it a more expanded presentation. Cue placements are excellent with very good directional accuracy. Sonics are very good with transient effects but are slightly on the flatter side. Background instruments and notes hold a bit too much energy, compromising contrast.

COMPARISON:

VS DN142 :

How does the twin brother of 242 fairs against it? Does the extra DD justifies 100 more bucks? here is my detailed comparison:

VS ZIIGAAT HORIZON:

VS PUNCH AUDIO MARTILO:

On the surface, both the IEMs might look similarly equipped but there are major differences between these two $350 IEMs.

Martilo has a deeper V shaped signature with a little bit of pop to the vocals while 242 is a much more balanced IEM with better control and transparency across the spectrum.

Yes, Martilo has a more punchy lower end with extra weight and rumbles behind the notes while 242 has a more technically capable presentation with a tighter and cleaner body while offering similar extension. Upper bass on Martilo can sound slightly soft but that’s not the case with 242. Mid range is where 242 shows it’s supremacy. It sounds effortless and open while Martilo can sound a bit suppressed and strained especially with vocals. 242 offers better clarity, definition and has better transparency too while Martilo is very good with macro dynamics, it’s not on par when it comes to micro details. Both have similar upper mids and treble range which is agile and extended. 242 again has better transparency and micro details with more air between instruments. 242 has a bigger stage, more 3D like stage while Martilo is slightly lacking with width and Z-axis depth.

Comparison video:

CONCLUSION:

I have worked on a lot of hybrid IEMs in this price range and I have no doubts in my mind when I label DN242 as one of the best hybrid IEMs under $500 especially if you want accuracy, precision and micro details. DN242 is simply loaded with details. Bass is highly textured and dynamic, mid range is clean clear with very good mid body texture and highs are simply outstanding!!

Yes, 242 is a bit on the aggressive side, it’s V shaped signature should tell you about it. Don’t get this for a mid forward signature or a relaxed presentation. So.. This is it guys!!

Enjoy!!