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Empire Ears x Astell&Kern Odyssey - Flagship IEM (Open Box Deal)
Open Box - 1 piece available immediately. Full guarantee.
Journey to Sound Perfection
First impressions and unboxing
Unboxing & Impressions: Empire Ears & Astell&Kern Odyssey
Empire Ears x Astell&Kern
A benchmark collaboration built on the same passion for the extraordinary. Astell&Kern challenges the possibilities of infinite sound, always striving for the purest sound imaginable.
We wanted the stunning sound of the latest flagship A&ultima SP3000, created through our continuous efforts, to be the best Completely convey IEMs that deserve it.
Empire Ears is an uncompromising and respected manufacturer of IEMs that are the most original and equipped with the latest technologies. Astell&Kern and Empire Ears completed Odyssey to present our most exceptional sound with our flagship products that contain the essence of A&K and Empire Ears.
Odyssey
Empire Ears' relentless pursuit of the extraordinary drove them to build an IEM that made no compromises.
Bringing the technology of the Odin and the Legend EVO, we brought everything we learned into this epic collaboration to create the next generation in-ear monitor, the Odyssey.
Our legacy is proof that attention to detail and visionary innovation produce great design. Never has this been truer than with the partnership between two extraordinary companies working together to create a revolutionary new category of in-ear monitors.
" The Odyssey was an extraordinary technical adventure that forced me to focus on new technologies and unconventional processes. The idea was to build an IEM of extremes, one that would go by the name of Empire Ears and Astell&Kern deserves. No half measures. No compromises. We had to use everything in our arsenal to break new boundaries."
Dean Vang . Founder of Empire Ears
New rules
We look to the future with a visionary approach and take our quest for the extraordinary to the extreme. Our advantage is that we put invention above convention. Our efforts have produced many world firsts that forever changed the IEM industry, and the Odyssey is no exception - it's a technological showcase.
Quadbrid construction
Even at low volumes, we design and build several of our own custom drivers rather than sourcing them from other manufacturers. This gives us the freedom to develop breakthrough technologies that are not constrained by industry limitations or compromises. The Odyssey is a testament to Empire Ears' incredible engineering.
At its core is a proprietary 10-driver Quadbrid system consisting of two W9+ subwoofers, 5 balanced armatures, two electrostatics and a
W10 (Bone Conductor)
- Our W10 bone conduction ultra driver uses bone conduction to deliver unparalleled imaging, nuance and timbre.(Full Range)
Five Balanced Armature Drivers
- Custom-designed Knowles (Upper-Mid-High) and Sonion Balanced Armature (Low-Mid-Mid) drivers were engineered with the aim of reproducing only the purest, stunning mid-range frequencies
Dual W9+ (Subwoofer)
- Legendary unparalleled bass response is enhanced by our custom-engineered W9 + Subwoofer enabled. (Subbass - Bass)
Two electrostatic tweeters
- The distortion-free, lightning-fast transient response and the outstanding treble extension of the electrostatic Sonion drivers ensure incomparable transparency. (High - Ultra High)
Dual Conduction Architecture
Empire has a long history of developing innovative, in-house solutions to maximize the performance of in-ear monitors. Our uncompromising philosophy inspired us to develop our Dual Conduction Architecture - a revolutionary method of reproducing audio through air and bone conduction to maximize listener immersion in sound that you can not only hear but feel, bringing you the purest Experience guaranteed.
Air Conduction
If you look at our hearing system, you can divide it into 3 different areas: the outer ear, the middle ear and the inner ear. Air conduction uses all three areas as sound is picked up by the outer ear and conducted through the ear canal into the eardrum, causing the 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 transmitted via the auditory nerve to the brain, where they are converted into sound.
Bone Conduction
Bone conduction completely bypasses the components of the outer and middle ear, sending vibrations directly through the skull to stimulate the hair cells inside 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
The Odyssey uses the best of both worlds with its groundbreaking Dual Conduction Architecture (DCA). The full frequency range from 5Hz to 100kHz is reproduced via air conduction by the two W9+ subwoofers, five balanced armatures and dual electrostatics, while imaging, soundstage, detail reproduction, bass extension and reverberation range from 5Hz to 40kHz over bone conduction are greatly enhanced by the W10.
