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Empire Ears Empire Studio Reference (E.S.R)
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Empire Ears Empire Studio Reference (E.S.R)
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The ESR Mk 1 was the first Empire Ears IEM that I tried extensively courtesy of a dear friend of mine. Empire Ears is an American family owned establishment that has been around for about 30 years or so. They handcraft their products in the USA and are proud of the attention to detail lavished upon them. They apparently inspect their IEMs under a microscope before shipping them out. Their lineup (available in universal and custom fits) is broadly divided into two:
1. X Series- Purported to be ‘raw and instinctive, unwavering in its singular purpose: to overwhelm the auditory senses through the vigorous spirit and emotion of a live performance’- I think that translates to a heavily colored sound signature. The lineup presently consists of Odin, Hero, Legend X, Bravado MkII, Valkyrie MkII and Legend Evo.
2. EP Series- The Empire Professional Series is supposed to their reference audio division. They employ a raft of technologies like synX crossovers (apparently has more bandwidth per driver), anti-resonance compound (dampening technique to reduce resonance of components), proprietary balanced armature and electrostatic drivers and high end Effect Audio cables. The lineup presently consists of Wraith and ESR MkII. I had tried out the ESR MkI which had three proprietary Empire Ears balanced armatures managed by a 4 way synX crossover as opposed to its successor (ESR MkII) which has a five driver setup (three balanced armatures and two electrostatic drivers).
I should probably mention that I have a significant preference to the classic rock, heavy metal and progressive rock genres and I hadn’t listened to songs from other genres with this IEM. I had tried out this IEM using two sources- local 16 & 24 bit lossless audio files on my Android phone + Lotoo PAW S2 and secondly, through a Lotoo PAW 6000.
Build Quality: The classy and kind of menacing looking black 3D printed shells with the Empire Ears logo on them were well made out of medical grade resin. The ESR came with a high end Effect Audio Ares II UP-OCC Litz removable cable that plugged into the flush 2 pin connector sockets of the ESR’s shell. I could not find any seams or mold joints in the shell. The build quality was top notch. As mentioned before, Empire Ears had employed their own proprietary balanced armature drivers and crossover network for the ESR.
Accessories: The ESR had extravagant packaging. It came in a black box with the Empire Ears logo embossed on it. The box contained a black colored metal carry case that was lined with silicon inside, cleaning cloth, and an assortment of Final Audio Type E tips. The whole experience screamed high end and Empire Ears aced it here.
Comfort: The semi custom contours fit me very well. Though the shells were a smidgen larger than usual for something with a triple driver setup I was still quite comfortable with them. Those with smaller ears should try it out for fit.
Isolation and cable microphonics: I had tried out the ESR with a pair of medium sized silicon tips which fit me well and were very comfortable. I had also tried out the ESR with a pair of medium sized foam tips. Sound isolation was good with both tips. The cable deserves a special mention again. This was the nicest cable I saw that came stock with any of the IEMs that I had tried out during that session. The output jack was the very definition of over engineering. The cable was supple and microphonics were almost non existent while sitting down and listening to music.
Drivability: The ESR had an impedance of 19.3 Ohms and sensitivity of 112 dB and both of my sources were able to drive these easily.
Sound Quality: After coming from trying out a set of neutral IEMs, the ESR’s sonic signature was like a shot of expresso in the morning. Empire Ears might have marketed this under their professional lineup stating that it has flat, pure, unadulterated reference class sound, but after listening to them, I wasn’t entirely sure that the ESR came under that bracket.
1. X Series- Purported to be ‘raw and instinctive, unwavering in its singular purpose: to overwhelm the auditory senses through the vigorous spirit and emotion of a live performance’- I think that translates to a heavily colored sound signature. The lineup presently consists of Odin, Hero, Legend X, Bravado MkII, Valkyrie MkII and Legend Evo.
