Reviews by Sifo

Disclaimer

I'm not a professional reviewer nor writer! Just a hobbyist. Eric was kind enough to loan me a Sonnet of Adam (SOA) in exchange for my honest opinion. I have since sent it back to him. I also want to clarify that due to the nature of the cable I primarily used for comparison, this is less of a formal review and moreso a compilation of my impressions during personal use, with fewer attempts at objectivity.

As with all audio impressions, everything written is entirely subjective to how I experienced it, no matter how objective I am trying to be. As far as the cable controversy goes, I trust my ears. If you don't trust my ears, then I don't know why you're still reading this. The differences described are not night and day, but rather subtle changes that are being scrutinised for the purpose of sharing these impressions.

Introduction

SOA is Eletech's latest co-flagship offering, sharing that status with the Ode to Laura (OTL) with an MSRP of 2,799 USD. SOA is composed of an ambitious combination of Gold Plated Silver, Gold Plated Copper, and Gold Silver Alloy. The rest of the specs for SOA are easily available to find on Eletech's website, so please go ahead and check it out.

I'm not much of an unboxing guy, but Eletech never fails to deliver on that front, you can see for yourself in the lovely photos, courtesy of @riverground. Unboxing the SOA is truly an experience befitting that of a luxury product. If I had to nitpick, I think the green leather used for the circular carrying case does not match the thematic design of the SOA, but it is a beautiful and premium addition nonetheless.




Ergonomics

The SOA is easily one of the most ergonomic TOTL cables on the market. It beats the OTL in that regard, and most certainly beats the PW Audio’s First Times Shielding and Brise Audio YATONO 8wire Ultimate. The SOA is light, supple, flexible, and free of microphonics. It is extremely satisfying to handle and looks beautiful, whether you're looking at the wire or the custom CNC'd hardware. There is a built-in chin slider as well, which, I'm happy to report, works perfectly. While I didn't dare, there is no doubt that you could comfortably take this with you on the go. Seriously, this is one of, if not the most beautiful cable I’ve ever used.



Sound

The following general sound impressions were done with a CIEM Aroma Jewel. The sources used were the RME ADI-2 DAC FS and AK SR25 (MK1). I also swapped between the two cables without taking Jewel out of my ears. This combined with the CIEM fit means that there was minimal variation in the position and seal of the IEM. Further comparisons with other IEMs and cables can be found in the next session.

The Eletech Victoria is my everyday pairing with the Jewel, which is an extremely warm and rich sounding cable, so please keep that in mind when reading the following impressions on the SOA. This isn’t a fair comparison because these two cables aim to do different things. SOA is a no compromise, detail and resolution oriented specialist that is presented in a mostly neutral-warm tone. On the other hand, the Victoria is a mid-tier cable, presented as lush and warm sounding, sacrificing the minute details for its analog tonality. If I had to exaggerate, imagine a properly treated studio vs a live music venue.

So why did I choose the Victoria as my primary cable for comparison when I know they’re not comparable? The reason is simple; it’s the sound that I’m most familiar with.

Lows

Let’s get this out of the way; if you are looking for a cable to increase bass quantity, you’re probably in the wrong place. I’d recommend you check out the OTL or something in the traditional copper flavour instead. However if you are looking to improve bass quality, then you’re in luck.

SOA provides clarity and speed to the lower frequencies. As a result, this gives the impression that the quantity is being reduced when compared to Victoria. However, based on my testing with other cables, the SOA doesn’t actually reduce quantity, rather it enhances without necessarily boosting the lower frequencies. There is no lack of extension; it rumbles very clearly, but in exchange for this clarity, the notes are easier to hear and relatively harder to feel. For example, I love being able to hear the detail of a bass guitar; the nuance of the string being plucked, strummed or slapped, the frequencies related to the harmonics, and the unique tone of the guitar itself. With the Victoria I can get a overwhelmed by the sensation, whereas with the SOA, all of this becomes very clear to hear.

SOA’s kicks and punches tight and fast on the attack with a generous amount of air, but a is bit quicker on the decay. I especially love being able to hear the details from in between the attack to the tailend of the decay in between hits on a snare drum. This is in contrast to the Victoria who hits you hard on the attack and decays slower. I’m also happy to confirm that SOA is great for cleaning up bloat and muddiness when transitioning into the lower mids, something I am very allergic to.

