Astell&Kern x Empire Ears NOVUS VS 7th Acoustics Asteria

IEM Comparison: Expert & Community Scores Side-by-Side

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Astell&Kern x Empire Ears NOVUS and 7th Acoustics Asteria use 2DD+5BA+4EST+2BC and 1DD+12BA driver setups respectively. Astell&Kern x Empire Ears NOVUS costs $5,000 while 7th Acoustics Asteria costs $3,800. Astell&Kern x Empire Ears NOVUS is $1,200 more expensive. 7th Acoustics Asteria holds a clear 0.8-point edge in reviewer scores (8 vs 8.8). 7th Acoustics Asteria has significantly better mids with a 1.2-point edge and 7th Acoustics Asteria has better treble with a 0.6-point edge.

Insights

Metric Astell&Kern x Empire Ears NOVUS 7th Acoustics Asteria
Bass 9 8.8
Mids 8 9.2
Treble 8 8.6
Details 8.5 8.6
Soundstage 8 9
Imaging 8.5 8.6
Dynamics 8.5 8.5
Tonality 8.3 8.9
Technicalities 8.5 8.4
Take these comparisons with a grain of salt—we don't have enough Astell&Kern x Empire Ears NOVUS and 7th Acoustics Asteria reviews saved yet to provide an unbiased result.

Astell&Kern x Empire Ears NOVUS Aggregated Review Score

Average Reviewer Scores

Audionotions
Smirk Audio

Average Reviewer Score:

8

Strongly Favorable

7th Acoustics Asteria Aggregated Review Score

Average Reviewer Scores

Precogvision Web Search
Bad Guy Good Audio

Average Reviewer Score:

8.8

Excellent

Reviews Comparison

Astell&Kern x Empire Ears NOVUS (more reviews)

Astell&Kern x Empire Ears NOVUS reviewed by Smirk Audio

Smirk Audio 8.4 Reviewer Score
A+ Tuning
S- Tech
Excellent bass dynamics and texture. Cold timbre and driver flex. Otherwise excellent technicalities and solid tuning. Cons: Driver flex, cold timbre.

Smirk Audio original ranking

Smirk Audio Head-Fi Profile

Bass: S Mids: A+ Treble: A+ Dynamics: S- Details: S- Imaging: S-

Astell&Kern x Empire Ears NOVUS reviewed by Audionotions

Audionotions 7.5 Reviewer Score
Very engaging IEM. Bass extends deep and hits hard and fast, mids are clear and lush with very good weight and tactility. Treble is clear without fatigue. It's a pretty warm IEM but has clarity that you don't usually find with this sort of tuning. Instrument separation is pretty standout. Very expensive. Timbre is a bot off and overall is little bit brittle sounding. Very large IEMs and very heavy. And they have driver flex, which is not what you'd expect from something that costs this much. Nonetheless, a very fun IEM if you don't care about how natural it sounds.

Audionotions original ranking

Website (Audionotions)

7th Acoustics Asteria (more reviews)

7th Acoustics Asteria reviewed by Bad Guy Good Audio

Bad Guy Good Audio 9.1 Reviewer Score
S Tuning
A+ Tech
YouTube video thumbnail
As technical as a PMG SE but smooth like an RN6 (engaging mids) Flawless for my library
Youtube Video Summary

7th Acoustics Asteria arrives as a limited run of 77 units at around $3,800, presented in a numbered box with premium trimmings. The shells are described as the most beautiful seen in the hobby—shifting, almost bioluminescent blue caps with extended gold trim—and the fit is excellent thanks to a subtle wing. Under the hood sits a 10 mm dynamic driver plus 12 balanced armatures (latest-gen Knowles), with visible multi-tube routing and pressure relief to avoid insertion issues. The accessory suite feels purposefully upscale: a perfectly color-matched and supple cable (no gaudy branding), a structured case (noted as possible animal hide), Final Audio tips, additional tip sets, cleaning tools, stickers, and even a 4.4 mm to 3.5 mm adapter.

Sonically, Asteria is framed as reference-grade yet musical, with detail retrieval and resolution described as almost peerless. It handles a wide library with ease—classic rock, grunge, 90s hip-hop—and while some genres may benefit even more than others, overall performance is characterized as fault-free. Compared with similarly exclusive sets, it avoids the common “expensive but underwhelming” trap; the coherent tuning and technical chops deliver on high expectations without the need for caveats, making this a stunning aesthetic and acoustic package that feels every bit as special as its limited status suggests.

Bass: S Mids: S Treble: A+

Bad Guy Good Audio original ranking

Bad Guy Good Audio Youtube Channel

7th Acoustics Asteria reviewed by Precogvision

Precogvision 8.3 Reviewer Score
S Tuning
A+ Tech
YouTube video thumbnail
Pretty much the closest to a tonal panacea that I've heard only held back by the bass.
Youtube Video Summary

7th Acoustics Asteria prioritizes midrange and treble finesse with only one caveat: the bass isn’t the greatest, presenting a slightly BA-like character with a faintly “farty” mid-bass. The midrange is pure butter, driven by a gentle 2.5 kHz pinna rise followed by a subtle 3.5 kHz bump, keeping it forward yet smooth. A touch of presence around 200–300 Hz adds warmth, while the treble fixes Supernova’s lower-treble heat around 5–6 kHz and pushes extension past 15 kHz.

