PENON DOME UNIVERSAL HYBRID IEM

Do you know that feeling when your wife says with a little blink of her eyes: "Another package has come for you?" Then, to my delight, another new KH or IEM arrived. In this case, Penon made the Dome available to us for a tour. Be careful, the review is a little longer. This always happens to me when I like a listener.



What do we find in the blue hardcase known from Penon? A silver-plated OCC cable with a length of 1.2m, which is also included with the Penon Orb and Globe. Fortunately, it has no microphonics at all. When purchasing, you can choose from the 3 usual plug variants. Penon supplies the grey-green and red and green-clear tips with the dome from its range. Also included are the tools for cleaning and fastening.



The dome is visually appealing. It has very beautiful faceplates with inlay-like effects. The space in the housing is shared by 1 DD and 2 BA drivers. Due to the small housing size, the receiver fits well in the ear. The sound outlet is slightly extended, which always results in an optimal fit. The extension of the sound outlet tubes responsible for this is not as strong as on the Fan 2, but a little larger than on all other Penon that I know of.

It took some time for the receiver to catch on in my ears. I really like the tonality. I find it to be quite balanced and much closer to neutral than, for example. Serial and Fan2 from the same company, which are in a similar price range. This means that the dome doesn't play in a lulling way, even with warmer mastered music.

Sound

The DD delights the ear with a very well-defined bass that is not overly boosted. However, when the music demands it, he shows what is popular in the frequency cellar. With the right tips, it usually doesn't bleed into the midrange. However, it can sound a little too thick on modern productions. While the bass is okay in Purple Disco Machine - In The Dark, it sounds too powerful in Ghost - Phantom of the Opera. Then you notice that a dynamic person is working here. Which, in my opinion, is what makes this IEM so attractive.

The vocals are slightly ahead of the music and are always clear. The mids are very Penon-like rousing and definitely not thin. Good examples are Edguy - Vain Glory Opera or Dream Theater - Ocatvarium.

As a rock music lover, guitars are always important to me and they sound very good, not thin and analytical shredding. The instruments have bodies that are not bulky or mushy. Jane by Jefferson Starship or Elvenpath by Nightwish are songs that can otherwise quickly become unpleasant to the ear. The separation is not as outstanding as in the Kilobuck range, but the Dome plays the guitars absolutely comfortably.

The highs are also musical and can have some detail. Of course, you shouldn't expect a multi-BA or EST feeling here, as only 2BA are installed. Mids and highs are a touch sharper than my higher priced Muti-BA IEMs, such as the Penon Turbo.
Separation and stage are above the price level even at lower volumes. However, listeners tuned for more presence in the upper mids and highs offer a little more here. However, this quickly and reliably tires my ears and I then turn the music down.

As we all know, eartips can affect sound. I chose my preferred W-Signature and the OP Amp on my DAP for the following comparisons. The EQ was off. Here are my very subjective impressions in the hope that the seal was always perfect.

I've always liked the gray-green tips from Penon. They raise the fundamental tone slightly. The tips lead to a nice rumble in the bass. However, you shouldn't expect bass headphones here due to the more neutral tuning. The highs recede slightly without neglecting the mids. The dome loses some of its dynamism.

The clear-green tips sound a little like they look. The sound becomes clearer and the fundamental tone goes back a bit. The signature becomes more neutral again. Nevertheless, I really like hearing these tips on the dome. Electric guitars have a nice bite and sound more exciting than with the gray-green tips. Despite the clear presentation and comparatively slightly forward vocals, the IE remains absolutely suitable for long-term use with well-developed highs.

The clear-red tips are the middle ground between the two previously discussed variants. They only increase slightly in bass and fundamental. This means that the presence area and heights remain transparent. The sound is a touch softer than with the clear green tips.

The sky blue tips were also included in the package. However, I didn't have an optimal fit with these, so I won't give any impressions at this point.

Since I recently bought the new Penon Liqueur Tips, which come with a case, I was excited to see how the Dome sounds with them



The black liqueur tips raise the bass and fundamental tone a little. Drums become more massive and have a slightly three-dimensional effect. Corresponding to the lift at the bottom end, the presence range and treble audibly recede. Compared to the clear-green or clear-red tips, the sound is more relaxed.
This means that the sound is not too warm, but also not sterile and cool. I think these tips fit better with IEMs with BA bass.

