ISN AUDIO H2

In a nutshell the new ISN H2, C2 and S2 have specific traits to enhance you listening experience being a possible improvement over the cable your IEM came with.

1) The Hybrid 2 cable will add almost a V shape sound signature to your IEMs enhancing the bass as well as using silver to push the soundstage edges out and gain detail often better than the manufacturers supplied cable.

2) The Copper 2 cable will add a smoothness of warmth and add authority to your thinner/brighter IEM playback.

3) The Silver 2 cable will spice up (brightening) the imaging and furthering-out the details presented by your duller IEM playback, gaining renewed luster and interaction!


You don’t have to read anymore. The above is a summery of this review for people short on time or interest.

Purchase here, each cable is $79.90.
https://penonaudio.com/isn-audio-h2.html
https://penonaudio.com/isn-audio-c2.html
https://penonaudio.com/isn-audio-s2.html

Most people regard cables choices as accessories. That means that after they have acquired the DAP of their choice, and IEMs are focussed on, that the additional cable is simply an afterthought. I mean most new IEMs come with nice cables already…right? Well yes and no, meaning many manufactures will include a cable with the IEM which does a great job. You have to realize manufactures obviously understand cables, as they include a cable which matches the IEM, most of the time. Meaning if a manufacture releases an inherently dark IEM, they will included a brighter (silver hybrid) cable to try and optimize their offering. We have also seen manufactures once in a while include the wrong cable match which will (at times) emphasis the wrong treble frequencies. This represents the world we live in, nothing is perfect. Yet I’ve started to view cables as an equal part of the sound transmission chain. So instead of accessories, let's call them necessities. That’s right, to optimize sound playback you need to focus on getting the specific cable that makes the most of the sound characteristics found in your DAP and IEM. While in reality these new ISN cables do a couple things. Number one, if you don’t like the ergonomics of your included cable ISN has opted to give you three sonic choices to optimize your experience. Meaning you are pretty much guaranteed to get a complete playback with the C2, S2 or H2, equal or better than the troublesome ergonomic cable your IEM came with. Number two, through a cable change you're going to increase closeness to your music! So how is this closeness achieved? By simply making the desired tone more desirable. Yep, this normally is not a night and day event, but at times the changes can be perceived as substantial. And the cool part is ISN (the cable guys) have already figured out a cable to match the avenue you want to travel down.

ISN is a sub brand of Penon Audio and have been at this since 2013. In addition to these three new cables they have 17 successful cables models already! The make two ear-buds, and six IEMs. Now the thing is much of this stuff is not normal………no, it’s better than normal, in fact some of these products are considered family. Meaning I have a specific closeness to them and use them often. You could even say I love some of these products. Yep, every once in a while I get a tiny little tear in my eye while using them. And I presently own every IEM they make except for the $79.00 D02. So you can see how the addition of the C2, S2 and H2 are in actuality a super big deal for this reviewer.

The ISN Company:

ISN current cable offerings, minus the new blue wave!
Silver-Plated IEM Cables: S4, S8, AG8, S16 and one Type-C Silver Plated USB Cable
Copper IEM Cables: C4, CU4, C16
Mixed Cables IEM Cables: Solar, G4, GS4, SC4, H8, H16
Gold-Plated IEM Cables: GC4, GD4
Pure-Silver IEM Cables: AG8

ISN Ear-buds:
Rambo
Rambo 2

ISN IEMs:
H50 10mm Composite DD (bass) 2 BA (mids) 2 BA (highs) $295.00
H40 9.2 DD (bass) 1 custom BA (mids) 1 composite 2BA (highs) $195.00
D02 10mm DD $79.00
D10 9mm DD $169.00
EST50 1 Knowles BA (highs), 1 Sonion BA (mids), 10mm DD (bass), 2 Sonion ESTs (ultra-highs) $459.00
H30 9.2 Frosted Beryllium DD, 1 Sonion BA for middle frequency, 1 Knowles BA for high frequency $129.00

C2 means Copper Cable
S2 means Silver-plated Cable
H2 means hybrid Silver/Copper Cable


How do I know which cable is best for me?
Well the easiest way to chose is simply buy all three cables and try them out. If you’re like me, eventually you will find a use for each one. But at the same time the three cables can offer a learning experience as you gain a better understanding of your DAPs, IEMs and cable needs. No in this case, there is nothing wrong with excess. There are basic rules to cable placement but you know what they say about rules……right?

Rules are made to be broken (General MacArthur)

The only reason I write this is for you to understand we don’t always get the best results from a strict set of cables rules. For an example, take a bright 6 BA IEM and let’s discuss which cable will be best. Common sense would say get the all Copper C2. The C2 will go ahead and warm-up the whole signature. And depending on your DAP tone and music files, you may be fine with that. But what if you tried the H2 cable? Depending on the brightness of your 6BA IEM, the H2 would maybe still work. What it’s going to do is offer a wider soundstage and the copper is still going to add low-end authority.

