Penon Pyramid VI

Penon Audio Pyramid VI Audiophile Cable
Redcarmoose Labs October 17th, 2024



Tone and technicality:
I’m casually going to start off today with tone and technicality results. I mean really anyone in their right mind would look at such a cable and laugh at the sheer look and size of it! But the Pyramid VI has a history and specific build reasons for being the way it is which we will get into.

For starters the Pyramid line goes with everything, bright IEMs or dark IEMs. The Pyramid VI goes to make the best out of any source too. But really this Pyramid cable made my day, actually made my month, maybe my year? After 6 days on burn-in I started to use it in various capacities. Then…………..

Timestamps refer to the digital file, not the video:



It was Night Oblivion Butastur which was one test set-up that impressed me most. As such the Night Oblivion exists as a $599.00 10BA Universal IEM that somehow is ultimately revealing of any and all stuff upstream? In fact months after I did the Night Oblivion Butastur review I found the ASOS+X to bring new life and an incredibly advanced set of results with use with the SONY WM1Z.

These results were so potent that I went and added extra script to the Night Oblivion review. But more importantly this set-up ended in hours, days and weeks of listening, beating-out the other gear I have to focus on.

The wonderful ASOS+X below:

So that brings us here………………..
The capability of union found in this mid-range Night Oblivion $599.00 IEM, enhanced by the V shape tone of the WM1Z then taken to the next level with the Penon Pyramid VI. Really not only is tone the subject of this review, but enhanced technicalities too. The simple way that the fluidity takes hold of the bass details, the quickness that ultimately IS quality BA bass.



Hans Zimmer
Wonder Woman 1984 (sketches)
No Hero Is Born From Lies
44.1kHz - 24bit

Just the fact that I never used demonstration music in any cable reviews………until now.

Meaning of course I use music to test the cables, but normally you never find exact music to showcase (in a review) and cover the details held in it. That should tell you something?

Blackness:
It is this blackness of background that enables subtle drum hit changes at the start. It’s the very slight physical rumble that we hear even at 00:07 (at low volumes) that tells me we have arrived at that special place. A place only an audiophile could appreciate!

The fact that this is basically two things here…….it is thick and it is detailed.
This is the whole review in a single sentence.

How both aspects can coexist is beyond me, but that’s the magic.
Later I’ll explain why I judge the Pyramid VI to be better than the ASOS+X, and that is saying a lot as the ASOS+X was one of my most favorite cables until now. And that’s the thing, before with cables we used to only think of combinations of cables and IEMs together. But both the ASOS+X and Penon Pyramid VI go with everything. There is this bass drop in the song………..I know I sound like an audio maniac, because I am. This bass dropped right after new brighter strings were brought in at the very end of 00:28. My gosh, the feeling of this BA bass, the density…….the speed….it’s all I want, all I need today!

Anyone who knows the all BA IEM sound and knows soundtracks would be smiling now, only because they know the Night Oblivion is in its element with this genre of music, but more than that we have done all that is possible to provide the Night Oblivion with the proper signal from the WM1Z and that signal transferred by the Pyramid VI. At 02:00 there is a musical break to where a new progression takes place in this song…….giving notice to new sonics…….this change is accented by a cymbal strike and held inside that tone is 100% the “alloy” personality.

This “alloy” tone is what I have used to describe many of the latest Penon and ISN creations……I have no other word for it. As it is not total silver in energy or brightness, but still totally bright and satisfying, it is just not the sound nor the positioning of pure silver, and I like that. At least with this total combination of “alloy” tone and “alloy” technicalities, I do! To where the ASOS+X has a slight sizzle to this placement, here (now) we are firm and confident, all business!

Yep the Pyramid VI is all business, there is a directness and a purity found here, that at my house goes unchallenged, except for the Penon TOTL Flagship Totem cable.

This smoothness and calmness the Pyramid contains is really very much the opposite of flighty and airy push-outs of the silver based treble. Where sure with some IEMs that effect could be amusing, still we are beyond that….taken to a more realistic “alloy" realm, one of quietness, blackness of background and deep profound bass, even with an all BA IEM.