On my other headphones I preferred the orange tips because they have a lower bass presence combined with more detailed mids and highs. The bass recedes quantitatively, but not qualitatively. The overall signature is more balanced. This is also the case with the Dome.
With the liqueur tips, Penon has made a really good success. They can subtly influence the sound and are dimensionally stable.

My personal order of tips on the dome.
1. orange liqueur
2. clear-red
3. clear-green
4. gray-green
5. black liqueur

Comparisons with other IEMs (each with orange eartip)

The Penon Serial is a somewhat comfortable playing IEM. It is smoother in presentation, but unfortunately the highs are comparatively gentler and more reserved. Hi hats, for example, are quieter than the dome. The bass rumble is more present on the Serial, although the overall sound is warmer. Guitar textures have even more body. I like to use it for old recordings because it gives them a slight “remaster” effect.

Compared to the Penon Fan 2, the Dome plays much more balanced. For me, the Fan 2 has a signature similar to the Denon D7200 headphones below 1kHz. The fundamental tone and bass dominate the Fan 2. Due to the lower fundamental tone, the dome is less warm and therefore more balanced in its presentation. The dome has more energy in the sharp area and the lower mids. I miss this with the Fan 2, which also has the typical 6kHz dip of earlier Penon releases.

From memory, I like the Dome better than the rather warm Orb. I also find it a little warmer than the neutral Vortex, which I also liked listening to for rock and metal.

The Penon Turbo is priced $200 more than the Turbo and comes with 6 BA drivers. The Dome has to admit defeat here. The Turbo's BA drivers play a clean, rousing bass. Voices and mids are better separated and highs sound smoother. The Turbo is also ahead when it comes to separation and stage. Which is not surprising given his inner values.

Since I have already heard a large number of Penon IEMs, I would like to publish my personal ranking here:

1. Impact - absolute reference with a decent amount of high energy
2. Turbo - super detailed variable IEM with a dose of fun
3. Dome - balanced and musical
4. Serial - the analog musical fun maker
5. Fan2 - Denon Gene in the basement, but can be too reserved
6. Vortex - balanced with brighter signature than Dome
7. Orb - a warmly tuned all-rounder
8. Volt - very warm IEM with (too) strong bass and hard EST sound

Based on what I've read and seen so far about the upcoming Voltage, it probably has what it takes to be in the top third here.

I recently had two new Thieaudio releases to test at home: the Monarch MKIII and the Hype 10. As I already wrote in another review, the Tribirds from Thieaudio and I will probably no longer be friends in this life. Technically, these headphones, which can cost up to $1k, of course have their qualities. But for me they lack balance and musicality. Both Thieaudio have a (too) strong bass that pushes a little into the mids. Even more so with the Hype 10 than with the Monarch MKIII. While the details are a little less noticeable in the Hype 10, they are too present in the MKIII for me. I don't like listening to (acoustic) guitars with the latter. They sound artificially precise. Despite all the criticism, the Hype 10 plays more long-term and forgiving than the Monarch MKIII and its previous iterations. I was surprised that I was so impressed with the Dome at about 1/3 of the price. Even if it doesn't reach the technical performance of both Thieaudio, it simply carries me along when listening to music.

Conclusion

For $349 you get a hybrid IEM with tonal balance that works very well without the currently hyped EST and also without an isobaric bass design. It doesn't play completely neutrally, but it doesn't thicken up too much at any point and always remains musical. I can listen to music for hours with it, making it an excellent daily driver. If you are looking for strong analytical qualities, you will have to look for other models or dig deeper into your pockets.

Hello everyone, and thank you for joining. Today, I am reviewing the Penon Dome, a hybrid IEM with 1DD, 2 Sonion BA drivers, and 1 Knowles BA driver. This unit was sent by Penon for review purposes. I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to them for providing me with the sample. The impressions in this review are in no way influenced. I write what I hear.

