.png){kind=small}
Note that this is a discontinued product. You may want to visit the brand's page here to browse their newer products.
What reviewers think
Bloggers and YouTubers have tried this product—so we've summarized their strongest opinions below. Links to full reviews follow.
What are hifi reviews useful for? (1) Identifying products you should demo in person at a dealer. (2) Learning which products reviewers unanimously praise as the best they've heard (this means they probably are legitimately great). (3) Identifying a product's attributes that satisfy your idiosyncratic needs and tastes. Beyond that, we often discount what reviewers say because they heap praise on most products—and are often apprehensive about publishing strong criticism or comparisons between products. Further, they seldom have more than a few products on-hand, often relying on their memories to compare past products. Always listen for yourself.
All
Viking Prestige Universal - 04
reviews
Video Review
Manufacturer details
Features
Specifications
- Driver Configuration: 2 × 10 mm Dynamic bass drivers + 4 × Knowles Balanced Armature drivers + 4 × Electrostatic drivers
- Model: Magnus 4
- Construction: 4-core Graphene/Silver hybrid
- Termination: 4.4 mm Pentaconn balanced
- Connector: 0.78 mm 2-pin
Description
The Viking Prestige Universal - 04 is a prestige-tier hybrid in-ear monitor (IEM) based on Noble Audio’s Viking Ragnar. It integrates 2 dynamic bass drivers, 4 Knowles balanced armature drivers, and 4 electrostatic drivers, paired with the high-end Magnus 4 cable (4-core Graphene/Silver, 4.4 mm Pentaconn, 0.78 mm 2-pin).
Release Timeline
Manufacturer Site
Brand highlights
Taking a step back to look at reviewers' thoughts of the brand's entire lineup—not just this product—what stands out most is the following:
- Noble’s product line features custom-built balanced armature drivers, meaning they are engineered specifically for their IEMs rather than using off-the-shelf components.
- They use a unique hybrid driver configurations in their IEMs, such as their "quadbrid" design that incorporates dynamic, balanced armature, electrostatic, and bone conduction drivers within a single product.
Select products
Select product comparisons
Noble FoKus Rex5
- Positioning: A wireless in-ear model designed for users seeking personalized sound with high portability.
- Description: Features a hybrid five-driver configuration and Audiodo sound personalization that tailors audio based on individual hearing, providing a dynamic and adaptive listening experience. Compared to the wired and over-ear models in the lineup, it offers wireless convenience at a lower price point, making it ideal for budgets and on-the-go use.
Stage 3
- Positioning: A wired in-ear monitor built for musicians and performing artists.
- Description: Features a 3-driver architecture that combines a 10mm dynamic driver with two balanced armature drivers for rich lows, detailed mids, and sparkling highs. Compared to models like the wireless Rex5 and over-ear Apollo, it focuses on performance in live settings with purpose-built durability and specialized cable options for better stage functionality.
FoKus Apollo
- Positioning: An over-ear headphone crafted for audiophiles demanding high-quality sound and versatile connectivity.
- Description: Features a hybrid design that pairs a 40mm dynamic driver with a 14.5mm planar magnetic driver, delivering an expansive soundstage with clear mids and punchy bass. Compared to in-ear monitors such as the Rex5 and Stage 3, it offers a more immersive listening experience with premium build elements and extensive connection options.
Viking Ragnar (Universal Fit)
- Positioning: A flagship wired in-ear monitor featuring robust, high-end construction for professional audio applications.
- Description: Features an all-metal design that includes two 10mm dynamic bass drivers, four balanced armature drivers, and four electrostatic drivers, ensuring a balanced and detailed frequency response. Compared to the lower-priced models in the lineup, it delivers premium craftsmanship and performance for studio or critical listening environments.
Viking Prestige Universal
- Positioning: A top-tier wired universal in-ear monitor that represents the pinnacle of in-house design and sonic performance.
- Description: Features an advanced driver setup combining dual 10mm dynamic drivers, four balanced armature drivers, and four electrostatic drivers, delivering an exceptionally balanced soundstage with meticulous driver matching and premium connectivity. Compared to other products in the lineup, this model is engineered for users seeking the utmost in sonic accuracy and build quality.
