[RikudouGoku]

Hope it wasn't about trying to influence your review, I know you wouldn't stand for that

it was worse than that...

I wanted the TSMR 4 pro, but just missed the sale that was only a few days ago (it was at 280 usd), I only got 10% off (paid 300 usd). Asked if I could get a review unit if I reviewed it, got denied and said they didnt have any more discounts to provide. I bought it anyway since I actually wanted it.


A few weeks later.....

Yeah, I killed it. Sounds really bad and massively overpriced (beaten by BA iems at 3x cheaper).

Then a few months later, someone got a review unit and praised it a lot....

Yeah, penon seriously sent out a review unit to try to salvage its reputation. After they told me they didnt have any bigger discounts or units to give me. A blatant lie.

This was not the only bs they have done. I have tried to contact them because I was interested in their iems, here via PM and also mailed them, I got NO REPLY.

Thats why they are blacklisted, they only send stuff out to their damn shills.....

 

[furyossa]

BTW... ShoonTHESEP-01BL is an excellent pair of buds for the money, but you can find it only on Penon store or maybe Taobao
They have fast bass response, good clarity, and wide soundstage with great imaging.
But the cable is bad quality so if you don't know how to swap stock cable I will not recommend this version but another 150ohm version ShoonTH ESEP-01BLE.
Another option will be to order from NSC store this driver, shell, and cable (or this one), roll up your sleeves and put together your own pair.
Of course don't expect to get 100% of the same earbuds because ShoonTH chose the best components and professionally tuned this model
Here you can see how they look inside

 

[FranQL]

BTW... ShoonTHESEP-01BL is an excellent pair of buds for the money, but you can find it only on Penon store or maybe Taobao
They have fast bass response, good clarity, and wide soundstage with great imaging.
But the cable is bad quality so if you don't know how to swap stock cable I will not recommend this version but another 150ohm version ShoonTH ESEP-01BLE.
Another option will be to order from NSC store this driver, shell, and cable (or this one), roll up your sleeves and put together your own pair.
Of course don't expect to get 100% of the same earbuds because ShoonTH chose the best components and professionally tuned this model
Here you can see how they look inside

so if I want to try it I am condemned to buy the expensive model ...

damn!!!!!

 

[jogawag]

so if I want to try it I am condemned to buy the expensive model ...

damn!!!!!

The cable of The SHOONTH ESEP-01BL is just a little stiff, but not so stiff that it is unusable.

The bass performance and wide soundstage are great attractions that more than make up for the cable.

 

[furyossa]

so if I want to try it I am condemned to buy the expensive model ...

damn!!!!!

No no You didn't understand me, if you want to try it then go for a DIY solution or ShoonTH ESEP-01BL (32ohm).
ShoonTH ESEP-01BLE is not just the 150ohm version. They use 32ohm driver also but first to make 150ohm version they need to check that both drivers not have
channel imbalance and then add resistor (120ohm and this is not easy task), and after that goes tuning (ShoonTH tuning is definitely not to be underestimated).
In addition to this they use Furukawa cable which in my estimation is about 5 times better than this $hity stock cable on ESEP-01BL.
Do you really think that your PK1 150ohm "transparent film" with "goddess" cable will sound the same with $1 cable?
And yes, I'm not totally sure that the $120 price is justified (maybe $100) but we have similar situation with other buds in this price range category.
In any case, pulling the trigger is not easy in this hobby
That's why we have

 

[furyossa]

The cable of The SHOONTH ESEP-01BL is just a little stiff, but not so stiff that it is unusable.

The bass performance and wide soundstage are great attractions that more than make up for the cable.

I agree with you 100% It is usable for $1 cable, no doubt. But this pair definitely deserves better cables
In addition to bass performance and wide soundstage, the precise imaging is the another thing that I like on this pair.
Also, because they seal vents on one side the sound is more intimate, and you receive less external noise

 

[jogawag]

so if I want to try it I am condemned to buy the expensive model ...

damn!!!!!

Additional information.
The SHOONTH ESEP-01BL's the DP100 type shells of are thinner than the MX500 type shells and fit more comfortably in the ear.

 

[vygas]

So I've recently encountered some channel imbalance on my ME80, I didn't have the hindsight to actually buy a spare when the last 3-4 popped up on aliexpress last year. Anyone know of a fairly similar sounding earbud or possibly even an upgrade to it?

 

[RikudouGoku]

So I've recently encountered some channel imbalance on my ME80, I didn't have the hindsight to actually buy a spare when the last 3-4 popped up on aliexpress last year. Anyone know of a fairly similar sounding earbud or possibly even an upgrade to it?

Faaeal Iris CE, its similar but it is a downgrade.

 

[furyossa]

For those interested in how to install smaller drivers in the MX500 shells, this is the solution
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005002360064453.html
warning... don't think about perverted things this is not intended for that use

BUT...
Take for example @RikudouGoku favorite driver https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005002632316267.html

Here we have two major problems to note
These wires are too exposed and unprotected and likely to have direct contact with the ring. This can be solved with electrical tape
But the bigger problem is the thickness. The driver cover is too shallow and the vent construction on the inside, where the filter is placed, will not allow driver insertion.

One of the solution (need to be tested) can be this type of shells (convex arc head) https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4000808713210.html

 

[vygas]

Faaeal Iris CE, its similar but it is a downgrade.

Yeahhh I've heard it fairly grainy so I definitely want to stay away from it, I might just end up buying replacement ME80 drivers and try find a shell that would make them sound similar to the OG. Still, I'll keep it in mind.

 

[RikudouGoku]

Yeahhh I've heard it fairly grainy so I definitely want to stay away from it, I might just end up buying replacement ME80 drivers and try find a shell that would make them sound similar to the OG. Still, I'll keep it in mind.

The ME80 is better than the CE. But it is the closest to it from the buds I have heard.

 

[vygas]

The ME80 is better than the CE. But it is the closest to it from the buds I have heard.

I mean it would make sense, I was told both have the same PCB but with a different diaphragm.

Correction : Iris 1.0 PCB is actually closer to the ME80's PCB

 

[RikudouGoku]

I mean it would make sense, I was told both have the same PCB but with a different diaphragm.

That I didnt know lol.

Its also 3x cheaper than the ME80, I cant complain about it. Its great value.

But we see if the other 3 versions are better since I will order them during the sale.

 

[baskingshark]

So I've recently encountered some channel imbalance on my ME80, I didn't have the hindsight to actually buy a spare when the last 3-4 popped up on aliexpress last year. Anyone know of a fairly similar sounding earbud or possibly even an upgrade to it?

What's your budget?