So see why there isn’t always one rule to cables. It’s a situation by situation choice, and the only way to know, the only real way to know is by trying the cable in place. So, what about the silver-plated-copper S2 cable? Often when we have a dull-performer that lacks sparkle and upper-end definition, a touch of silver does the trick, but at the same time, I would be curious what the H2 would actually do? Yep, the double-dose of Hybrid attributes often kicks the musicality further into play……….up just one more level. At the best, this is all fun and games to finding a pleasurable home signature. Also just like moving into a new house, time needs to be taken as this signature business can be slightly more involved than first guessed. Meaning a signature that seems fine (at first) may show an added trait as more songs pass though your ear-hole into your mental perception. Maybe after a day the signature may become too hot, maybe not detailed enough, maybe it always remains just right. The test of time is the truth here, as once you find gold so to speak, the results will be consistent day-in and day-out! The other reason that there isn’t firm rules to cables becomes noticed as every person has their own hearing. What could be correct for one person, could be not right for another. Plus everyone has their own music and playback device, also each IEM is different. So in combining the variables at hand here, you can see me recommending the full-set as being a relatively safe purchase.




Enhanced Ergonomics:
If the sound wasn’t reason enough, these cables literally define cable build quality.
The fact that ISN are cable maker masters, that they have access to the best testing and cable building resources in the world. The name ISN literally means cables to many experienced Head-fi members. This is due to ISN primarily being a headphone cable builder before they ever got their feet wet in IEM building. The modular cable freedom means you can change plugs on the fly as you arrange a different source for your IEMs. Of my testing rigs I have 2 DAPs with 2 completely separate amplifiers in each device, one for 4.4mm and one for 3.5mm. My Dongle is also set up this way, as well as I use my desktop in 4.4mm…….so that makes 7 different set-ups plus a phone for every IEM I test. Having a modular plug makes the change process easy. Not to mention the actual added modular plug looks and feels like a regular plug. The fact that every single piece of the cable construction, every spitter, every 2pin, every 3.5mm, 4.4mm and 2.5mm plug housing is totally aluminum. All of it, no plastic here! Even the neck-cinch is totally aluminum. There are strain reliefs put into action on both the back of the 2pin connectors and plug. There are R and L markers on the 2pin plugs, and a dot to arrange orientation to the correct placement of the modular plug. The blue jackets are of a medium size and flexibility, meaning I have witnessed more pliable cables, but at a loss of cable-material included. Here the neck-cinch stays permanently affixed to the cable divider until summoned up the cable distance. Meaning it’s never in the way, and becomes part of the neck-cinch in daily use. Because every cable in the collection is a blue tone an ISN moniker has been positioned on the cable splitter with either C2, S2 or H2 emblazoned across the neck-cinch. And…….simply taking things to the next level here, different from any cables made……the neck-cinch is orientated to always have the cable name facing upright due to the way the neck-cinch is permanently straddling the inner cable wires.

C2 stands for 2 cores copper, S2 stands for 2 cores silver-plated copper and H2 strands for 2 cores Hybrid cables. Each cores with 72 shares of material with each core being 0.08 in size. With all three cables being the same price of $79.90 they are not considered expensive cables nor the entry level cables you get with IEMs.

The Tests:
My testing to ascertain value consists of finding a roughly equal cable be it after market or included cable, then switching between the two cables a couple of times. Your personal ideas of subjective value will depend of what sound you’re after, yet in these tests I actually found complete and utter differences among cables. These differences I will call clarity and staging, the ability to comprehend separation and blackness of background. And in many ways these cables properties are endless. But as a rule, silver is for widening soundstage and adding brightness, copper is for warming treble and midrange bumps, and Hybrid cables do a variation of both properties to enhance treble and midrange sound stage as well as add authority to the bass as well as warming the lower midrange.

We are taking an included cable, like the $49.00 CS819 that comes with the Penon Serial and Vortex and discovering if this new H2 cable will be an improvement. But better yet, let’s get crazy here, that’s right, what if we put the S2 cable on the Serial instead of the regular Hybrid H2 cable? Let’s do both, OK? And of course compare them to the stock SC819 cable that came with the Penon Serial.

While most likely the ISN H2 will be the ticket for the Vortex, we also found the Penon Obsidian to be one of the best matches for the Vortex. Such discoveries really depend on the serendipity of chance, of putting proof in the putting!

Much of the time the ideas of improvement will border on subjective preference, yet there are also abilities which transcend personal values and come-out in the end to be ultimately “truths”.

Such truths though can still have elements of subjectivity......of course. Still though if you are someone like myself, you positively know cable values and compatibilities. They are a form of reality and subsequently determined. Such values are based off a few perimeters, I could list them, you already know them and understand how these are of value.

Yet there is also a cable character which transcends normal descriptions, as such, these are parameters which start to drift into absolute constituencies of character, hence they will be explained, but not totally valued as no value is readily able to be determined. As such characteristics can only be explained as to what they are, hence the cables individuality, the specific intrinsic character.

Such Head-Fi values seem to be ever present in many different areas of the market place. An example is found not only within the cable realms, but also in DAP realms, and the reason a $200 IEM is comparable to other $200 IEMs, yet almost no $200 IEMs are equal to $1000 dollar IEMs. Often people think that have found the market disrupters, yet after the dust has settled those IEMs always fall (back) somewhere into place, not counting the subjective affinity contained with-in an aspect of their playback. Meaning, an element of the IEM/Cable/DAP is special and of value, yet maybe the playback is still lacking somewhere else which in end ends up placing it again into its relative to price category. I have spent years attempting to explain this phenomenon, yet regardless a $200 IEM cable still amazingly sounds close to other $200 cables and $18.00 IEM cables sounding like other under $20.00 IEMs cables. Obviously finding synergy is the key to optimizing your purchase, and often there is a subjective element to finding synergy in you system. With that said let’s get started, shall we.

