The discovery thread!

[GroovyAudio]

PENON Archangel



OOTB Impressions. ( Documented Experience )





I was greeted with both switches in the OFF position. Let’s just say I was a little surprised by what I was hearing. Felt like super Balanced , almost politely presented EBC80. ( keeping in mind That I haven’t Burned these in yet)

Once I turned Switch ONE to the ON Position. (I knew I was in party town now)







Thunderous BASS , textured full and “grab you by the (proverbial starting with a B)” (Like a bold rich full strong bodied coffee in the morning.)



Mids are glorious ( vocals and acoustic instruments are just so refined and full of clarity )



Treble is sooooo crystal clear , refined and resolving . ( seriously so clear you could hear a pin drop in the in amongst the music mix )



Soundstage is Immersive - Various songs Felt like musical notes were dancing on the inside of my skull. While Some tracks sounded like a flower unfolding with several element’s (riffs) and instrument positioning created a layering that I’d not heard before on my other IEM’s. Just Wild !




Comparing between IEM’s is a little difficult so early. But if I had a guess right now I’d say… If the H60 , the TSMR SHOCK and EBC80 had a Threesome. The result would be a Penon Archangel. (There are immersive elements of the SHOCK , thunderous bass, H60 style mids with Shock immersion, and with treble DNA almost a EBC80 match. )



Listening was conducted on HiBy R3 Gen 2 , Astell&Kern CA1000T, and iBasso DC-Elite with Audirvāna.

Much more listening to be had , please take with a gain of salt, as I’m a hobbyist. not an experienced reviewer.

I will put these on the burn in station for some time to develop like a film processed photo.

So It’s safe to say I’m on a honeymoon with the Archangel.

Amazing impressions! Can't wait for mine to arrive.

 

[nikbr]

BGVP always intrigued me, so I'm happy I got the chance to hear the NS10 Pro. If these are anything to go by, their top dogs must be a serious force to reckon with. Review coming in these next few days.

 

[SushiiFi]

PENON Archangel



OOTB Impressions. ( Documented Experience )





I was greeted with both switches in the OFF position. Let’s just say I was a little surprised by what I was hearing. Felt like super Balanced , almost politely presented EBC80. ( keeping in mind That I haven’t Burned these in yet)

Once I turned Switch ONE to the ON Position. (I knew I was in party town now)







Thunderous BASS , textured full and “grab you by the (proverbial starting with a B)” (Like a bold rich full strong bodied coffee in the morning.)



Mids are glorious ( vocals and acoustic instruments are just so refined and full of clarity )



Treble is sooooo crystal clear , refined and resolving . ( seriously so clear you could hear a pin drop in the in amongst the music mix )



Soundstage is Immersive - Various songs Felt like musical notes were dancing on the inside of my skull. While Some tracks sounded like a flower unfolding with several element’s (riffs) and instrument positioning created a layering that I’d not heard before on my other IEM’s. Just Wild !




Comparing between IEM’s is a little difficult so early. But if I had a guess right now I’d say… If the H60 , the TSMR SHOCK and EBC80 had a Threesome. The result would be a Penon Archangel. (There are immersive elements of the SHOCK , thunderous bass, H60 style mids with Shock immersion, and with treble DNA almost a EBC80 match. )



Listening was conducted on HiBy R3 Gen 2 , Astell&Kern CA1000T, and iBasso DC-Elite with Audirvāna.

Much more listening to be had , please take with a gain of salt, as I’m a hobbyist. not an experienced reviewer.

I will put these on the burn in station for some time to develop like a film processed photo.

So It’s safe to say I’m on a honeymoon with the Archangel.

A hot take here, I am liking the black and red color, faceplate is also not that bad looking

 

[Okcerg]

Received the Vzonis VP-07 (1DD+6BA) which I ordered during the February sale for $80. Thought it got lost along with my Nici Hifi Fortune Fox cable which has already been refunded.

Also got the GY-306 cable from GY Hifi. I couldn't resist all the silly colors.

Here we go again. The VP-07 is stupid good for $80, or at the current SuperDeals price of $103. Or even at the sub $400 range imo. Very resolving, incisive and crisp, but stops just short of sibilance and that metallic BA timbre I hate. Great bass quality, very textured. Not basshead, but enough quantity to sound correct and not leave me wanting. Astounding vocals, you get all the detail and emotion without making your ears bleed. Mids are the highlight of this set for me. Extended natural treble.

No pressure issues. Nozzle diameter is 6.3mm, a bit short but I didn't have any fit issues with licky black tips. Very comfy and ergonomic.

Welcome to 2025. 80 frikin bucks!!!

Hmm, putting my Sherlock Holmes-hat on.

