The PENON official thread

[Kukikoki]

Really looking forward for a comparison between the Archangel and the EBC80! They look like both brand's take on the same concept. Graph on first glance looks very different though. Curious about their technical comparison, BCD implementation, and venting (EBC80 has 2 vents, looks promising for me). I also tend to prefer BA wet highs to EST dryness.

I don't much mind the looks of the Archangel, sure it's a bit amateur-ish when compared to the EBC80's, but it does have a charm of its own, and as soon as I put them in my ears I won't care how they look

 

[Dsnuts]

Coming up!!! Bye bye ISN EBC80.

So @Dsnuts, tell me about the BA treble of the Archangel? Is it as crisp and airy as the H60? My hope with the EBC80 was that the EST's would produce treble BETTER than the supremely talented, airy, and crisp treble of the H60, but it failed in that attempt. What's the treble like? Crisp, airy, and engaging like the H60, or reserved yet extended like the EBC80 or the Voltage?

Sorry my man I am in vacation mode at the moment. Trebles are more similar to the H60 but with treble mode on. There is much more bass involved with the Archangel which can take away some of the treble magic you are hearing on the H60 more balanced reference like qualities. But for my ears the BC drivers easily make up for the more bass leaning qualities of the Archangel. Its imaging is world class including the treble it has. But I think most will think this one is more bass leaning than something like the H60 or even the EBC80. Its mostly subbass so there is not too much wooly bass going on. I do think the bass switch does add a bit much in the mid bass department but its certainly fun to listen to them that way.

Dont have the H60 on hand to compare it with but its too bad you never got to hear the Voltage as I feel the higher end H60 is the Voltage. It is certainly not lacking in the trebles department. Its not the level of the Rivals when it comes to trebles but its signature is very similar to a bass heavy Rival option in sound balancing.

Reason why the Cadmus II matches so well with the Archangel is that it enhances technicalities and treble qualities. The Archangel using a pure copper cable will clearly put it in the basshead category.

I also agree that they do remind me of the Shocks graph but somehow these have much more substantial meaty mids involved and a grander stage to its sound, which I attribute to its driver placement inside the larger shells it has.

 

[emdeevee]

Just arrived and burning in, but out of the box impression is very positive, like a cross of EBC80, Shock and Voltage. The staging like EBC80, the bass like Shock, the mids and treble like Voltage. I do think it'll need the standard burn in period, so I'll wait that out to listen now seriously. However, more fun right out of the box than expected, so I have pretty high hopes here for a breakout Penon! Very enthusiastic about Archangel!!

 

[Penon]

Archangel turns on the high frequency graph ​

 

[FalseProphet]

The truth is that you were unable to open EBC80 up, it got it all but it is not your problem, it is manufacturer's problem that it is unable to present max potential out of box and a final user has to waste money on expensive cables and tips to see whether it is even possible to get better results. Out of the box I wanted to return it, the OG cable was garbage. I am sure you did your best, guess it didn't work out for you which is alright, cause it is a lottery, what works for me might not work for you. Waiting for you impressions of Archangel, hope you will enjoy it!

Coming up!!!

So @Dsnuts, tell me about the BA treble of the Archangel? Is it as crisp and airy as the H60? My hope with the EBC80 was that the EST's would produce treble BETTER than the supremely talented, airy, and crisp treble of the H60, but it failed in that attempt. What's the treble like? Crisp, airy, and engaging like the H60, or reserved yet extended like the EBC80 or the Voltage?

 

[RedCurry]

The truth is that you were unable to open EBC80 up, it got it all but it is not your problem, it is manufacturer's problem that it is unable to present max potential out of box and a final user has to waste money on expensive cables and tips to see whether it is even possible to get better results. Out of the box I wanted to return it, the OG cable was garbage. I am sure you did your best, guess it didn't work out for you which is alright, cause it is a lottery, what works for me might not work for you. Waiting for you impressions of Archangel, hope you will enjoy it!

Does the treble open up with more powerful sources?

 

[FalseProphet]

Does the treble open up with more powerful sources?

Can't comment on that since don't have many sources but whole sound scales up for sure with quality sources. I am sure someone more experience can comment on that, @Redcarmoose?

 

[caryking]

I have a 4.4mm male to female on the way. Will report in this thread, especially the difference from the original TOTEM adapter! Cheers!

I have the 4.4 male to male in 15cm on the way…. Really excited to try it in my system.

 

[Redcarmoose]

You want to know if the EBC80 will change in regards to treble imaging and (open-up) with a more powerful source?

