Dunu 142 -Depth of Sound
DISCLAIMER:
This was sent by Dunu in exchange for my honest opinion and take. I am aware of my biases and take this review with a grain of salt.
You can also check my video review here:
WHAT’S IN THE BOX?
As usual from Dunu, they splurge you with nice and usable accessories! the box is a standard DUNU size box. Inside you get:
• nice and sturdy carrying case. The typical Dunu case
• lots of eartips. I mean, lots of. It includes the SNS eartips and the candy eartips
• a nice braided cable with interchangeable termination of 3.5 and 4.4
• pokemon cards?haha
BUILD , COMFORT anmd SPECS
Price is $250. This features a 1 dynamic driver, 4 balanced armatures and 2 micro planars. The shell is similar to The Da Vinci Shell, which is made of resin. the Faceplate has this nice bluish, ocean like vibe to it. the patterns change depending on how light hits it, with the numbers "142" in silver. Just magnificent to look at.
Comfort is decent. I did not have any concerns with it getting out of seal even when practicing playing the drums. it has some mild fins that sits in my ears nicely.
SETUP:
-Shanling M3X, M3 Plus, FiiO JM21 using UAPP, Hiby and stock player
-tip rollling is important here because there is a peak past 10k that may either get boosted depending on what eartips you use. In this review, I am using a low profile eartips from NF Audio, which for me makes the treble, a little bit manageable. I also tried using Divinus Velvet and has a similar effect.
SOUND PROFILE
The sound of the 142 can be described as a mild V, in a way that it has great subbass presence and some energy in the upper treble. Mids surprisingly has good presence and it not so pulled out. The Gain region is in line with my balanced target so I don't find it shouty or to relaxed.
BASS
I think Dunu nailed it when they said they want to translate "deep blue" to a listening experience. The subbass digs deep and provides authority smearing the serene nature of the mids. Some people might want more midbass, but for me, the subbass fills that satisfaction because they are very textured and nuanced. I would say that it is almost with the same level as a single DD with a passive radiator.
MIDS
the mids are clean sounding and almost neutral in presentation. They aren't open sounding because of the subbass presence, but I think DUNU was able to find a perfect balance here. Female vocals sound nice. Instruments sound natural but with a colder coloration to them. When playing drums, I didn't notice any unnatural timbre from snares and toms. However, I find the cymbals a bit thin sounding and I will talk more about that in the treble. Depending on eartips and your source, the mids may sound pulled backa little bit. Since I am using a low profile eartips, the sound is more balanced and not as recessed compared to Dunu's stock eartips.
TREBLE
As a drummer, I am very picky when it comes to cymbal accuracy. Let me just go straight and tell you that these do not have the most natural sounding cymbals. The treble is more forward and can sometimes be sharp sounding depending on what eartips you are using. However, at the time of this writing, I was able to find the right pairing. Treble has a lot of nuance and micro details. Details lovers will enjoy the detail retrieval these has. But then again, I won't deny that the treble is still a bit forward for my preference.
TECHS
for $250, the 142 excels in that natural staging and proportion. Resolution also feels more complete because of the subbass and treble boost. Paired with the clean sounding mids, the Dunu 142 might actually give you that neutral sound with low coloration. Anyhow, I think these are pretty resolving for the price and quite competitive.
PROS
- Good bass texture and subbass rumble
- clean sounding mids
- very good accessories
- great detail retrieval
CONS
- mids can be a bit recessed depending on eartips
- treble can be sharp depending on eartips
- a bit harder to drive
SCORING
-Please be reminded that my scoring is always based on its price range.
TUNING - 2.5/3
BASS - 3/3
MIDS - 3/3
TREBLE - 2.5/3
TECHS - 3/3
SCORE = 14
RANK S
Check my scoring here :
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/15WhgCgiMzWfF3ccgB8SK5-Cg7m87kpIShtxsyg2u-AI/edit?usp=sharing
GRAB SCORE:
This is easy, I just rate the set whether I would grab them for listening. Very subjective.