That faceplate material looks very similar to what's on my Fengru Spark/Pirole Resin. And is that the same (beryllium?) driver?
Not 100% same shape on the faceplate, but it looks very Fengru Spark/Pirole Resin-ish, plus 6 added BA's.

 

[r31ya]

"What feature you want for your Portable CD-Player?"
"All features"
---
The Overkill portable CD Player
Shanling EC Zero T
A CD player with bluetooth connection (APTX adaptive, SBC), Quad R2R 24 bit DAC, TPA6120A2 OP-AMP and JAN6418 Tube AMP.
so you could choose between to amp,

- 158@32 ( battery ) or 330/268@32 ( op/tube ) ( Desktop ) with the 3.5mm port
- 551@32 ( battery ) or 1220/1087@32 ( op/tube ) ( desktop ) with the 4.4mm port.
The EC0T also came with the 3.5mm LO/COAX/OPT out should you prefer to use your own amp with it.

$450, available in multiple online store

---

New TangZu teaser?

 

[apagumila]

PENON Archangel



OOTB Impressions. ( Documented Experience )





I was greeted with both switches in the OFF position. Let’s just say I was a little surprised by what I was hearing. Felt like super Balanced , almost politely presented EBC80. ( keeping in mind That I haven’t Burned these in yet)

Once I turned Switch ONE to the ON Position. (I knew I was in party town now)







Thunderous BASS , textured full and “grab you by the (proverbial starting with a B)” (Like a bold rich full strong bodied coffee in the morning.)



Mids are glorious ( vocals and acoustic instruments are just so refined and full of clarity )



Treble is sooooo crystal clear , refined and resolving . ( seriously so clear you could hear a pin drop in the in amongst the music mix )



Soundstage is Immersive - Various songs Felt like musical notes were dancing on the inside of my skull. While Some tracks sounded like a flower unfolding with several element’s (riffs) and instrument positioning created a layering that I’d not heard before on my other IEM’s. Just Wild !




Comparing between IEM’s is a little difficult so early. But if I had a guess right now I’d say… If the H60 , the TSMR SHOCK and EBC80 had a Threesome. The result would be a Penon Archangel. (There are immersive elements of the SHOCK , thunderous bass, H60 style mids with Shock immersion, and with treble DNA almost a EBC80 match. )



Listening was conducted on HiBy R3 Gen 2 , Astell&Kern CA1000T, and iBasso DC-Elite with Audirvāna.

Much more listening to be had , please take with a gain of salt, as I’m a hobbyist. not an experienced reviewer.

I will put these on the burn in station for some time to develop like a film processed photo.

So It’s safe to say I’m on a honeymoon with the Archangel.

Ngl that shell looks sinister. Wish they included better tips though.

 

[roflokek]

Received the Vzonis VP-07 (1DD+6BA) which I ordered during the February sale for $80. Thought it got lost along with my Nici Hifi Fortune Fox cable which has already been refunded.

Also got the GY-306 cable from GY Hifi. I couldn't resist all the silly colors.

Here we go again. The VP-07 is stupid good for $80, or at the current SuperDeals price of $103. Or even at the sub $400 range imo. Very resolving, incisive and crisp, but stops just short of sibilance and that metallic BA timbre I hate. Great bass quality, very textured. Not basshead, but enough quantity to sound correct and not leave me wanting. Astounding vocals, you get all the detail and emotion without making your ears bleed. Mids are the highlight of this set for me. Extended natural treble.

No pressure issues. Nozzle diameter is 6.3mm, a bit short but I didn't have any fit issues with licky black tips. Very comfy and ergonomic.

Welcome to 2025. 80 frikin bucks!!!

cable looks amazing imo

 

[pradiptacr7]

Mid-week music session in between works.
And this one performs just as I was expecting. Very natural and versatile. The bass speed is fantastic.
Dethonray DTR1+ Limited Edition + Custom Tube Amp >>> Stock Unique Melody Stardust.
Today's Album- Metallica's Master of Puppets (https://music.apple.com/.../master-of.../1440901428...)

 

[roflokek]

hmm...

 

[Vonbuddy]

I reposted the DX1 review for Letshuoer, they want to have it in the official Head-fi listing. This also means that the launch day is soon, in their page it says next month.
I got it confirmed that price will be $159, it just depends on US folks and all the taxes where it lands. Rest of the world can enjoy one of the best neutral/midrange focused single DDs for a super good price.

https://www.head-fi.org/showcase/letshuoer-dx1.28152/reviews#review-37860

I bought a few things anticipating May 1. I would begin a period of inactivity with the Chinese market once the tariffs are realized. I would love to be surprised.