Can't comment on that since don't have many sources but whole sound scales up for sure with quality sources. I am sure someone more experience can comment on that, @Redcarmoose?

I have the EBC80 in front of me and will edit this post to explain my findings. Typically IEMs always will justify the quality of source. But remember this is a subjective hobby. Meaning that these different source personalities will either be a welcome thing or not. Meaning there have been members who seem to like the 3.5mm output of the WM1A with all BA IEMs at rare times. This phenomena is in contrast to the WM1A 4.4mm amp which uses a different circuit board. Normally we always think bigger is better. So I’m not sure about that point, but I have read it enough times to know it’s a concept.

Typically I find in my reviewing that every IEM is different in regards to how they sound from a 3.5mm Samsung phone, and more upgrade power also comes with extra Christmas presents.

Meaning a Dongle gets you more power and an Audiophile DAP can offer more power typically than a regular phone, and it depends on what the IEM demands are. At times it is hard to actually know where this better imaging is coming from, is it the Audiophile DAP noise floor, it is just power output? You see a cleaner window into the song file environment becomes of value with well recorded files, enabling a style of 3D perception, so song files are also of consequence here..................

Tone changes from power:
Such demands are found with how the actual IEM tone changes with power. Often bass is tightened, and if the source (and source file) has a greater stage, that stage will be given as a gift to the IEM 100% of the time. But remember we are always working with tonal balance too. Meaning more, or better perceived bass (more real sculpturing) will change the perception of the treble. So more bass due to the presence and/or sculpturing will result is slightly less treble and midrange perception.........there is always competition among the 3 bands for noticeability!

Let me see now, and edit this post.

Edit:
So I found a modular cable and first used the EBC80 from a Samsung phone, then changed plugs to 4.4mm and heard the exact same song file from the Sony WM1A.

As expected the phone offered a thinner idea of the EBC80 tone, yet where the real differences were was in the bass and lower delineation of those perceived elements. While the treble showed the EBC80 character inside of 3.5mm use, everything was thicker and more note weighty from the Sony WM1A 4.4mm output.

The character of the EBC80 naturally will still shine, showing its personality of a well imaged and expanded treble from a 3.5mm source, it is just increased stage from the WM1A 4.4mm character along with better, deeper control of the signal showed a view into a more realistic and filled-out and more note-weight display of the song imaging from 4.4mm amp and source.

Cables:
In regards to cables, it depends if you believe or not. But I believe that different cable builds have an effect on how we perceive the end tone (and stage) of the EBC80. Meaning get a more substantial set-up of more material, like the ASOS+X will improve staging and have its very own tonal procurement. Yep as of late I have found the Pyramid VII to be the greatest thing for the EBC80. In fact the Pyramid VII was what I took-off to do this test today.

I have an idea where each cable makes a tonal and stage difference, so in regards to the EBC80, the ASOS+X actually has the bigger stage. Since we are on the subject of trebles..........yes the trebles follow along becoming images of enlightenment created by the ASOS+X. Now the thing is since the VII offers a more silver alloy idea of stage energy, the images procured by the VII hold a slightly more subdued realization than the airy silveriness of the ASOS+X. This ends with me finding the VII to engage the EBC80 into a more realistic stage, yet slightly smaller is size than the ASOS+X. Yet both are my favorites in the end with the EBC80 IEM. Cheers!

Answer?
It depends how much you value the note-weight (yes, treble note-weight) and stage change from a 4.4mm source. Plus remember it is nearly impossible to know if it is more power, or a cleaner amplifier (better noise floor) creating these benefits, as you can't separate the two. So from the phone the EBC80 emitted a slightly thinner stage (yes, even treble) items, holding less note weight and less size of dispersion. That while still entertaining and great, the EBC80 has the ability to transform and scale with better sources. It's hard to describe the total character from a phone, even with a good source file? I would say, use the TV size analogy, meaning a proper source becomes a big 60" TV screen in the end.

 

[FalseProphet]

You want to know if the EBC80 will change in regards to treble imaging and (open-up) with a more powerful source?

I have the EBC80 in front of me and will edit this post to explain my findings. Typically IEMs always will justify the quality of source. But remember this is a subjective hobby. Meaning that these different source personalities will either be a welcome thing or not. Meaning there have been members who seem to like the 3.5mm output of the WM1A with all BA IEMs at rare times. This phenomena is in contrast to the WM1A 4.4mm amp which uses a different circuit board. Normally we always think bigger is better. So I’m not sure about that point, but I have read it enough times to know it’s a concept.

