PENON DOME UNIVERSAL HYBRID IEM

Hello everyone, and thank you for joining. Today, I am reviewing the Penon Dome, a hybrid IEM with 1DD, 2 Sonion BA drivers, and 1 Knowles BA driver. This unit was sent by Penon for review purposes. I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to them for providing me with the sample. The impressions in this review are in no way influenced. I write what I hear.

Penon is quite a well-known brand in the audiophile community. They have created their own segment. Most of the releases by Penon have been very well received. They have released IEMs with a variety of signatures. One of their latest releases, Quattro, has a very nice fan following. I reviewed Quattro sometime back. I enjoyed the musical and warm nature of the Quattro. Dome is a very different sounding IEM than the Quattro, I’ll try to compare Dome with some other IEMs to give a perspective on what to expect from Dome.

Penon Dome can be bought from here. Link



Rating Criteria:

I want to lay out my rating criteria before we start off. For me, the primary criterion for evaluating audio gear is its intrinsic value rather than its price tag. A higher price doesn't always correlate with superior quality, and similarly, a low-priced product can give enough listening pleasure for it to be called outstanding. I consider the build, features, and, most importantly, the impact on the listening experience. The fundamental purpose of audio gear is to enhance the listening experience. So for me, this degree of enhancement in the listening experience is a key determinant in rating a product.

Rating below 4: I really won't be posting reviews of such items unless someone has asked for them.
Rating of 4: The product is good, and some users may find it more satisfactory, but it does come with a few caveats, such as price, fit, etc.
Rating of 4.5: The product is excellent and comes with an easy recommendation, reflecting its high quality and overall positive attributes.
Rating of 5: This product can be deemed groundbreaking, a trendsetter, and an eye-opener and deserves a spot on everyone's list due to its exceptional features and outstanding performance.


Configuration (from the website):

Driver: 3 BA + 1 Dynamic driver hybrid; BA: 1 Knowles for high frequency, 2 Sonion for middle frequency
Dynamic driver type: 10mm PET diaphragm for low frequency
Impedance: 19ohm
Sensitivity: 107dB
Frequency response: 20-20kHz
Passive noise reduction: 26dB
Connector: 2pin 0.78mm
Cable length: 1.2M




Design, build, and fit:

Talking about the packaging, Penon Dome comes in a yellow box with similar packaging as Quattro. There are plenty of accessories inside the box. I really appreciate the variety of ear tips that Penon has offered with the Dome. There is this same blue case present inside, which Penon offers with many other IEMs.

The shells on Dome are handmade in medical-grade resin. It is very lightweight and quite easy on the ears. The shells do not exert any pressure, even in longer sessions. The nozzle is of a standard size, neither too short nor too long. For reducing pressure buildup, there is a vent present. I did not encounter any driver flex with Dome.

There are plenty of ear tips that comes with Dome. These tips are of different sizes and I am sure one would not need to look for different tips. Since the IEMs have a very nice build, they go easily with various types of tips. I paired the Dome with Spinfit W1, Azla SednaLight (MS), both of which go really well with the IEM. Azla adds some openness in the sound and is my preferred ear tips on Dome. I got a very decent fit with Tangzu Sancai balanced tips too.

In terms of isolation, these IEMs are above average. They block a good amount of outside noise. I would not take it out in public, though. With a good-fitting ear tip, the isolation is quite decent.




Sound Analysis:

For the sound impression, most of the time I pair Dome with my Lotoo Paw Gold Touch dap and, occasionally, with Earmen Angel. I paired the IEMs with stock cables (and some third-party cables too) and Spinfit W1 ear tips, size S.

Dome is a warm musical set to begin with. The sound has a good amount of bass, beautiful, lush, warm mids, and a treble that is non-offensive. The sound is all about sweetness. This sound prioritizes musicality over technical precision. However, in no way are the technicalities compromised.

The bass on Dome is rich and warm and has good thickness. It has a very good impact and plenty of quantity, with good layering and texture. However, it's not the most refined bass; it is more about adding to the musicality. There is a decent subbass presence, and it's plenty when called for. The bassline from something like a bass guitar is quite pleasant. The bass on Dome is not boomy or bloated in nature, or the kind of bass that sort of eclipses the higher frequencies. This bass is quite different than that of Quattro, where there is more of an analogous character and the bass envelopes the higher frequencies.

The mids on Dome are all about warmth and sweetness. There is a very decent resolution and clarity in the midrange. The lower midrange has a decent body to it. The upper mids are well extended and maintain a decent amount of energy. At no point did I find it to be peaky or extra sharp. I find the mids quite forward. Vocals have good texture. There is loads of sweetness in the female vocals. Midrange instruments have a very sweet and lifelike presentation. I prefer this midrange over Quattro.

Treble on Dome is not quite airy, but the details and energy are decent. Dome is good for people who don't want any unwanted sharpness and want a safer treble profile. This treble may not be well appreciated by trebleheads, though. I find it decent, as it really makes a case for longer sessions.