The SOA’s bass is more centred and not as wide as the Victoria’s, meaning that you do lose that sensation of fullness in the lower frequencies, resulting in the SOA sounding colder in comparison. Again, in my testing with other cables, I found that in reality, SOA is actually quite neutral, and its technical capabilities shine here as I get a more three-dimensional presentation, with more depth in the percussion.

To reiterate, the SOA provides a wonderful bass response, it just really depends on what you’re after. At the end of the day, it’s always gonna be about the synergy with the monitor you choose to pair it with. I would say that the SOA did not synergise as well with the Jewel with regards to the bass, but that’s because Jewel’s bass is already quite detailed and more relaxed to begin with, and I’ve gotten used to the thicker bass notes from the Victoria.

Mids

With regards to tonality, the SOA sounds very organic in the midrange, but if you're used to or looking for a warmer, thicker sound, then perhaps the SOA will lean towards sounding digital to you. Like with the bass, the mids sound neutral with a tasteful boost, a perfect amount of warmth and smoothness to not sound clinical despite having top class clarity.

SOA provides a massive boost to air and space with a hint of sparkle that never sounds too rough or sharp. Positionally, vocals sound a little lower on the y-axis with Victoria, like in the mouth, while on the SOA it’s a little closer to the nose and eyes. SOA has more depth, so while vocals don’t necessarily sound more forward compared to the Victoria, a choir, for example, actually sounds like they’re standing in a semi-circle rather than a straight line, and it’s very clear where everyone is positioned. While testing with live vocal performances, it did become a little less immersive with the SOA as it provided additional clarity and resolution.

All sorts of instruments and sounds pop out when called upon, and the background is black to the point where you can hone in on any particular sound while the presentation remains whole and coherent. Pianos, strings and guitars extend wide beyond the ear with a good sense of height as well. Timbre sounds more correct to me with the SOA as all the guitar tones I’m familiar with are full of detail with the perfect ratio of sweetness and crunch; plenty of energy to balance out the added airiness.

Highs

I really liked the boosted yet refined treble from the Aeneid, so I was expecting the same from the SOA. Suffice to say, it delivered in spades and is worthy as somewhat of a successor. Part of the sparkle and energy found in the upper mids is also present in SOA's treble, without a hint of sibilance to my ears. Keep in mind Jewel does have quite the treble dip, but from my other testing, I have concluded that SOA’s treble extends very smoothly.

I consistently found cymbals, for example, to be a bit too splashy with the Victoria, but with the SOA I find that they are brought closer without sounding harsh at all. It’s sweet and airy, almost giving me a happy tingling sensation with the perfect amount of decay. Like with the bass percussion, I can clearly hear the harmonics and details in between hits where the attack and decay overlap. I don’t think I’ve ever paid this much attention to the tone and decay of high-hats before putting on the SOA, but now, I’m more than happy to. Similarly, violins and violas are so airy and neatly separated that I can almost pick out individual players in an ensemble. However the tradeoff is that these string sections sound a little less dense compared to the Victoria.

If you’re allergic to sibilance, I think the SOA would do wonders for you on a monitor that’s just on the edge of being too much to bear. It does give a slight boost in energy, but I think it’s smoothed out very well. I did not find the SOA to be harsh or fatiguing in any way during my testing.

Technicalities

When I think of the most technical IEM cables, my mind typically wanders to Brise or PW Audio, cables with a bunch of stiff shielding that are on the opposite end of the spectrum regarding ergonomics. SOA has absolutely none of those physical issues while maintaining TOTL levels of technicality. I may have mentioned these details here and there in the previous sections, but I’ll compile all my thoughts here as well.

SOA’s positioning and layering is top notch. Whether it’s vocals, strings, brass, synths, percussion, everything is separated in a way that you can pinpoint any sound, yet the music itself remains as one coherent piece. This cable allowed Jewel to tackle busy electronic and orchestral tracks with ease. This is thanks to the enhanced perception of air and space, providing excellent separation as well as soundstage extension along all axes, especially in width and depth. It presents music in a way that wraps the sound all around you; as close to an out of head experience as you can get with IEMs. Dynamics are fantastic as well; piano notes accurately pop in and out while contrasting against the black background and each note's own sustain and decay. All the nuance and details of any given track is presented in a way that isn’t shoved into your face, but there if you desire to hear it.

