[Leonarfd]

For the first time in a few years… nothing.

Not while I have these in my ears.




Voltage has not only been dominating ear time to the exclusion of all else, it’s pretty much killed all desire to acquire anything else. It’s not exactly cheap but the number of budget and mid-tier releases I’ve sat out has made it worthwhile.

My current impressions are here.

But since this is the discovery thread, I
I don’t deny being curious about Pilgrim Noir, having heard the Pilgrim, but am holding off on both until I see some comparisons based on the final tuning of the Noir. And the Aful Explorer sounds like it’d be my jam.

Only about 15 pages to catch up with now…

Voltage look awesome, and knowing Penon I trust you they sound devine
Hopefully I get to join a tour in EU, they just have to produce some more units first.

 

[o0genesis0o]

Is it just me of this box looks like a surprised face

 

[Redcarmoose]

Is it just me of this box looks like a surprised face

 

[Redcarmoose]

Totally off topic!

 

[-rowan-]

Voltage look awesome, and knowing Penon I trust you they sound devine
Hopefully I get to join a tour in EU, they just have to produce some more units first.

Honestly, these are the best Penons I have known and I am familiar with most of them. They provide a resounding answer to the all main criticisms (mainly technical aspects - I have never seen anyone knock Penon’s musicality) of previous releases, plus they have DD bass and fantastic cohesion.

There has been some disappointment that their price puts them out of reach of many, especially now that there are other cheaper tribrids out there. But listening to them now, I think the asking price is justified and in fact very reasonable given that these play very comfortably above the level of other IEMs in and around the price range like Symphonium Titan and Black Star. They are more than the sum of their drivers and the tuning skill behind them is just chef’s kiss. I do hope that they get toured more widely. They deserve to get heard.

 

[-rowan-]

Is it just me of this box looks like a surprised face

Once seen, cannot be unseen

 

[o0genesis0o]

Some eye candies from today's session

 

[Okcerg]

From my understanding he doesn’t seem to mind 10k dips but likes his bass with sub bass over mid bass so he’d probably not be too into it.

I remember missing out on a Linsoul sale. I think B2 was around $150?

But this Hifi Cat, is that a legit store? Anyone shopped from them before?

 

[droid23]

Hello.

Thank you for your words.

I would also like a filter that enhances the bass instead of reducing the upper midrange.

Which particular filter would you like to measure with? I have the Simgot EA1000 filters.

Edit: All Simgot filters look the same. I think it is the same to use the filters of the EA500LM model as the EA1000, do you think so?

I think I have the kit for the EA500.

I'm out at the moment, but I think I had 200, 300, and 400 grid mesh to chose from. I took the middle ground, 300. (btw, it is written on the small plastic bags which mesh size it is, on yours not?)

Yes they might look the same because our naked eyes might not be able to resolve it. With a magnifying glass you might.

EDIT: It was 200, 300, and 500 mesh, not 400.

 

[bithalver]

Honestly, these are the best Penons I have known and I am familiar with most of them. They provide a resounding answer to the all main criticisms (mainly technical aspects - I have never seen anyone knock Penon’s musicality) of previous releases, plus they have DD bass and fantastic cohesion.

There has been some disappointment that their price puts them out of reach of many, especially now that there are other cheaper tribrids out there. But listening to them now, I think the asking price is justified and in fact very reasonable given that these play very comfortably above the level of other IEMs in and around the price range like Symphonium Titan and Black Star. They are more than the sum of their drivers and the tuning skill behind them is just chef’s kiss. I do hope that they get toured more widely. They deserve to get heard.

We all are very thankful for your ( and ofcourse others' ) opinion; I am quite sure we all are happy for your pleasure.

For me, it is just a too big step (my most expensive IEM (at least unitl now) is TSMR-X) even with early bird price. Maybe a second hand one in ~6 month ...

What I like to have is a serious comparision with I/O Volare (which IEM I can afford with a stretch). Just checking the drivers it looks very similar (yeah, I know, tuning is more important).

Thank you in advance !

 

[bithalver]

Some eye candies from today's session

Holy molly ! This post is a wet dream for any audiophile ! I am very envious (but wishing everyone a pleasent listening).

 

[DynamicEars]

Some eye candies from today's session

Those elysian Annihilator 2023 is the best I've ever put in my ears. Period.
My Z1R and Mest are clearly beaten by them. The smooth, very extended and very detailed trebles are out of this world.
The bass isn't better than Z1R to my ears, but very close in quality and impact. If Z1R bass is 9.5/10, then Annihilator 2023 bass is 9/10, and as picky bass person, this is the first I put 9 mark beside Z1R.
The Z1R strong point is actually in trebles, timbre extension and details but the Annihilator 2023 beat it easily, Z1R trebles can be more natural in presentation with great timbre but the Annihilator trebles are too good to anything, second to none, beat any other factor that Z1R give me. Very detailed and extended yet smooth and refine. Then the Annihilator have Mest like soundstage and imaging.
Maybe the first IEM I give S+ rank in my life if Z1R sit on S rank and Mest on S- rank. Sadly, the price is also very high. If I win lottery, the first thing I will buy is Annihilator 2023, I swear.

 

[o0genesis0o]

Random thoughts when I AB U12T and Anni 2023: Today I learned that U12T is a 7-year old design Besides changes in accessories and packaging, it has essentially the same tuning and same driver topology, and still kicks ass. Talk about staying power. There is still nothing offering the same combination of sound, comfort, and usability like the U12T.

@bithalver most of these are borrow stuffs that will go back to their respective owner within a week or so

@DynamicEars the treble of Anni is so daring. I think Lee takes advantage of the softer, "ethereal" treble transient of these Sonion EST drivers to go wild with the treble. There is just A LOT of it, but it's smooth, not fatiguing, and not peaky. Details are pulled out by the sheer amount of treble. I cringe when imaging the same amount of treble delivered by the usual Knowles tweeters and supertweeters.

 

[cqtek]

I think I have the kit for the EA500.

I'm out at the moment, but I think I had 200, 300, and 400 grid mesh to chose from. I took the middle ground, 300. (btw, it is written on the small plastic bags which mesh size it is, on yours not?)

Yes they might look the same because our naked eyes might not be able to resolve it. With a magnifying glass you might.

I believe that the filters of both models are very similar, but that there must be some differences in the manufacturing. In the end, I have chosen the black filter from the EA1000.

 

[DynamicEars]

Random thoughts when I AB U12T and Anni 2023: Today I learned that U12T is a 7-year old design Besides changes in accessories and packaging, it has essentially the same tuning and same driver topology, and still kicks ass. Talk about staying power. There is still nothing offering the same combination of sound, comfort, and usability like the U12T.

@bithalver most of these are borrow stuffs that will go back to their respective owner within a week or so

@DynamicEars the treble of Anni is so daring. I think Lee takes advantage of the softer, "ethereal" treble transient of these Sonion EST drivers to go wild with the treble. There is just A LOT of it, but it's smooth, not fatiguing, and not peaky. Details are pulled out by the sheer amount of treble. I cringe when imaging the same amount of treble delivered by the usual Knowles tweeters and supertweeters.

I think it's exactly how the sonion EST should be implemented.
"Compensation"
+3db with BA supertweeter isnt the same with +3b with EST and perceived differently with +3db extension with DDs or piezos.
Graph can be shown the same amount but perceival is different, the driver natural characteristic, the ringing tails etc.

This is what I talked about Thieaudio's "shy" EST, they shouldn't tuning based on BA level FR. EST need more amount for compensation and don't scared of being peaky since ESTs are smooooothhhh..

Similar like BA bass need compensation on sub bass part, to have similar impact as DD.