I really can't understand what they were thinking
It's an interesting, intriguing collaboration. Of course, me being a big Penon fan boy, thinks what does EA offer here (other than Cadmus II, which is a decent cable)? Well, more marketing, including Canjams (thank the lord Penon will finally show at a Canjam!) and a massive, worldwide distribution and customer list born of marketing money. So the proposition is indeed intriguing.Penon x Effect Audio Archangel
Ok folks so this one was a surprise to me as Penon does not do collabs but here we are, a collab with none other than boutique cable manufacturer Effect Audio. I know many of you are very familiar with Effect Audio and their handy work. A lot of you guys dab or partially buy into cables off of the express but it's like all good things. More premium stuff costs more money and in the case of cables, Effect Audio only makes premium cables. Hence their cables simply cost more.
What it comes down to is the actual materials they are using and the idea of using certain types of geometry to get their end goals. More premium the materials ends up being more money for the consumer unfortunately. When you see cable descriptions on the express they are about as trustworthy as telemarketers that call you to help save on car insurance.
What separates the Effect Audio cable vs the flashy looking and so called higher end cables that don't even cost a 1/3rd of the Cadmus II for example? Well these folks that sell their wares on the express make up for the lack of quality by making the cable and naming them as colorful as they can. A lot of them are eye-catching even using metallic more blingy hardware to accentuate the cable's looks. When it comes down to it. You do get what you are paying for. I know first hand that a lot of the cables online are ok to even surprisingly good by today's standards. They will for the most part be an upgrade to the included cables that come with your budget IEMs so I suppose not all is at a loss there. However what these folks claim as a higher end copper cable is in reality not exactly what Effect Audio uses.
The base material that Effect Audio uses is material called UPOCC or Ultra Pure Ohno Continuous Cast. Real UPOCC takes longer to produce through a much more rigorous process for the cables material, hence it costs more than your standard crystal copper or OCC variants. The end result is that cables that are made using this material definitely has a leg up in quality over other types of copper variants when it comes to transparency and how it translates to what you hear for your IEMs. All the prior Effect Audio Signature Series of cables are very popular due to using this material and new to the updated Signature Series of cables comes in the form of some trickle down geometry learned from making what was called the Code23 cable. I reviewed an early prototype of the Code23 and it was and still is a groundbreaking and ground standing cable due to just how spacious and dimensional the cable here helps your sound to get. Ground standing cuz it was way too stiff for it to be practical for IEM use. Yes the cable could stand by itself if flexed that way.
This material Effect Audio uses answers the old time question: are all copper cables the same?. No they are not. The Cadmus II that is used for the new Archangel is not the same material that you have used on your IEMs. Cadmus uses at its cores this UPOCC and then plates the cores with pure silver. This gives an added bonus for even more transparency, detail enhancing, imaging and spacial stage aspects of what the cables here helps to produce for IEMs. Ok so what about the IEMs?
Penon was tasked to produce an IEM worthy of this venture. If you ask me what IEM that stood out last year that still makes waves today. That would be the Tansio Mirai Shocks. You can read my review of them here. The Shocks brought something new to the table. Not only was the sound on point but you can adjust the bass and trebles to your liking on the fly using dials that represent the area.
The Archangle drivers make up mimic what the Shocks have but! Take a look at the dynamic driver make up.
Configuration:
2 Dynamic Driver + 4 Balanced Armature + 2 Bone Conduction Driver
Low frequency: 2 coaxial 8mm PET + carbon nanotube diaphragm
Middle frequency: 2 Knowles composite middle frequency Balanced Armature
High frequency: 2 Sonion composite high frequency Balanced Armature
Full frequency: 2 Sonion composite bone conduction driver
Parameters:
Impedance: 12ohm@1kHz
Sensitivity: 105dB@1kHz
Frequency response range: 10~40kHz
Switch definition:
Switch 1: Control low frequency, turn on to enhance low frequency, turn off to normal mode
Switch 2: Control high frequency, turn on to enhance high frequency, turn off to normal mode
So we do get some switch variants here but it's not really like the tune a dial of the Shocks. The other thing is these are on the larger side of shell size, larger than the Shocks and equivalent to the Rivals. Larger shells obviously will not be so comfortable for smaller eared folks however Larger more roomier housings has an advantage for sound presentations. Larger shells generally means bigger stage and boy do these have a big large stage. Larger than the shocks easily rivaling some of their most spacious sounding IEMs I have heard to date. Rival level is what I am talking about.
