Eminent Ears Ruby

Eminent Ears - Ruby​

Thanks to Pulkit Dreamzz for the review tour of the Eminent Ears Ruby.
Eminent Ears is a relatively new group of enthusiasts from Hong Kong who came together to try their hand at putting together a prototype iem, and liked it enough to present it at the global scale. And Ruby is the culmination of refining the prototype, and is the flagship (well it is their only iem!).

Build and Package​

Oh boy does it look fantastic. The faceplate looks literally like a bunch of ruby gems were embedded in.

The iems are 1 DD + 4 BA + 4 EST drives in a fairly lightweight 3d printed resin shell. The nozzles are slightly above average in size, and fit fairly decently for most ears.

The package consists of a fantastic looking cable with a very nice strain relief, and 4.4 terminated SPC litz cables. The iems ends are connected with a 2 pin connector.

The overall package looks high quality, with gold colored borders on the box opening to 2 spectacular gem like iems nestled in foam. There is a carry case, and a selection of 2 types of siliconne tips and a nicely embossed microfibre cleaning cloth. The case is a nice and compact cuboid faux leather thingy that serves the purpose well.

Source and pairing​

The iems clock a 60ohm impedance figure, and require a little bit of power to shine. But provide power and they do shine very well. I tested them with the trusty Lotoo PAW S1 on high gain,
farfield ATE and a volume of 62, playing music from my YT premium and Qobuz playlists to enjoy music. I paired them with the JVC Spiral Dots Pro tips for the review.

Sound Impressions​

Overall, with the stock cable and the Vortex Lavinia cables, the iems have a V shaped profile, that borders on W with decent support for the mids.

Bass : 4/5 - The bass is quite well done, but not planar like quick. There is good rumble and decay, to provide for some tactility. There is decent rumble and slam in the lower ends, but is just shy of basshead requirements

Mids : 3.75/5 - Vocals are well rendered, albeight a touch recessed. There is good support for male and female vocals, and sound coherent overall. There is hardly any bleed from the lower end into the mids.

Treble : 4/5 - The treble is very well extended and carry a lot of energy. There is a hint of sibilance on some tracks, nothing ear shattering. Trebleheads will love it for sure.

Stage : The sound stage is fairly wide but not very tall. Large room feel mostly. Imaging is good too with the instruments placed well.

Conclusions​

The Eminent Ears Ruby is certainly eye catching and aesthetically pleasing. The sound matches the looks too and sound very nice and coherent. Well done Eminent Ears!

Eminent Ears, based in Hong Kong, initially emerged as a humble idea among a group of friends: to create well-tuned endgame in-ear monitors (IEMs) that would be both affordable and accessible, promoting the highest quality sound to a wide audience. After years of extensive research, they are finally ready to unveil the first IEM project – The Gemstone Series.



The Eminent Ears Ruby have garnered significant attention in the audiophile community, and for good reason. With their sleek design, premium build quality, and engaging sound signature, these headphones aim to deliver a top-tier listening experience. Ruby adopted a tribrid design, consisting of a SPM Complex Diaphragm dynamic driver, four balanced armature drivers, as well as four electrostatic drivers. A 5-way crossover design ensures excellent separation and cohesion between frequencies, better layering, and prevent bass bleeding.

After spending about a week with them, here is an in-depth look at what the Ruby has to offer.

IEM Specifications

Plug: 4.4 mm
Drivers: 1 DD + 4 BA + 4 EST
Interface: 2 Pin ( 0.78 mm )
Sensitivity: 103 dB
Frequency Response Range: 20 Hz-20 kHz
Impedance: 60 Ω
5-Way Crossover Design
Cable Designed by Vortex Cables



Unboxing and First Impressions

The Eminent Ears Ruby arrives in elegant packaging that immediately exudes a premium vibe. Upon unboxing, the IEMs are securely placed in their holder, accompanied by a high-quality Vortex cable. My unit also included the Vortex Lavinia, which is quite a looker. The presentation is top-notch, making you feel like you’ve invested in something special right from the start. The first thing that strikes you is the shell design—just look at it, isn’t it pretty? Ruby Red.