1) The Penon Serial Universal IEM using the S2 cable in relation to the SC819.

2) The Penon Serial Universal IEM using the H2 cable in relation to the SC819.

3) The Penon Vortex Universal IEM using the H2 cable in relation to the SC819

4) The Penon Vortex Universal IEM using the Obsidian Cable (18 K gold/OCC Copper) hybrid cable in relation to the SC819 cable

5) The DUNU SA6 Universal IEM using the ISN S2 cable in relation to the included DUNU DAW 03

6) The Noble Audio Kaiser Encore Universal IEM using the ISN S2 cable

7) The TSMR Sands Universal IEM using the ISN C2 cable

Penon Serial with ISN S2 cable v SC819 cable:
This was my first to try this combo as people are a-buzz in attempting crazy stuff like this with the Penon Serial. So in essence my tests are reflecting interest in the community, while results are still subjective, the whole reason Head-Fi is valuable, besides a marketing platform, is to test and report back such excursions into madness! Realistically the ISN S2 was great with the Penon Serial, getting a wide and forward midrange, yet also with increased spacial ability of imaging. Even with the starkest of Techno, the treble was (while slightly hot) still acceptable. This is truly one of those playbacks that would depend on the individual and their needs. Surly for some youngans (being 18 years-old) and owning 100% of their hearing, this style of treble could still be much to much. But for an old fuddy-duddy like myself, the response was wonderful and way better than expected? So let’s return to the included (SC819) cable and find out if we are missing anything. Remember too, much of this cable stuff, especially by manufactures, has to do with staying with-in budgets and parlaying a well rounded signature. And while I actually found the ISN S2 cable as completely well rounded in the end, it still may be too bright for some listeners, with that said……it still is truly amazing and special as far as detail and pace! The bass is still there and the Techno revealed as to how much low-end was still lingering for bounce and rhythm, yet the midrange and treble were fully actualized and being all they can be, especially for this kind of money!

$299.00 Penon Serial+
$79.90 ISN S2 cable
= WIN-WIN

Now we have returned to the well rounded SC819 included with the Penon Serial. By the way, Penon uses the metallurgy formula in the title of the cable, meaning Silver/Copper Hybrid cable. Ya, well here is the Penon Serial doing what it’s loved for, offering a more compact yet still involving soundstage theme. Still great and still balanced, you can read all about the Penon Serial in my most recent review.

https://www.head-fi.org/showcase/penon-serial.25604/reviews#review-29328

Laughably the Penon Serial is hugely popular right now. Penon has a hit on their hands and the basic sound of three DDs, all of different methodology and size, create an ample amount of spectacle in smoothness of detail. In-fact my review in early October of this year rated it a full 5 stars..........so you know where I stand in regards to Serial playback. I say all this but truly the simple add of the ISN S2 Cable, makes it even better! Yep, the rumors were right, the gossip in the threads not a lie, the Penon Serial is taken to a far superior level with the S2 Cable, that is if you personally blend with the treble at hand. There is ample room for experimenting as the Serial offers a smooth, natural and careful treble anyways………..we are just adding a small amount of separation and imaging, expanding the soundstage wider, and taking it all in.

Penon Serial with ISN H2 cable v SC819 cable:
For this test again I’m using the Sony WM1Z, the H2 cable and Penon Serial IEM. I’m using the same music and attempting to ascertain if the H2 is better than the S2 and testing it again against the SC819 cable. Strangely the bass was now deeper, of course it was……….the H2 is a slightly better cable than the SC819, and my little test showed this to be true. Is the H2 better than the S2 with the Penon Serial and the same music? I’m probably going to take a chance and say I like the imaging and expansion going on with the S2, though depending on who you are, the H2 could be the ticket. Yet I never missed the bass in the S2, it seemed just to suck-out a slight bit of authority in S2 playback and replace it with stelar treble energy. Maybe the best thing would be to have the S2 and H2 and use them according to mood, as both are a winner with the Penon Serial and better than the included SC819 cable!

The Penon Vortex with H2 cable v SC819 cable:
The Penon Vortex is one of the few times, if not the only time I feel Penon missed the mark in cable placement. While the included SC819 cable performs admirably, there is a lot of room for improvement. And I will show two examples of cable change-outs for your reading pleasure. The H2, is the bomb with the Vortex in comparison to the included SC819 cable. Just bigger, brighter, better separated and more involving to boot. It’s kind-of like someone took the EQ sliders and ramped them up in replay? All this is a day after I did this same test for the Vortex/Obsidian review which just surfaced.



The Penon Vortex with H2 cable v Obsidian cable:
Not surprisingly the Obsidian was the darkest of the three, and why I like it with the Vortex is questionable, even for me. But probably the real reason is it’s fun, it kind of makes a large portion of the midrange become warm and slightly subdued into the stage, where somehow the imaging still offers a wide display of fireworks extended spacial and vivid into the two sides of stage expansion? So it’s maybe darker than the SC819 but only in places, and gifts extended imaging and separation of that imaging. It's a contrast thing in the end!

https://www.head-fi.org/showcase/penon-obsidian.26143/reviews#review-29789

Also what’s interesting is possibly the H2 now is just as good or better than the Obsidian cable? Different day, different set of ears? These are only subjective options anyway. Yet both cables, the Obsidian and H2 were a far cry from the results you get from the included cable, that’s not arguable! The elements of musicality seem to come alive with either aftermarket cable, yet with the H2 the treble can be interpreted as having even more life. The H2 has the uncanny ability to move all the action forward, as well as out into the stage. The H2 playback actually has more authority than the included SC819 cable, to such an extent it seems you were almost using a different amplifier?