Even though the driver count here mimics the Shocks. These are not exactly the same. These reminds me of some of Penons best made IEMs including the Impacts, voltage, Similar to the H60 balancing but now with a bass dynamic combination that I have never seen before. A PET and a carbon nanotube. Bringing the best ability of both drivers for its bass presentation. Bass authority agility and ability that reminds me more of top end ISN IEMs. Coaxial bass is in play here just like the bass end of the Shocks but somehow the quality gets an upgrade, bit more organic sounding. Deep impactful and full bodied. If you need more, the switch gives what I am guessing is about a 3db increase in the region.
The bass end on this set will make you take notice. But then it's not just about the bass end. It has some of the best mids I have heard on a Penon product. Rivaling something like the Impacts mids range. Trebles are tuned to enhance what the mids and bass are doing so, clean fantastically detailed with plenty of sparkle. it's got fundamental balancing intact. For folks that want just a bit more treble and or bass, you get that with the switches. All that, finished off by utilizing some of the best BC drivers in the industry. Sonion dual BC composite drivers. Same BC drivers in ISN EBC80, Shocks and Rivals. Now the new Archangel.
For Voltage owners, imagine getting the Voltage with BC drivers. Impact owners imagine getting the Impacts with BC drivers and dynamic dual array coaxial bass. ISN H60 owners. This would be a direct upgrade on that sound balancing. For TSMR Shock owners you want a more spacious sound with more lower mids body to your Shocks sound? Don't know how similar the drivers are being used but I am hearing a more richer tonal character via Penon house sound vs the Shocks which seems a touch more dryer in that regard. Different bass character with a more organic deep bass presentation. More closer to the Rival bass vs the Shocks. I am a huge fan of the EBC80 but the Archangel is the Penon equivalent and adds to that a premium Cadmus II cable that matches splendidly.
The end result is a rich, fluid, dimensional large full bodied, nicely technical, extremely well balanced sound that encompasses your hearing in one of the largest spacious head stage presentations for IEMs. These are not just another Penon release my friends. These have some of the best of the best aspects of what Penon does best while Effect Audio is adding a cable no one will argue does not match well with the IEM. Nope not this time. This time we have the premium optimized cable to go with this large and in charge sound that enhances everything it is doing.
This is not a case if you already own the IEMs I mentioned on this impression, that all you would have to do is buy yourself a Cadmus II and it will be like the Archangel. Nope this is an entirely new product and while you might have parts of prior top Penon made IEMs representing. This combination represents one of the best bass presentations with Penons house sound touches here and there adding to all this the addition of BC drivers that brings a stage and dimensional aspect. Effect Audio bringing their Cadmus II into the mix which adds an element of better precise imaging, more technical, a canvas for micro and macro detail, better sound separation with even a greater stage presence. This is a match as they say made in heaven.
For vocal lovers, what this sounds like for vocals is one for the books. But it is so much more than some goosebump raising vocal performances. Way more. If you’re into your EDM. Ya these might be one of the very best IEMs I have heard for Trance music. That large and in charge stage with some crazy deep hitting quality textured bass. Astounding. These are gonna make waves.
By the way, if you are attending Singapore Can Jam this weekend. You will be able to audition the Archangel at the Effect Audio. Booth. I am looking forward to seeing what patrons of the show have to say about them.
Canjam Singapore 2025
Date: Saturday & Sunday April 5-6
Location: Pan Pacific Singapore
Booth F11-14
I agree
Nice. I want to ask about the Archangel nozzles, from the pictures they look smaller then H60 nozzles. Could you confirm this?
It looks smaller because the shells are larger. It has similar nozzle size to the H60. I can't confirm now due to being in an airport on my way to a long over due vacation. Didnt bring the H60 with me but I did bring the Archangel. Will post more thoughts about them when I get a chance..