Package contents

⦁ RUBY Universal In-Ear Monitors
⦁ Vocal Eartips (S/M/L)
⦁ Balanced Eartips ( S/M/L)
⦁ IEM Cable (Name TBC)
⦁ Premium Storage Case
⦁ User Manual



Comfort

In terms of comfort, the Ruby excels. The shells fit properly, typical of UIEM types made from resin. Even during long listening sessions, the Ruby doesn’t cause fatigue or discomfort. It effectively blocks out ambient noise in moderately loud environments, making it suitable for use in cafes, offices, or during commutes.



Accessories

The Eminent Ears Ruby comes with several sets of S, M, L eartips and a very high-quality Vortex cable. The stock cable is one of the best that comes with an IEM.



Stock Cable Specifications

Material: Silver Plated Copper Alloy
Braiding: Cross Braiding
Diameter: 1.6 mm / Core
Interface: 2 Pin (0.78 mm)
Plug: 4.4 mm Balanced
Plug material: Gold-Plated Copper
Metal parts: Oxidized Aluminum Alloy
Cable length: 123 cm (±2 cm)
Cable structure: Independent Winding LITZ Structure
Protective cover: PVC


Vortex Lavinia Specifications

Structure: Shielded Twisted pair & SZ Strands

Materials:

Shielding: Silver plated 5N OFC, 5N oxygen-free copper silver plated

Core: 4N Pure Sliver, 4N pure silver

Gold plated OCC Copper, high purity single crystal copper gold plated plated 4N Silver, 4N sterling silver

Palladium plated 4N Silver, 4N sterling silver palladium plated

Wire Gauge: 20.4 AWG

Accessories: Standard ConX 2.0 plug

Price
$2,300.00 or INR 1.97L



Disclaimer

This review reflects my personal and subjective listening experience with the mentioned audio gear product. I would like to thank Eminent Ears for organizing this review tour in my country and allowing me to share my thoughts on the product, it doesn’t influence my review in any form and nor I am compensated.



Before I start, I would like to mention that most of my impressions of the gear is based on the source and test tracks mentioned, so YMMV.



Sources:

Portable –

Ibasso DC07 Pro

Desktop –

WiiM Pro -> Soncoz LAQXD1 -> Cayin IHA6 via Balanced



Overall Sound Quality

When it comes to sound, the Eminent Ears Ruby truly shines. This IEM is equipped with high-performance drivers that deliver a balanced and engaging sound signature. Let’s break down the sound quality across different frequency ranges. Be mindful of the power it requires; with an impedance of 50 Ohms, the Ruby needs power to shine. I used it with a dongle but was left dissatisfied. However, when I plugged it into my Cayin IHA6, it started to show its true capability.

Bass

The Ruby offers a punchy and controlled bass response. It has enough depth to satisfy bass lovers while maintaining clarity and precision. The sub-bass extension is impressive, providing a satisfying rumble on tracks that demand it. The mid-bass is tight and doesn’t bleed into the mids, ensuring that the overall sound remains clean. Whether you’re listening to bass-heavy electronic music or subtle acoustic tracks, the Ruby handles it with finesse.

Midrange

The midrange is where the Ruby really excels. Vocals and instruments are rendered with remarkable clarity and detail. The mids are slightly forward, giving vocals a natural presence without sounding overemphasized. This makes the Ruby particularly well-suited for genres like jazz, classical, and pop, where vocals and midrange instruments are crucial. The rich tonality adds warmth and texture to the sound, making for an engaging listening experience. However, it is still not to my preference as I prefer laid-back and lush vocals, but that is highly subjective.



Treble

The treble on the Ruby is smooth and well-extended. It avoids harshness and sibilance, even at higher volumes, making it suitable for long listening sessions. The treble has a nice sparkle without being overly bright, adding airiness and detail to the sound. Cymbals, strings, and other high-frequency elements are well-represented, making the Ruby a versatile performer across various genres.



Soundstage and Imaging

The soundstage of the Eminent Ears Ruby is wide and spacious. It creates a sense of depth and space that enhances the listening experience, making you feel like you’re in the middle of the performance. The imaging is precise, adding to the overall immersion, making the Ruby an excellent choice for fun listening.

Performance Across Genres

The versatility of the EE Ruby is evident in its performance across various genres:



Bollywood – The lush midrange and controlled bass make these headphones ideal for Bollywood music, where vocals and rhythmic beats are key. The soundstage adds depth to orchestral compositions and complex arrangements.


Classical –

The wide soundstage and clear imaging allow classical music to shine. The Ruby captures the nuances of instruments with precision, making it easy to appreciate the intricacies of orchestral works.