Penon is quite a well-known brand in the audiophile community. They have created their own segment. Most of the releases by Penon have been very well received. They have released IEMs with a variety of signatures. One of their latest releases, Quattro, has a very nice fan following. I reviewed Quattro sometime back. I enjoyed the musical and warm nature of the Quattro. Dome is a very different sounding IEM than the Quattro, I’ll try to compare Dome with some other IEMs to give a perspective on what to expect from Dome.

Penon Dome can be bought from here. Link



Rating Criteria:

I want to lay out my rating criteria before we start off. For me, the primary criterion for evaluating audio gear is its intrinsic value rather than its price tag. A higher price doesn't always correlate with superior quality, and similarly, a low-priced product can give enough listening pleasure for it to be called outstanding. I consider the build, features, and, most importantly, the impact on the listening experience. The fundamental purpose of audio gear is to enhance the listening experience. So for me, this degree of enhancement in the listening experience is a key determinant in rating a product.

Rating below 4: I really won't be posting reviews of such items unless someone has asked for them.
Rating of 4: The product is good, and some users may find it more satisfactory, but it does come with a few caveats, such as price, fit, etc.
Rating of 4.5: The product is excellent and comes with an easy recommendation, reflecting its high quality and overall positive attributes.
Rating of 5: This product can be deemed groundbreaking, a trendsetter, and an eye-opener and deserves a spot on everyone's list due to its exceptional features and outstanding performance.


Configuration (from the website):

Driver: 3 BA + 1 Dynamic driver hybrid; BA: 1 Knowles for high frequency, 2 Sonion for middle frequency
Dynamic driver type: 10mm PET diaphragm for low frequency
Impedance: 19ohm
Sensitivity: 107dB
Frequency response: 20-20kHz
Passive noise reduction: 26dB
Connector: 2pin 0.78mm
Cable length: 1.2M




Design, build, and fit:

Talking about the packaging, Penon Dome comes in a yellow box with similar packaging as Quattro. There are plenty of accessories inside the box. I really appreciate the variety of ear tips that Penon has offered with the Dome. There is this same blue case present inside, which Penon offers with many other IEMs.

The shells on Dome are handmade in medical-grade resin. It is very lightweight and quite easy on the ears. The shells do not exert any pressure, even in longer sessions. The nozzle is of a standard size, neither too short nor too long. For reducing pressure buildup, there is a vent present. I did not encounter any driver flex with Dome.

There are plenty of ear tips that comes with Dome. These tips are of different sizes and I am sure one would not need to look for different tips. Since the IEMs have a very nice build, they go easily with various types of tips. I paired the Dome with Spinfit W1, Azla SednaLight (MS), both of which go really well with the IEM. Azla adds some openness in the sound and is my preferred ear tips on Dome. I got a very decent fit with Tangzu Sancai balanced tips too.

In terms of isolation, these IEMs are above average. They block a good amount of outside noise. I would not take it out in public, though. With a good-fitting ear tip, the isolation is quite decent.




Sound Analysis:

For the sound impression, most of the time I pair Dome with my Lotoo Paw Gold Touch dap and, occasionally, with Earmen Angel. I paired the IEMs with stock cables (and some third-party cables too) and Spinfit W1 ear tips, size S.

Dome is a warm musical set to begin with. The sound has a good amount of bass, beautiful, lush, warm mids, and a treble that is non-offensive. The sound is all about sweetness. This sound prioritizes musicality over technical precision. However, in no way are the technicalities compromised.

The bass on Dome is rich and warm and has good thickness. It has a very good impact and plenty of quantity, with good layering and texture. However, it's not the most refined bass; it is more about adding to the musicality. There is a decent subbass presence, and it's plenty when called for. The bassline from something like a bass guitar is quite pleasant. The bass on Dome is not boomy or bloated in nature, or the kind of bass that sort of eclipses the higher frequencies. This bass is quite different than that of Quattro, where there is more of an analogous character and the bass envelopes the higher frequencies.

The mids on Dome are all about warmth and sweetness. There is a very decent resolution and clarity in the midrange. The lower midrange has a decent body to it. The upper mids are well extended and maintain a decent amount of energy. At no point did I find it to be peaky or extra sharp. I find the mids quite forward. Vocals have good texture. There is loads of sweetness in the female vocals. Midrange instruments have a very sweet and lifelike presentation. I prefer this midrange over Quattro.

