Penon Impact - Crash Into Me

 4⭐️

+ Smooth, cohesive, and immersive tuning

+ Impressive bass authority

+ Well-balanced, natural and organic vocals 

+ Fantastic treble air and extension without any sibilance or fatigue

+ Some of the best EST implementation for those that are treble sensitive 

- BA bass lacking some sub-bass extension and decays a bit quickly

- Pressure build-up due to lack of ventilation 

- Stock cable could be better

- Not the last word in detail retrieval 

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 provided by Penon for a tour through the Audio Geek group. I receive no compensation, and all thoughts and opinions are my own.

Gear used: 

●LG v30+

●Samsung Galaxy s22 Ultra

●Samsung dongle

●Hiby FC4

●Kiwi Ears Allegro 

●Letshuoer DT03 

●Dunu DTC480

●BLON V1

●iFi xDSD Gryphon

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, offer a wide selection of products in many price ranges. I recently reviewed the Fan 3, which is one of their more modestly priced sets, but they also make many higher-end IEMs, such as the Voltage and Rival. The Impact is a 14-driver hybrid that utilizes ten balanced armature and four electrostatic drivers. It is currently available through Penon's website for $2,499 in white, gold, or a custom colorway. Let's break down the Impact and see how this pricier offering performs.

Build, fit, ergonomics:

This unit is part of a tour and did not include the retail box or a full accessory kit. It only came with the IEMs and the stock cable. The shells have a fully resin build, including the nozzle. The resin is so crystal clear that the internals are easily visualized within the shells. The faceplate has a gold, sparkly, glittery design with the company name (PENON) on the left and the model name (IMPACT) on the right. I like the faceplate design because it pops, but some might find it a bit gaudy. The shell size is about average, but the nozzle is quite large, measuring 7 mm at the widest part where there is a bit of a lip for tips. The insertion depth is also about average, and I had no issues finding a comfortable fit. Unfortunately, the shell is not vented, which can cause some intermittent pressure buildup and a bit of a vacuum effect at times. The stock cable is Penon's own 4W OCC & 24K gold-plated OCC Impact cable. This version comes with a modular termination and no ear hooks, but Penon does offer many cable customization options. I'm not really a fan of the cable that accompanied the tour unit. The weave is a little loose, it has some memory and can be unwieldy, and it feels a bit cheap. The color also reminds me of raw dough, which isn't super appealing. For the review, I chose to use my ivipQ 530 cable, and I utilized the Dunu orb-like tips that came with the DaVinci.

Sound impressions:

I would characterize the Impact's overall tuning as a somewhat energetic and engaging U-shaped profile with a healthy mid-bass boost and a slight bright tilt in the upper mids and treble. The note weight is a bit on the thicker side, which suits me perfectly. This is a pretty easy set to drive and it can reach loud volume levels from a simple dongle, but the EST drivers scale well with power. The detail retrieval is great, but it does have a bit more of a musical tuning. Those seeking the absolute best detail might be a little disappointed. The soundstage has great depth but could benefit from a little more width. It's still very good and creates a great three-dimensional and immersive sound. The Impact has a very natural and organic timbre, impressively accurate imaging, and it is very well separated while remaining cohesive and congruent. The dynamics are a bit disappointing as the tuning loses some of the bass weight and authority at lower volume levels. This might be a better set for those who listen at moderate levels and above. Overall, I find the Impact to have a wonderfully engaging and musical tuning, as well as a very solid technical foundation that lives up to its price point.

For my source, I chose to pair the Impact with the iFi xDSD Gryphon with the STD filter. It has plenty of power for the EST drivers and its slightly warm but resolving signature helped to bring out more of the special qualities of the Impact's tuning. 

●Lows - There is a little more mid-bass focus than sub-bass, which could be due to the general nature of BA bass response. The sub-bass extension is still adequate, but it does not reach as low as some well-implemented DD and planar drivers that I have heard. The bass is exciting and punchy but with a slightly softer impact, like that of a boxing glove compared to a bare fist. It is fairly resolving, with a fast attack which helps bass notes and kick drums stay clear and well-separated. The decay is a bit fast, which can lead to a lack of reverberation. This can cause the bass to sound a little less natural, and some notes sound just slightly incomplete, as if they are cut off too early. The bass texture can sound a bit wet at times, but it is not egregious. There is good separation between the bass and mids with little to no bleed. The impact is a great example of what BA bass is capable of. It is quick, boomy, and fun, and not too far off that of a well-tuned dynamic driver. I would welcome more sub-bass extension and a slightly slower decay for a more natural sound, but this is one of the better BA bass implementations I have heard to date.