Typically I find in my reviewing that every IEM is different in regards to how they sound from a 3.5mm Samsung phone, and more upgrade power also comes with extra Christmas presents.

Meaning a Dongle gets you more power and an Audiophile DAP can offer more power typically than a regular phone, and it depends on what the IEM demands are. At times it is hard to actually know where this better imaging is coming from, is it the Audiophile DAP noise floor, it is just power output? You see a cleaner window into the song file environment becomes of value with well recorded files, enabling a style of 3D perception, so song files are also of consequence here..................

Tone changes from power:
Such demands are found with how the actual IEM tone changes with power. Often bass is tightened, and if the source (and source file) has a greater stage, that stage will be given as a gift to the IEM 100% of the time. But remember we are always working with tonal balance too. Meaning more, or better perceived bass (more real sculpturing) will change the perception of the treble. So more bass due to the presence and/or sculpturing will result is slightly less treble and midrange perception.........there is always competition among the 3 bands for noticeability!

Let me see now, and edit this post.

Edit:
So I found a modular cable and first used the EBC80 from a Samsung phone, then changed plugs to 4.4mm and heard the exact same song file from the Sony WM1A.

As expected the phone offered a thinner idea of the EBC80 tone, yet where the real differences were was in the bass and lower delineation of those perceived elements. While the treble showed the EBC80 character inside of 3.5mm use, everything was thicker and more note weighty from the Sony WM1A 4.4mm output.

The character of the EBC80 naturally will still shine, showing its personality of a well imaged and expanded treble from a 3.5mm source, it is just increased stage from the WM1A 4.4mm character along with better, deeper control of the signal showed a view into a more realistic and filled-out and more note-weight display of the song imaging from 4.4mm amp and source.

Cables:
In regards to cables, it depends if you believe or not. But I believe that different cable builds have an effect on how we perceive the end tone (and stage) of the EBC80. Meaning get a more substantial set-up of more material, like the ASOS+X will improve staging and have its very own tonal procurement. Yep as of late I have found the Pyramid VII to be the greatest thing for the EBC80. In fact the Pyramid VII was what I took-off to do this test today.

I have an idea where each cable makes a tonal and stage difference, so in regards to the EBC80, the ASOS+X actually has the bigger stage. Since we are on the subject of trebles..........yes the trebles follow along becoming images of enlightenment created by the ASOS+X. Now the thing is since the VII offers a more silver alloy idea of stage energy, the images procured by the VII hold a slightly more subdued realization than the airy silveriness of the ASOS+X. This ends with me finding the VII to engage the EBC80 into a more realistic stage, yet slightly smaller is size than the ASOS+X. Yet both are my favorites in the end with the EBC80 IEM. Cheers!

Answer?
It depends how much you value the note-weight (yes, treble note-weight) and stage change from a 4.4mm source. Plus remember it is nearly impossible to know if it is more power, or a cleaner amplifier (better noise floor) creating these benefits, as you can't separate the two. So from the phone the EBC80 emitted a slightly thinner stage (yes, even treble) items, holding less note weight and less size of dispersion. That while still entertaining and great, the EBC80 has the ability to transform and scale with better sources. It's hard to describe the total character from a phone, even with a good source file? I would say, use the TV size analogy, meaning a proper source becomes a big 60" TV screen in the end.

Cheers, you never dissappoint

 

[avishifi]

TANSIO MIRAI Feat review – A Basshead dream comes true!

The TSMR Feat is the dream of a bass-head coming true. There is a lot of bass, but not just an overblown, bombastic bass – You get here decent bass quality, which is very textured and detailed that will punch your face and amaze you any time you put them in your ears. While the bass here being the wow factor of this IEM, TSMR did not forget about the mids and highs, and put 2 Knowles BA's to handle them beautifully, so you get clean midrange response and great treble extension to balance the wild bass here. The technical performance for this kind of IEM is also very impressive where you get good imaging, soundstage, layering and separation. I know it might be a little bit scary to jump from the 200$ bracket, or a little expensive (though you can get this IEM for around 200$ or less during AliExpress sales), but to get such a thing for under 250$ is impressive and in my opinion worth saving up if you are a bass-head. Personally, I don't know anything like this for under 250$, and I doubt I would see any bass-head regrets his choice.

Check out my full review here:
https://www.head-fi.org/showcase/tansio-mirai-feat.27115/review/37708/

 

[FalseProphet]

You want to know if the EBC80 will change in regards to treble imaging and (open-up) with a more powerful source?

