Empire Ears Legend X SE VS FATFreq Grand Maestro

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

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Empire Ears Legend X SE and FATFreq Grand Maestro use 2DD+5BA and 1DD+8BA+4EST driver setups respectively. Empire Ears Legend X SE costs $2,400 while FATFreq Grand Maestro costs $3,334. FATFreq Grand Maestro is $934 more expensive. FATFreq Grand Maestro holds a decisive 1.3-point edge in reviewer scores (7.1 vs 8.4). Empire Ears Legend X SE has slightly better bass with a 0.3-point edge, FATFreq Grand Maestro has better treble with a 0.5-point edge, FATFreq Grand Maestro has significantly better dynamics with a 2.5-point edge, Empire Ears Legend X SE has significantly better details with a 1.3-point edge and Empire Ears Legend X SE has better imaging with a 0.8-point edge.

Insights

Metric Empire Ears Legend X SE FATFreq Grand Maestro
Bass 8 7.8
Mids 7 6.8
Treble 7 7.5
Details 8 6.8
Soundstage 7.1 9
Imaging 8 7.3
Dynamics 6 8.5
Tonality 7.2 8.2
Technicalities 7.2 8

Empire Ears Legend X SE Aggregated Review Score

Empire Ears Legend X SE Average Reviewer Scores

Precogvision Crin

Average Reviewer Score:

7.1

Generally Favorable


FATFreq Grand Maestro Aggregated Review Score

FATFreq Grand Maestro Average Reviewer Scores

Nymz
Smirk Audio
Jays Audio Jaytiss IEMRanking AI

Average Reviewer Score:

8.4

Very Positive


Empire Ears Legend X SE User Review Score

Empire Ears Legend X SE Average User Scores

Average User Score: n/a

Based on 0 user reviews

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FATFreq Grand Maestro User Review Score

FATFreq Grand Maestro Average User Scores

Average User Score: n/a

Based on 0 user reviews

No user reviews yet. Be the first one who writes a review!

Empire Ears Legend X SE Gaming Score

Gaming Score & Grade

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

Gaming Score

5.7

Gaming Grade

B-

FATFreq Grand Maestro Gaming Score

Gaming Score & Grade

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

Gaming Score

6.6

Gaming Grade

B+

Empire Ears Legend X SE Scorings

Average Technical & Tuning Grades

Average Tunign Grade

A-
  • Pleasing tonal balance with good technical control. Minor quirks present but not distracting. Demonstrates decent genre versatility.

Average Technical Grade

A-
  • Competent technical presentation. Handles separation and detail well in most tracks, with modest soundstage and acceptable imaging capabilities.
Bass A+
Excellent bass response - powerful yet controlled. Deep extension with authoritative slam while maintaining clarity.
Mids A-
Excellent midrange with natural timbre and great detail retrieval. Vocals are forward and emotive with lifelike instrument reproduction.
Treble A-
Excellent treble: airy, extended and well-controlled. Great micro-detail retrieval without sibilance or harshness.
Dynamics B
Good dynamic expression with solid impact. Handles volume contrasts well while maintaining good transient snap.
Details A+
Exceptional resolution that uncovers the deepest layers. Retrieves even the most minute details while maintaining natural timbre.
Imaging A+
Exceptional imaging with holographic precision. Creates a palpable sense of physical placement with perfect positional stability.
Gaming B-
Moderate spatial presentation conveys general directionality. Suitable for casual play where precision isn't critical. Bad value-to-cost for gaming purpose - not recommended

FATFreq Grand Maestro 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

A+
  • Very competent with articulate presentation. Well-defined layers and precise imaging. Soundstage is immersive and handles dynamics well.
Bass A
Strong, well-defined bass with good texture. Delivers satisfying punch and rumble without overwhelming other frequencies.
Mids B+
Good midrange presence with solid clarity. Vocals are clear and instruments have reasonable texture and body.
Treble A
Excellent treble: airy, extended and well-controlled. Great micro-detail retrieval without sibilance or harshness.
Dynamics S-
Superb dynamic range - powerful yet nuanced. Exceptional transient response with lifelike impact and subtle volume gradations.
Soundstage S
Reference-class soundstage: perfectly spherical presentation with infinite space. Utterly realistic instrument placement and venue reproduction.
Details B+
Good resolution with clear articulation of nuances. Reveals recording nuances and maintains clarity in complex passages.
Imaging A-
Excellent imaging: precise and stable placement. Instruments occupy specific points in space with tangible positions.
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

Empire Ears Legend X SE Reviews

Empire Ears Legend X SE reviewed by:

Precogvision 7.2 Reviewer Score
A- Tuning
A- Tech
Lacks control in the bass, but it's so fun. Excellent imaging performance that belies its tuning.

Precogvision original ranking

Precogvision Youtube Channel
- Precogvision
Bass: A+ Mids: A- Treble: A- Dynamics: B Details: A+ Imaging: A+

Empire Ears Legend X SE reviewed by:

Crin 7 Reviewer Score
A- Tuning
A- Tech
A more upper-mid-forward variation of the original Legend X, which could come off as slightly more mid-recessed.

Crin original ranking

Crin Youtube Channel
- Crin

FATFreq Grand Maestro Reviews

FATFreq Grand Maestro reviewed by:

Smirk Audio 7.7 Reviewer Score
A Tuning
A Tech
check links for more info:

Smirk Audio original ranking

Smirk Audio Head-Fi Profile

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

FATFreq Grand Maestro reviewed by:

Jays Audio 9.5 Reviewer Score
S Tuning
S Tech
The best basshead set. That is all. EXPENSIVE. If you just want bass HBB Punch way better value.

Jays Audio original ranking

Jays Audio Youtube Channel
- Jays Audio

FATFreq Grand Maestro reviewed by:

Jaytiss 9.3 Reviewer Score
A+ Tuning
A+ Tech
Is one of those sets that can do it all. Very impressive.

Jaytiss original ranking

Jaytiss Youtube Channel
- Jaytiss
Mids: A- Treble: A+ Dynamics: S Soundstage: S

FATFreq Grand Maestro reviewed by:

Nymz 6.5 Reviewer Score
B+ Tuning
B Tech
See Maestro SE but with worse bass.

Nymz original ranking

Nymz Website

- Nymz
Bass: A- Mids: B Treble: A- Details: B Imaging: A-

FATFreq Grand Maestro reviewed by:

IEMRanking AI 9 Reviewer Score
S Tuning
S Tech

The FATFreq Grand Maestro offers a highly adaptable sound signature through its NOAH modules and vocal switches, enabling four distinct tuning profiles. The black NOAH module emphasizes sub-bass "slam," while the blue variant provides tighter "rumble" control; combined with the vocal switch, these allow shifts from a bass-forward signature to a more mid-centric presentation. Bass is deep and authoritative but avoids midrange bleed, while the treble—handled by electrostatic drivers—delivers clarity without sibilance or fatigue.

Technically, it excels in imaging precision and creates an immersive, three-dimensional soundstage that positions instruments with remarkable specificity. However, its large shell size may challenge those with smaller ears, and it demands power-hungry sources—often requiring high-gain amplification to reach full potential. The deluxe package includes both NOAH modules and an upgraded cable, enhancing its tuning flexibility.

- IEMRanking AI

Empire Ears Legend X SE User Reviews

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FATFreq Grand Maestro User Reviews

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