2. EP Series- The Empire Professional Series is supposed to their reference audio division. They employ a raft of technologies like synX crossovers (apparently has more bandwidth per driver), anti-resonance compound (dampening technique to reduce resonance of components), proprietary balanced armature and electrostatic drivers and high end Effect Audio cables. The lineup presently consists of Wraith and ESR MkII. I had tried out the ESR MkI which had three proprietary Empire Ears balanced armatures managed by a 4 way synX crossover as opposed to its successor (ESR MkII) which has a five driver setup (three balanced armatures and two electrostatic drivers).
I should probably mention that I have a significant preference to the classic rock, heavy metal and progressive rock genres and I hadn’t listened to songs from other genres with this IEM. I had tried out this IEM using two sources- local 16 & 24 bit lossless audio files on my Android phone + Lotoo PAW S2 and secondly, through a Lotoo PAW 6000.
Specifications | |
Drivers | 3 BA drivers (proprietary Empire Ears drivers) |
Crossover | 4-way crossover |
Frequency Response | 10 Hz to 40 KHz |
Impedance | 19.3 Ohms @ 1 KHz |
Sensitivity | 112 dB @ 1 Khz |
Proprietary Tech | ARC anti resonance tech, synX crossover |
Build Quality: The classy and kind of menacing looking black 3D printed shells with the Empire Ears logo on them were well made out of medical grade resin. The ESR came with a high end Effect Audio Ares II UP-OCC Litz removable cable that plugged into the flush 2 pin connector sockets of the ESR’s shell. I could not find any seams or mold joints in the shell. The build quality was top notch. As mentioned before, Empire Ears had employed their own proprietary balanced armature drivers and crossover network for the ESR.
Accessories: The ESR had extravagant packaging. It came in a black box with the Empire Ears logo embossed on it. The box contained a black colored metal carry case that was lined with silicon inside, cleaning cloth, and an assortment of Final Audio Type E tips. The whole experience screamed high end and Empire Ears aced it here.
Comfort: The semi custom contours fit me very well. Though the shells were a smidgen larger than usual for something with a triple driver setup I was still quite comfortable with them. Those with smaller ears should try it out for fit.
Isolation and cable microphonics: I had tried out the ESR with a pair of medium sized silicon tips which fit me well and were very comfortable. I had also tried out the ESR with a pair of medium sized foam tips. Sound isolation was good with both tips. The cable deserves a special mention again. This was the nicest cable I saw that came stock with any of the IEMs that I had tried out during that session. The output jack was the very definition of over engineering. The cable was supple and microphonics were almost non existent while sitting down and listening to music.
Drivability: The ESR had an impedance of 19.3 Ohms and sensitivity of 112 dB and both of my sources were able to drive these easily.
Sound Quality: After coming from trying out a set of neutral IEMs, the ESR’s sonic signature was like a shot of expresso in the morning. Empire Ears might have marketed this under their professional lineup stating that it has flat, pure, unadulterated reference class sound, but after listening to them, I wasn’t entirely sure that the ESR came under that bracket.
- Bass: Slightly boosted bass. Nice attack, slam and impact when called for in a song. Details were also very much present without mush or bloat.Midrange: The mids also had a slight boost, especially the lower part of the midrange. This lend more thickness to instrument notes. I had felt that the upper mids were comparatively more subdued than something like the Studio 4.Treble: However, the treble section, especially the lower part was hotter than neutral. This gave the impression of clarity and air in the sound signature.