See All Products
Avg. Product Price
$2,501-$5,000
Used For Sale
0
Available (Scroll Down)
Brand Popularity
785
of 900+
Badges
Top 50 Brand
Top 250 Brand
Products Listed
29
Founding Year
2013
Our take on the brand
Noble is a hifi audio brand built around founder Dr. John "Wizard" Moulton, an audiologist renowned for hand-carving custom earphones from exotic materials like wood, carbon fiber, and aluminum instead of standard acrylic, with each ear requiring up to 30 hours to complete. The brand distinguishes itself by using bone conduction drivers across multiple models and bringing rare metallurgical techniques like Japanese Mokume-Gane and titanium Damascus to earphone faceplates.
Look inside the brand
Brand Page
Our interview with the brand
What are two key technological innovations or strong opinions that differ you from other brands?
What's your approach to customer support?
What are your favorite tracks for showcasing the strength of your products?
What other products pair best with yours?
From our interview with
.
Brand Page
Used
Noble
All of the Brand's Used Products
What if you spend more?
.png){kind=small}
oBravo
Ra-c-cu (21.5)
9722
9722
/
6
Reviews
oBravo is a hifi headphone and IEM brand recognized for its coaxial two-way architecture that places AMT tweeters at the acoustic center of dynamic drivers, creating speaker-like scale and separation in headphones. The brand features user-tunable airflow systems, aggressive miniaturization of AMT technology, and semi-open voicing that delivers amphitheater-scale staging rarely found in in-ear designs.
Expand Details
.svg)
Product Strengths
- Build quality is sensational, handmade in Taiwan, and has thousands of man hours put into it
- The kit has detachable clickable connections, and high-quality pure copper cables
- Comes with accessories such as replacement parts for the earbuds, and adapters (3.5, 4.4 for balance, and 2.5 balance)
- Accessories are beautifully made with wood and good hinges
- The product features a two-way speaker system inside an earbud
Product Considerations
- It demands good, abundant power to be driven, due to its specifications of 93dB sensitivity, and 182 Ohms
- Needs to be burned-in (driven) for no less than 200 hours, and most possibly 300 hours
- The stock cable has tiny connectors which make it very difficult to connect any wire beyond 26-28awg
- The outer packaging box seems to be a reformed cardboard box, which is huge and white, and may not be durable in the long run
- The proprietary MMCX-designed connectors means the cable’s tiny connectors make it very difficult to connect any wire beyond 26-28awg and perhaps a very thin 2 or 4 wire at best
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- The oBravo RA-C-CU excels versus the Vision Ears EVE2020 across every parameter, though there is a warmth across the EVE’s midrange via its dynamic driver, that moves it to, at least, competitive with the RA-C-CU and its Neodymium Dynamic Driver
- There were no aspects between the Vision Ears ELYSIUM and the oBravo RA-C-CU where the oBravo did not excel
- The oBravo RA-C-CU extends a competitive advantage across all relevant parameters from bass extension to treble extension to transparency to a coherency that holds together through the most complex and dynamic passages to a more expansive soundstage, compared to the oBravo EAMT-2C
Takeaway: The Ra-c-cu (21.5) is a very well-made earbud that gives a sensational listening experience like high-end speakers in one's ears. If one wants to treat oneself with serious earbuds where money is not a problem, this is the way to go.
Video review
Our take on the brand
oBravo is a hifi headphone and IEM brand recognized for its coaxial two-way architecture that places AMT tweeters at the acoustic center of dynamic drivers, creating speaker-like scale and separation in headphones. The brand features user-tunable airflow systems, aggressive miniaturization of AMT technology, and semi-open voicing that delivers amphitheater-scale staging rarely found in in-ear designs.
Product Page
Product Page
Subtonic Audio
Storm
5200
5200
/
4
Reviews
Subtonic Audio is a hifi headphone brand recognized for their SLAM dual-armature woofer system, delivering bass extension down to 3 Hz, and their complex 7-way CTRL crossover that splits signals into narrow bands for precise control. Their flagship Storm IEMs showcase hand-enameled faceplates with a two-thirds rejection rate.