Pop and Rock –

The balanced sound signature ensures that vocals and instruments are well-represented. The punchy bass adds energy to upbeat tracks, while the smooth treble keeps things from becoming fatiguing.


Electronic and Dance –

The Ruby handles electronic music with authority, delivering deep bass and crisp highs. The wide soundstage enhances the spatial effects often found in these genres.


Conclusion

Given its performance, build quality, and comfort, the Eminent Ears Ruby offers excellent value for money. While it sits in the premium segment, the Ruby competes with much more expensive models

Introduction
CanJam Singapore has developed a reputation over the years for IEM companies to launch new products, as well as being a testing ground for products that are still in the prototype phase. With so many headphone enthusiasts gathered in one place, this instant feedback loop is invaluable for fine-tuning IEM prototypes before they reach production, and official release. Given that the Singapore market is so highly focused on portable and IEM products, the insights gained at this event are especially beneficial for companies in the highly competitive IEM industry.

This year, the Hong Kong-based company, Eminent Ears, generated significant buzz at CanJam Singapore with their debut IEM project, the Ruby. Travis Chan, along with a few close friends who share his passion, founded Eminent Ears after five years of exploring and researching the field. The Ruby prototype was showcased at CanJam Singapore 2024, and the version I’m reviewing is a pre-production model. It’s always a pleasure to engage with passionate creators, and Travis and his team take great pride in their first IEM project, and the positive reception it garnered at the show.

The Ruby is a tribrid IEM design featuring 1 (10mm) dynamic driver for the lows, 4 balanced armatures for the mids and highs, and 4 electrostatic drivers for the ultra-highs. All of this is in a 5-way crossover configuration. Eminent Ears collaborated with another Hong Kong-based company, Vortex Cables, to create a silver-plated copper alloy cable specifically tuned for the Ruby. I was also fortunate to audition the flagship upgrade cable from Vortex Cable, called the Lavinia, which provided some further incremental improvement to the overall sound presentation. The Ruby will retail at $2300 USD, placing it firmly in the mid-to-upper tier of the IEM market.



Unboxing and First Impressions
The Ruby’s packaging is simple yet elegant, and is presented in a black and gold-adorned cardboard box and sleeve that includes the IEMs, Vortex cable, ear tips, and a warranty card.



The included case is particularly practical, perfectly sized to be as compact as possible while still accommodating the IEMs and a thicker upgrade cable. This is a welcome change from many IEM cases today, which tend to be overly large. This case fits the Ruby and the Vortex Lavinia cable perfectly.



The IEM shell itself is quite large but offers excellent comfort and is super lightweight, and I had no trouble achieving a perfect seal using my preferred Final Type E ear tips. The shell is made from black medical-grade resin, while the red faceplate is truly stunning, featuring beautiful multi-faceted rhinestones embedded in resin for a shimmering effect. The overall aesthetic is both classy and serious. The overall ergonomics are excellent.



I’ve now extensively used the Ruby with a HiBy RS8 DAP for travel and on-the-go listening, as well as with the dCS Lina DAC and AMP for home desktop use. The cables I tested include the stock Vortex cable, along with the Vortex Cables Lavinia upgrade cable. The stock cable is a silver plated copper alloy design terminated with a 4.4mm balanced connection. Both Vortex cables used had great ergonomics, and did not exhibit any microphonic noise.

The Vortex Cables Lavinia stands out with some impressive specifications, featuring shielding made from silver-plated 5N OFC and a core that includes 4N Pure Silver, Gold-plated OCC Copper, Gold-plated 4N Silver, and Palladium-plated 4N Silver. With a gauge size of 20.4 AWG, it ensures optimal signal transmission and exceptional sonic purity. At a retail price of $759, this is an upgrade cable certainly worth checking out.



Sound Impressions
The Ruby has an impedance of 60 Ω and a sensitivity of 103 dB, meaning it requires a bit more power to drive effectively. While it performs well with most portable sources, it’s one of those IEMs that can truly scale when paired with better quality sources and amplification. There is a noticeable upgrade going from the HiBy RS8 portable DAP to the full LIna stack, in that everything just sounds more dynamic, with additional weight and detail.