- Technical Performance:
- Soundstage: Good- wide and with sufficient depth. Instruments did not feel too intimate nor did they sound cluttered or muddied.Details and resolution: For a triple driver setup, the ESR was no slouch in this department. Though details were very much present and accounted for, these kind of missed the refinement memo. This could also be attributed to the hotter treble signature. However, these IEMs are not as forgiving of the flaws in low res lossy files and recordings.Instrument separation: Again, for a triple driver IEM, instrument separation was very good.Verdict: I think the ESR has a v- shaped sound signature instead of a neutral one! I like v- shaped sound signatures and for all its flaws, I loved listening to the ESR since it had character and went well with the kind of sleazy rock music that I listen to. This has good technical capabilities, but can be fatiguing to listen for longer sessions. For comparison sake, if the neutral IEMs are like track focused Porsches, the ESR felt like the older hot rodded Mustangs with live axles- not terribly sophisticated around the corners, but they are fast and fun! The build quality, cable and the accessory bundle are excellent. However, the ESR should be tried out before one pulls the trigger.
Note: I had also tried out the ESR with foam tips and I felt that boosted the low end a bit more and tamed the hot treble on deeper insertion.
Last edited:
dbsylvia
100+ Head-Fier
Empire Ears ESR (Empire Studio Reference) Pros: Powerful, controlled bass, ever so close natural and realistic mids, controlled and non-fatiguing treble, realistic stage depth and layering, pin point imagingCons: slight metallic timbreA studio reference IEM; Ohh great it is going to be boring!
Empire Ears and my ears haven't always gotten along; we've tolerated each other but haven't had many moments of enjoyment. Does the ESR change that?
Disclaimer: I purchased the Empire Ears ESR used with my own funds. I was not influenced, pressured or paid to provide this review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Purchase/More Information:
https://empireears.com/collections/b-stock/products/esr-b-stock
Specs:
3 Proprietary Empire Balanced Armature Drivers (1 Low, 1 Mid, 1 High)
4-Way synX Crossover Network
A.R.C. Resonance Mitigation Technology
Impedance: 19.3 ohms @ 1kHz
Frequency Response: 10 Hz - 40kHz
Sensitivity 112dB @ 1kHz, 1mW
UPOCC 26AWG Handcrafted Cable by Effect Audio
(Empire Ears: "Every aspect of the ESR was conceived, designed, and crafted to faithfully reproduce what the artist had intended. With the expertise of producers and mix engineers, including 2x GRAMMY Award winner, Michael Graves, we were able to understand firsthand what they require from in-ear monitors.")
Build/Design/Comfort:
The Empire Ears ESR is an uninspired, universal build. The ESR is rather bland looking, with the only noticeable markings being the EE logo on each shell. The all black shell with silver logo doesn't draw attention to itself like a lot of the offerings in the price range. I like the simplistic look and actually find it rather appealing.
The overall build is high quality, the 3d printed shell feels premium. The design is curved slightly and has a nozzle angle that isn't too short or too long, the nozzle is proper length for me. The shell is somewhere between small and chunky but it just works. The weight of the shells is very light. The ESR fits me like a glove. One thing of note, the nozzle does lack a lip thus some tips can have random moments of slipping off, this includes the stock Final Type E tips.
The included carry case is large and built solid, has plenty of protection but is too large for pockets.
The Effect Audio Cable is amazing and I love it; it looks and feels premium. The cable is well behaved, doesn't tangle or twist and the ear hooks are just the right amount of tension and memory.
The included Final Type E tips are some of my favorites and Empire Ears picked them specifically to use with the ESR. I find that the tip choice is a solid option that sounds very good but the 8k peak can be a bit intense at times. So, I actually prefer the JVC Spiral Dots a tad more; fit is slightly better for my ears and I also found that there was a small addition of air to the mids and treble that helped tame the 8k peak slightly. Isolation and separation of outside noises is good but not great; excellent for office settings, about average for mass transit. The ESR is extremely comfortable and I can wear them for hours upon hours; I have worn them for a full 8 hours without discomfort.
Sound:
(I am not a professional producer or sound engineer but I do run the soundboard (Allen & Heath QU-24) at my church each week. I don't have any studio experience or training for a professional setting. So the sound impressions are based on my limited usage and whether or not they fill my needs.)
(All listening impressions were done with the JVC Spiral Dot tips.)
