Description
Penon Vortex
10mm Dynamic Driver Audiophile In-Ear Monitor
Handmade,solid and durable
Resin shell, lightweight and comfortable
Driver characteristics: DLC diamond-like carbon fiber material, the molecular structure is similar to diamond, the resolution and transmission details are precise and neat, clear and natural. Similar to beryllium metal used in aerospace research and high-end speakers, it is a light metal, and the density of DLC diamond-like carbon is comparable to that of metal beryllium. The ideal diaphragm needs to have the characteristics of light weight, proper damping, and small divided vibration. The key point is that the forward and backward delays of the vibration should be just right: vibrate immediately when a signal is received, and stop in time when the signal disappears. Diamond-like carbon achieves a perfect balance in terms of sound conduction velocity and internal impedance, that is, it has ideal performance on forward and backward delay , ultra-high sensitivity and excellent transient response, which can accurately restore sound.
Specification
Brand:Penon
Model:Vortex
Driver: 10mm strong magnetic DLC diamond fiber diaphragm
Input Sensitivity: 108dB SPL/mW
Frequency response range: 10Hz-35kHz
Impedance: 24Ω±15%(@1khz)
THD: ≤1%@1khz
Connecter: 2pin 0.78mm
Plug: 3.5mm audio, 2.5mm balanced, 4.4mm balanced
Cable length: 1.2M
Package
Penon Vortex
Copper and silver mixed cable CS819
Transparent Green Silicone eartips (SML)
Grey-green silicone eartips (SML)
EPRO foam eartips (SML)
Earphone bag
Pouch
Cable clip
Cleaning brush
Gregory –
Treble: the treble is the Vortex’s bread and butter, with this being easily the best treble I have yet heard from Penon Audio. It’s very well extended, sparkly and clear but without any offensive peaks or brightness.
Mids: to the point where I find there to be very little coloration to the sound. It’s still certainly not neutral as the mid-bass elevation does continue its organic descent for a good ways into the true mids, but in balance with the respectable level of pinna gain the overall midrange tonality is now quite firmly in the “natural” rather than the “fun” category.
Bass: The elevation is modest and biased toward the mid-bass, with sub-bass being not at all absent but still somewhat rolled off. However speed, tightness, and texture are all impeccable, especially given the price point and driver configuration
Full review:
https://www.head-fi.org/showcase/penon-vortex.25936/review/28786/
Ace –
Fast, Precise, Incredibly Well Textured, Vibrant, Clean, Transparent, Dynamic – these are all the words that are associated with Penon Vortex in my mind. It is an incredibly solid performer in a surprisingly small package. The fine microdetails, prominent textures, transparent and dynamic sound, intimate stage coupled with pinpoint imaging – all of them envelop you from all sides, slowly drawing you nearer and nearer to the centre of the music. The more time you spend with them, the more enamoured you become. Penon Vortex is truly a maelstrom of small ingenuities that might not sound much impressive from the get go, I remember I found them a bit bright and thin sounding with a rather lacklustre low-end in the beginning, but the more time I spent, the more trapped I got in its flow, and now I can say this is one entrapment I am not looking to get out of anytime soon.
https://www.head-fi.org/showcase/penon-vortex.25936/reviews#review-29273
Mr.moose –
Vibrant is what I’m going with. The VORTEX sidesteps much of the regular issues encountered by single-full-range drivers. It’s in the midrange and treble, in how there is a grand separation, but also naturalness at hand. It’s this specific balance of spacial and tonal distancing out into the stage, but also a specific evenness and correctness of the mids. What I’m basically saying is the midrange is not too forward, as found in a few less than average single full-range DD IEM responses. It’s just right! And…..it was always just right, no matter what cable, ear-tips or DAP I used. This occurs due to there being a character quality we can’t fully change with these adjustments. So don’t worry as the sound of correctness with the VORTEX is easy to find.
https://www.head-fi.org/showcase/penon-vortex.25936/reviews#review-29368
ian91 –
The Vortex surprised me, I see it as Penon diversifying its offering and exploring new ground. The Vortex is a successful neutral-bright set, that’s energetic, airy and has great dynamics. It will recreate instrumental music, especially guitar work with clarity and presence, percussion is weighted naturally and has every texture and hit explored. If you’re a fancier of single DD coherency, listen to a largely instrumental library (especially rock, blues, folk etc) and want a bright and musical set, the Vortex will no doubt catch you in her spin.
https://www.head-fi.org/showcase/penon-vortex.25936/reviews
KutuzovGambit –
Penon is breaking out from the niche they have inhabited up to this point with their house sound, and are now challenging the wider market. The Vortex is playing at an absolutely class-leading level in the technical department, while retaining a much more restrained version of their trademark lower mids tuning prowess. It doesn’t have quite the full-bodied atmospheric musicality of the Serial (much less their other IEMs), but makes up for it with much better resolution, transient response, imaging, clarity, and treble tuning. @Dsnuts once said that the Serial was the closest Penon will likely get to a neutral tuning; for my part, I will say that the Vortex is probably the closest that Penon will get to an analytical tuning, and it is a testament to the Vortex’ tonality that very few people will find any lack of musicality even so.
https://www.head-fi.org/showcase/penon-vortex.25936/reviews#review-28786
Dsnuts –
I have to admit this one caught me by surprise as I was not expecting such a highly technical offering from Penon at this price range. But here we are. One of their absolute best IEMs comes in the form of a single highly resolving single dynamic IEM that is affordable by most enthusiasts. The Vortex I feel is a statement piece by Penon. They squeeze maximum sound out of a 10mm DLC fiber dynamic and it has so much right about its tuning and sound. As much as I have enjoyed listening and writing about the Vortex. I would like to see them take it one step further. I am certain whatever Penon is cooking up next it will have to top the Vortex. That I can’t wait for. The Vortex is not perfect, I mean it is a $220 earphone but they are very enjoyable and has that perfect mix of technical ability and immersive quality to it that is just as good as anything that has come out lately if not just out right better. If you’re looking for a highly competent, detailed and technical IEM yet musical in every way. Look into getting yourself a Vortex.
https://www.head-fi.org/showcase/penon-vortex.25936/reviews#review-28837
NymPHONOmaniac –
After my intense love of the Penon Serial, I didn’t expect much from the single DD of the Vortex and to say I was taken by surprise is an understatement. Why? Because I’ve always struggled to find an IEM that delivers rock music in all its engaging, dynamic, and abrasive glory without going plain aggressive or too nicely tuned, and this is exactly what the Vortex delivers, a versatile bright neutral tonality with enough punch and texture to render both kick drum and electric bass line with punch and definition and enough treble bite and fullness to deliver electric guitar immediate and grungy musicality.
These aren’t similar to the Serial at all and are perhaps the perfect complement since one favors sub bass and warm timbre while the other focus on mid-bass thump and treble texture and extension.
https://www.head-fi.org/showcase/penon-vortex.25936/reviews#review-30219
Ichos –
Extremely well balanced with a reference tuning, natural timbre and full of musicality with great technicalities for the category, the Vortex is one of the best sounding single dynamic driver earphones that you can buy without giving it a second thought.
Full review:https://www.head-fi.org/showcase/penon-vortex.25936/reviews#review-30277