Penon Fan 3 and Kiwi Ears Orchestra II use 2x Balanced Armatures (Sonion for Mids, Knowles for Highs)+1x Bone Conduction (10mm Coil Type, Full Range)+2x Dynamic (6mm), and 10BA driver setups respectively. Penon Fan 3 costs $350 while Kiwi Ears Orchestra II costs $349. Penon Fan 3 is $1 more expensive. Kiwi Ears Orchestra II holds a decisive 1.1-point edge in reviewer scores (6.8 vs 7.9).
Insights
| Metric | Penon Fan 3 | Kiwi Ears Orchestra II |
|---|---|---|
| Bass | 6.8 | 8.2 |
| Mids | 6.8 | 8.6 |
| Treble | 6.8 | 8.5 |
| Details | 6.8 | 8.7 |
| Soundstage | 6.8 | 8.2 |
| Imaging | 6.8 | 8.5 |
| Dynamics | 6.8 | 7.8 |
| Tonality | 8.3 | 8.5 |
| Technicalities | 8 | 8.3 |
Penon Fan 3 Aggregated Review Score
IEMR Normalized Score
IEMR Normalized Score
6.8Cautiously Favorable
Reviewer Average Score
7.5Strongly Favorable
Kiwi Ears Orchestra II Aggregated Review Score
IEMR Normalized Score
IEMR Normalized Score
7.9Strongly Favorable
Reviewer Average Score
8.5Excellent
Reviews Comparison
Penon Fan 3 (more reviews)
Penon Fan 3 reviewed by Kois Archive
Kois Archive Youtube Channel
Penon Fan 3 reviewed by Audio Amigo
Audio Amigo Youtube Channel
Penon Fan 3 reviewed by Head-Fi.org
Kiwi Ears Orchestra II (more reviews)
Kiwi Ears Orchestra II reviewed by Joyce's Review
Youtube Video Summary
Kiwi Ears Orchestra II presents a striking visual identity with a metallic mesh faceplate, translucent shell and a sturdy four braid copper cable that together feel both refined and durable. The upgraded vertical case with fabric texture and suede lining further pushes the sense of a mature, premium product. Despite the larger 6.6 mm nozzle, correct wide bore tips provide a secure seal, strong isolation and a surprisingly comfortable long term fit.
In the low frequencies Orchestra II follows the more atmospheric character of Orchestra Lite, adding deeper sub bass and more impact while keeping decay fast and free from smearing. Kick drums hit with satisfying weight, bass guitar sounds meaty and solid, yet the mid range remains unmasked, with vocals staying at a neutral distance and sounding natural and uncoloured. Mid range instruments gain a slightly brighter, creamier texture with excellent separation and transparency, giving music a more engaging but still controlled presentation.
The upper mids and treble show the largest refinement, with carefully shaped peaks and dips that increase clarity and air while reducing sibilance compared to earlier generations. Detail retrieval, micro texture and layering all step up, creating an airy, open top end that feels more resolving yet less grainy, and overall dynamics strike a convincing balance between fun and precision. Taken together with the fully self developed drivers and a price around 349 USD, Orchestra II stands out as the most musical and technically mature entry in the series so far, easily justifying a confident 9 out of 10 rating.
Joyce's Review original ranking
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Kiwi Ears Orchestra II reviewed by Jaytiss
Youtube Video Summary
The Kiwi Ears Orchestra II immediately feels like a premium piece of kit, with a slightly large, bulbous shell that still offers a snug, comfortable fit and a faceplate that looks genuinely beautiful in the ear. The clear body showing all 10 BAs and the glistening white modular cable give it that almost “wedding dress” kind of classy vibe, swapping easily between 3.5mm and 4.4mm without fuss. The denim-like case and neatly boxed ear tips round out the package with a sense of durability and attention to detail that feels above what is usually seen around the $350 mark.
Sonically, Orchestra II goes for a bold, fun tuning rather than strict studio neutrality, with rich bass, full mids, and smooth upper air that creates a very pleasant V-shaped flavor. The bass shelf and slightly elevated 1–1.5 kHz region give music a lively, intimate presentation, while the pronounced 8 kHz dip keeps things relaxed, killing sibilance and making older or poorly recorded tracks surprisingly easy to enjoy. The result is a chill, low-fatigue listen with very nice soundstage, solid technicalities, and an engaging tonality that works across classical, modern, and flawed recordings alike.
Compared with other Kiwi Ears sets and peers like the Astral, Mega 7, K4 or Dunu 242, Orchestra II comes across as the more refined, slightly more colored option, trading strict naturalness for extra bass punch and upper-mid energy that many listeners will find more exciting. At around $350, the combination of a beautiful shell, high-quality cable and case, and this intimate yet spacious tuning makes it feel like a new benchmark for how a mid-tier IEM can be done. It earns a full five-star rating and a clear recommendation as the Kiwi Ears pick of choice, especially for anyone wanting a fun, engaging all-rounder that still feels carefully tuned and thoughtfully put together.
