FreeWheelinAudioLuv2
Headphoneus Supremus
Very nice comparo!! Cherish my Archangel and sold my Oracle MK III.
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Having covered pretty much the major differences over those two GIANTS OF REPRODUCTION was thinking why not doing the same about the latest tremendous release coming from PENON this time... PENON ARCHANGEL (haven't included this battle over my review on ORACLE MKIII..........) so here it is guys ...........
ARCHANGEL vs. ORACLE MKIII
Two Tribrids, Two Philosophies — One Big Decision
The THIEAUDIO Oracle MKIII and the PENON Archangel stand shoulder-to-shoulder in price, prestige, and promise — both feature multi-driver tribrid architectures, strong tuning identities, and spatial mastery. Yet, they couldn’t sound more philosophically different in execution.
This comparison breaks down their tuning approaches, technical differences, and emotional impact, helping you decide which one suits your sonic preferences and playback priorities.
Bass – Control vs. Authority
- Oracle MKIII: The MKIII version utilizes the IMPACT2 technology for sub-bass presence with a clean, reference-grade implementation. The combination of two 10mm dynamic drivers arranged in an isobaric design housed in a chamber is very well implemented in this case...... Bass is tight, fast, and precise, giving body to the low end without overwhelming the mids. It’s less visceral, but more detailed, designed to underpin a transparent and airy soundstage.
- Archangel: This is where Archangel takes the crown. With dual coaxial dynamic drivers plus Bone Conduction Drivers, it delivers massive sub-bass presence, tactile physicality, and cinematic weight. You don’t just hear the bass — you feel it. It’s articulated, never boomy, and still maintains clarity. This is Penon’s most impressive bass to date.
✔ Verdict:
Choose Oracle for bass accuracy and reference tonality.
Choose Archangel for visceral depth and immersive power.
Midrange – Spatial Clarity vs. Transparent Neutrality
- Oracle MKIII: Mids are clean, open, and lightly ethereal. Vocals and instruments are spaciously placed within the stage, never pushed forward or overly colored. It excels in layering and separation, especially for orchestral or ambient works, where each element needs its own breathing space.
- Archangel: Midrange is absolutely flat and neutral, something we rarely see from Penon. There’s no bloom, no forward push, and no warmth bias. Vocals come across as honest and accurate, particularly well-suited for listeners who value reference-grade transparency over emotional coloration.
✔ Verdict:
Oracle = spatial charm and natural openness
Archangel = dead-flat neutrality and studio monitor realism
Treble – EST Air vs. BA Silk
- Oracle MKIII: The twin EST drivers shine in the upper treble — delivering airy, delicate extension, with microdetail and shimmer that never turns peaky. It’s a treble tuned for ambience, reverbs, cymbals, and subtle spatial cues.
- Archangel: Uses BA treble with refined tuning, aided by a treble switch. It’s equally extended, but less sparkly, more textured, and silkier in delivery. There's more of a velvet realism than dazzling brilliance. Even bright recordings remain smooth, yet never dull.
✔ Verdict:
Oracle = treble air, sparkle, and micro-spatial cues
Archangel = refined, non-fatiguing, and texturally honest top-end
Soundstage & Imaging – Holography vs. Architecture
- Oracle MKIII: Delivers a wide and immersive stereo field with excellent front/back separation. Instruments are placed in a convincingly natural spread. This is a very “audiophile” stage — balanced, elegant, and layered.
- Archangel: Simply next-level. The vertical and diagonal imaging, made possible by BCD integration, adds an entire extra axis of immersion. Stage is spherical and massive, bordering on multi-speaker-like depth. Instruments appear anchored in space, not just placed by panning.
✔ Verdict:
Oracle = classic hi-fi layering and lateral width
Archangel = cinematic 3D immersion with height and weight
Technicalities – Resolution, Layering & Speed
- Oracle MKIII: Exceptionally precise — particularly strong in detail retrieval, transient response, and upper-end clarity. Complex recordings are dissected cleanly, offering studio-style insight into mixes.
- Archangel: Feels slightly more natural and relaxed, but sacrifices none of the detail. It offers incredible layering, nuanced microdynamics, and a more “physical” style of resolution, especially in the bass and lower mids.
