Paiaudio PDM4 3BA + 1 Dynamic Driver IEM

Paiaudio PDM4
Redcarmoose Labs August 14th, 2024

Specification
Brand: Paiaudio
Model: PDM4
Driver: 3 Balanced Armature +1 Dynamic Driver
Impedance: 22Ω±1%
Sensitivity: 110±1dB
Frequency range: 20-20kHz
Connector: 0.78 2pin
Jack:3.5mm audio/4.4mm balanced
Cable: Silver-plated Single crystal copper
Cable Length:1.3m
Earphone plug type: Line Type 4.4mm or 3.5mm

Package
Paiaudio PDM4

$109.00
https://penonaudio.com/Paiaudio-PDM4

Introduction/summary:
This is a review of the Paiaudio PDM4. I have reviewed one other Paiaudio before, the PDM7. The differences are the PDM7 is more V shaped, offering a slightly intense listen with full-on bass accents and a flamboyant specialized treble section provided by custom composite 2BA drivers. Where the PDM7 is a seven-driver Hybrid, it utilizes a 10mm CNT diaphragm for bass. And even though the PDM7 uses 4 BAs for the midrange, the mids are slightly set back with emphasis on a strong bass and treble. Where the PDM4 arrives with a smaller shell, also different is the shell is 3D printed, offering a more reserved SHURE 10mm bass driver. Probably the most noticeable difference between the two IEMs comes from the PDM4's more forward vocal stance. Yep, both male and female vocals stage themselves out-front and vivid, seemingly alive and right in-front of you. And…….the diminished bass of the PDM4 gets the vocals that much more noticeable, in comparison to the PDM7.

The amazing part is the PDM4 does this with only 3 total BAs, not 6 like the PDM7. While sure the DPM7 offers expanded harmonics, it can be said that the PDM4, besides the forward vocals, is offering a lesser V response holding a toned down treble and bass. Subsequently promoting a vocal stance which takes front and center.
End of summary.



The start of this journey:
So probably to tell this PDM4 story correctly we need to go back. The arrival of the Paiaudio PDM4 was almost half a month ago. First impressions were very different from where we are now. Yep, really like a whole different IEM. Whenever a less expensive model arrives than its predecessor you have to step back for a moment and almost view things from a distance. Meaning the Paiaudio PDM7 retails for $269.00, which in this competitive market place is maybe questionable for some. To me the PDM7 was nothing short of a miracle, the PDM7 vividness and contrasts, the emotion of just hearing my music replayed on this IEM, I gave it a 5 star review. And truly these new IEMs and the sound they perform goes to show the current state-of-affairs in the IEM marketplace. China has taken the Hybrid idea, the idea of a DD or 2 DD and a set of BAs and ran with it. And I will come clean, Hybrids are my favorite way to go. I simply like the way they are able to use BA drivers in the best sort of formation flowing the midrange and treble out to the sides, reserving the heavy bass action for the DD. And that’s what we have with both the PDM4 and PDM7. Yet the PDM4 going in at only $109.00 is by far the better value.

Now you may guess 3 less BAs to the PDM4 would somehow diminish the stage, or vividness, or something? Where in fact it is simply a lesser of harmonic complexity, that is a tad less. But in light of the diminishing returns for IEM monies spent the $160.00 less cost of the PDM4 is truly minimal. Meaning the stage and drama put out by the PDM4 is just as emotional and fun. Yep, the two IEMs share the same great vibe. Only the PDM4 goes to diminish the bass and push the vocals forward. Both male and female vocals share this framing that for many will be actually better than the PDM7. Sure the PDM4 doesn’t have quite the treble of the PDM7, but once those upper midrange frequencies go into action, any thoughts, any wants for more treble get put on the back burner.

Now to go back to the very start of this journey when the PDM4 arrived 1/2 a month ago, first impressions were very, very different. So different that I must warn you, the PDM4 was the biggest change from 7 days of burn-in in my personal IEM history. Yep, I say this so if the PDM4 comes to your door and you take it out of the box, and it sounds one way, 7 days of continuous burn-in will change the IEM so much that in the end……..in the end of 7 days I will guarantee you will be holding a much different resulting IEM in your hands. I just don’t know how else to write this review without going over this at the start?



