Penon Conductor

Penon Conductor: The Earbud That Redefines Expectations

Samuel Johnson once remarked, "Of all noises, I think music is the least disagreeable." If he were alive today, I suspect he’d feel the same about the Penon Conductor. Amidst the noise of everyday life, this earbud doesn’t just help you escape—it redefines the boundaries of what an earbud can achieve, delivering an auditory experience so profound it feels almost transformative.

As a seasoned audiophile and gear reviewer, I’ve tested countless earbuds, each with its charm and quirks. Yet, the Penon Conductor is, without a doubt, the most unique earbud I’ve ever had the pleasure of reviewing.
Note: The Penon Conductor was provided to me as a touring unit from Audiogeek, and I would like to express my appreciation for this opportunity to experience and review these impressive IEMs. Please note that sound perception can be subjective and can vary from person to person.

What Makes It Stand Out?

At first glance, the Conductor may look unassuming, but don’t let its simplicity fool you. Its true magic lies within—a Bone Conduction (BC) driver that takes bass reproduction to unprecedented levels. Traditionally, earbuds struggle with bass. It’s the Achilles’ heel of open designs: without the snug fit of IEMs or headphones, low-end frequencies tend to dissipate, leaving the listener craving more weight and depth.

The Conductor doesn’t just compensate—it obliterates that limitation. The BC driver doesn’t merely enhance the bass; it elevates it to a realm that feels almost impossible for an earbud. Imagine the tight, punchy resonance of a high-end subwoofer, but delivered seamlessly through a tiny form factor. Whether you’re listening to a throbbing bass line in EDM, the deep resonance of a cello in classical pieces, or the earthy thrum of a double bass in jazz, the Conductor ensures the low-end is full-bodied, articulate, and immersive.

Beyond the Bass: A Symphony of Detail

While the bass is undoubtedly the headline act, the Penon Conductor isn’t a one-trick pony. Its tuning strikes a delicate balance across the spectrum, offering:

• Mids that Sing: Vocals, whether husky or angelic, take center stage with stunning clarity. There’s a warmth that feels intimate, as though the singer is performing just for you.
• Highs that Sparkle: Treble frequencies shimmer without straying into harshness, making them perfect for extended listening sessions.
• Soundstage and Imaging: Despite its earbud form, the Conductor creates an expansive, almost headphone-like soundstage. Instruments are precisely placed, allowing you to close your eyes and feel the space of a live performance.

The Listening Experience

Testing the Conductor across genres was nothing short of revelatory:

• Jazz: The upright bass on Miles Davis’s Kind of Blue came alive with a resonance and texture that felt palpable. Every pluck of the strings was distinct, and the cymbals shimmered with delicate finesse.
• Pop and EDM: Dua Lipa’s Don’t Start Now showcased the earbud’s bass capabilities, delivering thumping lows that energized the track without overshadowing her velvety vocals.
• Classical: Yo-Yo Ma’s rendition of Bach’s Cello Suite No. 1 revealed the Conductor’s ability to capture the rich overtones and dynamic subtleties of stringed instruments.

Why It’s a Game-Changer

The Penon Conductor isn’t just an earbud—it’s a statement. It challenges preconceived notions of what an earbud can do, particularly in the realm of bass reproduction. The Bone Conduction driver isn’t a gimmick; it’s a technological leap that addresses the perennial weak spot of earbuds.

But beyond the tech, what truly sets the Conductor apart is its musicality. It’s not about cold, clinical accuracy—it’s about emotion. The Conductor doesn’t just play your favorite tracks; it breathes life into them, making each note, each beat, each nuance resonate with you on a deeply personal level.

Penon an are an established company who are not afraid to try new and exciting things when in comes to earphones of all types.
With the Penon Conductor they have come up with a new concept the leap is including a Bone Conduction driver along with a single DD the result is so successful it almost creates a new category of earphone not and iem, not a flathead or a Headphone but a combination of the attributes of all three.



From reading the intro you can probably see that I'm in full hype mode! For this I offer no apology as the Conductor has me totally enamoured with its incredible holographic presentation I'd call it 3D but it's not its 4D because you can literally feel the music. The implementation of the Bone Conduction is thw most successful I have experienced in any format the earpiece vibrates in your ear giving a visceral aspect to the music drum strikes, guitar strums are felt as well as heard.

The Conductor is an unassuming looking earphone in red resin small in diameter but I'm quite thick in depth with a mmcx connection the cable is a colour coordinated average quality addition the drivers are 14.2 mm N55 Sapphire Diaphragm Dynamic Driver, a 11.2mm Bone Conduction Driver wih a screw to control the conduction vibration with included tiny screw driver.



This what Penon has to say about the Conductor
PENON Conductor 1 Bone Conduction Driver + 1 Dynamic Driver Hybrid Audiophile MMCX Earphone Earbud with BCD Knob
3D printed medical resin shell1x 14.2mm N55 Sapphire Diaphragm Dynamic driver 1x 11.2mm bone conduction driver A knob to adjust BCD energy

Features:

N55 NdFeB magnets have high BHmax, high Hcj and good temperature stability, which makes the N55 dynamic driver have higher sensitivity and better dynamic response in sound performance.

Technical advantages

High magnetic flux: The high magnetic flux provided by the N55 magnet helps to improve the magnetic field strength of the dynamic driver, thereby enhancing the expressiveness and penetration of the sound.Low distortion:
Excellent magnetic circuit design and material selection help to reduce the distortion of the sound during transmission, making the sound purer and more natural.Easy to drive:
The high sensitivity makes the N55 dynamic driver easier to be driven by the front-end device, and it can perform well even at lower power.
Bone conduction DriverAluminum alloy shell, high-performance NdFeB magnetic field, inner magnetic circuit design, enhance the strongest magnetic field lines.Equipped with spring steel vibrator, it has high elasticity and high sensitivity, and the sound is fuller and more powerful. A knob to adjust the energy of BCD
The energy of the bone conduction driver is adjustable, designed a switch knob to adjust its energy output. Five scales are provided as reference points for adjustment, and fine-tuning can be easily done using the included screwdriver tool.
Specification:
CONDUCTOR
Driver: 1 Bone Conduction Driver + 1 Dynamic DriverImpedance : 16ohmFrequency response range : 20-20kHzSensitivity : 117dBConnector: MMCXCable material: silver-plated OCCPlug: 3.5mm audio /4.4mm balanced Gold-platedCable length:1.2m

Package

PENON CONDUCTOR
Carry case
Foam Eartips
A pair of rubber rings (The diameter of the Conductor shell is about 15.5mm, which is suitable for smaller ears. If you have larger ears, you can use silicone rings to increase it to about 16.3mm)Please do not cover the vent hole when using the silicone ring, please check when you put on the silicone ring.
I'd just like to say upfront I believe we are all biased when giving our subjective thoughts about IEMs and earbuds be it a particular type of signature that works with our music library or how they look and feel in our ears. On the subject of ears everyone's ear anatomy is different and this effects fit and seal which in turn effects the perception of bass response so I recommend finding the right ear tips or foams that suit your ears to get the best of any earphone.



