Dunu Vulkan 2 VS Hercules Audio Noah

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The Dunu Vulkan 2 boasts exceptional build quality and comfort. Its shell design is praised as extremely nice at any price, fitting securely with a flat two-pin connector, metal nozzle, and helpful anti-tragus catch. The comprehensive accessory package is a major plus, including a pocketable case, 6.3mm and 3.5mm connectors, a cleaning brush, IEM booties, two sets of tips, and a particularly supple cable featuring a screw-lock termination for easy swapping. Everything about the physical presentation feels solid and well-executed.

Sonically, the Vulkan 2 represents an improvement over the original, offering a presentation focused on detail retrieval and a well-done upper mid-range and treble. The overall signature is slightly bright and energetic, leaning towards a treble-focused tonality while still providing sufficient bass to feel rich and supported, though it lacks a thunderous low-end impact. This results in a slightly lean sound that some might find a touch brittle, but the tactful tuning delivers great detail, nice mids, and a presence region comparable to sets like the Moondrop Meteor. Comparisons reveal it has less bass than the DUNU Brain Dance (especially with an impedance adapter) or the Kiwi Ears Astral, but its mid-range and treble presentation are standout strengths.

Despite the slightly lean bass response, the Vulkan 2 emerges as a strong package at its price point. The combination of its superb build, comfort, excellent accessory set, and a detailed, engaging sound signature focused on mids and treble makes it highly compelling. It's recommended for listeners seeking a studio-monitor style presentation rather than a bass-heavy experience. While not a perfect one-and-done for everyone, and a bass adjustment feature like a rumble switch or impedance adapter would be welcome, it stands as a near-endgame option offering great value and quality within the $300-$400 range.

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Hercules Audio Noah arrives with a premium package: a metallic, cozy shell with a secure anti-tragus catch, a gold nozzle, and a genuinely excellent 4.4 mm cable (red/black channel markers, smooth chin slider, solid Y-split). Accessories are thoughtful—tips, cleaning brush, a USB-C DAC, and a plush case—making the whole experience feel dialed-in and durable. Fit is easy, build is handsome, and the cable quality stands out as one of the better stock options at this price.

Sonically, Noah brings a vocal-forward presentation with a clean, punchy, and hard-hitting bass shelf; it’s engaging, rich, and fun. There’s a notable 1 kHz rise and energetic upper-mids that push presence, while treble stays polite—good clarity, but not the last word in sparkle/air or micro-detail. Think “audiophile-style tuning” rather than meta-neutral: more drive and dynamism than shimmer. Compared with peers, it carries some Elysian-style DNA (cleaner and more exciting than Pilgrim/Noir, less dazzling up top than Apostle/Annihilator), and versus the hyped YU9 it swaps treble dazzle for meatier bass impact, making the two strong complements.

Value depends on region: list sits around $400, but tariffs and shipping can push it above $500 in the U.S., which tempers the bang-for-buck. As a result, it’s an easy recommendation for those seeking a mid/bass-forward, vocal-centric signature—demo at a show if possible, or consider the used market for a sharper deal. Bass is a 10/10 with satisfying slam, the overall presentation is lively and majestic, and while treble finesse is merely good, the tuning’s energy and musical drive make Noah a memorable, hype-worthy listen for the right ears.

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Opening the serious business packaging reveals the Dunu Vulkan 2 IEMs and a mountain of accessories, including the praised SS tips and the excellent gunmetal gray cable with its satisfying connection mechanism. The build quality screams premium, easily suggesting a price tag of $300-$400 minimum just on looks and feel. The shock comes when discovering these eight-driver hybrids (two dynamics, six BAs) actually cost only $359.99, a fraction of the expected $800-$900 based purely on the sonic experience.

Listening reveals something truly special. The Vulkan 2 delivers an unrestricted sound with a huge soundstage where instruments have ample space and separation, like moving from a cramped elevator to a vast freight elevator. Bass is unapologetically real, not boosted or artificial, while detail retrieval is exceptional across the board. Critically, they achieve this with remarkable sensitivity, sounding fantastic even at whisper-quiet volumes, unlike many complex multi-driver IEMs. They create an incredibly immersive and effortless listening experience, transporting you into the music itself. This performance immediately puts them in direct competition with the previously crowned best-of-year, the Kiwi Ears Astral, despite costing nearly $100 more.

These are declared god tier IEMs. They sound phenomenal regardless of source gear, performing brilliantly on both high-end stacks and budget $200 DAC/amp combos. The Vulkan 2 is deemed absolutely worth $700-$800 in sound quality alone, making its sub-$400 price an incredible value proposition. They are so good they instantly become the pair pulled out to show people what a good IEM sounds like. For anyone saving their pennies for a top-tier in-ear experience, the Dunu Vulkan 2 is presented as an essential, nutty purchase.

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Vulkan 2 is an 8-driver hybrid (2DD+6BA) tuned for a mids-forward presentation, echoing the EJ07 approach but with DUNU's brighter, more present upper range. A modest 5 dB bass shelf and a mid-bass dip keep the low end clean and quick while pushing attention to the heart of the mix. Vocals come through emotive, textured and open; female voices gain extra energy from the upper-mids, while male vocals can pick up a touch of BA edge. This is not aimed at V-shaped preferences—engagement is built around the mids rather than big bass or treble fireworks.