Comparison

Comparative listening was done with a CIEM Aroma Jewel, UIEM FiR XE6, and CIEM Empire Ears Valkyrie Mk1. The sources used were RME ADI-2 DAC FS and AK SR25 Mk1. SOA was compared to OTL and PW Audio First Times Shielding (FTS).

Big shoutout to @MRT-Man for letting me borrow his XE6, FTS, and OTL.

Fir Audio XE6 - OTL vs SOA

Do keep in mind that I do not personally enjoy the XE6 due to how the lower mids interact with the mid bass. I found it to be listenable with SOA which is quite an achievement.

XE6 with OTL is less capable in its ability to separate a busy track. Bass sounds like it’s underwater, vocals sound veiled, cymbals are pretty centred and recessed. Plenty of air in the bass but not the level of detail I want to hear because I’m distracted by other instruments that want to draw my attention away. While this is a very biased generalisation, I will say that on certain tracks, the OTL enhances this monitor with a very nice vocal balance and a strong sense of warmth and immersion that is unique to the XE6.

XE6 with SOA has better precision in its separation, allowing me to hear a specific instrument if I want to focus in on it. Bass sounds closer to how I experience a live concert, so still boomy and resounding but with a bit more clarity and tightness. I can actually distinguish the pitch of alternating hits due to the faster and cleaner decay, while basslines pulsate with great dynamics. Vocals sound less rich but are more neutral and clear. The SOA provides more air in the upper frequencies and really boosts the resolution of this monitor. You could argue that these tweaks kill the soul of the XE6’s tuning, but for me I much prefer this pairing.

Empire Ears Valkyrie Mk1 - OTL vs FTS vs SOA

I think a lot of people haven’t heard the Valkyrie Mk1 but it’s a fun v-shaped monitor with a lot of upper mid presence.

Valkyrie with the OTL is once again less capable in its coherency on a busy track. Bass detail is very good, rumbling extends deep and can be felt and heard very wide. There is plenty of air in the lower frequencies, it sounds and feels heavy while maintaining a good level of resolution. Good impact on both snares and kicks which sound and feel very clear. Valkyrie's upper mids don't pair super great with the OTL but nothing I couldn't handle.

Valkyrie with the FTS is very clean overall but loses out on bass texture and punchiness. Bass rumble doesn’t have as much of that tingly feeling, nor does it stretch particularly deep or wide, and in fact is almost boomy. Kicks are a bit weaker, like it’s spitting, while snares sound a bit recessed and plasticky. This is all very unfortunate for the FTS because it’s perfectly capable, but when compared to the OTL or SOA, it feels a little underwhelming with this particular pairing.

Valkyrie with the SOA is the cleanest, just slightly beating out the FTS in my opinion. The texture is about the same as the FTS, if not a little less in quantity, maintaining a decent amount of punchiness and great clarity in its snares and kicks. Kicks are a bit round and decay quite quickly. Rumble is up front but doesn’t go particularly wide, it’s easier to hear the sub bass than it is to feel it when compared to OTL. Great dynamics on the bass with SOA though. The real highlight for me is the treble with this pairing as it smooths out those peaks in the Valkyrie's upper frequencies, retaining its energetic signature but taming some of the harshness.



Aroma Audio Jewel - OTL vs SOA

I did write the entire sound portion with the Jewel but I primarily used the Victoria for comparison. Here, we have a more reasonable head-to-head. I’d say the OTL has great air and detail in the lower frequencies while the SOA is more balanced across the whole range. I had some inconsistencies with the vocal presentation between the OTL and the SOA where I found that the OTL would bring forward vocals in certain tracks and sound a little further back in others. With the SOA I found vocals to be consistently brought forward.

Jewel with the OTL gives me almost a bouncy sensation. Bass guitars are very clear and well defined in their tone, while kicks and snares are very poppy, with a great amount of air and decay. Vocals do end up a bit coloured and smoothed out in the mix, but maintain an acceptable level of detail and clarity. Upper frequencies are more aggressive in comparison to the SOA’s refinement, making the OTL more energetic up top at the sacrifice of balance. For example, I found that electric guitar and cymbals were consistently more pronounced and very full sounding.

