Empire Ears - Discussion & Impressions (Formerly EarWerkz)

[toaster]

Evo ordered.

Let the countdown begin…

 

[Skullar]

So Mr. Jack. How are we getting on with Evo EQ graph?

 

[GiullianSN]

Sharing thoughts...

Feels like my LX (and the world) is conspiring for me to get the EVO.

First... noticed some fainting on the LX Left side.
Second... noticed a "not so apparent" crack line crossing almost the whole length of the LX Right side.
Yesterday... sold my beloved and underrated SD5.

My wallet is already hiding from me...

 

[jwbrent]

Sharing thoughts...

Feels like my LX (and the world) is conspiring for me to get the EVO.

First... noticed some fainting on the LX Left side.
Second... noticed a "not so apparent" crack line crossing almost the whole length of the LX Right side.
Yesterday... sold my beloved and underrated SD5.

My wallet is already hiding from me...

Funny, that’s what I do when another new IEM beckons me, notice fine cosmetic imperfections in what I have as justification to sell it so I can get the new thing.

 

[jwbrent]

Random tidbit, Charles actually found out he has another customer with the exact full name as I do. Turns out he sent one my of invoices to the wrong one.

Pretty funny if I buy an Evo and the other guy got the invoice.

Jump on that … just kidding! If you get the EVO, would you keep your Odin since I’ve read how much you like it?

I bought my Odin FE blind, but I’ve decided I will need to hear the Evo before I buy it. I’m a little concerned whether the sub-bass may be too much for my ears causing fatigue.

 

[twister6]

So Mr. Jack. How are we getting on with Evo EQ graph?

Just my 2cents, but I think in this day and age of everybody doing and sharing their own FR measurements, the one from manufacturers are not as relevant Take for instance Crin's graphs. He is very transparent about his setup which anybody can buy, and also resonance peak in his measurements as an artifact of that specific coupler. But what makes his measurements standout is having a huge database to use for comparison. People don't just look at the graph, many use it to compare one IEM to the other. And comparison only makes sense when it was taken in the same setup, so you can look closer at the difference. Otherwise, I don't think it will make sense to compare, as an example, EVO's FR graph from Dean vs half a dozen of different LX measurements from other reviewers, all with different setups.

 

[jwbrent]

Just my 2cents, but I think in this day and age of everybody doing and sharing their own FR measurements, the one from manufacturers are not as relevant Take for instance Crin's graphs. He is very transparent about his setup which anybody can buy, and also resonance peak in his measurements as an artifact of that specific coupler. But what makes his measurements standout is having a huge database to use for comparison. People don't just look at the graph, many use it to compare one IEM to the other. And comparison only makes sense when it was taken in the same setup, so you can look closer at the difference. Otherwise, I don't think it will make sense to compare, as an example, EVO's FR graph from Dean vs half a dozen of different LX measurements from other reviewers, all with different setups.

Yes, I agree, @crinacle ‘s database is a big plus for our community, and it allows me to compare an IEM I’m interested in to one from my collection in order to get an understanding of how it may sound and if it’s worthy of a blind purchase.

Actually, 5 out of 6 flagships I own were blind purchases (the A8000 I reviewed before I got mine), and honestly I like every model. Maybe I’m just easy!

 

[tawmizzzz]

Just my 2cents, but I think in this day and age of everybody doing and sharing their own FR measurements, the one from manufacturers are not as relevant Take for instance Crin's graphs. He is very transparent about his setup which anybody can buy, and also resonance peak in his measurements as an artifact of that specific coupler. But what makes his measurements standout is having a huge database to use for comparison. People don't just look at the graph, many use it to compare one IEM to the other. And comparison only makes sense when it was taken in the same setup, so you can look closer at the difference. Otherwise, I don't think it will make sense to compare, as an example, EVO's FR graph from Dean vs half a dozen of different LX measurements from other reviewers, all with different setups.

Good point-but regardless of measurement scale and setups, if Dean/Jack provided a graph comparing LX/LXSE/EVO on their own terms, it should help paint enough of a rough tonality-picture for most of us I think.

