Astell&Kern NOVUS IEM collab with Empire Ears

[vikinguy]

I know it's been a little quiet in these parts, but we just got our Novus demo last week, so the team has been listening non-stop.
So far, my main pairings have been A&K SP3000 (original) and iBasso DX320 MAX. I think other guys like @DiFazio have listened with some other gear. The sounds seems like a more refined version of the Raven: a little wider, slightly harder hitting bass. The shell is exactly as big as it looks (pics attached).
Hit us up with any questions you have and we'll do our best to answer!

It’s incredible with the WM1AM2 as well. ;0)

Refined and visceral.

 

[mt-hifidelity]

I know it's been a little quiet in these parts, but we just got our Novus demo last week, so the team has been listening non-stop.
So far, my main pairings have been A&K SP3000 (original) and iBasso DX320 MAX. I think other guys like @DiFazio have listened with some other gear. The sounds seems like a more refined version of the Raven: a little wider, slightly harder hitting bass. The shell is exactly as big as it looks (pics attached).
Hit us up with any questions you have and we'll do our best to answer!

Any comparison to the Subtonic Storm?

 

[stephenkostas]

Any comparison to the Subtonic Storm?

I've only been able to demo Storm briefly and we don't have one available, so I can't offer extensive thoughts on the differences. @DiFazio might be able to offer more thoughts, but I don't think he's had the chance to hear them both in close proximity, on the same sources, etc. either.

 

[mt-hifidelity]

I've only been able to demo Storm briefly and we don't have one available, so I can't offer extensive thoughts on the differences. @DiFazio might be able to offer more thoughts, but I don't think he's had the chance to hear them both in close proximity, on the same sources, etc. either.

Thanks. I am looking forward to your Novus review. Out of all the TOTL IEMs I heard at CanJam NYC, my faves were the Storm and the Novus. That said, I didn't get to spend enough time with either to be fully confident that I have a complete read on them. I read elsewhere that the Novus is like an improved Odyssey, but that makes me a little nervous because I found the Odyssey lacked coherency and was too far from a reference-type sound.

 

[Echo42987]

Any comparison to the Subtonic Storm?

Interested in Anni 2023, Grand Maestro, and Alter Ego comparisson if you have them. I know all a bit different. Raven is one of my favorites, but those are my other 3 go to IEM's. So REALLY looking towards adding the Novus.

 

[Echo42987]

I've only been able to demo Storm briefly and we don't have one available, so I can't offer extensive thoughts on the differences. @DiFazio might be able to offer more thoughts, but I don't think he's had the chance to hear them both in close proximity, on the same sources, etc. either.

Sorry, meant to tag you on the post above.

 

[JasonNYC]

Update on NOVUS availability:

After considering the current production status, we have concluded that it is not feasible to proceed with shipments globally in July. Therefore, please note that the initial shipment for the NOVUS will be in August.

 

[Andrew DiMarcangelo]

 

[mt-hifidelity]

My sentiment exactly

 

[Echo42987]

Agreed. I guess I'll just have to buy the Fei Wan instead....

 

[stephenkostas]

Interested in Anni 2023, Grand Maestro, and Alter Ego comparisson if you have them. I know all a bit different. Raven is one of my favorites, but those are my other 3 go to IEM's. So REALLY looking towards adding the Novus.

So it's probably somewhere in between Grand Maestro and Annihilator in terms of tuning, but I don't know think either that can quite match Novus on the technical end. The separation and speed are just insane, but it also doesn't seem quite as aggressive in the treble as Annihilator. The bass isn't quite Gran Maestro Black Module big, but it's big and has that similar sense of "wow the bass is huge, but it's not stepping on my mids!"

 

[Echo42987]

So it's probably somewhere in between Grand Maestro and Annihilator in terms of tuning, but I don't know think either that can quite match Novus on the technical end. The separation and speed are just insane, but it also doesn't seem quite as aggressive in the treble as Annihilator. The bass isn't quite Gran Maestro Black Module big, but it's big and has that similar sense of "wow the bass is huge, but it's not stepping on my mids!"

Well that's everything I would've wanted to read. Now they just need to actually release them....

 

[javahut]

So it's probably somewhere in between Grand Maestro and Annihilator in terms of tuning, but I don't know think either that can quite match Novus on the technical end. The separation and speed are just insane, but it also doesn't seem quite as aggressive in the treble as Annihilator. The bass isn't quite Gran Maestro Black Module big, but it's big and has that similar sense of "wow the bass is huge, but it's not stepping on my mids!"

Is the Novus low end and sub low end significantly elevated and bigger than Raven? Or just slightly?

Would you say overall Novus tuning is warmer than Raven... as in lower mids being more full... or lower mids and warmth are more similar to Raven?

Thanks.

 

[stephenkostas]

Is the Novus low end and sub low end significantly elevated and bigger than Raven? Or just slightly?

Would you say overall Novus tuning is warmer than Raven... as in lower mids being more full... or lower mids and warmth are more similar to Raven?

Thanks.

I hear Novus as having similar subbass to Raven, but a little more midbass, and Novus seems warmer. I just listened to "Borderline" by Tame Impala on both, and while they were pretty similar, the kick drums were fatter and harder hitting on Novus and the bass guitar stood out a little more (there's some interplay between a synth bass sound and a bass guitar that I'm hearing there, but you can almost miss the bass guitar on Raven).

We've mentioned in a few times, but we really need to get some tools to get proper measurements so I don't have to wonder if I'm crazy while I wait for Twister6 or someone to confirm that what I'm hearing is actually how it sounds....

 

[javahut]

Update on NOVUS availability:

After considering the current production status, we have concluded that it is not feasible to proceed with shipments globally in July. Therefore, please note that the initial shipment for the NOVUS will be in August.

I noticed the A&K U.S. purchase site now has the expected delivery date for Novus as early to mid September. Are normal 3rd party U.S. audio retailers still expected to be delivered in August?... or has the delivery date for everyone in the U.S. now been pushed back to September?

Thinking about a pre-order, but the super long delay in Raven pre-order delivery makes me hesitant to pre-order Novus... as the Novus delivery date has already been pushed back several times now. Not wanting to pre-order EE again without knowing it's NOT gonna be Feb or March '25 before it's delivered.