Jewel with the SOA feels less “bouncy” and more spacious. You certainly still get that level of excitement and fun when it’s called for, but SOA excels in its overall resolution. I actually think the SOA might extend lower despite having less overall quantity of sub bass. Snares and kicks are a little more dull in comparison due to the rounder attack and faster decay, but still have excellent impact. Vocals are consistently forward while remaining mostly neutral in tonality so it’s not necessarily rich or intimate. There’s no harshness in vocals but isn’t as smoothed out as I found on the OTL. Non-vocal instruments are balanced with no particular sound being more in-focus than another. This can give the sense that certain instruments aren’t filling enough space, especially since SOA’s staging also goes wider and deeper.

Conclusion

Not much more for me to say, perhaps this is an appropriate time for a round of applause as Eric and his team nailed it once again. SOA might not max out on any particular sonic quality in this age of cable offerings, but it's a complete package. The SOA radiates luxury, beating out the competing flagships on practicality and still delivering a TOTL listening experience. Having tried to many different flagship cables, I found this to be a rare and impressive feat. And while sound is ultimately up to IEM synergy and personal preference, the SOA is worth a listen for anyone looking to enhance the natural characteristics of their IEM in order to take it to the next level.

Photography by @riverground

Disclaimer

Eric is a good friend of mine. As such, I would never lie to him or anyone about my true opinions and experiences with his products. This is out of respect for his constant desire to not only improve his products, but to create the best experience for Eletech customers. Eric has always taken everyone's feedback for its full value since long before Eletech. But to clarify any potential confusion, I don't work for or have any business obligations with Eletech, I volunteered at their table during CanJam NYC out of my own enthusiasm. This cable was provided to me free of charge for my honest opinion.

Introduction

I seldom write reviews, probably has something to do with imposter syndrome and also just not having the time to be as diligent as I should. Contrary to my preferences in gear, I prefer to just turn off my brain and enjoy the music. However, this is my first time doing a cable review. As far as the controversy of cables go, I trust my ears. If you don't trust my ears, then I don't know why you're still reading this. Despite my experience, I must admit I do feel crazy sometimes reading back on my own cable impressions. But as soon as I start listening, it's very easy to pick out the differences. As always, everything I am experiencing is entirely subjective and relative to the price range. And if you're new to cable reviews, everything I am describing is not a night and day difference, they are subtle changes that are being scrutinized for the purpose of the review.

With that out of the way, Cassiel is a silver-plated copper cable that runs for $299. It is part of Eletech's Virtue Series and the second most affordable cable in the catalogue, next to the copper sibling, the Azrael. The little SPC cable that is the Cassiel, packs a lot of value and exceeds expectations all around. It is a worthy successor to the previous Virtues SPC, the Prudence.

All comparative listening was done with a CIEM Aroma Jewel and an RME ADI-2 DAC FS, a relatively clean chain. Regretfully, I wish I had more time to go and pair it with other IEMs.

Ergonomics

In case you didn't know, Eletech actually designs the manufacturing specs for all their cables. They're not just buying pre-existing wire from the manufacturer and branding it as their own. Which is why I find it even more impressive that they manage to get such great sound while still being extremely satisfying to handle.

I'm at my desk all day so I'm not one to care much for cable ergonomics, but the Cassiel is a VERY soft and supple cable. I'd already handled it before at CanJam but I was still surprised when I received it in the mail. It does not get tangled and there is not much memory wire-like properties. I can wear it all day long and not feel the weight of the ear hooks. It's got this matte-like finish to it which seems to help minimize microphonics. I don't even go out with my IEMs that often but the freedom I feel while wearing this cable makes me want to more often.

Sound

All of the descriptions here are compared to the Jewel's stock cable. Yes, I used the Jewel's stock cable for weeks to write this review.

Lows

I think for most people, bass isn't the first thing that comes to mind when thinking of SPC cables. However the bass enhancements are exactly what makes this cable so great.