It’s not that the CS819 cable change-out (to other cables) with the Penon Vortex makes it a totally different IEM, but the tonal response characteristics are moving in that direction. Such options are refreshing and entertaining, entertaining in that the little Vortex had so much leeway to find accessible cable musicality. The CS819 playback was one way, with the Obsidian playback was another, and the ISN H2 playback was a different thing once again! Today I may prefer the H2 playback, another day the Obsidian brings the goods. Yet both sound better to me than the original included SC819 cable?



The DUNU SA6 with the S2 in comparison the the included DUNU DUW 03:

https://www.dunu-topsound.com/product-page/duw-03
https://www.head-fi.org/showcase/dunu-studio-sa6.24665/reviews#review-2439

Really, really a $199.00 DUNU cable against the little $79.90 ISN S2 cable? If anything this will really be a treat! Here we go into uncharted waters…….the DUNU SA6 is one if the the best representatives of the $500.00 IEM categories. With the DUNU DUW 03 being ever so slightly grainy? This is a trait I have come to find out about the cable, and it’s hard once it’s discovered, not to then always hear it again later while using the cable. The real reason I would even attempt this is because the SA6 is not known as a bright IEM. It’s all BA, but has only a specific peak late at 4.5 kHz. This does a couple of things, some people feel the SA6 isn’t specifically a vocal IEM due to where the peak is formed? For me I’m not really a vocal person, so I can gravitate towards this tune regardless of any deficiencies. I hate to say this but the ISN S2 was a slight improvement. One, the imaging was slightly clearer and less congested, the bass was still totally there but enhanced too, as remember the ISN S2 is only a silver plated cable, not a pure silver one, so bass is replayed well. But believe it or not there was a slight add of smoothness. Truly in many ways these two cables were the same, and they were so close that it took me awhile to truly figure out which way was up. But in the end, the ISN S2 cable was a success. Maybe such success was due to the fact no ear-hooks, but the S2 just had a better overall feel than the included cable. Again the imaging was slightly cleaner and deeper, the bass was deeper, and imaged better. I welcome you to try this battle, this side by side and see if you also recover this level of difference. If you had the SA6 and wanted to try the ISN S2 cable, would it be worth your $79.90 purchase price? That is a subjective question, as it was better, and slightly clearer and slightly more stable sounding, less fussiness and more down to earth in playback……….due to less grain. I mean this is exactly what the general population want from the SA6, they want a slight top-end top-off. Yet, there is no worry of the SA6 being too hot, as the S2 has copper as its core material.



The Noble Audio Kaiser Encore Universal IEM and the ISN H2:
The Encore has been a favorite for awhile and with more than 3000 hours of listening time I know the sound forward and back. While I haven’t used the included Noble Audio cable for years and years, the general thoughts are the included cable doesn’t make the Noble Encore shine. Over the years the Noble Encore has lent itself to many a cable change-out. I have put almost every cable I own with it. Yet here I approached the S2, C2 and H2 as a testing ground, being the Encore is still very well rounded. In fact the Encore is known at Head-Fi as being an IEM which plays all genres yet doesn’t excel at any. And…….I’m OK with that, as it means any musical genre is good as well as the Encore makes poor recordings sound decent. Due to the major 6.5 kHz and 8.5 kHz peaks, the brightness was reason for concern, yet as it turned out all was well with the H2 coming in 3rd place in Encore use against all the cables I own. I even like the H2 better than the previous pure OCC that was in use for years with the Encore!

Basically the style of response was taking the natural qualities of the Noble Encore and making them just slightly more vivid. A more vivid soundstage filled with slightly more vivid audio creatures. The feel of the cable in general had a quality ergonomic feel, and accessibility was genuine due to fitment. Still maybe a person wouldn’t place a $79.90 cable with a $1850.00 IEM, but still it sounded great and something I would use. Just for inclusion of facts though the Penon Obsidian and Penon Totem Cable beat out the H2 in adding both detail and enhanced authority in the end. I had made notes and planned on inclusion of those findings, but later decided this review to be too long as it is, and the results not really pertinent to the story.

https://www.head-fi.org/showcase/noble-audio-kaiser-encore.22120/reviews#review-22519



The TSMR Sands and ISN C2 Cable:
Here is where it gets interesting. I simply report my findings and much of the time don’t have answers to what I’m hearing. In many ways I really like the ISN C2 cable better than the Obsidian cable for the Sands. What it did was make the Sands more well rounded. Truth to be told the Obsidian while warm and engaging, still offers a treble section, that while most of the time, is not an issue, with this TSMR Sands and the way it handles brightness, is not necessarily the best. Especially with forward and up-front guitar power-chords. If such energies are already front and center in the mix the Obsidian with the Sands is almost too much. I went over this in the Obsidian review stating that I didn’t have my freedom to use wide-bore tips with such a set-up. Though with the pure copper C2 all was purely fine. This in fact was the cable superior to the 2X more Penon Obsidian, taking 1st place in my collection right along the Penon PAC480 for well-roundedness. Such smoothness in guitar replay means that really any file can be accessed and enjoyed with the heat of the Sands desert fully under control.

