Empire Ears Wraith VS 7th Acoustics Asteria
IEM Comparison: Expert & Community Scores Side-by-Side
Empire Ears Wraith and 7th Acoustics Asteria use 7BA+4EST and 1DD+12BA driver setups respectively. Empire Ears Wraith costs $3,600 while 7th Acoustics Asteria costs $3,800. 7th Acoustics Asteria is $200 more expensive. 7th Acoustics Asteria holds a decisive 5.2-point edge in reviewer scores (3.6 vs 8.8). 7th Acoustics Asteria has significantly better bass with a 5.8-point edge, 7th Acoustics Asteria has significantly better mids with a 5.2-point edge, 7th Acoustics Asteria has significantly better treble with a 5.6-point edge, 7th Acoustics Asteria has significantly better dynamics with a 5.5-point edge, 7th Acoustics Asteria has significantly better details with a 5.6-point edge and 7th Acoustics Asteria has significantly better imaging with a 5.6-point edge.
Insights
| Metric | Empire Ears Wraith | 7th Acoustics Asteria |
|---|---|---|
| Bass | 3 | 8.8 |
| Mids | 4 | 9.2 |
| Treble | 3 | 8.6 |
| Details | 3 | 8.6 |
| Soundstage | 3.6 | 9 |
| Imaging | 3 | 8.6 |
| Dynamics | 3 | 8.5 |
| Tonality | 3.9 | 8.9 |
| Technicalities | 4.3 | 8.4 |
Empire Ears Wraith Aggregated Review Score
Average Reviewer Scores
Average Reviewer Score:
3.6Poor
7th Acoustics Asteria Aggregated Review Score
Average Reviewer Scores
Average Reviewer Score:
8.8Excellent
Reviews Comparison
Empire Ears Wraith reviewed by Precogvision
2.7
Reviewer Score
Precogvision Youtube Channel
7th Acoustics Asteria reviewed by Precogvision
8.3
Reviewer Score
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.
Precogvision Youtube Channel
Empire Ears Wraith (more reviews)
Empire Ears Wraith reviewed by Crin
4.5
Reviewer Score
7th Acoustics Asteria (more reviews)
7th Acoustics Asteria reviewed by Bad Guy Good Audio
9.1
Reviewer Score
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.
Bad Guy Good Audio original ranking
Bad Guy Good Audio Youtube Channel7th Acoustics Asteria reviewed by Web Search
8.9
Reviewer Score
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.
Empire Ears Wraith Details
Driver Configuration: 7BA+4EST
Tuning Type: Neutral, Dark
Brand: Empire Ears Top Empire Ears IEMs
Price (Msrp): $3,600
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7th Acoustics Asteria Details
Driver Configuration: 1DD+12BA
Tuning Type: U-Shaped
Price (Msrp): $3,800
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Empire Ears Wraith User Review Score
Average User Scores
Average User Score: n/a
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7th Acoustics Asteria User Review Score
Average User Scores
Average User Score: n/a
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Empire Ears Wraith Gaming Score
Gaming Score & Grade
- The gaming score is prioritizing technical capabilities of the IEM (Separation, Layering, Soundstage) and good value.
Gaming Score
2.6Gaming Grade
D-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
7Gaming Grade
A-Empire Ears Wraith Scorings
Average Technical & Tuning Grades
Average Tunign Grade
D+- Tonality remains inconsistent, with uneven peaks and dips that disrupt musical flow. You'll constantly notice peaks or dips pulling focus.
Average Technical Grade
C-- Even moderate complexity exposes the limited resolution and narrow sense of space. Technical fans will find it lacking.
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.
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