Cassiel provides a notable boost to the quality of bass. For example, I would compare being able to hear the note being played on a bass guitar whereas with the stock cable, you're just feeling the rumble. The stock cable has higher concentrations of the rumble so it sounds "bigger", but the Cassiel allows it to open up and breathe so it's less compact, giving you a great sense of space and air, making it sound "big" in a different way. So you do lose a little bit of that sub bass rumble quantity in exchange for the added texture, clarity and air. For me this is a worthy tradeoff, but it'll come down to the synergy of the pairing. I think this cable would go very nicely with a warm-bright IEM. However, the Cassiel is a relatively warm cable itself so it's not like the sub bass has all vanished; it's just a little more clean. You also get a tighter, punchier impact with snappier decay. I found that some snare drums sounded a bit dull due to this quicker decay, but kicks and toms sounded very natural. The stock cable sounds comparatively more bloated in the mid bass to lower mid region, but the Cassiel cleans that up perfectly.

Mids

Mid tonality sounds organic, just as it did in the lower frequencies. But if you're used to a warmer, thicker sound, then perhaps the Cassiel will lean towards sounding digital to you.

Plenty of clarity in the lower mids as mentioned, with a perfect amount of bite coming from instruments without sounding tinny. My favourite guitar tones sound just right with great energy. The attack on everything from percussion to guitars to vocals are quick, crisp, and realistic in weight without the sharp edge often associated with lower quality SPC cables.

Vocals aren't nasally and sound crystal clear. You get a fuller, smoother, richer vocal experience, especially with male vocals. This does give the perception of intimacy as well. The unique textures of everyone's voice as well as the nuances of each breath is enhanced. You can pinpoint exactly where harmonies are coming from and pick out every individual voice with ease.

I did find that certain tracks had some dryer sounding female vocals, which seems like a tradeoff for the added clarity, but this might also come down to the IEM pairing. This dryness I'm describing is still very smooth, so there is no unbearable sibilance or harshness.

Highs

Unlike some other entry-level silver cables, the energy up top is well refined and doesn't reach the point of sibilance. Surprisingly, I have the least to say about the highs. Just like the lows and the mids, the name of the game here is clarity. My emphasis is on refinement. High frequencies are tamed with this cable without sounding too dull or losing out on any energy. The balance of smooth tonality along with detail retrieval is top notch. I get plenty of air and extension with a natural decay. Usually my complaint with SPCs has to do with aggressive higher frequencies, but the Cassiel passes with flying colours.

Technicalities

Cassiel's got a very black background, considering it's not wrapped in a million layers of shielding. Notes are textured, well defined and have realistic weight whereas the stock cable sounds uncontrolled all around, especially in the bass and treble. Imaging is extremely precise and great layering, closing my eyes I could imagine exactly where I was in the space of the music. Everything is separated appropriately, allowing for details to be heard easily. There's not as much depth but it's a noticeably wider and more holographic with maybe a smidge increase in height. Dynamics was a huge one too because I'm not particularly one to pay much attention to that sort of thing, but the extremities sounded less compressed with the Cassiel to me.

Comparison

Seems only appropriate to compare to Effect Audio's equivalent budget SPC offering, the Cadmus 4W which currently goes for $199. That is $100 cheaper than the Cassiel. Cadmus' 24AWG vs the Cassiel's 25.5AWG makes the Cassiel the slimmer cable, which handles less rubbery than the Cadmus in general. I found the Cadmus to be cumbersome in comparison, but in practicality they're both perfectly fine. You should also take ConX and TermX into consideration; there is the added benefit of convenience if you have multiple IEMs or sources, however there is always the possibility that these connectors are degrading the sound quality. I don't know for sure, that's up to you to decide.

Cadmus has more sub bass rumble, a bigger attack but quicker in decay, while Cassiel is bouncier and punchier with a more natural airy decay. Like when comparing to the Jewel's stock cable, Cassiel wins out in details; it's far easier to hear the actual notes being played in the lower frequencies. The attack on bass guitar can clearly be heard AND felt.

Cadmus is less refined in the vocals and has a different sort of positioning in presentation. The Cadmus very much draws attention to the vocals, but mostly in volume, and it's the same with other instruments. It jumps out at you in a way that could end up fatiguing, or as an engineer might describe, "doesn't sit right in the mix." The Cassiel's mids are more relaxed in comparison, but edge out in texture and tonality. I did not experience that dryness in female vocals with the Cadmus, but I did experience a bit of sibilance with the IEM pairing.

Cassiel extends further and has more air in the top end. It is smooth and I keep saying this but very refined, whereas the Cadmus can be a little sharp and splashy (especially with cymbals). Just like the mids, Cassiel is notably less fatiguing in the higher frequencies.