On the technical front, the soundstage is quite decent, with a good width and decent depth. There is a good separation of instruments; however, for busy musical sequences such as the metal genre, there is some lacking. Imaging is just decent, and there is nothing much to complain about given the price of this IEM. In terms of resolution, I would say there is a bit of a step back as well. I would have loved cleaner sound from Dome, but I think that's asking a lot from the IEM.




Source Pairing:

Dome is quite easy to drive. It does not ask for a lot of power. It can be easily paired with smartphones, too. I tried Dome with three different sources. The LPGT has a very decent synergy with the Dome. The bass has a good body, especially in the subbass region, which has a decent presence. In the mids, the LPGT adds nice warmth.

I quite liked the pairing with Quloos MUB1 too. There is such a sweetness in the sound of this pair; I absolutely love it. MUB1 is very resolving for a DAC/amp of it's size.

With Earmen Angel, I did not find the Dome pairing well, so I assume Dome does not need extra power. The dynamics are better at lower levels of power. With Angel, it just sounds off.




Cable Pairing:

The only thing I found lacking with the Dome is it's cable. While it gets the job done, I believe it holds back the Dome's full potential. I tried pairing it with some aftermarket cables, and here is what I found. It's clear: the Dome doesn't demand expensive cables to reveal its nuances. Even a modest cable can enhance the Dome's performance.

With the Letshuoer L-R Nebula Cable:

Letshuoer released this cable just a while ago. The Nebula cable exhibits the essence of a traditional copper cable. It enriches the lower frequencies, infusing them with added depth and character. The midrange also gets an improvement with some added richness. The overall resolution and clarity in the midrange are better with this cable. The stage is more intimate, and things come a lot more forward. A little bit of addition in treble energy would be really great, but the cable does not add much on that front.

With Aes Harmony from Gladiator Cable:

This cable features 6N pure Up-OCC copper wire with a thick silver plating. The configuration helps in maintaining a balance between warmth and detailing. The soundstage is a lot better with this cable, which spreads further in all directions. There is a nice refinement in the sound. The lows sound more balanced, with an evenness in the sub-bass and mid-bass. The mids have better resolution, and the cable adds a bit of crispiness. This cable does not add as much warmth as the Nebula does.


Comparisons:

With Kinera Freya2.0:

Freya2 has a similar configuration, equipped with a hybrid single 7mm dynamic and 3 BA drivers. Priced at $269 SRP this is one of Kinera’s midrange IEMs. In terms of overall design and presentation, we all know Kinera just goes over the top. Freya2 looks a lot more beautifully built and designed than the Dome. The cable that comes with it is a modular one and has a better build than that on the Dome.

However, it is the sound where Freya2 lacks too much. I do not think there is any attribute where Freya2 excels. Dome is a lot more musical than the gloomy characteristics of Freya2. In terms of technicalities too, Dome has quite an edge. It has a better soundstage and sounds very open compared to Freya2.


With Rose Technics QT-X:

Rose Technics QT-X is equipped with 1 dynamic driver and 6 BA drivers. The one I had tried was a value pack, which comes with a small dongle dac/amp too, making the whole package quite versatile. In terms of build and packaging, QT-X has an edge. The shells are lightweight and fit really well. The cable on it is a better one than the one on Dome.

In terms of sound, QT-X is tough competition. I love the bass on QT-X. The lows are quite deep, and the subbass has a good body. Dome has more quantity to it's bass but is not as refined. The mids, however, are more musical in nature on Dome. For some, the mids on QT-X may come a bit thin. In the upper frequency range, QT-X has a better presentation. There is more energy and better extension in the treble region on QT-X.

In terms of technicalities, QT-X gives a good fight too. The soundstage is decent on both of these IEMs. QT-X does better in terms of resolution. It has a cleaner sound. The notes are clean and crisp. I would say QT-X may have an edge. If at all we have to choose between the two IEMs, it would be more of a musicality vs. technicality thing.




With Penon Quattro:

The highly appreciated Penon Quattro is equipped with 4 dynamic drivers. It is priced at $399. The packaging on Quattro is nearly the same as with Dome. In terms of build quality, Quattro has an edge. Its shells are better built and are harder and tougher. The cable on Quattro is better than that on Dome. I really wish Penon provided this same cable, but that may add to the cost.

In terms of sound, these two sets have quite different characteristics, but they maintain the same philosophy: musicality over technicality. Quattro has a very distinct, warm signature and a coloured sound. There is a bass boost all around. This thick bass predominantly defines the signature of these IEMs. It's like everything sounds within a layer of bass. Dome, on the other hand, has a faster bass and a lower volume.

In mids, there is a lot of bass bleeding into mids on Quattro, while on Dome, the mids stay quite clean and there is no bass intrusion. In the upper mids region, there is a hint of shoutyness on Quattro, while Dome does not have any such thing. The treble on Quattro is darker than on Dome.

