Astell&Kern x Empire Ears NOVUS VS Noble Audio Shogun

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

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Astell&Kern x Empire Ears NOVUS and Noble Audio Shogun use 2DD+5BA+4EST+2BC and 1DD+6BA+4EST+2BC driver setups respectively. Astell&Kern x Empire Ears NOVUS costs $5,000 while Noble Audio Shogun costs $3,900. Astell&Kern x Empire Ears NOVUS is $1,100 more expensive. Astell&Kern x Empire Ears NOVUS holds a clear 0.9-point edge in reviewer scores (8.5 vs 7.5). Astell&Kern x Empire Ears NOVUS has significantly better bass with a 2-point edge, Astell&Kern x Empire Ears NOVUS has better mids with a 0.5-point edge, Astell&Kern x Empire Ears NOVUS has significantly better treble with a 1-point edge, Astell&Kern x Empire Ears NOVUS has significantly better dynamics with a 1-point edge, Astell&Kern x Empire Ears NOVUS has better details with a 0.5-point edge and Astell&Kern x Empire Ears NOVUS has significantly better imaging with a 1-point edge.

Insights

Metric Astell&Kern x Empire Ears NOVUS Noble Audio Shogun
Bass 9 7
Mids 8 7.5
Treble 8 7
Details 8.5 8
Imaging 8.5 7.5
Dynamics 8.5 7.5
Tonality 8.3 7.2
Technicalities 8.5 7.7

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

Noble Audio Shogun Aggregated Review Score

Average Reviewer Scores

Smirk Audio

Average Reviewer Score:

7.5

Strongly Favorable

Show all Noble Audio Shogun reviews

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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Noble Audio Shogun Details

Driver Configuration: 1DD+6BA+4EST+2BC

Tuning Type: n/a

Price (Msrp): $3,900

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Astell&Kern x Empire Ears NOVUS User Review Score

Average User Scores

Average User Score: n/a

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Noble Audio Shogun User Review Score

Average User Scores

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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+

Noble Audio Shogun Gaming Score

Gaming Score & Grade

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

Gaming Score

6.1

Gaming Grade

B

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

Noble Audio Shogun 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
  • Good technical performance. Clear separation and decent detail retrieval across various tracks. Soundstage shows reasonable width and depth.
Bass A-
Strong, well-defined bass with good texture. Delivers satisfying punch and rumble without overwhelming other frequencies.
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 A
Excellent dynamics with great contrast and speed. Transients are crisp and micro-details are clearly articulated.
Details A+
Exceptional resolution that uncovers the deepest layers. Retrieves even the most minute details while maintaining natural timbre.
Imaging A
Excellent imaging: precise and stable placement. Instruments occupy specific points in space with tangible positions.
Gaming B
Decent spatial awareness for fundamental positioning. Creates satisfying atmosphere in story-driven games while handling basic directional cues. Bad value-to-cost for gaming purpose - not recommended

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-

Noble Audio Shogun Reviews

Reviewed by: Smirk Audio

Smirk Audio 7.5 Reviewer Score
A- Tuning
A Tech
check links for more info:

Smirk Audio original ranking

Smirk Audio Head-Fi Profile

Bass: A- Mids: A Treble: A- Dynamics: A Details: A+ Imaging: A

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