The Cadmus has more height and depth than the Cassiel but Eletech's offering may edge out slightly in width. Staging accuracy and layering is no contest, Cassiel wins out on this in my opinion. The dynamics of the Cadmus are more compressed in comparison.

To summarize, if you want a more traditional sounding SPC, the Cadmus is for you. If you want something unique while still staying true to its properties, then give the Cassiel a try. Depending on what you are looking for, the price difference is justifiable.

Conclusion

One of the things I've always respected from Eletech is that they put the same amount of effort and care into ALL of their products, no matter the price level. Despite being the entry level line, these cables are not just afterthoughts in the catalogue. They are still meticulously designed with the same knowledge and experience gained from their flagships. I really love how these cables give a little twist to the traditional expectations of their materials as well, providing a unique but affordable entryway into to IEM cables.

The Cassiel is no exception. In my experience, copper cables are far more popular at the entry level. Even when I was first getting into cables, the thought of SPC was a little scary, which is why I much preferred the Fortitude to the Prudence in the previous Virtues line. This time around, I think Cassiel is one of the best value SPC cables on the market. It is very approachable and pairs well even with relatively a more "boring" IEM like the Jewel. So if you've been looking for an entry level but premium quality SPC cable, the Cassiel delivers all the way in both performance and value.

Disclaimer: I paid full price for my pair of custom Valkyries and have a great relationship with the guys over at Empire Ears. I will do my best to not let this bias affect how I write the sound portion of the review.

Introduction to the Valkyrie



For a quick rundown, the Valkyrie is a 3-driver IEM consisting of one dynamic (Empire's proprietary W9 subwoofer), one balanced armature and one electrostatic driver. They retail for 1599 USD and come stock with a 2-pin Effect Audio Eros II. For this review I have the Eros II terminated in 2.5mm balanced hooked up to a Fiio X7 with the AM3 module.

On paper, the Valkyrie is a product that I would never want to buy. I mean, just looking at its frequency response graph intimidates me. It's a huge V-shaped, colorful sounding IEM that should scare off anyone with the words "neutral" and "balance" in mind. But I'm glad I gave them a chance because when I first heard the Valkyrie, I finally understood what people meant when they described audio as "intoxicating".

What's in the box?

I'm pretty indifferent when it comes to accessories and unboxing experience but Empire Ears keeps it slick and simple. I no longer have the packaging with me so I have no photos.

The Valkyrie come in a black magnetic flip box with custom cut foam to fit the monitors and accessories. The IEMs can be found neatly wrapped inside of Empire's Pandora case which is a CNC'd metal jar that comes in your choice of text engraving on the lid. As well, you get a card of authenticity, a basic usage manual, some stickers, an earwax pick/brush tool and a microfiber cloth.

I will say that the Pandora case does create a high-pitched squeaking sound when you unscrew the lid due to metal on metal contact which can be quite irritating though some light lubrication would fix this.

The stock Eros II pairs very well with the Valkyrie. The inclusion of a premium cable was a reassuring sign that Empire Ears understands the audiophile community. If they just wanted offer a quality cable, they could have simply given us an Ares II which come with a few of Empire's other IEMs. But they specifically chose one that has audible synergy with the monitors themselves and as someone who doesn't have the opportunity to listen to many different cables, I appreciate that. Even if you don't believe cables make an audible difference, at the end of the day they still went out of their way to give you a more expensive one.



Sound

Despite what some may consider to be a lower driver count in comparison to other IEMs in its price range, the Valkyrie punches above its weight and provides great value within EE's lineup. The bass is nothing short of entrancing and the estat works wonders to deliver an exciting treble response. I think it's really important to note that while it appears to be incredibly imbalanced, the Valkyrie's overall tuning seems to level things out quite well to create a unique tone.

Lows
The Valkyrie has the most addictive bass I have ever heard in an IEM. I am far from being a bass head but as soon as I tried the Valkyrie, I was immediately sucked in by the thunderous power of the W9 subwoofer as expected. Even with just one per side, they deliver an impactful rumble, extending deep into the low end creating a very full experience that is not only heard but felt. And while it is a dynamic driver, it retains decent speed along with great precision and control, throwing out a tight punch when called for. All this without being overly warm, providing notable texture and great detail. Due to the sheer quantity, you do lose out on some nuance and speed, but I've found it to be quite acceptable. Also important to note is that there are 3 small holes on each side that act as vents for the DD, eliminating fatigue in exchange for less isolation. The bass is likely the first thing you'll notice and it may be overwhelming if you aren't used to DDs in your IEMs. But if you like bass, give it some time and you'll be hooked.