I think it's hard to compare Quattro with other IEMs. For the general public, Dome has a more likeable tuning, while Quattro has a very different tuning, which people can align with or may not.


Conclusion:

It is quite evident that Penon went the musical route while developing the Dome. They must have some special sauce to pull off such a musical IEM. The bass and mids on Dome strike a very nice balance. The bass never overwhelms yet maintains a satisfying depth, while the mids retain their sweetness, giving these IEMs a vibrant and natural quality sound. If someone is looking for a musical set without sacrificing a lot of technical aspects, Dome can be an easy recommendation. With both the Quattro and Dome boasting distinct yet appealing sound signatures, it's evident that Penon has a knack for finely tuning their IEMs. I must say I am very hopeful of what future releases they have in line. I would rate these IEMs at 4.5/5.

I've often wondered why sequels invariably suck.

The's lots of ways following up a big success can go wrong:

• Temptation to duplicate your previous formula... risk of producing a similar but inferior copy.
• Desire to try something completely different... risk it won't match your existing fans' taste.
• Pressure to add a new selling point but keep things the same... risk questionable stuff gets added just to differentiate from the original.

Why do I mention this? Back in October Penon Audio sent me a pair of ISN Neo5s which remain my #1 budget IEM champ of 2023. Me and my friends just love 'em.

So when I was offered a set of new Penon DOME IEMs in exchange for a review and saw they have virtually identical shells & nearly the same driver config and price... suddenly my excitement bubbled.

There's wasn't much to complain about with the Neo5s and lots to like, so I was skeptical they'd produce a better follow-up without ballooning the shells, driver count & price. Either way it'd be fascinating just to see the direction they took - stay true to the original, try something new or a slight variation?

It turns out the DOMEs are different to the Neo5s, and you're about to lean why.

Packaging​

The USD $349 Penon DOMEs arrive in the usual small yellow Penon cardboard box, inside of which is a fairly plush & well-made leather carry case that strikes a nice balance between being small enough to pocket but roomy enough to house the IEMs with a large 8 wire cable.

There's also a small leather accessories case, inside of which are three sets of silicone eartips in 3 sizes along with a shirt clip & cleaning tool.

The DOMEs come bundled with a very comfortable 8 wire silver-plated copper cable, in your choice of 4.4mm, 3.5mm or 2.5mm terminations.

Ergonomics​

The DOME's medical-grade resin shells are almost a carbon copy of the ISN Neo5s I've reviewed. They're tiny, very light & extremely well-sculpted to fit the ear, and are as effortlessly comfortable for prolonged use as any hybrid IEMs on the market I've tried.

They're also vented to alleviate pressure build-up, my only minor complaint is the metal nozzles – eartips don’t grip them as securely as nozzles sculpted from the resin itself, so my Spinfit W1 tips occasionally dislodge from the nozzles if I'm not careful to remove the DOMEs from my ears gently.

The stock cable is very light & flexible, with no microphonics or memory effect.

Sound Impressions​

I've tested the DOMEs using a Hiby R6 Pro II set to Hi-gain in AB mode, with the DOMEs requiring a volume level of 22.

The DOMEs reveal themselves as moderately warm, well balanced all-rounders with tastefully elevated levels of bass - they don't do a lot wrong. They're tuned for musical enjoyment rather than 'accuracy' in a reference sense, but are neutral enough they get out of the way of the music quite well and avoid feeling excessively coloured, yet are warm & bassy enough they won't come across as lean or thin.

The DOMEs avoid earning those "flat" and "boring" monikers often levelled at IEMs like U12Ts or Monarch MKIIs, but don't quite possess their refinement either, and in the tradeoff between accuracy & musicality lean towards the latter.





There's a great balance between sub & midbass output, and which is more prevalent is determined more by each particular track or album. What's really impressive is how responsive DOME's DD bass driver is - having absolutely no issues keeping up with the fastest paced music you can throw at it. The downside is bass decay isn't as slow as bassheads may like, though bass slam & texture are still decent with quantity still well above neutral.

The midrange is tastefully warm without retreating too far from neutrality. I can imagine some listeners preferring even more warmth with a bit of extra lower midrange boost, but instead the DOME takes a measured approach to strike a balance between maintaining clarity without sounding lean.

Finally, treble is quite dark and it feels like Penon have deliberately reeled in this area to prevent the DOMEs fatiguing treble-sensitive ears. I'd prefer some extra upper-treble sparkle, and although DOME's treble is perfectly capable this is probably the area where quality suffers most in comparisons to IEMs with multi-thousand dollar price tags.

Technical Performance​

DOME's soundstage is decently wide & spacious for an IEM of this pricepoint, avoiding any feelings of congestion. Stage depth isn't as impressive, but isn't as wafer-thin as we often find with entry level IEMs. That said that I find soundstage depth is one of those attributes we rarely see in abundance from earphones under $500, so this isn't unusual.

