The PENON official thread

[FreeWheelinAudioLuv2]

Looking forward to your impressions of the EBC80 and Cadmus II cable paring mate.

Holy Sheet!! Nobody is ever again going to say to me that cables can't make a difference. This Cadmus cable has just taken the EBC80, and elevated it, mostly in the form of a massive soundstage, both in depth and width. WOW. The problem is that I only have one Cadmus, it doesn't quite have the same snap and sonic expansion on the Archangel, but on the EBC80, it's like turning a switch on the BCD drivers. It's ruining the HA015 cable I have on this thing. Probably going to leave the Cadmus on it, and then switch it out when I'm using my Sony's?

ISN EBC80 + EA Cadmus 2 = Synergy Sisters!!

 

[Nealz]

Holy Sheet!! Nobody is ever again going to say to me that cables can't make a difference. This Cadmus cable has just taken the EBC80, and elevated it, mostly in the form of a massive soundstage, both in depth and width. WOW. The problem is that I only have one Cadmus, it doesn't quite have the same snap and sonic expansion on the Archangel, but on the EBC80, it's like turning a switch on the BCD drivers. It's ruining the HA015 cable I have on this thing. Probably going to leave the Cadmus on it, and then switch it out when I'm using my Sony's?

ISN EBC80 + EA Cadmus 2 = Synergy Sisters!!

Damn looks like I'm getting the Archangel next, RIP my wallet

 

[caryking]

*posted in the mid-priced cable thread as well*

So, I’m looking at buying a couple of cable from ivipQ, on Aliexpress. I keep putting it off because the whole process just feels a little off. The cable I want isn’t available to purchase, in the US; however, they are giving me a different item to purchase and they will send me the correct cable. I know I’ve read where several people have done this without an issue.

That said, buying from Penon is just simple and trustworthy feeling. I just bought the new Penon Apex and want a few more cable variants for auditioning IEM’s when I get to. I do not have any of the ASOS variants or the 849 variants. Any opinions out there?

 

[bschnell9]

Cross post from ISN Thread:

What’s up everyone! So recently I was looking for a proper basshead iem (not scarlet mini basshead tho) that still managed to tick the boxes on the mids and treble to a certain degree. I’m a loud listener and can’t handle a lot of upper mids or shoutiness. I read some reviews on the H20 and for $50 I pulled the trigger pretty easily.

At first I was like ok that’s a lot of bass upper mid energy so I tamed the 2k area a bit and that helped but I must say the 40hrs of burn in I have so far has done some work on taking a little bass bloat out and smoothening the treble a hair. At my loud volumes it was getting a bit harsh but now I don’t even need to eq anything. Quite honestly I’m really liking this set right now.

My question is this: do I need something more than this?! With 13dbs of bass I don’t think I would want or need more. I have definitely considered the TSMR Shock but based on graphs I’m not gonna get anymore bass but am I missing out on quality? Anyone have the two? I also find the stage to be quite impressive on the H20 so not sure if bone conduction is necessary? Maybe? I wouldn’t consider the H20 as an all rounder because I don’t think the vocals are particularly good and it’s sucks with jazz but have seen many reviews on Shock mentioning good all rounder. I listen to 80% EDM anyway but would like to be able to transition to another genre without thinking it sounds terrible on a certain set. Am I missing a lot of quality to the bass over the Shock? I guess with the Shock I could change the dials with the genre but would like to not have to. Also considered the TSMR X also the Feat.

I did snag a coupon code from Linsoul on the Punch Audio Martilo but kinda want to wait on reviews.

Any TSMR Shock, Feat or X owners that also own the H20 that could shed some light if they are worth it considering the price jump for a fella that can afford it but also not really and what I’m missing out on if I don’t? Because I’ll tell ya these H20’s can slam and maybe I should just be ok with it

Thanks for any insights!