It seems like the 2DD in the Archangel has similar shape to the Shock/X's 2DD, different from H60's type of 2DD. Is the 2DD in the Shock the same as Archangle's? I don't remember its diaphragm material
Penon x Effect Audio Archangel
Ok folks so this one was a surprise to me as Penon does not do collabs but here we are, a collab with none other than boutique cable manufacturer Effect Audio. I know many of you are very familiar with Effect Audio and their handy work. A lot of you guys dab or partially buy into cables off of the express but it's like all good things. More premium stuff costs more money and in the case of cables, Effect Audio only makes premium cables. Hence their cables simply cost more.
What it comes down to is the actual materials they are using and the idea of using certain types of geometry to get their end goals. More premium the materials ends up being more money for the consumer unfortunately. When you see cable descriptions on the express they are about as trustworthy as telemarketers that call you to help save on car insurance.
What separates the Effect Audio cable vs the flashy looking and so called higher end cables that don't even cost a 1/3rd of the Cadmus II for example? Well these folks that sell their wares on the express make up for the lack of quality by making the cable and naming them as colorful as they can. A lot of them are eye-catching even using metallic more blingy hardware to accentuate the cable's looks. When it comes down to it. You do get what you are paying for. I know first hand that a lot of the cables online are ok to even surprisingly good by today's standards. They will for the most part be an upgrade to the included cables that come with your budget IEMs so I suppose not all is at a loss there. However what these folks claim as a higher end copper cable is in reality not exactly what Effect Audio uses.
The base material that Effect Audio uses is material called UPOCC or Ultra Pure Ohno Continuous Cast. Real UPOCC takes longer to produce through a much more rigorous process for the cables material, hence it costs more than your standard crystal copper or OCC variants. The end result is that cables that are made using this material definitely has a leg up in quality over other types of copper variants when it comes to transparency and how it translates to what you hear for your IEMs. All the prior Effect Audio Signature Series of cables are very popular due to using this material and new to the updated Signature Series of cables comes in the form of some trickle down geometry learned from making what was called the Code23 cable. I reviewed an early prototype of the Code23 and it was and still is a groundbreaking and ground standing cable due to just how spacious and dimensional the cable here helps your sound to get. Ground standing cuz it was way too stiff for it to be practical for IEM use. Yes the cable could stand by itself if flexed that way.
This material Effect Audio uses answers the old time question: are all copper cables the same?. No they are not. The Cadmus II that is used for the new Archangel is not the same material that you have used on your IEMs. Cadmus uses at its cores this UPOCC and then plates the cores with pure silver. This gives an added bonus for even more transparency, detail enhancing, imaging and spacial stage aspects of what the cables here helps to produce for IEMs. Ok so what about the IEMs?
Penon was tasked to produce an IEM worthy of this venture. If you ask me what IEM that stood out last year that still makes waves today. That would be the Tansio Mirai Shocks. You can read my review of them here. The Shocks brought something new to the table. Not only was the sound on point but you can adjust the bass and trebles to your liking on the fly using dials that represent the area.
The Archangel drivers make up mimic what the Shocks have but! Take a look at the dynamic driver make up.
Configuration:
2 Dynamic Driver + 4 Balanced Armature + 2 Bone Conduction Driver
Low frequency: 2 coaxial 8mm PET + carbon nanotube diaphragm
Middle frequency: 2 Knowles composite middle frequency Balanced Armature
High frequency: 2 Sonion composite high frequency Balanced Armature
Full frequency: 2 Sonion composite bone conduction driver
Parameters:
Impedance: 12ohm@1kHz
Sensitivity: 105dB@1kHz
Frequency response range: 10~40kHz
Switch definition:
Switch 1: Control low frequency, turn on to enhance low frequency, turn off to normal mode
Switch 2: Control high frequency, turn on to enhance high frequency, turn off to normal mode
So we do get some switch variants here but it's not really like the tune a dial of the Shocks. The other thing is these are on the larger side of shell size, larger than the Shocks and equivalent to the Rivals. Larger shells obviously will not be so comfortable for smaller eared folks however Larger more roomier housings has an advantage for sound presentations. Larger shells generally means bigger stage and boy do these have a big large stage. Larger than the shocks easily rivaling some of their most spacious sounding IEMs I have heard to date. Rival level is what I am talking about.