My review star ratings are linked to the price range of the iem eg a 5 star review of a $100 iem is not equal to one of a $500 iem.
I’m and audio enthusiast with a collection of over 200 iems, 30 different sources with a music collection that numbers over 100,000 tracks and 18 flathead buds I share my impressions as a way to share my enthusiasm for the hobby I approach from the premise of music first technology 2nd, what does this mean? For me the technicalities are not of prime importance but does the music move with this particular iem.

I’m a connoisseur of many different sound signatures. The only prerequisite is musicality I’m not a fan of analytical cold playback. My scale of success when it comes to evaluating earphones is; do I get goosebumps when they playback my favourite tunes. There are many good earphones but do they give me goosebumps? Unfortunately I have a draw full of just good earphones.



I want the earphone that I reach for without thinking because I instinctively know it will bring the thrill I’m seeking from my music.
The Conductor has a balanced slightly warm sound signature with excellent technicalities and very natural presentation while being free of any unnatural tone or timbre colouration, the bass is there with great texture and detail and enough quantity to satisfy my tastes. The standout quality is the holographic spacious staging with zero amount of distortion or congestion even with fast speed prog metal. This ability is very dependent on fit in the usual down fitting for flathead i was not able to get the exact position to get the best out of the Conductor it just kept moving out of position. After trying numerous cables I settled on a high quality SPC with earhooks.
Wearing the Conductor over ear by placing the Buds flush with my ear canal just resting not inserted rather like an over ear headphone the earhooks keeping the Buds on place. The true groundbreaking sound qualities of the Conductor are released.
Now I know there are those who don’t believe in burn in of earphones, all I’m going to say is, I burn in all my earphones the Conductor really opened and up and smoothed out at the 50 hour mark.



Disclaimer
Penon was kind enough me a sample of the Conductor. I am not affiliated with Penon and of course was not asked for any copy checking before publishing, they are seeing this the same time as you. All pictures taken be me or sourced from the Penon website . ALL opinions shared in this review are my subjective thoughts.

Make sure to research any earphone before you buy!

The Conductor is available from the Penon website,
see the non affiliated link below

https://penonaudio.com/PENON-CONDUCTOR.html

What do they sound like?
The Conductor have the Penon house sound smooth, musical with more midbass than subbass as is the case with most earbuds where the Conductor flips the game is the the way its cohesive signature incorporates midbass snap and attack with the rest of the frequencies. The mids are smooth at the forefront with a clarity and detail Ive not experinced even with in ear iems theyl have some brightness without sounding thin the upper mids have enough bite to give guitars a pleasing aggressive presence. The treble is crisp but not sibilant or fatiguing, cymbals sound natural with a nice decay placed right where they should be not artificially forward. They manage to have a very wide, tall and deep staging while being bassy enough to make drums and bass guitar sound natural. The impressive thing is these little wonders have an out of head layering that allows pinpoint allocation of instruments allowing for a far more realistic layering experience than I expected more akin to an expensive over ear headphone.



I want to really enjoy my music. Something that releases the full scope of what the artist created in the studio. The Conductor achieves that with cohesion ensuring to there’s no jarring transitions between the frequency range. The Conductor has a natural organic, anologue signature, its not thin though it has an very open detailed signature bass is textured, dynamic and layered. The mids are free of any colouration and don’t colour the vocals there is a little extra body to males vocals, female are realistic and sweet with a natural timbre. The vocals are front and centre with instruments placed exactly where they should be showing depth to the stage with natural wide holographic presentation . The Conductor's dynamic driver and Bone Conduction drivers sound very coherent no trace of uneven timbre just everything working together as one.
The mids are natural and organic, with just enough edge to add excitement to vocals and guitars causing me to be drawn into the music, Pianos and Guitars are given a really even treatment with good note weight sounding exactly as you would expect if you were in a concert hall.

The Transition from upper mids to lower treble is smooth as butter and sibilance free, even with songs that have sibilance bult into the recording.
The timbre and tactility of drums, strings, guitars and brass instruments is very natural all instruments find their own place. Vocals both male and female are reproduced authentically with emotion, every inflection, intonation is apparent as a singer climbs the scale to the crescendo it is presented well cutting through, if a voice has gravel you hear it vocals have a very pleasing weight coming across very natural the Conductor however is not forgiving of poorly produced music.

When I'm evaluating earphones I have a play list of roughly 100 songs of mixed genres. With the Conductor I was analysing the different frequency ranges listening to albums in their entirety just loosing myself in the music. I found they I worked across all the genres in my library with including Hip hop where the bass is sufficient enough for the big bass drops always soundin smooth, spacious and detailed .

Michael Bolton - When a man loves a woman
Sounded wonderfully full and clean with the crisp drums and full bodied of guitars Bolton's magical tenor vocals sounding full and sweet with no thinness the layering in this 80s classic AOR song was produced with expert precision full of atmospherics a really enjoyable listen

Alanis Morissette: You Oughta know
The angst ridden vocal is fabulous with just enough weight to draw you in slowly building with emotion the voal acrobatics are surrounded with the jagged instrumentation. The staging is brilliantly reproduced increasing the atmospherics greatly. The Conductor works incredibly well with studio and live recordings putting you front and centre in the room with the artist.

Steely Dan's – Black Cow,
One of the best produced albums in my opinion was played with a breathtaking expertise at this price range, drums, keyboards, vocals , hi-hats and cymbals were natural with excellent decay space and staging with good height, depth and width enabling me to pick out instruments in the mix, this song felt open and airy with the layering of the instruments in a class above any earbud or iem I've listened to at this price level.

Peter Gabriel- Solsbury hill the way the Conductor played back thus song was a real goosebumps moment Gabriel's vocals were wonderfully separated allowing me to fully appreciate his fabulous voice the strum of the guitars separated from the complex percussion the individual parts of the song floating in the mix separate but together in a cohesive whole. The Conductor manages to keep production in control sounding dynamic and immersiive avoiding any congestion, impressive.

Earth Wind and Fire – Fantasy
This Funky masterpiece with its magnificent horns funky bass lines and outstanding vocals is played with effortless ease the holographic staging really drawing me into the music. This description from Wikipedia perfectly sums up the experience of listening with the Conductor"Voices and a light touch of strings suddenly appear over a choppy, propulsive track, swell and swoop, only to disappear at the snap of a finger and pop up moments later for an exciting, powerful finale. White also utilizes an odd instrumental mix that gives equal emphasis to percussion (except the bass drum, which is usually played down), bass, rhythm guitars and stabbing, staccato horn bursts. The result is light but substantial" simply a stunning track played back with impressive skill and finesse.

The Conductor is quite easy to drive earbud I had no issues using them with my , Daps, Dongles in getting loud enough, the dynamics and open sound was present with all sources the texture and layering they are capable of was available for all to some degree.

They sounded good with all sources. This is an iem that doesn’t need a powerful source but it does scale impressively.
I'm not a fan of analytical sounding IEMs that force details into your ears like a photograph with HDR and sharpening set at max a decidedly digital representation. I'm more Vinyl on a turntable, Leica manual focus, sumptuous colours on kodak colour gold film, kinda guy, where if you look really close all the details are there but it's the whole image you appreciate rather than just how sharp it is.