Bass: The bass of the Empire Ears ESR isn't like any bass I have heard on any other EE IEM I have reviewed; in fact, there isn't another IEM that I have reviewed that has bass like the ESR. Is that a good or a bad thing?
Definitely a good thing! The ESR has an authoritative presence in the bass that is dominate and controlled. The reaches are far and wide, the depth and layering is jaw dropping and the whole time you feel on the edge but not even close to going over. The details are all present and resolved with impeccable effectiveness. You will not miss a single moment. The speed and accuracy is spot on. There is an impacting power and percussive slam that lets you feel the moment and the enjoyment brings huge grins and giggles with it. But yet as crazy as this will sound, these aren't a basshead IEM, they are an analytical, critical listening IEM. The insane amount of detail, resolution, impact, slam and extension make the ESR bass the best I have heard in an IEM.
Mids: On other Empire Ears IEM that I have reviewed, the mids have been, more often than not, a disappointment, but this is not the case with the ESR. There is a little warmth about the ESR mids that sound so close to natural and realistic. The amount of air and space is spectacular. Everything is even and cohesive; there is a balance that not many IEM can match. The mids put you right there with the action and allow you to dissect each instrument and vocalist; critiquing each breath, strum, touch, tap and movement with ease. The ESR turns over each detail and places it on display with precision and accuracy. There is so much information and it is all resolved flawlessly. The ESR is never fatiguing or intense unless the track includes it. The notes have realistic body and weight and they are full and natural. The only minor gripe is that they have a slight BA metallic timbre but it is very subtle.
Treble: The Empire Ears ESR treble is perfection to my ears. There is crispness, airiness, sparkle, energy and control; the sensation of realism is incredible. The lower treble is controlled intensity, borderline too much but never crossing the line. The details whizz in from all over with precision and accuracy. The definition and refinement of the details is impeccable. The attack and decay is realistic. There is a small gripe and it's that there could be a smidge more air in the upper reaches.
Soundstage/Imaging: The EE ESR stage is deep and wide. When it comes to soundstages, you can get too wide, too deep and they lose the naturalism; the ESR has the proper balance. Everything sounds realistically placed and spaced. You can track movements and place seating arrangements without much effort because the ESR is doing what it is supposed to. Nothing feels awkward or misplaced, you know what you are seeing on stage is what you are hearing in your ear. The ESR stage is one of the most realistic that I have heard in an IEM. The ESR places you on the front row, center stage looking in and around.
Details/Resolution: The Empire Ears ESR is the most detailed and resolving IEM I own. The revealing nature of the ESR does come with a cost though, poorly recorded tracks. If you want to sort your music library by the good, the bad and the ugly recordings then the ESR is the IEM for you.
You may be surprised how many of your prized recordings aren't mastered so well after listening with the Empire Ears ESR. There is no detail left behind and every one of them is presented in it's best form. One other thing of note, is the crossfeed of the ESR, wow it is crazy good. When something is on the right side, the left side has a subtle amount audible or vice versa, Crossfeed is often overlooked in reviews, and sadly in a lot of IEM, but the ESR is fantastic with it.
Tone/Timbre: Now for my one minor gripe, BA timbre. The Empire Ears ESR is the best all BA IEM I have heard and own. The tone of vocals and instruments is spectacular and natural. The timbre does have a slight metallic edge to it, but it is so minuscule that it really isn't worthy of discussion.
Comparisons:
ADV M5-12D: 12BA versus 3BA, well the winner should be obvious, more is better. Not so fast! There is a lot to like about both and there are a lot of similarities and a couple of differences. The M5-12D has a larger stage overall; more width, depth and layering, but the ESR is more pin point accurate. Tone and timbre is very similar and extremely hard to differentiate but the edge goes to the ESR. The ESR has a bit more note weight and that adds a touch of realism that the M5-12D lacks. Detail retrieval is crazy good on both and the real difference is the resolution which the ESR has a slight advantage, the M5-12D can be a bit splashy at times. In the smallest of small ways the ESR edges out the M5-12D.
