Disclosure: I’d like to thank HiFiGo for providing me with the DUNU DN242 for this review. All thoughts and opinions are my own, and HiFiGo had no say or input on the contents of this review.

The DUNU DN242 brings an interesting approach to the IEM market with its tribrid driver configuration. Eight drivers per side might sound excessive at first, but DUNU has packed dual dynamic drivers, four balanced armature drivers, and two micro-planar drivers into each earpiece. When I first opened the specifications sheet, I found myself genuinely curious about how all these drivers would work together.

At $349, the DN242 sits in a competitive price range where technical execution matters as much as the driver count. An impedance of 35 ohms and a sensitivity rating of 110dB/mW suggest these should be easy to drive from most sources. What caught my attention during early listening was how the midrange presented itself – clear, clean, and evenly-toned. The treble also impressed me with its quick, audibly spry character.

If you’re someone who appreciates both technical capability and musical enjoyment, the DN242 offers an intriguing proposition. I’ll examine this tribrid driver setup in detail, evaluate how comfortable these actually are for extended wear, and analyze whether the sound quality justifies the multi-driver approach. Let’s see if DUNU has created something worth considering for your IEM collection.

• DUNU DN242
• 3 sets of eartips
• 4-core High-Purity Silver Plated OCC Copper cable with modular termination
• 3.5mm SE and 4.4mm Balanced modular connectors
• 3.5mm to 6.35mm adapter
• Cleaning tool
• Zipper travel case
• Documentation

DUNU includes their well-regarded S&S (Stage & Studio) eartips, which have built a solid reputation for both isolation and comfort. You get the full size range – Small, Medium, Large, and XL – so finding a proper seal shouldn’t be an issue for most people. The package also includes standard silicone tips and candy eartips, giving you plenty of options for tip-rolling if you want to fine-tune the sound signature or comfort.

The hard zipper case is very well made and actually quite roomy, ensuring you can not only keep the DN242 and its cable inside, but also accessories such as a dongle DAC.

The included cable is simply excellent. It’s hefty but not heavy, and feels extremely premium. It also has a modular connector so you can switch between the included 3.5mm SE and 4.4mm Balanced connections.

The DN242 feels substantial yet light when you first pick it up. At just 6 grams per shell, these manage to house all eight drivers without the heft you might expect from such a complex configuration. DUNU has clearly learned from previous models, where larger shells and nozzles created fit issues, as the DN242’s proportions work well for most ear shapes without sacrificing the space needed for proper driver implementation.

Comfort during extended listening proved quite good. The lightweight shells don’t cause pressure buildup, and the nozzle diameter, while slightly wider than some IEMs, didn’t present issues once I found the right tip size (small, in my case). These are IEMs you can wear for hours without thinking about them, which is exactly what you want when you’re focused on the music.

The build quality impresses with its attention to detail. The semi-transparent resin shells show off the intricate driver arrangement inside (though you really have to shine a light directly on them to see it), but it’s the faceplate that steals the show here. It consists of a red-toned pattern that embodies the fiery spirit of Nezha, with an elegant gold trim around the outer edge of the faceplate. It really does look stunning in person.

The DN242 uses a sophisticated eight-driver tribrid configuration in each earpiece. DUNU built the foundation with dual dynamic drivers – a 10mm unit handling sub-bass and an 8mm driver managing mid-bass frequencies. Four balanced armature drivers complete the midrange and high-frequency duties, including dual customized Knowles BAs for the midrange and two custom BAs for high-frequency response.

DUNU also added two customized micro-planar drivers to handle ultra-high frequencies. This isn’t just about cramming different driver types together. Each technology handles what it does best: dynamic drivers move the air needed for bass impact, balanced armatures provide precision in the mids and highs, and planar magnetic drivers for the final layer of sparkle and extension up top. It’s all in the name, really, 2-4-2.

The DN242’s eight-driver configuration creates something quite different from typical multi-driver implementations. After spending some time with these IEMs, I can say the sound signature leans heavily toward midrange excellence, with each driver type contributing to a cohesive presentation that prioritizes vocal clarity above all else.

