Penon Archangel VS Softears RSV MK II
IEM Comparison: Expert & Community Scores Side-by-Side
Penon Archangel and Softears RSV MK II use 2DD+4BA+2BC and 5BA driver setups respectively. Penon Archangel costs $799 while Softears RSV MK II costs $700. Penon Archangel is $99 more expensive. Penon Archangel holds a slight 0.2-point edge in reviewer scores (8.5 vs 8.4).
Insights
| Metric | Penon Archangel | Softears RSV MK II |
|---|---|---|
| Bass | 8.5 | 8.1 |
| Mids | 8.5 | 8.3 |
| Treble | 8.5 | 7.9 |
| Details | 8.5 | 7.9 |
| Soundstage | 8.5 | 8.2 |
| Imaging | 8.5 | 8 |
| Dynamics | 8.5 | 8.3 |
| Tonality | 8.5 | 8.6 |
| Technicalities | 8.5 | 8 |
Penon Archangel Aggregated Review Score
Penon Archangel Average Reviewer Scores
Softears RSV MK II Aggregated Review Score
Softears RSV MK II Average Reviewer Scores
Penon Archangel Details
Driver Configuration: 2DD+4BA+2BC
Tuning Type: n/a
Price (Msrp): $799
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Softears RSV MK II Details
Driver Configuration: 5BA
Tuning Type: Neutral with bass boost
Price (Msrp): $700
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Penon Archangel User Review Score
Penon Archangel Average User Scores
Average User Score: n/a
Based on 0 user reviews
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Softears RSV MK II User Review Score
Softears RSV MK II Average User Scores
Average User Score: n/a
Based on 0 user reviews
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Penon Archangel Gaming Score
Gaming Score & Grade
- The gaming score is prioritizing technical capabilities of the IEM (Separation, Layering, Soundstage) and good value.
Gaming Score
8Gaming Grade
A+Softears RSV MK II Gaming Score
Gaming Score & Grade
- The gaming score is prioritizing technical capabilities of the IEM (Separation, Layering, Soundstage) and good value.
Gaming Score
7.7Gaming Grade
APenon Archangel Scorings
Softears RSV MK II Scorings
Average Technical & Tuning Grades
Average Tunign Grade
S-- Highly polished technical execution. Excellent frequency synergy creates an immersive experience. Enhances musical content.
Average Technical Grade
A+- Good technical performance. Clear separation and decent detail retrieval across various tracks. Soundstage shows reasonable width and depth.
Penon Archangel Reviews
Penon Archangel reviewed by: Drew / Audionotions
8.5
Reviewer Score
Missed opportunity to name this the Fallen Angel - this is no angelic set - it's an unabashed guilty pleasure set that actually is pretty versatile. Mild V shaped IEM which many hobbyists will pass on because it's not "neutral" but hear me out - the mild V is incredibly well done and makes this set incredibly fun to listen to - so much so that neutrality will be an afterthought. Bass extends deep and hits hard - rumbles with authority. Mids are still quite nice with good emphasis on vocals. Treble is very airy and sparkly. Stage is very wide and deep with excellent layering. Tuning switches that actualy work - the first increases the bass shelf, the second bumps up the treble response. Bought on a whim, and very glad I did - because otherwise, most sets I've heard recently have been some variant of JM1. This is a reminder that following a single target response curve is not the only way to make a phenomenal IEM. Basshead approved set that would still appeal to most. Personal Unit
Softears RSV MK II Reviews
Softears RSV MK II reviewed by: Jaytiss
2025-09-03
9.4
Reviewer Score
So Softears didn't forget how to tune. Tactful Basshead Jaytiss Youtube Channel
Softears RSV MK II reviewed by: Super* Review
2025-09-09
8*
* score normalized
it’s essentially neutral up top with a big low-end shelf—treble is clean and non-fatiguing, imaging competent, and the bass is unusually physical for all-BASuper* Review original ranking
Super* Review Youtube Channel
Softears RSV MK II brings back the all-BA ethos at $700 with five armatures and a promise of “re-engineered BA bass.” Build and accessories feel premium (sleek shells, plush case), while the cable choice is quirky—4.4 mm only with a 3.5 mm pigtail. Fit is outstandingly secure and custom-like but on the larger side with a longer nozzle, so comfort depends on ear size. Softears’ Ultra Clear tips work well; the new metal-ring variant adds little beyond novelty.
