Dunu DN-2000J Review

Utilizing a balanced armature and a dynamic driver design, the hybrid Dunu DN-2000J talks a big game.  But for a price of $349, how does it sound?  And who is it for?

Dunu DN-2000J Review

The DN-2000J is accompanied by a metal carrying case, seven pairs of eartips, and both 1/4” stereo and airplane converters.

As previously mentioned, this earphone runs a balanced armature and a dynamic driver in a fairly unique setup.

The earpieces themselves are a bit chunkier in order to house all this gadgetry.  And while that extra bulk sometimes causes the earphones to fall out while I’m listening, they aren’t at all uncomfortable.

The lightweight 4 ft (1.2 m) cable seems a bit thick, but it’s also decidedly strong.

Specs

Frequency Range: 4-40,000 Hz
Impedance:  8 ohms
Sound Pressure Level (SPL):  102 dB
Total Harmonic Distortion (THD):  NA

With a 4-40,000 Hz frequency range, the Dunu DN-2000J offers a fairly wide response.  The low impedance of just 8 ohms will easily compliment smartphones and portable players.  Sound Pressure Level is a bit low, but the low impedance makes up for it.  Finally, Total Harmonic Distortion isn’t given by Dunu, but I’d guess it being somewhere around <0.2%.

Low End

Home to a decent amount of detail, the low end on the Dunu DN-2000J offers a meaty listening experience.  With powerful bass and decent control, there’s plenty of “oomph” and no real bleed.  There’s also no real distortion or compression to speak of, resulting in a relatively clean, articulate sound.

Mids

Like the low end, the mids host a fair amount of detail, and the sound generally remains clean – except where the high mids are concerned.  In that particular part of the frequency range, there is a slight shade of distortion at play – not a total deal breaker, but still detracting from an otherwise-awesome midrange.

Highs

Bright but detailed, the high end delivers definition and contrast while not skimping on the nuances.  It’s a powerful sound, but it never becomes too piercing or uncomfortable.

Soundstage

While the 2000J  delivers some impressive depth, placement seems cramped.  While instruments can seem heaped together in the resulting soundstage, there’s still a certain quality that goes beyond what I’ve heard in other earphones.  Despite its design, this earphone still gives a decent performance.

Other Observations

The longer I listen to the DN-2000J, the more I’m noticing just how much detail this headphone offers.  While the upper mids remain a sore spot as I listen, the sheer amount of nuance rendered by this beast is something else.

And while the overall sound can easily be described as detail-heavy, there’s still a general sense of dynamic range in that sound.  With that powerful bass, and that intense (but well-tempered) high end, the 2000J renders every track with a deep intensity.

Recommendations

The Dunu DN-2000J offers clear benefit to casual listeners and dedicated audiophiles alike.  While the dynamic listening experience will impress fans of consumer headphones, that wealth of detail comes in handy for longer critical-listening sessions.

For those who prefer less bass, or a more even-keeled sound, I’d recommend the similarly-priced Jays Q-Jays (2nd Generation), retailing for $299.  While not as stylish or as efficient as this Dunu, the Q-Jays do offer down-played bass while keeping mids and highs in near-perfect balance.

Final Analysis

The Dunu DN-2000J makes some bold claims regarding it’s unique driver design.  And yet, by and large, the 2000J meets these claims.  Tons of detail and a rich, dynamic sound offer an impressive tour-de-force that will win over anyone who doesn’t have a tin ear.  While the price may be a bit steep for casual consumers, anyone looking for their first high-res earphone would do well to consider this particular model.

You can find these earphones for the best price at:

Audio 46 (Use our promo code “majorhifi” to get a 10% discount)

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