In today’s article, we review the new Lime Ears Pneuma V2, a hybrid IEM from Poland. It is selling for $1,980 USD.
Disclaimer: Lime Ears sent the new Pneuma V2 IEM in exchange for our honest opinion. We are not related to Lime Ears in any way.
Lime Ears
Lime Ears, a Polish IEM company, has evolved significantly since its founding. Initially focused on professional sound engineers and musicians, the brand has, in recent years, shifted its attention toward the audiophile community. Emil, the founder, shares the company’s origin story:
“The company started in 2010 when I was an acoustic designer and active bass player. After discovering CIEMs (custom in-ear monitors) and teaming up with audiologist Karolina, we spent two years experimenting with prototypes. In 2012 we officially launched Lime Ears, slowly gaining recognition among Polish musicians and, eventually, audiophiles worldwide.”
Emil emphasizes his interest in tuning CIEMs by altering the sound path, using acoustic filters, and adjusting canal shapes to unlock unique sonic qualities. Today, Lime Ears is known for its innovation and craftsmanship in IEM design.
It’s been a long while since I reviewed the original Pneuma IEM. The predecessor of this Pneuma V2 was posted on HFN back in 2020, when Covid 19 pandemic was still going on:
Lieven reviewed their flagship Anima, which has a V2 model and will be reviewed here, probably next month or so.
Pneuma V2
The Pneuma V2 is Lime Ears’ continuation of the Pneuma V1. It is a hybrid high-end IEM with five drivers inside. The configuration is as follows:
- 7mm Titanium-Diaphragm Dynamic Driver for infra-sub frequencies
- two BA for low frequencies
- one BA for midrange
- one BA for high frequencies
Pneuma, derived from the Greek word for “breath”, is often used to refer to a man’s soul.
Other features of the Pneuma V2 include:
- HornCraft™ Stainless Steel Nozzle Design
- SubWITCH™ Switchable Subwoofer Technology
- BAM™ Energy Optimizer
- Five drivers, hybrid construction, four-way crossover
- VariBore™ Acoustic Design
- Scarlet Silverstream Shell Design
- Custom Pure Copper Cable
Specs
- TiTE™ Module: The Titanium Tonal Energy Module uses a titanium dynamic driver, known for its rigidity and weight, to deliver powerful, organic lows. This enhances the realism and warmth of sound, improving the listening experience with a rich, resonant bass response. It is derived from the flagship ANIMA.
- HERO™ Super Tweeter: A 2023 generation Knowles RAU Balanced Armature driver provides extended treble performance up to 25kHz. This super tweeter boosts treble output and resolution without needing a high-voltage amplifier, offering detailed, high-frequency sound with minimal distortion.
- VariBore™ Acoustic Design: Varying bore diameters optimize sound transmission across frequencies, particularly improving high-frequency extension. This design reduces air friction and resonance, delivering smoother, more authentic highs.
- SAAS Core: The IEM’s shell is crafted from aircraft-grade aluminium, combining lightness with durability. This material supports the integration of heavier drivers without adding bulk, ensuring comfort and long-lasting performance.
V2 Upgrades
The new version of the Pneuma has three key factors that distinguish itself from the V1. These are;
- 25% smaller IEM shells than PNEUMA V1
- New Shell Design – Scarlet Silverstream
- Stock Cable Upgrade to Custom Pure Copper Cable
You can get the new Pneuma V2 from Lime Ears, or the partner company Effect Audio -including a cable upgrade bundle-.
Packaging
Lime Ears Pneuma is a partnership IEM with Effect Audio. So the package and its contents is provided by EA for this release. The package includes:
- Stock Copper Cable from Effect Audio
- Interchangeable cable adapters “TermX”
- Premium Leather Carrying Case
- Spinfit W1 Eartips
- Owner’s Manual
- Cleaning Kit
- Cotton Pouch
You can also get the Pneuma V2 with two bundle options from Effect Audio. You can get the new IEM with EA’s Cleopatra II and CODE 24C cables, for enhanced performance. About the package itself, I think for the price you get a pretty good package, and the provided ear tips are very nice. A more selection of tips would’ve been nicer, but overall a premium unboxing for sure.
Design & Build Quality
The design of the new Pneuma V2 looks punchy, chaotic, and unique. You get much more boring-looking designs but Pneuma V2 has none of it, it goes all out with black/red/gold richness. Apart from the faceplates, you see the “dark side” theme everywhere; from the packaging to the shells. A very consistent, complementing design overall. The cable looks like a different iteration of EA’s Code 24C limited, which suits the new Pneuma V2 very well.
Regarding build quality, Lime Ears Pneuma impresses with acrylic shells with no dents or imperfections whatsoever. It is very durable, and indeed quite lightweight, which contributes to having a comfortable experience, which I will mention shortly. The nozzles are unibody with the shells and they have stainless steel construction. Top-grade craftsmanship here.
Fit
The fit of the Pneuma V2 has seen a noticeable improvement over the original model, thanks to its 25% smaller shells. This redesign provides a more ergonomic fit, offering a snug and flush feel within the ear. The new shape, combined with the lightweight shells, makes it ideal for extended listening sessions, highlighting Emil’s thoughtful approach during the design phase.
Overall, the fit is comfortable, secure, and impressive, with very little left to be desired.
The article continues on the second page. Click here or use the jumps below.
Page 2: Sound Quality
Page 3: Technical Performance, Comparisons, Conclusion
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