Conclusion
At USD $215 Penon ASOS+ isn’t the most affordable cable, but it’s seriously impressive.
It boosts IEM performance across the board without ruining tonality like cheaper silver-based cables.
It’s been a big upgrade to the $3900 FiR XE6 stock cable, and will be right at home on high-end IEMs. Yes there’s even higher-performing cables out there, but then you’re spending close to $1000 or more.
What’s pleased me most is comparing ASOS+ to ASOS – hearing the improvement connectors make.
The difference between them isn’t subtle. It’s massive.
ASOS sounds like a completely different cable even though the wire is the same. Which I take as proof that friction-fit modular plugs do indeed impair performance, as if there was ever any doubt.
Please guys, I beg you not to settle for sonically-inferior modular plugs on your cables. Yes the flexibility is handy, but with a quality fixed plug your ears will thank you!!
Nice one, have you tried ISN Audio T-OCC cable? I wonder how would it fit in
Ant I can’t say I’ve tried the T-OCC yet, so not sure how it compares. I will be reviewing Penon’s Renata soonish which seems to have a similar form factor.