Conclusion:
While each cable here is OCC copper based, ISN with their cable wisdom made a trio of cables that all have great playback potential. If you can tap into that potential remains to be seen, yet I have done most of the footwork to verify success on your end. Be it bright, dark or lacking sonic enthusiasm, the ISN C2, H2 and S2 are guaranteed to perform results. They perform all the while looking good as well. Holding complete composure and staying in place for the party, I can not recommend these cables enough. They are great priced and out-perform cables that cost more.......and become a value. The solid aluminum hardware means that usability is top-priority. The modular plugs mean you can adapt them to any source. Normally with some cables I appreciate ear-hooks………but there are also many ways to build an ear-hook, with some fine and others too aggressive. The last thing you want when playing you favorite song is to all-of-a-sudden have these over-ear guides out performing their job and getting in the way. With the blue-trio I found myself tossing the cables over my ears after the IEM was in-place……..and there was a lot of cable changes, probably more than with any single review. And while surly there is better cables out there, they also cost a lot more. ISN has been suppling value to customers for years and years…….in-fact ISN is a cable builder first and foremost, these performance cables are just another instance of ISN becoming creative and filling a need. A need for better sound, a need for value and a need of modularity. There is no reason not to at least get one, but after you try just one, you may get curious as to the performance of the other two? Truth to be told, I could have tried more combinations of IEMs and cables in this review, yet I was totally happy with the concepts and ideas I was able to get across. Rest assured I’m going to be rotating in at least one, if not all of these performance cables into future reviews. This has been a truly fun review to write, I hope you also get wind of my enthusiasm and make these new ISN cables part of your usage scenario!


Disclaimer:
I want to thank Penon Audio for the love and for the ISN H2 review sample.

Disclaimer:
I want to thank Penon Audio for the love and for the ISN C2 review sample.

Disclaimer:
I want to thank Penon Audio for the love and for the ISN S2 review sample.

Disclaimer:
So in ending, I found each of the three “blue” cables as having a very different sound, yet at the same time they also offered a familiarity unto themselves. This aspect may be due to hearing psychology where these “blue” color coverings are a stand-out from other such cables. Meaning just the color of stuff slightly changes how we perceive things to be. This in and of itself is simply another characteristic of audio. In fact with the cables all sounding slightly different, them being simply a different rendition of OCC, means that there could vary well be a common response characteristic throughout the set! And that’s the fun of cables, in that at times hearing them on a different day can offer different insights, yet the basic tone remains consistent day in and day out, proving once more cables truly do make a difference in IEM playback personality!

Disclaimer:
These are one persons ideas and concepts, your results may vary.

Equipment Used:
Sony WM1Z Walkman DAP MrWalkman Firmware 4.4mm and 3.5m
Sony WM1A Walkman DAP MrWalkman Firmware 4.4mm and 3.5mm
Sony TA-ZH1ES DAC/AMP Firmware 1.03
Electra Glide Audio Reference Glide-Reference Standard "Fatboy" Power Cord
Sony Walkman Cradle BCR-NWH10
AudioQuest Carbon USB
UA3 Dongle DAC/Amplifier 4.4mm and 3.5mm


1) ISN Audio H2 2 Shares 6N+ OCC & Silver-plated OCC Hybrid HiFi Earphone IEM Replacement Cable with 3 Detachable Plugs

Specification
Brand: ISN Audio
Model: H2
Cable material: 6N+ OCC & silver-plated OCC hybrid
Cable Cores: 2 shares 72 cores, the wire core is 0.08
Accessory material: Aluminum alloy + carbon fiber accessory
Plug: 3-in-1 detachable gold-plated plug (3.5mm audio,2.5mm balanced ,4.4mm balanced)
Cable length: 1.2M

2) ISN Audio C2 2 Shares 6N+ OCC HiFi Earphone IEM Replacement Cable with 3 Detachable Plugs

Specification
Brand: ISN Audio
Model: C2
Cable material: 6N+ OCC
Cable Cores: 2 shares 72 cores, the wire core is 0.08
Accessory material: Aluminum alloy + carbon fiber accessory
Plug: 3-in-1 detachable gold-plated plug (3.5mm audio,2.5mm balanced ,4.4mm balanced)
Cable length: 1.2M

3) ISN Audio S2 2 Shares 6N+ OCC Silver-plated HiFi Earphone IEM Replacement Cable with 3 Detachable Plugs

Specification
Brand: ISN Audio
Model: S2
Cable material: 6N+ OCC silver-plated
Cable Cores: 2 shares 72 cores, the wire core is 0.08
Accessory material: Aluminum alloy + carbon fiber accessory
Plug: 3-in-1 detachable gold-plated plug (3.5mm audio,2.5mm balanced ,4.4mm balanced)
Cable length: 1.2M

ISN S2,H2,C2

Ok so it is that time of the year when you will see newness. Newness in all things related to our hobby including shiny new IEM cables.

The sheer varieties of IEM cables are even greater than the actual IEMs they were meant to be used for, and the sound guys at ISN have created their newest modular cables in the C2,H2, and S2 cables. One aspect I appreciate about ISN cables is that their cable name describes what the cables actually are, you figure more manufacturers would do this instead of naming a cable from some mythological creature. I suppose if your goals are lofty with such things then any naming scheme is fair game.