The Ruby sound is quite special, and I think it’s this goldilocks type of sound signature that separates the Ruby from many IEM offerings in the crowded mid/high tier IEM space. Overall, it’s a U-shape signature that leans slightly warm, with excellent soundstage depth, and clear, precise imaging. The bass is tight and impactful, separating well from the mids, and the highs have great clarity, detail and shimmer, without being strident or offensive in any way. I feel that this sound signature will be well received as it allows for hours of engagement without listening fatigue. And without demanding high quality recordings to shine through. All frequencies are well balanced with each other, with the mids taking a small dip in presence, but yet still maintaining great clarity. The 10mm dynamic driver does an excellent job and affirms my preference for dynamic driver bass in IEMs.



Conclusion
Overall, the Ruby is an outstanding option, and great allrounder for those seeking a mid/high tier IEM with a balanced and detailed sound, in a luxurious and pleasing aesthetic. Travis and his team at Eminent Ears have seemingly tapped into what IEM enthusiasts are looking for in terms of sound signature, and have created a great, new option in the mid/high tier IEM space. With a retail price of $2,300 for the Ruby, this is a great option that punches above its price point. Add the flagship Vortex Lavinia upgrade cable, and it becomes a strong contender for anyone looking for a near-flagship IEM experience at a more palatable price point. With a great start out of the gate, I’m excited to see what lies ahead for Eminent Ears. Highly recommended!

Disclaimer:
I'd like to thank Eminent Ears for including me on the tour of this wonderful IEM. I was given an opportunity to audition this IEM and share my honest feedback regarding the Eminent Ears Ruby. There has been no influence (monetary or otherwise) on me to write anything positive or negative about this IEM. Everything shared in this article is my personal opinion based on my usage of the Ruby IEM.

One can purchase the Eminent Ears Ruby from the following link (non-affiliated, sharing the link just for reference):

https://heady-buy.com/collections/eminent-ears/products/ruby

Introduction:
Eminent Ears is a Hong Kong based brand, with Ruby being their first release. The Ruby is part of their Gemstone series, which, according to the brand, was made with the goal of providing a well-balanced IEM with cohesive frequencies and a spacious sound stage.

The Ruby is a tribrid featuring 1 DD + 4 BA + 4 EST with a 5-way crossover design. The IEM has an impedance of 60 ohms and sensitivity of 103 dB. The shells are quite large but not too heavy, and I personally had no issues in terms of wearing comfort.



In terms of design, the faceplate has a visually attractive "gemstone"-like design with a deep red color scheme akin to a ruby. The faceplate looks premium and exudes confidence and richness. The earpieces are designed in a way to maximize soundstage, both horizontally and vertically, thanks to Eminent Ears' unique Individual Chamber Resonance System (ICRS). The ICRS technology, as per Eminent Ears, is inspired by the arrangement of an orchestra and the meticulous acoustic design of concert halls.

The IEM comes with a silver plated copper alloy cable with an independent winding litz structure and is made by Vortex cables. The cable comes with 2-pin (0.78mm) connectors and a 4.4mm BAL termination. The cable is soft and free of microphonics.



Not much in terms of other accessories. The IEM comes with a storage pouch and a basic selection of eartips. For the purpose of this review, I tried the Ruby with the stock cable and Azla SednaEarfit Xelastec 2 eartips. In terms of sources, I auditioned the Ruby with the Sony WM1AM2 and Aroma A100TB connected to the DAP as a balanced amplifier.

Sound:
The Ruby has excellent bass response both in terms of quality and quantity. The bass hits deep with tremendous rumble that's topped up with hard and punchy midbass with powerful slams. The bass response is very well controlled without being muddy or distorted. Clean, fast, hard, and deep—that's how I'd describe the bass response of the Ruby.



There is a tinge of warmth in the mids, making male vocals sound natural with great timbre. Instruments have good note weight and, again, tend to sound natural. Female vocals are rich and well articulated without the slightest hint of sibilance or sharpness. The mids are rich, well detailed, and convey the emotion in the artist's voice beautifully.

The treble is crisp yet well controlled. There are no sharp edges or peaks; hence, there's no fatigue too. There is a good amount of sparkle and air, resulting in an open and energetic presentation with plenty of micro details.



The soundstage is fairly wide but a lot deeper than it is wide, resulting in a holographic presentation. The Ruby excels at handling complex tracks with its exceptional layering and precise imaging. In terms of resolution, Ruby is highly resolving and tends to respond well to power. There was a significant difference between when I ran the Ruby straight off the WM1AM2 and when I connected the Aroma A100TB in between. The improvement in terms of resolution and scale was significant.

