Seconded - had just asked Penon today and the Rival will be 3.999...
Made me order a Shock
The PENON official thread
- Thread starter Dsnuts
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Made me order a Shock
andersos
100+ Head-Fier
Is Shock listed somewhere?Seconded - had just asked Penon today and the Rival will be 3.999...
Made me order a Shock
audionooby
500+ Head-Fier
Well I guess I’ll wait for Thieaudio’s BC set then.Seconded - had just asked Penon today and the Rival will be 3.999...
Made me order a Shock
Not yet, but you can order via mail...
weexisttocease
Headphoneus Supremus
@Dsnuts When are you posting impressions? I know some units are already on his way to reviewers. Rival is available now and a few customers already bought it. Penon is taking a lot of risks with pricing. It must sound amazing, like a proper TOTL.
So the Rival will include the latest modular white colored version of the Totem. I think Penon will throw in a few Rhodium balanced plugs just for good measure. As good as this IEM will sound including the Totem with Rhodium plugs will just add that much more to how spacious, technical and fluid this new flagship will sound.
This IEM will probably be the most shape shifting versatile tunable IEM in the market by a long shot. The combination of trebles, mids and bass adjustment ability is staggering. I heard it comes with an instruction manual that you have to study. LOL!
Penon is not done with Bone Conduction. Not by a long shot. If you think about it Penon has always had spacious sounding IEMs I mean when was the last time you heard a real intimate canned staged Penon made IEM, they all have a good stage to them mostly above average in presentation, if not just flat-out large sounding but I think it took Bone Conduction to fully realize what they were shooting for. Makes a lot of sense. For the guys just getting the Fan3 congratulations on your purchase. If you didn't get in on one of the absolute best deals of the year for one of the most unique sounding hybrids in the market today. Don't know what to tell you.
I for one am extremely excited for the possibilities of the Rival. I will be getting a set and will post my thoughts on them here.
And another set that has yet to be announced. Like I said Penon is not done with Bone Conduction.
Or get the AüR Aehta...
audionooby
500+ Head-Fier
Never heard of it but looks like a fair price for that configuration? Not my style of colors though and aesthetics matter to me, maybe more than the other factors even haha (above some threshold for sound quality)
Dsnuts
Headphoneus Supremus
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Don't know if it was sent yet. But I will be getting an early set to review. Will post on here as soon as I get my ears in them.
For now I have been focusing on the TSMR-Shock. It has easily taken over for me the best midfi audiophile basshead option. I remember when I first heard the Sony XBA-Z5 back in the day. Still own them. Dark big stage with big bass IEMs. It was all about the bass on that set with not too much else going on. Gone are the days of sacrificing mids and treble for the sake of brawny bass.
I think guys that are looking for a bassy IEM that can actually become neutral bright if you like. The Shock is not only a viable option. It has some surprisingly high level technicalities and as much bass as anyone can handle. If the Shock is any indication of the variability for the Rival.
It will be THE TOTL for Penon that tops everything they have made in the past. Can't wait to try em out.
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TheMusicalMystic
New Head-Fier
Penon Totem Type C to Type C - One of the best
Introduction:
@Penon has established itself as a reputable brand in the audiophile community, renowned for delivering high-quality audio products that meet the demands of discerning listeners. In addition to IEMs, Penon also manufactures cables, adapters, and other audio accessories aimed at enhancing the listening experience. Their products are frequently lauded for their attention to detail, durability, and performance, gaining popularity among audiophiles for offering excellent sound quality, craftsmanship, and value for money.
1. Build Quality & Materials:
2. Electrical Properties:
The cable provides excellent signal integrity, particularly in high-speed data transmission. In my experience, there was no interference or noise while listening to music.
3. Performance with Audio Gear:
There is a clearly audible difference with this cable compared to stock and cheaper cables. The sound feels more open and livelier with this cable.
4. Compatibility & Versatility:
In my testing, the Penon Totem Type C to Type C is compatible with both Android and iOS (Type C models) smartphones. It also works seamlessly with Windows and MacBooks. The connection is effortless, with no need for additional hassle.
5. Aesthetics & Ergonomics:
As I mentioned earlier, it is built like a tank but with beautiful looks. The connectors and the body of the connectors are thick and ergonomic. The two simple thick silver cables give it a beautiful, minimal, and eye-catching look.
