The discovery thread!

[Waqar]

WORD! I won't add anything because you summed it up very well. This iem is so good that I've actually sold my MG800 and ME600 yesterday. I hope they guy who I sold to will enjoy these iems. To just sold my beloved MG800 speaks volume of how special Archangel is for me!
Thank you @Penon for making this great iem and for making the nozzle smaller at 6.2mm instead of 6.9mm like on H60 or EBC80.

I really like what i read about how these performe, but the noozle is not an issue? Size wise? Because i just can't handle a big nozzle like that.

You guys dont feel it in the ears? Is it smaller then the penon fan3 or about the same sized?

Because the fan3 fit me like a glove

 

[GroovyAudio]

I really like what i read about how these performe, but the noozle is not an issue? Size wise? Because i just can't handle a big nozzle like that.

You guys dont feel it in the ears? Is it smaller then the penon fan3 or about the same sized?

Because the fan3 fit me like a glove

The thing is you do feel them in the ears because they are big shells but unlike H60 with 6.9mm, Archangel fits better with 6.2mm if you use a smaller size eartip.
Fan 3 has 5.8mm nozzle and the shells are smaller than Archangel, that's a fact. I can't say for certain if Archangel will fit you but I can say that they are more comfortable than H60 for me. Hope it helps!

 

[Waqar]

The thing is you do feel them in the ears because they are big shells but unlike H60 with 6.9mm, Archangel fits better with 6.2mm if you use a smaller size eartip.
Fan 3 has 5.8mm nozzle and the shells are smaller than Archangel, that's a fact. I can't say for certain if Archangel will fit you but I can say that they are more comfortable than H60 for me. Hope it helps!

The shell size dont bother me because i have big ears but the ear canals are not that big of it makes sense.

Yes but i think a difference of 0.4 mm i can tolerate.
And yes it helps alot thanks.

 

[alexandros a]

WORD! I won't add anything because you summed it up very well. This iem is so good that I've actually sold my MG800 and ME600 yesterday. I hope they guy who I sold to will enjoy these iems. To just sold my beloved MG800 speaks volume of how special Archangel is for me!
Thank you @Penon for making this great iem and for making the nozzle smaller at 6.2mm instead of 6.9mm like on H60 or EBC80.

Very glad you like this one because this hopefully means that eventually it ll be special for me too........just listened for 15 minutes you know.....
.......i actually struggle each and every day trying to find time for a minimum decent listening ....but i cant.....my daily routine is THAT BAD..............

 

[jbfps116]

Hey you all, I know I have lots of wonderful IEMs that deserve real reviews, and there's even a good handful that I haven't even ranked on my spreadsheet, but I just got a new laptop, and am in the LENGTHY process of reorganizing my huge music "old" music library [IE everything I had before I switched to Amazon Music] with iTunes. I'm also re-making playlists as well and deleting anything I no longer want. I'll still poke around this thread, but I'm taking a little break to deal with my music [not an unpleasant chore!] I have tons of Classical music, lots of older CCM that I grew up listening to, and lots of ... just weird stuff to sort out. Like when I was a teen, we figured out how to find music files on old Windows games and even iOS .ipa files that got downloaded to my old computer! So, yea, all sorts of weird old music [MIDI files anyone?! haha] to sort out and see if I still want it in my official collection.

Today, I'm using the lush and rich-sounding CK2V for my previewing of all these music files. They're SOOOOO comfortable, they're good for longer sessions.

 

[Khumbaba]

New Moondrop.

"They presents Harmon IEM, featuring three dynamic drivers and brand-new glass-dome composite diaphragm, utilizing the patent XTM series complex frequency crossover technology. It comes with switchable 4.4mm BAL and 3.5mm SE plugs. Available now for $349.99!"

 

[Vonbuddy]

Given the tariffs, I didn't think I would navigate Aliexpress well, but I managed to get the TSMR Armor for $240. Linsoul is charging everyone in the U.S. shipping charges, which is how they are implementing the tariffs. Hifigo and Penon's stores are not charging shipping. I expected to see an additional charge on the Armor, but there is a statement on the final cart that indicates any additional charges are included in the final price. I hope the Armor is not a repeat of the H60 or the X, and offers something different. Anyone verify that for me?