Expand Details
Our summary
Product Strengths
- Considered by many as having the best sound achievable in an in-ear headphone, making it an exceptional audio experience
- The sound signature is mostly balanced with tasteful coloration, where the treble imparts a particular element that is potentially preferable
- The midrange is extremely well done
- Features unique SLAM subwoofer, woofer, midwoofer, mid tweeter, tweeter and EST technologies
- Built with Grade 5 titanium, providing sturdiness and high quality
Product Considerations
- Treble performance can be hit or miss depending on the listener's anatomy and HRTF
- Requires more power than typical IEMs, potentially draining the battery of portable audio players
- Shells are on the larger side
- The included cable is nice, but the chin cinch tends to slide down
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Compared to the Hi-Senior Megafest and Dusk Default DSP, the Storm is an editorialized or enhanced version of those IEMs, particularly regarding bass and mids
- Compared to the 64 Audio U6T, it has similar balance with similar tasteful colorations, but Storm's bass is more punchy and the upper treble is more to the reviewer's preference
- Compared to the Empire Ears Odin, the Storm is preferred because the Odin is not as versatile, and the Storm sounds more detailed
- Compared to the Empire Ears Raven, the Storm is more normal in a good way because the Raven has massive bass and a strange lower midrange resonance feature
- Resolution, stage and tonality are better on the Storm compared to Grand Maestro
Takeaway: The Storm is a high-end IEM with exceptional sound quality and great build, even if pricey. It could be worth buying for those who want the best possible audio experience and appreciate a balanced sound with unique features.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Subtonic Audio is a hifi headphone brand recognized for their SLAM dual-armature woofer system, delivering bass extension down to 3 Hz, and their complex 7-way CTRL crossover that splits signals into narrow bands for precise control. Their flagship Storm IEMs showcase hand-enameled faceplates with a two-thirds rejection rate.
Product Page
Product Page
oBravo
Ra-c (21.5)
9722
9722
/
3
Reviews
oBravo is a hifi headphone and IEM brand recognized for its coaxial two-way architecture that places AMT tweeters at the acoustic center of dynamic drivers, creating speaker-like scale and separation in headphones. The brand features user-tunable airflow systems, aggressive miniaturization of AMT technology, and semi-open voicing that delivers amphitheater-scale staging rarely found in in-ear designs.
Expand Details
Video review
Our take on the brand
oBravo is a hifi headphone and IEM brand recognized for its coaxial two-way architecture that places AMT tweeters at the acoustic center of dynamic drivers, creating speaker-like scale and separation in headphones. The brand features user-tunable airflow systems, aggressive miniaturization of AMT technology, and semi-open voicing that delivers amphitheater-scale staging rarely found in in-ear designs.
Product Page
Product Page
.png){kind=small}
Unique Melody
Mason FS Soleil Tombé
8499
8499
/
3
Reviews
Unique Melody is a hifi audio brand best known for designs that pioneered bone conduction technology in IEMs. The brand combines advanced materials such as silver-palladium alloy bone conduction drivers with 27 ceramic layers and titanium shells. They also created early planar magnetic IEMs and popularized quadbrid driver configurations that combine dynamic, balanced armature, electrostatic, and bone conduction drivers.
Expand Details
Product Strengths
- Fuller body smooth analog tonality and a neutrally balanced sound signature
- Naturally resolving treble
- Expanded soundstage
- Beautiful, exotic material shells and premium leather accessories
- Very light weight
Product Considerations
- The high price is a significant consideration
- Performance is source pair-up dependent
- The included PWA First Times Shielding Pro cable has some microphonics
- Shells are a little bigger in comparison to previous Mason FS models and MM/AP models from Mentor-series
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Vs Unique Melody Amber Pearl, the Soleil Tombé has less bass and is more neutral, allowing for clearer mids compared to the Amber Pearl's stronger bass presence
- Vs U12T, the Mason FS has better bass impact and texture, while the Mason FS also presents vocals as warmer and fuller, with more atmosphere, while the U12T presents a very clean and clear sound, though it is less energetic
- Vs Noble Onyx, the Mason FS is warmer, while the Onyx has a larger, more open sound, though the Onyx can be clearer in higher registers but loses clarity in lower registers compared to Mason FS
- Vs UM Mason FS Le Jardin (LJ), the 2024 model is just $499 more
Takeaway: The Mason FS Soleil Tombé is a very good-looking IEM that provides a unique listening experience with balanced sound and beautiful mids. It is for people that want something different than other products in the market.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Unique Melody is a hifi audio brand best known for designs that pioneered bone conduction technology in IEMs. The brand combines advanced materials such as silver-palladium alloy bone conduction drivers with 27 ceramic layers and titanium shells. They also created early planar magnetic IEMs and popularized quadbrid driver configurations that combine dynamic, balanced armature, electrostatic, and bone conduction drivers.
Product Page
Product Page
What competes at this price?
Noble
Viking Ragnar (Universal Fit)
4000
/
Released
2022
The Viking Ragnar is a universal in-ear monitor utilizing a premium 10-driver tribrid architecture: two 10 mm dynamic drivers, four Knowles balanced armatures, and four electrostatic drivers. It’s housed in CNC-machined aluminum shells with Damascus stainless steel faceplates by Chris Ploof and includes the Magnus 4 Graphene/Silver cable with 4.4 mm balanced termination.
