Dunu Vulkan VS Softears Studio 4
IEM Comparison: Expert & Community Scores Side-by-Side
Dunu Vulkan and Softears Studio 4 use 2DD+4BA and 4BA driver setups respectively. Dunu Vulkan costs $380 while Softears Studio 4 costs $450. Softears Studio 4 is $70 more expensive. Softears Studio 4 holds a decisive 1-point edge in reviewer scores (6.5 vs 7.5). Softears Studio 4 has better bass with a 0.5-point edge, Softears Studio 4 has significantly better mids with a 1.1-point edge, Softears Studio 4 has significantly better treble with a 1.5-point edge, Dunu Vulkan has better dynamics with a 0.5-point edge, Softears Studio 4 has significantly better soundstage with a 1-point edge and Dunu Vulkan has significantly better imaging with a 1.5-point edge.
Insights
| Metric | Dunu Vulkan | Softears Studio 4 |
|---|---|---|
| Bass | 6 | 6.5 |
| Mids | 6.3 | 7.3 |
| Treble | 5.5 | 7 |
| Details | 5 | 5 |
| Soundstage | 7 | 8 |
| Imaging | 6.5 | 5 |
| Dynamics | 5.5 | 5 |
| Tonality | 6.6 | 7.5 |
| Technicalities | 6.1 | 7.1 |
Dunu Vulkan Aggregated Review Score
Average Reviewer Scores
Average Reviewer Score:
6.5Cautiously Favorable
Softears Studio 4 Aggregated Review Score
Average Reviewer Scores
Average Reviewer Score:
7.5Generally Favorable
Reviews Comparison
Dunu Vulkan reviewed by Jays Audio
6.5
Reviewer Score
Jays Audio Youtube Channel
Softears Studio 4 reviewed by Jays Audio
7.5
Reviewer Score
Jays Audio Youtube Channel
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Dunu Vulkan reviewed by Jaytiss
6.3
Reviewer Score
Jaytiss Youtube Channel
Softears Studio 4 reviewed by Jaytiss
8
Reviewer Score
Youtube Video Summary
Starry Edition brings a fresh faceplate to the Softears Studio 4 without changing the tuning. The translucent, slightly large shell seals firmly and delivers strong isolation; the only nit is a modest nozzle lip that still holds tips fine. Packaging leans “studio”: compact Pelican-style case, extension cable, tips, 6.3 mm adapter, and a soft black cable that feels nice but lacks a chin slider and terminates in 3.5 mm.
Sonically, this 4BA set is about clarity, air, and top-end extension—described as among the best heard under $800. Vocals come through vivid, mids are clean, and bass has a mild shelf: tasteful impact without bloat, though it’s not a slam machine. Expect excellent imaging, space, and detail; a touch of EQ can add weight if desired. It can be a bit source-picky: low output impedance sources suit it best, while a 10 Ω adapter pushes more treble and trims bass in a less pleasing way.
Against peers, Studio 4 is praised over Softears Twilight for air/extension (while acknowledging Twilight’s smooth DD charm) and over Volume for overall technicalities despite the small price gap. Versus RSV, Studio 4 avoids the RSV’s slight bass “muffle” and undercuts it on price; compared with Monarch MKII, it delivers a similar tonal aim without the occasional grain. Sets like Kiwi Ears 4, Truthear Hexa, and Binary Acoustics D Quattro trade blows on bass quantity versus air, but Studio 4’s upper-air detail and coherence make it a standout. At an often-seen street of ~$368, it’s framed as a benchmark sub-$500 pick and earns a full recommendation for listeners chasing articulate treble, lifelike vocals, and refined balance.
Jaytiss Youtube Channel
Dunu Vulkan reviewed by Super* Review
6*
* score rescaled + normalized
Softears Studio 4 reviewed by Super* Review
8*
* score rescaled + normalized
Youtube Video Summary
Softears Studio 4 arrives as a 4×BA set at $450 with a surprisingly practical kit: a Pelican-style water-resistant case, cleaning brush, MoonDrop-style tips, and—occasionally—a 3.5 mm extension with a 6.3 mm adapter (availability seems inconsistent). The build is sleek piano-black with a light, no-nonsense cable that behaves well but omits a chin cinch. Medium, semi-custom shells fit flush and isolate strongly thanks to an unvented design; the smooth nozzle lacks a lip, so tip choice matters, and seal can break if pressed from certain angles.
