PENON FAN 3

Tested with stock blue tips, Space 4.4 cable and Cayin RU7. The bone conduction drivers does make the difference. With it off, they sound less dynamic, but perhaps better for longer listening sessions. For me, the thing I am most impressed with the Fan 3 is how much they can isolate noises: even my EPZ 530 could not completely block out the loud chatters, but these might be the only in-ears that I have owned that can almost passively do so without even turning the music on. For those coming from bass-heavy in-ears like ISN NEO 5, these are refreshingly enough for a new change without spending excessively and not losing the impact of those lower end - it is more precise and solid, compare to my own NEO 5 with Bass cable, which is exaggerated and mega in a good way personally. I haven't play with other tips and cables yet, but with the above simple setup, the Fan 3 are probably the ones I will use for the genres I listen to: metal, electronics, ambient, experimental, some Vocaloid etc.

I have been quite surprised the performance of the Fan3 as a Fan2 owner. After listening both with the BCD off and off, I did find I preferred it on. I first used the Fan3 straight out from the FiiO M11+ Ltd and later using the FiiO with the Ray Samuels Audio Intruder. I focused on the latest albums from Judith Owens. Everything was just so compelling to bring you into her music. What really stood out when I added the amplifier section of the Intruder everything just step up with the Intruder. It became even more spellbinding. I put both the FiiO and the Intruder on their lower gain settings and the FiiO output at 80% with the ultimate volume coming from the Intruder. It was truly magic.

The only negative is I wish I had gone with the upgraded Space cable. I thought it was mostly just for multiple termination so but from reading reviews, this is a significant upgrade.

After time of getting to know the Fan 3, it started to grow on me, then grow on me more, then finally love set in. SPACE has this uncanny ability to simply enlarge the entertainment. And really me being a sound stage junky, you can only imagine my interest in finding not only does the Bone Conduction add size, the Space goes ahead and amplifies that same size, in every direction possible! Also due to the included 3 in 1 modular plug you can take the SPACE to other sources and listening experiences. Penon became slightly experimental with this exact IEM tune, but the results were worth the risk. If you do have a collection of cables, try them out, as if you are like me, each cable character seemed to showcase a different style of Fan 3 playback, yet all of them were valuable and fun. That my friends is the sign of a well-rounded IEM, get yours today!

https://www.head-fi.org/showcase/penon-fan-3.27435/reviews#review-36748

My second venture into BC driver, my first being my late Mext. That had a much richer depth, imagine an earthquake and the aftershock, it was able to "massage" rather than shake your head which is what Fan 3. Seems bad? but the price difference is crazy

Fan 3 is able to give me that BC headshake and holographic sensation like my Mext for next to nothing price-wise. There are times where the treble is peaky but finding the right tips help, which I need to say is very important for an IEM with BC.

A caution, the BC used in Fan 3 can be headache inducing for people not used to the sensation, it's not as smooth as it could be but not overwhelming. Tips play a part, the smaller the tips the stronger the rumble, try one tip size up.

To end, Fan is one I would recommend any day of the week especially for it's price. It's able to give something unique to people in this price point, it's a very engaging listen with plenty of rumble and slam for a fun experience overall.

Fan3 for ambient type music is a treat to behold, while I find the Fan3 to be a very good allrounder, where it really struts its stuff is when you listen to ambient music. It is remarkable just how spacious and airy the sound can get. Its bass is an improvement from the Fan2 more bass impact with a deep digging quality textured sub bass. Its mids are the most affected by the BC driver which brings a spacial element to the sound that is unique among IEMs. And last but least they realized in order to balance out the more advanced bass and mids of the Fan3. They have redone the treble to be cleaner, more detailed solid extension with good sparkle when called for. Penon seems to keep getting better at their craft introducing new elements to their IEM designs and I am very encouraged about what the Fan3 brings to the IEM game.

https://www.head-fi.org/showcase/penon-fan3.27435/reviews#review-34904