Noble is a hifi audio brand built around founder Dr. John "Wizard" Moulton, an audiologist renowned for hand-carving custom earphones from exotic materials like wood, carbon fiber, and aluminum instead of standard acrylic, with each ear requiring up to 30 hours to complete. The brand distinguishes itself by using bone conduction drivers across multiple models and bringing rare metallurgical techniques like Japanese Mokume-Gane and titanium Damascus to earphone faceplates.
Expand Details
Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Excellent detail retrieval, resolving with the best over-ear headphones, challenging the brain to take it all in.
- Wide soundstage with precise imaging, creating an immersive, holographic 3D image.
- Easy to drive, delivering speed and impact even with low-power sources.
- High level of craftsmanship and build quality, using premium materials like CNC-machined aluminum and Damascus steel faceplates.
- Comes with the Magnus cable, a high-quality 8-core cable constructed with graphene, monocrystalline silver, and copper-silver alloy.
Product Considerations
- Treble can become a bit hot and fatiguing over long periods, but can be mitigated by using foam ear tips.
- Bass presence is more nominal and cohesive, not dominant or overpowering like some bass-head IEMs.
- Fit may be an issue for some due to the larger-than-average size of the IEM.
- Could be fatiguing over time due to sensory overload from extreme detail.
- Some reviewers found that the upper mids/lower treble frequency range could use a little boost.
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Offers a stronger balance of detail, performance, and musicality, a fuller, richer midrange, and better texture and timbre, when compared to the Empire Ears Odin—Odin has stronger holographic separation, an intense sense of vocal performance, and more potential for fatigue.
Takeaway: The Noble Viking Ragnar is a top-tier IEM, offering incredible detail and a wide soundstage for an immersive listening experience. Its build quality and design are exceptional, making it a great choice for those who want some of the best IEMs in the market.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Noble is a hifi audio brand built around founder Dr. John "Wizard" Moulton, an audiologist renowned for hand-carving custom earphones from exotic materials like wood, carbon fiber, and aluminum instead of standard acrylic, with each ear requiring up to 30 hours to complete. The brand distinguishes itself by using bone conduction drivers across multiple models and bringing rare metallurgical techniques like Japanese Mokume-Gane and titanium Damascus to earphone faceplates.
Product Page
Product Page
Noble
Ronin
3900
/
Released
2023
The Ronin is Noble Audio’s 12-driver, hybrid universal IEM—comprising 4 Sonion balanced armatures for sub-bass/bass, 4 balanced armatures for midrange, and 4 Sonion electrostatic drivers for highs and super-highs—all housed in a CNC-machined proprietary resin shell. It includes the exclusive Eletech “Ronin” cable: a 7-core gold-plated OCC / OCC copper / silver-plated OCC hybrid, designed to enhance detail and coherence.
Noble is a hifi audio brand built around founder Dr. John "Wizard" Moulton, an audiologist renowned for hand-carving custom earphones from exotic materials like wood, carbon fiber, and aluminum instead of standard acrylic, with each ear requiring up to 30 hours to complete. The brand distinguishes itself by using bone conduction drivers across multiple models and bringing rare metallurgical techniques like Japanese Mokume-Gane and titanium Damascus to earphone faceplates.
Expand Details
Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Gorgeous IEM with a finish worthy of a top-of-the-line IEM, pictures not doing it justice
- Highly revealing, with incredible detail and microdynamics that deliver a vivid, lifelike reproduction of music
- Excellent speed and strong texture in the balanced armature based low-end
- Clean, detailed, and transparent mids with top-tier detail retrieval coupled with strong layering and separation
- Soundstage is wide and three-dimensional, with holographic imaging, giving a real sense of being on stage or in the studio with the performers
Product Considerations
- The IEM is on the larger side, so consider this if you've got smaller ears
- Ronin is bright and has energetic treble, which may not be preferred by those who like a warmer sound with bass emphasis
- Bass is more neutral, and it's not going to have the impact of a dynamic driver bass
- Treble can be somewhat unforgiving, highlighting unpleasant aspects of older or lower-quality recordings
- Some reviewers found the character of Ronin to be a little bright and sometimes bass-lite, and may need proper pairing to sound its best
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Vs Empire Ears Odin: Odin is more versatile, but Ronin's treble performance is at a higher level
- Vs 64 Audio Fourte Blanc: Fourte Blanc offers a more balanced sound overall, while Ronin leans towards a more technical, bright sound
- Vs Noble Viking Ragnar: Ragnar has more rumble and denser, deeper layers of bass, while Ronin has slightly higher resolution
- Vs Noble Sultan: Ronin has more details, while the Sultan is more weightier and warmer in representation
Takeaway: The Noble Ronin offers incredible detail, imaging, and resolution, delivering an immersive listening experience for those who appreciate a highly revealing sound. For those with a collection of high-resolution music who want to hear every nuance, the Ronin is an excellent choice.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Noble is a hifi audio brand built around founder Dr. John "Wizard" Moulton, an audiologist renowned for hand-carving custom earphones from exotic materials like wood, carbon fiber, and aluminum instead of standard acrylic, with each ear requiring up to 30 hours to complete. The brand distinguishes itself by using bone conduction drivers across multiple models and bringing rare metallurgical techniques like Japanese Mokume-Gane and titanium Damascus to earphone faceplates.
