INTRO AND PRICE
Dunu 142 is a $249.99 USD IEM from Dunu, box art inspired by the Chinese folklore deity Ao Bing. Very nice-looking blue faceplate and overall accessories amazing. But will it be better than its competitors?

UNBOXING
The box is one of the most artistic and beautiful boxes I have ever seen for an IEM. Front part of the box sleeve has this “anime-inspired” box, most likely based upon the Chinese folklore deity Ao Bing, might have been the antagonist for the story of Nezha.

The 142 name and an outline of the Ao Bing-inspired art is made out of rainbow reflective material, Dunu and a “Delicate” naming at the top right embossed from the box, as well as the non-outlined Ao Bing anime-inspired art. And from bottom/center left to bottom/center right, there is some sort of ocean or flowing water-like art crossing the whole box, while the whole box is blue-ish in color.

At the back of the sleeve are the general information about the manufacturer, factory, specifications, and other details in 3 different languages. (Chinese, English, and Japanese.) It also includes bunch of regulatory icons and symbols, including a Hi-Res Audio logo.

At the top part of the sleeve, a water dragon-inspired art with the DN 142 name in reflective material, as well as the ancient looking designs on its bottom right. The bottom part of the sleeve includes ancient looking design on its bottom left and upper right, as well as a Chinese word also in a reflective material. (Translated to Dayinke)

ACCESSORIES

• The IEM themselves
• Rubber-coated, braided cable (Swappable terminations)
• 3.5mm and 4.4mm swappable terminations
• 3.5mm to 6.35mm headphone jack adaptor
• A cleaning brush for the nozzles
• 3 sets of Dunu Candy Tips (S, M, L)
• 3 sets of Dunu Stock Tips (S, M, L)
• 4 sets of Dunu S&S Tips (S, MS, ML, L)
• Solid and somewhat large IEM case
• 3 different collectible cards
• And documentations

 

 

DESIGN AND BUILD
It is made out of 3D-printed resin, somewhat custom-like universal shell. Build is sturdy and has some weight to it.
Shell thickness (faceplate to the ear side):

• 1.4-ish cm on the back area
• 1.6-ish cm near the nozzle side
• 2.5-ish cm from faceplate to nozzle end

Shell wideness (faceplate/shell width):

• 2-ish cm from top to bottom of the IEM
• 2.4-ish cm from back to front (pointy part) of the IEM

Nozzle area (no eartips):

• 5 mm length/height
• 6-ish mm diameter/width

Nozzle is metallic reflective, filter is also made from metal, and is non-removable/swappable. Cable is made of most likely silver-plated oxygen-free copper cores, insulated by a transparent grey-ish rubber.

The chin slider is made of 3D-printed plastic, somewhat transparent and with the Dunu logo embossed onto it. Y-split is painted with a metallic sheen, same color as the cable, has area where you can grip it properly and has the Dunu logo as well. While the termination area is made out of metal, most likely brushed, has the Dunu logo, and is swappable between 3.5mm and 4.4mm. (Q-Lock MINI Modular Plug System)

 

 

Shell color is all blue opaque, with the left and right indicators on the nozzle side of the shell, venting and the recessed 2-pin connector at the top. Faceplate has this darker and lighter blue somewhat wavy design, with some glitters and sparkles embedded within it, and it resembles the ocean or river.

And on top of the wavy water-like design, at the bottom portion of the IEM is where the 142 and Dunu logos are placed. Reflective metallic like material, silver-like sheen. Lastly the faceplate is bordered with silver-like layer, with the same sheen and reflectivity of it when polished.

SPECIFICATIONS

• Drivers: 1 DD + 4 BA + 2 mPL
• Frequency 5 Hz – 40 kHz
• Impedance: 37Ω
• Sensitivity: 107 dB
• Pin Type: Recessed 2-pin, 0.78mm

 

MUSIC LISTENED
Classical:

• Christopher Tin – Baba Yetu
• Christopher Tin - Sogno Di Volare

Pop:

• Ariana Grande – One Last Time
• Owl City – Good Time
• Owl City – Fireflies
• David Archuleta – A Little To Not Over For You
• Cobra Starship feat. Sabi – You Make Me Feel Good
• Wiz Khalifa feat. Charlie Puth – See You Again
• bbno$ feat. Ironmouse – 1-800
• Caroline Polachek – Pretty In Possible

J-Pop:

• Che’Nelle – Fall In Love
• Aoyama Thelma – Fighting Soldier
• Aoyama Thelma feat. Soulja – Sobaniirune
• Aoyama Thelma – Mamoritaimono
• Aoyama Thelma – Kaeru Basho
• Kyary Pamyu Pamyu – Yumeno Hajima Ring Ring

J-City Pop:

• Anri – Remember Summer Days
• Kingo Hamada – Machi No Dorufin
• Tomoko Aran – Midnight Pretenders

K-Pop:

• ILLIT – Magnetic
• Girls’ Generation – All My Love Is For You
• HyunA – Bubble Pop!
• Wonder Girls – Tell Me
• PSY – Gentleman
• HUNTER/X - Golden

P-Pop:

• BINI – Pantropiko
• SB19 – DAM!