I have the EBC80 in front of me and will edit this post to explain my findings. Typically IEMs always will justify the quality of source. But remember this is a subjective hobby. Meaning that these different source personalities will either be a welcome thing or not. Meaning there have been members who seem to like the 3.5mm output of the WM1A with all BA IEMs at rare times. This phenomena is in contrast to the WM1A 4.4mm amp which uses a different circuit board. Normally we always think bigger is better. So I’m not sure about that point, but I have read it enough times to know it’s a concept.

Typically I find in my reviewing that every IEM is different in regards to how they sound from a 3.5mm Samsung phone, and more upgrade power also comes with extra Christmas presents.

Meaning a Dongle gets you more power and an Audiophile DAP can offer more power typically than a regular phone, and it depends on what the IEM demands are. At times it is hard to actually know where this better imaging is coming from, is it the Audiophile DAP noise floor, it is just power output? You see a cleaner window into the song file environment becomes of value with well recorded files, enabling a style of 3D perception, so song files are also of consequence here..................

Tone changes from power:
Such demands are found with how the actual IEM tone changes with power. Often bass is tightened, and if the source (and source file) has a greater stage, that stage will be given as a gift to the IEM 100% of the time. But remember we are always working with tonal balance too. Meaning more, or better perceived bass (more real sculpturing) will change the perception of the treble. So more bass due to the presence and/or sculpturing will result is slightly less treble and midrange perception.........there is always competition among the 3 bands for noticeability!

Let me see now, and edit this post.

Edit:
So I found a modular cable and first used the EBC80 from a Samsung phone, then changed plugs to 4.4mm and heard the exact same song file from the Sony WM1A.

As expected the phone offered a thinner idea of the EBC80 tone, yet where the real differences were was in the bass and lower delineation of those perceived elements. While the treble showed the EBC80 character inside of 3.5mm use, everything was thicker and more note weighty from the Sony WM1A 4.4mm output.

The character of the EBC80 naturally will still shine, showing its personality of a well imaged and expanded treble from a 3.5mm source, it is just increased stage from the WM1A 4.4mm character along with better, deeper control of the signal showed a view into a more realistic and filled-out and more note-weight display of the song imaging from 4.4mm amp and source.

Cables:
In regards to cables, it depends if you believe or not. But I believe that different cable builds have an effect on how we perceive the end tone (and stage) of the EBC80. Meaning get a more substantial set-up of more material, like the ASOS+X will improve staging and have its very own tonal procurement. Yep as of late I have found the Pyramid VII to be the greatest thing for the EBC80. In fact the Pyramid VII was what I took-off to do this test today.

I have an idea where each cable makes a tonal and stage difference, so in regards to the EBC80, the ASOS+X actually has the bigger stage. Since we are on the subject of trebles..........yes the trebles follow along becoming images of enlightenment created by the ASOS+X. Now the thing is since the VII offers a more silver alloy idea of stage energy, the images procured by the VII hold a slightly more subdued realization than the airy silveriness of the ASOS+X. This ends with me finding the VII to engage the EBC80 into a more realistic stage, yet slightly smaller is size than the ASOS+X. Yet both are my favorites in the end with the EBC80 IEM. Cheers!

Answer?
It depends how much you value the note-weight (yes, treble note-weight) and stage change from a 4.4mm source. Plus remember it is nearly impossible to know if it is more power, or a cleaner amplifier (better noise floor) creating these benefits, as you can't separate the two. So from the phone the EBC80 emitted a slightly thinner stage (yes, even treble) items, holding less note weight and less size of dispersion. That while still entertaining and great, the EBC80 has the ability to transform and scale with better sources. It's hard to describe the total character from a phone, even with a good source file? I would say, use the TV size analogy, meaning a proper source becomes a big 60" TV screen in the end.

Try Penon Liquor tips black ones on EBC80, for me they are the best, give you deep bass, increased midbass, nice treble and nice stage, though they are a bit beefy comfortwise on EBC80.

 

[lucanato]

I want to remember that on classified i am sellin my Asos + x
that is not bright at all in highs , is informative but not piercing. For what concerning highs with ebc 80 it's useful to try spinf fit w1 to open the highs, not use liquor are dull sounding, Orange Is a Little more open than liquor (I love orange) but w1 Is another planet for highs informations, and the silicone Is really High, level Better than spin fit cp100.

Forget tangzu Wide bor or Moondrop spring or you loose al the bass.

I've also tangzu normal bore but .. no one is near spinfit

For 1 years i used only penon Orange for their sound but ive found that no tips have the comfort of spinfit and now i'm buying all their models.