PDM7 size verses PDM4 size:
As you can see the two IEMs are very different in size. Where I have medium sized ears, and the PDM7 fits fine, but still it really is on the larger size. Where instead of a hollow shell, like the PDM7 has, Paiaudio went all out with this new 3D printing technology to make the PDM4 way smaller. Looking inside we can now see the 3D printed sound tubes, the SHURE 10mm DD. In reality the amusing part is how the two sound like family even though the PDM4 is designed in a totally different way. This maybe is simply done through tuning skills?





The included cable:
While both the PDM7 and PDM4 come with exactly the same included cable, this silver-plated single crystal copper affair seemed to work with the PDM7 better in my uses. What I mean is if you read my PDM7 review I talk about this cable like the second coming of Jesus. I really love what it does for the PDM7. And upon first impressions the included cable seemed to work for the PDM4, only after burn-in we were reading a totally different story. Yep, the PDM4 went to this new place in frequency output, where upon trying the included cable, the included cable was simply not smooth enough. And let me say, this is very rare in itself as a concept. Normally manufactures included a basically well rounded cable to come with their IEM. Manufacturers know that to arrive at wide-spread acceptance of their IEM they must cater to the mainstream and provide a middle of the road cable. Not too bright, not too dark, simply covering all bases to reach wide-spread acceptance. But I must say I found a few aftermarket cables to align the tone of the PDM4 a little more to my liking. That’s not to say the included cable is not usable, because it is, it is just not the best in my uses for the PDM4. Now the crazy part is the included cable is on its own very very high quality, really a much better quality than ever comes with $109.00 IEMs. So my idea is that many may simply switch-out the cable for a cable they already have, and in doing so will reach nirvana on both this new PDM4 and whatever IEM you stole the cable off of. I say this because the PDM4 will totally show you the lay of the land as far as cable choice goes.



Top down:
Penon GD849
Penon ASOS+
Penon ASOS+X

Cable rolls:
Here we will subdue our curiosity and have an afternoon of fun, simply seeing where we can go with the PDM4. Though my first disclaimer is to inform you my reader that this is simply one person's perception. That as listeners we all can judge the sonic atmosphere in a few different ways. I was recently reminded of this when I read a new review by a respected reviewer to include as his favorite, my least favorite cable with another very popular IEM. There is nothing wrong with this as we all use different ear-tips, have diffident DAPs, and different ear anatomy in place. There are even the inner workings of different mental tone preferences in action, and different preferred sub-genres of music, which will get emphasis in different areas with use with a different cable. The important part is to have fun and keep an open mind. Also remember cable ideas (for some reason) are not set in stone. Meaning a cable that didn’t work-out last year, may in fact be something that you would put in use today. With that said…….still there is value in finding truths, so to speak. Meaning most reviewers that believe in cables can agree on the personality held inside what a cable does to a signal. And due to commonality of results we sway to the brighter results or to the darker outcomes in regards to these sonic attributes in action.

My first roll was actually an IEM. Yep, I tested the included cable again first with a bright IEM to see just what was going on. This is a way to understand how the included cable plays with other kids. And sure enough, where some companies provided a warmer darker cable to thicken-up a response, the Paiaudio company is providing a cable which leans to the slightly brighter side of life. I wanted to learn if the included cable was an energizer or a de-energizer……….and sure enough it was an energizer bunny.

Cable rolls:
GD849:
Look, I would have never guessed upon first impressions that this particular cable would even be a choice on the actual day the PDM4 review was written, but so is life, some things change, while others remain the same. 8 shares and each share holds 49 cores…..thus 8X49….the name 849. The difference here from the other three in the 849 cable family….the OS849, the GS849 and the OCC849 is that added gold. Hence we are trying to add density and thickness, warmth and note-weight.



GD849:
Probably the greatest part of this is I finally get the PDM4 in my ears again. Yep, too much talk, not enough listening. To ramble-on the GD849 has been my pet cable of choice which is bewildering as when I first did the 4 cable 849 review I considered the GD a niche cable, meaning of the three other 849 it shows itself to be the odd man out. As in my uses the OS849 silver plated copper diluted things to a brighter and more expansive stage. In my thorough testing the stage was just slightly smaller inside the GD849 universe, but due to the thickness added under certain applications, the desired results we still wanted and needed. Why? Because tone most of the time wins out over stage desires.