- I will never touch this again
- I grab if I remember
- Can be part of my rotation
- I break my rotation and grab this one today
- F**k rotation, I’ll listen to these for the whole week
- Im selling everything, I will only listen to these haha.
GRAB SCORE: 4
COMPARISONS
Dunu 242
The tonality is different because the 242 has a more neutral tuning. I am comparing both since they are in the same series or at least, a twin in this case. The 242 has a more vocal forward presentation and a much lesser bass impact. In my opinion, the 142 has better value because it has that fun and character whilst being less expensive
CrinEear Day Break
The day break is more neutral in approach. The 142 has more bass impact and has a more lively treble. The mid presentation is pretty close and the Daybreak actually has the upper hand when it comes to value. However, the 142 has that musical engagement. Pick the Daybreak if you are looking for a reference, and the 142 if you are looking for a fun set and willing to pay more.
Moondrop Variations
A Similar story with the Daybreak in a way that, the mids are presented clean and very similar. The 142 has a better bass implementation in my opinion, but the Variation has better treble extension, at a more expensive price. I think the 142 has better value if you don't mind some coloration and fun
Binary Chopin
I am comparing both because I was reminded by how the Chopin executes its bass. They share a similar impact but I feel like the 142 is cleaner and tighter in attack. The Chopin also has less treble peaks, but the 142 has more resolution. You cant really go wrong with both. Choose depending on your budget
ZiiGatt Horizon
I am comparing both because it shares the same tribrid configuration. The Horizon sounds cleaner because it has lesser bass. It also feels that the Horizon is brighter because it does not have the bass to mitigate the treble energy. The 142 has more fun and engagement, and offers better value in terms of price if the tonality matches your preferences.
FINAL THOUGHTS
In the creation of the 142, Dunu mentioned that "Ao Bing is the deep and tumultuous ocean. He bore the weight of destiny, yet within him lay a reservoir of unseen tenderness and strength. Captivated by this complex and restrained nature, we sought to crystallize this very "deep blue" into a listening device"
Well, I think Dunu was pretty accurate about that. The Dunu 142 does embody that Deep yet pristine sound. It offers a well layered bass, just like the waves, and that calmness in the mids just like its trough, and some sparkle in the treble just like when light hits the ocean. This is Ao Bing, in sound form.
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WHERE TO BUY: non affiliate links
https://hifigo.com/products/dunu-dn142?srsltid=AfmBOop6iUD_zOnu21se2eI15VRe5VTF2XGtDRxMnkeT1N1TCMOFgOwa
MY LIBRARY:
I grew up listening to 90’s music. Alternative, punk-rock, screamo, rap, Philippine OPM, Anime songs, JPOP, KPOP, metal, reggae and a lot more.
The artists I regularly listen to are:
Rock-Alternative-Metal
Incubus, 311, BMTH, Matchbox 20, The Goo Goo Dolls, Paramore, Polyphia, The Calling,, Babymetal, Metallica, Slipknot, Bon Jovi, Coheed and Cambria, Deftones, Red Hot, Green day,
OPM(Original Pinoy Music):
E-heads, Slapshock, Parokya, Urbanddub, Up Dharma Down, Bamboo, IV of spade, Kamikazee, Rivermaya
POP:
IU, Yoasobi, Yorushika, Milet, Reona, Maroon 5, Coldplay, Bruno Mars, Ed Sheeran, Taylor, Dua Lipa, Oliva Rodrigo, Billie Eilish
OTHERS:
Carpenters, Micheal Learns to Rock, Celine Dion, Bob Marley, Sitti, Daft Punk, Pink Floyed, Earth wind and fire, Amber rubarth, Sia, Yosi Horikawa
I listen to more, but I can’t just list them all here.haha. Just giving you an idea on what I listen.
Thanks for reaching here. Hope you enjoyed reading.