Bass focuses on quality and control—tight hits, fast decay, no lingering bloom—building clear layers into the midrange. The treble is polished and natural with a gentle upper-treble roll-off: no fake air, no grain, and enough presence to surface detail without harshness. Resolution presents as resolving in a natural way and is source-revealing; added warmth or EQ tends to detract from the coherence of the stock tuning.

Stage is neat and three-dimensional with clean separation, good depth and stable imaging, though a bit more intimate than EJ07. Overall it reads as a refined, slightly brighter spin on that recipe: standout mids, disciplined and speedy bass, and a tasteful top end that favors realism over spectacle—engaging for mid-centric listeners, but genre-dependent if heavy mid-bass is required.

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Initial skepticism about the Dunu Vulkan 2's significant scoop in the 150-200Hz range quickly faded upon listening. This scoop typically kills rhythmic intensity, slam, and weight, making genres like hip-hop or EDM sound anemic. However, the Vulkan 2 makes it work through a tamer upper midrange compared to Harman targets and a filled-in lower midrange past 200Hz. This creates a smaller contrast (around 7dB difference between peak and mid-bass) than expected, preventing the sound from becoming overly thin or shouty. The result is a surprisingly balanced, neutral, and vocal-centric tonality that excels with artists like SZA, Frank Ocean, or Lana Del Rey on genres such as indie rock, ballads, and acoustic tracks.

This tuning comes with clear trade-offs. The lack of sub-bass is the most significant limitation, making the Vulkan 2 unsuitable for hip-hop, EDM, rap, or movies where rumble and slam are essential. Boosting the sub-bass wasn't feasible without creating an even bigger scoop or ruining the intended neutral, clean vocal focus. Technically, it offers good layering, separation, and a slight bite in transients, with detail and resolution comparable to sets like the Dusk, though not class-leading for its price. It scales well with volume on its preferred genres (around 75-80dB), sounding clearer and more engaging, but falls flat at lower volumes or on energetic pop/EDM where the missing low end hurts balance.

Compared to other neutral/vocal sets like the P50 or Studio 4, the Vulkan 2 is less all-rounded due to its bass deficiency, though it offers slightly better scaling and vocal focus. Bass-centric IEMs like the Odyssey are far superior for low-end engagement. While the vocal presentation is clean and enjoyable within its niche, the $360 retail price is hard to justify. Alternatives like the Volume S (for male vocals) or the Arcanis (for a more immersive, special vocal experience) are better all-rounders that also excel with vocals. The Vulkan 2 becomes a more interesting proposition only if found significantly discounted around $200 as a specialty set for vocal-forward, less bass-dependent genres.

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Dunu takes a swing with Vulkan 2’s “Delicate” concept: a hybrid with two DD + six BA tuned for a neutral, midrange-forward presentation. Accessories are generous (modular cable with 3.5/4.4, piles of tips, huge case, famously plush microfiber) and the medium shell fits comfortably, if a bit generic in styling. The snag is the tuning—there’s a pronounced upper-bass/lower-mid dip that strips warmth and weight, making much of the music feel thin; treble is relatively even and not harsh, but the overall result comes off light, bright-by-absence-of-bass, and oddly lifeless.

Stacked against peers, Vulkan 2 feels outgunned. The original Vulkan sounds fuller in the mids even if its treble is drier; Blessing 3 can be lean but isn’t as extreme and actually presents brighter with more treble energy; Softears Volume S brings the tactility and engagement this one lacks while staying broadly neutral. For listeners explicitly seeking very low bass and a forward mid focus, this is a curiosity; for most, the tuning pushes past “lean” into unsatisfying. Verdict: a bold anti-meta idea that misses the mark, roughly a two-star experience in this bracket.

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Hercules Audio’s Noah targets the mid-tier with a 1DD+3BA setup around $400, and the physical package impresses: a premium, crush-resistant case, Divinus Velvet ear tips, a Type-C dongle, and an all-metal black-and-gold shell that looks luxe and fits comfortably for long sessions. The four-core black cable feels solid with quality connectors and a working chin slider, even if it isn’t the softest. Sonically, the Noah aims for a fun, engaging listen via a relaxed treble, but bass hype meets reality—there’s strong sub-bass extension while mid-bass weight and texture come up short, so punch and grit aren’t at “basshead” levels.

The midrange is the star: forward enough to keep vocals clear without sounding shouty, though a slightly lean lower-mid can thin out male voices. Treble stays smooth yet extended, ideal for treble-sensitive listeners (treble-heads may want more bite). Technicalities hold their own for the price—good layering, imaging, and micro-detail, with a soundstage that’s a touch above average. Versus the YU9/CH it’s smoother and more fun (that set is brighter and more clinical), while Dusk Analog (DSP) runs warmer with bass some may prefer but even more laid-back mids/treble; for a true bass fix, Kiwi Ears Punch remains a go-to. Overall, Noah is enjoyable with standout build and accessories, best for those who like sub-bass focus + relaxed treble; tuning quirks keep it from a higher nod, settling on a two-star recommendation for value.