Conclusion:
All in all, the Eminent Ears Ruby is a top-tier IEM that provides well-balanced sound with great tonality and exceptional technicality.



The sound signature has a tinge of warmth and a well-controlled treble, hence avoiding fatigue and allowing for longer listening sessions. The IEM looks premium, delivers premium sound, and hence has a premium price tag.

Preface:

I would like to thank Eminent Ears for sending this unit as part of the review tour.

You can purchase Ruby at the following link (not an affiliate link):

https://heady-buy.com/collections/eminent-ears

Also, I’m not a seasoned reviewer, so whatever I say is purely my observations and your results may vary.

I’m not the one to usually focus on specifications and numbers. I focus more on how happy I am with the equipment’s sound and that’s it.

Disclaimer: All impressions and opinions in this review are my own. I have not been paid or compensated by Eminent Ears or any other entity for this review. My assessment is based solely on my personal experience with the product.

Sources used:

• xDuoo XD05 Pro (AKM / Rohm) (w/ SS3602 OpAmps)
• Dita Navigator
• iBasso DC07 Pro
• D16 Taipan
• Qudelix T-71
• RME ADI-2 Pro FS R
• iFi Go Pods

Introduction:

Eminent Ears is a brand based out of Hong Kong and Ruby is their first release. It's interesting to know that the brand was started by a group of friends who just wanted to make an IEM out of curiosity and after a lot of trials and five years later, we have their first IEM release, Ruby.

Design and Cable:​

The IEM’s faceplate features a luxurious design with a strong gemstone-inspired aesthetic, centered around a "ruby" theme. Its intricate patterns and rich colors make it visually striking and elegant.





The cable, made by Vortex Cables, feels soft and supple to the touch. It doesn’t retain any memory, so it stays in place, and has no microphonics, meaning you won’t hear any unwanted noise from the cable when you move around.

Fit and Comfort:​

The shells are on the larger side, which might be challenging for those with smaller ears. I nearly encountered this issue, but the contours of the Ruby’s shell fit snugly in my ears. After wearing them for about two hours, I started to feel some discomfort, but it only became noticeable in the last 10 minutes.

Driveability:​

The Ruby has an impedance of 60 Ω and a sensitivity of 103 dB, which means it requires a bit more power to drive. While it performs well with dongle DACs and portable sources, it really shines with high-quality sources and amplification. With the best possible amplification, you can easily achieve 90% of its performance, regardless of the power output.





Sound:

Sub Bass:

The sub-bass is deep and impactful, providing a solid foundation without overwhelming the overall balance. It extends well into the lower frequencies, delivering a satisfying rumble that enhances genres like electronic and hip-hop.

Royals by Lorde: The sub bass was clean, rumbly and extended without overpowering the rest of the frequencies. It had excellent texture making it feel like it's coming from a bigger sealed subwoofer rather than a ported one. It feels extremely tight and controlled and avoids excessive reverberation.

Mid Bass:

The mid-bass is punchy and controlled, offering a tight and rhythmic response. It avoids any muddiness, ensuring that bass lines are distinct and well-separated from the mids. This contributes to a lively and engaging listening experience.

Money for nothing by Dire Straits: At the 1 minute 12 second mark when the drum hits set in, you can feel the punch, sense of impact and rhythm. They're well-defined and precise, avoiding any lingering or smearing. There's very clear separation from the sub-bass with no overlap or muddiness but it sill integrates smoothly with the sub-bass and midrange, maintaining overall coherence

Lower Mid Range:
The lower midrange is warm and full-bodied, giving vocals and instruments a natural and realistic presence. This area is crucial for the richness of male vocals and the body of instruments like guitars and pianos, which the Ruby handles with finesse.

Hotel California by Eagles: Don's voice is rich, with a warm, slightly raspy texture that carries emotional weight. You can sense the depth and resonance in his vocal delivery, capturing both the melancholy and intesity of the lyrics. The Guitar sounds full bodied with a smooth, natural tine, allowing each pluck and strum to resonate with clarity and warmth. The guitar's lower notes have a satisfying, organic feel, while the subtle vibrations and string textures are faithfully reproduced, giving the performance a lifelike presence.

Upper Mid Range:

The upper midrange is clear and detailed, providing excellent articulation and presence for female vocals and higher-pitched instruments. There's a smooth transition from the lower mids, maintaining coherence and avoiding any harshness or sibilance.