Sources used:
Onix XM5 Overture
Shaning M6 Ultra
Shanling H5
Cayin N3 Ultra
KAEI TAP1 with Burson v7 OP AMPs

My Favourite source was without doubt the Onix Xm5 Overture with the KAEI TAP1 with this set up the Conductor was in my opinion without doubt the highest performing flat head earphone in my collection even outperforming some of my more expensive iems with its unique talents.

Comparison

This is quite difficult as the Conductor is multiple levels above all the earbuds in my collection.

LRay Aurora
The Aurora is far more bass dominant with elevated sub bass and midbass
This is the only frequency range that has more quantity but the quality of the bass is superior on the Conductor everything else is left in the dust with the levels of distortion free detail and staging is levels above the Aurora.

Shozy Cygnus
The Cygnus is way less detailed, with inferior texture and timbre the bass while being equal in quantity is lacking in quality. Its almost comical how much the Conductor is superior in every aspect.

I used the included doughnut foams placed over the earpiece for comfort this did not effecting the clarity and detail resolution. While my preference was for a cable with ear hooks I did experience good results while cable rolling with the following cables
Penon OCC849 (penonaudio.com)
Penon OCC849 Single Crystal Copper HiFi Audiophile IEMs Cable
Type-4 Litz configuration
Description
6n single crystal copper cable
8 strands, single strand is 49 cores, a total of 8 × 49.
The plug contains 68% copper
The solder joints is silver – contained tin
Carbon fiber metal splitter and CNC integrated slider
Cable length: 1.2M

Penon OS849 (penonaudio.com)

Penon OS849 Single Crystal Copper Silver-plated HiFi Audiophile IEMs Cable
Type-4 Litz configuration
Description
6n single crystal copper silver-plated cable
Contained 8% silver, the thickness is 10μm,
8 strands, single strand is 49 cores, a total of 8 × 49.
The plug contains 68% copper
The solder joints is silver –contained tin
Carbon fiber metal splitter and CNC integrated slider
Sound field is very big and very natural
Cable length: 1.2M


Conclusion
The Penon Conductor has been a revelation to me while on the surface an earbud with its natural anologue holographic playback it sounds more like a high quality headphone, if and it's a decent sized if you can find a good fit and I can't emphasise enough over ear is the best way to experience it's charms. It's an absolute recommendation from me!

Introduction

Penon is an online audio store, established in 2013 and has been working ever since to sell audio products at an affordable price.

Along with their online store, they also created their own audio brand in 2018 under the same name. Penon has always been known for making great sounding iem at various price ranges, configuration as well as playing with a lot of different yet still good sounding tuning

Not just iem, but they also make earbuds as well. Penon have been making a few earbuds in the past like the Penon PAC, or the Penon BS1. And now, in 2024, the Conductor is the latest earbuds from Penon, featuring a 14.2 mm N55 Sapphire Diaphragm Dynamic Driver, along with an 11.2mm Bone Conduction Driver AND a knob to control the BCD energy.



The Conductor is selling for 199$, which is their most expensive earbuds to date. You can buy the Conductor here on Penon website: https://penonaudio.com/PENON-CONDUCTOR

Disclaimer: I would like to thank Penon and AudioGeek for providing the touring unit of this iem to Vietnam. Everything I said in this review is my subjective opinion only.

Packaging

The package for the Conductor is nearly identical to many other Penon iems/earbuds packages in the past. Open up the box, you’d see a carrying case inside. Inside it would be nearly all you’d need to enjoy the Conductor. They include: a 4.4mm 8 cores cable, 2 pairs of silicone O-rings, many pairs of donut foam in different color but same density and a turning screw





Design/Build quality/Comfort

The Conductor has a proprietary design shell from Penon, which is very different to the widely available MX500. I’ll let the pictures do the talking here.



Example of MX500 shells:



The shells are made out of a clear red, medical grade resin. It houses the 14.2mm dynamic driver up front and a BCD in the back, which is visible through the clear shells.


At the bottom of the housing, you’d see the tuning screw for the BCD. According to the guiding paper, the more you turn the screw counter-clockwise, the stronger the effect of the BCD and vice versa.

For comfort/fit, it’s a bit of a mixed bag for me. It’s a comfortable earbud overall, but it doesn’t sit tightly on my ear like with the MX500 or the Qian39 shell. This is purely due to the design of the housing. With the lack of a housing stem, the Conductor is more suitable to wear over-ear like an iem.

The included cable is an 8 cores MMCX cable in 4.4mm termination. It's a decent quality cable, not too stiff but not too soft either.


Sound impression

Source: Poco F3+UAPP, Dell laptop + Foobar 2000

Dac/Amp: Chord Mojo, Ibasso DC07 Pro, EPZ TP50, Cayin RU7

Cable: Stock

Foam: Stock

Driveability: The Conductor has an impedance of 16 ohms and sensitivity of 117db, so it’s not a too hard to drive earbuds overall. I can drive the earbuds comfortably with my Ibasso DC07 Pro dongle or the Chord Mojo 1 dac/amp. However, in classic earbuds fashion, I do believe it would benefit with stronger, higher quality sources.

Tonality: Warm-ish

Bass:

Let’s start with the bass. The Conductor has a neutral-ish amount of bass boost, having more mid bass than subbass. The subbass of the Conductor isn’t very boosted either, as I spot a steep roll off before 110hz. Despite not being too loose or flabby when listening to the subbass drop of “Why So Serious” and “Chameleon”, the subbass doesn’t have a lot of depth and air volume to them. The midbass boost amounts to around 3-4db from my estimation. The bass texture and tech is decent overall, above average in the earbuds world. Kicks and drums have a natural attack and decay, not feeling sluggish in quick drumming sessions, though they don’t pack THAT much weight behind them. Bass head won’t be satisfied with the bass here I'm afraid.

All that I've mentioned above is with the BCD turned OFF. What would happen if I turned it ON all the way then? The effect of the BCD is mostly in the midbass region. The BCD feels more like a “bass resonance driver”, where the whole shell would shake in conjunction to the bass rhythm. The BCD vibration peaks at 250hz - meaning the shell vibrates the most at this frequency. The BCD does not change the tuning of the earbuds, or make the DD sounds smaller whatsoever.

What does that mean for music playback? It means that other than the physical vibration brought by the driver’s movement to the eardrums, now you can even feel the playback on your tragus and anti-tragus as well. With tracks like “Playing God” - Polyphia, now suddenly the drummer starts to have more presence, more immersive, each kick and hits are easier to feel and track.

Or with the track “Million Dollar Baby” - Tommy Richman, the main beat from 0:13 onwards, those midbass thumps are near 250hz, so it shakes the whole shells by a lot, providing a very fun listening experience.

That’s why I like to use the Conductor with the BCD turn on to the max most of the time. Granted, the fit, and by extension, the area of contact that the Conductor has against your outer ears will affect how much you can actually feel the BCD.

Mids

The Conductor is a very mid-centric earbud. The midrange sits pretty much forward in the mix. There’s just a little bit of bass bleed into the lower midrange, which gives it a bit of warmth. For the upper midrange, it’s not heavily boosted either, nor is it peaky, so you won’t hear any shoutiness and harshness coming from the Conductor.