Treble on Dome is not quite airy, but the details and energy are decent. Dome is good for people who don't want any unwanted sharpness and want a safer treble profile. This treble may not be well appreciated by trebleheads, though. I find it decent, as it really makes a case for longer sessions.

On the technical front, the soundstage is quite decent, with a good width and decent depth. There is a good separation of instruments; however, for busy musical sequences such as the metal genre, there is some lacking. Imaging is just decent, and there is nothing much to complain about given the price of this IEM. In terms of resolution, I would say there is a bit of a step back as well. I would have loved cleaner sound from Dome, but I think that's asking a lot from the IEM.




Source Pairing:

Dome is quite easy to drive. It does not ask for a lot of power. It can be easily paired with smartphones, too. I tried Dome with three different sources. The LPGT has a very decent synergy with the Dome. The bass has a good body, especially in the subbass region, which has a decent presence. In the mids, the LPGT adds nice warmth.

I quite liked the pairing with Quloos MUB1 too. There is such a sweetness in the sound of this pair; I absolutely love it. MUB1 is very resolving for a DAC/amp of it's size.

With Earmen Angel, I did not find the Dome pairing well, so I assume Dome does not need extra power. The dynamics are better at lower levels of power. With Angel, it just sounds off.




Cable Pairing:

The only thing I found lacking with the Dome is it's cable. While it gets the job done, I believe it holds back the Dome's full potential. I tried pairing it with some aftermarket cables, and here is what I found. It's clear: the Dome doesn't demand expensive cables to reveal its nuances. Even a modest cable can enhance the Dome's performance.

With the Letshuoer L-R Nebula Cable:

Letshuoer released this cable just a while ago. The Nebula cable exhibits the essence of a traditional copper cable. It enriches the lower frequencies, infusing them with added depth and character. The midrange also gets an improvement with some added richness. The overall resolution and clarity in the midrange are better with this cable. The stage is more intimate, and things come a lot more forward. A little bit of addition in treble energy would be really great, but the cable does not add much on that front.

With Aes Harmony from Gladiator Cable:

This cable features 6N pure Up-OCC copper wire with a thick silver plating. The configuration helps in maintaining a balance between warmth and detailing. The soundstage is a lot better with this cable, which spreads further in all directions. There is a nice refinement in the sound. The lows sound more balanced, with an evenness in the sub-bass and mid-bass. The mids have better resolution, and the cable adds a bit of crispiness. This cable does not add as much warmth as the Nebula does.


Comparisons:

With Kinera Freya2.0:

Freya2 has a similar configuration, equipped with a hybrid single 7mm dynamic and 3 BA drivers. Priced at $269 SRP this is one of Kinera’s midrange IEMs. In terms of overall design and presentation, we all know Kinera just goes over the top. Freya2 looks a lot more beautifully built and designed than the Dome. The cable that comes with it is a modular one and has a better build than that on the Dome.

However, it is the sound where Freya2 lacks too much. I do not think there is any attribute where Freya2 excels. Dome is a lot more musical than the gloomy characteristics of Freya2. In terms of technicalities too, Dome has quite an edge. It has a better soundstage and sounds very open compared to Freya2.


With Rose Technics QT-X:

Rose Technics QT-X is equipped with 1 dynamic driver and 6 BA drivers. The one I had tried was a value pack, which comes with a small dongle dac/amp too, making the whole package quite versatile. In terms of build and packaging, QT-X has an edge. The shells are lightweight and fit really well. The cable on it is a better one than the one on Dome.

In terms of sound, QT-X is tough competition. I love the bass on QT-X. The lows are quite deep, and the subbass has a good body. Dome has more quantity to it's bass but is not as refined. The mids, however, are more musical in nature on Dome. For some, the mids on QT-X may come a bit thin. In the upper frequency range, QT-X has a better presentation. There is more energy and better extension in the treble region on QT-X.

