Can successful formulas be enhanced by delivering more of the same?
Not long ago Penon sent me a
Pyramid cable which I
reviewed, and it remains one of my favourites.
That was the original 4 wire iteration... but later they offered to send the no-holds-barred 8W version in exchange for my thoughts and as a massive cable lover I couldn't resist.
Interestingly, there's been community debate over how much difference adding more wires makes.
Some folks say only the material & geometry of the wire, and the quality of connectors matters. Others insist more wires generally equates to better sound but that it isn't always that simple.
So how about a shootout between the Pyramid 4W & 8W to test the differences? Let's do it!
Packaging
The
USD $499 Penon Pyramid 8 Wire arrives in a small cardboard box, inside is a fairly flat but sizable fabric carry case, a small leather accessory pouch and a leather cable holder.
It's a fairly minimalistic package for a cable in this price range, and one could argue alternatives abound which offer more luxurious unboxing experiences.
One positive is the case is well-sized to house this enormous cable and pair of larger IEM shells, yet remains light and thin enough to slide inside a jacket pocket, though I wish it were made of leather.
Ergonomics & Build Quality
In all 4, 6 & 8 wire configurations the Pyramid uses OFC copper 2pin connectors with your choice of OFC 3.5mm or 4mm copper plug. Only 2pin connectors are offered, meaning no MMCX or P-Ear options.
The hardware feels well made and the wire is extremely soft & flexible, though in the case of this 8W version there are so many strands the end result is extremely thick, though still decently pliable.
Indeed the 8W Pyramid tops the scales at a whopping 84 grams, it's one of the heaviest IEM cables. Flexibility is quite good (unlike many thick single wire cables) but the weight is difficult to ignore during extended listening sessions, particularly when the cable's weight isn't supported.
At a desk or in bed I find the ergonomics tolerable - particularly given the cable's performance, but for hours of walking or standing up the 4 wire version would be far more agreeable.
Sound Impressions
I’ve used a
Luxury & Precision P6 Pro HK Edition in hi-gain mode with an assortment of IEMs to test the Pyramid 8W. Here’s the
Tidal playlist I use to evaluate audio gear.
Pyramid is an 8 wire Type 9 litz cable with a monstrous 1176 cores, built from gold-copper alloy, pure silver, silver plated copper-silver alloy, silver plated single crystal copper & high-purity Furukawa copper.
Bass
Let's begin with Pyramid 8W's weakest aspect. Many huge, behemoth cables have a pronounced impact on bass performance which has traditionally been a difficult area for smaller cables to improve.
There is some bass enhancement here, which leans towards enriching sub bass with slightly improved texture and slam but compared to cables of similar sizes I was hoping for a less subtle improvement.
This is not to say bass feels neutral with the Pyramid 8W or that quantity is lacking, but for some reason I find my attention being drawn towards other frequencies more.
Midrange
When I reviewed the original
Pyramid 4W I was impressed by its' agreeable tonality, which is also the case with the 8 wire version.
There's a slight lower midrange emphasis that manifests as additional smoothness & liquidity to vocals in particular, but interestingly at the same time vocals also gain a substantial amount of added articulation.
It's almost as if transients are slightly softened, yet can be perceived with additional clarity, which engenders a feeling of sophistication & refinement.
Treble
If you're worried Pyramid may be a bright cable you can relax. There is a tastefully small degree of treble enhancement, but none of the ringing or etched sound silver-plated cables are often guilty of.
Pyramid is terrific for fostering treble notes with a more weight & body, whilst making them more incisive.
Though the cable's overall tonality is smooth & refined, that slight treble sheen allows it to feel more neutral overall, and probably also aids the 8W version's big selling point - technical performance.
Technical Performance
Beginning with one of its' most impressive elements, Pyramid 8W expands the soundstage massively in all directions. The stage is somewhat oval shaped, width isn't outrageous but height & especially depth are fantastic. It feels like the cable is wrapping the soundstage further around one's skull, covering the forehead, stretching behind the ears and under the chin.
Background blackness is also superb, reminiscent of high-end shielded cables like those from PW Audio. When coupled with the large stage dimensions, this enhances imaging greatly and allows instruments to be isolated in their own pockets of space quite effectively, better than any Penon cable thus far.
The other benefit of a black background is Pyramid creating the impression of greater resolution, as instruments are so much easier to delineate from those around them. The amount of detail retrieval is up there with cables worth thousands of dollars, to the point that nuances are painted with enhanced contrast almost as effectively as adding an amp to your portable chain.
Note weight is quite good though bass notes seem to benefit more, perhaps indicative of the cable emphasising sub bass over midbass. Finally, dynamics are absolutely jaw dropping - especially combined with the black background, painting a very high contrast picture of everything you hear.
Pyramid 4W vs 8W Comparison
So how does the Pyramid 8 Wire version compare to its' smaller 4 wire sibling? Immediately apparent is the 8W cable lacks Heiroglyphics-themed hardware which makes the 4W version look more unique. Then there's the differences in weight & price - 4W clocks in at USD $349 and weighs 50 grams, whereas the 8W is USD $499 & 84 grams.
Ergonomically the differences are substantial. The 4W feels like a slightly heavy "normal" IEM cable, it's extremely soft & flexible and I don't even notice I'm using it most of the time. By contrast the 8W is very big, thick and heavy and though I don't find it uncomfortable, rarely do I forget it's around my neck.
Sonically, 8W has much better dynamics, a way deeper & slightly taller stage, sounds slightly louder, with substantially higher resolution. For some reason bass quantity feels higher with the 4W version, in that it stands out from other frequencies more, however bass tactility and particularly decay feels more satisfying with the 8W. Dynamics & resolution in particular jump massively with the 8W version.