M5-12D Review:
Meze Rai Penta: Two totally different sound signatures on display. The Rai Penta is a fun and engaging listen and the ESR is the analytical workhorse. The ESR has the upper hand with detail retrieval, resolution, note weight and clarity. The Rai Penta is close and competitive with tone and timbre and soundstage depth and layering. These two complement each other very well and I love having both in my IEM selection.
Rai Penta Review:
Drop Empire Ears Zeus: Siblings with a multitude of differences and a few similarities. The Zeus has 14 BA per side and the ESR has 3 BA. The Zeus is more mid forward, has slightly more BA timbre, has a thinner presentation and a bit more treble brightness that can cause fatigue. ESR edges out the Zeus in a very small way with detail retrieval and resolution. The Zeus has a tad wider and deeper soundstage and they are too close to call in imaging accuracy. I really like the Zeus but the ESR is better in the areas that matter the most, technicalities.
Drop Empire Ears Zeus Review:
Pairings:
Sony NW-WM1a: I've got to admit that this is an instant classic pairing. If you use an IEM and DAP at the office or on a plane or train then this is a pairing to consider. If you are looking for an IEM and DAP to use in a more active, portable setting then I would pass this over. This is a pairing made in heaven for my ears. There is a natural and realistic portrayal of vocals and instruments. The soundstage has realistic width, depth and layering. There is a satisfying thump in the bass and a note weight that hits home with truth and clarity. The treble is crisp and energetic with a life likeness that only gets fatiguing when the song is fatiguing. This is a sound that I wish everyone could experience.
NextDrive Spectra X: Okay so you don't want to tote around a bulky $1000 DAP, here is a great alternative. The Spectra X adds in a touch of warmth and lushness to the ESR. You still get all the natural and realistic vocals and instruments with that amazing soundstage and bass power. There is a little less energy and air to the uppers and the soundstage isn't as deep and wide. But I still like this for those moments when my Sony isn't available or logical.
Mytek Liberty DAC: I don't use IEM too often on a desktop setup but some seem more fit for the desk then portable, the Empire Ears ESR is one of those IEM. The ESR and Liberty DAC are a fantastic pairing. I do use the iFi Audio IEMatch as the ESR emits a slight hiss. There is an authority to the sound but not in a fatiguing way. Power in the bass that is controlled, mids are clean and accurate and the highs are energetic but controlled. There isn't any overreach from the Mytek, the ESR sounds true and real. There is a natural aura to the instruments and vocals. The soundstage imaging, depth and layering sounds believable. This is a great pairing that I truly enjoy and highly recommend.
Allen & Heath QU-24: The ESR is in its natural habitat on the QU-24. I used the ESR paired with the Allen & Heath QU-24 on several Sunday services at my church. It was fantastic and gave me all the details and accuracy that I was needing. The tone and timbre is spot on and sounds identical to what I was hearing when I took them out of my ears. The crazy amount of details that I could hear and place accurately. The ability to tell if one microphone gain was too high or too low and so much more. I highly recommend the Empire Ears ESR for monitoring and mixing purposes.
Conclusion: Hands down the best IEM I have purchased and my go to reference IEM. The Empire Ears ESR is a musical, analytical, neutral reference IEM that I highly recommend, if you can find one for purchase. I absolutely love the EE ESR, am I bias, yeah a little. I wouldn't recommend an IEM unless I would use it myself after reviewing and the ESR isn't going anywhere but back in my ears.