Indian:

• Panjabi MC – Mundian To Bach Ke
• Daler Mehndi – Tunak Tunak Tun
• A.R. Rahman feat. S. Singh, T. Shah, M. Iyer & V. Prakash – Jai Ho

Rock:

• Linkin Park – Emptiness Machine
• Linkin Park - Breaking The Habit
• Thirty Seconds to Mars – The Kill
• Fall Out Boys – Thnks fr th Mmrs
• Paramore – Misery Business
• Secondhand Serenade – Your Call
• Goo Goo Dolls – Iris
• The Fray – You Found Me

J-Rock:

• LiSA – Gurenge
• Ikimonogakari – Blue Bird

Disco:

• Raffaella Carrà - Pedro

EDM:

• Swedish House Mafia feat. John Martin – Don’t You Worry Child
• Mr. Fijiwiji feat. Openwater – Growing Up
• Rameses B – Moonlight
• Edward Maya feat. Viki Jigulina – Stereo Love
• Benni Benassi – Satisfaction
• Alan Waker – Faded
• Robert Miles – Children (Dream Version)
• David Guetta feat. Brooks & Loote – Better When You’re Gone
• Martin Garrix – Animals
• Calvin Harris feat. Disciples – How Deep Is Your Love
• Major Lazer & DJ Snake feat. MØ – Lean On
• Caramell – Caramelldansen (2001 Release)
• Jonas Blue feat. JP Cooper – Perfect Strangers
• Noisestorm – Crab Rave
• ARTY – Save Me Tonight
• Faux Tales - Dawn

Phonk:

• CHMCL SØUP – Darkside
• INTERWORLD – Metamorphosis
• WEEDMANE – Suicide Year
• Eternxlkz – SLAY!
• KORDHELL – Murder In My Mind
• DVRST – Close Eyes

R&B:

• Ne-Yo – Because Of You
• Nelly feat. Kelly Rowland – Dillema
• Cassie – Me & U
• M2M – Pretty Boy

Hip-Hop:

• 50 Cent – In Da Club
• 50 Cent feat. Olivia – Candy Shop
• Eminem – Lose Yourself
• Eminem - The Real Slim Shady

GAMES PLAYED

• Valorant
• Counter-Strike 2
• S.T.A.L.K.E.R. Anomaly
• Genshin Impact
• Fallout 4 Anniversary Edition
• Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim Anniversary Edition

DAC/AMP USED

• Kiwi Ears Allegro (ESS Technology ES9028Q2M)
• Conexant Systems CX31993

 

SOUND EXPERIENCE
Overall sound experience with the 142 is a mild U-shaped sound signature, with an emphasis on the sub-bass, vocals, sparkles, and air. Overall experience is somewhat balanced.

It has a decent vocal forward experience, while not too overly forward to not sound balanced. While the mid-bass is tucked to minimize overly boomy and punchy bass, but with the downside of kick drums sounding less impactful.

 

FR graph from Paul Wasabii, the target is my own personal preference target

BASS
Overall bass experience of the 142 is more in-line with an all-rounder sound signature, somewhat of a mild U-shaped. Sub-bass focused with enough mid-bass slam/punch for general listening, gaming, and even watching movies and series.

Though its mid-bass is technically not fully basshead territory, especially those who seeks more bass boom and pump than clarity. So, for those who seek a lot of bass, this IEM is not for you. (Unless you also want some clarity, then PEQ it to your heart’s contentment.)

 

 

Mr. Fijiwiji feat. Openwater – Growing Up

The droning sub-bass in the intro is deep in tonality, but may not satisfy proper bassheads with its experience. As soon as the kick drums appear, these kick drums are present and somewhat punchy, but feels kind of hollow a tad bit as well.

 

 

50 Cent feat. Olivia – Candy Shop

The initial sub-bass riff also has a deep tonality, personally more satisfying than the Growing Up sub-bass. The kick drums are also deep having some impact, but for those who seek more this is not enough.

 

 

CHMCL SØUP – Darkside

The dirty and rough sub-bass is deep and gritty, almost kind of analytical gritty. While the kick drums are present and somewhat punchy, but lacking enough punch for those who seek more.

 

 

Thirty Seconds To Mars – The Kill

The bass guitar is more present and feel with it, though its not rumbly for those who wants to “feel” the bass. I would say you can kind of hear the different chords and notes done by the bass guitarist. While the kick drums are visible with the usual impact of a similar genre.

