IEM Comparisons
I compared the Xs to other IEMs using a Luxury & Precision P6 Pro set to hi-gain at 8/60 volume.
TSMR Feat – 2xDD 2xBA (USD $239)
The Feats are a bit less aggressive than the Xs being slightly less v-shaped, with a thinner midrange containing less lower midrange warmth. X are slightly brighter & more resolving with higher quality treble, and bass is also deeper & more impactful.
Bass on the Feats emphasises midbass more and can feel pillowy at times, but they do sound smoother and I prefer their tonality over the Xs.
However the Xs are better technical performers with superior dynamics, a slightly deeper stage, and better instrument separation.
ISN Neo5 – 4xBA 1xDD (USD $289)
The Neo5s use a single DD for bass which is more sluggish than the 2DDs of the Xs. The Neo5s can’t keep up with fast music quite as well, but their bass decay is a bit slower & more satisfying.
The Neo5s have marginally higher bass quantity (both reaching basshead levels) but it isn’t as integrated as seamlessly into the rest of the presentation, perhaps due to coherency with the slower DD.
However the Neo5s emphasise the lower midrange more and I find their tonality & midrange in general more satisfying. They’re also brighter but can be more fatiguing as a result, where X are a little smoother.
Do bear in mind both IEMs are fairly v-shaped and actually sound quite similar, but I find the Neo5s more dynamic, raw and engaging, but less coherent. The Xs have a deeper stage with a blacker background & sharper imaging and feel a bit more polished overall, and slightly more resolving.
Penon Quattro – 4xDD (USD $399)
The Quattros are quite different from the Xs, much darker with a more natural tonality that’s considerably warmer & earthier. They sound slower with superior note weight, and are less fatiguing.
By contrast the Xs have a more ‘hi-fi’ sound with higher quality treble that’s more prevalent, greater resolution and a more precise sound with a deeper stage, and Xs bass goes deeper with better texture.
The Quattros’ strength is their phenomenal tonality, exposing how unnatural BA drivers can sound by comparison. I would value that ahead of the Xs superior technical performance with genres that use a lot of natural instruments, for others like EDM or fast pop music the Xs probably come out ahead for me.
ISN EST50 – 2xBA 1xDD 2xEST (USD $449)
Like the Neo5s, the EST50s are another v-shaped IEM with elevated levels of bass. Unfortunately their single-DD is even slower than the one in the Neo5s, which results in coherency issues.
As a result the EST50s can feel congested keeping up with fast music, and even their bass texture is mushier so they can feel sloppier by comparison.
The EST50s have a more forward midrange, and thanks to those EST drivers their treble does feel a bit smoother & more refined.
Whereas the Xs are slightly bassier and a little more v-shaped, but also more precise with a far deeper stage and better dynamics & instrument separation.
Page 1 – Introduction, Packaging & Ergonomics
Page 2 – Sound Impressions, Technical Performance & Tuning Switches
Page 3 – IEM Comparisons
Page 4 – Cable Comparisons
Page 5 – Conclusion
Great review, thank you !