Male vocals are decent, having a good amount of warmth and weighty feeling to them without sounding too husky. Female vocals sound fine, having enough ear gain to pop out of the mix but lacks just a bit of liveliness to them. I think there’d be some people, including myself who would wish for a bit more brightness or some energy added to the uppermids region, so female vocals can pop out some more.

Hence, the use of donut foam for the Conductor is quite logical I think. Had you used a full thick foam like Heigi foam, the vocals would’ve been too laid back and/or muffled.

Instruments have a relatively natural timbre overall. There’s nothing too odd or off sounding that I’ve discovered. Note weight however, is a bit on a lighter side. Violin and viola sounds smooth with no abrasive texture to them. Trombone and horn sounds natural in tone and resonance, but lacking a bit of meat. Piano sounds evenly spread out and a bit on a mellow side.

Treble

The Conductor has a nice treble extension. It feels relatively smooth and balance with good amount of air and shimmering here. There’s a dip in the 8-9khz region, then it raise back up at 10khz, then have a natural treble roll off. The lower and mid treble have similar energy relative to the upper midrange. All of which translate to a very metallic-and-sibilant free playbacks. Cymbals and hi-hats, although having good presence and snappy brilliance, do have a softer bite to them, not being heavily pronounced. It certainly leans more towards being musical rather than being highly analytical and hi-res. Trebleheads would definitely wish for more energy here.

Technicalities

The Conductor has a very holographic soundstage overall, with around equal width, height and depth. It has a decent sized stage, with a good “out of head” feeling to them. The BCD adds some sort of immersiveness to some tracks as well. The imaging, separation and layering is above average.

I feel like there’s still room left for improvements here to make it truly worthy of being a “flagship” earbud, like a bit more open stage, sharper separation, more detail retrieval, etc…. But Penon didn’t claim this as their flagship ( I did) and for what it has in its caliber, I think the Conductor has a very well rounded technical performance.

Comparison

1/ TGXears Serratus

These two earbuds are selling at the same price on Penon website at 199$. The Serratus is one of the first earbuds from TGX and it’s a very popular model in the earbuds world. The Serratus houses a 300ohm driver with blue LCP diaphragm. The Serratus is harder to drive than the Conductor.

During this comparison, I use the stock donut foam for the Conductor and thin full foam for the Serratus.

Sound wise, the Serratus has a U-shaped tonality

The Serratus is way more boosted and extended in the subbass. The Serratus’s subbass has more tactility and physicality, and feels more elastic as well. Granted, the Serratus has one of the best subbass for an earbud out there, so not many can keep up with it here. The midbass on the other hand, the Conductor wins when it has the BCD turned on as it sounds more fun and has a bit more texture. The added sensation given by the BCD gives the Conductor an edge in midbass department.

Midrange wise, it feels more recessed on the Serratus. It feels cleaner, thinner than the Conductor. It has a better sense of transparency and openness to them. Orchestra music sounds supreme with the Serratus. The Conductor has a warmer, more colored midrange, Instruments are honestly a coin toss between the two. Personally, I like piano and some string instruments more on the Serratus, while I enjoy trumpet, trombone and many other brass instruments more on the Conductor. It all boils down to personal taste here.

The vocals on the Serratus are drier and less lush than the Conductor. Male vocals are better on the Conductor, while female vocals are clearer, less muffled on the Serratus. The Serratus is a bit more sibilant than the Conductor.

Treble wise, the Serratus has more energy up top, so although cymbals and hi-hats have more shimmering and sizzling, it can feel more fatiguing over a long period of time. There seems to be some sort of mid treble peak, around 8khz in the Serratus as well. The Conductor on the other hand sounds more forgiving and smoother.

Technicalities wise, the Serratus has a much wider stage, with similar height and less depth. The stage of the Serratus is like a flat 4K TV to me. The Serratus also has more details and shaper layering. The Conductor has a more 3D but also more intimate stage.

2/ TGXears Totem

The Totem is selling for 299$ on tgxear.com, so it’s 100$ more expensive than the Conductor.

The Totem has a 600 ohm Beryllium driver. So unsurprisingly, the Totem is way way harder to drive and needs a lot of power to reach its full potential. The Totem has a custom stainless steel bell shell. Fit wise, I enjoy the fit of the Totem more.

Soundwise, these 2 actually have a really similar sound profile. With the BCD turn off, I consider the Conductor to be like a mini Totem. I use both thick donut foam on the 2 buds (the stock foam on the Conductor)

Let’s start with the bass. The Totem has a bit higher subbass extension AND midbass. So drums and kicks have a bit more authority and presence. It’s not by a lot, probably by 2-3db by my estimation. The subbass extension factor could also be due to the fit as well. The bass of the Totem are a bit more textured, tighter when appropriately amped. When turning the BCD back ON, the gap between the midbass performance is now shrunken, but I'd still give it a slight edge for the Totem as I have bias towards Berylium DD’s texture.

For the midrange, both earbuds have a very sweet and warm-ish midrange. The upper midrange are very similar to each other, as both are not very heavily boosted, meaning those female vocals are not sounding shouty at all. Male vocals have a bit of warmth to them on both sets. It’s seriously very similar between the 2. If i have to go into the nooks and crannies, I’d say the Totem has a more “ethereal” feeling, in how it presents the vocals, more “emotional”.

Treble wise, again, both are similar in terms of extension. On the Totem, I spot an audibly sharp dip at 9khz, while the dip in the Conductor sounds more continuous. Cymbals and hi hats have a bit more bite, more micro nuances on the Totem. They’re detailed, but don’t feel forced at all.

Technicalities wise, the Totem wins. When fully amped, the Totem has a bit wider, more open soundstage. The Conductor is not bad by any means, the Totem is just a step better in the soundstage. With Yosi Horikawa’s Swashers and Bubbles, I noticed another jump in the layering, separation and microdynamics. Technicalities is where the Totem and the Conductor having the widest gap imho.


Here's a close up picture, to see the 3 different types of shells of 3 different earbuds.

Conclusion

The Conductor is a very nice earbud overall, not just from Penon, but also in general. With the price tags of 200$, it is a hefty price in the earbuds realm. However, I do believe the Conductor does pack some special sauce to justify its price tag.

If you’re someone who’s looking for one of a kind earbuds (due to the BCD), one with a warm, mid centric, smooth and immersive playback with holographic soundstage, I’d highly recommend the Conductor. However, if you’re looking for some bass heavy earbuds, with more impact and depth, more richness in the midrange and more crisp treble, I’m afraid the Conductor is not that earbud.

That’s it for my review and thank you for reading.

Penon Conductor

Everyone knows Penon makes some fantastic IEMs at all price levels but did you know they are gifted and talented at making earbuds? IEM guys are so caught up on the in head details and how the sound brings joy to your everyday and the one sound aspect IEMs have a hard time breaking through, is sound stage. I know some IEMs are much better at sound stage than others but buds on the other hand don’t really have that issue. Case in point the newly developed Conductor.