Unless you have one?

 

[KuroKitsu]

Jump on that … just kidding! If you get the EVO, would you keep your Odin since I’ve read how much you like it?

I bought my Odin FE blind, but I’ve decided I will need to hear the Evo before I buy it. I’m a little concerned whether the sub-bass may be too much for my ears causing fatigue.

It would most likely displace the V14 to be honest to join the Wraith and Odin.

Plus owning 3 Empire flagships seems like the right thing to do

 

[Skullar]

Just my 2cents, but I think in this day and age of everybody doing and sharing their own FR measurements, the one from manufacturers are not as relevant Take for instance Crin's graphs. He is very transparent about his setup which anybody can buy, and also resonance peak in his measurements as an artifact of that specific coupler. But what makes his measurements standout is having a huge database to use for comparison. People don't just look at the graph, many use it to compare one IEM to the other. And comparison only makes sense when it was taken in the same setup, so you can look closer at the difference. Otherwise, I don't think it will make sense to compare, as an example, EVO's FR graph from Dean vs half a dozen of different LX measurements from other reviewers, all with different setups.

Cannot agree more. Thats why originally i asked fir both LX OG and Evo graphs together, just did nor mention now because someone else already requested the same.

Definitely need something else measured with same gear to refer to, if you want better picture of tuning.

I use Crins comparison tool often myself.

 

[gLer]

Quick question for LX users: has anyone tried both Azla Crsyals and Acostune AET07 tips with LX? And if so, how do they compare in sound and comfort?

 

[Leviathant]

Quick question for LX users: has anyone tried both Azla Crsyals and Acostune AET07 tips with LX? And if so, how do they compare in sound and comfort?

I can probably share an opinion on this from a Bravado Mk2 perspective?

 

[gLer]

I can probably share an opinion on this from a Bravado Mk2 perspective?

Sure...go for it.

 

[So11rek]

I’ve heard both. Most IEM’s up at the LX level and beyond are more technical than the empys. The empys are warm but they do lack a decent amount of detail retrieval.

Fully agree, I own both Empyrean and UM Mason Fusang, after I got my Fusang, Empyrean was sold week after, there is simply a big difference in sound level you get, if you like Empyrean after some revolutionary hi-end IEM, then someone has chosen a wrong IEM

 

[Leviathant]

Sure...go for it.

Well, I’m going to start by saying I don’t really like either with the Bravado mk2. So additional caveat here is that I don’t really listen using either tip so maybe they’d grow on me more if I spent more time with them.

Fit wise I think they are both fine, but crystals are notably better as they grip really well and don’t ever feel like they are going to budge. With AET07 I struggle to get a consistent seal in my left ear for some reason and the matte finish doesn’t grip that well so I often find them shifting. YMMV.

To me, Crystals accentuate upper mids (and treble) too much and I’m sensitive to that region and it’s quite drastic, making the IEM sound quite bright. I lose a bit of the texture I’m used to in the bass or maybe the pronounced higher frequencies wash over it too much. Not really my cup of tea, but a preference thing really. That being said I may revisit these again with certain types of music in the future.

AET07 - Well, I’m not really a fan. Makes the Bravado sound a bit mushy/dull to me, like they kill certain frequencies in the treble for my hearing and kind of lose a bit of air and stage width. Bass loses a bit of impact. Just sounds a bit bland/lethargic from top to bottom to me.

For what it’s worth my reference is the Spinfit SP100. With these the Bravado mk2 really shines. Bass is so impactful, tight, textured and really let’s the W9+ shine. They also leave the upper mids and treble alone and to me it’s nice and pleasant across the board overall. I guess the main aspect of this IEM is making sure that the bass isn’t affected too much and the other two sets of tips change it too much for me.

I know that spinfits are supposed to bend around slight bends within the ear canal so maybe that’s part of the problem I’m having the other tips.

For what it’s worth I’m using my Shanling M8 + FAW copper series cable (single-ended)