Purchase link:
https://penonaudio.com/anew-u1.html
Link to the Store:
https://penonaudio.com/
Specifications:
- Driver unit: 10 mm Dynamic Driver carbon nanotube diaphragm
- Frequency response: 20Hz - 20kHz
- Sensitivity: 108±1dB
- Impedance: 32Ω
- THD: < 0.2%.
- Plug: 3.5mm gold-plated
- Capsule connection type: MMCX
- Cable length: 12cm symmetrical design
Packaging
The IEMs are packed in clean white packaging, wrapped in transparent film and sealed. Only the brand logo is shown on the front. On the back there is a silver sticker with the specifications. No trace of the model name.
After separating the lid of the box, inside are found:
- The IEMs with the MMCX cable connected, inside a foam mould, which protects them.
- A transparent, sealed plastic bag containing the silicone tips.
- 3 pairs of opaque white silicone tips, sizes S, M, L.
- 3 pairs of white translucent silicone tips, sizes S, M, L.
- 1 pair of dual flange tips, white translucent silicone, size L.
The tips are all silicone, 7 pairs total. The channel of all of them is quite wide.
I miss more types of tips and some bag or transport box.
Overall, the content is below the minimum required by the price level.
Construction and design
The model received has black capsules (it seems that they are a limited edition), with the brand embedded in silver. The shape of the IEMs is custom type, quite rounded, but has a thickness above the centimeter. The material with which they have been built, looks like some kind of hard plastic or acrylic, is glossy, smooth and polished, lightweight, well-finished and sturdy appearance. The nozzles are approximately 5mm in diameter, metallic. They have a filter of the same material, micro perforated. The MMCX connections are embedded and gold plated. On the sides of the capsules, there are two 3-4mm holes, covered by micro-perforated metal filters. The edge of both holes is a different color, red for the right capsule, blue for the left.
The MMCX cable consists of 4 braided cores, each in silver (high purity single crystal copper silver-plated, as described in the store). It has some stiffness, but is still malleable enough not to cause any problems with the memory effect. The 3.5mm jack plug is gold-plated. The silver cover is suitably long and straight, with a rough area for easy grip. The white mark is inscribed on it. Close to the connector there is a velcro band to collect the cable efficiently. The separator is composed of a black cylinder with both silver cones, one on each side, cut at their narrowest ends. The cable has, in the bifurcated zone, a transparent plastic pin for its adjustment under the chin. The MMCX connections are gold-plated and the connectors are plated, of good size, and have a coloured ring inscribed to distinguish the side (red for the right, blue for the left), as well as the letters R and L serigraphied in white, inside a circle. The cables coming out of the MMCX connectors are covered with transparent semi-rigid plastic, to make it easier to fit over the ear.
The cable in general is of remarkable quality and I do not find it necessary to replace it.
Adjustment and ergonomics
The fit I get with these capsules is pretty good. It's true that they touch slightly against the crus of helix, but not enough to make them uncomfortable. Overall, the capsules are wide and deep, and their fit on my ears is fair enough. For smaller ears, the friction may be more noticeable.
The insertion is rather superficial, given the diameter of the mouthpieces. To improve the seal I use my L-size silicone tips, filled with foam, thus achieving quite good insulation and a high sound immersion.
Sound
Profile
The Anew U1 are IEMs with a clear emphasis on the low end, not only on the bass, but also on the lower-mids. It’s true that the mids are more distant, but the highs have a good extension. Thus, it could be said that its profile is in moderate V, slightly warm.
Bass
The lower zone is very complete, from the sub-bass to the lower-mids, the extension and depth is really good. The level of precision and speed is equally remarkable. The texture of the bass is clearly tangible, being very easy to follow all its lines, due to the almost excellent definition. In this sense, one of the characteristics that most caught my attention, has been how these Anew divides all the low frequencies, in all their amplitude, each tone is perceptible individually without interfering with each other. This gives an idea of the quality of the driver used.
At the level of presence, I find the whole area quite linear, without being able to distinguish greater emphasis on one part or the other.
The bass hit is not at bassheads level, but do not disappoint the lovers of this area at all, like me, the bass has a lot of quality not to enjoy them. As it has an extensive range, it has a lot of body and nothing is missing in the area.
Another great feature of the U1 is its ability to keep the bass out of the rest of the frequencies.
Mids
The frequency response descends smoothly towards the mids, retaining some emphasis still on the lower-mids. This is easily perceived in male voices, which enjoy an extra presence, body and definition, as opposed to clearly V IEMs.