In terms of technicalities, QT-X gives a good fight too. The soundstage is decent on both of these IEMs. QT-X does better in terms of resolution. It has a cleaner sound. The notes are clean and crisp. I would say QT-X may have an edge. If at all we have to choose between the two IEMs, it would be more of a musicality vs. technicality thing.




With Penon Quattro:

The highly appreciated Penon Quattro is equipped with 4 dynamic drivers. It is priced at $399. The packaging on Quattro is nearly the same as with Dome. In terms of build quality, Quattro has an edge. Its shells are better built and are harder and tougher. The cable on Quattro is better than that on Dome. I really wish Penon provided this same cable, but that may add to the cost.

In terms of sound, these two sets have quite different characteristics, but they maintain the same philosophy: musicality over technicality. Quattro has a very distinct, warm signature and a coloured sound. There is a bass boost all around. This thick bass predominantly defines the signature of these IEMs. It's like everything sounds within a layer of bass. Dome, on the other hand, has a faster bass and a lower volume.

In mids, there is a lot of bass bleeding into mids on Quattro, while on Dome, the mids stay quite clean and there is no bass intrusion. In the upper mids region, there is a hint of shoutyness on Quattro, while Dome does not have any such thing. The treble on Quattro is darker than on Dome.

I think it's hard to compare Quattro with other IEMs. For the general public, Dome has a more likeable tuning, while Quattro has a very different tuning, which people can align with or may not.


Conclusion:

It is quite evident that Penon went the musical route while developing the Dome. They must have some special sauce to pull off such a musical IEM. The bass and mids on Dome strike a very nice balance. The bass never overwhelms yet maintains a satisfying depth, while the mids retain their sweetness, giving these IEMs a vibrant and natural quality sound. If someone is looking for a musical set without sacrificing a lot of technical aspects, Dome can be an easy recommendation. With both the Quattro and Dome boasting distinct yet appealing sound signatures, it's evident that Penon has a knack for finely tuning their IEMs. I must say I am very hopeful of what future releases they have in line. I would rate these IEMs at 4.5/5.

I've often wondered why sequels invariably suck.

The's lots of ways following up a big success can go wrong:

• Temptation to duplicate your previous formula... risk of producing a similar but inferior copy.
• Desire to try something completely different... risk it won't match your existing fans' taste.
• Pressure to add a new selling point but keep things the same... risk questionable stuff gets added just to differentiate from the original.

Why do I mention this? Back in October Penon Audio sent me a pair of ISN Neo5s which remain my #1 budget IEM champ of 2023. Me and my friends just love 'em.

So when I was offered a set of new Penon DOME IEMs in exchange for a review and saw they have virtually identical shells & nearly the same driver config and price... suddenly my excitement bubbled.

There's wasn't much to complain about with the Neo5s and lots to like, so I was skeptical they'd produce a better follow-up without ballooning the shells, driver count & price. Either way it'd be fascinating just to see the direction they took - stay true to the original, try something new or a slight variation?

It turns out the DOMEs are different to the Neo5s, and you're about to lean why.

Packaging​

The USD $349 Penon DOMEs arrive in the usual small yellow Penon cardboard box, inside of which is a fairly plush & well-made leather carry case that strikes a nice balance between being small enough to pocket but roomy enough to house the IEMs with a large 8 wire cable.

There's also a small leather accessories case, inside of which are three sets of silicone eartips in 3 sizes along with a shirt clip & cleaning tool.

The DOMEs come bundled with a very comfortable 8 wire silver-plated copper cable, in your choice of 4.4mm, 3.5mm or 2.5mm terminations.

Ergonomics​

The DOME's medical-grade resin shells are almost a carbon copy of the ISN Neo5s I've reviewed. They're tiny, very light & extremely well-sculpted to fit the ear, and are as effortlessly comfortable for prolonged use as any hybrid IEMs on the market I've tried.

They're also vented to alleviate pressure build-up, my only minor complaint is the metal nozzles – eartips don’t grip them as securely as nozzles sculpted from the resin itself, so my Spinfit W1 tips occasionally dislodge from the nozzles if I'm not careful to remove the DOMEs from my ears gently.

The stock cable is very light & flexible, with no microphonics or memory effect.