I love a smooth sound and doesn't search more highs from ebc80 so I use cp100 and orange but when I want to open I put w1

Not buy e-proper tips Is rubbish and won't fit the ebc80 nozzle.

Also me I have a lot of middle dongle and amp and I found my self choosing for the warm source against bright one with ebc80

So I alternate fosi DS2 2024
And mine s17pro as desktop amp

With aune s17 sound like a totl item I want to change nothing

Fosi has enough meat on bass and mids , and 500mw to drive them with the right kick and let me listen to the music without any problem with bad recordings, so love to fall asleep listening with fosi. But fosi hasn't many trebles.

Fiio q15 has a lot more trebles but has got too neutral sound for me to enjoy the musical message.

Cayin ru6 zero basses (fosi has great bass) and little power for ebc80 but has wide stage and holographic sound... Sent back cause I love the bass of ebc80

Ifi Gryphon too slow in dynamics ( fosi is not slow) but great smoothness but also noisy amp

Colorfly cdm2 more highs than fosi more dynamic than gryphon.. but just a little shy bass and not enough power.

Onix alpha sent back wide stage but no dynamics and kids recessed.

Find the right cable and with two or three different tips you can change the sound whatever you want.

I don't have daps so no advice in that section .

 

[emdeevee]

I wanted to report back on the burning progress of Archangel as it's been quite enlightening. In much the same way as other recent Penon releases with similar drivers, the process is long but at about 50 hours of time, they usually are showing how they'll sound. And with a lack of EST drivers, it's really getting the DDs worked out. So, treat these observations as initial impressions before Archangel has fully burned in.

That said, I am beginning to sound like a broken record when it comes to recent Penon releases finding very little to criticize and a whole lot to love. The Archangel continues this lovefest and just further cements my obvious preference for Penons in general.

The initial time I've had with Archangel has been nothing short of mind blowing for this price point in particular. I have recently acquired and/or toured many great sets in this price range, including the excellent FlipEars Legion, and Archangel is no less than any of them, and far more than many! I hear Archangel to have some serious uniquity in its tuning and I'm think that this is Penon continuing to keep up with the competition and try very hard to beat it.

As I have with my Voltage, I defaulted to both bass and treble switches in the up/on position from the get go. And while that works with Voltage, I am finding it not to be the case with Archangel. These DDs have been tuned for deep and rumbling subbass with a hefty dose of midbass. With the bass switch up, the bass begins to overwhelm the upper mids and lower treble, though I imagine many hardcore bassheads would feel like pigs in poo.

For me, I have switched the bass switch back to down, it's default position, while keeping the treble switch up. This is producing a beautiful balance while still remaining quite bass heavy. The bass has nice quality and obviously quantity. The treble is superb and I do not find myself missing anything that ESTs have brought to other Penon sets, right down to the Voltage. This is not exactly treble at the quality of the Rival, but it certainly outdoes the EBC80 for me, while perhaps equaling that of the Voltage.

The tuning seems more nuanced, and a bit of an evolution from typical Penon, more U shape but Penon warmth is there. For me, it is more engaging than either EBC80 or Shock,though it sounds closer to Shock with its very prominent bass. This bass also edges the Voltage by a length, so bravo Penon for bringing the bass with Archangel!

A big difference from EBC80 (and even Rival) is that Archangel BCDs do not seem to be pushing the sound as outward as they do in those sets and are much thumper than in either of those. I am really enjoying this BCD execution and I think it has a lot to do with the tuning being so engaging and emotive.

So for me, Archangel is likely to eclipse the Voltage and EBC80 for overall performance. It's really a stunning bit of tuning that has a visceral, in your face excitement. Not a laid back set by any stretch.

Also, kudos to the highly competent stock cable from EA! I was prepared to immediately jettison it, but so far, I am happy to say that I feel no real need to roll this one !

These are just initial impressions and I expect positive development to continue for at least another 50 hours! But in advance, I'm quite sure this will be getting a ton of use!!

 

[KyFloof]

Hi folks. Finally got my hands on EBC80 and they're everything I could want in terms of sound out of iems. They make me miss my open back headphones way less when I have them on

Only thing I'm not the biggest fan of is the stock cable. It's a bit bulky, which makes the iems not as comfortable to wear. I have my Sa6 mk2 and its stock cable (hulk pro mini) is much better in terms of comfort. It's much lighter. But I notice the soundstage isn't as great in them as it is in the stock S2 cable

Anyone know of any good (light(er) weight) cables that work really well with ebc80?