DUNU DN-2000 Hybrid 3 way earphone (2BA+1Dynamic driver)

Quick bit of background: I use these with an old(ish) Cowon Z2, and I only listen to mp3's. I don't feel FLAC files offer any significant improvement in sound quality over a well-encoded variable bitrate mp3 - certainly not enough to justify the extra file size, anyway. I live and breathe music and spend most of my disposable income on it. I appreciate sound quality and collect CDs. I think 'hi-res' audio is snake-oil, and vinyl can never compare to a good CD player (I do envy vinyl-collectors for the larger format artwork they get to enjoy, but that's the one and only thing vinyl has over CD). I subscribe to the 'diminishing returns' viewpoint when it comes to hi-fi equipment - ie, beyond a certain price point, the extra cost leads to smaller and smaller improvements (and sometimes simply a different sound character rather than an outright improvement).OK, onto the review.I've had 3 years heavy use out of the DN-2000's, but they've finally started to give up the ghost - the bass and midrange of one of the earpieces has started to intermittently cut out, so I have to fiddle with the wire to restore full sound in that side. Do I feel short-changed, having paid over £200 and got just three years' use out of them? Nope. When you consider the quality of the sound and work out the cost per day, it's peanuts.They're not without flaws. Microphonics (unwanted noise transmitted up through the cable) could be better. The slider that's supposed to keep the two strands together under your chin doesn't work at all; it just slides back down within seconds, which is annoying as hell. The foam tips aren't great so I've had to keep buying replacement tips (InAirs, which sound better and last slightly longer than the more expensive Comply equivalents), but if you prefer silicon tips, that's a non-issue, as the supplied ones are fine.Aside from that though, these are incredibly good earphones and excellent value for money if sound quality matters to you.Compared to Shure SE535s (the only other high-end IEM's I've owned so far), these are a big leap up in sound quality. The 535's sound was too flat, too polite and restrained, and they just could not do sub-bass at all - push up the bass with your player's EQ and they started to distort and flap horribly. By contrast, the DN-2000s are detailed, revealing, can reach to almost bottomless depths of bass (without being in any way flabby or slow), and music just sounds lifelike and engaging.I guess the best recommendation I can give is this: I'm looking for another pair of DN-2000's to replace mine, and I'm not put off by the fact that they're now more expensive (even for second-hand ones!) than when I bought mine in 2015. I'm not tempted by the (slightly cheaper) DN-2000J, nor am I willing to pay twice as much to own Dunu's newer, more expensive flagship earphones (though I'm sure they'll be outstanding). I'll be happy to pay £250 or so and get another 3 years' use from a second pair of DN-2000's.

Love these, my only qualm was they were a little big for my small ears, but easy to find a tip that worked for me, the little spacer rings helped. Sound amazing with foams and their see-thru pairs are very good to.The 2000 has exceptional detail and tone. Vocal lovers will love the realism and articulation. Bass is tight, quick and deep when required. The 2000 are very balanced sounding iems. Treble is fatigue-free and highly detailed. These have a very wide soundstage and easy to drive. They were one of the earliest hybrids at a decent price and have aged very well. They still offer great value and can be found occasionally for as little as £100, they were £250 on release. They easily hold their own even up against newer hybrids and the ever-growing Chi-Fi market.Build - As I said they are slightly bigger, but that's never been a problem and I find them very comfy. They are built like tanks and made to last. The cable looks thin, but it's strong and has no noise from movement. These still go for around £200 and even then they offer the same value.

RECENTLY I PURCHASED DUNU DN-2000 .SINCE THEN I'VE BEEN MESMERISED-AMAZED BY THE SOUND QUALITY THAT OFFERS.BY NO DOUBT IT IS A TOP CLASS IEM WITH EXCEPTIONAL SOUNDSTAGE AND IMAGING,CLARITY AND TRANSPARENCY BEYOND IT'S PRICE RANGE AND HAS THE UNIQUE ABILITY TO TRANSFORM EVERY SONG YOU PLAY IN A WAY YOU CAN ONLY IMAGINE.WITH MOST SONGS I 'VE TRIED WITH THESE IEMS IT IS LIKE YOU ARE PART OF THE LIVE AUDIENCE IN THE CENTER OF A CONCERT HALL.CAN'T FIND ENOUGH WORDS TO DESCRIBE THIS LIFE EXPERIENCE.SUB-BASS IS SUBERB,TREBLE VERY WELL EXTENDED,MID-RANGE-VOCALS ARE FORWARD AND MAGICAL MOST NATURAL AND COME ALIVE AND THAT IS IT'S STRONGEST POINT.ACTUALLY CAN'T SAY MUCH MORE A PERSON HAS TO HEAR IT TO JUDGE FOR HIMSELF,FOR ME IT IS MOST DELIGHTFULL EVERY SINGLE MINUTE I SPENT WITH THESE INCREDIBLE IEMS.A GREAT ACHIEVMENT FOR DUNU GOOD WORK.