Penon BS1 Official
One Earbud For All
FIVE STAR✨
Pros: 1.Comfortable
2.Superb cable
3.Warm detailed signature
4.Beautiful Wood case
5.Great build quality
Cons: 1.Non-detachable cable
3.Nothing really worth mentioning
The BS1 Official turned up in the usual Penon box but once opened it became obvious that this is a top of the line product. The beautiful wooden circular box with velvet pads to protect the quality machined flat-heads. The gorgeous cable with adapters to suit and source you would wish to use. The plethora of foam pads to adjust for comfort and tuning.
It really feels like a special experience especially when compared to the many other options available at the same price point from other vendors that turn up in bubble wrap!
I’d just like to say upfront I believe we are all biased when giving our subjective thoughts about flat head ear buds be it a particular type of signature that works with our music library or how a flat-head looks and feels in our ears. On the subject of ears everyone’s ear anatomy is different and this effects fit which in turn effects the perception of bass response so I recommend finding the right shell shape and foams or silicone guides that suit your ears to get the best of any flat head most can be used hanging down or over ear. The BS1 does come with some handy transparent plastic ear guides. I didn’t need to use these as they fit my ears securely and very comfortably.
My review star ratings are linked to the price range of the flathead eg a 5 star review of a $10 flat-head bud is not equal to one of a $300 flat head.
I’m and audio enthusiast with a collection of over 200 iems, 30 different sources with a music collection that numbers over 100,000 tracks and 16 flathead buds I share my impressions as a way to share my enthusiasm for the hobby I approach from the premise of music first technology second, what does this mean? For me it means not are the technicalities prime importance but does the music move with this particular item.
I’m a connoisseur of many different sound signatures. The only prerequisite is musicality I’m not a fan of analytical cold playback. My scale of success when it comes to evaluating audio gear is do I get goosebumps when they playback my favourite tunes.
Disclaimer
Penon was kind enough to send me a sample set of BS1 Official to review. I am not affiliated with Penon and of course was not asked for any copy checking before publishing, they are seeing this the same time as you. All pictures taken be me or taken from the PENON website. ALL opinions shared in this review are my subjective thoughts.
The Penon BS1 Official can be obtained here (no affiliate links):
Specifications
1.Metal shell, metal mesh
2. Black carbon fiber alloy splitter, alloy slider
3. Sound signature: Impactful Bass ,Sweet Vocals ,Extended Treble, Wide Soundstage
4. Driver: 15mm dynamic driver
5. Impedance: 32ohm
6. Frequency response: 14Hz – 28 kHz
7. Sensitivity: 120dB
8. Cable: 8 shares 19-core copper & silver-plated mixed cable
9. Plug: 2.5mm Balanced copper gold-plated plug
10. Cable length: 1.2m
Package
BS1 earbud
2.5mm Balanced female to 3.5mm audio male adapter
2.5mm Balanced female to 4.4mm Balanced male adapter
Wood case
1 pair of Hiegi foam donut eartips
1 pair of Hiegi foam solid eatrips
4 pairs of donut foam eatips
4 pairs of solid foam eartips
1 pair of transparent earhook
Pouch
Clip
There are 4 types of foam covers. The red full foams are the most dense, giving the most warmth and enhance bass.
The blue ones are are the thinnest foams, they decrease bass but add some brightness.
The blacks ones are somewhere in the middle
Then there’s the donut foams, which enhance the midrange which makes the bass less prominent. Its best to try all the foam options to find which you prefer.
The cable is very well made and attractive, not too thin or thick just perfect for a flathead design, with a tangle-free braiding. I didn’t notice any microphonics, the chin cinch actually works . the cable comes with a 2.5mm termination along with 3.5 mm and 4.4 mm termination adapter cables which means you can use the BS1 with all your sources.
BUILD/COMFORT
The BS1 isa metal construction shell type. I found the shell extremely comfortable and was able to wear them all day without and problems I used the donut foams for the review as they provided the most balanced sound signature for my tastes.