 

[bentot5]

Cross post from ISN Thread:

What’s up everyone! So recently I was looking for a proper basshead iem (not scarlet mini basshead tho) that still managed to tick the boxes on the mids and treble to a certain degree. I’m a loud listener and can’t handle a lot of upper mids or shoutiness. I read some reviews on the H20 and for $50 I pulled the trigger pretty easily.

At first I was like ok that’s a lot of bass upper mid energy so I tamed the 2k area a bit and that helped but I must say the 40hrs of burn in I have so far has done some work on taking a little bass bloat out and smoothening the treble a hair. At my loud volumes it was getting a bit harsh but now I don’t even need to eq anything. Quite honestly I’m really liking this set right now.

My question is this: do I need something more than this?! With 13dbs of bass I don’t think I would want or need more. I have definitely considered the TSMR Shock but based on graphs I’m not gonna get anymore bass but am I missing out on quality? Anyone have the two? I also find the stage to be quite impressive on the H20 so not sure if bone conduction is necessary? Maybe? I wouldn’t consider the H20 as an all rounder because I don’t think the vocals are particularly good and it’s sucks with jazz but have seen many reviews on Shock mentioning good all rounder. I listen to 80% EDM anyway but would like to be able to transition to another genre without thinking it sounds terrible on a certain set. Am I missing a lot of quality to the bass over the Shock? I guess with the Shock I could change the dials with the genre but would like to not have to. Also considered the TSMR X also the Feat.

I did snag a coupon code from Linsoul on the Punch Audio Martilo but kinda want to wait on reviews.

Any TSMR Shock, Feat or X owners that also own the H20 that could shed some light if they are worth it considering the price jump for a fella that can afford it but also not really and what I’m missing out on if I don’t? Because I’ll tell ya these H20’s can slam and maybe I should just be ok with it

Thanks for any insights!

The Shock definitely is 3 steps above the H20 with regards to its bass presentation. The Bass dial is on another level of fun.

 

[theintention]

TSMR Armor

first impressions -
Accessories: pretty nice cable, standard Penon green stem tips and some other black thinner ones, neither sounded particularly good but they did fit which is rare for stock tips! Included case is very robust, definitely will get some use.

Build quality / aesthetics / fit:

Pictures don’t do the faceplate justice, it’s really eye-catching and maybe one of my favorites I have owned. The logo/lettering is much smaller than i anticipated and blends in well. The shells are filled resin, they feel really solid in the hand but light in-ear. The switches are your usual fare, and the included tool works well but I’ve already been a little too clumsy once or twice while dialing my settings in.

The nozzles are short, so expect to tip roll (more on this) but once I found the right pair (Azla Crystal) they disappeared once in. Really comfy pair, I wore them for about an hour and got no hot spots or fatigue.

Sound:
The most important bit, how do they sound? At first it was a bit of a mixed bag. The included stock tips did no favors, and upon tip rolling I discovered just how much it matters with this IEM. It took a bit of tweaking between the tips and the switches, but once I dialed it in (UUD for bass/mids) and the Azla Crystal… oh boy. Dynamic, rumbly sub bass that digs deep, lush mids with an airy mid bass slam. I found the treble switch to be a little inconsequential, but turning off the bass switch expands the soundstage quite a bit and leaves you with a warm analog sound with quick, springy bass. The treble on this IEM is really an afterthought imo, I would have like a full EST or 2 in there but I understand that we would be a different price range.

As it stands? Quite pleased and excited to spend more time with it, it fits in well with my preferred sound signature and will be a good all day wear (especially if I want to dial the bass back with the switch).

But for now, it stays on for that rumble.

