In this review, I’m checking out the Peacock Audio P1 single dynamic driver earphones. Not only does the P1 offer an amazing unboxing experience and wealth of accessories but it also looks and sounds great. Let’s take a closer look.

This sample was provided for the purpose of an honest review. All observations and opinions here are my own based on my experience with the product.

Peacock Audio P1 Review

Package and Accessories

• 

• 

Every now and then you come across a brand that does things a little differently and that’s how it is with Peacock Audio. This was one unboxing experience that I won’t forget anytime soon because it was unique, in a good way.

First of all, the box is black with a transparent window that gives you a glimpse of the attractive earpieces inside. Just below this window is the gold brand logo with a pattern like a peacock train fanning out from it. Once you’re inside the box, there are multiple layers of accessories interspersed with charming little phrases and statements. I won’t spoil the surprise (check my YouTube unboxing if you want to see it) so let’s take a look at what’s in the box.

• Peacock Audio P1 earphones
• PU portable carrying case
• Detachable 2-pin 5N 4-core copper-silver alloy cable
• Detachable 2-pin IPX6 water-resistant Bluetooth 4.1 cable
• Mini Micro-USB to USB charging cable
• 4 pairs of silicone eartips
• 2 leather cable straps
• Warranty card

Build Quality and Design

3D printing has become increasingly popular in the earphone industry lately but Peacock Audio has chosen to stick to the traditional method of handcrafting their shells. It’s paid dividends too, as the P1 earpieces take aesthetics to another level. The P1 is available in up to 17 styles and all of them look fantastic, at least in my opinion. I received the ‘rainbow’ pattern and I’ve gotta say, it is a real beauty to behold.

The inside of each shell is painstakingly hand-painted, which not only results in these gorgeous patterns but it also means that each earpiece is truly unique. According to the marketing, the P1 goes through nearly 20 processes and takes in excess of 6 hours to make each one.

P1’s shells are made from imported medical-grade EGGER resin which is skin-friendly and long-lasting. The pseudo-custom shaped housings not only look great but they’re very nicely built too. The nozzles have a proper lip to securely hold eartips in place and there’s a protective metal mesh covering the mouth of the nozzle from debris.

Comfort and Noise Isolation

I find the P1 to be very comfortable and can easily wear them for long periods. The resin shells are hand-buffed to a super smooth finish, plus they’ve been carefully moulded to fit naturally into the ears. On top of the shape and finish, the P1 is also very lightweight, which adds to the comfort.

Noise isolation is above average and the P1 will block out a good amount of external noise. There are no vents on the shells, so they are fully sealed and that improves the isolation too. Naturally, there is practically no noise leak, making the P1 suitable for just about any environment.

Cable

The P1 comes with 2 cables, the first one being a tightly braided, detachable 2-pin 5N 4-core copper-silver alloy type. It feels super strong and it handles very nicely too. It isn’t the most supple of cables but it drapes nicely and there is little microphonics.

At the top are colour-coded aluminium 2-pin connector housings followed by pre-formed ear guides. There is no chin slider included which is a bit unusual for a cable of this quality but I never really use those anyway. The cable terminates in a straight aluminium 3.5 mm plug.

Bluetooth Cable

The inclusion of a Bluetooth cable was a bit of a surprise. It has a CSR-8645 Bluetooth chip and runs on Bluetooth version 4.1. Since this is a bonus addition to the accessories, you might expect it to be a super cheap throw-in but it’s actually a proper one. It has a 110mAh battery which is good for 8-10 hours of use. Not only that, but it has an IPX6 rating, meaning it’s resistant to sweat, heavy splashing and rain. Because the cable uses standard 2-pin connectors, you can also use it with any of your other 2-pin IEMs. How sweet is that?

Sound

Gear used for testing includes the Sony NW-ZX300 and Shanling M5s as portable sources. On the desktop, I once again fed FLAC files from Foobar2000 to my FiiO K3 desktop DAC/AMP. The P1’s ≥106dB sensitivity means it can be driven by a smartphone but it will sound even better with a proper DAP or DAC.

Now all the generous accessories and visual appeal of the P1 wouldn’t mean much if it didn’t sound good right? Thankfully, the P1 with its 7mm dynamic driver does indeed sound pretty good. It has a V-shaped signature with punchy bass, articulate mids and a crisp treble.

Bass

The bass is lively and reasonably fast, delivering a fun but controlled low end. P1 puts the mid-bass just ahead of the sub-bass and has good low-frequency extension. Sub-bass has a fast, light rumble and mid-bass notes have sufficient impact for electronic music and hip-hop.

The P1 doesn’t have the kind of shake that bassheads look for but it should be sufficient for most people, regardless of your music preferences. In Odesza’s “Meridian” you can feel the vibrations of the bass but it’s sort of up in line with the upper mids and doesn’t compromise the overall presentation.

Mids

The midrange is clear with a noticeable upper midrange boost. This upper midrange boost and the reasonably calm upper bass creates a midrange that’s clean and vibrant. The core midrange is more recessed and instruments are fairly lean here but have sufficient warmth to be engaging.

This type of midrange tuning works particularly well for classical music but also works with rock, giving electric guitars ample crunch and texture. Vocals are a bit on the thin side, particularly male vocals which are placed further back but are clear and articulated.

Treble

The P1’s treble is a little bit forward thanks to a bump around 8-9kHz which adds clarity and some brightness. Another bump in the upper treble adds some sparkle and extra energy but gives it a less accurate timbre.

It’s not a harsh treble but it is quite lively and maybe a little bright for treble sensitive people, especially if you like to turn up the volume. But it stays just on the safe side most of the time and adds plenty of detail and sparkle.

Soundstage

The P1 has a good soundstage that is slightly larger than average with a width and depth in fairly even proportions. This sense of space comes from a tame upper bass and crisp treble plus the pushed back vocals. However, due to the upper midrange focus, instrument separation is only average and layering is somewhat shallow.

Comparisons

iBasso IT01s

The iBasso IT01s (review here) is another single dynamic driver earphone that comes in at the same price as the P1. It has lightweight electroplated acrylic shells and comes with a really nice stock cable.

The IT01s’ bass carries a little more weight than the P1 and has better sub-bass extension. It’s a very tidy bass that sounds cleaner and more controlled than the P1. There are more fullness and body in the IT01s midrange as well as a more forward midrange presentation. Instrument separation and resolution are superior on the IT01s, with clearer space between instruments and a more organized soundstage.

IT01s’ lower treble is more forward, while its upper treble is more attenuated than the P1. This makes the IT01s treble sound more grounded and less tizzy but the soundstage is equally or even more airy. At the same time, IT01s treble notes have more solidity and timbral accuracy.

Conclusion

The Peacock Audio P1 offers a refreshing new approach when it comes to packaging and shell design. Currently, there is nothing quite like it in this price range from an aesthetic point of view and going from wired to Bluetooth is as easy as changing the cable.

The P1 is not only competitive on an audio level but in terms of build and design, it really aces it. Last but not least, each P1 is hand-painted so you know that every single one is truly unique.

Specifications

• Drive unit: 7mm dynamic driver
• Sensitivity: ≥106dB
• Rated impedance: 16Ω
• Frequency response: 20-20kHz