Dynamics are excellent, with instruments distinguishing themselves from background noise levels commendably. It's a quality that enhances my enjoyment significantly and DOME has it in spades.

Imaging is decent for the price. There isn't the sense of razor-sharp pinpoint imaging we expect from top-tier IEMs with EST or BCD drivers, but nor is imaging vague enough to stand out as a problem.

Similarly resolution doesn't call attention to itself as exceptional, but I don't get the feeling important details are being obscured. The addition of ESTs (and more upper treble sparkle in general) would be nice, but then the DOMEs shells & price would grow considerably.

IEM Comparisons​

I compared the DOMEs with a number of earphones using the Hiby R6 Pro II set to Hi-gain in AB mode, with the DOME's requiring a volume level of 22.



ISN Neo5 – 4xBA 1xDD (USD $289)



The Neo5's shells are almost identical to those of the DOMEs, as are comfort levels between them. The Neo5s require 21 volume on the R6P2 so they're similarly easy to drive.

The Neo5s are more unashamedly bass dominant with bass that goes deeper with more satisfying decay, though their DD is slower than the DOME's so bass isn't kept as tightly in check, clouding the rest of the presentation with additional rumble though note weight does seem to benefit.

Neo5's midrange is more biased towards lower rather than upper mids, and I prefer their tonality which sound earthier. Both IEMs feature similarly dark treble, and though the Neo5s boast a slightly wider stage the DOME's may be a little deeper. They're both very dynamic & similarly resolving, however the DOMEs separate instruments better during complex passages thanks to their faster DD.

The two IEMs share a lot in common - the DOMEs feel like cleaner, more polite & less bassy Neo5s.



Penon Globe – 2xBA, 1xDD (USD $329)



The Globes are slightly larger & stick out more but comfort is very similar. Needing 21 volume on the R6P2 they're similarly easy to drive.

Much more of a midrange specialist, the Globes have very forward vocals impressively spotlit against the rest of the presentation that really grab you with their presence & resolution while everything else takes a backseat. The DOMEs are more balanced across all frequencies, with the Globes' bass in particular being lower in quantity and a bit limp in texture.

The Globes aren't quite as warm either, with the DOMEs displaying better note weight and a slightly deeper soundstage. The Globes' stage is a little wider, but feels stretched in a way I don't like and they can come across as slightly diffuse at times though resolution between the two IEMs feels similar.

The DOMEs are better all-rounders, but the Globe midrange has a magic the DOMEs lack though much is sacrificed for it.



ISN EST50 – 2xBA, 1xDD, 2xEST (USD $449)



The EST50s are quite a bit larger and stick out further, but the DOMEs are only slightly more comfortable. Requiring 20 volume on the R6P2 they're similarly easy to drive.

Surprisingly the DOMEs demonstrate better bass texture as EST50 bass feels a tad pillowy, and their DD bass driver is much slower. The EST50s are more V-shaped and bass dominant, whereas the DOMEs feel flatter and more tonally balanced. Treble on the EST50s is not only more prevalent but is of higher quality thanks to its' EST drivers.

Perhaps in part thanks to their brighter presentation the EST50s deliver more microdetail & higher resolution, with a soundstage that feels narrower but a touch deeper, thought instruments are separated better on the DOMEs with a stage that feels less congested. The DOMEs are the safer option if treble sensitivity is something you have an issue with.



Penon Turbo - 6xBA (USD $549)



Turbo's shells are similarly sized and equally as comfortable though their rounder shells seal slightly more strongly, but requiring 27 volume on the R6P2 they're a bit harder to drive. I keep Turbo's tuning switches in their stock positions.

I immediately notice Turbos feature much greater bass quantity though it's largely extra midbass. Unfortunately bass texture is a little mushier on the Turbos with slightly less slam. The DOMEs are warmer with Turbos emphasising the upper midrange more, and both are similarly dark in the treble.

Interestingly I don't notice the Turbos being much faster when it comes to busy passages of music, though they are a little more dynamic with a blacker background, slightly higher resolution, sharper imaging and they also layer sounds better than the DOMEs.



Thieaudio Monarch MKIII - 6xBA, 2xDD, 2xEST (USD $999)



I also compared the DOMEs to IEMs at Addicted to Audio during a recent Head-Fi members meetup.

Monarch MKIII's are quite chunky and fit me very snugly. They isolate a bit better than the DOMEs but aren't quite as comfortable, and also require quite a bit more power at 30 volume on the R6P2.

The DOMEs may have a slightly deeper soundstage and a minor edge in dynamics, but in other facets the Monarch MKIII's pull ahead with a bit more sub bass though overall bass quantity is similar, a midrange that's biased more towards the lower rather upper midrange & consequently has a more natural tonality than the DOME's, and higher quality EST-fuelled treble with a greater feeling of refinement.

