Empire Ears Raven VS Astell&Kern x Empire Ears NOVUS

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

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Empire Ears Raven and Astell&Kern x Empire Ears NOVUS use 2DD+5BA+4EST+1BC and 2DD+5BA+4EST+2BC driver setups respectively. Empire Ears Raven costs $3,600 while Astell&Kern x Empire Ears NOVUS costs $5,000. Astell&Kern x Empire Ears NOVUS is $1,400 more expensive. Empire Ears Raven holds a slight 0.1-point edge in reviewer scores (8.5 vs 8.5). Astell&Kern x Empire Ears NOVUS has significantly better bass with a 1-point edge, Astell&Kern x Empire Ears NOVUS has significantly better treble with a 2-point edge, Astell&Kern x Empire Ears NOVUS has better dynamics with a 0.5-point edge, Empire Ears Raven has better details with a 0.5-point edge and Empire Ears Raven has better imaging with a 0.5-point edge.

Insights

Metric Empire Ears Raven Astell&Kern x Empire Ears NOVUS
Bass 8 9
Mids 8 8
Treble 6 8
Details 9 8.5
Imaging 9 8.5
Dynamics 8 8.5
Tonality 8.2 8.3
Technicalities 8.9 8.5

Empire Ears Raven Aggregated Review Score

Average Reviewer Scores

Precogvision
Jays Audio

Average Reviewer Score:

8.5

Excellent


Astell&Kern x Empire Ears NOVUS Aggregated Review Score

Average Reviewer Scores

Drew / Audionotions Smirk Audio

Average Reviewer Score:

8.5

Very Positive


Empire Ears Raven User Review Score

Average User Scores

Average User Score: n/a

Based on 0 user reviews

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Astell&Kern x Empire Ears NOVUS User Review Score

Average User Scores

Average User Score: n/a

Based on 0 user reviews

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Empire Ears Raven Gaming Score

Gaming Score & Grade

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

Gaming Score

7.1

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+

Empire Ears Raven 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 A+
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 B
Good treble response - clear and detailed without fatigue. Well-extended with proper air and sparkle.
Dynamics A+
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
Reference-class imaging: perfectly pinpoint accuracy in 3D space. Utterly realistic placement with zero positional drift.
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

Empire Ears Raven Reviews

Jays Audio 9 Reviewer Score
S Tuning
S Tech
V/W Shaped. Energetic treble. Great tech. Fun bass and engaging signature. Overpriced?

Jays Audio original ranking

Jays Audio Youtube Channel
- Jays Audio
Precogvision 8 Reviewer Score
A- Tuning
S- Tech
Sounds quite hi-fi and grand sounding, but coherency could use work - bass is distinct from the EST tweeters.

Precogvision original ranking

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

Astell&Kern x Empire Ears NOVUS Reviews

Drew / 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

Drew / Audionotions original ranking

Website (Audionotions)

- Drew / Audionotions
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

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

Empire Ears Raven User Reviews

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