The conductor is the very first IEM to incorporate a full 11.2mm bone conduction driver housed right behind the large 14.2mm Sapphire diaphragm, sounds exotic I know, using a strong N55 magnet. Several new innovations here. Not only is the use of the BC driver in a bud format but you can also increase and or decrease the intensity of the BC driver working with the main diaphragm on the Conductor. It is interesting that it has 5 different levels of intensity.

In the stock reference form the BC driver is cranked one notch less vs the maximum effect. Much like how the recent FAN3 with BC driver you have the option of turning on the BC driver and or turning it off. In trying the different settings there is a variance in intensity but to be honest it will be more of an on or an off thing. I mean who gets a BC driver installed in a bud and uses the weakest setting is my point. In any case it does come with a multi tool flathead that can increase or decrease the effect as much as you would like.

What they come with.
The Conductor is a simple package. It comes with a multi tool 2 inch flathead driver that allows for adjusting the bone conduction dial. 2 pairs of rubber spacers for folks that would like the conductor a bit larger to fit better in the ears. 4 pairs of black donut foams, 2 pairs of red colored standard foams, 2 pairs of blue colored standard foams. Its included cable is a standard red PVC finished SPC or silver plated copper cable in any termination you wish when ordering.

A word on the cable and burn in. The all red theme for the Conductor is nice as its included cable is finished with a red colored PVC which helps the look of the Conductor. However, in trying out other cables on the Conductor. The included cable falls into the category of good enough but not exactly optimal. So much so, I actually advise folks to ditch the stock included cable for your better cables, that is if you wish to obtain maximum conductor sound. I review cables as much as I review IEMS so I tried some of my better mmcx cables on the Conductor to see if I can upgrade the sound performance. More silver based for more technical, more copper based if you like your warmth and fullness of sound. However you like your sound. It is very apparent to me that the Conductor is using a nicely resolving dynamic transducer for its sound. Unfortunately to get the sound to be optimal the included cable will show you what you're dealing with but not exactly optimize it. Penon is giving you what they can for the money unfortunately that does not include a better more synergizing cable. I will show some cable pairings at the end of the read.

Burn in. Whether you believe in it or not. I do recommend at least a week's worth of the song and dance that is burning in your new Conductor. Its driver can show you a sound that can sound amazing but unfortunately it won't be that out of the box. Burn in if you know what's good for you. They don't come to you burned in from the factory so you get your best burn in tracks ready. Burn them in, dial that bone conduction to be at max, swap out the cable for a more resolving one and you will see what the fuss is all about. The conductor is easy enough to drive but does scale tremendously to amplification like most dynamics do. Your better sources do appy. I can understand why they have included a way of increasing the intensity of the Conductors Bone Conduction drivers. I have seen posts of enthusiasts that are bothered by strong Bone Conductor vibrations and hence this particular Bud will give you the option of just how much Bone Conducting you can handle. The review here was based off the stock cable and with the Bone Conductor on full 5 out of 5 setting.

Sound.
It is imo a brilliant integration of such tech and a great idea to bring it in the form of a bud. The tuning is more of a balanced full bodied one as you would expect from Penon. And its mids are at the forefront of the sound, maybe the BC driver is focused more so for the mids and its sound properties but that is how I am hearing it. I mentioned Fan3 earlier and how the BC driver works on them. I find it has a similar effect on the Conductor. The stage is just fantastic on all levels. Much more expansive vs your standard buds and even most IEMs. Strings just float outside of your head. Vocals project with a contrast that I find very addictive. It is the first bud to really give off a full 3D sensation of sound for me. Standard buds sound a bit more grounded in how they sound vs the conductor is the best way to describe it. But floaty instruments and vocals in space with some fantastic imaging is what's happening with these.

Its tonal character is very natural with a slight warmth over the sonics, its detail level is outstanding here as well. I can tell the driver is highly resolving. I compared the conductor with the Serratus just to get a baseline of the detail level we are talking about here. And as good as the Serratus is, they are more or less a reference grade neutrally tuned IEM and certainly does not use bone conduction. The Conductor is much more easier to drive but it will be how the sound projects on these that will make you a fan of its BC utilization. The balanced tuning has some excellent clean and detailed trebles involved with the perfect amount of bass both mid and sub to balance out the full engaging mids presentation of the conductor. They give a very personal dimensional space to hear your music with and this is its real trump card. On top of that it has an excellent well balanced tuning which makes all your music come alive.

So while the limelight currently is on the new Fan3 and the new Rival flagship. Penon has secretly been working on the Conductor. These buds are special and while it might not be an end game level for bud sonics, I think bud sound lovers will be over the moon on just how engaging and immersive the conductor can sound.
I forgot to mention I know folks that have some smallish ears that worry about how a larger bud will fit inside their ears. The good news on the conductor is that it is actually physically smaller vs the standard bud shell. You can see what I mean here.

Top TGX Serratus, Left Penon BS1 and right Conductor

However, it does have a fairly thicker neck to the bud. They are comfortable for my medium sized ears but they almost disappear when I am listening. Love how compact the design is. It is the first bud that I feel fits even better over the ear vs straight down for me. If you're a vocal and instrument lover and the many genres of music that represents. You need to pay attention to the Conductor. The tuning is immaculate, the sound balance is for balanced heads. Bone Conduction makes your music pop like you wouldn't believe and the new Conductor is ideal for enjoying your music in the bud form. If you're a bud fan. You got something completely new with some new tech to look forward to. Even if you're not a bud fan. These will challenge your much higher end IEMs for sheer sonics. Absolutely fantastic offering from Penon in the new conductor.

Trebles. This is the area of sound that will improve upon 2 factors, burning in the Conductor will balance out the sound vs being a bit warm and mid focused out of the box. Adding a more transparent cable for your Conductor will give you better perception of details, especially noticed in the treble region. Treble's presentation is clean and while I would have liked just a touch more extension in the region, it does sound like a complete and well balanced treble end from the Conductor. I am currently using the open donut shaped foam on the Conductor which seems to open up the trebles and mids a bit more from the Conductor sound. The overall balancing of the Conductor is very musical in foundation. While other buds highlight and enhance treble range to make it sound a bit more resolving or reference sounding. The Conductor exudes detail without forcing undue emphasis upon the listener. Its slightly smoother natural treble tone is satisfactory and has excellent treble balancing. Its detail level is more than fine for the Conductor. Never stepping out of bounds the Conductors trebles enhance and balance the overall sound experience for the Conductor.

Mids. This is yet another Penon tuned product as you would imagine, the mids of the Conductor is a strong suit. This is the area of greatest effect of the Bone Conductor in that its mids layering is enhanced to the point where the sound is full on dimensional. I have had buds that clearly show excellent mid range but none that quite reach the mids separation in layers like what happens on the Conductor. That is music from the background, middle ground and foreground of what you're hearing. Most buds have decent to excellent mids performance but I don't know another bud in the industry that actually has a large Bone Conduction driver focusing its sound for that out of your head experience. The end result is a very addicting large holographic type sound experience that is unique to the Conductor. Its tonal character comes across very naturally with no off tonal character of any type. Not really in the warm or cold range in tonal qualities. Conductors' tonal qualities come off with just a hint of warmth but this only highlights an accurate tonal character that is portrayed across the sound spectrum. Timbrally capable with a much higher level of sound separation in the form of sound layering, the conductor is excellent for live music as you get a virtual imaging of how the live music event was recorded. It is quite the treat to hear and something that is truly addictive for the Conductors sound presentation.