Gear used/compared:
ADV M5-12D; https://www.adv-sound.com/collections/in-ear-monitors/products/m5-12d-universal
Meze Rai Penta: https://mezeaudio.com/products/rai-penta
Drop Empire Ears Zeus: https://drop.com/buy/massdrop-x-empire-ears-zeus-universal-iems
Mytek Liberty DAC: https://mytekdigital.com/hifi/products/liberty-dac/
Sony NW-WM1a: https://electronics.sony.com/audio/audio-components/hi-res-audio/p/nwwm1a
Nextrdrive Spectra X: https://www.nextdrive-spectra.io/
Allen and Heath QU-24: https://www.allen-heath.com/ahproducts/qu-24/
YouTube reviews: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgMj7xJ1SDxGqqxZ5l3g_jg
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p/B4LG7Kqp_7f/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/TalkDbs @TalkDbs
DBS Tech Talk research and review process:
Audio Terms and Definitions: https://www.stereophile.com/reference/50/index.html
Recommended Gear:
Meze Empyrean: https://mezeaudio.com/products/meze-empyrean
Hifiman Ananda: https://hifiman.com/products/detail/290
Sennheiser HD600: https://en-us.sennheiser.com/best-audio-headphones-high-end-stereo-hifi-hd-600
Sennheiser HD660s: https://en-us.sennheiser.com/hd-660-s
Meze 99 Classic: https://mezeaudio.com/collections/all/products/meze-99-classics-walnut-gold-wood-headphones
MrSpeakers Ether C (non flow version) https://danclarkaudio.com/
(similar to
https://drop.com/buy/drop-mrspeakers-ether-cx-closed-headphones
Meze Rai Penta: https://mezeaudio.com/collections/all/products/rai-penta
Meze Rai Solo: https://mezeaudio.com/products/rai-solo
ADV. M5-12D: https://www.adv-sound.com/collections/pro-audio/products/m5-12d-universal
Tin Hifi T3: https://www.linsoul.com/collections/tin-hifi/products/tinhifi-t3
Tin Hifi T2+: https://www.linsoul.com/collections/tin-hifi/products/tinhifi-t2-plus
Tin Hfi T5: https://www.linsoul.com/products/tin-hifi-t5
Moondrop SSR: https://www.moondroplab.com/ssr
Monoprice Monolith THX AAA 788: https://www.monoprice.com/product?p_id=24459
Mytek Liberty: https://mytekdigital.com/hifi/products/liberty-dac/
Soekris DAC1421: https://soekris.modhouseaudio.com/soekris-audiophile-line/dac-1421
Tor Audio Roger: https://toraudio.com/main.html#
Massdrop THX AAA 789:
https://drop.com/buy/drop-thx-aaa-789-linear-amplifier
Grace Design SDAC-B: https://drop.com/buy/drop-grace-design-standard-dac-balanced
Geshelli Labs Enog 2 Pro: https://geshelli.com/shop/ols/products/enog2-pro-dac-metal-case
Geshelli Labs J2: https://geshelli.com/jnog
Geshelli Labs Archel 2: https://geshelli.com/shop/ols/produ...tal-case-b5ca9a41-69ed-4786-98b2-18f72ae911bf
Geshelli Labs Erish: https://geshelli.com/shop/ols/products/erish-balanced
Music recommendations:
https://tidal.com/browse/playlist/5bbf80ce-33f3-4222-a1fc-6539a95415d6 (in order of playlist)
Tingvall Trio “Beat” - piano tonality
Sinne Eeg “We’ve Just Begun” - multiple layer soundstage
Molly Johnson “What a Little Moonlight Can Do” - female vocal tone
Leslie Odom Jr. “Under Pressure” - male vocal tone
Eric Clapton “Change the World” - soundstage, layering and placement
Yo Yo Ma “Ecstasy of Gold” - acoustic instrument timbre
Adam Baldych “Spem in Alium” - acoustic instrument timbre
Pain of Salvation “Stress” - percussion balance
Michael Buble “When I Fall in Love” - orchestral dynamics
Patricia Barber “Code Cool” - sibilance check
Christian Scott “New New Orleans” - shouty upper mids
Tool “Chocolate Chip Trip” - imaging
Hans Zimmer “Why So Serious” - sub bass extension
Marcus Miller “No Limit” - bass control
Dave Holland Quartet “Conference Of The Birds”- bass check
Ilhan Eshkeri “47 Ronin”- orchestra and bass dynamics
Hans Zimmer :2049” - sub bass extension
Cher: Believe - sibilance
Stanley Clarke - Passenger 57 main title - percussion, bass, separation and placement
Slovak Radio Symphony Orchestra - The Pine of the Appian Way - soundstage, imaging and separation
Houston Person - You are my Sunshine - tone and timbreLast edited by a moderator:
Sunstealer
500+ Head-Fier
Pros: Balanced, non-fatiguing soundCons: Shallow fit
Female vocals attenuated
Needs a good quality cable to shine
I acquired these from a fellow headfier after being captured by their sound at the recent London Canjam.