Hello by Adele: Adele's voice comes through with remarkable detail, capturing the emotional intensity and natural resonance that defines her vocal style. Her voice remains forward in the mix without harshness, maintaining a full and rich tonality. The upper midrange brings out the piano’s higher notes, adding to the song's emotional depth and harmonizing well with the vocals. Percussive elements, like snare hits, are also clear and crisp.

Lower Treble:

The lower treble is energetic and crisp, enhancing the detail and sparkle of the sound. It contributes to a lively and dynamic presentation without causing fatigue, making it suitable for long listening sessions.

Take Five by Dave Brubeck: the lower treble is where the Ruby really shines, bringing out the intricate details of the cymbals and saxophone. The cymbals have a crisp and controlled shimmer, adding texture without sounding harsh or splashy. The saxophone’s upper harmonics are smooth yet vibrant, allowing it to cut through the mix with clarity and precision. This IEM’s lower treble tuning provides just the right amount of sparkle and definition, ensuring the instruments are articulate and lively without becoming fatiguing.

Upper Treble:

The upper treble extends well, adding air and openness to the soundstage. It ensures that micro-details are resolved, giving a sense of space and clarity.

Baba O'Riley by The Who: The upper treble is slightly pronounced, giving the synth and cymbals an extra touch of sparkle. The synth's high-frequency tones come through with added brilliance, making them stand out more prominently in the mix. The cymbals have a crisp, airy quality, but with this emphasis, they can border on being a bit sharp at times. While this adds excitement and energy to the track, it may come across as a bit bright.

Sound Stage and Layering:

The soundstage is not as wide and expansive but has excellent depth and height. It creates an immersive experience, within the slightly limited width you can easily pinpoint the placement of instruments and vocals with precision. Layering is handled adeptly, with clear separation between different elements of the mix.

Bubbles by Yoshi Horikawa: Soundstage may not be exceptionally wide, but it excels in depth and height, creating a deeply immersive experience. The subtle sounds of droplets and movements are placed with pinpoint accuracy within this space, allowing you to easily track their positions. The layering is impressive, with each element—whether it's the delicate taps or the underlying bass—clearly separated and distinct, adding to the track's intricate and textured soundscape.

Riders on the Storm by The Doors: Ruby captures the atmospheric depth and height of the song, enveloping you in the rain and thunder effects. The vocals and instruments are placed with pinpoint accuracy within this space, enhancing the eerie, haunting mood. The layering ensures that every detail, from the whispering vocals to the soft cymbals, is clearly defined.

Technicalities:

The Ruby excels in technical performance, with fast and accurate transient response, excellent resolution, and precise imaging. It handles complex passages with ease, maintaining clarity and separation even in dense arrangements.

Tone and Timbre:

The tone and timbre are natural and lifelike, with a slight hint of warmth that adds musicality without sacrificing accuracy. Instruments and vocals sound authentic.

Norwegian Wood by The Beatles: Ruby's timbre brings out the natural warmth of the acoustic guitar, making it sound rich and lifelike. The slight warmth adds a touch of musicality to the sitar, enhancing its unique texture without losing the instrument's authentic character. Vocals are rendered with an organic, true-to-life quality, maintaining the song's intimate and nostalgic feel.

Conclusion:

Overall, Ruby is a stellar choice for those seeking a top-tier IEM with a balanced, detailed sound and luxurious build, but it comes at a premium price and may require quality gear to shine fully. One also has to keep the size of the shells in mind as it may not fit all ears well. Although I have relatively small ears, they fit me absolutely fine.

Eminent Ears Ruby

Disclaimer: Eminent Ears has generously offered to send these pair of review Rubys to me. I have had them in my possession for the past month and have put them through a 100 hr burn-in despite Eminent Ears having burnt in this pair of unit themselves. Except for the specs and the exploded diagram which are from Eminent Ears, the rest of the words are mine.

I would like to thank them for this opportunity to have this extended listen in period within an environment that I can control in.



Introduction

Eminent Ears started by a group of four close friends less than a year ago. Despite being a new company, the idea was conceived by them about 5 years ago where the group dabbled mixing, matching drivers and tuning until they settled on a signature that they were happy with resulting in the Ruby, which is their first product.


