Review: Dunu DN-1000 (Dunu’s new Flagship Triple Driver Hybrid IEM)

Firstly I would like to thank Rocky at Dunu for sending me this sample for review, I will write as honest a review possible. These received over 50hrs of burn-in, no big differences were noted.

Gear used:
IPod classic 160gb (rockboxed) > DN-1000 (red ring, small foam tips)

Price: US$195

Specification: Type: Dynamic (10mm) Balanced Armature, 
SPL:98+-2dB, 
Impedance 10 ohms, 
Frequency Response: 16Hz – 22KHz, 
Noise Attenuation: 26dB, 
Weight: 26g, 
Plug Size: 3.5mm, 
Cord Length: 1.2m.

Packaging, Accessories and Build quality;
Packaging is similar to other Dunu models, but this time the front is white not black. The front has an image of the DN-1000, the sides and back have information and specifications of the IEM.
As with other Dunu packaging, a black box slides out from the outer sleeve, which has a magnestised flap which opens to reveal the DN-1000 neatly placed in a velvet covered in tray with the metal case below. Under this in tray you will find an additional pleather pouch and all the supplied accessories,

Comfort, Isolation, Cable noise and Driver flex:
Comfort is good once you have found the right tips. I wear these with the cable over the ear with small foam tips and they are very comfortable despite their weight. The foam tips really help keep them in and comfortable. No complaints apart from the inside edge of the housing is a little sharp, this could be an issue for some.

Isolation greatly depends on tips, but with the foam tips, they isolate very well and would be fine for use on public transport. You could easily get run over by a car if you’re not careful.

Cable noise is present when worn down, but can be reduced by using the chin slider or cable clip. Wearing them over the ear greatly reduces cable noise, and I never find it a problem.

Sound:
Split in to the usual categories, I used small foam tips with red spacers. More on the spacers later.

Lows: well with the dynamic driver looking after these, you get great power and articulation, but not the best speed. These have very good sub-bass capabilities, with good punch as well. They punch hard when asked for, but are backed up with excellent body and separation. The lows are well controlled, but are not in neutral quantity, they are north of neutral but are not massively bassy or dark. Bass guitars are well separated from kick drums, and double bass is very full bodied. The dynamic driver really shines on these. Unfortunately they are not the fastest in attack or recovery, so when listening to really fast songs, the lows sometimes cannot keep up. But for most songs they are fine.

Mids: the mids are slightly forward on these, very lush and detailed. As the BA drivers kick in here, you can hear every detail and they are well separated from the lows. You cannot hear where they crossover, its all very whole sounding. I must say female vocals shine on these, you get so much detail but no harshness or sibilance. Very natural sounding mids. Acoustic music sounds superb, you have vocals and guitars separated, with full bodied lows and subtleties in the highs. Some of the best mids I’ve heard, comparing easily to more expensive models. Not as recessed as the T-Peos H-200, and also the H-200 was a little peaky. These are smooth and natural with great detail.

Highs: the highs are a little subdued compared to the lows and mids, but they are really precise and crisp. No splashiness or metallic harshness, the highs are well controlled but do sit a little behind the rest of the sound. I would like them to be a little more forward, but at least like this they are easy to listen to and cause no fatigue. With silicone tips, the lows are more pronounced but never become overwhelming or harsh. Cymbal crashes are precise with good decay, snare hits are fast and tight. Where the BA’s shine is in clarity and speed.

Tip spacers, these come with different size spacers you put on the nozzle to regulate the distance of the tip and your ear canal, and also so you can get a deeper insertion. The red which is the biggest allows for a deeper insertion, but also tones down the mid bass a little. The silver is the smallest or you can also use none which makes them more suited for people who like a little extra bass. I found the lows to be perfect with the red spacers, still well present but more controlled and balanced.

Soundstage is fairly large, but the mids are intimate. So the mids take centre stage with sounds coming in from around them, very good presentation IMO.
Instrument separation is great, but these don’t have the most air between instruments. But everything is well separated.
Imaging is very convincing, as I mentioned earlier, the mids take centre stage and everything comes in from around them.

I am impressed with Dunu’s new flagship model, I have had the H-200 hybrid, and while they were good I think these are better, and at a cheaper price. I find these to sound overall more natural and smooth but with just as much detail. Then Dunu has slightly fuller lows, and slightly more subdued highs. The H-200 has more air and better separation, but the mids and highs are a little peaky and are borderline bright in comparison, the H-200 also sounds a bit more detached between the lows and hgighs.
Again, another hybrid which brings the best of both worlds, blending them very well. They come with an array of açessories and great sound. All for less than $200, you get great smooth sound, with great build quality too. All round they are a winner.

Sound perfection rating: 8.5/10

Tracks Used:
Skrillex – First Of The Year (Equinox) (320kbps MP3)
Paramore – Franklin (320kbps MP3)
Diana Krall – The Girl In The Other Room (FLAC)
Deolinda – Passou Por Mim E Sorriu (live) (ALAC)
Suicide Silence – Unanswered (FLAC)
Massive Attack – Angel (ALAC)
Eat Static – Dzhopa Dream (ALAC)
The XX – Crystalised (FLAC)
Funeral For A Friend – Bend Your Arms To Look Like Wings (ALAC)
Mumford & Sons – Little Lion Man (FLAC)
The Scene Aesthetic – Humans (259kbps MP3)
A Hero A Fake – Swallowed By The Sea (254kbps MP3)
Vivaldi – The Four Seasons, Spring Allegro (ALAC)
Johnny Craig – Children Of Divorce (161kbps MP3)
Deadmau5 + Kaskade – I Remember (Caspa Remix) (320kbps MP3)
Black Uhuru – Utterance (ALAC)
We Are The In Crowd – Never Be What You Want (226kbps MP3)
Silverstein – Discovering The Waterfront (320kbps MP3)
Concept Of Thought – Our Thought (FLAC)
Nirvana – Something In The Way (Unplugged) (ALAC)