They came with a single-ended Ares II cable which I sent back to Effect Audio in Singapore to be upgraded to a 4.4mm balanced 8W. I had bought a second hand 2.5mm balanced Ares II 4W just before the upgrade offer was released so will also be comparing the 4W to the 8W.
Hardware:
iBasso DX228 (Mango OS, High gain, Apodizing filter), Fiio 4.4mm-2.5mm adapter. All hardware, IEMs and cabling is my own.
Specifications:
3 balanced armatures with a custom 4-way crossover.
Frequency response: 10Hz - 40kHz.
UPOCC 26AWG 2-pin Effect Audio Ares II cable available in single ended and balanced terminations.
Design and Fit:
A rather bland and uninspiring form factor. The acrylic universal shell is a little thicker in the midsection compared to my iBasso IT04s. The resultant shallow depression straddling the helical crus means that they protrude a little more and feel less secure in my ears. The shorter nozzle also contributes to this feeling of relatively shallow insertion. I used the supplied bi-flange silicone tips.
Playlist: A mixture of 16/24 bit FLAC and DSD256, ripped from CD via JRiver Media Centre.
Level 42 – Children Say (acoustic version)
Hot Chip – Hungry Child
Daft Punk – Voyager
Goldfrapp – Anymore
Boards of Canada - roygbiv
Robyn – Dancing On My Own
Anden – Walls (extended mix)
Peter Gabriel – Sledgehammer
Level 42 – Dream Crazy
Bjork – It’s In Our Hands
Jo Hisaishi – The Sixth Station
Imagination – In The Heat Of The Night
Sound:
Lows: The midbass is mellow but a little dry. Still articulate though. On Hungry Child I notice that the subbass does not bleed into the mid bass or mids leaving the vocals and keyboards clear. On Sledgehammer the fretless bass loses some texture and timbre. I would say a good example of BA bass overall but lacking a little attack.
Mids: Overall smooth delivery of horns, keyboards and guitars. Full male vocals and brass. The piano and strings on The Sixth Station are particularly rich. Unfortunately female vocals are sweetened and ever so slightly thin. Not what you want from Bjork or Goldfrapp!
Highs: Textured and crisp transients but occasionally sweetened. Not particularly energetic or “fun”, though.
The soundstage is moderate in width and depth but lacks that “out of head” feeling or presence from other monitors (e.g. IT04).
My notes from listening to the 8W all have the same statements: “increased definition and separation”, “wider soundstage”, “increased channel steering”, “better grip on lower frequencies” but also “female vocals still a little sweetened”.
Would I buy the 8W over the 4W? Absolutely. If I already had the 4W? Probably, as I am always chasing that ever elusive magical sound shower. I'll probably upgrade the 4W into something else when the opportunity presents itself.
Summary: The ESR sound is balanced with no part of the tonal spectrum emphasised over another. A little warm and dry but non-fatiguing to listen to.
It would be interesting to compare the copper Ares II to a SPC or hybrid cable as I have a feeling that these might cool the sound and open up the soundstage a little more. Stay tuned for that review…..