Overall tonality is extremely similar, so purchasing the extra wires does feel like you're getting an enhanced version of the same cable, rather than one I feared might better in some areas but weaker in others. Based solely on performance I would unhesitatingly opt for the 8W and would only choose the 4W for long journeys in noisy environments where having less weight around my neck takes priority.
IEM Comparisons
I’ve used a
Luxury & Precision P6 Pro HK Edition in hi-gain mode with an assortment of IEMs to test the Pyramid 8W. Here’s the
Tidal playlist I use to evaluate audio gear.
ISN H60 - 2xDD 4xBA (USD $349)
Pyramid 8W broadens & deepens the stage substantially which is the standout change, creating a much better feeling of spaciousness.
Vocals feel more spotlit and overall resolution improves, imaging is cleaner with a blacker background & better dynamics.
It's an awesome pairing because this precision & refinement is all the H60s lacked with the stock cable.
Tansio Mirai X - 2xDD 4xBA 1xPR (USD $399)
I immediately notice much more articulate vocals with significantly higher resolution, and a slightly wider & much deeper stage.
Dynamics are also improved, but the stock cable feels a touch more impactful in the bass department though it's also brighter and more edgy.
Pyramid's background is also much blacker, making X sound far more expensive with the improved technical performance it was lacking, and even the tonality is smoother & more pleasant to my ears.
Penon Turbo - 6xBA (USD $549)
The Turbos are my go-to IEM for cable reviews because they reveal tiny cable nuances so effectively.
Pyramid delivers far more articulate vocals & higher resolution across all frequencies which is a standout change. There's also a blacker background & sharper imaging.
The stage seems to push instruments further away and feels slightly wider but much deeper. I can't hear any bass improvement, but tonality is slightly brighter & less warm than the stock cable and the technical improvements are unquestionably worth the tradeoff as the Turbos feel far more refined & precise.
CIEM Unique Melody MEST MKIII 1xDD 4xBA 1xBCD 4xEST (USD $1919)
Bear in mind Mest MKIII's stock PW Audio shielded cable is absolutely no slouch, yet I'm noticing a wider, deeper & slightly taller stage and much cleaner imaging with a blacker background.
There's little if any bass improvement, but dynamics are also slightly improved and the MESTs do feel more precise & less fuzzy whilst losing only a small amount of the stock cable's all-copper warmth.
It's a solid pairing but probably not enough of an improvement to justify Pyramid's purchase price for this particular IEM over the very capable stock cable.
Cable Comparisons
I compared the Pyramid 8W with other cables to see how it stacks up against some serious competition.
Penon Renata (USD $269)
Funny I used to think of Renata as a "huge" cable when it weighs only 58 grams compared to Pyramid's 84g. Pyramid is much more flexible however, and improves stage dimensions across all axis.
Renata brings vocals forward more, and its' background feels even blacker with slightly sharper imaging than Pyramid, but resolution is a step down as is note weight.
I do find Renata slightly less warm, though possibly a bit more dynamic, it remains a solid value cable.
NiceHCK DragonScale 2 (USD $299)
DragonScale 2 pushes the midrange forward but bass isn't as impactful, nor is note weight as impressive.
Dynamics are weaker, the staging may be slightly wider but definitely isn't as tall or deep, and instruments don't feel as large for some reason.
Tonally DragonScale 2 feels flatter & dryer with less midbass, which isn't as emotionally engaging for me.
Penon ASOS+X (USD $319)
ASOS+X is 12 grams lighter & slightly more flexible, but both cables are so big & heavy the differences feel negligible and wouldn't sway me towards one or the other.
The ASOS+X stage feels somewhat similar to Pyramid's, being slightly wider but not quite as wide or deep. Imaging does feel more jumbled on ASOS+X however.
These two cables feel like siblings, but Pyramid is tonally smoother & more refined whereas ASOS+X is more energetic with greater treble emphasis, with a flatter & wider stage but Pyramid definitely takes the cake for separation & imaging.
Effect Audio Code 24 (USD $799)
Code 24 delivers a blacker background than Pyramid which is the standout improvement.
Stage dimensions are smaller in depth & height but marginally wider, bass feels a bit less impactful and note weight is also less impressive.
Code 24 boasts slightly higher resolution as notes pop from that blacker background and imaging is also sharper, but tonally Pyramid is warmer & smoother.
Hakugei Sky Bolt (USD $909)
Sky Bolt's stage is definitely wider but a lot flatter with a lack of height, instrument separation is also sharper but note weight is poorer and bass less impactful.
Tonally Sky Bolt is brighter with a slightly metallic artificial sheen, whereas Pyramid is warmer rendering vocals in particular more faithfully.
Given its' price its surprising Sky Bolt is outclassed in most areas barring imaging & separation.
Conclusion
The
Penon Pyramid 8 Wire sounds as big as it looks.
This is a gargantuan cable that delivers a massive soundstage, crazy resolution and insane dynamics. What I particularly like is it does it without sounding excessively bright like so many silver-based cables.
Both Pyramid cables I've reviewed are great, the question is should you buy the 4 or 8 wire version?
If very thick & heavy cables don't bother you, the 8W is an absolute no brainer. Even with IEMs that aren't terribly precise, I can still easily hear the improved technical performance of the 8W version.
It's technical performance that varies between them (hardware differences aside) and there's no contest - the 8W is well ahead in many areas so if you're already spending $350 I think an extra $150 is worth it.
Whereas you prioritise ergonomics, then stick with the 4W which represents an almost perfect sweet spot of being heavy enough to sound great, yet still light enough you'll forget you're wearing it.
Kudos to Penon for giving us options, opportunities to personalise our systems are always welcomed!
