IEM Comparisons
As always I find tremendous benefit in comparing IEMs to their competitors, further revealing their sonic traits in the process. Rather than use my Cayin N8ii I opted to A/B test IEMs with the Astell & Kern SR35 I recently reviewed, in Hi-Gain Mode with Quad DACs enabled.
Spinfit W1 tips were used on all IEMs to keep things consistent as these have been my go-to tips of choice for some time now.
ISN Neo5 – 4xBA, 1xDD (USD $289)
Upon reviewing the Neo5s I was more impressed than expected, in fact I’ve been a little shocked how much they suit my preferences so detaching from that kind of bias isn’t easy – basically I really like them.
Requiring 40 volume on the SR35 vs the Turbos needing 50, they’re slightly easier to drive and physically similarly small & snug – either will “disappear” in my ear for hours at a stretch with zero discomfort.
The Neo5s share tuning similarities with the Turbos, and heading that list is their unashamed bass dominance. The difference is the Neo5’s use a DD for this purpose and although though bass quantity is similar between them, the Neo5’s bass decays much slower, is biased more towards sub rather than midbass, and features more satisfying slam & texture despite the Turbo being no slouch in this area.
The Neo5’s midrange is smoother yet with more presence & heft, making the Turbo sound a little thinner by comparison, and I do find the Neo5’s tonality a bit more organic & satisfying. Both IEMs are on the darker side, but the Neo5’s are a little darker still with a more relaxed overall sound.
Where the Turbos pull ahead is in technical performance, with sharper imaging, a blacker background, and slightly higher resolution. Transients feel sharper on the Turbos, though the Neo5s are similarly dynamic. I remain a huge fan of the Neo5 tuning but all that DD-driven bass hurts their technical chops.
Penon Globe – 2xBA, 1xDD (USD $329)
It’s crazy to think the Globes are more expensive than the Neo5s given the terrific performance of the latter, but the Globes do have some tricks of their own. Physically they stick out more than the Turbos and don’t seem to isolate quite as well (perhaps owing to increased difficulty I have getting a seal) and requiring 40 volume on the SR35 are somewhat easier to drive than the Turbos at 50.
Despite their dynamic driver, the Globes are exposed quite badly in the bass department by the Turbos. Not only is bass quantity far lower, but the Turbos’ BA drivers actually deliver better bass texture as well.
Midrange is the Globes’ strength, with a large amount of presence that rivets one’s attention on vocals and almost makes the Globes feel like a mini Penon Impact. They’re extremely cohesive & more relaxed than the Turbos, but the Globes’ treble feels a little simplified & grainy, their stage is slightly narrower & shallower, dynamics are lower and resolution also feels a notch lower.
ISN EST50 – 2xBA, 1xDD, 2xEST (USD $449)
The EST50s feel physically larger than the Turbos than photos might suggest, stick out further and are not as supremely comfortable. They require 42 volume on the SR35, compared to 50 for the Turbos.
EST50s boast superior bass texture thanks to their DD, but that bass is slower and not as tight as Turbos’. Sub bass rumble is slightly higher, but the Turbos have considerably more midbass output. The EST50 midrange is more forward with greater lower midrange presence, whereas the Turbos are more upper midrange emphasised. Upper treble is more prominent on the EST50s which exposes the Turbos’ darker tuning, with the EST drivers delivering more effortless detail leaving the Turbos feeling a tad grainier in this area.
Both IEMs have similar soundstage depth, but the EST50s’ stage is a bit wider and they also take the lead in imaging, separation & layering, but dynamics & resolution are similar between them. The EST50s sound slightly more refined, whereas the Turbos feel a bit cleaner & more incisive.
Unique Melody Mest MKIII – 4xBA, 1xDD, 1xBCD (USD $2359)
Significantly larger & heavier than the Turbos, Mest MKIIIs are a little bigger than I prefer but require the same volume of 50 on the SR35 as the Turbos.
The Turbos sport greater sub bass thump & impact, whereas the MKIIIs feature increased midbass output and superior overall bass texture, which I interpret as more satisfying bass decay. The MKIII midrange sounds a little distant and lacks body, being MEST’s greatest area of weakness.
By contrast the Turbos midrange is much more forward but the tables are turned when it comes to treble, where MKIII is considerably brighter with much more sparkle, exposing the Turbos’ lack of upper treble. Turbos feel more cohesive, and are flatter tuned whereas MEST is very V-shaped and could be fatiguing.
MEST pulls ahead on the technical front with a slightly wider & deeper soundstage, better dynamics, a blacker background, slightly higher resolution and especially good BCD-driven imaging, helped further by its’ shielded cable. Turbos are no slouch, but MEST plays on a different technical level.
Penon Impact – 10xBA, 4xEST (USD $2499)
Decently larger & heavier than the Turbos, the Impacts nonetheless fit my ears with similar comfort and superior isolation. Requiring 45 on the SR35 they’re also slightly easier to drive.
Immediately noticeable is the Impacts lower overall bass quantity, which is weighted more towards midbass rather than sub bass. However the Impacts’ BA bass can sound a tad pillowy, and I do find bass ruble & texture more satisfying on the Turbos.
The Impacts have one of the richest & most vivid midranges of any IEM I’ve heard, resolving the tiniest nuance of every vocal breath effortlessly, totally surpassing the Turbos in this department. The Impacts also possess more laidback treble, and though detail is not rendered as prominently there’s more information resolved, yet tastefully recessed slightly so as not to fatigue during long listening sessions.
The Impacts’ soundstage is certainly deeper, but also a little narrower than the Turbos’. Resolution is higher, as are dynamics, and the Impacts have a way of making the Turbos sound fatiguing but do not deliver the same levels of punch & excitement, with bass & treble prominence being sacrificed to place greater focus on Impact’s magic midrange.
Page 1 – Introduction, Packaging & Ergonomics
Page 2 – Sound Impressions, Technical Performance & Tuning Switches
Page 3 – IEM Comparisons
Page 4 – More IEM Comparisons
Page 5 – Amplfication Performance & Cable Comparisons
Page 6 – Conclusion
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