PMG Audio Apx SE VS Astell&Kern x Empire Ears NOVUS

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

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PMG Audio Apx SE and Astell&Kern x Empire Ears NOVUS use 1DD+8BA+1Rectangular Planar+1Round Planar and 2DD+5BA+4EST+2BC driver setups respectively. PMG Audio Apx SE costs $6,000 while Astell&Kern x Empire Ears NOVUS costs $5,000. PMG Audio Apx SE is $1,000 more expensive. PMG Audio Apx SE holds a clear 0.7-point edge in reviewer scores (9.1 vs 8.5). Astell&Kern x Empire Ears NOVUS has better bass with a 0.5-point edge, PMG Audio Apx SE has slightly better mids with a 0.3-point edge and PMG Audio Apx SE has better details with a 0.5-point edge.

Insights

Metric PMG Audio Apx SE Astell&Kern x Empire Ears NOVUS
Bass 8.5 9
Mids 8.3 8
Treble 8 8
Details 9 8.5
Imaging 8.5 8.5
Dynamics 8.5 8.5
Tonality 8.1 8.3
Technicalities 8.9 8.5

PMG Audio Apx SE Aggregated Review Score

Average Reviewer Scores

Bad Guy Good Audio Smirk Audio
Z-Reviews

Average Reviewer Score:

9.1

Outstanding

Show all PMG Audio Apx SE reviews

Astell&Kern x Empire Ears NOVUS Aggregated Review Score

Average Reviewer Scores

Audionotions Smirk Audio

Average Reviewer Score:

8.5

Very Positive

Show all Astell&Kern x Empire Ears NOVUS reviews

PMG Audio Apx SE Details

Driver Configuration: 1DD+8BA+1Rectangular Planar+1Round Planar

Tuning Type: Warm U-shaped

Price (Msrp): $6,000

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Astell&Kern x Empire Ears NOVUS Details

Driver Configuration: 2DD+5BA+4EST+2BC

Tuning Type: bass-boosted neutral

Brand: Empire Ears Top Empire Ears IEMs

Price (Msrp): $5,000

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PMG Audio Apx SE User Review Score

Average User Scores

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Astell&Kern x Empire Ears NOVUS User Review Score

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PMG Audio Apx SE Gaming Score

Gaming Score & Grade

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

Gaming Score

7.2

Gaming Grade

A-

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+

PMG Audio Apx SE Scorings

Average Technical & Tuning Grades

Average Tunign Grade

A+
  • Refined execution with coherent frequency integration. Natural timbre reproduction and engaging presentation. Strong versatility.

Average Technical Grade

S-
  • Excellent clarity and detail. Precise imaging and expansive soundstage. Manages complex passages with minimal smearing and good transient speed.
Bass S-
Excellent bass response - powerful yet controlled. Deep extension with authoritative slam while maintaining clarity.
Mids A+
Superb midrange that's rich and resolving. Exceptional transparency and micro-details with perfect vocal/instrument balance.
Treble A+
Superb treble: effortless extension with crystal clarity. Perfect balance of sparkle and smoothness with exceptional detail.
Dynamics S-
Superb dynamic range - powerful yet nuanced. Exceptional transient response with lifelike impact and subtle volume gradations.
Details S
Reference-class detail: microscopic resolution with perfect texture reproduction. Nothing is lost, revealing the absolute truth of the recording.
Imaging S-
Exceptional imaging with holographic precision. Creates a palpable sense of physical placement with perfect positional stability.
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

Astell&Kern x Empire Ears NOVUS Scorings

Average Technical & Tuning Grades

Average Tunign Grade

A+
  • Refined execution with coherent frequency integration. Natural timbre reproduction and engaging presentation. Strong versatility.

Average Technical Grade

S-
  • Excellent clarity and detail. Precise imaging and expansive soundstage. Manages complex passages with minimal smearing and good transient speed.
Bass S
World-class bass performance. Perfectly balanced between visceral impact, texture, and depth with zero bleed into mids.
Mids A+
Superb midrange that's rich and resolving. Exceptional transparency and micro-details with perfect vocal/instrument balance.
Treble A+
Superb treble: effortless extension with crystal clarity. Perfect balance of sparkle and smoothness with exceptional detail.
Dynamics S-
Superb dynamic range - powerful yet nuanced. Exceptional transient response with lifelike impact and subtle volume gradations.
Details S-
Exceptional resolution that uncovers the deepest layers. Retrieves even the most minute details while maintaining natural timbre.
Imaging S-
Exceptional imaging with holographic precision. Creates a palpable sense of physical placement with perfect positional stability.
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

PMG Audio Apx SE Reviews

Reviewed by: Z-Reviews

Z-Reviews 10 * score normalized
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Z-Reviews original ranking

Z-Reviews Youtube Channel
YouTube video thumbnail

Reviewed by: Bad Guy Good Audio

Bad Guy Good Audio 8.9 Reviewer Score
A+ Tuning
S Tech
Game changer. Most resolving accurate replay in the hobby. No specific qualifier to wave off potential buyer..nada Price is extreme but presentation reflects that. No sonic flaws. 1st set in 10 years that gets that.

Bad Guy Good Audio original ranking

Bad Guy Good Audio Youtube Channel
Bass: A+ Mids: S Treble: A+
YouTube video thumbnail

Reviewed by: Smirk Audio

Smirk Audio 8.5 Reviewer Score
A+ Tuning
S- Tech
Great resolution and layering. Great bass texture and punch. Mids have a small timbral issue. Refined, resolving highs. Analogue tone. Engaging yet non-fatiguing. Cons: Shells prone to cracking.

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 Reviews

Reviewed by: Audionotions

Audionotions 8.5 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. Very large IEMs. And they have driver flex, which is not what you'd expect from something that costs this much. Nonetheless, a very fun IEM. Tour Unit

Audionotions original ranking

Website (Audionotions)

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-

PMG Audio Apx SE User Reviews

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Astell&Kern x Empire Ears NOVUS User Reviews

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