Dunu Vulkan 2 VS Tanchjim Fission

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.

Z-Reviews original ranking

The Tanchjim Fission is an absolutely spectacular IEM that feels and performs far beyond its $129 price tag. It comes loaded with a ridiculous amount of customization, featuring three interchangeable nozzles (stainless steel, titanium, and brass) and a four-way tuning switch, creating a potential 12 different sound combinations. The entire package feels flagship-tier, boasting an excellent interchangeable cable system with 3.5mm, 4.4mm, and USB-C terminations, a waterproof bag, and even a keychain tool for adjustments.

After extensive testing, the definitive "cheat code" for the best sound is using the brass nozzles with the tuning switch set to Pop mode, which seemingly bypasses internal circuitry for a pure, direct sound. This configuration delivers exceptional clarity and a surprisingly wide soundstage, though they are not bass monsters. The fit is excellent, passing the "pinky test," and the build quality on everything from the IEMs themselves to the accessories is exceptional.

While not every combination of nozzles and switches is a winner, the sheer number of options ensures you can find a sound you love. For the price, the value is unmatched, feeling like a product that should cost $279. It comes as a full recommendation, offering a premium, highly tunable experience that is arguably one of the best deals in the IEM market, cementing Tanchjim's reputation for making no bad gear.

Z-Reviews original ranking

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.

Jaytiss original ranking

The Tanchjim Fission presents fantastic value right out of the box, largely thanks to its inclusion of a high-quality USB-C DAC cable with 3.5mm and 4.4mm terminations. The all-metal build feels premium, and the included cable is extremely silky and pleasant to use. A standout feature is the set of interchangeable nozzles that allow for sound tuning; the gold nozzle is the clear winner, providing the best balance, while others can make the bass less impactful. However, the fit can be a challenge for some as the shell lacks a pronounced lip, and the nozzles can be tricky to remove and replace.

Sonically, the Fission is extremely close to the more expensive and beloved Tanchjim Origin, offering a smooth, energetic sound with a tonality that is highly enjoyable. It provides a touch of warmth, pristine detail, and good air, making it a set that is easy to recommend and daily drive. When compared to other sets in its price range, it holds its own against competitors like the Dunu Kima (which has better fit and accessories) and the Kiwi Ears Quintet (which offers more bass), though the choice ultimately comes down to personal preference for tonality and the value placed on its tunable nature.

While it doesn't break the so-called "curse of the $150 IEM," the Fission is a strong contender and gets a full recommendation. Its few cons include a fit that may not work for all ears and a bass quantity that some may wish was greater. For those who value its specific sonic qualities, the excellent build, and the incredible package value with the included DAC cable, the Tanchjim Fission is a fantastic and competitive option that is very easy to enjoy.

Jaytiss original ranking

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.

Jays Audio original ranking

The Tanchjim Fission presents a neutral, balanced, and clean sound signature that is also described as smooth and full. It offers a very natural and laid-back listening experience, making it a strong option for those seeking a safe, non-fatiguing tuning. The technical performance is solid for its price, with good detail retrieval and instrument separation, though it isn't the most dynamic or sparkly set available.

Tip selection is crucial, with recommendations for the Tri Clear or Final E tips to open up the sound, while the Spinfit CP155 can add a touch more bass. The included tuning switches are largely seen as a gimmick; only the middle silver setting is recommended, as the others introduce a significant sub-bass roll-off. The Fission excels with genres like rock, indie, acoustics, and classical at moderate volumes, but its lack of sub-bass rumble and extension makes it a weak choice for hip-hop, EDM, or rap.

Its greatest strength is its value proposition, as it is essentially a cheaper version of the Tanchjim Origin, sharing the same driver and sound profile for a lower cost. This makes competitors like the Moondrop Kato seem less relevant. However, when compared to other all-rounders like the Juzear 4U or Simgot EW300, the Fission faces stiff competition. The EW300, in particular, offers more bass, tuning variety, and similar technicalities for half the price, making the Fission a tougher sell unless its specific brand of smooth, neutral tonality is exactly what you're after.

Jays Audio original ranking