Conclusion:
The Penon Totem Type C to Type C cable stands out as a premium accessory for those who prioritize both performance and aesthetics in their audio gear. Built with meticulous craftsmanship and high-quality materials, it not only enhances sound quality but also adds a touch of elegance to your setup. Whether you're looking for improved signal integrity or a durable, stylish cable, the Penon Totem delivers on all fronts. It's an investment that offers both immediate auditory benefits and long-term reliability, making it a must-have for any serious audiophile.
Introduction:
@Penon has established itself as a reputable brand in the audiophile community, renowned for delivering high-quality audio products that meet the demands of discerning listeners. In addition to IEMs, Penon also manufactures cables, adapters, and other audio accessories aimed at enhancing the listening experience. Their products are frequently lauded for their attention to detail, durability, and performance, gaining popularity among audiophiles for offering excellent sound quality, craftsmanship, and value for money.
1. Build Quality & Materials:
- 2 shares, 334 cores per share
- Single crystal copper silver-plated Litz type-6 & Palladium-plated pure silver & Single crystal copper plated with pure gold
- Outer diameter: 2.5mm
- Length: about 13cm in total
2. Electrical Properties:
The cable provides excellent signal integrity, particularly in high-speed data transmission. In my experience, there was no interference or noise while listening to music.
3. Performance with Audio Gear:
There is a clearly audible difference with this cable compared to stock and cheaper cables. The sound feels more open and livelier with this cable.
4. Compatibility & Versatility:
In my testing, the Penon Totem Type C to Type C is compatible with both Android and iOS (Type C models) smartphones. It also works seamlessly with Windows and MacBooks. The connection is effortless, with no need for additional hassle.
5. Aesthetics & Ergonomics:
As I mentioned earlier, it is built like a tank but with beautiful looks. The connectors and the body of the connectors are thick and ergonomic. The two simple thick silver cables give it a beautiful, minimal, and eye-catching look.
Conclusion:
The Penon Totem Type C to Type C cable stands out as a premium accessory for those who prioritize both performance and aesthetics in their audio gear. Built with meticulous craftsmanship and high-quality materials, it not only enhances sound quality but also adds a touch of elegance to your setup. Whether you're looking for improved signal integrity or a durable, stylish cable, the Penon Totem delivers on all fronts. It's an investment that offers both immediate auditory benefits and long-term reliability, making it a must-have for any serious audiophile.
-rowan-
1000+ Head-Fier
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A bit ironic that the one called Shock is not the one with the more shocking price…
That’s a bold move with the pricing anyway.
Still not a fan of switches and dials personally so maybe I’m not even the target audience here but it looks fiddly as heck; when it’s something playing at such a high level, I’d prefer that they nail the tuning from the outset or at very most offer a couple useful tunings or so rather than have to fiddle with nozzle filters. I was an Etyhead at some point waay back in time and those filters are giving me major throwback vibes.
Keeping an open mind anyway and looking out for reviews/impressions.
That’s a bold move with the pricing anyway.
Still not a fan of switches and dials personally so maybe I’m not even the target audience here but it looks fiddly as heck; when it’s something playing at such a high level, I’d prefer that they nail the tuning from the outset or at very most offer a couple useful tunings or so rather than have to fiddle with nozzle filters. I was an Etyhead at some point waay back in time and those filters are giving me major throwback vibes.
Keeping an open mind anyway and looking out for reviews/impressions.
Dsnuts
Headphoneus Supremus
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@Dsnuts, Have you tried FAN 3 with the CS02 cable?
Will give it a shot soon and report. Should match up well with it me thinks.
I am a bit surprised by the price hike, but the way Penon prices things, they price stuff according to a sound value they go by. And the name Rival means it can compete with anything in that $4K plus TOTL range. That's how I am interpreting the price. I can see the progression of the hardware tuning options for prior IEMs they have made with switches and such. The Turbo with its crazy level of customization. Dont know if they had a hand in the Shock but it is uncanny they are using that same knob dial for bass emphasis on the Rival.
Where I find the the dial a bass useful so far is that some sources bring a thicker note weight to the Shock sound while some are just right. Which also affects the bass end. Dialing the bass down brings greater clarity and detail for the mids and treble. Dialing it up brings that warm rich bass into the mix. I was a bit iffy on the whole dial a bass but it works so well on the Shock. It has grown on me quite a bit since using them. It has become a part of its charm.
