Astell&Kern x Empire Ears NOVUS VS PMG Audio Apx

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

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Astell&Kern x Empire Ears NOVUS and PMG Audio Apx use 2DD+5BA+4EST+2BC and 1DD+8BA+2PL driver setups respectively. Astell&Kern x Empire Ears NOVUS costs $5,000 while PMG Audio Apx costs $6,650. PMG Audio Apx is $1,650 more expensive. Astell&Kern x Empire Ears NOVUS holds a slight 0.1-point edge in reviewer scores (8.5 vs 8.3). Astell&Kern x Empire Ears NOVUS has significantly better bass with a 1-point edge, Astell&Kern x Empire Ears NOVUS has better dynamics with a 0.5-point edge and PMG Audio Apx has better details with a 0.5-point edge.

Insights

Metric Astell&Kern x Empire Ears NOVUS PMG Audio Apx
Bass 9 8
Mids 8 8
Treble 8 8
Details 8.5 9
Imaging 8.5 8.5
Dynamics 8.5 8
Tonality 8.3 8
Technicalities 8.5 8.5

Astell&Kern x Empire Ears NOVUS Aggregated Review Score

Average Reviewer Scores

Audionotions Smirk Audio

Average Reviewer Score:

8.5

Very Positive


PMG Audio Apx Aggregated Review Score

Average Reviewer Scores

Smirk Audio

Average Reviewer Score:

8.3

Very Positive


Astell&Kern x Empire Ears NOVUS User Review Score

Average User Scores

Average User Score: n/a

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PMG Audio Apx 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 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 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+

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

PMG Audio Apx 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 A+
Superb treble: effortless extension with crystal clarity. Perfect balance of sparkle and smoothness with exceptional detail.
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-
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

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-

PMG Audio Apx Reviews

Reviewed by: Smirk Audio

Smirk Audio 8.3 Reviewer Score
A+ Tuning
S- Tech
Cons: Price.

Smirk Audio original ranking

Smirk Audio Head-Fi Profile

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

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PMG Audio Apx User Reviews

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