✔ Verdict:
Oracle = clinical accuracy and transparent resolving power
Archangel = holographic detail with natural dynamics and realism
Comfort, Build & Accessories
- Oracle MKIII: Comfortable, lightweight resin shells, modular cable, good fit. Accessories are solid, but standard in quality.
- Archangel: Also full resin, but includes the Effect Audio Cadmus II cable, which is premium-tier in aesthetics and performance. Build feels more boutique and luxurious overall.
✔ Verdict:
Archangel offers a more premium total package, especially with the EA cable.
Feature Oracle MKIII Penon Archangel Bass Tight, controlled, reference Deep, physical, textured, immersive Midrange Open, neutral-spatial, slightly airy Flat, uncolored, studio-accurate Treble Airy, shimmering, delicate (EST) Silky, extended, smooth, natural (BA) Soundstage Wide, layered, open 3D, spherical, cinematic, full axis imaging Imaging Clean, linear, hi-fi Immersive, weighty, anchored in space Technical Ability Transparent, highly resolving Cohesive, micro-detailed, physically dynamic Cable & Build Solid resin shell, good modular cable Premium shell, boutique Cadmus II cable (EA) Personality Clean, analytical, immersive Organic, immersive, powerful Best For Critical listeners, ambient/classical Immersive listeners, cinematic/electronic/acoustic Treble Profile Sparkle and air Detail and silk
Final Verdict – Which One to Choose?
Choose THIEAUDIO Oracle MKIII if:
Choose PENON Archangel if:
- You want reference-grade imaging, delicate treble air, and precise separation
- You prefer a slightly more open and floaty midrange
- You value upper-treble microdetail and clean spatial layering
- You prefer a studio-monitor experience with just enough warmth
- You crave visceral sub-bass, larger-than-life stage, and holographic realism
- You love a neutral, non-colored midrange with intimate dynamics
- You want the best bass performance Penon has ever produced
- You enjoy ambient, cinematic, or vocal-focused music with gravity and finesse
feel free to read over my take on the romantic ORACLE MKIII : ORACLE MKIII review
I enjoy the Cadmus 2 that comes stock with the aforementioned Penon Archangel.New 'budget' varients of the Signature Series cables from Effect Audio.
Ares Lite and Cadmus Lite.
$129 & $149 respectively.
These look like they're just OG Ares and Cadmus; ie. 4 wires of 24AWG, but with fixed connectors, as opposed to conX, and less fancy pants packaging.
This has been posted elsewhere on Head Fi, but I haven't seen it on the Disco thread.
Apologies if it has already been posted and I missed it.
https://www.effectaudio.com/signature-series
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My post work shift evening has been spent getting entertained by a couple rigs. The first one is my newly acquired Sony NW-ZX100, which is WORTH. EVERY. PENNY I spent on it, which wasn't much, considering. Tethered to the ZX100 is the Softears Volume S, this IEM had slid down the rotation, and out of the first rota due to it sounding best thru the now sold FiiO JM21. That was it's synergy sister. Well, tonight, it found it's new synergy sister in the Sony, and it's such a fantastic pairing, that I'm moving the Volume S back into the first rotation, and moving the Simgot EW300 down to the 2nd rota. The synergy is THAT GUD, and the colorway matching is PERFECT! It's like this IEM was made for and came with the DAP!
Next was the ISN H60. One of my top BOSSES, the H60 has always done well with my FiiO daps, but I'd been contemplating re-purchasing the JM21, since it has a sound signature I'm very fond of, and I was able to get a close facsimile with my JM21 EQ setting on the M21, but then I remembered the iFi Go Link Max! This tiny dongle DAC has a signature that's oh so close to the FiiO JM21, without having to use EQ, so I hooked it up to the M21, dropped the H60 thru this, and musically, I'm transported to a special place. Switched out the cable as well, and I'm using the ivipQ Stardust, which isn't quite the color match of the XINHS K15, but it's a superior cable, and the silver and palladium really bring out the best qualities of the H60. This is an awesome rig.


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