The Driver is a 15mm good quality dynamic driver which I found relatively easy to drive although sources with more power did seem to improve the experience.
I tested the BS1 Official with the following sources:
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Cayin RU6
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Shanling H2
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Fiio M15
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Onix Alpha XI 1
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Venture Electronics Runabout + Prime DAC
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Shanling H5
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Sony NW-WM1A
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Cayin N3 Ultra
SOUND
The BS1 has strong {for a flat head) impactful bass with decent sub-bass and dynamic mid bass attack the mids are clear natural and airy with very nice details and texture . With the donut foams the BS1 Official i found them most pleasing to my ear with little to no veiling in the midrange when I tried the other foam options they became a little too warm so I eschewed the other foam options.
With most earbuds, there is a sub-bass roll-off, in this is the case with the BS1 there was a noticeable sub bass presence with some decent rumble when the music called for it the mid-bass is punchy with good texture that doesn’t bleed into the mids much, just enough to warm the male vocals to give them more authority but not so much that female /high tenors are effected . There’s details and texture in the bass which provides a very enjoyable listen when listening to classic rock and 80’s syth pop.
Midrange is really special on the BS1 very organic and natural allowing the music to breathe, the midrange lush, smooth snd sweet. Vocals are forward, natural with superb timbre. If you want to listen to vocal centric songs like folk or Americana this is the bud for you, or if you want to listen to classic rock and blues the BS1 is equally adept. The detail in the midrange is top tier with excellent layers and pin point accurate. One can easily pick out a guitar and follow it around the stage in live recordings.
The treble is smooth without any form of sibilance but is detailed with good air in fact it’s got sparkle and shimmer without being fatiguing I’m in the camp where when using buds I prefer it darker than peaky and sibilant but this set really showed me you can have extended detailed treble and not have the negative aspects normally associated with flat head treble. The BS1 is analogue, organic, analytical, musical and the set of buds I would reach for, to listen to my entire library for hours and be completely satisfied.
When coming from the world of iems the $116 BS1 would be budget but in the world of flathead buds its considered to be at the price bracket where TOTL flatheads live. So within my experience of buds the BS1 is the top of the options available for under $200. The Soundstage is wide, spacious and detailed much wider than I get from much more expensive in-ear iems, this is for me the major advantage of flat head buds over iems .
While using my selection of Daps and DACs with the BS1 I found a particularly good combination with fabulous synergy with the Onix Aplha 1XL and the Shanling H5 these two DACs really helped to combine the details and dynamics of the BS1 with a gorgeous lush presentation that made the hours I was listening fly by. I have to say I haven’t enjoyed a flathead earphone as much as the BS1 before, their ability to play multiple genres with ease is really special.
COMPARISONS
Shozy Cygnus
The Cygnus is a less detailed with less quality in the bass department in reality this earbud while in the same price range is not on the same level in either build quality or audio playback, The BS1 has better micro-detailing and soundstage, with higher levels of imaging. Better bass texture and more bass overall .
DUNU Alpha 3
The Dunu Alpha 3 definitely has a brighter tuning, with much less bass. The Alpha 3 has a metallic timbre with a more digital sound compared to the analogue open sound of the BS1. This Alpha 3 does not have a more detailed treble presentation but the detail it does have comes at the expense of sibilance. The build of the alpha 3 is also metal but it is heavier so can lead to fatigue as there’s a noticeable difference in weight.
CONCLUSION
If you want TOTL flathead bud for all day listening fatigue free, with lush musical mids with bags of detail, really intoxicating timbre and very natural engaging vocals. Bass with both sub-bass and mid-bass balanced well to give both rumble and dynamic attack the BS1 is an ideal flat head bud for the collection. Would I have preferred a detachable cable? Sure but for $116 with all the accessories, including those 3.5..and 4.4mm adapters its hard to quibble.
This flat head earbud has me very excited to see what Penon can come up with next.