Again this all may sound like it is leaning on dull, but it’s not...........and that my friends is the genuine quality to love. To where the Night Oblivion has only a medium large stage, it is not the largest in IEM land, but the Pyramid VI goes to create a pitch-black background that adds to the discovery of tiny new details, letting you never really think negatively about the stage. The other party trick is the Night Oblivion bass, that the bass machismo is vented specifically to an extra port inside the nozzle. I really don’t know why I’m talking about bass and treble as the Night Oblivion is really all about a competent midrange and the Pyramid VI makes the most of it. At 02:36 we find the song takes emphasis into introducing the main theme, yep this is the climax of the song. But right before there was a lead-up holding at 00:26 showcasing finite small hits traveling back and forth into the stage. Again it is the personality of these small hits, that they are not exactly bright, but somehow shown as very realistic and holding fast decays which only BA drivers can do. But the way the hits get noticed is due to the producers opening the stage for them to emerge leaving the strings out to the edges.

The genius of Hans Zimmer is felt here. These small hits playfully take place traveling back and forth across the stage, and we mentally focus on them, actually zoom in with our hearing………then when the Climax Theme takes place at 02:36 it appears more dramatic and larger than life. Then quietness is found………at 03:00. Yet before that happens we are gifted with round rolling bass notes. This quietness opens up to show a synthesizer taking over, yet the pace of the strings and the pitter-pat of drums never completely goes away. It is the connection of the violin strings to the rhythm that makes this song for me.

At 03:24 we hear the hanging chimes, to be sure they are all the way through this number, but at 03:24 we hear a few new lower registers of chimes! This again could be the genius of Hans Zimmer showing us an extra new addition to the song.

Come to think about it, the reverbs here are one of the things that make this song. And part of the ultimate reason the Pyramid VI works is gaining perception into the stage of such basic reverb technicalities. That while yes, they are BA reverbs, but they are exquisite BA reverbs found.


Ergonomics and daily use:
You could be forgiven for guessing the VI would be a brute in flexibility or troublesome in use. Surprisingly it is really very regular in how it handles. This may be due to the weave that allows bending in every direction. The VI came without ear-hooks which was my first clue that it was different in manageability than the ASOS+X, and sure fitment on your body or a chair arm is slightly easy due to the reduced size (from the ASOS+X) and bending in every direction. But if wanted sure you can order it with ear-hooks installed, but I enjoy it without. Still...........there is something else which makes it more ergonomic (than it should be) and I can’t put my finger on as to the reason why? Probably the 6 wires/shares instead of the ASOS+X’s 12 wires/shares. But in daily use it acts physically just like any regular cable you have had, only the sonics are way better!

Additionally you would guess such a cable to be responsible for extra cable noise. When in fact..........maybe it's the build material, or simply the wire/share design.......but cable noise interference is kept to a minimum?


History of the Penon Pyramid VI:

Available versions:
Pyramid : 4 shares, 147 cores per share, 588 cores in total cost $349.00
Pyramid VI : 6 shares, 147 cores per share, 882 cores in total cost $419.00
Pyramid VIII : 8 shares, 147 cores per share, 1176 cores in total cost $499.00

What started as a regular Penon Pyramid cable at 4 wires/shares got suggested by Dsnuts to be maybe more. And while the regular Pyramid is really good the extra material goes to make the VI simply wider in stage and slightly warmer in temperament. In fact this whole MAXIMUM CABLE thing all started when Bosk was reviewing the ASOS+ cable and asked Penon if there was a possibility to add 4 more strands, and the rest is history. Where the Palladium material was added to the regular ASOS to make the ASOS+, the material is added only to the 2Pins and plugs. So the ASOS+X is simply the Purple Palladium Plugs and 2Pins of the 8wire ASOS+ with the addition of 4 more wires to make the giant 12 wire/strand ASOS+X.

Today we will look at a few cables to compare:


The top down:
The Penon ASOS+
The Penon Pyramid
The Penon Pyramid VI
The Penon ASOS+X

The Penon ASOS+:
(8 wires of 25AWG OCC copper litz & SPC) with Purple 2Pins and plugs. Where upon auditioning the regular ASOS everyone thought it was great, little did we know Penon had plans to add the Purple Palladium 2Pins and plugs to add note-weight and physicality……making the ASOS+.