Unlike other IEMs with nozzle screws and even switches. This dial a bass n treble dont sound like you just added a bunch of bass or treble. It actually sounds like an IEM that was tuned that way. Dont know if that makes sense but. Its so seamless in how it was done. If you listen to music in one setting for a while you get used to that balance and then you get completely gobsmacked just how much authority the bass end can go to when you increase that bass. I think a lot of that switch bias for me is that in IEMs past I would set it to what I like and just listen to music that way and that was that. But the Shock is somehow different. It is Dr Jekyl and Mr Hyde all in one. Each setting has its own presentation. Adding a higher end bone conduction into the mix here I think really helps with that cohesion of sound. I noticed that with the Fan3 as well. Somehow them bone conduction drivers just brings a different level of density and dimensions to the sound that brings the sound to a different level.
I believe the Rival will have these Sonion Bone Conduction drivers as a part if its make up as well. And perhaps that is what is the not so secret sauce for how each setting in the Shock sounds like a different iem. If that kind of cohesion can happen on the Rival, then I bet its gonna sound crazy good.
jsmiller58
Headphoneus Supremus
I’m with you in being dumbstruck by the price of the Rival…
I’m not necessarily aligned with you on tuning switches / dials… We all like something a bit different, and switches and dials can work to provide a little of adjustment around a particular design point… For examine on your food you may like a bit more or less seasoning than another diner, so being able to adjust to taste the meal that comes from the kitchen is a virtue, not a sin. What I am not a fan of is if the tuning options make very little difference, or if the difference is so large as to represent a completely different sound signature. Anyway, for me almost always the switches are a “set once and forget”, so once I’ve dialed them in I rarely think about them again.
Oddly enough I see Penon charging $4k for the Rivals as really good news.
They've many offerings in the entry & mid-level spaces already. The H60s at $350 for instance sound terrific, I can use them even for critical listening and genuinely feel like I'm not missing out on much. They're a testament to how hard & early diminishing returns are now kicking in - you don't need to spend $4k to get great IEMs anymore.
Priced at $4k the Rivals demonstrate Penon's intention of competing directly with upper echelon brands like UM, Noble, Oriolus, Aroma etc which is terrific. Many of us have known for some time Penon are extremely good at tuning earphones, but have generally avoided releasing IEMs with high-enough driver counts to deliver TOTL technical performance capable of besting cost-no-object rivals. I owned the Impacts which were one exception, and have eagerly awaited a followup.
We'd all love cutting-edge sound at bargain basement prices but sadly that's not how life works, and probably the wrong way to look at it. Instead I see that $4k price tag as Penon's way of saying "we think this IEM sounds good enough to be worth $4k in the current market" which makes me very excited to try them.
Having said that I realise others may see it differently, because as much as I love the eternal quest to improve the fidelity of my own system a lot of my interest & enjoyment comes from the hobby itself - watching new audio technologies evolve, observing trends towards new ways of doing things, and experiencing the latest & greatest products from manufacturers... even those I can't afford, for instance I would love to try Brise's $16k Fugaku system someday.
If nothing else high-end products are a window into the future, as the technology they implement eventually trickles down to more accessible models.
They've many offerings in the entry & mid-level spaces already. The H60s at $350 for instance sound terrific, I can use them even for critical listening and genuinely feel like I'm not missing out on much. They're a testament to how hard & early diminishing returns are now kicking in - you don't need to spend $4k to get great IEMs anymore.
Priced at $4k the Rivals demonstrate Penon's intention of competing directly with upper echelon brands like UM, Noble, Oriolus, Aroma etc which is terrific. Many of us have known for some time Penon are extremely good at tuning earphones, but have generally avoided releasing IEMs with high-enough driver counts to deliver TOTL technical performance capable of besting cost-no-object rivals. I owned the Impacts which were one exception, and have eagerly awaited a followup.
We'd all love cutting-edge sound at bargain basement prices but sadly that's not how life works, and probably the wrong way to look at it. Instead I see that $4k price tag as Penon's way of saying "we think this IEM sounds good enough to be worth $4k in the current market" which makes me very excited to try them.
Having said that I realise others may see it differently, because as much as I love the eternal quest to improve the fidelity of my own system a lot of my interest & enjoyment comes from the hobby itself - watching new audio technologies evolve, observing trends towards new ways of doing things, and experiencing the latest & greatest products from manufacturers... even those I can't afford, for instance I would love to try Brise's $16k Fugaku system someday.
If nothing else high-end products are a window into the future, as the technology they implement eventually trickles down to more accessible models.
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