Monarch MKIII's stage is wider, imaging more precise, resolution is higher & instruments sound larger.



Campfire Andromeda Emerald Sea - 5xBA (USD $1399)



Andromeda Emerald Sea have some of the most beautiful, exquisitely smooth-finished metal shells of any IEM I've tried. They're about the same size as the DOMEs, don't feel much heavier and are similarly comfortable. Requiring 18 volume on the R6P2 they're a bit easier to drive.

Unfortunately Emerald Sea are second only to the Blessing 3s as the worst IEMs I've demoed this year, they're an irredeemable trainwreck. The first thing I notice is how boomy they sound, almost as if a wonky reverb filter has been added to the music. They're incredibly coloured & muddy, with excessive lower midrange boost and bass that sounds very hollow.

Emerald Sea also feel embarrassingly lacking in resolution with excessive warmth clouding the presentation, and though their soundstage is deeper than DOME's it also feels narrower. Emerald Sea feel like a failed attempt to emulate the unique FIR XE6 tuning, and make the vastly less expensive DOMEs feel smoother & more refined by comparison.

Amplification Performance​

I recently received a Mass Kobo 475 portable earphone amp and am keen to learn how the DOMEs scale with better amplification. I rate the 475 as simply the best portable amp money can buy, it’s fully balanced with 4.4mm input & output, delivering 2.3V RMS from its’ balanced jack.

It's obvious at once the DOMEs love amplification. Dynamics improve substantially & so does note weight, two areas the DOMEs weren't lacking in so they're now pushed into seriously impressive territory.

Soundstage depth & layering improve quite a bit, by contrast these are areas the DOMEs underperform without the extra grunt. However where I really notice the biggest change is how much richer & more effortlessly resolving vocals are - it almost feels like a handful of extra Sonion BAs have been jammed in there, and the DOMEs transform from having a midrange that's pleasant enough without being spectacular, to one I find immensely more engaging.

Of course the stage is also wider, the background is blacker and imaging is more defined, but it's mostly those stage depth & midrange improvements that transform the DOME experience for me. Admittedly the 475 amp is as good as it gets by portable standards so lesser amps won't deliver benefits of quite the same magnitude, but this gives you some idea of how much for potential for scaling is there.

Cable Comparisons​

Naturally I tested the DOMEs with a number of cables from my collection, and interestingly find they don't scale with cables quite as dramatically as other Penon IEMs.

I've noted improvements in many areas by rolling cables but the magnitude of those changes is slightly down on what I'm used to seeing, though it's difficult know if that's the result of DOME's driver configuration, tuning or both.



ISN S4 (USD $55)



I was keen to learn if the Neo5's stock cable would make the DOME's sound more similar to them.

The S4 makes the DOME midrange feel slightly more resolving and bass may be a bit more impactful, there's also a tiny bit more treble sparkle. It feels like the stage is being stretched a little wider, though it also feels a touch shallower. Tonally the balance shifts away from the lower midrange with a slightly cooler tonality, and I do prefer the stock cable in that department.



NiceHCK FirstTouch (USD $89)



This cable reduces DOME's treble to produce a darker tonality, with bass hitting a bit harder. Thanks to a blacker background midrange resolution is more impressive which is FirstTouch's standout quality.

The soundstage also feels slightly wider & deeper and dynamics are enhanced a little. FirstTouch's sonic improvements aren't as dramatic DragonScale's below, but this is a far better cable ergonomically with very soft nylon braiding - as opposed to DragonScale being quite stiff below the Y-split due to what feels like additional shielding.



NiceHCK DragonScale (USD $157)



DragonScale grows the soundstage in all directions, making everything feel larger with a greater sense of scale that's easily noticeable, with what feels like more space between notes to give the performance much more room to breathe.

Although resolution & dynamics are also improved, the downside is the tonality shifts upwards with greater emphasis on the upper midrange & treble that doesn't feel quite as earthy, and vocals are pushed back in a way I don't care for though there's no doubting the stage improvements.



Effect Audio Ares S 4 Wire (USD $179)



This is an impressive pairing, with Ares S delivering slightly more bass punch through an increase to midbass, generating a warmer tone yet surprisingly also makes vocals feel a bit more resolving.

The DOME stock cable feels slightly brighter by comparison, but Ares S boasts a slightly blacker background with both a wider & deeper stage and I'm surprised how much more spacious it feels even though the dimensions aren't drastically different.



Effect Audio Code 23 (USD $599)



With some of the most questionable ergonomics of any cable, Code 23 is certainly unique. I immediately notice the soundstage improvements this cable is famed for, with the stage both widening & deepening though not quite to the extent I'd hoped.

Vocals are more forward on Code 23, with enhanced midrange resolution, slightly deeper bass and improved dynamics. However I find the amount of improvement in each department to be very minor, which makes this pairing feel like a letdown given the cable's cost & excessive stiffness.