Listening to the ASOS+ with the Night Oblivion is a treat. Here we find a great stage though filled in with slightly less drama due to less noticeable stage depth. While here the upper midrange holds those more silvery aspects of cable reproduction, and while detailed there is a clutter that somehow the Pyramid VI does away with? The VI is slightly darker and at the same time clearer. Really this is the review in a sentence, that while slightly more open and airy holding that ASOS+ personality, stuff is just slightly more floaty and only slightly less grounded and real? Stuff is not near as dense or as physical, yet still entertaining and fun.

Original Penon Pyramid:
Really this is the absolute perfect place to put this comparison as we get to compare the ASOS+ above and the next cable the ASOS+X below to follow. I have basically been using the ASOS+X the most in this combination, with the VI being the new addition. Here the very first thing we notice is just how simpler the less 2 less wires/shares takes us. A thinner and not as dense nor as thick of a response. Even though the regular Pyramid was more expensive at $349.00 than the $215.00 ASOS+, in my use I liked the qualities the ASOS+ brought to the table. It wasn’t until this VI that things were really taken to the next level here. Why? Because we had the open stage of the ASOS+ and the added instrument density of the original Pyramid. When you combine these two technicalities you can’t lose! And remember it is not just the image density of the original Pyramid taking place, but an increase in image VI density taking place in contrast to the original Pyramid. Then there is a wholesome natural aspect to where that stage that the original ASOS+ does so well was then somehow added to the Penon Pyramid to make the new stage of the VI dynamite! I can only imagine what the VIII model Pyramid is like.

The Penon ASOS+X:
This cable, this ASOS+X is my old friend and a match that I stumbled upon to invigorate my Night Oblivion experience. It is safe to say I have used this set-up the very most prior to the VI making itself a reality. And sure it’s great and really the ASOS+X is slightly thicker in physical size, and my model has ear-hooks. But to get to sonics, the ASOS+X is simply not as physical or as ground weighted to be honest.....in comparison to the VI.

The Pyramid VI holds a boost in how the midrange is encountered and a spectacle of sonics that is in many ways just as entertaining, but the deep down weight is simply not always there with the ASOS+X. What I mean by this is the VI is better separated and more real sounding besides deeper in the bass department. Sure Penon has priced this ASOS+X at $319.00 which is correct compared to the extras that the $419.00 VI does………that $100.00 extra is there, and it is both noticeable and comment inducing. Obviously the extra money spent of the VI could be in part dependent on what IEM you match it with, meaning BAs have a way to make cables seem slightly faster and thinner, compared to Hybrids, yet the VI holds a reality that will always be a reality and hard to argue with.

More IEM unions:
The Sound Rhyme SR5 Universal IEM:
The Kiwi ears Quartet Universal IEM:
The HiSenior Okavango Universal IEM:
The TSMR SHOCK Universal IEM:



The Sound Rhyme SR5 Universal IEM:
While using a $149.00 4BA + 1 Dynamic Driver Hybrid may not be the best addition to the VI, at least we can try and learn if bringing all the goods up to the SR5 could make an improvement? Truth to be told, everything in the signal chain makes an improvement. So with the VI cable in 4.4mm, and the Sony WM1Z we are attempting to make the underdog SR5 shine like no tomorrow!

Man-o-man:
If you just happen to have the Sound Rhyme SR5 laying around it is something with the VI. I switched to my favorite wide-bore ear-tips and what can I say? Compared to the included cable this is a wider stage and thicker ideas of instrument playback. The stage is great, and the bass holds a fluid carefulness (and separation) that is really what the SR5 is about. While the 4 BAs go to enlighten us, there is no chance of anything being too bright or strident. Just great really and maybe the most I could ask for in a $149.00 Hybrid? Of course I like Hybrids the best, so go figure?



The Kiwi ears Quartet (both switches up):
2BAs and 2DDs here today. At $109.00 it takes the prize for the most sound for the least money. And I can’t help but notice a smoother top end than the SR5, still doing vocals and guitar in great timbre. Still even with all this upstream candy the Quartet is what it is……not as profound in bass delineation as the SR5, and a little smeared in separation, but tonally it is great for the money, and the stage (even though not that itemized in comparison to more expensive IEMs) is still very musical and fun. What the VI does is what it always does which is open the stage for exploration and firm-up the density found with instruments and vocals.