 

[superuser1]

Thanks to @o0genesis0o and @RikudouGoku . I have been neck deep in Ubuntu server and docker. Its about time i look at some iems. Waiting for @PhonoPhi to get the KZ AM16 regular version to see how it turns out.

 

[GiullianSN]

Anyone here also a fan of Muse M5 Ultra?

I had a really great time today with VE Zen3 out of Muse on Tube mode… really enjoyable and relaxing sound.



Ps: Great Aussie Hip-hop album there… full of good vibes.

Alright...

I finally got my full Review/Impressions on this one. This is the kind of device that makes me happy in the hobby and revisit dead areas of it. I had quite a few Dongles before, but always felt like they were missing something and were shaped annoyingly (dongly ). This one ticks almost all the boxes for me.

Muse M5 Ultra Portable DAC/AMP (With Real Tubes!)

 

[r31ya]

New Moondrop.

"They presents Harmon IEM, featuring three dynamic drivers and brand-new glass-dome composite diaphragm, utilizing the patent XTM series complex frequency crossover technology. It comes with switchable 4.4mm BAL and 3.5mm SE plugs. Available now for $349.99!"

$349~!

i guess Tariff in the works. the yuan pricing is at $208

This is the second one, either its an early bird special pricing or its tariff in the works
Moondrop Rays also suffer from the same thing.
---

 

[nikbr]

After a total collapse at customs, they're here. And this, my friends, is what it's all about. Happy to say these also look so classy IRL.

I can only wish Abel, the founder & maker, all the best, but these will sell themselves, no need for crazy marketing campaigns.

 

[Goggie]

After a total collapse at customs, they're here. And this, my friends, is what it's all about. Happy to say these also look so classy IRL.



I can only wish Abel, the founder & maker, all the best, but these will sell themselves, no need for crazy marketing campaigns.

Where can you buy them? So far I only found a listing on AliExpress, but it said shipping to Germany was not possible

 

[jghjkhfd]

Has shown up on Ali on DD-Audio Store (Linsoul) - Very tempting at AU$170 (circa US$110) before tax/tarrifs

No more now. Anyway, ~$106 on russian marketplace Ozon. Really tempting indeed.

 

[ICYGENIUS]

LETECIEL SHARK + PENON ASOS CABLE.​

It's not just an improvement, it's like a full-blown sound transformation, where everything you're used to suddenly reveals itself in a whole new way.
The $109 three-driver dynamic LETECIEL SHARK have already proven themselves to be extremely pleasant and musical headphones with a warm, smooth and versatile delivery that easily lends itself to extended listening.
And in my review a month ago I told you in detail why I liked them, and at that time I tested them with the included cable.
But today I thought what if I combine the $169 Penon Asos cable with the LETECIEL SHARK? And from the first seconds of listening, it was clear...
This is it! - It didn't just sound better, it sounded different.
Bigger, clearer, more precise. It's like these headphones have reached a new level, and now they sound like it's not $109 at all, but a much more serious level several times over, it's really crazy...

Low frequencies with the Penon Asos cable:
After replacing the stock cable with the Penon Asos, the LETECIEL SHARK bass changes noticeably and immediately. The first thing that strikes your ears is the increase in bass density and texture. Where before it felt nice, rounded and a little soft, now it becomes tight, solid and noticeably more controlled.
The sub-bass goes lower, feels deeper and more fundamental, especially in tracks with an emphasized lower range.
But most importantly, it stops being slightly diffuse and becomes more focused, with an even more readable attack and clear and confident decay. The sound in this area feels more massive, but not blurry, as is the case with “just bass” headphones.
Mid-bass, on the other hand, becomes tactile and I would say springy, gaining a nice more transparent texture and body. There is a sense of physical presence of the instrument, for example, bass guitars sound like you can feel the whole vibration of the strings.The electronic bass also becomes more expressive and readable, especially in rich mixes where before it could get a bit lost in the background of other elements.
And importantly, there's no overdubbing, as the bass still doesn't overpower or squeeze, but instead sounds more mature and organized. I have the feeling that this cable takes the lower register and builds it up as if on the shelves, gives the bass structure, but does not add unnecessary bloated mass.