Conclusion​

It's tough to know if expecting the Penon DOMEs to emulate the Neo5s is an unfair comparison I'm making because they look the same, and I'd give anything for a Neo5 on steroids.

Some listeners are going to love that the DOMEs are a more polite & 'correct' sounding offshoot of the the Neo5 formula, and there's no doubting they're capable & versatile all-rounders in their own right. I just happen to prefer the more exaggerated & fun tuning of the Neo5s, though there's no doubt the DOME's DD is much faster which does address one of the Neo5's few shortcomings.

Penon sell a range of IEMs that cater to an assortment of tastes, so this is another solid option which doesn't do a lot wrong.

Meanwhile a true Neo5 successor remains high on the list of stuff I can't wait for in 2024... so which title do you like for the sequel - The Empire Strikes Bass or Return of the Boom?

TONALITY: 8.5/10
TECHNICALITIES: 8.2/10
SOUNDSTAGE: 8.2/10
IMAGING: 7.5/10
TIMBRE: 9/10
CONSTRUCTION: 9/10
ACCESSORIES: 10/10
SOUND VALUE: 8.2/10

Penon don’t need lenghty introduction, they are the oldest and more experienced ‘’chifi’’ seller, but not only since they even sale western brand like IMR Acoustic.
Let just say Penon are different and truly passionate about audio product to the point of tuning and manufacturing their own IEMs under Penon and ISN companies.

Ive review tremendous amount of their IEMs, loving about 90% of them. Musicality is their aim first and foremost, whatever number of drivers or tech they use. In that regard: they are big Winner to me.

But I’m already too lenghty, today I will review their latest hybrid offering call the Penon Globe.

Priced 350$, the Dome is an hybrid IEM using 1x 10mm PET diaphragm for low, 2 Sonion balanced armature for mids and 1 knowles BA for highs.

I do think it’s purpose is to replace or upgrade the well received Penon Globe.

Let see in this review if Penon hit the ‘’sweet spot of musicality and tonal balance’’ with good enough technical performance again and if it should be put on your buy list for christmass!


CONSTRUCTION&ACCESSORIES

The Dome construction is quite good and similar to the Globe apart different face plate and a metal nozzle.
The material for housing is medical grade resin which is smoother and slippy, thick and durable. One of my fav material for IEM and whole iem feel molded in one piece, not with a cheaply sticken back plate waiting to pop out.
2Pin connector aren’t recessed and placed on slightly curved top of Dome, which can make the connection a bit anxiogenic in the sens the pin can bent if you aren’t accurate enough in alignment of the pins.
Housing size is average, a bit chunky but not very big overall and ergonomic ‘’ear print like’’ shape is very comfy and versatile for both shallow and deep fit.



As always with Penon IEMs it come in minimalist package with maximalist accessories.
As I like.
We have the excellent Penon carrying case which is big enough for 3 cable and 4-5iems, yet more compact that other offering I own. This is my fav carrying case.
Then a very nice cable, 8 strand silver plated that feel very sturdy and benefit the warm tonality of Dome. You can choose it in 3.5mm singled ended or 2.5mm -4.4mm balanced.
Then you have the leather cable pouch and cable holder.
9 pairs of well choosen silicon eartips in 3 models.
And a cleaning too and cable clip.
As always, quite irreprochable accessories wise.

SOUND IMPRESSIONS


If you have heard IEM like ISN H50, Neo5 or even Penon Globe, you will be in familiar cozzy ground with the lush balanced V shape tonality of the Dome.
The Dome is very bassy, gently warm and near mid centric since mid range is lush, thick and fullied bodied due to good amount of lower mid range warmth and density.
Yet, it’s too balanced to be called basshead and the hybrid configuration bypass mudyness of such tonal balance, thanks to the 3 balanced armature that permit good layering articulation and separation.
The Dome are all sweetness, smooth and round as a whole, organic in cohesion, as natural in timbre as it can get with BAs and very lively in macro dynamic without going into fatiguing or spiky brightness territory.

This isn’t a technical or analytical sounding set that blow your mind with boosted clarity and crazy amount of micro details. And while not very airy or sparkly on top, the soundstage is impressively wide and tall avoiding unidimensional spatiality that lack instruments definition and tactility and instead offer immersive holographic musical readibility.

Like I often say with Penon IEMs, bass and vocal lover are spoil as well as those audiophile that can’t find their musical pleasure and emotional response reach in Harman target tuned earphones that invade nowadays Chifi market.