Product Page
Product Page
Noble
Onyx (Universal Fit)
3200
/
Released
2024
The ONYX (Universal Fit) is a hybrid in-ear monitor (IEM) combining 8 drivers—1 custom 10 mm dynamic (bass), 4 Knowles BA (mids/highs), 2 Sonion electrostatic (ultra-highs), and 1 PZT bone conductor—housed in a robust CNC-machined aluminum shell with Raffir composite faceplate and stainless steel wax guard. It includes the premium Eletech Courage OCC silver-plated cable with 4.4 mm termination.
Noble is a hifi audio brand built around founder Dr. John "Wizard" Moulton, an audiologist renowned for hand-carving custom earphones from exotic materials like wood, carbon fiber, and aluminum instead of standard acrylic, with each ear requiring up to 30 hours to complete. The brand distinguishes itself by using bone conduction drivers across multiple models and bringing rare metallurgical techniques like Japanese Mokume-Gane and titanium Damascus to earphone faceplates.
Expand Details
Our Summary
Product Strengths
- High-quality build and materials, with CNC-milled aluminum shell and Raffir composite faceplate, which gives a jewelry-like element
- Great imaging with a big soundstage, good instrument separation, and placement
- Excellent vocal imaging with a forward, intimate, and balanced vocal presence that avoids sibilance
- Deep bass extension with physical characteristics (bone conduction driver), and good texture across the entire range
Product Considerations
- Fit can be tricky due to the larger size, potentially problematic for those with smaller ears, but a deep penetration ensures a good seal with the right ear tip
- Can be source-sensitive, and might become muddy with warmer sources—more reference or incisive sources are recommended
- Bass bloom can overwhelm the mids on some recordings
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Vs Vision Ears VE10: The Onyx has a massive arena-like soundstage, while the VE10 feels more like a studio; the VE10 has stronger mids and more extended treble, but can be shouty
- Vs U12T: The Onyx has more focused and bodied vocals, and the bass provides better pressure and control, while the U12T has greater clarity
- Vs Aurora: The Onyx offers more precise and lively sound with better bass, and a more realistic vibration
Takeaway: The Noble Audio Onyx has a great build and delivers a unique, dark sound signature with a wide soundstage. With a good blend of bass, smooth highs, and clear vocals, the Onyx provides a great listening experience, especially for genres like rock and metal.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Noble is a hifi audio brand built around founder Dr. John "Wizard" Moulton, an audiologist renowned for hand-carving custom earphones from exotic materials like wood, carbon fiber, and aluminum instead of standard acrylic, with each ear requiring up to 30 hours to complete. The brand distinguishes itself by using bone conduction drivers across multiple models and bringing rare metallurgical techniques like Japanese Mokume-Gane and titanium Damascus to earphone faceplates.
Product Page
Product Page
Noble
Shogun
3900
/
Released
2025
The Shogun is Noble Audio’s hybrid universal in-ear monitor featuring a 13-driver ‘quadbrid’ configuration: 1 dynamic driver (bass), 6 balanced armatures (mids/highs), 4 Sonion electrostatic drivers (ultra-highs), and 2 bone conduction drivers—for an immersive, expansive soundstage. It boasts a bold 3D-printed resin shell with red/black stripes and Shogun-style faceplate, and includes a premium 4-core custom cable.
Noble is a hifi audio brand built around founder Dr. John "Wizard" Moulton, an audiologist renowned for hand-carving custom earphones from exotic materials like wood, carbon fiber, and aluminum instead of standard acrylic, with each ear requiring up to 30 hours to complete. The brand distinguishes itself by using bone conduction drivers across multiple models and bringing rare metallurgical techniques like Japanese Mokume-Gane and titanium Damascus to earphone faceplates.