Specs


The main engine components of the Ruby are :-

• 
1x Beryllium-Plated Dynamic Driver 10mm in size

• 2x Knowles Balanced Armature Drivers

• 2x Custom-Made Balanced Armature Drivers
• 
4x Electrostatic Drivers

• 2-pin 0.78mm socket
• 60 ohm impedance

(image courtesy of Eminent Ears)



The above are in a 5-way crossover all housed in a Medical-Grade Resin as the shell.

As for the cables, they are provided by Vortex and are of a silver player copper alloy that’s been cross braided. Aside from the 2-pin 0.78mm plug, the DAP/Amp end is terminated by a 4.4mm balanced plug.

The earphones go for USD$2300.

What’s Included in the Package?



The packaging comes in a simple but elegant box that includes (aside from the IEMs naturally!) a cleaning cloth, travel case that contains the Vortex cable, and 2x sets of tips where 1 set with the red stem are for balanced signature, whilst the other grey has a wide bore are for vocals.

The travel case is quite practical and I use it to store the Ruby's rather than my usual Vannuys case.


The Vortex cable is even appropriately etched with the Eminent Ears logo on one end and Vortex on the other at the Y-split.

Ergonomics and Fit

Compared to the IEMs of the yesteryear IEMs I’m used to, this is quite a big IEM. However, that seems to be the usual trend of the modern top tier IEMs these days that squeeze in quite a bit of technology and drivers into a small package. Along with the other modern IEMs the Ruby’s do stick out. However, coupled together with the right size tips and the flexible Vortex cable that wraps around ear, the IEM has pretty much stayed put maintaining a good seal with my ear canal despite moving my head around. Using it with a different cable (e.g. Brise Audio Ref which is quite a stiff/thick cable), moving my head with such a cable could break the isolation seal.

The accompanying Vortex cable is also very flexible with no detectable microphonic vibrations. The two are paired rather well.


How Do They Sound?

I’ve already given a very brief preview of the sound signature as I was burning the IEMs in for a period of over 100 hrs. I don’t think it’s really changed that much from the start till the end of the burn in - if anything, the bass response and decay is more controlled and the treble range has a smoother shimmer to it.

The overall signature is very well balanced. To my ears, comparing to a highly regarded Tralucent 1Plus2 of 2012/2013 and to the FitEar Titans (which has been my reference for the past 7 years), the Ruby has a very wide and expansive soundstage. In fact, to my ears, when listening to the Ruby’s, it occasionally feels like I’m listening to headphones. It’s showed to me how technology has changed in the past few years especially in the taming of EST drivers which were pioneered in the mid 2015’s era. Back then it was a hit and miss, but the Ruby’s crossovers have been tuned to have a smooth transition across the entire frequency range. There’s no range that’s out of place.

This tuning of the crossovers including the design of what Eminent Ears call their Individual Chamber Resonance System results in a huge soundstage yet with uncanny ability to virtually position instruments in a 3D space that simulates instrument separation to one’s ears - this isn’t just in breath or depth but also in height. Combine that with the tight control across the frequency range, not only instrument placement is precise, so is its presentation. The piano, violin, drums, guitars, vocals, harmonica, etc. are all independently and individually distinctively clear. As a listener, I feel Im placed right in the middle of the orchestra or band with each performing member/ radiating outward from me. If I choose to focus on a particular instrument, I can focus on it and can distinctively pick it up without distraction or interference of other instruments - I don’t hear any smearing. But when I (virtually) take step back and listen to the whole musical piece, all the instruments combine together cohesively and coherently making the whole presentation musical. I don’t hear any particular instrument, or frequency that’s offensive or out of place.

Compared to the FitEar Titans & Tralucent 1Plus2

1) Nikki Parrot Cherry Pink & Apple Blossom White (FLAC)

The Ruby is spacious whilst the Titans are noticeably more intimate in soundstage. The Titans have a bit more warmth & weight in the lower mids giving the piano key hits a bit more heft, but the Ruby’s on the other hand seems to have more clarity to the piano key hits.

That clarity extends to the vocals too whilst with the Titans the vocals blend more into the background with the rest of the instruments.

It’s primarily where the Ruby can distinctly separate each component - vocals, piano, percussions, guiro, etc but yet still sound cohesive.

In terms of speed and attack, the Ruby seems a tad little quicker compared to the Titans and has an overall upper mids lower treble forward too giving the Ruby a crisper/fresher overall signature whilst the Titans are a little more laidback and warmer. However, that’s not to say that the Ruby is bass light - there’s deep bass impact however its decay is quicker in recovery. I don’t hear any bleeding of the bass to lower midrange region too.