 

[Redcarmoose]

Rhodium-plated plug
https://penonaudio.com/penon-osg.html
If you read my Penon Quattro review you would find out that Penon in their wisdom used a very special Graphene cable to accentuate aspects of play. Yep there is this thing that graphene does with DDs. And don’t forget the Quattro has four DDs of various sizes and jobs to do. Basically filling the stage with completeness and evenness inside a desired style of tone. Now that got me thinking? I mean I have hundreds of cables and hundreds of IEMs, yet my focus came to a realization. And my instincts were right. Yep, it was the addition of the Penon OSG cable. You see the Quattro review had the Penon OSG Graphene cable take the Quattro IEM playback to the very next level. Sure Penon knew this worked wonders, only it was too pricey at $299.00 to give away with the Quattro. Sure it could have been an inclusion, only the price of the Quattro would have now gone out of their targeted price point. Now sure I recommend the Penon OSG with the Quattro, but what about adding it to another multi DD IEM? Yep, in comes the 10mm DD and 6mm DD EarAcoustic $79.90 STA-Pro Max!

Here the stage is blown into the stratosphere, where the OSG goes and adds blackness of background, and what comes forward is contrasts, only these contrasts are full of added definition into the stage. Remarkable is the single word I came up with today. And you can bet your sweet behind this cable is staying on the STA-Pro Max for a big part of the reviewing process already in progress. Am I just lucky to find this? Did my subconscious alert me behind the scenes to this discovery? Sure it may not be practical to join a $79.90 IEM to a $299.00 cable? Only try to pry this set-up out of my hands………I dare you! This IEM sounds like a flagship, being the stage is crazy big, filled with a style of mids that just don’t stop………..they filigree out to way out to the sides, and vocals are darn positioned exactly right. I’ll stop, but I could gush on for a half hour or so!
https://penonaudio.com/Earacoustic-STA-Pro-MAX

Full review here:
https://www.head-fi.org/showcase/earacoustic-sta-pro-max.28181/reviews#review-38300

 

[LoryWiv]

Rhodium-plated plug
https://penonaudio.com/penon-osg.html
If you read my Penon Quattro review you would find out that Penon in their wisdom used a very special Graphene cable to accentuate aspects of play. Yep there is this thing that graphene does with DDs. And don’t forget the Quattro has four DDs of various sizes and jobs to do. Basically filling the stage with completeness and evenness inside a desired style of tone. Now that got me thinking? I mean I have hundreds of cables and hundreds of IEMs, yet my focus came to a realization. And my instincts were right. Yep, it was the addition of the Penon OSG cable. You see the Quattro review had the Penon OSG Graphene cable take the Quattro IEM playback to the very next level. Sure Penon knew this worked wonders, only it was too pricey at $299.00 to give away with the Quattro. Sure it could have been an inclusion, only the price of the Quattro would have now gone out of their targeted price point. Now sure I recommend the Penon OSG with the Quattro, but what about adding it to another multi DD IEM? Yep, in comes the 10mm DD and 6mm DD EarAcoustic $79.90 STA-Pro Max!

Here the stage is blown into the stratosphere, where the OSG goes and adds blackness of background, and what comes forward is contrasts, only these contrasts are full of added definition into the stage. Remarkable is the single word I came up with today. And you can bet your sweet behind this cable is staying on the STA-Pro Max for a big part of the reviewing process already in progress. Am I just lucky to find this? Did my subconscious alert me behind the scenes to this discovery? Sure it may not be practical to join a $79.90 IEM to a $299.00 cable? Only try to pry this set-up out of my hands………I dare you! This IEM sounds like a flagship, being the stage is crazy big, filled with a style of mids that just don’t stop………..they filigree out to way out to the sides, and vocals are darn positioned exactly right. I’ll stop, but I could gush on for a half hour or so!
https://penonaudio.com/Earacoustic-STA-Pro-MAX

I am using Penon OSG with my ISN EBC80, GREAT synergy!

 

[Redcarmoose]

I am using Penon OSG with my ISN EBC80, GREAT synergy!

The cable can not be underestimated! Where there is a quality that is maybe the Graphene, maybe the Silver that broadcasts stage images into a warmer way than Silver will do on its own, yet this thickness is desirable and (to me) unique? My gosh the way vocals sound, to where they are thick and rich, then positioned inside of this black background.............I'll stop. But the OSG is only colored a tad, and that tad is beautiful, in my opinion?