●Mids - The midrange is somewhat forward but still well-balanced with the energetic bass and treble. It has a smoothness and slight warmth that I find very enjoyable. Vocals are forward but not disruptive or singled out. They sound very natural and effortlessly well-placed in the mix and never come across as shouty or strained. Both male and female artists are well-represented, but males sound particularly impressive considering they are never inundated by the hefty midbass response. While female artists do sound great, they could benefit from slightly thicker note weight as they can come across a little ethereal and wispy at times. The vocal timbre is natural and organic without sounding forced or exhibiting any nasally undertones. The lower midrange is well-represented while retaining great separation and an excellent transition between the bass and mids. In classical arrangements, the bassier instruments and those of the lower midrange, such as the cello, are clearly defined without detracting from one another. Overall, I really enjoy the Impact's midrange tuning, but I would still welcome a little more warmth and for vocals to present a bit more forward.

●Highs - In my experience, IEMs that utilize EST drivers tend to sound a little brighter than they graph. As someone sensitive to treble and ESTs in particular, I think they are implemented very well here in the Impact. The treble has an energetic, crisp, and clean sound with a decent amount of energy and air. It's not the absolute best extension, mind you, but it's plenty satisfying and doesn't sound rolled off. It is bright and open without detracting from the other frequencies. Cymbals and hi-hats are energetic and splashy without being harsh. Snares and claps are lively with a nice, crisp note edge but not piercing or abrasive. Some vocal notes can sound a bit wispy, but there is no true sibilance here, which, from my own experience, is very refreshing for a set utilizing ESTs. In my opinion, this is a very lovely treble response for those looking for an energetic and lively top end without harshness or piercing notes. Those who are treble-sensitive should be fine, even with the added energy. I wouldn't mind a little extra note weight to help keep some of the lighter and ethereal-sounding notes more grounded, but I think the Impact strikes a good balance of well-utilized ESTs without having an overly bright sound signature.

Comparisons: Credit to tgx78 and Elise Audio for the graphs.

I am lucky enough to be able to do some high-end A/B comparisons thanks to some friends and tours that all lined up perfectly.

●Elysian Diva 2023 (~$1,200) - The Diva is a 6 BA set versus the 10 BA 4EST hybrid of the Impact. The Diva also has three settings to adjust the bass quantity, and for this contest, I utilized the blue option, which has the most bass. Both sets are tour units, and I did not receive all of the accessories, so I cannot make much of a judgment there. I do prefer the dark blue faceplate design of the Diva to the Impact's opulent golden one. Both shells are made of resin, but the Diva has a metal nozzle and a vent for pressure relief. The Diva's shell is quite a bit larger than the Impact's, but both provide a comfortable fit and seal for me, apart from the slight vacuum effect of the Impact. The Diva uses the rarer Pentaconn connection, compared to the Impact's standard 2-pin connection, making cable rolling a bit more difficult. The most obvious difference when A/Bing these two is that the Diva is noticeably less energetic and more laid-back in its presentation. While both sets have a bassy tuning, their philosophies are quite different. The Impact's bass is bolder and more impactful, with an "in-your-face" style. The Diva's bass feels further away, with a deeper sub-bass extension and rumble, bigger reverberation, and a softer, somewhat pillowy impact. The midrange presentation of the two is quite similar, with vocals being slightly pushed forward and taking the spotlight. The biggest difference, though, is how the balance of their bass responses affects the midrange. The sub-bass-focused Diva has superior separation between the bass and lower midrange, but the Impact's transition from midbass to mids helps bring out the instruments in the lower midrange. The Diva also has a bit more warmth and note weight, which helps female vocals avoid any wispy, ethereal notes. For treble, the overall extension and clarity are reduced on the Diva. The Impact's treble is definitely airier, brighter, and more energetic. The Diva isn't dark per se, but can come across as too rolled off when directly compared to the Impact, but it should be less offensive to treble-sensitive listeners. As for technicalities, I'd give a slight nod to the Diva in terms of soundstage and separation. The Impact wins in detail retrieval, timbre, imaging, resolution, and dynamics. I think these two share a decent amount of DNA, but the crux of the decision will depend on the bass tuning and the amount of energy and treble emphasis you are looking for. For me, the Impact is a bit more upbeat and fun, with a visceral mid-bass impact, decent vocal emphasis, and lively and extended treble. The Diva has a definitively smooth and somewhat relaxed presentation that better matches my usual preferences; however, I find it difficult to overlook the softer, pillowy bass impact and I prefer the Impact's overall balance a bit more.