I am mostly an IEM guy but for an IEM to have similar layering and imaging for sound qualities at the level of the Conductor would cost a whole bunch more than what the Conductor costs. For me anyways the Conductor is a hidden gem of a bud to the point where I can easily see myself using the Conductor over the IEMs I normally use. The Conductor is extremely versatile for all types of music due to its highly accurate, nicely resolving well balanced sound quality adding what the large Bone conduction driver is doing for the sound. I do notice the holographic effect of the Bone Conduction will be dependent on how well your music was recorded. High quality tracks that dimensional layering will be easily apparent. Not so quality tracks, not as much. I know some folks that got to hear the Conductor may or may not hear its effects but there is no doubt in my mind these are adding to the holographic nature of its sound.

Bass is not only adequate for the Conductor but is perfectly balanced to enhance the extremely immersive experience. Bass balance while I find excellent for buds meaning it has both mid bass to sub bass presence with zero bass bleed of any type. It will be more fit dependent on just how much bass you're noticing from the Conductor. What I mean by this is that the Conductor being a bud, if they fit tighter inside your ears you will get a more warmer, bassier version of the Conductor vs the well balanced version I am hearing. The looser the fitment the sound will skew toward the trebles, a thinner note weight and less bass. Experimenting with the different types of foams and its included expansion rubber ring will get you a tighter fitting Conductor based on your ear shape and size.

Bass is tight with an average speed for dynamic types. Nothing overblown or sluggish in the least bit. Bass is highly satisfactory of the Conductor experience. This is the first time I have heard bass from what is described as a Sapphire diaphragm but I hope to see more buds and dynamics using this material. Its definition for all parts of the sound is actually quite outstanding including the bass end. I know for buds, bass is purposefully enhanced to offset the open nature of the bud design but for the Conductor the solid quality bass end adds to what is already a holographic fully immersive presentation. I have buds that have more bass emphasis and some with less but I couldn't imagine the Conductor bass presentation being less or even more. Its punchy and surprisingly capable. It not end game bud bass by any means but it is more than capable to bring a good solid bass note to your music and does an excellent job balancing out the bass notes for the full sound presentation of the Conductor.

In the end
The Conductor was a pleasant surprise to me. Penon has been on a role this year and they have gone all in on the Bone Conduction craze. 2024 will be known as the Bone Conduction year and it is innovative products like the Conductor that will put these on the map. Between the release of the Fan3, Tansio Mirai Shocks, Penon Rivals and soon to be ISN EBC80. The Conductor is the first to utilize this large Bone conduction driver. Beyond what the BC driver is doing for the sound, the sound tuning and its surprisingly resolving technical ability is a strong suit for the Conductor sound. I think these would have drawn some praise regardless of the BC driver but then when you land on a track that clearly floats outside your hearing space you will understand what that BC driver is doing for the sound. It adds a special element to what the Conductor is doing for its sound presentation. When I was doing reviews for all these products. I found myself listening to the Conductors in between all of them and enjoyed my time, every time I heard them. The bottom line is the Conductor is extremely enjoyable to listen to, versatile for all types of music genres with an immersion factor that caught me off guard. If you're looking for something different, even unique but with a solid fundamental balancing for its tuning the Conductor is just this. Take a break from your in ears and try a bud that projects all around you. If the goal of earphones is to immerse a person when hearing your music. Then the Conductor is a huge success. Thanks for taking the time to read.

The conductor was provided for by Penon Audio for the purpose of a review. The buds have been burned in for over 100 hours and has been used for the past month on a variety of sources I use. Fiio K9 Pro ESS, IFI gryphon, IFI Signature, IBasso DX300Max, IBasso PB5, Fiio M15, Fiio M15S, IBasso DX180. You can get yourself a set here.

Penon OSG. Superb match up with the Conductor. Old school Fiio X3II stacked with E12a amp.

If money is no object. Get yourself a Totem and be done with cables.

Penon Conductor

If you're interested in graph comparison, there's no link (because we can't graph buds)
Disclamer:

+ I'm a normal asian dude with some music producing background
+ I like clean balanced sound signature with focus on sub bass and lower treble
+ Can consider myself as treblehead
+ 60-68db listening session
+ Avarage 4/10 (Quarks/ 7hz Zero), Good 6/10 (Tanchjim Kara), Endgame 8/10, Bias Endgame 10/10
: Good, but with a catch
: Worth the money
: Specialist at something else
: A Very close to perfection
: Perfect for me

Click to expand...

One of the few things that i noticed is most earbuds either too sharp, too warm or just overall dull. This Penon Conductor is one of the few that actually quite balanced
- Bass: Is expect from an earbuds, but very good tech compare to the crowd favorite Serratus
+ Warm, hefty, good balanced in the kick, feels authentic at times. It can get even better with source
- Mid: While sounds balanced, acoustic somehow got a muted note to it, electric instrument have decent playback
- Treble: Muffle cymbal overall but very decent air, it have good spacing between each treble element (like shaker, hat, crash,...)
- Vocals: Normal? Male vocals sounds good but female is a little muffle, as someone whose library consist of female vocals ... 6/10
- Soundstage/Imaging presentation: It is as wide as ur room bro, imaging is ok

Thank you Audio Geek and Penon for sending this tour unit to Vietnam!
For those don't know why i think this is close to perfect, i listen to rock a lot and this just does it for me

Full Review of the Penon Conductor Earbuds


Introduction:

The Penon Conductor enters the audio scene as a game-changing product, blending cutting-edge technology with a sophisticated design that pushes the boundaries of what earbuds can achieve. Most audiophiles are familiar with standard earbuds that utilize single dynamic or Dual dynamic drivers. However, the Conductor sets itself apart by incorporating an innovative hybrid configuration—combining a dynamic driver with a bone conduction driver. This unique pairing takes earbud performance to another level, delivering sound in a way that transcends the typical in-ear experience.

What makes the Conductor truly special is its ability to produce an expansive and immersive soundstage, far beyond the compact form factor of traditional earbuds. With this model, Penon has crafted a listening experience that feels more akin to high-end, full-sized headphones than what one might expect from small earbuds. Whether you’re a dedicated audiophile or someone seeking to explore a more refined and engaging way to listen to music, the Penon Conductor offers something distinctly different.

This hybrid setup ensures that sound is not just heard but felt. The bone conduction driver adds a tactile element, creating a physical sensation of the music that extends beyond the auditory. The Conductor promises to immerse listeners in a three-dimensional, enveloping sound that is rich, natural, and emotionally captivating. Given Penon’s reputation for producing high-quality audio products, the Conductor represents the brand’s commitment to advancing earbud technology and elevating the user’s listening experience.

In the following sections, I will delve deeper into the sound signature, exploring how this earbud performs across the bass, mids, and highs, as well as its soundstage and imaging capabilities. While the concept of using bone conduction in earbuds is still relatively new, the Penon Conductor offers a glimpse into the future of audio, delivering an experience unlike anything I’ve encountered before.