GD849:
Here I’m using the Sony Walkman WM1A with MrWalkman’s aftermarket firmware, and my regular wide-bore ear-tips. Gosh these fit good, no need for ear-hooks. The PDM4 at only 5 grams a piece is not only the perfect weight, the sculpturing in form factor makes them fit way inside you outer ear! Here the sonic results contain all of the previously explained capacity. Post burn-in the bass became smoother and the vocals came even more forward. The GD849 is taking the intensity of the pinna gain and adding warmth and subsequent thickness. Here is the thing…….I get a lot of IEM given to me for review. It seems to be a consistent flow, now I am not saying I know everything, but I have been around the block, actually I’m going around the block every month it seems, even if I want to or not. And the gig with the PDM4 is a glorious grand stage, more brilliant vibrance of stage than you would ever guess for $109.00. And the crazy part is that even with this reduced stage GD849 the enormous stage pushed through. Not only is it pushed through the instruments and the frequency, they hold are helping to form this event of stage. But I will go on to report that the pinna area is forward and vivid even with the clockworks of the GD849 in action. The resulting experience is beautiful forward vocals that you can almost touch. For the folks that understand vocal IEMs, then they know what I’m talking about. But more than that there is a definite bass, while not as forward and bouncy as the DPM7 we are still grooving, though more grooving in a way your Parents would understand. Lol I could go on and on with this cable, but this review isn’t about how long I can make it, but what important information I can provide per word.

Just realize the GD849 is letting the vocal magic through and still allowing a darn great stage to be gifted here, plus wonderful installments of timbre and instrument tone for the taking. Really this is one of or the best roughly $100 IEMs I have heard this year……….it really is. Of course remember Hybrids are my thing!



The ASOS+:
In so many many ways this would be my final cable recommendation for the PDM4. Strangely the upper pinna gain is even smoother and more accessible sonically. More sophisticated, and less contrasty, which actually goes to provide even more detail. Wait, did I just say the word detail here? I was going to save that word for further down in the cable review section, but I can’t help myself. Ok, let me save it.

Stage:
Let me cough, wait I’m going to cough some more. Why? I’m speechless that’s why. Look, I don’t care about any controversy surrounding the PDM7 if it’s a value or not, if it’s good or just OK. We know and you may know if you drum up a few graphs……I don’t want or need graphs. I have the IEMs and I have ears. Plus stage is something you will never learn from a graph. To try and put this on paper, the PDM4 is a stage marvel. A few will get into the hands of enthusiasts and we will solidify this truth. But the point is the ASOS+ really leaves everything alone…….besides the stage. Meaning tonally the ASOS+ is uncolored and pure. Simply letting the musical magic take place, whatever the heck that is? But to reiterate here, bass is taught and firm, right in its zone. Vocals are both soft and floating clear as day………and a joy to behold. In fact the ASOS+ thickness and warmth maybe makes you question just how vocal centric the PDM4 is, because everything is just about perfect, the perfect way when you forget any emphasis on vocals and just enjoy the ride taking place. The thing is everything is effortlessly in the zone. I don’t hear any off timbre like with a few recent acquisitions in place at Redcarmoose Labs. We are witnessing the best of outcomes, with the possibility of only the ASOS+X getting this show to the next level. And yes, I already know what’s coming! But before we go to the next level I wanted to try out the HiBy R3 II as an alternative to the mid focus of the WM1A. Yep, the HiBy R3 II gives a different idea of playback for just $179.00.

“The HiBy 3 II:
While not offering the stage of the WM1A, the stage is still quite the feature, much larger in size than the price would have you guess. As in audio you get what you pay for, except times are moving forward and technology is advancing, simply offering you more bang for your buck. This M shaped tonal response means a slight tuck in the low-lows which advances pace and gives the lower mids a boost. The upper midrange also offers a provocative staging display which seems to move imaging outward into formation of brilliance. So we find a well rounded and careful tune which will appeal to more listeners. None of that tip-top brightness which gives unnatural treble detail, and no deep lows to smear the pace. What we are left with is a highly musical and well rounded M response. Power reserves come into play here too, as the R3 II is never seemingly thwarted by what it is required to power, leaving the sound character (described above) fully intact.”

To where in our particular ASOS+ cable, PDM4 IEM and ear-tips response, the R3 II stage is lesser, but still totally enjoyable due to the intrinsic stage characteristics of this IEM. In fact I switched to the HiBy just to find a slightly different replay to report on and I wanted to keep going…..to further the review………..listening (got in the way) in essence putting a hold on the review. While not as harmonically complex or holding the actual instrument imaging creation, we are still left with both a lesser midrange replay vividness, while at the same time a thinner one with less romance and substance surrounding the vocals and instruments. It is this style of purity that the ASOS+ and DPM4 have the ability to grab-hold of replaying. A few years ago, nothing like this level of performance was even remotely possible for this style of money!