Even though the driver count here mimics the Shocks. These are not exactly the same. These reminds me of some of Penons best made IEMs including the Impacts, voltage, Similar to the H60 balancing but now with a bass dynamic combination that I have never seen before. A PET and a carbon nanotube. Bringing the best ability of both drivers for its bass presentation. Bass authority agility and ability that reminds me more of top end ISN IEMs. Coaxial bass is in play here just like the bass end of the Shocks but somehow the quality gets an upgrade, bit more organic sounding. Deep impactful and full bodied. If you need more, the switch gives what I am guessing is about a 3db increase in the region.
The bass end on this set will make you take notice. But then it's not just about the bass end. It has some of the best mids I have heard on a Penon product. Rivaling something like the Impacts mids range. Trebles are tuned to enhance what the mids and bass are doing so, clean fantastically detailed with plenty of sparkle. it's got fundamental balancing intact. For folks that want just a bit more treble and or bass, you get that with the switches. All that, finished off by utilizing some of the best BC drivers in the industry. Sonion dual BC composite drivers. Same BC drivers in ISN EBC80, Shocks and Rivals. Now the new Archangel.
For Voltage owners, imagine getting the Voltage with BC drivers. Impact owners imagine getting the Impacts with BC drivers and dynamic dual array coaxial bass. ISN H60 owners. This would be a direct upgrade on that sound balancing. For TSMR Shock owners you want a more spacious sound with more lower mids body to your Shocks sound? Don't know how similar the drivers are being used but I am hearing a more richer tonal character via Penon house sound vs the Shocks which seems a touch more dryer in that regard. Different bass character with a more organic deep bass presentation. More closer to the Rival bass vs the Shocks. I am a huge fan of the EBC80 but the Archangel is the Penon equivalent and adds to that a premium Cadmus II cable that matches splendidly.
The end result is a rich, fluid, dimensional large full bodied, nicely technical, extremely well balanced sound that encompasses your hearing in one of the largest spacious head stage presentations for IEMs. These are not just another Penon release my friends. These have some of the best of the best aspects of what Penon does best while Effect Audio is adding a cable no one will argue does not match well with the IEM. Nope not this time. This time we have the premium optimized cable to go with this large and in charge sound that enhances everything it is doing.
This is not a case if you already own the IEMs I mentioned on this impression, that all you would have to do is buy yourself a Cadmus II and it will be like the Archangel. Nope this is an entirely new product and while you might have parts of prior top Penon made IEMs representing. This combination represents one of the best bass presentations with Penons house sound touches here and there adding to all this the addition of BC drivers that brings a stage and dimensional aspect. Effect Audio bringing their Cadmus II into the mix which adds an element of better precise imaging, more technical, a canvas for micro and macro detail, better sound separation with even a greater stage presence. This is a match as they say made in heaven.
For vocal lovers, what this sounds like for vocals is one for the books. But it is so much more than some goosebump raising vocal performances. Way more. If you’re into your EDM. Ya these might be one of the very best IEMs I have heard for Trance music. That large and in charge stage with some crazy deep hitting quality textured bass. Astounding. These are gonna make waves.
By the way, if you are attending Singapore Can Jam this weekend. You will be able to audition the Archangel at the Effect Audio. Booth. I am looking forward to seeing what patrons of the show have to say about them.
Canjam Singapore 2025
Date: Saturday & Sunday April 5-6
Location: Pan Pacific Singapore
Booth F11-14
Any thoughts on isn ebc80 and archangel?
Yes, this is of interest as I own and enjoy EBC80. An obvious difference is the use of electrostatic drivers for highs on EBC80, not archangel, but the proof will be in the listening to see how they differ.
Penon Cinque 4DD+BCD?
I think it has a lot to do with market recognition in that they need to introduce a design that has not come before. And it has to be exciting, still dramatic and fun. I see all those things here, yet aesthetics are personal taste, and I liked the original SHOCK?