Expand Details
Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Lovely tuning balance across the board, backed by a wonderfully holographic and immersive soundstage that keeps the listener deeply involved without fatigue
- Excellent channel balance from left to right, but holographic layering and cavernous presentation will engulf the listener in the presentation
- Noble Audio's hardest hitting tuning yet, with a combo of fast, physical bass, deep extension, and the brand’s signature top end detail and clarity
- Visually stunning design with intricate Japanese-themed aesthetic
- Excellent passive isolation
Product Considerations
- Slightly dark lower-treble
- The shell is sizable which could feel big in some ears, and the initial insertion might feel cumbersome
- The Shogun’s aesthetic design may be 'too much' or 'too gaudy' for some
- Bass texture might not be as present as expected for the price range
- Mids and highs could use a bit more energy
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Vs Noble Ronin, the Shogun has a warmer, heavier sound
- Vs Empire Ears Raven, the Raven has a deeper, stronger subbass response, while the Shogun emphasizes the midbass and low mids a little more, the Raven also adds a bit of an extra pop in the vocals
Takeaway: The Shogun is an all around great IEM that adds a little more warmth and color to Noble’s flagship lineup and stands strong among the competition. It's worth checking out if you want a balanced sounding, flagship quality IEM with hard-hitting bass and impressive spatial imaging.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Noble is a hifi audio brand built around founder Dr. John "Wizard" Moulton, an audiologist renowned for hand-carving custom earphones from exotic materials like wood, carbon fiber, and aluminum instead of standard acrylic, with each ear requiring up to 30 hours to complete. The brand distinguishes itself by using bone conduction drivers across multiple models and bringing rare metallurgical techniques like Japanese Mokume-Gane and titanium Damascus to earphone faceplates.
Product Page
Product Page
Empire Ears
Legend Evo (Universal)
3099
/
Released
2021
The story of the Legend EVO is one of revolution. Free from the constraints of convention and empowered by the skills gained from decades of experience, we knew that in order to develop a proper successor we had to take extraordinary new measures. With a pioneering Dual Conduction Architecture and 8 driver tribrid system at its core the Legend EVO emits unprecedented levels of innovation and performance to create a new benchmark in the IEM industry.
Empire Ears is a hifi audio brand best known for headphones featuring their proprietary Weapon IX 9mm rare-earth magnet "subwoofers" with bass-reflex systems. The company hand-builds synX crossover networks without PCBs, assigning more individual audio bands per driver than any other IEM crossover. They also developed EIVEC electrostatic control to integrate EST drivers with dynamic and balanced armature drivers.
Expand Details
Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Excellent technical performance and detail retrieval, considered several cuts above other IEMs
- Outstanding imaging performance, with precise soundstage and instrument separation
- The bass response is a highlight, delivering a punchy sub-bass with texture and articulation
- Offers a warmer tonal balance that is easy to get into with a mostly 'neutral' sound
- Bone conduction enhances low-frequency extension, reverb, and detail
Product Considerations
- Large chassis that may be uncomfortable for some users, particularly those with smaller ears
- The subdued treble range may not provide enough energy and sparkle for some listeners
- Stock cable is lackluster in terms of usability due to its plasticky feel, rigidity, and microphonic feedback
- Driver flex (a harmless crinkling sound upon insertion) is present
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Legend Evo delivers a stronger bass impact, depth, and extension than the Legend X
- Legend Evo produces better constructed highs than the Legend X
- Legend Evo shows better clarity than the Legend X, and has more detail
- The Legend X can sound veiled concerning the Legend Evo
- The Legend Evo feels a touch smoother than the Empire Ears ODIN
Takeaway: The Legend Evo is a top-tier IEM with innovative bone conduction technology that creates a unique and immersive listening experience with enhanced bass. It is a great option for those seeking flagship-level performance with a warm, bass-focused sound signature.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Empire Ears is a hifi audio brand best known for headphones featuring their proprietary Weapon IX 9mm rare-earth magnet "subwoofers" with bass-reflex systems. The company hand-builds synX crossover networks without PCBs, assigning more individual audio bands per driver than any other IEM crossover. They also developed EIVEC electrostatic control to integrate EST drivers with dynamic and balanced armature drivers.
Product Page
Product Page
How to buy
Headphones
Search all hifi products
Explore our database of 10,000+ new and 25,000+ used hifi products.
.png)