With a 35Ω impedance and a sensitivity rating of 110dB/mW, the DN242 proved easy to drive from every source I tested. Even my SnowSky MELODY connected to my smartphone provided adequate volume, though I noticed better control and dynamics when using something like the iFi GO Link Max, or even a dedicated DAC/Amp like the FiiO K11. Most, if not all, modern DAPs will have enough power to drive the DN242 as well.

The DN242 really shines in specific scenarios. Studio monitoring applications can benefit from their accurate vocal reproduction, as I found it particularly useful for evaluating vocal recordings where detail and clarity matter most. Acoustic instruments sound remarkably natural, making them excellent for folk, classical, and jazz genres.

Classical music enthusiasts will appreciate how complex orchestral passages maintain proper instrument placement without becoming congested. The tribrid driver arrangement really shows its worth here, with each section of the orchestra clearly defined.

Bass

The dual dynamic driver setup handles low frequencies with restraint rather than aggression. The 10mm driver produces rumbling sub-bass, while the 8mm driver handles punchy mid-bass regions. What I found most notable was how tight and articulate the bass remained. It sounds more refined than forceful. The clean texture and nice reverberation, combined with a slightly slower decay, create a satisfying foundation, though bassheads might find it lacking the aggressive thump they crave.

The result is deep, clean bass that remains well-controlled throughout complex passages. This approach works particularly well for acoustic music and jazz, where bass lines need to support rather than dominate the mix.

Midrange

This is where the DN242 truly excels. The four balanced armature drivers create a midrange that’s forward but not excessively so, with excellent presence and clarity. Both male and female vocals come through with remarkable detail, positioned as centered, delicate vocals alongside layered instruments.

During my listening, I found myself reaching for the DN242 specifically when listening to vocal-heavy tracks. Artists like Nine Inch Nails and Dire Straits sounded particularly engaging, with texture and nuance that are typically harder for lower-priced IEMs to reproduce.

Treble

The dual micro-planar drivers handling the ultra-high frequencies deliver sparkling ultra-highs that extend impressively without becoming harsh. The treble appears very quick and audibly spry, offering excellent air and energy. These planar drivers introduce a spacious, open character with impressive extension, giving recordings a sense of realism that’s often missing in lesser IEMs.

Cymbal hits sound distinct and natural, with good extension into the upper treble. There’s an airiness to the sound that opens up the presentation nicely. Some might find the treble lacking as it’s not as sparkly as other IEMs, but it brings enough detail without sounding sibilant or harsh.

Soundstage and Imaging

The soundstage presentation tends toward the intimate side, and I imagine some might describe it as “a bit on the flat side”. While it doesn’t create the expansive soundstage of open-back headphones, for example, instrument placement remains precise, allowing each element to breathe within the mix. The imaging capabilities showcase the benefits of the 5-way crossover system, ensuring instruments maintain their spatial positions accurately.

The technical performance means these work well for critical listening, but will be less accurate when listening to live recordings set in stadiums or concert halls. Intimate live performances, on the other hand, are beautifully rendered.

The DUNU DN242 spent a good amount of time in my daily rotation, and I have to say the tribrid approach here works better than I initially expected. Eight drivers per side sounds like overkill on paper, but the execution actually makes sense once you hear how they work together. What impressed me most was the midrange presentation—clean, clear, and genuinely engaging for vocal performances.

Comfort turned out to be excellent despite the big shells and larger nozzle size. The lightweight 3D-printed shells never caused fatigue during long listening sessions, and DUNU’s included tip selection meant finding a good seal was straightforward.

The DN242 offers a sound signature that clearly prioritizes vocal clarity over bass impact. If you’re someone who needs thunderous low-end for your music, these probably aren’t for you. But for acoustic music, classical recordings, or vocal-heavy tracks, the DN242 delivers the kind of detail and clarity that makes you notice things in familiar songs you hadn’t heard before.

The five-way crossover system does its job well, though I found the soundstage more intimate than expansive. Instrument separation and imaging remain impressive, though, especially considering how many drivers are working together without causing phase issues or frequency masking.

At $349, I think the DN242 represents great value, if its sound signature is what you are looking for. They’re not perfect for every genre or listener, but they excel at what DUNU designed them to do—deliver detailed, midrange-focused sound. Studio monitoring, acoustic performances, and vocal-centric genres are where these really shine.

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