Today, Marcus reviews the Lime Ears PNEUMA V2, a second-generation high-end hybrid multi-driver universal IEM with a switchable bass tuning profile. It is priced at €1800.
Disclaimer: This sample was sent to me in exchange for my honest opinion. Headfonics is an independent website with no affiliate links or status. I thank Lime Ears for their support.
Click here to learn more about the Lime Ears products we previously discussed on Headfonics.
Note that this article follows our current scoring guidelines which you can read here.
The PNEUMA V2 is the second part of a dual launch of IEMs by Lime Ears in 2024 with the first being the recently reviewed flagship ANIMA V2.
Priced a bit lower than the ANIMA V2 at €1800 the PNEUMA V2 builds on the original 2020 PNEUMA‘s more playful character with a switch-based tuning system while encapsulating some of the newer 2024 concepts such as a smaller shell size and a modular cable system.
This is the clear winner for bassheads looking for a heavy-hitting IEM from Lime Ears.
The PNEUMA V2 can reach deep and deliver glorious sub-bass presence and weight. It plays superbly with modern pop and R’n’B positioning itself as one of my potential go-to high-end monitors for a daily commute or carry.
Of course, it’s not the only IEM out there bringing the high-end ‘bombs’ so to speak. Competitively priced offerings from Campfire Audio and their hybrid Bonneville are interesting alternatives.
So, is the V2 a worthy upgrade on the original and can two sound signatures in one IEM provide better value than just one good stock tuning from competing IEMs? I put it through its paces in my full review below.
Features
In some ways, the PNEUMA V2 is unchanged from 2020’s V1. It is still a hybrid multi-driver IEM in universal and custom formats.
The driver configuration is also unchanged with a 7mm titanium dynamic driver for the sub-bass frequencies, dual BA woofers for the lows, a single full-range BA for the mids, and a tweeter for the highs using a passive 4-way crossover.
The application of BA alongside the dynamic for the lows is a tried and tested Lime Ears approach to capture the natural decay and weight of a dynamic driver but retain the speed and definition of a BA the further up the range you go to lower the potential for bass bloom.
Varibore (bore multi-sizing) and BAM open-cell memory foam technology for bass damping have been retained from the original.
The PNEUMA V2 also retains the switch signature tuning module now called SubWITCH™. I can tell you quickly that this tuning version sounds different from the original.
What has changed is the physical location of the small switch from the front of the shells to a more discreet side location. The functionality is the same; the switch will boost or reduce the bass and various other FR regions to compensate via the Fletcher-Munson Law (FML).
I will get into this in more detail on pages 2 and 3 of this review but the tuning from these switches has also changed significantly from the V1.
The PNEUMA V2 has more sub-bass presence and a stronger perception of midrange space from the new tuning over the old tuning when the bass switch is on and a taller and wider more neutral sound when the bass switch is off.
Design
This is one of the more visible changes, the size of the PNEUMA V2 shells which are now 25% smaller than the original and a new Scarlet Silverstream theme which I have to admit offers a lot more ‘pop’ over the older ‘sacred geometry’ aesthetic.
Side by side, the design heritage is still quite consistent though. The PNEUMA V2 resin shell still has a strong red undertone, it has just been enhanced by a strong silver flake finish that flickers a lot more under strong lighting. The tiny slither of blue from the original’s main shell no longer seems to be there.
From the top side, the plate dimensions of the V1 and V2 look fairly similar with a major reduction in size on the underside. The main shell is not as tall or as bulbous as the older version which also seems to have indirectly lengthened the nozzle insertion depth of the V2.
The PNEUMA V2 spout also has some reworking with more of a horn principle introduced and a recessed Varibore exit about 2-3mm down from the tip of a slightly wider spout.
The original version was designed with Ruthenium rather than the V2’s HornCraft™ stainless steel and with the bores directly exiting at the tip.
Comfort & Isolation
This may be anecdotal given everyone has different ear sizes but the comfort and passive isolation levels of the PNEUMA V2 feel the same as the original.
However, that is a good thing because, in my V1 review, I did say the PNEUMA was comfortable and offered above-average levels of passive isolation. Nothing has changed here, save perhaps a feeling of the V2 shells coming a bit closer to the concha basin of my ear and sticking out less than the V1.
Surprisingly there is a reduced tip selection for the PNEUMA V2. The V1 offered an excellent range of Symbios, SpinFit, and foam tips in various sizes. This time we get the same tip lineup as the ANIMA V2, just a single set of wide-bore silicone tips in varying sizes.
The good news is these tips work well with the V2, providing a comfortable fit and good isolation. However, rollers might be left hunting for a spare set or two of their favorite tips to benchmark how well the stock alternatives perform.
Stock Cable
The PNEUMA V2 comes with a new stock cable, and like the ANIMA V2, it’s a custom collaboration with Effect Audio.
Previously, the stock cable was a PW Audio partnered NO. 10, a 4-core 24AWG Litz SPC wire (although PW Audio has never officially confirmed SPC). This time, the stock cable is a custom 1.2m 26AWG pure EC-OCC copper 2-wire ‘Singulix Quantum’ geometry wrapped in EA’s new SwirlFlex™ Insulation.
The cable has a relatively thick twisted finish on the outside with a very coppery undertone from the translucent jacket and a nice carbon fiber grey finish on the splitter barrel. Despite its relative girth, it’s a fairly malleable cable with low microphonics performance.
TermX
The big pitch with this cable is the inclusion of EA’s TermX modular jack system. You get 3 jacks in a compact display case, a 3.5mm TRS, 2.5mm TRRS, and a 4.4mm pentaconn to round it off. All are finished off in an aluminum finish to match the barrel sheath.
This is my first time using TermX and overall the 4-pin attachment system is ok to use but not quite as quick and easy as some alternatives. You have to attach the 4 0.78mm pins to their corresponding sockets in a rather precise manner which can be a bit hit and miss.
Once attached and the barrel hood is pushed down it feels quite sturdy and visually streamlined so the system looks the business once you have your desired plug attached.
Packaging & Accessories
The PNEUMA V2 packaging is a bit smaller than the original PNEUMA box. I also find it much more professional looking, and in all likelihood, it probably lowers Lime Ear’s logistics costs in the process.
This is a much better design theme than the older version which was just a plain black and silver box. This time we have lots of red accompanied by a proper internal foam display and a nice red branded leather carry case to go along with it.
It’s not a huge case though. There is just enough space to fit the cable and the shells before there is some difficulty in closing the lid. I did try to fit the tip box in with the TermX on top but it would not close unless I took the shells out.
I suspect Lime Ears found the same challenge because that is exactly how the accessories are packed inside the carry case.
Click on page 2 below for my sound impressions and recommended pairings.
