The Empire Strikes Again: Empire Ears Legend Evo

The Empire Strikes Again!

Empire Ears have done it again: 2021 is a great year for fans of great in-ears and especially Empire Ears have delivered:

After the absolutely great Valkyrie MKII, the studio reference ESR MKII and the great price-performance hit Bravado MKII Now comes the Legend EVO, the evolution of the legendary Legend X.

A true TOTL (top-of-the-line) in-ear with completely new drivers. For the first time, Empire Ears uses a bone conduction driver, pushing the boundaries of what was previously possible in terms of sound.

When can I buy Legend EVO?

Unfortunately, we do not yet know how many EVOs Audio Essence will be available at launch, but we will but keep you updated!

Available for pre-order from September 10, 2021
Price: CHF 3099.00

LEGEND EVO

NEXT-GENERATION DUAL CONDUCTION IN-EAR MONITOR

The story of the Legend EVO is the story of a revolution. Freed from the constraints of convention and strengthened by the knowledge gained from decades of experience, we knew we had to take extraordinary new measures to develop a true successor.

With the groundbreaking Dual Conduction Architecture and the 8-driver Tribrid system at its heart, the Legend EVO sets new standards in the IEM industry, offering an unprecedented level of innovation and performance.

The Legend EVO is a prime example of technical brilliance and represents the boldest expression of Empire Ears.

TECHNICAL DATA

• 2 W9+ Subwoofer
• 5 precision balanced armature drivers
• Weapon X Bone Transducer Ultra Driver
• 9-way synX crossover
• Dual-line architecture
• ARC resonance reduction technology
• Impedance: 4.5 ohms @ 1kHz
• Frequency response: 5Hz-35kHz
• Sensitivity: 103dB @ 1kHz, 1mW
• Empire X PWAudio "GENESIS" Ultra Pure OCC Copper Cable, 4.4 Pentaconn Connector

THE SCIENCE OF HEARING

If you look at our hearing system, you can divide it into three different parts: the outer ear, the middle ear, and the inner ear. Air conduction utilizes all three parts, as sound is collected by the outer ear and conducted through the ear canal to the eardrum, causing the auditory ossicles in the middle ear to vibrate and stimulating the hair cells in the cochlea in the inner ear. This stimulation generates electrical nerve impulses, which are then transmitted via the auditory nerve to the brain, where they are converted into sound.

Bone conduction completely bypasses the outer and middle ear components by sending vibrations directly through the skull to stimulate the hair cells in the cochlea. Bone conduction allows us to hear ultrasound (beyond 20 kHz). Bone conduction is generally perceived as a lower-pitched sound because the skull conducts lower frequencies more efficiently than air.

DUAL CONDUCTION ARCHITECTURE

The Legend EVO uses the best of both worlds with its groundbreaking Dual Conduction Architecture.The entire frequency range from 5 Hz to 20 kHz is transmitted via air conduction from the two W9+ subwoofers and the 5 symmetrical armatures, while the imaging, soundstage, detail reproduction, low frequency extension and reverberation from 5 Hz to 35 kHz are controlled via bone conduction by the W10 be improved enormously.

With Dual Conduction Architecture and our masterful tuning, the Legend EVO reproduces the most immersive, purest, and most stereophonic sound possible.

THE WEAPON X BONE CONDUCTION ULTRA DRIVER

When developing the most impressive bone conduction driver ever used in an IEM, it was of utmost importance to consider every facet of the W10 carefully and thoroughly to ensure that no stone is left unturned. Every element of the W10 was hand selected, developed and extensively tested to achieve optimal bone conduction.

stainless steel case

The ultra-robust, nickel-plated SPCC chassis of the W10 was designed to avoid any coloration that could be caused by internal resonance or bending.

The X-Factor

The crown jewel and driving force of the W10 is its obscenely strong N52 neodymium magnet. N52 is the highest grade of neodymium currently available, and its DNA consists of neodymium, iron, and boron.

The entire design of the W10 rotates around this magnet.

Pure copper voice coil

The voice coil is one of the most important aspects of the W10When the electrical current of the audio signal flows through the coil, it creates an alternating magnetic field that acts against the magnet of the W10 pushes and pulls. By moving the current back and forth, we are able to move the entire chassis of the W10 to generate immense sound vibrations.

The W10 uses a Japanese-made pure copper voice coil optimized for precise frequency and transient response. Winding tension consistency, enamel density, bonding techniques, dimensions, and copper composition were all critical factors for linearity, extremely low distortion, and efficient heat dissipation.

Resonance and the vibration membrane

The vibration membrane is the carefully designed interface between the magnetic properties and the acoustic capabilities of the W10It is made of steel and laser-welded. Every single variable was crucial in its development. From the weight, stiffness, and elasticity of the steel to the length and angle of the three cantilevered struts, the development of the world's most comprehensive and resolving bone conduction loudspeaker was more than just a labor of love; it crossed the realm of obsession.

FORM FOLLOWS FUNCTION

The Legend Evo pays homage to its predecessor with its minimalist appearance and classic color scheme, but a closer look at the details shows that everything is geared towards exceptional, groundbreaking performance.

Dual Tri-Port Exhausts

Due to the extreme performance of the W10 The air volume of the case and the design of the vents were particularly important for proper ventilation.

By mastering the volume requirements of the W10 we are able to exploit his optimal performance, abilities and potential.

ARC-treated chassis

Any bend in the cabinet walls results in unequal resonance frequencies.By treating the fixtures in critical areas with ARC, we gain control over the room and can allow what is reflected and/or absorbed to pass through. This eliminates unwanted noise and keeps the sound from the drivers as pure as possible.

Precisely mounted "weapons"

The W10 is strategically mounted on the ceiling in a specially designed cavity at the top of the cabinet. This cavity is engineered to contain all sound vibrations and maximize bone conduction transmission through the massively filled ear canal.

Sound-absorbing barrier

Low-frequency energy causes even the most stable materials to vibrate. That's why we sealed the earcup with a custom-molded polymer to direct internal sound vibrations toward the listener while reflecting unwanted external energy.

The Midas Touch

The Legend Evo features two significant gold logos: the timeless Empire Wing clasp, symbolizing our relentless pursuit of excellence, and the EVO logo, marking the evolution of Empire Ears IEM technology.

GENESIS

EMPIRE X PW AUDIO

• 24AWG high-purity OCC copper
• Quad conductor, polypropylene reinforced core
• Insulated UV-resistant polyvinyl chloride sheath
• 4.4 symmetrical Pentaconn termination

INTRODUCTORY EDITION

The Legend EVO launch edition will include a handcrafted, hand-dyed leather case made by Master Sangwoo of Vishnu Leather in South Korea. The launch edition will limited to 400 pieces be.

More blogs on the topic

The Pure Truth - Empire Ears ESR MKII – Audio Essence

Truly divine - Empire Ears Odin – Audio Essence

Photo - Wednesday Part 1: Empire Ears Legend X SE 2021 – Audio Essence