Sound Impressions​

I've tested the DOMEs using a Hiby R6 Pro II set to Hi-gain in AB mode, with the DOMEs requiring a volume level of 22.

The DOMEs reveal themselves as moderately warm, well balanced all-rounders with tastefully elevated levels of bass - they don't do a lot wrong. They're tuned for musical enjoyment rather than 'accuracy' in a reference sense, but are neutral enough they get out of the way of the music quite well and avoid feeling excessively coloured, yet are warm & bassy enough they won't come across as lean or thin.

The DOMEs avoid earning those "flat" and "boring" monikers often levelled at IEMs like U12Ts or Monarch MKIIs, but don't quite possess their refinement either, and in the tradeoff between accuracy & musicality lean towards the latter.





There's a great balance between sub & midbass output, and which is more prevalent is determined more by each particular track or album. What's really impressive is how responsive DOME's DD bass driver is - having absolutely no issues keeping up with the fastest paced music you can throw at it. The downside is bass decay isn't as slow as bassheads may like, though bass slam & texture are still decent with quantity still well above neutral.

The midrange is tastefully warm without retreating too far from neutrality. I can imagine some listeners preferring even more warmth with a bit of extra lower midrange boost, but instead the DOME takes a measured approach to strike a balance between maintaining clarity without sounding lean.

Finally, treble is quite dark and it feels like Penon have deliberately reeled in this area to prevent the DOMEs fatiguing treble-sensitive ears. I'd prefer some extra upper-treble sparkle, and although DOME's treble is perfectly capable this is probably the area where quality suffers most in comparisons to IEMs with multi-thousand dollar price tags.

Technical Performance​

DOME's soundstage is decently wide & spacious for an IEM of this pricepoint, avoiding any feelings of congestion. Stage depth isn't as impressive, but isn't as wafer-thin as we often find with entry level IEMs. That said that I find soundstage depth is one of those attributes we rarely see in abundance from earphones under $500, so this isn't unusual.

Dynamics are excellent, with instruments distinguishing themselves from background noise levels commendably. It's a quality that enhances my enjoyment significantly and DOME has it in spades.

Imaging is decent for the price. There isn't the sense of razor-sharp pinpoint imaging we expect from top-tier IEMs with EST or BCD drivers, but nor is imaging vague enough to stand out as a problem.

Similarly resolution doesn't call attention to itself as exceptional, but I don't get the feeling important details are being obscured. The addition of ESTs (and more upper treble sparkle in general) would be nice, but then the DOMEs shells & price would grow considerably.

IEM Comparisons​

I compared the DOMEs with a number of earphones using the Hiby R6 Pro II set to Hi-gain in AB mode, with the DOME's requiring a volume level of 22.



ISN Neo5 – 4xBA 1xDD (USD $289)



The Neo5's shells are almost identical to those of the DOMEs, as are comfort levels between them. The Neo5s require 21 volume on the R6P2 so they're similarly easy to drive.

The Neo5s are more unashamedly bass dominant with bass that goes deeper with more satisfying decay, though their DD is slower than the DOME's so bass isn't kept as tightly in check, clouding the rest of the presentation with additional rumble though note weight does seem to benefit.

Neo5's midrange is more biased towards lower rather than upper mids, and I prefer their tonality which sound earthier. Both IEMs feature similarly dark treble, and though the Neo5s boast a slightly wider stage the DOME's may be a little deeper. They're both very dynamic & similarly resolving, however the DOMEs separate instruments better during complex passages thanks to their faster DD.

The two IEMs share a lot in common - the DOMEs feel like cleaner, more polite & less bassy Neo5s.



Penon Globe – 2xBA, 1xDD (USD $329)



The Globes are slightly larger & stick out more but comfort is very similar. Needing 21 volume on the R6P2 they're similarly easy to drive.

Much more of a midrange specialist, the Globes have very forward vocals impressively spotlit against the rest of the presentation that really grab you with their presence & resolution while everything else takes a backseat. The DOMEs are more balanced across all frequencies, with the Globes' bass in particular being lower in quantity and a bit limp in texture.

