Dunu Vulkan 2 VS Ziigaat Horizon

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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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Ziigaat’s Horizon goes for a flashy tribrid recipe—1×10 mm bio-dynamic for slam, 2×BA for mids, and dual planar treble up top—wrapped in pretty shells and “horizon” art. Street price hovers around $329, though bundle quirks can drop it to roughly $283. The cable is the familiar modular “big boy” plug system (3.5 mm/4.4 mm), chunky but perfectly usable, and the case/tips kit is typical Ziigaat: practical with a dash of theatrics.

Sonically, this one is bold and a bit unnatural—in a good way. Think W-shaped: bass, mids, and treble all step forward, almost competing for attention. The low end hits with big, big bass energy when the track calls for it yet doesn’t trample everything on softer material. Stage is not very wide—more focused and up-front—but there’s satisfying detail/decay and an aggressive, engaging center image. Expect excitement and texture over air and spread, and expect some fatigue after long sessions.

Call it an interesting outlier rather than a safe neutral. Price/performance feels fine (the sweet spot would be closer to $250), and it fits Ziigaat’s “many flavors, similar price” playbook. For listeners stacked with natural-tuned sets and craving a different, punchy, attention-grabbing presentation, Horizon delivers; for chill, long-haul listening, there are calmer choices.

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Dunu Vulkan 2 is a hybrid in ear with one dynamic driver and six balanced armature drivers at around 359 USD, presented in a solid aluminium shell with semi open venting, a soft gold faceplate and a high quality modular cable. Accessories include the interchangeable plug cable, twelve pairs of ear tips in different materials and a sturdy carrying case, giving the listener many options to fine tune fit and isolation. As a package it feels like a mid grade flagship that immediately sets expectations for strong technical performance and a focus on soundstage and treble detail rather than sheer bass quantity.

The bass is moderate in quantity with average extension, kept tight and controlled with a gentle shelf of around five decibels that supports the music without ever sounding bloated or overly flavored. Midrange vocals are filled with fine grain texture and a light, transparent tone, staying clear and articulate while avoiding obvious sibilance or throatiness even as the tuning rises from lower to upper mids. Instruments in this region sound crystal clear and lively with good elasticity and a wide lateral stage that feels almost headphone like, giving the presentation a relaxed but resolving character that suits acoustic, classical and band focused material.

Treble on Vulkan 2 is distinctly bright and airy with a careful dip around seven kilohertz to control sibilance, then a boosted upper treble that adds resolution, spatial cues and a cool tone without turning thin or dry for most tracks. This gives a spacious and expansive sense of space where imaging feels precise and everything sits in the right place, with a wide horizontal stage that contrasts the more vertical sense of height on sets like Hype 4 while offering more clarity than Canon Pro. Overall tuning makes Vulkan 2 an easy going daily driver for listeners who appreciate staging, sparkle and high frequency detail, working especially well for country, classical, R and B, solo vocals and general mixed genre playlists where comfort and long term listening without fatigue are important.

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ZiiGaat Horizon is a tribrid with one dynamic driver, two balanced armatures and two planars that combines a beautiful hand painted faceplate with a very balanced sonic presentation. Bass focuses on sub bass with an 8 to 9 dB shelf that feels tight, impactful and well controlled, giving a wide and comfortable stage without becoming overly warm. The shell in medical resin, the detachable silver plated cable with both 3.5 and 4.4 plugs and the firm orange carrying case round out a package that feels thoughtfully put together at its 329 USD price.

On the low end the sub bass reaches under the ears and around the neck with good depth, fast decay and clean retrieval, so kicks hit with satisfying punch while never smearing into the mids. Lower mids stay relatively flat to provide a balanced foundation, and vocals come across three dimensional, intimate and well focused with a strong sense of vertical soundstage and clear separation from instruments. Male voices sound full and weighty, female vocals are bright and natural, and midrange instruments are layered, tight and elastic with controlled decay that keeps the presentation lively without excess reverb.

Treble is airy and open with careful dips around 5 to 8 kHz to reduce sibilance, then a well judged peak in the upper treble that extends past 20 kHz, adding space and air without turning cymbals or high hats piercing. Across the band the separation between bass, mids and treble is excellent, imaging feels precise and stable and detail comes through in a granular yet natural way that compares favorably even to more expensive tribrids like the Dunu DK3001. For listeners who enjoy balanced, vocal centric music with clean, extended treble and long term comfort, Horizon offers a refined, beautiful and emotionally evocative listen that really does feel like a fresh dawn for the ears.

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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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The ZiiGaat Horizon arrives as the brand’s first tribrid at around $330, pairing one dynamic driver with two BA and two planar drivers. Build is solid: a vented, flat 2-pin socket, metal nozzle, and a distinctive blue-white faceplate that looks like mountains under stars. The cable feels premium with red/blue channel dots and a working chin slider, plus an easy swappable plug (3.5 mm); the included zip case is pleasantly sturdy. Nothing flashy in shell shape, but the fit is secure and the accessories feel thoughtfully sorted.