With that I would like to thank Penon audio and ISN audio for the review samples of their newest cables the ISN S2, C2, and H2. You can look up the ISN S2 here. The ISN H2 here. The ISN C2 here. These are all sold on Penon audio website. The cables have been used on a variety of IEMS compared to their included cables for comparisons. Individual results may vary depending on the type of IEM you use these cables on. My report here is my finding about ISNs newest created modular cables.

C2 stands for Copper 2 core, H2 stands for hybrid 2 core and as you can guess, the S2 stands for silver plated 2 core. Each cable is composed of 2 cores with 72 shares of material per core. Its connectors and terminations, y splits are made of Aluminum alloy with carbon fiber accents. Connectors and 2 pins are gold plated.

When I initially was sent the cables for evaluation I made a classic mistake I will own up to and that was quickly judging these after a quick listen using the C2 on the new MEAOES Eagles IEM.

Let's get real, you spend extra to get extra. You don't buy a turbo charger for an engine to get no gains in power right? The Eagles come with a very nice, albeit basic copper cable that matches well with the Eagles tuning. So I figured I would try out the C2 on them as it has been the IEM I have been listening to a lot lately. Initially I was thinking they aren’t much of an upgrade. They kinda gave the same vibes as the stock copper cables actually.

But then I started to listen to more tracks which eventually turned into a 2 hour long session.
Then I changed back to the stock cable. OK here we go. Now I can tell the difference.The stock cable makes the Eagle sound not as good. Not as defined, aha! I should have known. This is how you test out a cable by the way. Get used to hearing a sound with the new parameter, the new parameter being the new ISN C2 cable, then switching back to the original cable it came with. I wanted to put the C2 back onto the Eagles right away. But that is what made me realize. The new ISN C2 is not just your average aftermarket IEM cable. Far from it.

I went back and forth using the same music tracks and now it was clearly evident the C2 is not just a clear upgrade but now I don't like the sound of the Eagles without it. Conclusion? Not all copper cables are the same. I know non cable guys want you to think a coat hanger copper is the same as a high end copper cable. But my ears are telling me the resolve of the ISN C2 is much greater than that of this copper cable that comes with a $149 IEM.

The ISN C2 are two cores of a higher end 6N OCC pure copper cable. For folks that already have some of the Penon cables. These are actually rated higher than one of their best pure copper cables being sold for much more. The difference in your standard sub $40 pure copper cable vs a higher end copper cable is that the C2 gives you all the benefits of pure copper but resolves on a different level. If you carefully listen to your music you will get better note separation, a cleaner blacker background. Greater note weight from bass to mids, resulting in a better detailed imaging to the host IEM. Every note will have better distinction vs the standard copper warmer smoothening properties. No smearing of the notes and certainly enhances dynamism for your music.

Connecting the ISN C2 with the very resolving Tansio Mirai Sands. Brings added note weight, a greater sense of bass punch, most importantly slightly smoothes out the treble notes which it clearly has a lot of. It is a cable like the C2 is what Tansio should have included with the Sands in the first place. Its included cable highlights treble even more so than the ISN S2. So not a good matching included cable. On the other hand the C2 sounds like it was made for its sound design.

The C2 is best paired with brighter neutral or harmon tuned IEMs that need a bit of added note weight and or fullness to its sonic properties. C2 will not hide treble notes but it certainly won’t enhance and or highlight treble notes. How copper cables like the C2 and how they match up with IEMs is just my own subjective views on how that is. If you feel you need even more warmth on a musical full bodied IEM there is nothing stopping you to enhance its dynamic sound properties even more with the addition of the ISN C2. I suppose the same can be said about using pure silver on a bright treble prone IEM at the same time. All that is a matter of taste as they say.

The ISN S2 is composed of 2 cores of the same 6N OCC copper that makes up the C2 but each share of its wires is now plated in pure silver. These are for folks that want the most transparency possible out of the 3 brothers. These have the most silver content out of the 3 cables. Silver plating on a higher end copper yields the cable to be just as transparent as pure silver but adds a sense of extra body, dynamism and musicality from the copper base cores.

Headfi here will tell you pure silver is the way to go for all things cable to get the best sonics. Aha not really. Pure silver has its uses but pure silver cables are more niche in what they do vs being really versatile. It is because the ISN S2 uses at its base those copper cores is what makes them truly versatile vs a pure silver cable. You just can’t get the same bass slam or the body for your music just based on a pure silver cable. You can get the most detail possible your IEM puts out but you just can’t add what copper cores do for IEMs with pure silver. Now when you add them silver plating onto a copper core is when you get benefits of both materials.

The ISN S2s are what you want to get if you want the best technicalities from your IEMs. A high end IEM deserves a high end transmitting cable and that is what the S2 does extremely well. Its highly resolving properties are similar to what pure silver does. You have to know what flavoring you want your food to be. Mild spicy and hot.

Lets say your IEMs have a smoother treble tonal character or feels it could use a bit more treble extension. The S2 will be what you're looking for. While the H2 sound shaping character is similar it is not exactly like 100% silver plating. These are what you get for warmer, full bodied sounding IEMs as these will enhance their technical ability, stage and treble presence, however unlike pure silver these will not only maintain the body and fullness of bass to mid notes but you will also get better clarity as well due to the higher end copper cores.