 

[nikbr]

TinHiFi T5S Mars edition (90$). It is the more higher-end of DD that TinHifi offers, it was their most expensive single DD IEM until the T7 came out (Which compared to the rest of the market, can be considered as cheap). This IEM compared to the DUDU, have a much better tone for the vocals, where instead of metalic, the vocals sound natural and more correct (though, there is a little sibiliance, where vocals can sound a bit sharp). The imaging and soundstage are slightly better than the DUDU. The treble though is a bit lacking, you don't have a lot of air extension, and the treble is a little bit muted. The focus here is on the midrange, with nice bass that adds some sauce to the mix, but still I do really miss the treble. The overall build is decent, with a better shape shell that is very comfortable for long use. The unboxing experience here is top notch, where you get a twissor to replace the filters, a brush, filters, ear tips, high quality carrying case, high quality cable... All of this makes this IEM really worth its price, and stands out from its competitors. I don't know how TinHifi can do all this... it is good.

Well put. The treble is certainly not T5S' highlight. But it performs its side role admirably and never really feels too dark to my ears.

Have you gotten your hands on the H60 yet? Curious to hear how it handles rock and jazz!

No H60 yet due to unexpected circumstances. Should be here soon-ish, though. I'm curious too!

I realllllly like the bass on the Project M — it hits that sweet spot for me. Now you've got me fully intrigued… the Volare has my full attention!

If you enjoy PM but feel you could handle just a tad more of everything, this is it.

Defiant's graph that @roflokek just posted below is intriguing too, despite my serious discontent with its looks (at least the multicoloured faceplate one). Volare is a stunner in real life.

Hmm, putting my Sherlock Holmes-hat on.

That faceplate material looks very similar to what's on my Fengru Spark/Pirole Resin. And is that the same (beryllium?) driver?
Not 100% same shape on the faceplate, but it looks very Fengru Spark/Pirole Resin-ish, plus 6 added BA's.

Sooo you're trying to say that two different products actually start their lives in the same factory and may be 97% the same thing?? Naaah, surely not, Chifi would NEVER do that to us.

hmm...

Would you look at that. But I'm willing to bet they sound nowhere near as similar in reality, all things considered.

 

[roflokek]

Would you look at that. But I'm willing to bet they sound nowhere near as similar in reality, all things considered.

yes I think they're far from volare in sound quality too, but it makes me think that Z is deeper in measurements theme than he usually claims ('i'm just listening, no need to graph, blablabla...')
And a little post of celest wyvern appreciation. $12 well spent. Their character reminds me aful explorer, idk why, maybe because of the bass response, overall chilly, laidback, soft but tactile punch. Faceplate looks amazing and fit is good despite being somewhat bulky - no pain or tiredness. Interesting iem. Something I'd gift and good way to get in the hobby. Little comparison of size is in.

 

[SbassX]

Wan Er 2 has a metallic upper treble. Its a tuning that would be better hybrid. A DD handling alone that airy region makes tizzy note edges. That region needs speed that DD lacks. ZVX Pro is much much better tuned (for a single DD). More 3k-6k and less 10k+. Its the ultimate Delci like tuned IEM right now.

Id save and get TRN Shell instead of Wan Er 2. Mellow mids with airy upper treble, but its a microplanar handling it, so its perceived soft and well rendered.

I was actually leaning a bit toward the Wan’er 2, mostly because of the value and all the positive buzz. I can see how a DD might struggle with that airy region if it lacks the speed. But I’m also intrigued by the TRN Shell now

Mid-week music session in between works.
And this one performs just as I was expecting. Very natural and versatile. The bass speed is fantastic.
Dethonray DTR1+ Limited Edition + Custom Tube Amp >>> Stock Unique Melody Stardust.
Today's Album- Metallica's Master of Puppets (https://music.apple.com/.../master-of.../1440901428...)

How’s the staging and layering on that chain compared to the stock Stardust? (is that an Artelier you are wearing?)

 

[Redcarmoose]

KiwiEars blew it: With a Vibration Transducer, this set should have been called the Dildo.

Hit and miss for me. The Aether is my favorite planar IEM, supplanting the venerable Artti T10.

But I also tested the Airoso, which sucked harder than a horny senior prom date. I couldn't get it out of my ears fast enough after testing. Thin, nondescript sound. Hated it.

The Aether is my favorite Planar too.

 

[Okcerg]

KiwiEars blew it: With a Vibration Transducer, this set should have been called the Dildo.

Hit and miss for me. The Aether is my favorite planar IEM, supplanting the venerable Artti T10.

But I also tested the Airoso, which sucked harder than a horny senior prom date. I couldn't get it out of my ears fast enough after testing. Thin, nondescript sound. Hated it.

+1 on hit and miss.
Quartet is one of the few sets I've returned. Plasticky timbre.
Aether is my fav set.