Sonically, Horizon takes a clean, sub-bass-focused route with bass that reads linear and occasionally a touch pillowy, followed by full, rich upper mids and a treble presentation that steals the show. There’s generous upper air and extension with a tactful lower-treble rise, kept in check by a helpful 5–6 kHz dip to avoid fatigue; a splash of ~15 kHz energy adds sparkle that treble fans will relish. The result sidesteps the “EQ’d-to-death” flatness—this tuning carries just enough color to stay engaging while remaining clean and controlled.

Against peers, Horizon’s top end feels more refined than ZiiGaat’s Luna, while Crescent plays thicker and more V-shaped with extra 10 kHz “twinkle.” Versus sets like the SL224, Horizon’s treble is smoother and less sibilant; compared with Punch Audio Martillo, think of Horizon as the treble-head counterpart to a bass specialist. It also mirrors some strengths of AFUL Performer 7 but with cleaner bass and a more polished top end, and it offers more microdetail than the hard-to-find YU9 Chuer. Taken together, this is a special package: a well-built, distinctive tribrid with 10/10 treble energy and air, competitive technicals, and a tuning that treble lovers will find hard to put down.

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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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ZiiGaat Horizon is a $329 tribrid (1DD+2BA+2MPL) that prioritizes treble extension, clarity, and very sharp imaging. Compared with EPZ P50 and Daybreak, ear-gain is set lower, which yields less shout and more natural vocals while keeping an even transition from lower to upper treble. The result is a clean, transparent presentation that reads more refined than typical $300 hybrids and feels end-to-end coherent.

The trade-offs sit mostly in the low end and upper-treble edges: the stock mid-bass dip reduces body and impact, and sibilants can pop, especially around 8 kHz. Bass quality itself is quick and tidy with good depth rather than rumble, matching BA/MPL speed but leaning lean for bass-heavy genres. A light EQ lift of lower mids/mid-bass (about 2–3 dB) and a small 8 kHz trim (around 0.5–1 dB) makes it a more versatile daily driver while preserving its separation and sense of stage depth.

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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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Ziigaat’s Horizon follows the current meta-inspired recipe—think Astral, Metas, Crescent—but pushes the focus upward: the treble is the most prominent piece here. It’s bright-leaning without turning harsh, giving a crisp, “OCD-like” sense of transient bite and pinpoint imaging. Low end and vocals sit a touch behind the highs, so the presentation feels clean and lively rather than thick; at mid-volume, the top end drizzles detail over the mix like raindrops—engaging and textured, not shouty.

On the technical side, Horizon pulls strong detail retrieval and resolution for the price—above sets like Supermix 4 and near EM10/Volare —yet it doesn’t scale massively because of that treble lift. The bass is snappy and controlled, with good separation, but lacks the slam and rumble seekers of impact will want. Pairing and playlist matter: avoid hot, highly produced pop/K-pop/J-pop or most hip-hop where the combo of elevated highs and lighter bass can feel edgy; it shines with slower pop, R&B, indie acoustics, ballads, and classical where the sparkle reads as “high-fidelity.” Warmer sources help a bit, and tip-rolling (stock black/clear, or bass-adding options like Final E/divinus) can balance things—just skip anything that pushes treble further.

Against close competitors, Astral hit harder down low and feel more V-shaped and contrasty; Crescent is warmer and smoother but not as clear or micro-detailed. Horizon is the cleanest and brightest of the trio, with the most refined treble focus and “tickly” transients. Verdict: a value-minded all-rounder for detail lovers who prefer clarity and air over bass authority—technical, tidy, and energetic at sensible volumes, provided the library isn’t a treble minefield.

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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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The Horizon aims for a neutral-natural tonality with a slightly lean lower midrange, delivering standout vocal transparency and crisp separation. Bass is mostly sub-bass focused—felt and supportive rather than boomy—giving notes a pleasing sense of density without smearing the mids. The trade-off is an elevated upper-treble that adds air and detail but can tilt gritty/sandy if the fit or tips aren’t dialed in.

Build and accessories are a mixed bag: a surprisingly nice carrying case and swappable termination, but a fussy cable and a resin shell that fits deep and may need shorter, grippier tips to shine. Once seated well, the Horizon’s imaging and instrument separation pop, making complex mixes feel organized and engaging.

Versus pricier hype pieces with similar FR, the Horizon feels like a “short king” take: not as refined up top as the best of them, yet more weighty and satisfying than some leaner peers. Compared to something like Volume S at a similar price, this set is clearer and more incisive (better separation), while Volume S is fuller and smoother with punchier bass presence. At $330, it’s the most compelling entry in its family so far—addictive for transparency and staging, with the caveat of treble sensitivity and fit quirks.

