Great review as always. How does it compare to the H50 and EST50? Does it have that nice and wide "stereo imaging" that H50 has?
Headphone Reviews and Discussion - Head-Fi.org
Bitsir
Redcarmoose
It really does have a great stage, obviously the top treble detail of the EST50 and occupied stage has slightly better details and they are spread out/itemized better, slightly....that’s the ESTs at work. I listened to the EST50 today along with the Fan 2. The H50 I haven’t heard recently, but (from memory) absolutely equal stage with the Fan 2! The Fan 2 is special in that it responds to actually what’s there, it doesn’t make stage up. The H50 is slightly more steely maybe, but the bass on the Fan 2 is slightly more reserved and carries less baggage, still the whole thing is the H50 bass speed, where the Fan 2 is more controlled and precise, more reserved. It can be slightly set back, but the Fan 2 is very dependent on source for the full bass experience. Where the H50 plays bass from anything! Cheers!
szore
Mine just shipped this morning....
Redcarmoose
Cool!
dorisisaway
When I got ”the offer” on these from Penon I thought it was worth the blind. Once the treble woke up these are a unusual mix of weight, thickness and accuracy in the bass to mids. To me these sound how the Serial is often described.
Redcarmoose
dorisisaway
It's interesting that they get compared to the Serial.......in that before the Serial was the most neutral Penon, yet the Fan 2 takes a completely different approach, based on almost true neutrality. Where while the Fan 2 is slightly warm, you could never call it thick..........though the Serial is thick sounding in a way.
It's interesting that they get compared to the Serial.......in that before the Serial was the most neutral Penon, yet the Fan 2 takes a completely different approach, based on almost true neutrality. Where while the Fan 2 is slightly warm, you could never call it thick..........though the Serial is thick sounding in a way.
szore
Just got mine and I love them!
EQbumb
Awesome review 
quick one how is fan 2 compared to the likes of the giant killer planars out there, aful p5 and some hybrid and tribrid out there?
quick one how is fan 2 compared to the likes of the giant killer planars out there, aful p5 and some hybrid and tribrid out there?
Redcarmoose
Thanks,
The giant killer planar equipped IEMs are important to folks centering in on a different style of bass texture. Also the bass quickness is a different way. Yet planar (at least the 10 I’ve heard) don’t have the open separation due to (1 Knowles/ 1 Sonion) drivers into the stage, like you often get from name-brand BAs. So it’s truly a different experience and almost not comparable at all. One is apples, all of em, and one of course is oranges. The Fan 2 for $279 is offering a more open stage, especially in the mids, where items are more localized outside, almost dislocated, and the straight planar IEMs have a more cohesive and tighter expression, yet not as separated, but fast none the less.
The giant killer planar equipped IEMs are important to folks centering in on a different style of bass texture. Also the bass quickness is a different way. Yet planar (at least the 10 I’ve heard) don’t have the open separation due to (1 Knowles/ 1 Sonion) drivers into the stage, like you often get from name-brand BAs. So it’s truly a different experience and almost not comparable at all. One is apples, all of em, and one of course is oranges. The Fan 2 for $279 is offering a more open stage, especially in the mids, where items are more localized outside, almost dislocated, and the straight planar IEMs have a more cohesive and tighter expression, yet not as separated, but fast none the less.
Redcarmoose
Haven't heard the Awful or P5. But as explained in the review, I would guess the Fan 2 is more warm neutral than most, allowing every note to be heard. I’ve only heard three EST/BA/DD IEMs and they focus on a completely different tune.......so not comparable in any way.
EQbumb
What a detailed explanation here. I really appreciate. I'm looking at getting 2 IEMs which are: Audiosense T800 and penon fan 2 I just hope they're going to be a good buy. I love resolving set specifically "macro-detail" I hope either or both of them can do the job.
Redcarmoose
For me anyway, it was critical to bring the Fan 2 a warmer cable and DAP as an upstream source. Kinda enhancing the natural warmth and not looking to try and accentuate any further detail through brightness.
Alino
Thank you for the fine review. I have had it used out of my love for Serial and UM 3DT. I like it pretty much.
I suggest a FAN2 downside: it does not like much bad recordings. I am a lover of acoustic jazz from the '30s until today and I clearly have had to feed my ears with many badly recorded masterpieces. Fan2 is wonderful with good, bright and balanced recordings. Much worst sounding (keeping Serial as a compare) and less musical appealing when the music source is average, low fi.
I suggest a FAN2 downside: it does not like much bad recordings. I am a lover of acoustic jazz from the '30s until today and I clearly have had to feed my ears with many badly recorded masterpieces. Fan2 is wonderful with good, bright and balanced recordings. Much worst sounding (keeping Serial as a compare) and less musical appealing when the music source is average, low fi.
Redcarmoose
Thank-you for the complement!
Hmmm. Well I have found it fairly forgiving but at the same time my ultimate set-up is warm. Meaning the very best sound I got out of the Fan 2 was the Totem cable and WM1Z? So? Where I hear what you are saying in that the style of neutrality gives a place for the Fan 2 to become super critical of recordings, like older thin stuff could in-fact take that sonic detour into thin sound, depending on the system. The Serial is warmer and possibly forgiving due to that warmth with older thin recordings?
I go and test the playback with what is normally recorded as sub-standard files, and to me anyway, the Fan 2 still played those files back well?Not to argue or anything, but I wonder what would happen to that older music if you somehow added some warmth?
Hmmm. Well I have found it fairly forgiving but at the same time my ultimate set-up is warm. Meaning the very best sound I got out of the Fan 2 was the Totem cable and WM1Z? So? Where I hear what you are saying in that the style of neutrality gives a place for the Fan 2 to become super critical of recordings, like older thin stuff could in-fact take that sonic detour into thin sound, depending on the system. The Serial is warmer and possibly forgiving due to that warmth with older thin recordings?
I go and test the playback with what is normally recorded as sub-standard files, and to me anyway, the Fan 2 still played those files back well?Not to argue or anything, but I wonder what would happen to that older music if you somehow added some warmth?
Alino
Yes, Serial seems to me way more forgiving (maybe less analitic?) and warm, musical. To me it makes old mono and lowfi recordings more balanced and acceptable than Fan2 (as heard on some Billie Holiday's magnificent Decca Recordings, late '40s).
Fan2 and Serial they complement ich other just fine.
Fan2 and Serial they complement ich other just fine.
Redcarmoose
@Alino
Yes, dual ways of hearing music!
Yes, dual ways of hearing music!
