Penon CS819
Configuration: 8 wire, copper & silver-plated OCC copper
Weight: 25g
Ergonomics: 9/10
Cost: $49
Penon Audio has become one of the more established & popular brands in the hobby especially at low & mid-range pricepoints in recent years, and have garnered a very loyal following on Head-Fi where a multitude of posters have begun collecting Penon IEMs after purchasing their first.
They’re also well know for making cables, and the CS819 as one of their most affordable models was chosen as the stock cable for their vaunted 10th Anniversary IEMs, which may indicate the esteem in which it’s held.
Similar in construction to the ISN S8, the CS819 is essentially a copper & silver-plated copper alternative to the S8’s purely SPC build. So how much difference is there between them? We’re about to find out.
Ergonomics & Build Quality
In terms of the wire itself, the CS819 & S8 look virtually identical except half the CS819’s wires are copper-hued instead of white. They’re both very small gauge 8 wire cables, and as I remarked with the S8 that hasn’t always been a common choice for budget cables where 4 wire construction is more common.
However as is the case with the S8, using 8 very flexible wires does make the CS819 extremely pliable and comfortable to use, along with perhaps making its’ appearance look visually neater.
Ergonomically the CS819 is a world away from the thick & heavy 8 wire cables like the Ares S 8 wire, and is definitely one I can use whilst moving around without noticing.
Finish on the plug, Y-split & 2pin connectors seems higher in quality than those of the S8, reflected in the slightly higher price, and feel extremely solid without being excessively heavy. Having said that, I would choose between the two cables based on your desired sonic flavour rather than marginal differences in connector quality.
Sound
Like the 10th Anniversary IEMs they arrived with, the CS819 is a great all-rounder unlikely to offend.
Well balanced across all frequencies, it has enough copper warmth to create a pleasing tonality & sense of fullness but the SPC wires engender a commendable sense of speed and precision.
Essentially the CS819 is an alternative flavour to the S8 with slightly higher-grade hardware, though I do expect it will synergise better with a wider variety of IEMs than the S8 due the use of pure copper.
IEM Comparisons
Penon 10th Anniversary
As the 10th Anniversary’s stock cable the CS819 has a pleasingly deep soundstage for such an affordable cable, with more emphasis on the upper rather than lower midrange.
This is an excellent stock cable choice which is not crying out to be upgraded, but of course perks are available for doing so.
ISN EST50
As you might expect the sonic differences between the EST50’s stock S8 cable and the CS819 are fairly minor, but the CS819 delivers slightly better separation with increased lower midrange delivering a greater sense of fullness.
As a result vocals in particular seem to have more body behind them, and note weight in general feels improved. You may find this pairing less fatiguing than the S8 if you’re treble sensitive, but the S8 does provide slightly better dynamics and of course more treble sparkle.
Penon Impact
The CS819 pairs with the Impacts better than the S8, delivering a more balanced presentation.
Lower midrange warmth is improved but treble is de-emphasised slightly, though tonality in general seems better than the S8 pairing. Technical performance overall is not outstanding though, the CS819 clearly bested by much larger & more expensive 8 wire cables.
Verdict
It’s easy to see why Penon chose the CS819 to pair with their 10th Anniversary earphones that are clearly intended to be a ‘statement product’ representative of the ambitions of their first 10 years in business.
The CS819 is simply an extremely comfortable, budget-friendly cable that’s probably going to synergise quite well with most IEMs. It’s not the most exciting or unusual cable in the shootout, but I wouldn’t be surprised if it ended up being the best choice for the widest possible audience given spending a fortune on cables is a fairly niche activity limited to serious enthusiasts who represent a fraction of the market.
Cables like the CS819 are why I avoided building my own IEM cables for so many years – when Penon can sell you something like this for under $50 it doesn’t seem worth the trouble!
Introduction
Cable 1 & 2 – EA Ares S 4 Wire & 8 Wire
Cable 3 – Effect Audio Cadmus 8 Wire
Cable 4 – Effect Audio Code 23
Cable 5 – ISN S8
Cable 6 – Liquid Links Martini
Cable 7 – Liquid Links Venom
Cable 8 – NiceHCK BlackSoul
Cable 9 – Penon CS819
Cable 10 – Penon Leo Plus
Cable 11 – Penon Obsidian
Cable 12 – Penon Vocal
Cable 13 – DIY Cardas Clear
Cable 14 – DIY Hakugei Gray Dragon
Cable 15 – DIY Hakugei Sky-Sea Voice
Talking Point – Cable Performance vs Ergonomics
Talking Point – Cable Value
Talking Point – Cable DIY
Cable Awards
Conclusion
Cable Manufacturer Links & Acknowledgements
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