Penon Fan 3 - The Bone Doctor

3⭐️

+ Deep, rumbly sub-bass 

+ Vocals are forward and well-separated without being shouty

+ Impressive soundstage 

+ Adding a switch to toggle the BCD is a great way to showcase its effects and also adds variety

- Could be considered more of a tech demo than a fully realized product

- Treble can get a little spicy and exhibit some harshness

- Thin note weight and timbre issues

- Price to Performance

thaslaya's star rating system:

☆☆☆☆☆ - Fantastic!

☆☆☆☆ - Recommended

☆☆☆ - There are buyers but not for me

☆☆ - Can't see the appeal

☆ - Product is a failure

Disclaimer: 

This product was loaned to me by a friend for a review period. I recieve no compensation and all thoughts and opinions are my own. A special thanks to @freewheelin for this opportunity!

Gear used: 

●LG v30+

●Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra

●Samsung dongle

●Hiby FC4

●Kiwi Ears Allegro 

●Letshuoer DT03 

●Dunu DTC480

●BLON V1

Source:

●Listening was done through Amazon Music HD or Ultra HD.

Introduction: 

Penon is a Chinese retailer and audio equipment manufacturer with a storied history. They have been around since 2013 and, in addition to their sister company ISN, they offer a wide selection of products in many price ranges. The Fan 3 is one of their latest IEMs and features a unique driver configuration of two balanced armatures and a single bone-conducting driver. It also utilizes a switch that can toggle the BCD on and off. The Fan 3 is currently available from Penon's website for $349, which is not an especially low price for most consumers. Let's break down this new set with an interesting combination of drivers and see how it sounds.

Build, fit, ergonomics:

Unfortunately, I am not able to provide any information about the unboxing or the stock accessories of the Fan 3. Since this is a loaned set, I only received the IEMs themselves. The shells are made of solid black resin with a metal nozzle, which measures 5.8mm at its widest point at the lip. The shape is well contoured on the side that touches the concha which is imoortant as this is where the bone conducting driver is positioned. It's clearly marked with two vents and screws which forms a sort of happy face. The faceplate has an interesting blue and green aestetic with the words "Penon" on the left and "Fan 3" on the right. The insertion depth is good. It might be a little deeper than average but that's all the better for me as I usually prefer a deep insertion. The Fan 3 utilizes a flat 2-pin connection and the switch is located on the back of the shell. Since there were no stock tips available for testing, I utlized my favorite Penon Liqueur tips for the best fit and seal (which feels a bit serendipitous). As far as cables go, I chose my ivipQ 539 cable which served me well for this review. 

Sound impressions:

I would describe the overall tuning as an energetic and engaging V-shaped sound signature. It is clean and incisive, and it can come across as somewhat surgical, but still musical. The note weight is a bit thin, but not severely so. It is not a particularly difficult set to drive and can be powered by a simple dongle and smartphone. The dynamics are very commendable, and the tuning holds up well at any volume level. The soundstage is expansive and impressive; orbital, three-dimensional, and filling all the small voids in the stage. The timbre is just slightly unnatural to my ear. It is hard to pinpoint, but something sounds a bit off or metallic. The imaging is accurate, and the layering and separation are well done and cohesive. The resolution struggles slightly, as if attempting a clean and resolving tuning but not quite succeeding. The music has a slightly overproduced quality, as if run through a "hi-fi" filter to enhance detail. The end result sounds somewhat unnatural. Detail retrieval is the area in which the Fan 3 needs the most improvement. There are enough subtleties and nuances to be heard, but some improvement would elevate the Fan 3's price to performance. Overall, I find the tuning to be more technical than musical, but I am not convinced that it lives up to its cost.

●Switch on/off - Here, I'll add a brief description of the differences I hear when toggling the switch. With the BCD off, the sound signature is more intimate and less energetic. The bass is fuller and more emphasized when using the BCD, and the overall tuning sounds more balanced. The Fan 3 loses a bit of its special quality with the switch disengaged, but it also becomes more relaxed, which some may prefer. Honestly, I can see the merits of both configurations, but ultimately, I prefer the sound with the BCD enabled, which brings that more unique quality to the tuning.

●Lows - The bass is not the cleanest or most resolving, but it sure is fun! It definitely doesn't sound like it measures, which the BCD has something to do with, I'm sure. Due to its unique sound delivery method, measurement rigs are unable to pick up the actual amount of bass that is heard. It's a little more sub-bass focused than mid-bass, with good extension and a nice rumble and reverberation, but only when the track calls for it. The texture can come across as slightly muddy or wet at times, but it's not terrible. The slam is decent and can be felt more on certain bass-heavy tracks, but the actual impact of some of the notes doesn't hit quite as hard as I would like. The speed is quick, and double kick drums are clearly separated and well-defined. Unfortunately, the bass does bleed a little into the lower midrange, which can affect male vocals.

●Mids - The midrange is forward but not overly emphasized. Vocals are especially well-presented in the mix, to my preference. Unfortunately, they can exhibit a slightly ethereal, wispy quality and sound a bit thin at times. The notes are clear, but they also have a bit of shimmer at their edges, almost like the borders of a cloud covering the sun. This can become a bit grating over time. Female vocalists are the biggest offenders, sounding a little more emphasized and unnatural. Male vocalists are somewhat recessed in comparison, partly due to mid-bass bleed. To their credit, however, vocals are not shouty and have no nasal quality. The midrange, in general, is just not to my taste, and I would welcome some warmth and better separation.