The Globes aren't quite as warm either, with the DOMEs displaying better note weight and a slightly deeper soundstage. The Globes' stage is a little wider, but feels stretched in a way I don't like and they can come across as slightly diffuse at times though resolution between the two IEMs feels similar.

The DOMEs are better all-rounders, but the Globe midrange has a magic the DOMEs lack though much is sacrificed for it.



ISN EST50 – 2xBA, 1xDD, 2xEST (USD $449)



The EST50s are quite a bit larger and stick out further, but the DOMEs are only slightly more comfortable. Requiring 20 volume on the R6P2 they're similarly easy to drive.

Surprisingly the DOMEs demonstrate better bass texture as EST50 bass feels a tad pillowy, and their DD bass driver is much slower. The EST50s are more V-shaped and bass dominant, whereas the DOMEs feel flatter and more tonally balanced. Treble on the EST50s is not only more prevalent but is of higher quality thanks to its' EST drivers.

Perhaps in part thanks to their brighter presentation the EST50s deliver more microdetail & higher resolution, with a soundstage that feels narrower but a touch deeper, thought instruments are separated better on the DOMEs with a stage that feels less congested. The DOMEs are the safer option if treble sensitivity is something you have an issue with.



Penon Turbo - 6xBA (USD $549)



Turbo's shells are similarly sized and equally as comfortable though their rounder shells seal slightly more strongly, but requiring 27 volume on the R6P2 they're a bit harder to drive. I keep Turbo's tuning switches in their stock positions.

I immediately notice Turbos feature much greater bass quantity though it's largely extra midbass. Unfortunately bass texture is a little mushier on the Turbos with slightly less slam. The DOMEs are warmer with Turbos emphasising the upper midrange more, and both are similarly dark in the treble.

Interestingly I don't notice the Turbos being much faster when it comes to busy passages of music, though they are a little more dynamic with a blacker background, slightly higher resolution, sharper imaging and they also layer sounds better than the DOMEs.



Thieaudio Monarch MKIII - 6xBA, 2xDD, 2xEST (USD $999)



I also compared the DOMEs to IEMs at Addicted to Audio during a recent Head-Fi members meetup.

Monarch MKIII's are quite chunky and fit me very snugly. They isolate a bit better than the DOMEs but aren't quite as comfortable, and also require quite a bit more power at 30 volume on the R6P2.

The DOMEs may have a slightly deeper soundstage and a minor edge in dynamics, but in other facets the Monarch MKIII's pull ahead with a bit more sub bass though overall bass quantity is similar, a midrange that's biased more towards the lower rather upper midrange & consequently has a more natural tonality than the DOME's, and higher quality EST-fuelled treble with a greater feeling of refinement.

Monarch MKIII's stage is wider, imaging more precise, resolution is higher & instruments sound larger.



Campfire Andromeda Emerald Sea - 5xBA (USD $1399)



Andromeda Emerald Sea have some of the most beautiful, exquisitely smooth-finished metal shells of any IEM I've tried. They're about the same size as the DOMEs, don't feel much heavier and are similarly comfortable. Requiring 18 volume on the R6P2 they're a bit easier to drive.

Unfortunately Emerald Sea are second only to the Blessing 3s as the worst IEMs I've demoed this year, they're an irredeemable trainwreck. The first thing I notice is how boomy they sound, almost as if a wonky reverb filter has been added to the music. They're incredibly coloured & muddy, with excessive lower midrange boost and bass that sounds very hollow.

Emerald Sea also feel embarrassingly lacking in resolution with excessive warmth clouding the presentation, and though their soundstage is deeper than DOME's it also feels narrower. Emerald Sea feel like a failed attempt to emulate the unique FIR XE6 tuning, and make the vastly less expensive DOMEs feel smoother & more refined by comparison.

Amplification Performance​

I recently received a Mass Kobo 475 portable earphone amp and am keen to learn how the DOMEs scale with better amplification. I rate the 475 as simply the best portable amp money can buy, it’s fully balanced with 4.4mm input & output, delivering 2.3V RMS from its’ balanced jack.

It's obvious at once the DOMEs love amplification. Dynamics improve substantially & so does note weight, two areas the DOMEs weren't lacking in so they're now pushed into seriously impressive territory.