Mids
While the bass is very much in your face, it doesn't dominate the midrange. Mids are on the lighter side for sure but I've never felt it to be recessed—they're just not in the spotlight. The dip in the lower midrange is exaggerated even further by the powerful low end and sparkly highs but it's actually tuned quite well, remaining clear and articulate. However once you get past 1kHz things start to come forward once again with very smooth upper mids. When it all comes together it creates a coherent tuning that supports the experience that the Valkyrie seeks to create. The tonal balance is fantastic and doesn't seem to bother me at all. It took a little bit of listening time but I eventually found my way back to enjoying the mids, particularly the smooth upper mids.

Highs
The Valkryie makes great use of its electrostatic driver creating a wonderful contrast to the bass without overpowering the mids. Highs are quick and full of energy with a good amount of air, strong presence and great extension providing excellent clarity and detail. I would consider myself to be sensitive to sibilance but I don't find the highs to be too aggressive, especially considering that I am using a brighter source. It is quite natural in its detail, not sounding overly analytical or dry. Certain frequencies do sound a tiny bit thin as the Valkyrie prioritizes speed and clarity over warmth.

Soundstage
The soundstage is a bit more intimate than my usual preferences but that's not to say I dislike it. While not too wide, the Valkyrie goes deep with its layering and is quite precise in its imaging. Instruments of the lower end have a forward presence without dominating the rest of the spectrum. Lower mids are quieter but present. Vocals aren't too distant but male vocals are a little thin. Female vocals on the other hand are lightly colored, sounding rich and emotive. There's a great amount of room for sound to move without being holographic. Overall there is great separation and I am able to easily focus onto any range I want.

I'm really bad with analogies but it reminds me of the time I saw Metallica at the Toronto Opera House in 2016 with an audience of only a few hundred people. I wasn't right up front in the mosh pit but not on the balcony either. I was kind of in the center of this little opera stage with a band who loves to play loud and heavy. I couldn't even begin to put into words what that energy felt like—there's no experience quite like it, but the Valkyrie comes close.


Taken during the intro of Fade to Black. You can find an official recording on YouTube, "Metallica: Fade to Black (Toronto, Canada - November 29, 2016)"

I know the V on the graph LOOKS sharp but overall I find it to be a well-tuned and surprisingly balanced IEM with everything working together to create a very fun and engaging sound.

"Mini Legend-X"

I don't have a lot of listening time with the LX so I'm not very confident but I'll do my best to give my thoughts on one of the most popular comparisons and why I chose the Valkyrie. For the record, I heard the LX first, before the Valkyrie was released.

The LX and Valkyrie have similarities in traits but overall sound quite different from each other—they both share the V-shape sound signature, but each execute it differently. LX's V is smoother with a fuller, more powerful low end due to having two W9s. The Valkyrie's punch is a little harder, faster, and more precise. Like I said I'm not really a bass head so the faster and tighter response of the single W9 driver does the job very well for me. They both extend quite deep, but again with the dual W9s I think the LX goes a little deeper.

LX's mids are a bit warmer just as its overall sound signature is. It is richer, and has a more natural timbre. But the Valkyrie's smoother and more forward upper mids is the primary reason why I chose it over the LX. The Valkyrie does color its vocals a bit, presenting a more emotional feeling which works better in my opinion for this type of tuning.

LX is the more technical IEM for sure with higher resolution and larger soundstage but the Valkyrie does come close and keeps up well considering the price difference. The Valkyrie is quicker with more energy in its highs while the LX is a bit darker and laid back, having a more natural decay in its sound. I think the LX extends higher too. Overall the LX is relaxing while the Valkyrie is exciting, both offering incredible bass response and technical capability.

Value

I truly believe the Valkyrie has the best value in Empire's lineup and hold their own against the Legend-X. Of course the LX has more drivers in its configuration but hearing the Valkyrie was confirmation that less can be more. Around the time just before my Valkyrie purchase, I was shopping around ready to buy a flagship with the flagship price tag. I now have flagship performance for a fraction of the price in the Valkyrie.