The virtuosity of the driver is still present in this range and offers, once again, a remarkable definition, as well as a great dose of naturalness, despite a slight distance/presence of veil, only perceptible when compared to other more mid-centric IEMs. In no way can I say that U1 is dark, but the mids are not as exuberant as the bass, speaking in terms of presence, not resolution, as it is still the protagonist. U1's remarkable ability to describe every frequency in this range is still present, and this is noticeable even in the most complex and congested passages, even there, the Anew offer very high precision, clarity and detail.
Another plus point is the fair measure of the upper-middle, the control in this range is remarkable. It is very nice to perceive how wheezing stops at the right level.
Treble
Surprisingly, it's the first thing that comes to mind when I try to analyze this segment. Its extension, definition, level of detail, resolution, clarity and execution, it seems unbelievable that they come from a single driver, and less that it is dynamic. It can be understood that a good dynamic driver defends well in low and/or mid ranges, but to reach the highs and demonstrate the same capacity offered in the previous segments, is within reach of few IEMs, and less in this price segment.
The trebles are quite clear, well executed, laminated, concise, controlled, without stridency or hard, unpleasant peaks. Without being a fan of this area, I must admit that its presence endows the sound with a wealth of nuances and details quite large, providing a great level of clarity, separation and general cleanliness.
In no case are these treble anemics or extremely smoothed, something to keep in mind for those who are sensitive to this area. There is a clear presence, neither elevated nor exaggerated. Different sources may accentuate the area to a greater or lesser degree.
Scene, soundstage
The sound offered by the U1s enjoys an excellent spatiality. This aspect generates a scene with a similar height and width, more spherical than not excessively wide. The high resolution favors instrumental positioning as well as stereophonic and image recreation.
The separation is a strong point, in each segment I have been extolling the virtue that have the U1, to execute each frequency in a defined manner. In this way, the separation benefits from it. With these IEMs, one is able to detect the dark background offered by good players.
Comparisons
iBasso IT01
IT01s are far more sensitive than U1s.
Bass of the IT01 have some more emphasis on the sub bass, while the U1 provide a more linear range in this segment and offer some more body and presence in the low midrange. Globally, U1 offers more punchy response than IT01.
Male voices sound more advanced in IT01, warmer and somewhat more focused, but thinner. Something similar happens with female voices, although to a lesser degree. In general the IT01 sound a little warmer, but also a little darker and more veiled, compared to a greater clarity and definition of the U1. The higher mids are more present in the U1, providing more brightness in the mids, in general.
The resolution is higher in the U1, as well as their analytical capacity, the IT01 sound more fuzzy in comparison.
The highs extend more in the U1 and provide more detail, while the IT01 sometimes sound more out of control in this area, offering some more unpleasant situations.
The U1 have greater separation and offer a more accurate image.
NiceHCK M6
The U1 are somewhat more sensitive than the M6.
Bass in the U1 are more complete, the sub bass feels more. Although at punch level the differences are not very big, the U1 are somewhat above the M6.
In terms of mids, the M6 seems to have more of a presence in its lower zone, offering a warmer and somewhat more advanced sound in that zone. In the meantime, the U1s show mids with a higher brightness and a bit more definition. The voices sound closer in the M6.
Treble is more present in U1, while M6 tends to be softer. The same happens with their extension, the U1 reach higher.
M6's are softer in general and their sound is more relaxed and warm. The U1 are more energetic, more dynamic, somewhat faster as well and more direct, but their profile is more V, with the voices further away. The resolution also seems somewhat higher, which is why the U1 sounds a more defined point.
The M6 offers a wider scene, while in the U1, the scene is somewhat narrower, but higher. The separation is slightly better in U1.
By way of conclusion, there is no clear winner in this comparison, so the choice of one or the other is subject to its virtues.
Conclusion
In my humble opinion, the dynamic driver of these Anew is excellent. Leaving aside the profile of these IEMs, I'm very surprised by the analytical capacity they provide and the clarity they offer, along with their level of resolution. But what makes it even better is that this capacity extends over the entire sound range. It's hard to get to the level of micro detail or the precision of good BA drivers, but it really makes it difficult.
However in coherence it is excellent, the music flows in a very natural way and the tone is very pleasant, it is never unreal or forced.
Other parameters to emphasize are the separation and the image, aspects that generate a very pleasant sonorous experience. This, together with their good comfort and a sound that is not strident at all, makes them very nice, even for long sessions.
On the other hand, the cable supplied is remarkable, at the height of the sound and level of construction of the whole.
On the negative side I put the lack of accessories, the tips supplied are quite common and does not bring any case to keep them.
Having analyzed these U1, in view of the good work, the Anew brand looks quite promising. You'll have to pay attention to it.
Sources used during the analysis
- Burson Audio Playmate.
- Sabaj DA3.
Ratings
- Construction: 90
- Comfort: 80
- Accessories: 50
- Sound: 90
- Quality/price: 80
