INTRO:-
What I have here is the PENON IEM V1 and V2 both, yes, PENON IEM, both in one article, as I don’t think these earphones need separate reviews. PENON is an well known audio head gear seller from HONG KONG, known for their diverse collection of earphones, amps and DAPs.
I feel I don't need to give you guys much intro on this as PENON themselves are not exactly selling these earphones and these earphones don’t even come with a retail package. These earphones are given for additional $10 when you buy something from their store (non-accessories), V1 has a MIC version too ( mine has not). MRP is $100 but you can't buy it, if you end up buying one they will refund it.
Now as I said earlier, there are two versions, V1 with straight plug, single line cable, V2 with 90 degree jack and dual line cable. Earpieces are exactly the same, no differences at all. Both have 10mm drivers and sound different to an extent.
Now I don’t think these have any competition as PENON is not exactly selling these. But for $10 you can buy KZ ATR and KZ ED9, not to forget VE monk +.
I would like to thank PENON for these sample units.
You can add one to your cart from this link:-
http://penonaudio.com/PENON-IEM
ACCESSORIES:-
First Pack of tips from V1, 2nd from V2.
Both these earphones come with a spacious carry pouch, 4 pairs of single flange tips, V2 has an extra pair of clear bi-flanges. Both comes with PENON branded cable ties. Nothing fancy at all.
V1 has a really nice copper body, design is simple and easy on ears. Ergonomically its really comfortable, one can wear these over ear too. Cable on these are strong, non bouncy without much microphonics. Has a straight jack.
V2 has the same body, exact ergonomics, no problem with fitment here too. What I like here Is that it has thicker cable and comes with a 90 degree 3.5mm jack. Cable is not bouncy nor has much microphonics.
Both have vent below the chamber, behind the cable entry. There is no cable slider on both.
Isolation is average at best and the wind noise can be bothersome.
SOUND QUALITY:-
Both these earphones are bassy, V1 has more of it, V2 has enough of it. Both are burned for more than 100 hrs and I am using stock single flange tips for this review.
For your info, both these earphones are loud enough right out mobile devices, you can use an amp but not necessary.
Here are some of the tracks used for this review.
Eminem - Rap god, space bound, not afraid,
Twenty one pilots - Heathens,
Drake - one dance,
The Weeknd - cant feel my face,
Tom Odell - Another love,
Coldplay - Adventure of a life time, Hymn for the weekend,
Justin Bieber - what do you mean,
Felix Jaehn - Aint nobody loves me better,
Shawn Mendes - Treat you better,
Royal Deluxe - Dangerous, Wanted man,
Will.I.am & Pia Mia - boys & girls,
Will.I.am - Freshy,
Selena Gomez - Good for you,
Zara Larson & MNEK - Never forget you,
And some more.
We will start with the V1.
Bass:-
V1 is the bassier one of the two and bass takes the driving seat here. Its not exactly full but has good body after the 30-35hz mark, its the rumble which keeps me seated but I would have liked a bit more body with sub bass and bit more depth too. Decay is slower when compared with the V2 but is on par with other bassy earphones, slightly Better than WooDuo 2 but Wollduo 2 is a monster in different level of its own.
It moves good amount of air with good slam, impact is nice, doesn't over do anything. Details is acceptable, precision is kind of compromised, it feels like it can deliver but something is holding it back. There is some mid bass emphasis, not bothering by any means but does makes it sound a bit less enjoyable. FYI there is no bleeding into the mids.
One should not expect much from it. This bass can keep one seated but won't please a basshead like a Hisoundaudio Wooduo 2.
Mid Range :-
V1 has a V shaped signature which does put the mids in the velly but thankfully doesn't drown it. Mid range has good clarity and nice sharpness, details are good too when compared with ha-fx40 or fx-101.
Male vocals do sound a bit unnatural with slightly more sharpness than usual, if you like sharper notes you will like it, same with female vocals too but it's more acceptable. Not full bodied but not lean too. Has good amount of clarity and details. Lacks micro details but it's enough for its price.
Instruments are sharp and clear, one can hear most of instruments and separation is good too, yes, you can't hear those micro details.
Separation and layering is acceptable, sound stage is good too, has good overall dimensions, nice depth, better than average height with narrower width, still overall stage is better than S0, M1 and Meelec M7P.
Yes.. It doesnt have the natural timber and sounds a bit dry too.
Highs:-
It has nice highs, nice sharpness, doesn't have the type of spark I love but its good, makes it's presens felt sadly lacks extension which makes this high end a bit less exciting.
There is good amount of details, don't expect anything like a BA or even the Brainwavz Jive but when we take S0 or twinwoofers into account Penon IEM has good bite and more than engaging amount of details.
I will give it 2.4 out of 5, its not bad, but.. Nothing special about it. Go for the MIC version.
Lets move on to the V2.
Bass:-
V2 has a bit more balanced signature still there is healthy amount of bass for someone to enjoy. I like this one more. It has nice air movement, good slam, acceptable body, there is some rumble too with better decay. Just like the V1, V2 too lacks sub bass quantity and extension.
When compared with soundmagic E50, E50 has softer slam, bit more mid bass, some sub bass presence.
Here we have better details and precision, no bleeding, has mid bass emphasis but not bothering at all.
Mid Range:-
Mid are more forward here and has better details and slightly better transparency. Instruments have more details to them and sound clearer. Separation and transparency are better, sound stage is more or less the same with slightly better Width.
Everything else is similar to the V1.
Highs:-
I like these highs, has better extension to start with and retains the sharpness of the V1. As I said extension is good but not as good as a VSD2/S or Brainwavz Jive but better than V1.
Has good details, instruments sound good, has more than acceptable layering. Just like the V1 this one too sounds unnatural with some instruments like cymbals and trumpets tend to lose their neutrality.
This one gets 3.2 out of 5. It has better clarity and details. And for $10, this one is the one one should go for of the two (if you can live with lesser bass).
Nicely spacious carry pouch.
V1 with straight plug.
This is the V2 with 90 degree jack and bigger y splitter.
Conclusion:-
Both these earphones are good for their price, one should Pick one if they are buying things from PENON. Its just not better at anything.
But for $10 it has its own merits, first of all build quality is really nice, microphonics is low and doesn’t sound downright cheap too, there is enough to keep an average listener seated, someone who is not critical about details or anything. All in all you can gift it to someone, for $10 these are cheap and good looking earphones.
I hope next time PENON makes an IEM they will tune it better with more sub-bass and bit more extension.
I hope you liked this article, happy shopping!! Festive season Coming up, Enjoy!!