Ordering Process & Customer Experience

This is gonna be a long one. I have a terrible history with IEMs. Universals simply don't fit, and getting customs has not been easy. I have had impressions done by just about every musician specialized audiologist in Toronto and I have never once had a perfect fit. So it was very important to me that I was able to communicate well with EE's customer support, and after meeting some of the guys that work there it's easy to see why Empire has so many fans.

I first tried the Valkyrie at the Headfoneshop here in Toronto and was put in touch with Austin immediately. He handled my order directly and I arranged to pick them up in person. I flew down from Canada to Atlanta just to visit Empire Ears and pick up my Valkyries in September of 2019. Austin and the team were very welcoming, I got a tour of the facility and we spent some time hanging out. I also spent hours in the lounge just relaxing and testing out the fit for any issues before I was to fly home.


My Valkyries at the Empire Ears Experience Lounge.

Unfortunately, the first try ended up being THE worst set of impressions I've ever had done. It was like they weren't even a mold of ears. Luckily I was there for a few days so I left them behind for a quick adjustment. Towards the end of my stay, I went back to try them out and things didn't get any better. They gave me the earmold impression back to try on and it wouldn't even go into my ear, just as the IEM wouldn't. So I left the Valkyries there and flew home empty-handed.

I think something like one adjustment and a rebuild later with new impressions, shipping back and forth, I was still having a bad fit. I had even gone to my most trusted audiologist, Dr. Rhonda Martin who works with Drake. This was about the same experience as I've had with previous customs and I was pretty exhausted and stressed at this point. So the solution was to create a mold by casting another pair of custom monitors I have, which also don't quite fit perfectly but far better than any of the attempts we had done. The fit doesn't affect the sound at all, it's just comfort, feeling a little less "full" on the right side.

I eventually picked them up in person at CanJam NYC 2020, so almost 5 months later until I could truly listen to them. But considering I had them rebuilt maybe 3 times? The turnaround was pretty quick each time. They were finished and ready for me during my initial arrival in Atlanta and done on time for Austin to bring to CanJam.

The pair I have now are just as beautifully crafted as any of the previous attempts, they just fit better. I have been informed that I am welcome to send them in for an extra layer of lacquer to help with the fitment on my right side as well. I'm enjoying my time in quarantine right now so that'll have to wait. But in the end, after all that headache and additional money spent, I'd still say it was worth it.

Closing Thoughts

I love how Empire Ears treats their customers and I love how they've tuned the Valkyrie. They managed to take a sound signature that I should hate in theory and create one of my favorite sounding IEMs to date. I could have gone with any IEM that falls within my comfort zone, but it was the Valkyrie that won me over and I couldn't be any happier with my decision. When you look at the characteristics individually, it can be quite intimidating. But when it all comes together you get a truly incredible tone. I think even if you don't like the V-shape sound signature, you should give them a shot. The Valkyrie excels in what it sets out to do, creating a fun and exciting listening experience like no other.

About Me

If you made it to the end, thank you! I'm very new to reviewing audio but I am proud to have published my first attempt. I'm still finding my voice when it comes to structure/writing style and learning how to describe sound with words, so please let me know if anything I said was self-contradicting or didn't make sense. I skipped out on technical details beyond the basics as I don't feel qualified to speak about things like measurements and driver technology. I'm not the most experienced listener so there isn't a science to my methodology—everything is solely based off of what I hear.

As a reference point, here are my tastes and experience since as we all know, sound is subjective. I was previously into playing guitar (currently getting back into it), music production, and worked a year and a half as a professional video editor. I play a lot of competitive shooters and also enjoy listening to pretty much anything that can be considered music BUT I primarily listen to a lot of Japanese pop, rock, and metal. If I had to pick a point of focus for what I look out for, I would say guitar, strings, and female vocals. Typically I prefer IEMs that are strong in detail and resolution, have great imaging and large soundstage, tonally balanced and mostly neutral. Some of my favorite universals that I have tried are the Empire Ears Zeus-XR, 64 Audio U18s, and qdc Anole VX. I am looking to try out the Itsfitlab Fusion, Vision Ears Elysium, Custom Art FIBAE7, and anything from Kumitate Lab. With that said, I'm still surprised that I ended up with a pair of Valkyries and I'd absolutely recommend a listen if you get the chance.