Tuning targets a neutral presentation with a sub-bass lift and slightly lean lower mids—clean, lively, and a touch bright without straying into fatigue. Standout traits are the wide stereo image and pinpoint imaging that make mixes feel like they’re dancing around the head. Treble is smooth and extended (think S8-like refinement), while BA bass proves surprisingly sturdy. Drawbacks are modest: a bit of BA timbre, less micro-texture than class leaders, and lighter note weight. Against peers, Dunu SA6 offers warmer neutral tonality with superior texture; Kiwi Ears Orchestra Lite plays thicker and more relaxed but less separated; Symphonium Meteor swings warm and bassy with a larger headstage and snappy treble. Verdict: a 4/5 for those who crave energetic neutrality, top-tier separation, and a studio-clean vibe that still feels fun.
Super* Review original ranking
Super* Review Youtube ChannelDunu Vulkan reviewed by Precogvision
6
Reviewer Score
Precogvision Youtube Channel
Softears Studio 4 reviewed by Precogvision
5
Reviewer Score
Precogvision Youtube Channel
Dunu Vulkan reviewed by Head-Fi.org
7.6
* score rescaled + normalized
Softears Studio 4 reviewed by Head-Fi.org
7.9
* score rescaled + normalized
Dunu Vulkan (more reviews)
Dunu Vulkan reviewed by Bad Guy Good Audio
7.1
Reviewer Score
Bad Guy Good Audio original ranking
Bad Guy Good Audio Youtube ChannelDunu Vulkan reviewed by Crin
7
Reviewer Score
Dunu Vulkan reviewed by
Fresh Reviews
6*
* The score of this reviewer influences only the Gaming
Score
Dunu Vulkan reviewed by Nymz
5.6
Reviewer Score
Softears Studio 4 (more reviews)
Softears Studio 4 reviewed by Tim Tuned
8
Reviewer Score
Tim Tuned Youtube Channel
Softears Studio 4 reviewed by Gizaudio Axel
8
Reviewer Score
Gizaudio Axel original ranking
Gizaudio Axel Youtube ChannelDunu Vulkan Details
Driver Configuration: 2DD+4BA
Tuning Type: Neutral, Warm
Brand: DUNU Top DUNU IEMs
Price (Msrp): $380
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Softears Studio 4 Details
Driver Configuration: 4BA
Tuning Type: Neutral
Brand: Softears Top Softears IEMs
Price (Msrp): $450
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Dunu Vulkan User Review Score
Average User Scores
Average User Score: n/a
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Softears Studio 4 User Review Score
Average User Scores
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Dunu Vulkan Gaming Score
Gaming Score & Grade
- The gaming score is prioritizing technical capabilities of the IEM (Separation, Layering, Soundstage) and good value.
Gaming Score
6.2Gaming Grade
BSoftears Studio 4 Gaming Score
Gaming Score & Grade
- The gaming score is prioritizing technical capabilities of the IEM (Separation, Layering, Soundstage) and good value.
Gaming Score
7Gaming Grade
A-Dunu Vulkan Scorings
Average Technical & Tuning Grades
Average Tunign Grade
B+- The tuning leans easygoing, yet occasional unevenness nudges it away from greatness. A bit of EQ polish can smooth things nicely.
Average Technical Grade
B- It offers a competent showing, maintaining cohesion on straightforward arrangements. Complex passages start to challenge it, but never derail the show.
Softears Studio 4 Scorings
Average Technical & Tuning Grades
Average Tunign Grade
A- Tuning feels well executed, keeping a natural flow across the spectrum. Switching genres feels seamless.
Average Technical Grade
A-- The presentation feels orderly, balancing workable detail retrieval with acceptable imaging cues. It keeps momentum without smearing transients.
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