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At 359 USD, the Dunu Vulkan 2 comes very well appointed, with a modular cable, interchangeable 3.5 and 4.4 terminations, plenty of tips and a sturdy case, creating a package that feels very complete for the asking price. The champagne gold shells and matching cable give it a refined aesthetic, and build quality, comfort and the Q lock mini system all reinforce the sense of a well engineered product. Fit with the included SNS tips is very secure and comfortable, so daily use feels effortless.

The tuning follows a more neutral leaning approach with clearly reduced lower mids and a relaxed midbass that can push the presentation toward the lean side, yet still keeps things generally natural for most genres. Bass quality is strong in terms of bass speed, texture and control, but quantity is moderate, so rap and EDM listeners may find impact and slam somewhat lacking, while acoustic, jazz, classical and vocal material benefit from the cleaner low end. Despite the dipped lower mids, the rest of the midrange remains convincing, with very natural vocals, good note weight and impressive clarity and resolution that let instruments and voices cut through the mix.

Treble is handled with care, offering a natural and coherent top end that leans slightly bright without becoming harsh, with good extension, air and control over sibilance. Technical performance is above average for this price bracket, with very good detail retrieval, a pretty wide soundstage for an in ear, solid layering and separation, and focused imaging for both instruments and vocals. While some competitors like Da Vinci, Performer 8, Pilgrim and Studio 4 bring a more balanced low end and stronger macrodynamics, Vulkan 2 remains a very capable option for listeners who value natural mids, refined treble and strong technicalities over sheer bass weight.

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The ZiiGaat Horizon comes with a solid accessory package for its price, including a spacious hard case, a modular 3.5 and 4.4 cable that is soft and easy to manage, and a good selection of silicone and foam tips that seal well and feel comfortable. The resin shell with metal lip nozzle feels stable in the ear, with venting that avoids pressure build up or driver flex and an average size that sits securely even when walking around. The colorful faceplate with sparkles, flat two pin connector and overall ergonomics make the Horizon look and feel like a well built, everyday friendly in ear.

Sonically the tuning leans sub bass focused at a neutral level, delivering tight, clean, textured bass with natural decay and a strong sense of physicality that stays neatly separated from the mids so vocals and instruments remain clear. The midrange is mostly neutral and very clear sounding, with vocals sitting nicely forward without becoming shouty and a balanced note weight that gives male voices depth and female voices an open, airy quality. Separation and timbre in the mids are excellent, making instruments sound realistic and well layered while clear forward vocals remain free of harshness.

The lower treble on the Horizon is smooth, controlled and detailed without obvious peaks, while the boosted upper treble brings a crisp, airy, sparkly character with plenty of shimmer and micro detail on cymbals, hi hats and upper harmonics, though listeners sensitive to upper treble may find it a touch bright. Overall treble avoids sounding splashy or metallic and works with the open bass and midrange to give the set a spacious, airy feel. In terms of technical performance the Horizon is one of the more resolving options at this price, offering excellent detail retrieval, separation and imaging, and in comparisons it tends to trade the heavier bass and warmth of rivals like Crescent, Astral, Kir SPET, Volume S, Sivo 24 or Zens T Pro for cleaner mids, more upper treble air and clearer vocals, making it ideal for listeners who value clarity and vocal focus over sheer low end quantity.

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Ziigaat Horizon arrives as a striking tri-brid in the ~$300 bracket (1DD + 2BA + 2 planar) with a tuning that brushes close to Kiwi Ears Astral yet comes across a touch thinner and more balanced. The low end focuses on sub-bass rumble that’s tight, clean, and richly tactile, while mids keep timbre accurate and treble stays controlled—never shouty or fatiguing—yielding a fun-yet-almost-reference presentation. Build and comfort impress: ergonomic shells with that aqua-to-silver fade can be worn for 8-hour sessions, and the package includes Ziigaat’s new two-pin cable with interchangeable terminations (3.5/4.4), a roomy faux-leather case, silicone sets plus foams; tip rolling (e.g., ASMR tips) pairs well.

In games, ambient clutter drops away and crucial cues get spotlighted with confident imaging, separation, and convincing verticality. Footsteps in Valorant are clear and positional, though the lightest taps can blur a bit under nearby low-end rumble or heavy gunfire; Apex performance is exceptional, just a hair behind Astral/Mangird Tea Pro when ultimates stack; Call of Duty delivers satisfying impact with disciplined decay, though micro-cues can soften during chaos. Net-net, Horizon is a great all-rounder with clean, technical bass and a natural balance that works across titles. On the WallHack list it gets A– overall (A– in Apex, B+ in CoD, Valorant just shy of top marks), primarily nudged down by occasional masking of the lightest cues during intense mixes.