MIDRANGE
Midrange of the 142 is slightly recessed than the more neutral 242. But its not let’s say recessed as other IEMs with a more V-shaped tonality, its still as present and somewhat balanced from the general experience. Vocals are forward and has some lushness on the lower midrange, and male vocals doesn’t sound thin at all, and not shouty as well.

 

 

SB19 – Dam

The vocals of the song are clear and concise, while not having thin sounding with them. Has some of that lushness, and they are impactful with the overall experience.

Instruments are as visible as the vocals, with good tonality on them.

 

 

Raffaella Carrà - Pedro

Raffaella’s vocals are as clear and concise as the previous song, it has this wholeness and bold experience. As well as the instruments are well visible on the track.

TREBLES
The 142 delivers the details and sparkles that other similarly tuned IEMs, the sparkles and details are almost clear and concise. As well as its airy and atmospheric to give the songs with emotion. Though this is also its weakness if you prefer a more laid-back and safer tuned experience, as you may experience fatigue overtime with it.

 

 

Anri – Remember Summer Days

The whole song really feels “Remembering Summer Days” as the air and sparkles give this livelier experience. Every cymbal, ride, and hat hits are visible, as well as the overall atmosphere is more upbeat/heavenly with all the air.

 

 

Christopher Tin – Sogno di Volare

The overall atmosphere with the song has become more into the clouds experience, as how the song emotionally is. Vocal air is more prominent, gives that “you are in the orchestra” vibe.

DETAILS
Because of its micro planar drivers, detail retrieval (including micro-details) is clear and concise. Even in times of overwhelming parts of the music, the details are still mostly there. (Resolution is all fine and not messed up too much.) Though its more aligned towards a musical than analytical experience.

 

 

Faux Tales – Dawn

The individual details and micro-details in this song is somewhat correctly shows up, with enough resolution to mostly satisfy detail seekers.

 

 

Owl City feat. Carly Rae Jepsen – Good Time

In the end chorus, there are parts where other IEMs is having hard time to show the midrange details. Especially the harp-ish sounding lead that fades in and out, with the 142 I could kind of hear it even in the messier part of the chorus.

INSTRUMENT SEPARATION AND IMAGING
Overall instrument separation is wide, seems to be as wide as the 242. While also giving somewhat good imaging, where the instruments are correctly placed in the stereo field. Vocals are well within the center, unless needed to be on one side. (Based on the mixing.)

 

 

Faux Tales – Dawn

The details of the song are placed on the stereo field nicely, the left and right switching of the details are nicely done with the IEM.

SIBILANCE
For this IEM having higher trebles than who seek a safer tuned experience, the 142 delivers an almost sibilance free experience. (Unless forced to listen with sibilant tracks.)

 

 

Anri – Remember Summer Days

With the 242 and some other IEMs, I do hear the vocal sibilance. But with the 142, the sibilance is mostly gone.

GAMING EXPERIENCE
Gaming experience with the 142 is decent, its way better for single-player games that really requires more atmospheric and sub-bass impact. For those cutscenes and explosion experiences.

But for competitive play, the 142 is fine enough for it because of the reduced mid-bass not causing too much boomy sound, while the wide instrument separation gives that spatial experience nicely. Just that I think the 242 is better in this regard on the competitive play.

COMFORT
Overall comfort is very similar to the 242, its somewhat comfortable with specific eartips. Most likely because of the large nozzle size. But the shell is not too big (personally), but this might be too big for some who really can’t fit large IEMs. The included Dunu S&S tips may help for many to insert the large nozzles.

IEM COMPARISONS (if any)

 

 

Juzear x Tuned with Squiglink Harrier
They are very close tuning wise, other than the 142 having more sparkles and treble satisfaction for those who seek it. And same with the DN 242, overall accessories are way better than the Harrier.

In the end, if you prefer a more laid-back and safer tuned IEM, Harrier is the better option. But if you prefer the punch and vocal experience with the satisfying sparkles and detail retrieval, then the 142 is your bet. I personally lean on the 142 on this case.

 

Softears Volume S (Low Impedance mode)
Tonality and tuning wise, the Volume S Low Impedance is slightly better, especially those who seek good balanced of bass and vocals, with some sparkles, and personally better long-duration comfort. Just that same with the Harrier, 142 still is the king when it comes to detail retrieval and overall accessories, less microphonic cable, as well as no issue of distortion and garbled sound at higher volumes.

I personally lean on the Volume S Low Impedance in this one, just that tonality wise it’s much better for my ears.

RECOMMENDATION

• All-rounder, and balanced sound experience.
• A lot of included accessories.
• Nice looking box for display.
• For those seeking laid-back experience, better go for the Harrier.

 

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