Bloom's Take Empire Ears’ follow-up to the highly acclaimed Odin is finally here with Raven! With the project revealed to the world in December 2022 at the Portable Audio Festival in Tokyo, audiophiles began salivating with feverous anticipation. Raven is a Quadbrid IEM jam-packed with 12 drivers, and their customized, in-house developed drivers separate them from the herd with innovation and technical mastery. But Raven is MORE than just a technically advanced flagship IEM. Raven follows close to Odin’s footsteps, with a focus on improving resolution and imaging but moving towards a stronger balance between natural and technical. It takes advantage of the bone conduction driver to offer a hard-hitting bass with deep extension, but only when the song calls for it. Treble is vivid, fast, and expressive, extending its wings on extraordinary air that give a sense of spacious open skies. Midrange can make or break, but Raven delivers it naturally with a good body and weight, everything in its place. So is Raven worth the hype? Ummm. Unequivocally, YES. Check out our full Raven Review here! Also, please see Empire Ears' video regarding the importance of being cautious with the 2-pin cable removal. We have been assured that our final Limited Edition in stock units have passed rigorous Empire Ears Quality Controls for both polishing and cable removal standards. |
Empire prefers to develop and build many of their proprietary drivers rather than sourcing them from other manufacturers. This allows for groundbreaking innovation, and the Raven serves as a testament to their extraordinary engineering.
W10
At the forefront of innovation is the W10 Bone Conductor. It delivers unparalleled imaging, intricate nuance retrieval, and rich timbre by transmitting sound through bone conduction resulting in an immersive sonic experience.
Dual W9+
The heart of Raven's seismic bass response is their custom designed 9mm W9+ subwoofers. These dedicated low-frequency drivers deliver thunderous power and unmatched control for a legendary bass experience.
Quintuplet Balanced Armature Drivers
Tasked with reproducing the critical mid-range frequencies are bespoke BA drivers, engineered in collaboration with industry leaders Knowles and Sonion. Their unique design and singular focus render a captivating and pure mid-range that brings music to life.
Quad Electrostatic Tweeters
Ensconced within Raven are Sonion electrostatic tweeters, each featuring an ultra-light moving membrane. These precision instruments offer an extraordinarily accurate transient response, allowing for unrivaled clarity, pristine separation, and breathtaking detail.
With a nod to the mythical EYE of ODIN and the iconic Empire wingspan, Raven’s industrial 316L stainless steel faceplates become a mesmerizing canvas, skillfully crafted through precision CNC technique. The meticulous process continues with hand-polishing and culminating in a lavish physical-vapor deposition coating.
In a limited run of just 400 units, the exclusive Launch Edition will showcase resplendent gold plating, while the standard edition boasts a sleek gloss black finish.
Harmonic Resonance Core (HRC)
Polymer acoustic stage between shell and plate elevates vibration for unmatched acoustic reproduction.
R7 Cable
A collaboration with PWAudio, the OCC copper conductors deliver unparalleled purity of signal. It melds a 26 AWG core with a 25 AWG 2nd layer and boasts 4 core conductors integrated with 4 additional 2nd layer conductors.
synX Crossover
Dissimilar from the IEM herd, the synX crossover stands out with bespoke methodology and marries 4 distinct driver technologies ensuring max performance from all 12 drivers.
EIVEC MKII
The engine was developed to ensure optimal timing, phasing, and control between the EST and bone conductor.
ARC
Anti-Resonance Control technology that targets specific internal components, aligning flawlessly with the HRC and eliminating unwanted vibrations and flex.
Dual Tri-port Exhausts
Air volume and vent design are crucial for proper tuning. By mastering the W10’s volume requirements, the Raven is able to harness its optimal output and capabilities.
Designed, Engineered and Handcrafted in the USA
A select group of Empire's artisans undertook the task of handcrafting the illustrious Raven at the state-of-the-art facility in Atlanta, Georgia.
Amazing, I never thought music could sound, or even feel, this good. Added bonus, wife likes them so they easily tank her aggro.