The bass seem to be the most boosted part of spectrum here and do dominate audio spectrum without mixing in a messy way. Instead it act like a dense bass shelf for mids to built on, which densify timbre by adding lower harmonic fullness and warmth to vocal and instrument. Instead of muddying them, it darken the edgyness of definition and stretch the instrument presence in hazy 3D wideness.
Yes the Dome offer a colored sound that we can call buttery, velvety since both texture of dynamicdriver and balanced armature mix togheter organicaly, adding colorful richness to the mids and bass instead of texture micro details and grain.
The sub bass is thick, with an elastic rumble sustain that don’t create unwanted resonance, it extract meaty bass line in body more than forced presence brighness. Synth bass will be lush and roundly layered above the kick drum, while cello will be lush and vibrant and double bass will gain extra weight instead of long airy clean extension.
The slam isn’t loose here, and even offer hard warm thumping, it hit big and loud with great sens of tactility. It especially do well with R&B, funk, soul, rap and electronic. Artist like Kaytranada or Ravyn Lenae shine with the Dome.
While well layered, the bass separation isn’t clean nor edgy, we don’t have lower mid range scoop that widen separation with mids here so the warm do embrace and darken mid range.
Are we in guilty pleasure territory? Well I guess we are, but for those that hate thin dry bass, this is a big plus and I’m one of those people. As well, I find the bass performance quite versatile since double bass in jazz band don’t sound boomy, it underline the eleasticity of attack and release.

The mid range is lush, thick and hint dark. We don’t have intense upper mids boost that foward presence agressively and can fatigue the listener with shoutyness, yet it’s far from lean in dynamic so upper mids are dynamic too and well rounded within mids package.
With the Dome you are near the instrument, so it’s not recessed mids and center stage don’t feel lifeless and far away, but this mean it’s not crisp open mids too, nor very transparent and higly resolve.
If you seek monitor IEM, the Dome is the opposite of that since it favor tone fullness before presence brightness and imaging readibility isn’t sharpen.
Woodwind instrument and vocal sound better and more fully restitute than piano and violin which are more affected in definition edge polishing than saxophone wich don’t need as much lead attack bite and accuracy.
The saxophone sound marvelously lush, dense and rich in presence, the air is tactile and delimitate the sirupy presence, it never feel compressed or thin, nor can distract the listener with over boosted texture details that make the woodwind blowing lipsy and wetty.
As for piano, it’s far from bad since the balanced armature permit fast rendering of every note which have good impact weight but warmed definition edge and short and colored resonance release, I do struggle to know if pianist press the sustain pedal.
I don’t think I would suggest the Dome for symphony or classical music, apart if solo cello which sound highly musical and full. Definition of each instrument isn’t sharp and clean enough to properly discernate them in soundscape and violin attack is softed in mids and lower treble, which make it even harder to grab.
But this doesn’t mean it sound bad at all, in fact, violin are sweet and lush sounding, free of sibilance or harsh metallic bowing, yet, unless in very high pitch the presence will be hard to delimitate as said.
When it come to timbre, don’t be afraid about balanced armature infamous ‘’metallic sheen’’ since their none here and unless you listen at max volume to the point of making BA struggle with vibration, you will not heard micro distortion grain. I’ve try multiple source and only thing I can pick up is slight brightness in vocal breath release but it might be due to slight treble boost around 8khz.

All in all, I love the mid range colorful flavor of the Dome which isn’t too salted with upper mids, yet got lot of lower mids sweetness.


And now the understated treble. Firstly, the Dome are certainly not aim for treble head as well as those brilliance and sparkle lover. While I don’t like unbalanced highs that force you to put in front stage the high pitch instrument and bombard you with percussions fowardness, I do enjoy crisp airy one as well as refined sparkle resonance that blossom in the air.
Here, highs are a bit dark, they are anti-trebly and rolled off pass 10khz, yet it’s not plain dull and we have a bit of spice for extra snap with certain instrument like acoustic guitar don’t feel too scooped in attack lead and have enough metallic bite, but the release will not be long nor very clean or sparkly.
This kind of darkish treble avoid the lack of energy with this extra snap to some percussions and instrument, like wood block, snare and high pitch cymbal.
Splash cymbal aren’t splashy nor shrill, but the release is thicken and a bit hazy.
Since I don’t graph my IEM, I can’t say which exact treble section I feel have a slight sudden bump, but as noted, some instrument range will feel louder in highest harmonic, this include piano too and violin as say before, so this peculiar mid treble boost add energy to macro dynamic and barely make me consider the Dome as W shape in balance.
What I mean with that is piano feel leaner in mid range and 7th octave note jump more in my face.
Apart this the treble feel linear in balance, full and not thin nor lacking in fullness of instrument restitution.
The level of micro details isn’t plenty so don’t expect a statement like ‘’I heard things ive never heard before’’ with the Dome.
It’s organic as a whole in balance with rest of spectrum, highs don’t boost texture noise and is permissive of bad recording since it damp background hissing of old blues recording like Skip James or Billie Holidays which I can focus on their voice better and don’t get annoy with extra background hiss and noise,
Overall this is a safe treble here that is well balanced and complemented beautifully the tonality sweetness.

