1More Penta Driver P50 earphones: A wired audio marvel tuned by Grammy award-winning Luca Bignardi
1More Penta Driver P50 headphones. Pictures: 1More.
Grammy award-winning sound engineer Luca Bignardi has finely tuned the 1More Penta Driver P50 headphones. The wired in-ear headphones are designed to redefine your audio experience with many features. These features include a hybrid structure with 5-driver acoustics, capable of delivering high-resolution sound quality up to an impressive 40 kHz. The headphones also have a silver-plated OFC (oxygen-free copper) wire, MMCX connectors, and in-line controls.
When you first focus on the 1More Penta Driver P50 in-ear headphones, you'll notice that they arrive in an exceptionally well-packaged magnetic locking box. Inside the stylish box, you'll find the in-ear headphones, complete with the OFC wire featuring inline controls. Additionally, you'll discover a hi-res 3.5mm Type-C adaptor and four pairs of silicon ear tips in various sizes, ranging from extra-large to extra-small. Three foam tips in different sizes (large, medium, and small) are also included. Lastly, you'll find a convenient carrying pouch to protect and transport your headphones.
The earphones are comfortable for extended wear, and I felt no listening fatigue. The over-ear cables ensure the earbuds remain securely in place, even during movement. However, if you’re not a fan of this, you can swap the cable out for a standard MMCX cable instead, which will mean you will lose out on the in-line controls. The cables are readily available, costing from €10 to several hundreds of euros. I like the cable that comes with the earphones because they don’t tangle, but they’re not ideal if you use them in an office where you have to take them out regularly due to how they loop over your ears. This does make them more secure, though, which is excellent for walking or running.
Choosing the best-fit ear tips will help you achieve up to 28 decibels of passive noise reduction and the best sound quality. When I first started testing with the 11mm foam ear tips, I wasn't happy with the sound, particularly the bass. The difference was night and day when I switched to the 12mm foam ear tips.
The Penta Driver P50 headphones are engineered for precise sound reproduction. With a built-in DLC (diamond-like carbon) dynamic driver and four balanced armature drivers covering the entire spectrum of frequencies, they deliver a sonically rich and full-bodied audio experience. With a low impedance of just 32 ohms, they operate efficiently and demand less power while providing robust bass, lush mid-tones, and pristine, clear high frequencies.
The gold-plated MMCX connectors and high-conductivity OFC oxygen-free copper cable preserve high-fidelity audio transmission while minimising interference.
The hi-res 3.5mm Type-C adaptor is a welcome inclusion. However, I couldn’t find any mention of the specs for this adaptor anywhere in the documentation, but it does work great on Android devices, USB-C iPads, laptops and the iPhone 15. Combining the small adaptor with a phone makes for a tidy and portable hi-res audio setup for on-the-go.
Not surprisingly, I noticed a significant improvement in the sound quality when I connected my Chord Mojo 2 headphone DAC/amp to the Penta Drivers. It’s also important to note that you need to subscribe to hi-res streaming services like Apple Music, Tidal, Qobuz or Amazon HD to achieve the full potential of the Penta Drivers. That said, they still sounded excellent while streaming from Spotify, which doesn’t offer a hi-res streaming service yet.
The MEMS (micro-electromechanical systems) microphone and physical inline controls give you clear call quality. Call sound quality is significantly better because the microphone is nearer your lips than with even the best wireless earbuds. The controls provide playback, call management, voice control, and volume adjustment.
The headphones weigh just 21 grams, making them light, portable, and comfortable. The 1.25-meter silver-plated OFC wire provides reliable connectivity. With a 3.5-millimeter gold-plated jack, a frequency range of 20 Hz to 40 kHz, an impedance of 32 ohms, a sensitivity of 105 decibels, and a rated power of 5 milliwatts, these headphones are built to impress.
While many use Bluetooth earphones, the 1More Penta Drivers P50 cater to audio enthusiasts who prioritise sound quality and prefer wired headphones. With impressive features, exceptional sound quality, and expert tuning, these headphones stand out for those seeking great sound on a budget.
1More Penta Driver P50 - €195 Amazon.co.uk