Description:

PENON Conductor 1 Bone Conduction Driver + 1 Dynamic Driver Hybrid Audiophile MMCX Earphone Earbud with BCD Knob

Description

3D printed medical resin shell

1x 14.2mm N55 Sapphire Diaphragm Dynamic driver

1x 11.2mm bone conduction driver

A knob to adjust BCD energy


Features:

N55 NdFeB magnets have high BHmax, high Hcj and good temperature stability, which makes the N55 dynamic driver have higher sensitivity and better dynamic response in sound performance.

Technical advantages

High magnetic flux: The high magnetic flux provided by the N55 magnet helps to improve the magnetic field strength of the dynamic driver, thereby enhancing the expressiveness and penetration of the sound.

Low distortion: Excellent magnetic circuit design and material selection help to reduce the distortion of the sound during transmission, making the sound purer and more natural.

Easy to drive: The high sensitivity makes the N55 dynamic driver easier to be driven by the front-end device, and it can perform well even at lower power.


Bone conduction Driver

Aluminum alloy shell, high-performance NdFeB magnetic field, inner magnetic circuit design, enhance the strongest magnetic field lines.

Equipped with spring steel vibrator, it has high elasticity and high sensitivity, and the sound is fuller and more powerful.


Special Knob for Bone Conduction Adjustment:

A truly innovative feature of the Penon Conductor is the adjustable knob for the bone conduction drivers (BCD). With five reference scales and a specialized tool included in the package, this knob allows listeners to precisely control the energy of the BCD. Turning the knob counterclockwise increases the energy, bringing out more micro details in the music while making the bass deeper and fuller. What sets this experience apart is that the bass remains free from bloat or boominess—it's tactile, something you can feel, without sacrificing clarity or precision.

The more you increase the energy, the more you unlock layers of detail in the music that go unnoticed with the BCD turned off or at lower levels. This creates a listening experience that's truly unique, unlike anything present in other earbuds, even among top-of-the-line (TOTL) models. The integration of bone conduction technology into earbuds is a groundbreaking achievement by Penon, enhancing immersion to a level that feels unprecedented. Penon’s ingenuity in implementing BCD into the Conductor adds another dimension to the sound that makes it stand out in the world of high-fidelity audio gear.



Specifications:

Brand: PENON

Model: CONDUCTOR

Driver: 1 Bone Conduction Driver + 1 Dynamic Driver

Impedance : 16ohm

Frequency response range : 20-20kHz

Sensitivity : 117dB

Connector: MMCX

Cable material: silver-plated OCC

Plug: 3.5mm audio /4.4mm balanced Gold-plated

Cable length:1.2m



Package

PENON CONDUCTOR

Carry case

Foam Ear tips

A pair of rubber rings (The diameter of the Conductor shell is about 15.5mm, which is suitable for smaller ears. If you have larger ears, you can use silicone rings to increase it to about 16.3mm



Link where to purchased it: https://penonaudio.com/PENON-CONDUCTOR.html



Gears Used for Testing:

Questyle m15

Earmen Collibri

Ovidiuis B1

Onix Alpha Xl1

Topping E70 velvet



Sound Signature Overview:


The Penon Conductor offers an intricate and engaging sound signature that is a direct result of its unique hybrid design. Unlike many earbuds that focus on either technicality or musicality, the Conductor manages to strike a harmonious balance between both. Its sound signature is characterized by a rich, full-bodied presentation that feels organic yet highly detailed. The bone conduction driver doesn’t just enhance the low end, but adds a tactile dimension to the music, making the overall experience more immersive and engaging.

The sound feels as if it’s coming from outside the earbuds, creating a surround-like effect that’s uncommon in most earbud designs. This expansive presentation makes the Conductor suitable for a wide range of genres, from classical music that requires intricate detailing and spatial accuracy, to electronic and bass-heavy tracks that demand deep, powerful low-end response. Every note, from the deepest bass to the crispest highs, is delivered with precision and emotional impact, creating a listening experience that is both intimate and grand.

Despite its depth and warmth, the Conductor’s sound never feels congested or overly colored. The layering and separation of instruments are handled with grace, allowing complex tracks to retain their clarity and focus. There’s a sense of cohesion across the frequencies, making the transition between the lows, mids, and highs feel seamless. Whether it’s the soft strum of an acoustic guitar or the subtle nuances of a vocalist’s breath, the Conductor captures every element of the music with lifelike accuracy. This results in a sound signature that is natural, spacious, and highly engaging, making the Penon Conductor stand out among other high-end earbuds.



Bass:
The bass on the Penon Conductor is a standout feature, offering a combination of depth, power, and control that sets it apart from many other earbuds. Thanks to the hybrid setup that incorporates a dynamic driver and a bone conduction driver, the low-end frequencies are delivered with an extra layer of physicality. The bass doesn’t just hit your ears; it resonates through you, creating a sensation that feels more immersive than typical earbuds. This adds a tactile dimension to the listening experience, almost as if the bass is wrapping around your head, giving it a sense of weight and presence without ever feeling overwhelming.

In terms of tonality, the bass is deep and natural. It avoids the common pitfalls of bloated or boomy bass that can muddy the overall sound. Instead, it maintains a clean and tight response, ensuring that the bass remains impactful without bleeding into the mids or overpowering the track. Whether you’re listening to fast-paced electronic music with heavy basslines or more subtle acoustic recordings, the bass adapts beautifully, delivering both power and finesse when needed.

One of the most impressive aspects of the Penon Conductor’s bass is how well it integrates into the overall sound signature. It complements the mids and highs perfectly, enhancing the music without dominating it. Tracks with deep sub-bass or bass guitar riffs feel rich and textured, yet the Conductor never loses its balance. It’s this sense of control and depth that makes the bass feel not just heard but truly felt, giving it a lifelike quality that’s rare in the earbud category.

For those who appreciate a well-rounded, natural low end, the Conductor delivers an experience that’s both satisfying and refined, making it suitable for a wide range of musical genres. Whether it’s the pulsating beats of hip-hop, the growl of a double bass in jazz, or the rumble of electronic synths, the bass always maintains a sense of authority and clarity.



Mids:

The midrange on the Penon Conductor is where much of its natural, organic sound comes to life. The mids are expertly tuned, positioned right where they need to be—neither too forward nor recessed. This careful balance allows vocals and instruments to shine with clarity and warmth, giving the music a rich, inviting quality that draws you in without overwhelming the other frequency ranges.

Vocals, in particular, are handled beautifully. Whether it’s the breathy intimacy of a singer-songwriter’s performance or the full, powerful presence of a lead vocalist in a rock track, the Conductor captures the emotional nuance of the human voice with remarkable precision. Male vocals have a warm, natural tone, while female vocals are presented with a sweetness and airiness that feel lifelike. There’s a sense of body and weight to the voices, yet they remain clear and uncolored, allowing the true character of the recording to shine through.

Instruments within the midrange, such as guitars, pianos, and strings, are rendered with excellent detail and texture. Acoustic guitars, for example, have a vibrant, natural strum, with the subtle nuances of finger movements clearly audible. Similarly, pianos have a full-bodied richness, and string sections are presented with a natural resonance, allowing you to hear the fine details of each note’s decay. The midrange has a smoothness to it that keeps even complex or layered tracks from becoming congested, maintaining clarity and separation even in busy arrangements.