I took the S2 cable out to test, but this time I threw them on a much higher end IEM. Yanyin moonlights. The cable I was using it with is no push over in the Effect Audio Cadmus. You guys can youtube this cable and see what that is about. I connected the S2 to the Moonlights and I was actually expecting a bit of a drop off of the sonics on the Moonlight. Not only did I not get that but I got the best sounding Moonlight I have ever heard. Ok so this pairing clearly was telling me the ISN S2 was playing on a much higher level than I initially thought. The S2 has the most silver content of the 3 cable siblings. It does your higher end IEMs justice as it brings the highest level of transparency out of the 3. Widest stage presentation and clarity of the 3 as well. The ISN S2 specializes in enhancing technical aspects of the host IEM it is attached to, therefore out of the 3 I would recommend getting the S2 if you want a clear upgrade for just about any IEM you own.

The ISN H2 cable is the middle child of the trio. It comprises half the cores of the C2 and half the cores of the S2. This cable is simply the middle porridge. I have been using the H2 on the new Penon Fan 2 hybrid. The Fan2s included cable is one of the best throw-in cables for IEMs in the Penon OS133 which I did a review for here.

The H2 is a natural upgrade from the OS133. It simply does everything with not too much of anything yet also upgrades what you love about most from your IEMs. What I mean by that is it is well known in the industry copper gives you the best natural tonality, body, warmth bass and versatility, then when you add silver plating it upgrades the transparency and detail aspects for the copper base cables. While not at the level of transparency of the S2 and not exactly the warmer leaning C2 either. It does a bit of both.

It is simple, if you are not certain what type of cable you should go for and you own more than a few IEMs you're safe in trying out the H2 due to it literally being half the C2 and half the S2.

The best synergy for your IEMs using these cables should come down to how your host IEM is tuned as a sound design that you want to better or counter its characteristics. For example if your IEMs sounds a bit warm in tonal character and would like better clarity, enhance its technical ability and stage. Go for the S2, If you want to enhance mids to bass performance and love a natural warmer tonal character, with a smoother treble go for the C2. If you love the sound of your IEM and want just an upgrade to enhance all parts of what it does. Go for the H2.
Again H2 being half of the C2 and half of the S2. You get both aspects in one.

So let me break down what the cables are thus far. All 3 of the cables here look like they are made in the exact same way. All 3 are 2 cores with the same gauge and thickness, all 3 are very soft and flexible, All 3 have the same blue clear finish, most importantly all 3 of the cables include their new modular plugins which means you can pull out the bottom 2/3rd of the connector and plug into the male end in any termination you want. All 3 cables come with the 3 most commonly used plugs. 3.5mm single ended. 2.5mm balanced and 4.4mm balanced plugs.

Changing out the modular plugs is as easy as pulling out the plug you don’t need and replacing it with the plug you intend to use. It has a white dot on each plug where the groove lines up with the male end of the cable for easy insertion. The white dot, as simple as that is, is a great idea so you don’t have to bring out your magnifying glasses to see how it is lined up. Makes things easier and a plus for ISN cables.

Again, cables are not going to magically make your IEMs become something entirely different, but it will enhance properties of the sound that you like or dislike in an IEM. Cable synergy is for real folks and if you know what you're looking for in a match up cable. It will be the difference of an IEM becoming your favorite or one that collects dust waiting to be used.

In theory if you can just choose one cable out of the 3 to get, the ISN H2 would be the most logical out of the three cables, however the difference between the H2 and the S2 is not a clear night and day difference. If these new ISN cables were of a thicker gauge and had more cores to them, then it would make more of a difference but to be honest the H2 and the S2 have more in common than real tangible differences. The greatest difference comes from the pure copper C2 vs the S2.

Go for the C2 for hybrid or BA type IEMs, neutral, harmon or bright sounding IEMs or if your a basshead that want the best bass and mids out of the 3 cables. The H2 will be excellent for dynamics and well balanced IEMs. The S2 is for max transmission for any type of IEMs that need the best transparency, clarity, detail, technicalities and stage.

In the end.
The 3 cables options, all 3 are excellent in what they do. The added easier to use solid modular plugs in all popular formats is icing on the cake. Some insider knowledge about these cables is that these are made of actual higher grade of OCC copper that you can actually trust to be real from ISN. I know it is difficult to really trust a cable makers claim of higher purity of such a cable but the folks at Penon and ISN are not the type of folks to throw out fruity language to describe a cable they make. These cables are all about function, form and versatility. If you want some of the best cables you can buy under the $100 mark, I can’t recommend these cables highly enough. As a cable and IEM reviewer the ISN S2, C2, and H2 all 3 cables are giving you real value in the industry filled with such cables that claim they do a lot but in reality, they don’t. These cables are a clear gateway to higher end IEM cables and will clearly enhance any IEM they are attached to and isn’t that the real reason why we spend the money for such cables? Thanks for taking the time to read. Happy cable pairing always.

Introduction:
ISN Audio is quite a renowned brand in the world of cables. I have had the pleasure of having the S4 cable in my possession, which provides incredible value in a very lightweight package. Recently they have released a new line with detachable plugs - C2 (copper), S2 (SPC), and H2 (Copper + SPC Hybrid). Penon Audio sent me a sample of the H2 for a review, so here I go...