The HiSenior Okavango (both switches up):
Ok, let me spill the beans. This was by far the greatest example of playback today second only to the Night Oblivion and SHOCK. Sure the price of the Okavango gives us clues as to maybe the outcome, at $299.00? But also the Hybrid set-up of 5BAs and a single DD. And I will let you in on a secret, this is my second day of trying all these IEMs.

Yep this was a full two-day test. I just wanted to find-out if they were the same on both days, and they were.

The VI adds that tell-tale bass technicality, you know the one I have been bragging about since the review started. Only this time that clarity is found with a DD in action, not a BA bass maker. To where we are all at once amazed by this stage and the careful placement of instruments and vocals into the 3D sound field. Come-on this can’t be an under $300 IEM, can it? To where I seem to be hearing all the BAs firing off all at once giving the feeling of a full big breakfast in playback. And that’s the thing, this Okavango is just asking for this style of signal. Making the most of it the VI is adding density and stage taking the Okavango and realizing it to be the very best it can be. If you question this……..simply emulate my set-up here and prepare to be blown away. And while all these parts inside the Okavango make for a full idea of playback, it still does not contain the details or even bass for that matter like the Night Oblivion, not gaining the Oblivion separated placement of clarity found in each vocal. Plus the Oblivion held instrument existence coming into life as a separate life form.

While the Okavango has contrasts, those contrasts can only do so much, even enhanced with the big contrasts of the WM1Z and VI. What we end-up with is a musical playback and even a super fun playback, though with a slight busy mixture of elements and less found separation that not even the VI can make-up for.


Finally the TSMR SHOCK:
To end these side-by-side tests with a bang, the SHOCK comes in at the same price as the Night Oblivion...........but really they are opposite. I say that as the Night Oblivion is all about midrange, and the SHOCK is more about treble details and bass. Where there is nothing it does wrong in the midrange department (just that) the mids are not something that you would say has been illuminated into focus with the SHOCK. And remember there is nothing wrong with that, all IEMs can’t sound exactly the same here.

TSMR SHOCK $599.00
2 Knowles BA for the mids per channel
2 Sonion BA for the treble per channel
2 8mm Isobaric DDs per channel
2 new Sonion full-range Bone Conduction Drivers per channel

This brings me around to the very first set-up I tried when I opened-up the Pyramid VI box. And after 6 days of burn-in the cable is now seasoned for action. The SHOCK is an enigma around here at Redcarmoose Labs. Just a lot of IEM sound for the money and while nothing is perfect the SHOCK never fails to tantalize!

Why?
Ah? BASS can you say full-on-tactile bass action. Not only that but it has 4 bass drivers per side in action. Yep 2 Bone Conduction drivers and 2 DDs per side. Still this set-up with the 1Z is almost over kill as the WM1Z has a profound physical bass as it is.

Still we are fine and better than fine when treble treble details come-in to even everything out. Yes, stage, yes, details, yes a tactile style event that never has you wanting more. What goes on here is a nice separated stage with a style of BC bass that is an extra sauce sprinkled on-top. Yet that BC is actually a full frequency add-on which seems to boost the midrange feeling and treble feelings into perception. And no the VI is not too dark, it is never too dark or too bright or anything, but just like that perfect temperature of bath water that you want to get into……..everything is just right!



Available versions:
Pyramid : 4 shares, 147 cores per share, 588 cores in total cost $349.00
Pyramid VI : 6 shares, 147 cores per share, 882 cores in total cost $419.00
Pyramid VIII : 8 shares, 147 cores per share, 1176 cores in total cost $499.00

Description
Litz type 9
Copper-gold alloy + pure silver
+ Copper-silver alloy silver-plated
+ Single crystal copper silver-plated
+ Furukawa high-purity copper winding
2Pin 0.78mm OFC pin
Vintage Egyptian pattern brass accessory (with original only)
3.5mm audio/4.4mm balanced OFC plug
Cable is 1.2M



Conclusion:
What does all this mean? Well looking back I was a little hard on the original Pyramid cable. When in truth it is priced right, it is just the secret sauce added by those 2 extra wires is real and effective. Why………..well as talked about earlier, it is added VI stage girth and density. I mean I have spent 6 days with the Pyramid VI and back and forth side-by-sides to try and truly get a handle on what is up here. I’ve done a few days of IEM comparisons and a single day of cable side-by-sides, so I at least feel I have done my due diligence to get a handle on the VI.