Jaytiss Youtube Channel
Kiwi Ears Orchestra II reviewed by Bad Guy Good Audio
Youtube Video Summary
On the low end, Kiwi Ears Orchestra 2 comes across as a surprise, with 808 drops on classic and modern hip-hop sounding strong, full and completely serviceable for bass-heavy tracks. Bass guitar lines, pulls and releases carry a very natural sense of body and ring, so the instrument feels like a total package rather than just low rumble, and there is never a sense that bass is missing even though this is not a pure basshead set. Kick drum on tracks like the iconic opening of When the Levee Breaks by Led Zeppelin hits well but with a touch less impact than sets like Top Pro or Martillo, trading some slam for a more balanced presentation.
In the mids, the transition from mid-bass into upper mids sets up vocals as a clear highlight, with male and female voices coming through with excellent presence and weight. Rock and alternative staples like Chris Cornell, Layne Staley and Nina covering Blondie sound exceptional, giving this set a mildly mid-centric character without making it feel thin or shouty. For listeners who already enjoy Martillo or Top Pro, Orchestra 2 offers a different flavor of midrange that still feels familiar, with vocals likely to be the part many people hook onto as its best point.
Up top, the handling of harmonics and treble is where this set keeps getting better, with cymbals, guitars, pianos and keyboards coming through clean and extended without turning harsh. Difficult voices such as Ozzy Osbourne, Neil Young or Fleetwood Mac style material stay free of the glare, etch or nasal bite that can make some earphones unlistenable over time, letting listeners play entire albums without fatigue. Overall, Kiwi Ears Orchestra 2 feels like a very good all rounder that is not locked to any single genre, works well even with dense hip-hop mixes and gives fans of Martillo and Top Pro a non redundant companion rather than yet another copy of the same tuning.
Bad Guy Good Audio original ranking
Bad Guy Good Audio Youtube ChannelKiwi Ears Orchestra II reviewed by Web Search
The Kiwi Ears Orchestra II is an all-BA design with 10 balanced armature drivers per side and a list price around $349, positioning it at the upper end of the mid-fi segment. Its tuning aims for a warm neutral / reference balance: essentially flat through the mids with a modestly elevated but controlled low end and a clean, extended top, avoiding the more aggressive V-shape many competitors use. Subjective impressions across reviews converge on a presentation that prioritises tonal accuracy and midrange fidelity over overt excitement, making it more of a reference tool than a “wow-factor” set.
For an all-BA earphone, the bass is frequently described as unusually solid yet still clearly BA in character: fast, well-defined and sufficiently extended, but without the physical slam of strong dynamic-driver sets. The midrange is the star: vocals and instruments are presented with a natural, “grown-up” tonality that avoids both shout and excessive warmth, which suits acoustic, vocal and studio work particularly well. The treble is generally praised for clarity and air but can verge on “spicy” for some listeners, making tip choice and fit important to avoid sharpness or fatigue on bright recordings.
Technically, the Orchestra II performs at a high level for its bracket: reviewers note strong detail retrieval, precise imaging and an immersive but not exaggerated soundstage, with its reference-leaning tuning exposing both strengths and flaws in recordings. Dynamics and macrodynamic “slam” are somewhat restrained compared to hybrid sets, which, together with its honest bass level, means it will not cater to bass-heads or listeners seeking a very energetic signature. Considering the performance and refinement at sub-$400 pricing, it represents strong value as a warm-neutral reference choice, particularly for users who prioritise midrange fidelity and detail over sheer impact.
Penon Fan 3 Details
Driver Configuration: 2x Balanced Armatures (Sonion for Mids, Knowles for Highs)+1x Bone Conduction (10mm Coil Type, Full Range)+2x Dynamic (6mm),
Tuning Type: Neutral, Vocal-focused
Price (Msrp): $350
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Kiwi Ears Orchestra II Details
Driver Configuration: 10BA
Tuning Type: Neutral, Warm
Brand: Kiwi Ears Top Kiwi Ears IEMs
Price (Msrp): $349
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Penon Fan 3 User Review Score
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Kiwi Ears Orchestra II User Review Score
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Penon Fan 3 Gaming Score
Gaming Score & Grade
- The gaming score is prioritizing technical capabilities of the IEM (Separation, Layering, Soundstage) and good value.
Gaming Score
7.8Gaming Grade
AKiwi Ears Orchestra II Gaming Score
Gaming Score & Grade
- The gaming score is prioritizing technical capabilities of the IEM (Separation, Layering, Soundstage) and good value.
Gaming Score
8.1Gaming Grade
A+Penon Fan 3 Scorings
Average Technical & Tuning Grades
Average Tunign Grade
A+- Expect a tasteful, well-judged response that feels both musical and true to the source. Great synergy with a wide range of genres.
Average Technical Grade
A+- The tuning feels expertly organized, marrying agile dynamics with well-defined spatial cues. Technical listeners will appreciate the poise.
Kiwi Ears Orchestra II Scorings
Average Technical & Tuning Grades
Average Tunign Grade
S-- The tonal balance is polished and expressive, highlighting emotion without sacrificing accuracy. It keeps emotional weight without sacrificing accuracy.
Average Technical Grade
A+- A very capable technical display delivers articulate layers and poised imaging. It portrays reverbs and echoes with confidence.
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