One of the Conductor’s key strengths is how it presents the mids in a way that feels emotionally engaging. Whether you’re listening to intimate acoustic tracks or full-bodied orchestral pieces, the mids remain present and articulate, contributing to a cohesive sound signature. Instruments and vocals sit naturally in the mix, neither pushed back nor brought too far forward, ensuring a balanced and enjoyable listening experience across genres.



Highs:

The Penon Conductor delivers a refined, natural treble performance that enhances the overall sound signature without ever becoming harsh or fatiguing. The highs are crisp and clear, adding a sense of airiness and openness to the music, which complements the expansive soundstage. One of the standout characteristics of the treble is how smooth and effortless it feels—it extends well into the upper registers, but never in a way that feels piercing or overly bright. This makes the Conductor particularly well-suited for long listening sessions, as the treble remains engaging but non-fatiguing.

The detail retrieval in the high frequencies is impressive, allowing you to pick up on subtle nuances in the music, such as the delicate shimmer of cymbals, the breathy overtones of wind instruments, or the fine textures of high-pitched strings. Despite this level of detail, the treble maintains a natural tonality, avoiding the common pitfall of sounding overly analytical or clinical. Instead, it retains an emotional quality, adding depth and realism to the music without overshadowing the mids or lows.

High-frequency sounds, like the crash of a cymbal or the resonance of a snare drum, come across as lifelike and precise. The treble is clear and detailed, but there's a softness to its presentation that keeps it from becoming too sharp. This makes the Conductor a great choice for genres that demand clarity in the high-end, such as classical, jazz, and acoustic music, where the treble can shine without stealing focus from the rest of the track.

One of the most enjoyable aspects of the highs on the Penon Conductor is their role in enhancing the sense of space within the soundstage. The treble contributes to the open, airy feeling that makes the soundstage feel wider and more three-dimensional. This adds a sense of realism and immersion, making it feel as though the music is surrounding you, rather than being confined to the earbuds.

Overall, the highs on the Penon Conductor are natural, detailed, and emotionally resonant, providing clarity without harshness. They are well-balanced with the rest of the frequency spectrum, enhancing the overall experience by adding brilliance and definition, while maintaining the smooth, lifelike quality that characterizes the entire sound signature.



Let’s Have Some Comparisons:



Penon Conductor vs. FiiO FF5

The Penon Conductor and FiiO FF5 are both designed for audiophiles but deliver distinctly different listening experiences. While the FF5 offers a neutral, analog sound characterized by its beryllium drivers, the Penon Conductor takes audio performance to new heights with its immersive, emotionally engaging presentation through its innovative hybrid design, combining a dynamic driver with bone conduction technology.

The Conductor's three-dimensional soundstage envelops listeners, creating a sensation akin to wearing full-sized headphones. In contrast, the FF5 presents sound in a more traditional manner, which, while clear and detailed, lacks the depth and spatial complexity that the Conductor provides.

Technically, the Conductor’s hybrid setup introduces a tactile element that enhances realism and depth, resulting in a more dynamic listening experience. Reviewers frequently highlight the Conductor’s ability to deliver a richer, more textured sound, allowing for a deeper connection with the music. While the FF5 is appreciated for its smoothness and warmth, it can’t quite match the Conductor’s immersive quality.

Emotionally, the Conductor's warm, natural tones bring music to life, enabling listeners to connect deeply with the performance. Although the FF5 is neutral and inviting, it does not achieve the same level of emotional engagement as the Conductor.

Additionally, the Conductor shines in soundstage and imaging, offering a larger, more immersive experience that excels in placing instruments and vocals within a spacious environment. The FF5's soundstage, while respectable, feels narrower in comparison.

In terms of design, both models are well-crafted, but the Conductor's advanced technology and innovative approach make it the clear winner. Overall, for those seeking an unparalleled listening experience that combines technical innovation with emotional depth, the Penon Conductor is the superior choice over the FiiO FF5.

Penon Conductor vs. TGX Earbuds SErratus

The Penon Conductor and TGX Serratus are both exemplary flagship earbuds that highlight advanced audio engineering, yet they offer contrasting listening experiences that cater to different audiophile preferences. The Penon Conductor clearly takes the lead with its innovative hybrid design, which combines a dynamic driver and a bone conduction driver to create a profoundly immersive auditory experience. While the TGX Serratus excels in technical precision, utilizing sapphire blue PET drivers with a 300-ohm impedance for clarity and detail, its sound can sometimes come across as more clinical and less emotionally engaging.

A standout feature of the Penon Conductor is its expansive three-dimensional soundstage, which envelops the listener in a rich auditory environment. Unlike the Serratus, which delivers a more traditional forward-facing soundstage, the Conductor's design makes you feel as though you are surrounded by the music itself. This immersive quality is complemented by the Conductor's deep, tactile bass response, which not only delivers impactful low frequencies but also adds a physicality to the listening experience. In contrast, the Serratus provides a neutral bass response that, while controlled and precise, lacks the depth and warmth that the Conductor offers, leaving listeners wanting more in terms of engagement.

Emotional connection is another area where the Penon Conductor shines. Its warm and organic sound makes vocals and instruments feel alive, allowing listeners to connect with the music on a deeper emotional level. The Serratus, while technically impressive, can sometimes feel sterile and less inviting, focusing heavily on resolution and micro-detail at the expense of emotional depth. The Conductor excels in conveying the natural texture and richness of the music, transforming each listening session into a captivating journey rather than a mere playback.

In terms of treble response, the TGX Serratus performs admirably with its crisp clarity and resolution, appealing to those who prioritize detail. However, the Penon Conductor offers a smoother, more refined treble that avoids harshness and listening fatigue, allowing for extended sessions without discomfort. This seamless integration of highs with mids and lows results in a more cohesive sound signature that enhances overall enjoyment.

Both earbuds perform well in imaging, with the Serratus providing pinpoint accuracy. However, the Conductor’s larger, more holographic soundstage creates a more immersive experience, expertly placing instruments and vocals in a three-dimensional space that feels expansive and engaging.



Conclusion

In conclusion, the Penon Conductor stands out as an exceptional earbud that skillfully marries innovative technology with superior sound quality. Its hybrid design, featuring a dynamic driver paired with bone conduction technology, not only enhances audio immersion but also delivers a uniquely engaging listening experience that sets it apart from its competitors. With a rich, enveloping soundstage, impactful bass, and well-balanced mids and treble, the Conductor captures the intricacies of music while fostering a profound emotional connection.

For audiophiles and casual listeners alike, the Penon Conductor is more than just a tool for listening; it’s a gateway to experiencing music in a way that feels authentic and alive. Its ability to evoke feelings and create a sense of presence within the music makes it a standout choice in the realm of high-fidelity earbuds.

Overall, the Penon Conductor is a remarkable achievement in audio engineering, setting a new standard for what listeners can expect from their earbuds. It promises to transform every listening session into a captivating journey, making it an indispensable companion for anyone serious about their music.