I look down at the extra 2 wires and it is hard to believe, but it is real. The other thing that is real is the sound of any Pyramid cable, there is just a fluid set of transients that takes place? At least that is how I hear the original and the VI, I haven’t heard the Penon Pyramid VIII. There is a darker treble and not so silvery midrange that tells you it’s perfectly fine to listen to an alloy instead of pure silver. This creates a clarity of sounds not so jumbled up……….with any and all IEMs. This clarity can be mistaken for reality as we are not counting on airy floaty midrange or treble, no…………just the facts man! Just in case you haven’t figured it out yet, this is one of my most favorite cables ever. Truly this has been one of the single most fun reviews I have ever done. It was super easy to write and as such is super easy to recommend on a new purchase! Cheers!

$349.00 to $499.00
https://penonaudio.com/PENON-Pyramid.html


Disclaimer:
I want to thank Penon Audio for the love and for the Pyramid VI review sample.

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

Equipment Used:
Sony WM1Z Walkman DAP MrWalkman Firmware 4.4mm balanced
Sony WM1A Walkman DAP MrWalkman Firmware 4.4mm balanced
Sony TA-ZH1ES DAC/AMP Firmware 1.03 4.4mm balanced
Electra Glide Audio Reference Glide-Reference Standard "Fatboy" Power Cord
Sony Walkman Cradle BCR-NWH10
AudioQuest Carbon USB
HiBy R3 II DAP 4.4mm balanced

Penon Pyramid VI

Ok so I got my wish. I posted on my last review of the Penon Pyramid cables back in June of this year that an 8 wire variant does not exist. For folks that don’t know the original Pyramid cable is a 4 wired variant and quite excellent I might add, you can read my take on them here. Well, it seems Penon has been taking feedback about their cables and certainly my complaint that an 8-wire version does not exist. Well today I am bringing the very good news about what you guys will be reading about here in my review of the new Penon Pyramid VI and the Pyramid VIII. That is 6 wire and the 8 wire version of the Pyramids. Not only are you able to order an 8w variant but also 6 wired variants of the Pyramids. My review here is more or less about both cables but will focus a few additions to each type of cable for the readers. Onto the review.

It is well known in the industry that when you add more material to what was already established there are a few design aspects that a cable maker has to consider. The main one being how exactly do you add 2 more cable cores to a 4 core cable or even doubling up to an 8 core cable? The type of braiding for the cable is everything with these IEM cables as it will depend on what type and how tight the braiding is on the cable that will determine its flexibility, thickness, its looks and best of all how they make your IEM sound. The new 6w and 8w versions of the popular Penon Pyramid cables are now a reality as Penon has done it once again. These 2 new variants were a bit of a surprise to me actually because I thought Penon would just do an 8w version but we have a middle ground between the standard 4w and the new 8w version in the 6w version. On this reader I will get into why either one of the two will be right for you or not. I think it will depend on what you're looking for in the new Pyramid variants.

Let's get this out of the way, both 6w and the 8w versions I would describe as being bulky. The standard 4w version is the only one that is even remotely normal thickness wise for IEM use but when adding 2 or 4 more physical cores, the cable becomes almost double or larger in girth and hence they become a bit bulky. With the very obvious fact that the 8w is truly a behemoth of a cable. If you have the type of personality that doesn't mind being bold in the pursuit of ultimate sound. Then the 8w here will be talking to you. Otherwise the nice balance of heft, girth, flexibility, usability, and arguably the best looking out of the 3 while taking advantage of more cores of the Pyramid, that would be the 6w version.

I have weighed both cables and the VI is 66.2grams which is basically a similar weight as the Penons ASOS+X. The VIII wire is a staggering 84.6grams. It will be difficult to get an IEM cable that weighs more than the Pyramid VIII. Know that you're dealing with a monster of a cable here in both bulk and weight. As of writing, Penon will give you the advantage of ordering either of these cables with cable guides or without. My review sample here is without cable guides and seems to work just fine with casual use. Don't know if I would be doing calisthenics using any of these cables but normal walking and using should work fine. And lastly in any termination you need for your sources. Single or balanced plugs.