Soundstage depth & layering improve quite a bit, by contrast these are areas the DOMEs underperform without the extra grunt. However where I really notice the biggest change is how much richer & more effortlessly resolving vocals are - it almost feels like a handful of extra Sonion BAs have been jammed in there, and the DOMEs transform from having a midrange that's pleasant enough without being spectacular, to one I find immensely more engaging.

Of course the stage is also wider, the background is blacker and imaging is more defined, but it's mostly those stage depth & midrange improvements that transform the DOME experience for me. Admittedly the 475 amp is as good as it gets by portable standards so lesser amps won't deliver benefits of quite the same magnitude, but this gives you some idea of how much for potential for scaling is there.

Cable Comparisons​

Naturally I tested the DOMEs with a number of cables from my collection, and interestingly find they don't scale with cables quite as dramatically as other Penon IEMs.

I've noted improvements in many areas by rolling cables but the magnitude of those changes is slightly down on what I'm used to seeing, though it's difficult know if that's the result of DOME's driver configuration, tuning or both.



ISN S4 (USD $55)



I was keen to learn if the Neo5's stock cable would make the DOME's sound more similar to them.

The S4 makes the DOME midrange feel slightly more resolving and bass may be a bit more impactful, there's also a tiny bit more treble sparkle. It feels like the stage is being stretched a little wider, though it also feels a touch shallower. Tonally the balance shifts away from the lower midrange with a slightly cooler tonality, and I do prefer the stock cable in that department.



NiceHCK FirstTouch (USD $89)



This cable reduces DOME's treble to produce a darker tonality, with bass hitting a bit harder. Thanks to a blacker background midrange resolution is more impressive which is FirstTouch's standout quality.

The soundstage also feels slightly wider & deeper and dynamics are enhanced a little. FirstTouch's sonic improvements aren't as dramatic DragonScale's below, but this is a far better cable ergonomically with very soft nylon braiding - as opposed to DragonScale being quite stiff below the Y-split due to what feels like additional shielding.



NiceHCK DragonScale (USD $157)



DragonScale grows the soundstage in all directions, making everything feel larger with a greater sense of scale that's easily noticeable, with what feels like more space between notes to give the performance much more room to breathe.

Although resolution & dynamics are also improved, the downside is the tonality shifts upwards with greater emphasis on the upper midrange & treble that doesn't feel quite as earthy, and vocals are pushed back in a way I don't care for though there's no doubting the stage improvements.



Effect Audio Ares S 4 Wire (USD $179)



This is an impressive pairing, with Ares S delivering slightly more bass punch through an increase to midbass, generating a warmer tone yet surprisingly also makes vocals feel a bit more resolving.

The DOME stock cable feels slightly brighter by comparison, but Ares S boasts a slightly blacker background with both a wider & deeper stage and I'm surprised how much more spacious it feels even though the dimensions aren't drastically different.



Effect Audio Code 23 (USD $599)



With some of the most questionable ergonomics of any cable, Code 23 is certainly unique. I immediately notice the soundstage improvements this cable is famed for, with the stage both widening & deepening though not quite to the extent I'd hoped.

Vocals are more forward on Code 23, with enhanced midrange resolution, slightly deeper bass and improved dynamics. However I find the amount of improvement in each department to be very minor, which makes this pairing feel like a letdown given the cable's cost & excessive stiffness.

Conclusion​

It's tough to know if expecting the Penon DOMEs to emulate the Neo5s is an unfair comparison I'm making because they look the same, and I'd give anything for a Neo5 on steroids.

Some listeners are going to love that the DOMEs are a more polite & 'correct' sounding offshoot of the the Neo5 formula, and there's no doubting they're capable & versatile all-rounders in their own right. I just happen to prefer the more exaggerated & fun tuning of the Neo5s, though there's no doubt the DOME's DD is much faster which does address one of the Neo5's few shortcomings.

Penon sell a range of IEMs that cater to an assortment of tastes, so this is another solid option which doesn't do a lot wrong.

Meanwhile a true Neo5 successor remains high on the list of stuff I can't wait for in 2024... so which title do you like for the sequel - The Empire Strikes Bass or Return of the Boom?