The result is a presentation that’s buttery yet detailed, with natural imaging and pinpoint precision that screams “godlike tonality.” Value is the sticking point: at roughly $3,800, the proposition isn’t as compelling as Supernova’s, and the overall performance feels closer to the ~$2,000 bracket. For listeners who prioritize tonality and imaging over bass texture and price efficiency, Asteria remains a compelling high-end choice.

Bass: A+ Mids: S+ Treble: S Dynamics: A+ Details: A+ Imaging: A+

Precogvision original ranking

Precogvision Youtube Channel

7th Acoustics Asteria reviewed by Web Search

uses AI-Search to turn user, reddit and head-fi reviews into clear, concise summaries.
Web Search 8.9 Reviewer Score
S- Tuning
S Tech

The 7th Acoustics Asteria is a hybrid flagship built around a 10 mm dynamic driver for bass and twelve balanced-armature drivers covering mids through super-treble (5-way crossover), packaged in a CNC aluminum shell and paired with a bespoke LYRA cable. Retailers describe proprietary crossover and treble-loading implementations (EXP / ECHO) aimed at precise integration and high extension, and the run appears limited to 77 units. Pricing varies by market, but a common US MSRP is $3,800.

Tonally, Asteria targets a U-shaped balance: elevated, textured sub-bass, a mildly recessed midrange, and airy upper treble. Frequency-response references and dealer commentary support the emphasis on bass impact and treble “sparkle,” with vocals pushed slightly forward against a relaxed lower-midrange bed. This aligns with FR database traces showing boosted sub-bass and upper-treble energy relative to the center mids.

Technical performance is a core strength: imaging precision, separation, and macrodynamic slam are repeatedly noted, with stage size competitive among current flagships. The trade-off is a midrange that can feel slightly pulled back on timbre-critical content, and the ultra-premium price positions value as conditional on preferring this lively U-shape over neutral targets. Given its execution and cost, Asteria reads as a specialty end-game for listeners seeking visceral bass and airy treble without overt harshness.

Bass: S Mids: S- Treble: S- Dynamics: S Soundstage: S Details: S Imaging: S

Astell&Kern x Empire Ears NOVUS User Review Score

Average User Scores

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7th Acoustics Asteria User Review Score

Average User Scores

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Astell&Kern x Empire Ears NOVUS Gaming Score

Gaming Score & Grade

  • The gaming score is prioritizing technical capabilities of the IEM (Separation, Layering, Soundstage) and good value.

Gaming Score

6.9

Gaming Grade

B+

7th Acoustics Asteria Gaming Score

Gaming Score & Grade

  • The gaming score is prioritizing technical capabilities of the IEM (Separation, Layering, Soundstage) and good value.

Gaming Score

7

Gaming Grade

A-

Astell&Kern x Empire Ears NOVUS Scorings

Average Technical & Tuning Grades

Average Tunign Grade

A+
  • It delivers a coherent, natural timbre that remains captivating across genres. Acoustic instruments sound lifelike and textured.

Average Technical Grade

S-
  • The presentation is crisp and expansive, handling complex passages with impressive ease. Low-level details remain audible in quiet passages.
Bass S
The bass is breathtaking, pairing thunderous impact with absolute precision. Every rumble is rendered with realism.
Mids A+
The midrange sounds refined and revealing, balancing clarity with emotional weight. Timbre accuracy rivals studio monitors.
Treble A+
The treble performance feels luxurious, marrying air, control, and excitement. You can place every high-frequency element.
Dynamics S-
Dynamic range is superb, blending powerful impact with nuanced control. It captures both whisper and roar effortlessly.
Details S-
The tiniest inflections pop into view as if spotlit within the mix. Low-level details feel magnified yet natural.
Imaging S-
Exceptional imaging with holographic precision that creates a palpable sense of placement. It creates a near-holographic placement.
Gaming B+
Respectable environmental presentation favors atmosphere over precision. Detects obvious directional cues while conveying game world ambiance. Bad value-to-cost for gaming purpose - not recommended

7th Acoustics Asteria Scorings

Average Technical & Tuning Grades

Average Tunign Grade

S-
  • Tonal balance reaches a highly refined state, sounding seamless from lows to highs. Everything locks together with satisfying coherence.

Average Technical Grade

A+
  • A very capable technical display delivers articulate layers and poised imaging. It portrays reverbs and echoes with confidence.
Bass S-
You hear powerful yet disciplined low-end slam that extends effortlessly. It marries sub-bass depth with great texture.
Mids S
The midrange defines perfection, reproducing every nuance with effortless authority. Textures are rendered with absolute conviction.
Treble S-
It delivers superb treble brilliance that stays pure even in complex passages. It adds excitement while staying pure.
Dynamics S-
Dynamic range is superb, blending powerful impact with nuanced control. It captures both whisper and roar effortlessly.
Soundstage S
Venue reproduction feels transcendent, portraying a limitless hall with absolute positional certainty. Imaging remains rock solid at all times.
Details S-
Complex productions unravel completely, letting you examine every thread. Textures are rendered with exquisite finesse.
Imaging S-
Even dense mixes remain locked in place, reinforcing the illusion of physical performers. The stage remains stable regardless of complexity.
Gaming A-
Good fundamental spatial awareness for most gaming scenarios. Handles basic positioning well but may lack nuance in complex situations. Bad value-to-cost for gaming purpose - not recommended

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7th Acoustics Asteria User Reviews

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