Besides weight and girth, what does adding 2 to 4 extra cores of the Pyramid materials here do for your IEMs? I will tell you it isn’t exactly double the effects of a given cable. But it does have a ramp up effect of what the Pyramid cable does best while adding an even greater stage and depth perception over the 4w version. All 3 cables bring a cleaner tonal character and enhance stage elements due to its liberal use of silver, silver plating, a silver layer and hybrid alloy metals within the cores. The Pyramid in a nutshell is more of an advanced stacked SPC type cable or silver plated copper type cable. But utilizes 4 different types. Copper-gold alloy with pure silver. Copper- silver alloy with silver plating, single crystal copper with silver plating, Furukawa high purity copper winding. Ultimately what this mish mash of alloys, coppers and silver material gets you is a nicely resolving technical and stage enhancing cable.

Technicalities are best described as the sound's ability for sound separation, its imaging, details both macro and micro, tonal and timbre characters, and most of all stage elements. Each IEM you use has a level of this technical ability some better than others. The Pyramid is called the Pyramid as it is stacks of material on top of material that gets you the sound it is aiming for. I do notice the nicer your IEMs base sound is, the Pyramid helps with the given IEMs technical ability even further. It matches well with just about anything due to its ability to focus your attention on the layering, imaging and the detail level of the IEMs. The new 6w and especially the 8w version brings even greater if not a grander sound enhancing ability in the form of expanding that sound experience in what you're hearing. Much like the girth and weight of each cable the way a sound can expand and give greater, stage, height and depth of sound with all the technical enhancements of what the pyramid brings are magnified even to a greater degree with each upstep you go in the Pyramid ladder.

The stock Pyramid is still an expensive cable and just because a new upgraded version has come out does not automatically eliminate the standard pyramid to be something of a lesser cable. Not at all, everything I have described on this reader is a descriptor for all 3 cables and not just for the newer 6w and 8w variants. But much like when you add more cores to any cable the greater expansion and stage presence is definitely noticeable. This mish mash of material blend for the Pyramid is genius in what it does but adding more of it only brings greater efficiency in what the cables do for your IEMs which results in a higher end Pyramid cable.

So the ultimate pyramid is clearly the 8w version however before you shell out the bucks just to get the top of the line Pyramid. There are some negatives of the 8w that will make you consider the 6 wired version instead. First of all it is lighter and a bit less bulky. Yes the 6 wire version is still a bit bulky but not the brute that the 8wire represents. So the standard 4w version cost $350 which is still a premium price for a premium cable, the 6w clocks in at $450 and the 8w is $500. I know the price of the 6w vs the 8w version is not that much different however here is where the benefit of the 6w is.

While the ultimate Pyramid is clearly the 8w version the 6w gets you what I subjectively guesstimate to be roughly 92% of the 8w version as far as stage enhancement goes and its technical enhancing ability is right up there vs the 8w variant. If you go from the 8w to the 6w and back n forth like I have, yes they both perform stunningly well on your favorite IEMs but the 6w is closer to the 8w version in performance vs the 4w let me put it that way. It is less bulky obviously but then one more aspect I would have never guessed until I had the opportunity to put all 3 next to each other and compare.

The 6w version is stunning looking. Simple as that. The 4w version has special looking hardware that separates it from other cables, the egyptian hieroglyphs on the hardware. Due to the 6w and 8w variants being as bulky as they are, Penon went for a more cleaner looking hardware on these versions. But it's not the hardware that makes them stand out, it's the actual cable weave. Don't know if I am just used to an 8 cored weave and don't have too many 6 wired cables. Actually now that I think about it, I don't have any cable in my overblown collection of cables that are 6 cored. The braided 6 weave of the 6 wired version is stunning. Unique even, surprisingly flexible for this much material and did I mention how stunning it looks?

I know Penon does some custom work and if you are in the mind that one of these Pyramid cables will work well with your full sized cans. Yes, that is where I would actually recommend the 8 wired version. If you contact Penon, they have made a customized ASOS+X for a buddy for his HD800s and I can’t see why they can't do the same for the Pyramid 8w.

The 8w is so bulky, it literally looks similar in size to a smaller rope. It's not that you can’t use the cable for your best IEMs. You certainly can, especially if you don’t mind having a rope attached to your IEMs. It is literally a chain and not in a way we describe what your sources are connected to type. The rope of the 8 wired is surprisingly as flexible as the 6 wired version but I do notice it has a slightly looser weave vs the tighter weave of the 6w. Allowing it to be flexible. The 8wire is just ever so slightly stiffer over the ears but certainly surprising that the cable stays in place. If you plan on being active or walking around with the 8w version the shrink wrap ear guides Penon utilizes, might be a good option for you. For me however I do prefer my IEM cables without the ear guides and I was pleasantly surprised to find out both the VI and the VIII pyramid cables stay in place just fine 84 grams and all.

