Cable Comparisons
I tested the Xs with a number of aftermarket cables to gauge how effectively they scale.
NiceHCK DragonScale (USD $157)
This pairing is a mixed bag. On the one hand bass is slightly deeper and imaging feels a little bit cleaner, but although the stage seems a little deeper it’s also slightly narrower and dynamics are poorer.
The stock cable’s brightness is reduced, but I don’t care for the tonality of this pairing as it feels muffled.
Effect Audio Ares S 4 Wire (USD $179)
Ares S makes midbass feel a little more prominent, the stage deepens slightly, and imaging is a sharper.
The tonality is bit smoother & warmer with some of the brightness of the stock cable removed. It’s a satisfying pairing without being amazing.
Penon Renata (USD $269)
Renata produces a much deeper three-dimensional stage, with sharper imaging, a blacker background & slightly higher resolution.
Tonality is less bright than the stock cable, I mostly notice Renata resolving details more effortlessly in this impressive pairing.
12 Wire Penon ASOS Prototype (TBD)
Penon were kind enough to send me this huge, 71 gram hand-braided prototype 12W version of the 8W ASOS+ cable I reviewed, and I believe are considering selling a commercial version in future.
This cable performs on a completely different level. Bass goes much deeper, the stage is massively wider & deeper, dynamics are much improved, resolution is appreciably higher and the background is blacker.
Even treble is smoother than the stock cable despite more detail coming through. It makes the Xs sound similar to TOTL IEMs, with perhaps the most impressive bass, staging & resolution improvements of any cable I’ve heard under $1000.
The cable is very heavy, but quite flexible and I find it practical to use. I really hope Penon sell them.
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 !