The soundstage is quite impressive and quite an improvement from the Globe in the sens its very wide and tall with right ear tips and when their no big bass occuring the depth is good too. You’r in the middle of spatiality surrounded by instrument that aren’t too far yet have good multi layering.

But the warm tonality don’t favor imaging precision and bassy music will get bass opacity in background that stole proper separation definition of instrument by adding sound particule in the clean air between them. In that regard, Dome isn’t impressive and lack sharp definition of each instrument positioning as well as proper clean space between sound layers.

SIDE NOTE

At 19ohm of impedance and 107db of sensitivity, the Dome aren’t exactly what I would call neither hard to drive or very sensitive to source impedance gain.
Yet ill suggest a source with at least 100mw@32ohm of power and an impedance output lower than 2ohm to be sure it will not excited or unbalance drivers.
These benefit from clean crisp source due to there warm nature, so not a good bet for super warm or euphonic dongle or source ill say.
Ear tips wise the one included are good enough and offer open and dynamic sound.
Cable too is good enough, I will never use an all copper cable with Dome for ex.

COMPARISONS

VS Kinera Freya 2.0 (DD+3BA-270$)

The Dome is warmer, lusher, smoother, more balanced and clean sounding as well as just slightly bassier, with notably greater bass performance.
It’s evident all drivers used are superior here, both in attack control and timbre micro distortion. The 2 sonion BA dealing with mid range deliver lusher and more natural mids, with more realistic and less rough tone and wider better rounded presence of each instrument. Upper mids are more butter and liquid in edge, it melt like honey in the ears and offer way more musical female vocal as well as fuller bodied male vocal.
The DD too is next level compared to Freya, it extend deeper with greater headroom slam free of problematic resonance so sub is thicker as well as kick drum and mid bass more rounded and bodied, attack speed is faster and more controled and layered is cleaner, so the bass is more separate with mids. Freya sound quite boomy and muddy compared to Dome even if it doesn’t rumble as much and offer as fun and muscular impact.
The treble of both these IEM is a bit dark, but again, Dome is more refined and better balanced though it lack air too as well as sparkle we don’t have texture or tone imbalance and the snare isn’t jumpin at you as much. It follow more evenlyn the tuning target it aim, which is notably more versatile.
The soundstage is notably wider and taller but about same depth.
Imaging is a bit cleaner and while resolution is less bright and can feel smoother, transparency is superior and layering separation don’t mix their energy togheter as much, so with some effort the listener can find more instrument positioning than with Freya that will go too messy in busy music.

All in all I think it’s evident whoe the winner is here. Tonality is more natural and balanced as well as smoother and more immersive with Dome and technical performance even if not magnify with treble boost are superior in attack control, macro dynamic rendering, bass extension and sound layering articulation and readibility.

VS HIDIZS MS5 (1DD+4BA-400$)

The MS5 are brighter and more U shape.
The timbre is thinner and less natural.
The bass is cleaner, less dynamic, thinner and feel detached and less cohesive with whole spectrum. Dome have rounder and rumblier slam, chunkier warmer timbre, more bass bleed and strangely, it feel positive here since it thicken mids.
Mids are more recessed, shouty, thin and dry with the MS5, vocal sound wonky and I tend to lower volume to endure or bypass them. Transparency, sens of openess is higher with MS5.
So treble is more boosted, instrument presence more edgy, percussions more forwards, again all in a more artificial, dry and thin way.
Soundstage is wider and taller with the Dome, deeper with the MS5 due to more recessed center stage to magnify sens of holography.
Imaging is sharper with the MS5, instrument don’t mix togheter in sirupy macro rendering….but accuracy of this imaging is questionnable since percussions dance all around in a distracting way and bass lack tactile low end so….yes, more techical sounding still is the MS5.

All in all, tonaly wise MS5 is quite a disaster compared to lusher, more cohesive tuning of Dome. Technicalities are on par but boosted to the bone with MS5 so Dome which is darker overall sound less impressive in clarity and imaging.

CONCLUSION



The Penon Dome is all about lush and bassy musicality, it’s not a technical sounding set nor a monitoring one.

It’s purpose is to make musicality alive, engaging and fun, dynamic weighty and full, natural and dense in timbre and it use hybrid configuration to avoid it being plain guilty pleasure.

The Dome is the answer to those that find mids either too bright-shouty, thin or recessed and favor tone sweetness above presence of instrument with boosted fake clarity.

You can get lost in these easily, immerse for long listening laid back tonality with proper bass slam and vibrant rumble, it’s near basshead yet too well balanced to be called so. If you know what you buying. Which I hope my review help a bit to do so!

To my ears, it’s highly recommended even if no end game in term of technical performance.

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PS: I want to thanks Penon forr sending me this review sample. As always, I have no direct affiliation nor any self-interest bias in my subjective audio impressions.

You can order the Dome from official Penon store, they are on Black Friday sale right now for 314.10$ instead of 350$ normal price:
https://penon-official.com/product/penon-dome/