Specification:
Brand: ISN Audio
Model: H2
Cable material: 6N+ OCC & silver-plated OCC hybrid
Cable Cores: 2 shares 72 cores, the wire core is 0.08
Accessory material: Aluminum alloy + carbon fiber accessory
Plug: 3-in-1 detachable gold-plated plug (3.5mm audio,2.5mm balanced ,4.4mm balanced)
Cable length: 1.2M

Disclaimer:
I was provided this item for free in exchange of my impressions. The impressions recorded below are solely mine own and as much unbiased as possible.

Packaging and Accessories:
The cable comes in a beautiful blue box with shiny ISN Audio logo and a cloth like cover on the shell. The box feels quite sturdy, although there is not much space inside. Inside the box there is the cable, the 3 connectors (2.5, 3.5, 4.5 mm), a cable tie with snap fit buttons, and a cable clip. The last two items are not in the photo below.



Build And Fit:
Now, the very first aspect of a cable that I look for is how pliable it is. I dislike stiff cables, and I dislike heavy and thick cables. So even if a cable is thin and light, if it is stiff, that is automatically a major con to me. One other aspect that I look for is how the build of the connectors, splitters, chin sliders, etc. - do they feel cheap, or do they feel well built and premium? Here again my first preference is always lightweight, as if these parts are heavy, they will create unnecessary pull on the cable and will give rise to discomfort.

And this is where it feels like ISN Audio really has considered all these aspects before making this cable. The cable is not thin at all, the individual strands are rather on the thicker side. However, since there are only 2 strands, the overall thickness of the cable is not very much, and even though it definitely is not as light as the S4, it still feels fairly light - I cannot feel any undue pull on my ears.
Just as well, the splitter, chin slider, and connectors are made primarily of metal, feel sturdy, but are not heavy at all. The matte finish black colour looks with slight carbon fibre decoration quite nice.



The detachable connectors are of 4 pin type, and fit quite snugly and tightly. Needs considerable force to detach them from the cable - which ensures no surprising detachment resulting in unexpected damages. There's a slot and white dot to properly guide the connectors. The plugs themselves feel pretty well made and fit in the respective jacks snugly.



Gears Used:
Hiby FC4 as the source, and I could not help but to pick the revered Penon Vortex to test the cable's performance - matches the colour scheme perfectly. Also, afterwards, I had a whim to try the one other blue iem I got, the MEAOES Eagle. The result was more than pleasant I must say.

Sound:
With Penon Vortex the hybrid characteristics of the cable is very distinctly evident from the very moment I played the first song. The low end has a very distinct emphasis, although not over the top, and feels full and slamming. The subbass reach is quite good, textures in the bass feel quite fleshed out and well defined. Midbass slams are tight and dynamic. From the stock cable the difference is really noticeable and multiple degrees more pleasing.

In the midrange, it feels as if the notes have grown slightly bigger and fuller, resulting in a more organic presentation. Textures are quite noticeable, but peaks are not accentuated. The midrange sounds slightly more open but not thin and peaky. Male vocals and string instruments seem to have more body with a decent grunt. Female vocals feel slightly more powerful and emotional. However, the overall transparency is in no way negatively affected by this - such is the overall improvement.

The treble region is made slightly more distinct without enhancing the peaks. This is really a wonderful effect the H2 has. The background cymbal rolls come into notice quite effortlessly, and yet the forward cymbal crashes never become piercing. Lower treble sounds very slightly more energised, while upper treble feels a bit more extended and the trailing edges are more prominent.

The overall presentation feel slightly bigger with a bit more expansion in height and depth of stage, a bit more dynamic and organic, and overall extremely pleasing. Despite the bigger notes there was no decrease in air or any hint of congestion. Separation was still the same wonderful as before.



With MEAOES Eagle, the result is very much in line with the Vortex. Eagle already has a decently powerful low end with a very slight roll off in the subbass, difficult to notice unless A/B-ing with other iems. H2 comes into play here and provides that last bit of boost in the subbass to make it fuller and bigger, but not boomy. Midbass notes similarly feel slightly bigger with more noticeable textures - which is a definite plus for Eagle.

As I already mentioned in my initial impression of Eagle, it has a very transparent midrange, albeit slightly lean. Well, H2 provides its magic touch here as well. The midrange notes become slightly fuller and bigger sounding with no loss of transparency. Male vocals and Guitars are the primary benefactors of this effect, as they become near euphoric after this. Female vocals were already quite magical in Eagle, but H2 elevates them to a slightly upper level as well.

As I already mentioned earlier, Eagle has a treble that was to die for. Seriously, I cannot emphasise enough how much I love it. It is brilliant, airy, sparkling, full of details, and never ever shouty or piercing. Well, H2 enhances this also! Imagine my surprise when with H2 I can suddenly feel the treble be more open and prominent sounding! No, it does not become overly bright or piercing, instead, the notes become slightly better defined with a wee bit more extension in the upper treble.

As a whole, H2 enhances and expands the already big sound of MEAOES Eagle. The overall presentation feels slightly bigger and bolder, with a bit more macro dynamics added. Stage was already massive, and that is not negatively affected, just the previously lean nature becomes fuller and more refined with the H2.



Conclusion:
ISN Audio H2 is a winner in my book, and it most certainly deserves its place among the default recommendations under $100. Grand sound - check, Soft and light - check, Sturdy build - check, Detachable connectors that fit tightly - check. I mean, it ticks so many checkboxes that it is very difficult to pick out any cons at all! The only con I could make out was with the carrying case, but even that was pushing it. H2 is a wonderful hybrid cable, and now it will be permanently attached to my Vortex.