On the graph, bass looks like gigabass, yet in ear it settles into a warm, weighty foundation without steamrolling the mids. The midrange follows a “new-meta neutral” tilt—fuller than Harman with forward upper-mids—while treble lands clean and sparkly without fatigue. Imaging is tidy rather than cavernous; separation and delineation are convincing, with the top end executed better than the bottom. BA bass here is among the more physical and satisfying of its kind, though tactility can be track-dependent and turn a bit tubby on very bass-heavy mixes.
Against peers, Symphonium Meteor sounds warmer and more “special” but less all-round; DUNU SA6 MK2 is more colored with janglier treble and the least convincing bass; 7th Acoustics Supernova trades warmth for vivid, bright-tilted imaging; Softears Studio 4 is lighter on bass and airier; and the old Moondrop S8 stays the lively, vocal-centric counterpoint. Net take: a supremely competent, character-light all-rounder that favors bass weight over panoramic staging. Verdict: 4/5 stars—a welcome throwback done right, and notably cheaper than the original RSV launch price.
Softears RSV MK II reviewed by: Jays Audio
2025-08-28
8
Reviewer Score
Bassy dynamic all-rounder with great low-end texture that slams hard with good note-weight/body. Slight Hype 4 upgrade. Treble is smooth, and vocals are well-tuned. Overall unboxing/accesories are great... just no ESTs at its price, I'd wait for sale. Jays Audio Youtube Channel
Softears RSV MK2 shifts from the OG’s vocal-centric tilt into a bass-forward all-rounder. The sub-bass and mid-bass hit with real slam and weight, giving drums and bass guitars a satisfying, dynamic punch. Upper mids (3–6 kHz) are tamed to avoid shout, while a gentle 1–2 kHz rise keeps vocals open and natural—slightly less pushed than the original but still clear. Treble is smooth with decent air; not super sparkly and there’s no EST “sauce,” but it stays clean and non-fatiguing.
As a package, MK2’s standout is the low-end texture—thunderous yet controlled—making it one of the more engaging bassy sets under four figures. Technical performance is solid for the tier, though some rivals at lower prices bring more raw detail and EST extension. Build and accessories get a tasteful, modern refresh. For best balance, the stock tips work well; bass-boosting or treble-opening tips can shift it toward a more V-shape at the expense of overall smoothness.
On genre fit, MK2 shines with hip-hop, pop, EDM, and R&B, where its punch and warmth bring rhythms to life; for orchestral or leaner acoustic picks, the bass can edge forward depending on the mix. It scales to mid–high volumes nicely (around the 70–80 dB zone) without turning sharp. Compared with the OG RSV—now likely affected by a silent retune in recent units—the MK2 is the safer buy: less shout, more authority down low, and a broader all-rounder appeal. Recommended, especially if found below full MSRP, for listeners craving tasteful bass with natural mids and relaxed, smooth treble.
Softears RSV MK II reviewed by: IEMRanking AI
2025-08-28
8
Reviewer Score
The Softears RSV MK II refines the original RSV with an all-5BA design and a 4-way crossover, targeting a stable “reference sound” while improving driver control and airflow management. It’s easy to drive at 122 dB/Vrms, 7 Ω, and the build mixes medical-grade resin with CNC-milled aluminum and forged carbon for a robust, low-resonance shell; MSRP is $699.
On paper, the tuning remains neutral with a bass lift: dual Knowles CI22955 woofers aim to give BA-bass more texture and weight, an improved ED driver anchors clean mids, and a SWFK unit handles upper treble for a smoother, less fatiguing top end. Softears’ LRC network and dual pressure-relief approach target consistent FR and reduced ear pressure, which should aid long listening sessions and imaging stability.
Subjectively, this positions the RSV MK II as a coherent, midrange-centric set with tight, controlled low-end rather than maximal slam, and a smooth treble that trades sparkle for fatigue-free listening. Soundstage is moderately wide with tidy imaging; technicalities are competitive for the class but won’t chase ultra-etched detail specialists. Given the tuning goals and efficient drive requirements, value will appeal most to listeners prioritizing tonal accuracy and midrange timbre over sheer sub-bass impact or treble air.
Penon Archangel User Reviews
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