Pyramid cables are described as follows. With some newer pluses and minuses.

Pluses!
-enhances stage presentations. Wider, deeper and taller more spacious for your IEMs
-enhances note weight with added stage element from 4w<6w<8w
-enhances treble presence, better air and sparkle. Which affects the prior plus
-enhances detail perception both macro and micro, especially trebles.
-enhances for better imaging, layering and sound separation. Higher end cables do that.
-enhances dimensional qualities due to prior plus
-enhances w a tighter bass note, better defined and textured.
-versatile for all types of sound signatures.
-flexible, premium looking, minimum microphonics
-more silver influence for sonics vs copper, more resolving
-cleaner side of neutral tonal qualities.
-Premium in looks, feel and usability 6w>8w>4w (subjective)
-Pyramid 6w arguably one of the best looking IEM cables in existence
-Pyramid 8w the best pyramid cable.
-All 3 variants are consistent with Pyramid cable effects
-Price difference between 6w to 8w is $50

Minuses
-8w is not double the effects of the 4w.
-4w is like 85% of what the 8w does.
-more silver influence in sonics vs copper, can brighten trebles.
-Pyramid 8w version weighs at an astonishing 84.6 grams
-A cable called Pyramid needs a pyramid for a chin slider…Just saying.

To give a good example of what the Pyramid cable does. I used them on the Impacts.

Penon Impacts have some of the best mids in all of IEM land and it is the focus of the sound on the Impacts. Penons flagship IEM brings flagship levels of technicalities but brings that astonishing emotive dimensional sound character that is the hallmark of a much higher end IEM. The one complaint I have seen some folks say was that they wished the sound stage was a bit wider. The Impacts use a slightly modified version of the same Obsidian cable that is used for the Voltage. The Pyramid is a natural upgrade on the Impacts. Not only are the lush rich dimensional mids intact using the Pyramids seems to enhance every part of the Impact sound characteristics. Its bass gets a more defined punch. Its mids get better sound separation and imaging for better, more clearly defined dimensions. Its trebles are highlighted better vs the stock obsidian cable. The surprising aspect of the Pyramid on the Impacts is that it more than retains its outstanding mids tonal and technical performance. It actually enhances all of it. Pyramid adds a greater note weight and stage over the Obsidian, going back to the Obsidian the stage and scope of the sound kinda shrinks. Believe me the Impacts does not have a small sound per se I am just talking about how they sound after going from one to the other. Folks that are looking to upgrade on the Obsidian cable but want to retain the Impacts full rich mids and tonal character helped out by the Obsidian cable will do extremely well with the Pyramids.
The Pyramid does for the Impacts what it does for every other IEM I tested them on. Makes what is already an outstanding flagship IEM, sound even better.


FAN3, So this IEM is the first Penon made IEM with bone conduction and if you were smart you took up on Penons offer for an additional cable on the sales page for the SPACE cable which is double the cores of the OS133 cable or the stock cable that came with the FAN3. This is a good example of what doubling the cores for a cable brings to the table for an IEM. No question the SPACE cable is a nice upgrade on the stock cable, so much so I would say your experience of the FAN3 as good as they are, you will not experience 100% FAN3 without the SPACE cable. So what does adding a much higher end Pyramid do for the FAN3? Absolutely spectacular pairing on the FAN3. But here is where spending a lot on a cable makes zero sense for the FAN3. The Pyramid cables cost as much or more than double what it costs to own a FAN3 so it makes no sense. However let's say you're a collector of all things Penon and want one of their Top end IEM cables. That is where the Pyramids would be an ideal addition to your collection. Pyramids are extremely versatile and only lose out to the Totems in ability. Otherwise these cables will enhance and pair well with every IEM you own. The 6w pairing with the FAN3 is just superb and makes the FAN3 sound way more expensive than what they cost. More holographic, more dynamic, better improved sound separation and imaging. Clean tonal character, even an uptick in stage vs the Space. I suppose you have to be on the crazy fence to buy a cable worth more than the IEM itself but in the case of the FAN3. If you're a fan of its sound and what this IEM brings and want the absolute best. I say Pyramid 6w and you will be smiling from ear to ear.