●Highs - The treble is sharp and incisive, but not overly bright. It is decently extended, with plenty of air and sparkle. The highs are not overly energetic, but there are slight peaks where some trouble spots may appear. Cymbals and hi-hats are a little bright and splashy at times. Some "s" and "sh" sounds can be harsh and may cause some irritability, but it is not quite sibilant. I don't particularly take issue with the Fan 3's treble except for the slight thinness and irritation, and the somewhat ethereal and wispy quality it can take on depending on the track.

Comparisons: Credit to Super Reviews and the audio store for the graphs. 

● Dunu DK3001BD ($500) - The Fan 3 is a 2 BA and 1 BCD hybrid, compared to the DK3001BD's 1 DD, 4 BA, and 4 planar tribrid configuration. I can't compare accessories here, but I will go out on a limb and say Dunu's inclusions are better. Both of these sets have a decent fit and seal and are comfortable to wear. They are also both sub-bass focused with good extension on both ends and a certain clinical, precision-type of sound quality. The Fan 3 has a more energetic, full sound and is slightly more musical, but it's also a bit brighter, with cymbals sounding splashy and certain vocal notes exhibiting some harshness. The BrainDance is more balanced and neutral sounding in comparison, with superior layering, separation, and a slightly wider soundstage, but it also presents as less full and might be a touch too "clean" for some. The Fan 3 has more bass quantity, rumble, and impact, but the bass of the BrainDance has superior texture and resolution. Vocals present more forward on the Fan 3, but the BrainDance offers a more natural, organic, and effortless timbre. The BrainDance also has better treble extension, air, and less harshness and irritability. This is a difficult comparison for me, as neither of these two IEMs adheres very closely to my target preferences. Taking the cost, accessories, tuning, and technicalities into consideration, I would have to choose the Dunu DK3001BD. It accomplishes many of the same things as the Fan 3 but does so better. There is significantly less harshness and thinness in the treble, and the technicalities are taken to the next level, although a bit of musicality is sacrificed in the process.

My pick: DK3001BD 

● Ziigatt Estrella ($300) - Both of these have hybrid driver configurations, but they are quite different. The Fan 3 sports 2BAs and a BCD whereas the Estrella has 2DDs and 4BAs. I'm unable to compare accessories since I don't have them for the Fan 3. The fit and comfort are about even, and both provide good insertion depth and seal. The Estrella offers a more energetic sound but is more balanced than the Fan 3. The Estrella has a deeper reaching sub-bass and less mid-bass emphasis, with superior low-end resolution. Vocals are not as forward as on the Fan 3, but they do sound more natural. The Estrella's treble is still on the bright side but it's less incisive and it avoids the ethereal, thin quality sometimes present in the Fan 3. The Estrella has better transients and layering, and a bigger stage, but the Fan 3's stage sounds fuller, with less space between notes/instruments. To my ear, the Estrella's technicalities are better across the board, from resolution and imaging to detail retrieval and timbre. I prefer the Fan 3's slightly forward vocal positioning, but the Estrella's vocal timbre, resolution, and note weight are superior. Neither quite matches my preferred tuning, but when comparing them side by side, it is easy to pick the one I like better, and it is cheaper to boot.

My pick: Estrella 

● ISN H60 ($349) - This one pits the Fan 3's unique BA, BCD hybrid configuration against a more standard 2DD, 4BA hyrbid in the H60. The Fan 3 has a more traditional shell and nozzle shape and size, which should fit most people without issue. The H60, though, has a very wide and somewhat short, stubby nozzle that will prove troublesome for some. The tuning of the Fan 3 is closer to a more traditional V-shaped style with a greater emphasis on the sub-bass and better extension on both ends. It has superior imaging, a more expansive soundstage, and an overall cleaner sound. The bass is much more resolving and less bloomy or pillowy. Vocals are a hair more forward on the Fan 3, but they do sound a bit thin in comparison. Even though the vocals aren't as forward as I would like on the H60, I prefer its warmer, more intimate, and natural presentation. Treble is much more apparent with the Fan 3, which has better extension and more air and sparkle. Both sets have things that I like and things that I would change. The Fan 3 has superior technicalities, and I prefer its sub-bass rumble and extension, but it also comes across as more clinical, and its treble can be irritating at times. The H60 is a little more "lo-fi," and I wish the overall sound was a bit cleaner. Also, the mid-bass can sometimes be a bit much, but overall it has an innate charm and a warmer, more musical quality. These two can easily coexist in a collection and are somewhat complementary. If I'm forced to choose between the two, my affinity for warmth and musicality wins out in the end, and I find the H60 to be the more unique and enjoyable choice. 

In conclusion:

While many higher-end manufacturers successfully utilize bone-conducting drivers, Penon's latest entry comes in at a fraction of the price and is quite intriguing. I think the Fan 3 may come across as more of a tech demo, but it's done in an interesting way. Adding the switch that controls the bone-conduction driver is a bold move, but if Penon's intention was to showcase the driver's capabilities, it pays off well as the switcg makes a clear difference. The tuning sounds clean and spacious, like a hospital operating suite, though lacking surgical precision. It is not cold and revealing like a microscope, capable of very minute details, but it is more akin to a magnifying glass that is decently resolving, with a bit of glare and brightness. The treble can be a little overly energetic and harsh at times, and the technicalities are a bit underwhelming for the price. However, there is a good sense of musicality and an impressive soundstage. The Fan 3 does indeed have a bit of that special quality found in some higher-end sets utilizing BCDs, albeit without the same technical prowess. This in itself is an impressive feat, especially for its price. While I am sure there will be many fans of this release, unfortunately, I am not a huge one myself, and I do think it is somewhat overpriced. Penon should hold its head high, though, for offering such a unique release in a very saturated market. If bone-conducting drivers are destined to become a staple in the future, which I truly believe they will be, then Penon already has a leg up on the competition.