My pick: Impact

●Aroma Audio Fei Wan ($4,600) - Both of these sets have hybrid configurations, but the Fei Wan utilizes two DDs and ten BAs, while the Penon has ten BAs and four ESTs. I must admit that both sets have somewhat disappointing accessories for the price. Neither offers a cable that feels very premium, and the cases are just okay. I did not receive any tips with the Fei Wan, so I cannot draw any conclusions on that front. While I personally do not particularly love either shell design, I think the Impact is probably the better-looking one for me. The Fei Wan has a flashier faceplate, but the yellow shell and purple design throw me off. The Impact looks a little more reserved in comparison, but its gold faceplate is still quite fetching. Both sets' shells and nozzles are on the larger side, but the Fei Wan has a better fit and is more comfortable for me. I have had issues with EST drivers sounding too bright, but surprisingly, the Impact is less bright than the Fei Wan. Both have somewhat V-shaped tunings, but the Impact takes a smoother, more mellow approach, while the Fei Wan is energetic with better extension on both ends. The Impact's bass is a bit disappointing, as it has some typical characteristics of BA bass. The Fei Wan's bass quality is among the best I've heard, and it has a decent quantity as well. The DDs provide better extension, rumble, reverberation, texture, and resolution. The midrange is where the Impact wins some points for me. Vocals are warmer, smoother, and have more heart and soul. The Fei Wan's vocals are a bit recessed in comparison, but it does have a cleaner overall presentation, especially in the lower midrange. The treble area is where the tunings deviate most between these two. The Fei Wan is much brighter, with more sparkle, air, and extension. It's overall the more energetic set, but this is especially apparent in the highs. The Impact's treble is darker and rolled off, with a smoother and overall more enjoyable presentation for my taste. When it comes to technical performance, the Fei Wan wins handily in detail retrieval, separation, and resolution. However, I prefer the Impact's more natural and organic timbre. As for dynamics, soundstage, and imaging, both sets perform very well. This is a tough matchup for me. While the Impact is smoother, more musical, and more aligned with my tuning preferences, I simply cannot overlook the Fei Wan's bass performance and technicalities. Sure, it is quite a bit brighter than I like, but it's hard to argue with one of the most insanely capable IEMs I've ever heard.

My pick: Fei Wan

●Elysian Annihilator 2023 ($3,000) - Here we have a 1 DD, 4 BA, 2 EST tribrid configuration versus the Impact's 10 BA, 4 EST hybrid. Again, both of these are tour sets without all the stock accessories, so I cannot really compare those. The Annihilator has a similar build to the Diva (resin body with metal nozzle) and is larger than the Impact. Both sets have similar build quality and fit comfortably, but the Impact does have that intermittent vacuum effect and the Annihilator utilizes the Pentaconn connector versus the 2-pin of the Impact. While both have golden designs on their faceplates, I prefer the Annihilator's slightly more subtle style. The Annihilator's tuning is more V-shaped with a noticeable midrange deficiency. The Impact sounds better balanced, with less bass, more midrange emphasis, and slightly more extended treble. The Annihilator's bass is boisterous and fun. It can reach very low with a nice rumble and reverberation. It is a far cry from the Impact's BA bass, which is still elevated but much more mid-bass focused. Although the bass responses of these two are quite different, I will give the nod to the Annihilator for better texture, extension, and rumble. The Impact's midrange takes pretty much all the points for me. The forward vocals are so much more to my liking than the Annihilator's recessed midrange, which lacks emphasis. The lower midrange is also much better represented on the Impact, specifically in orchestral arrangements where lower-registered instruments like cello, and some percussion and brass, sound more natural with better representation. As for the treble, the Annihilator has more of that brighter EST implementation that I am used to hearing. Some notes, especially snares and "s" and "sh" sounds, can come across as overly edgy and harsh. The Impact's ESTs, while still crisp and energetic, don't have the same wince-inducing quality. Both sets offer adequate air and sparkle but the Impact has slightly better extension and is a bit more balanced across all frequencies. On the technical front, the Annihilator has a larger soundstage with better imaging, detail retrieval, and dynamics. The Impact offers a more natural timbre, thicker note weight, and a warmer, smoother tonality. While neither of these two sets has a tuning that falls squarely within my preferences, I enjoy the Impact's overall balance and slightly more relaxed energy level and tonality a bit more. I do like the Annihilator's bolder bass with better sub-bass extension, but the Impact's vocals are smoother and better represented, which helps me better connect with my music.