Tansio Mirai Shock
So the included stock cable for the Shocks are nothing special. It matches the color scheme for the Shock and is a decently transparent SPC type cable but going from them to even the 4w version is a nice upgrade. Going from the 4w to the 8w and much like what it did for the FAN3. It does the same for the Shocks. Brings a much better technical element to the Shock sound system and once again you gain even more dimensional character, better perceived imaging and details. Trebles are cleaner and slightly better extended. Bass notes are better defined. Stage a bit wider and sound a bit deeper. This IEM already sounds large but with the Pyramid cables it definitely enhances what the Shocks are about. That dimensional aspect of Shock sound is amplified to a much greater degree. I recently let a coworker hear the Shocks with the 8w pyramid and he was floored with the sound that was emanating from the Shocks. It was all the reaction I needed to see. The synergistic aspect of the Pyramid and the Shock was clearly apparent. If you want maximum shock. Yes go for either of the 6w or the 8w. You will not be disappointed with the pariring.

Voltage. What you read about how the Pyramids matching up with the Impacts actually is identical to what the Pyramid does for the Voltage. Due to the Voltage coming with the stock Obsidian cable. Once again the Obsidian is a good copper based cable with a few shares of the material plated in gold. This helps to bring a richer tonal flavor to the IEMs the Obsidian cable is paired with. It is for the most part a good copper based cable that brings out a bit of a richer tonal character and the IEMs dynamics. But it is far outclassed by the Pyramids in any form. Even the 4w brings better clarity and better imaging with an expansion of sound. The 6w and 8w the Voltage becomes optimal. A greater expansion of its sound presentation in all directions. Music notes have better definition and clarity. Trebles brings a tighter transient ability and brings cleaner overtones for the excellent EST implementation for the Voltage. Mids get an uplift in sound separation and imaging with greater note weight in the process. Bass is better defined for both its impact and subbass. Voltage is definitely proper with the 6w and even to a greater extent with the 8w.

Conclusion.
Pyramids are fascinating, how they were built to bring a peak sound to the IEMs they are attached to. The new 6w and 8w variants are all about what the Pyramid brings but at a higher level. The positives of adding more cores are clearly evident in the new versions of the Pyramid but it comes at a cost. What was good in the original design is enhanced with the addition of added cores. I can say both are ideal but the 8w version has to be on record as being the heaviest IEM cable in existence. It's a bold cable beyond looks and the tempting aspect of the 8w version is that it is only $50 more to get there from the 6w version. The 6w version is the middle ground of ability and substance between the 4w and 8w, but has a tighter cleaner looking weave among the 3 which arguably gives it the most premium in aesthetics among the pyramids. I am all for thicker cables and there is a geeky sound guy side of me that says bring it on! And let others be jealous as my cable is thicker and chonkier than yours.

The pyramids are an excellent gateway to the uber buck cable land and what better way to do that than to get yourself the thick boy 6w or the ultimate 8w. I know I mentioned the 6w version to be a good balance of material bulk, looks and usability but this is the type of cable if you go with the 4w version. It will be very likely that you're gonna be curious about the 6w version which in turn will be curious about the 8w version. Well don't be, you will be more than fine with any of these cables as they will be what you're seeing in a higher end cable to bring the very best sound from your IEMs. As I posted above about what additional material does for a cable's sound. It was only a wish of mine to have double the cores for the 4w pyramid when I first did a review for it. It is now a reality and I have to admit I am smitten by both these cables. They are both works of art and now that I have used both of them for various Penon IEMs I have to say they both turned out splendid. I would say if you don’t mind the 84.6 grams of added weight to your lowly IEM. Then go for the full meal deal in the 8w version, just do more neck exercises at the gym. If you're concerned in the long run a 84.6 gram cable will be a bit too heavy for you. Go for either the 4w or the 6w version. Thanks for taking the time to read.

Disclaimers: The pyramids was provided by Penon Audio in a loaner for the purpose of a review. The new 6w an 8w got a good weeks of burn in and use before this write up. Happy listening always. You can get yourself a set here.