Midrange with the Penon Asos cable:
When the Penon Asos is connected, the midrange becomes noticeably cleaner, fuller and richer in timbre. The main difference is deeper micro detail and more naturalness in the presentation of vocals and instruments.
The smooth, warm and neutral delivery that SHARK originally had, now sounds more mature and expressive. Voices gain liveliness and breath, especially in acoustic recordings and jazz, and each vocal emphasis becomes a little closer, a little more emotional. The cable does not add unnecessary brightness, but as if carefully highlights the necessary and at the same time everything sounds natural and merged, without accents, shouting or intrusiveness.
Instruments in the middle of the range, especially guitars, pianos, strings, get more weight and texture, sound more “tangible” and full-bodied. It's as if the cable gives them an extra edge in volume and you can easily follow how the instrument leads its line in the track.
I would especially like to mention the upper mids. The LETECIEL SHARK already has good control, but with the new cable it becomes even more delicate and precise. Not the slightest irritation even in rich, full-bodied mixes, so everything is literally under maximum control, while still maintaining a sense of openness.

High frequencies with the Penon Asos cable:
The SHARK treble range is initially set up with a focus on smoothness, precision and comfort without harshness, understated but quite detailed. With the Penon Asos connected, this range literally bursts with new facets, while retaining its trademark softness and delicacy.
You can immediately feel a higher resolution, cymbals, percussion, upper overtones of vocals and effects sound cleaner, clearer and more airy than with a complete cable. But not by increasing brightness, this cable so to speak does not force high frequencies, but improves transparency, emphasizes small nuances and microtextures, which before could be slightly blurred.
Transients are accelerated, attacks become a little more distinct, but all this remains within the limits of comfortable and musical sound. There are no sibilants, no tsking “s”, no artificial sparkle, just a more refined and “audiophile” presentation of the top.
It is also worth noting that with Penon Asos there is a feeling of more space and air precisely due to more precise work with the upper harmonics. This makes the stage more spacious and adds lightness to the delivery, even on dense mixes.

Soundstage with Penon Asos cable:
One of the most impressive aspects of switching to Penon Asos is the change in the perception of space. The soundstage in SHARK was already decent from the start: moderately wide, with good localization and airiness. But Asos enhances these parameters in several directions at once.
The stage becomes noticeably wider. Sounds begin to be placed outside the head, side accents and nuances that were less pronounced before appear. The panorama expands, and the placement of instruments on it becomes more precise and sparse.
But most importantly, real depth is added. The cable allows you to get a better sense of the far reaches, adding volume and layering to the sound. Instruments are not just on the same level, but spread forward and backward, creating a sense of stage space
With Penon Asos, there is more air between instruments, and localization of sound sources becomes more stable and clear. Even in dense arrangements, the stage doesn't collapse and each element seems to get its own space, maintaining excellent readability.

Conclusion:
With the Penon Asos cable, LETECIEL SHARK reveal themselves in a whole new way: the sound becomes noticeably more mature, expansive and refined. Bass goes deeper, becomes more textured and controlled, the mids gain liveliness, depth and naturalness, and the treble gets even more precision, smoothness and transparency.
There's also a noticeable improvement in overall image resolution and clarity, a wider stage, and more air and space between instruments.
These are not just pleasant, comfortable headphones, but truly serious sound, with a full audiophile presentation.
And yes, in this case the expensive cable makes 100% sense and it not just improves, but literally transforms the sound.
If you already love LETECIEL SHARK headphones in stock, then with Asos they become doubly impressive, I safely recommend this cable to buy!
Buy LETECIEL SHARK headphones: https://penonaudio.com/Leteciel-Shark.html
Buy PENON ASOS cable: https://penonaudio.com/Penon-ASOS.html

 

[christier]

I really like what i read about how these performe, but the noozle is not an issue? Size wise? Because i just can't handle a big nozzle like that.

You guys dont feel it in the ears? Is it smaller then the penon fan3 or about the same sized?

Because the fan3 fit me like a glove

How does the nozzle size compare to the Penon Fan 3