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 decisive 1-point edge in reviewer scores (8.9 vs 8). Astell&Kern x Empire Ears NOVUS has better bass with a 0.5-point edge, Astell&Kern x Empire Ears NOVUS 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 7.8 8
Treble 8 8
Details 9 8.5
Imaging 8.5 8.5
Dynamics 8.5 8.5
Tonality 8.4 8.3
Technicalities 9.2 8.5
Take these comparisons with a grain of salt—we don't have enough Astell&Kern x Empire Ears NOVUS reviews saved yet to provide an unbiased result.

PMG Audio Apx SE Aggregated Review Score

Average Reviewer Scores

Bad Guy Good Audio Smirk Audio Head-Fi.org
Yifang
Z-Reviews

Average Reviewer Score:

8.9

Outstanding

Astell&Kern x Empire Ears NOVUS Aggregated Review Score

Average Reviewer Scores

Audionotions
Smirk Audio

Average Reviewer Score:

8

Strongly Favorable

Reviews Comparison

PMG Audio Apx SE 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 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 (more reviews)

PMG Audio Apx SE reviewed by Z-Reviews

Z-Reviews 10 * score rescaled + normalized
YouTube video thumbnail
Youtube Video Summary

The PMG Audio Apx SE comes out swinging with a $6,000 price tag and a $1,600 cable that looks the part but fights the ear with stiffness and springy memory. The shells flaunt real lapis lazuli and an over-the-top suitcase-and-pillow presentation, complete with certificates and multiple cases—great for show, awkward for daily carry. Ergonomically, the cable’s tension and odd flush/penetrating plug mismatch feel fussy, making this an at-home listening trophy rather than a commuter’s companion.

Under the bling sits a small army: 11 drivers per side (10 mm DD, two planars—one rectangular, one round—and eight BAs) with a seven-way passive crossover, somehow delivering startling cohesion at just 5 Ω. The sound is hyper-resolving and fault-finding; imaging and spatial precision rank among the best heard, revealing hums, edits, and room cues that lesser sets gloss over. Stock silicones lean monitor-flat, but swapping to grippier tips (e.g., “Render” style) adds weight and a touch of warmth, nudging the tuning from sterile to satisfying.

Versus other favorites—Softears Twilight for natural timbre and Dunu Glacier for bass slam—the Apx SE feels like the “full package” of microdetail, stage mapping, and technical swagger, but only by a diminishing-returns margin. It’s arguably the most technically impressive IEM on the desk, yet not the most lovable; the wallet pain and fussy cable sap the joy. Verdict: hear it if you can and crave top-end microdetail, but recommending a used-car-priced IEM to normal humans? That’s a hard no.

Z-Reviews original ranking

Z-Reviews Youtube Channel

PMG Audio Apx SE reviewed by Yifang

Yifang 9 Reviewer Score
S Tuning
S+ Tech
Tonally acceptable and one of the most technically competent sets to exist. Surprisingly non-fatiguing listen. Extremely standout stage size AND most notably, huge note size within that stage. Extremely phenomenal in this regard. Timbre and coherency need improvements. Driver coherency issues are somewhat obvious on highly dynamic EDM, particularly the extension in both ends of the frequency spectrum, making technicalities feel unnatural. Treble in particular is more problematic and affects timbre & smoothness, particularly female vocals and anything on the higher pitches. Low availability and high price.

Yifang original ranking

Yifang Youtube Channel

PMG Audio Apx SE reviewed by Bad Guy Good Audio

Bad Guy Good Audio 8.7 Reviewer Score
A+ Tuning
S Tech
YouTube video thumbnail
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.
Youtube Video Summary

The PMG Audio Apx SE comes out swinging with a $6,000 price tag and a $1,600 cable that looks the part but fights the ear with stiffness and springy memory. The shells flaunt real lapis lazuli and an over-the-top suitcase-and-pillow presentation, complete with certificates and multiple cases—great for show, awkward for daily carry. Ergonomically, the cable’s tension and odd flush/penetrating plug mismatch feel fussy, making this an at-home listening trophy rather than a commuter’s companion.

Under the bling sits a small army: 11 drivers per side (10 mm DD, two planars—one rectangular, one round—and eight BAs) with a seven-way passive crossover, somehow delivering startling cohesion at just 5 Ω. The sound is hyper-resolving and fault-finding; imaging and spatial precision rank among the best heard, revealing hums, edits, and room cues that lesser sets gloss over. Stock silicones lean monitor-flat, but swapping to grippier tips (e.g., “Render” style) adds weight and a touch of warmth, nudging the tuning from sterile to satisfying.

Versus other favorites—Softears Twilight for natural timbre and Dunu Glacier for bass slam—the Apx SE feels like the “full package” of microdetail, stage mapping, and technical swagger, but only by a diminishing-returns margin. It’s arguably the most technically impressive IEM on the desk, yet not the most lovable; the wallet pain and fussy cable sap the joy. Verdict: hear it if you can and crave top-end microdetail, but recommending a used-car-priced IEM to normal humans? That’s a hard no.

Bass: A+ Mids: A+ Treble: A+

Bad Guy Good Audio original ranking

Bad Guy Good Audio Youtube Channel

PMG Audio Apx SE reviewed by Head-Fi.org

Head-Fi.org 8.5 * score rescaled + normalized
6 community members have rated the PMG Audio Apx SE at an average of 4.5/5 on Head-Fi. Overall sentiment: Outstanding.

URL to full Review

Head-Fi.org original ranking

Astell&Kern x Empire Ears NOVUS (more reviews)

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)

PMG Audio Apx SE User Review Score

Average User Scores

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Astell&Kern x Empire Ears NOVUS User Review Score

Average User Scores

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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

7.4

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+
  • Tuning feels refined, blending frequencies with convincing realism and engagement. Transitions between registers feel effortless.

Average Technical Grade

S
  • Expect an effortlessly clean presentation that keeps complex mixes perfectly organized. There is zero sense of congestion even at high volume.
Bass S-
The bass digs deep with authority while staying impeccably textured. No sense of bloom muddies the mids.
Mids A
The mid band shines with organic tone and finely rendered textures. Long sessions remain fatigue-free.
Treble A+
Highs sound shimmering and endless, with exquisite smoothness and detail. Air and sparkle feel endless.
Dynamics S-
The presentation feels expansive, letting micro and macro dynamics breathe. There's a sense of limitless headroom.
Details S
Resolution reaches the limit of perception, exposing layers you didn't know existed. Clarity remains pristine regardless of complexity.
Imaging S-
Exceptional imaging with holographic precision that creates a palpable sense of placement. It creates a near-holographic placement.
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+
  • 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

PMG Audio Apx SE User Reviews

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