The ASOS+X:
And here we are……at the end of the cable reviews. The end of the street so to speak. While sure there are other avenues to travel down and new places to see and experience, such efforts could also add to a little confusion and lessen our point. Accept maybe I will try one other cable not listed yet and not photographed as a way to reach success? I mean let's get real here. The GD849 is $99.90, the ASOS+ is $215.00………….and the ASOS+X is $319.00. Truly this is maybe not a practical cable union for the Paiaudio PDM4? At almost 3X the price surely there could be better suiters for the PDM4? Here is the thing……OK. We live in a different world now, take a look outside, everything is different. What I’m saying is there is nothing wrong (where maybe before there was) with putting this cable to work. Reason being is the union makes the very most out of the PDM4. The difference scientifically is that Penon has added simply 4 more strands to the ASOS+ cables 8 stands to end-up with 12 stands. Now on paper that would mean that we get 1/3 more material to transfer sonics…….yes. But as with these things, kind-of like cooking an added amount of something will push through to change the entire focus. Like adding salt to a dish, or adding that special spice that creates a flavor previously unknown to take place. This added extra 1/3 can at times change the whole 100%. Maybe it is an added stage focus, but what takes place is instruments and vocals go on to separate themselves, to add size………..and that size window gives way to the study of details previously thought to not exist in the first place.

The ASOS+X and PDM4:
HA, back into visiting a land prior not known to exist. A funny small village off the beaten path, where the women look somehow special and charming. These ideas about sound replay are real, and just like I remember them from hearing this replay before, there is this density and I’m witness to extra space into how the sides fall out. This can’t be from 4 extra stands, it just can’t……there is more at play but I both don’t know why and don’t have the space here to guess.

This density, this warmth, this image size is making the PDM4 so much more, more than I could have ever guessed, and even more than I remember it to be. Even the bass seems deeper, at least the bass is bigger, heck everything is bigger, as far as cymbals out to the side, they now take place as holding fall-offs and details never guessed to be found with a $109.00 IEM. Still the small town here has a brightness in that I’m not sure I can stay till morning, I mean sure it is clear, but there is no denying the fact that Paiaudio puts some contrasts here, contrasts that help with the vividness adding to the experience of drama and stage size. But while I’m here, I am partaking of this beauty, this tone where everything is accounted for and nothing is missing!



Package:

Build:

The build follows the regular Hybrid ideas, though the introduction of 3D printing brings formed sound tubes and a more compact design. The 2Pin brings with it super easy cable changes and fitment. Really the way these fit, I couldn't be happier.

Conclusion:
Look, there is no denying Paiaudio has a house sound. This sound differs yet it is also strangely familiar holding great tone, timbre and contrasts……….rarely if ever found at the $109.00 price-point. Sure they are not using Knowles or Sonion drivers, but if I didn’t mention it, you would never know it. There may be a slight hint of spice to the replay, but this realization is never clouding the whole party, like with some IEMs. Of most of us who have made those (spicy) styles of purchases, we can obviously speak the same language here. And while off-timbre is subjective, I have heard my share to guarantee you there is little if any found here! When I say that the PDM7 was V shaped and contrasty, and the PDM4 is alive with enhanced vocals, you better believe me. But that still doesn’t mean that these two IEM are not brothers, because if you heard them back to back, it couldn't be any other way. We still have the Paiaudio contrasts and fun, we still have a lot of what treasure I found in the original PDM7. It is just here the treble has been taken down a notch, the bass has been pulled back slightly and the vocals have come forward to take more of a front and center roll in your entertainment. Won’t you join me in the celebration?

$109.00
https://penonaudio.com/Paiaudio-PDM4.html

Disclaimer:
I want to thank Penon Audio for the love and for the Paiaudio PDM4 review sample.

Disclaimer:
These are one person's ideas and concepts, your results may vary.

Equipment Used:
Sony WM1A Walkman DAP MrWalkman Firmware 4.4mm balanced
Sony TA-ZH1ES DAC/AMP Firmware 1.03 4.4mm balanced
Electra Glide Audio Reference Glide-Reference Standard "Fatboy" Power Cord
Sony Walkman Cradle BCR-NWH10
AudioQuest Carbon USB
HiBy R3 II DAP 4.4mm balanced

Edit:
Just to include a graph by Ineras. Thank-you!