My pick: Impact

●Empire Ears Triton ($1,800) - Unfortunately there's no graph for this one. Here we have the Triton's tribrid configuration (1DD, 2BA, 2 BCD) versus the Impact's hybrid (10BA, 4EST). The Penon is a tour set, and I did not receive all the packaging, but the overall accessories easily go to the Triton. It has a better case and a thicker, better-built cable, though the Penon does include more tips. They both have similar resin shell construction, but the Triton's shell is much larger, and I prefer its faceplate design to the Impact's gold aesthetic. The fit is a little better for me with the Impact, but both are comfortable enough. The Impact leans U-shaped, and the Triton leans toward a more V-shaped sound signature. While I would characterize both as having a bass-forward presentation and tuning, the bass responses of these two are quite different. The Impact's BA drivers are more mid-bass focused with an overall thicker and more forward presentation but with less sub-bass extension, slam, and impact. The Triton's bass has more weight, a deeper sub-bass extension, and superior texture. It sounds more enveloping, energetic, and authoritative. The Impact's midrange is a bit smoother and the lower midrange is better represented with instruments like cello and lower brass. The Triton has a more accentuated upper midrange that puts emphasis on vocals. The treble of the Impact is more extended and sounds better balanced and complete. The ESTs are well implemented here and are not bright or harsh. The Triton is more focused on the lower treble and presence region, leaving the air and extension rolled off. Neither set has offensive treble, but the Impact does sound a bit more natural due to the extension. As for technicalities, the Impact has a smoother, more accurate tonality, a more natural timbre, and slightly better detail retrieval. The Triton offers more accurate imaging, a larger and deeper soundstage, and superior dynamics. Overall, these two have quite different tuning philosophies. The Impact is more cohesive, while the Triton focuses more on pushing the boundaries of tonality and offering a very colored yet still detailed sound. While both have bass as their cornerstone, the Triton's DD is far more capable than the Impact's BA drivers at reaching low into the sub-bass and offering a satisfying rumble. However, the ESTs in the Impact push the treble further forward, allowing for a more balanced and even-kilter tuning. For a smoother and more tonally accurate sound, the Impact would be my recommendation. But if you want an invigorating and exciting listen with a warm tone and deep, enveloping bass, the Triton is the way to go. Plus, the fantastic out-of-head experience offered by the BCDs is unmatched by the BA/EST configuration of the Impact. For my usual preferences, I might be tempted by the Impact's smoothness, but in this contest, the Triton's fun factor simply wins out in the end.

My pick: Triton

In conclusion:

The Impact is an impressive, high-end IEM from Penon. Its tuning is very well-balanced, with great-quality BA bass, fantastic vocal clarity, and one of the best EST implementations I have heard, without being overly bright or fatiguing. I think the Impact has excellent technicalities, including a natural timbre, smooth transients, a deep soundstage, and great detail retrieval. It also strikes a fine, musical balance between all three frequency bands. The Impact makes an excellent all-rounder and is just as capable of playing hard rock as orchestral arrangements. As good as it is, there are some things I find lacking. I wish there were more sub-bass presence and deeper extension, and I could also use a little more note weight in the treble to keep the notes slightly more grounded. This set is truly a joy for those who want an immersive and engaging tuning and for anyone who wants to experience EST treble without the overt brightness that sometimes accompanies this type of driver. This is easily the best Penon product I have tried to date. In my opinion, the Impact has all the makings of what I would expect from a tuning at this price point. There is nothing I can really point to as disappointing or lacking, and I think Penon definitely struck a little pocket of gold.