Comparing to the 2012/2013 Tralucent 1Plus2, the FR signatures are more comparable - the Tralucent 1Plus2 has that similar crispier/fresher sound signature of the Ruby’s over the Titans. However, the soundstage and 3D imaging is just shy smaller than the Ruby’s. IMHO, this seems to be the 1Plus2 having a little more midrange pronunciation in comparison to the Ruby’s.

2) Alison Moyet Live for Burberry’s Only You (FLAC)

The trend continue that the FitEar Titans just sounds a little more closed compared to the Ruby’s. With the Titans, it’s listening to a recording of a live presentation but with the Ruby, it just feels “closer” toward listening live instead of a recording of it. Also, when the cello kicks, the Ruby demonstrates its ability to go deep in the bass region. It’s more pronounced with greater impact than the Titans.

Some other listeners have briefly mentioned that the Ruby could be a little dark. Whilst I don’t necessarily subscribe to that opinion, I can understand why. At some point toward the mid trebles to my ears, dip a little, however comes back in the upper treble region. However, the depth of in the bass impact, it’s rendering and recovery, a very strong but not pronounced mids with impeccable instrument positioning and overall spacious soundstage with plenty depth/headroom seem to be the main strong points of the Ruby.

As for the Ruby’s compared to the 1Plus2, the similarity in terms of the clarity and impact continues. However, the cello in the introduction of the song is still more impactful and deeper in the Ruby’s. The vocals on the other hand, the 1Plus2 seems more pronounced. But, again, I believe this is also what makes the 1Plus2 to have a slightly smaller soundstage than the Ruby’s.

3) Journey’s Open Arms (DSD)

Moving away from vocal jazz and live recordings to 80s soft rock and to me somewhat more flat-like soundstage, such musical pieces don’t take advantage of Ruby’s 3D presentation capabilities. However still within the 2D presentation, the Ruby’s continue to exhibit a wider soundstage compared to the Titans. Overall, the Ruby’s give the whole song more space to breathe.

Against the 1Plus2, again the vocals are more pronounced. For this track, I have to say I’m somewhat more 50/50 of the Ruby vs the 1Plus2. If my listening mood is to listen to the vocals and have the instruments secondary to support the vocals, I’d pick the 1Plus2. However, if I want to hear everything together where vocals and instruments supporting each other, I’d pick up the Ruby’s instead.


4) Michael Sembello Maniac from Flashdance (FLAC)

Carrying on with the trend of 80s music, in the introduction Maniac, the percussions and drums exhibit a fast and hard impact with snare, and quickly recovers before the next beat. It’s very toe tapping and very engaging to me as the listener. Comparatively the Titans sound somewhat smaller and slower. On occasion though the “S”es in the vocals can be quite noticeable on the Ruby’s although I won’t call it sibilant but I can see one listens to lower bitrate recordings, may pick it up as such.

As for comparing the Ruby and the 1Plus2, my thought echo with the Open Arms soundtrack however, I two to be even more similar than different. Vocals on both IEMs are, whilst not equal, but more similar. As such I’d take the Ruby’s wider soundstage win over the 1Plus2 with very little sacrifice of the 1Plus2 vocals in this track.

Summary


As most may know, I’ve been out of the Head-Fi game for about 5 years - during that time my top IEMs have been the FitEar Titans and the Tralucent 1Plus2. As such, I don’t have any current top, nor mid-tier which I can compare the Ruby’s. At this particular moment, the Ruby trumps over my yesteryears top tier collection from 2012-2019, however shockingly the more simplistic and obsolete Tralucent 1Plus2 of 2012/2013 isn’t far behind (for a “back then, expensive” USD$1200 IEM).

This kind of comparison is probably not so useful for most of the current Head-Fier’s when my baseline IEMs are old, however last month I had a recent meet with some local folks in my town and had a chance to compare with some of the more current IEMs (spread across multiple tiers). I did briefly listen to some IEMs that are in the similar, or even toward the Summit-Fi range and I feel the Ruby’s are priced very well especially in terms of its ROI.

Why do I rate these as 4.5 instead of a full 5? I tend to err on the side of being a little bit more conservative especially when I haven't been able to make a comparison against other current mid/top tier IEMs. But for now, though, when listening to other IEMs, the Ruby would be my new baseline in comparison.