Using DCA and Empire's masterful tuning, the Odyssey reproduces the most immersive, pure and stereophonic sound possible.
The Empire Difference
synX Crossover Technology
Genetically distinct from the rest of the IEM world, our synX crossover network features countless bespoke methods and technologies that make it a one-of-a-kind masterpiece . The connection of 4 different driver technologies is symphonized via a proprietary 7-way synX crossover network that ensures the maximum performance of all 10 drivers.
EIVEC MKII
The brand new EIVEC MKII engine was specially designed for Odyssey to ensure optimal timing, phasing and control between the electrostatic and bone conduction drivers - a monumental achievement.
Empire Intelligent Variable Electrostatic Control - EIVEC - is Empire's approach to integrating electrostatic EST drivers into IEMs Despite the incredible range and resolution, electrostatic drivers are notoriously difficult to control as they often overdrive other drivers.
EIVEC is our solution to this problem, and the level of control that EIVEC offers is so precise that the electrostatics can operate independently, taking on different roles within the soundstage to add layer upon layer of detail and texture for a to deliver unparalleled performance.
Two tri-port outlets
Due to the extreme performance of the W10, the air volume and ventilation openings of the case were particularly important for the right tuning. Even the smallest change in diameter and positioning had a dramatic impact on sound quality and performance. By mastering the volume requirements of the W10, we are able to maximize its performance, capabilities and potential.
Precision Mounted Weapon
The W10 subwoofer is strategically placed at the top in a specially designed cavity at the top of the cabinet. This cavity is engineered to keep all sound vibrations inside and to maximize bone conduction transmission through the massively filled ear canal.
A.R.C. treated chassis
Any bend in the cabinet walls results in unequal resonant frequencies. By treating the internals in critical areas with ARC, we gain control of the space by allowing what is reflected and/or absorbed. In this way, unwanted noise is eliminated and the sound of the drivers becomes as pure as possible.
SOUNDPROOF BARRIER
Low-frequency energy vibrates even some of the most stable materials. That's why we sealed the case with a custom molded polymer to direct the internal sound vibrations to the listener while reflecting unwanted energy from the outside.
Ares II Cable
Effect Audio Ares II Cable features proprietary 26 AWG stranded UPOCC stranded copper with Ultra FlexiTM insulation for maximum signal transfer, performance and ergonomics. Each Ares II is equipped with a high-quality 4.4 Pentaconn connector.
Technical data
- UPOCC copper strand
- 26 AWG 4 wire
- EA Ultra FlexiTM Insulation
- Proprietary multi-size stranded design in a single encapsulation
- Satin Black Effect Audio x Empire Ears Connector and Y-Split
Designed, engineered and proudly handcrafted in the USA
An elite team of Empire's finest was commissioned to build the Odyssey at the Empire Ears factory in Atlanta, Georgia, USA, where 5,000 square feet are set aside exclusively for this collaboration
exclusively for this collaboration .
Each stage of Odyssey production is hand built by one master technician and engineer and passed to the next, who passes each pair on its way to
Each pair passes through 10 stations on its way to completion that require a total of 9 hours of work per set.
The Odyssey is not only the most technologically advanced IEM Empire has ever built, it is also the most exclusive.
Scope of delivery
- 4.4mm Bespoke Effect Audio ARES II UPOCC stranded copper
- 4.4mm to 3.5mm Pentaconn Adapter
- 5 pairs of Final Audio E-Type Tips (XS/S/M/L/XL) with Aluminum Tip tray
- Pandora V2 CNC Anodized Black Aluminum Case
- Cleaning tool
- EE X AK microfiber cloth
DESIGN ENIGMA - A visual masterpiece
ENIGMA is an ultra-exclusive, one-of-a-kind dichroic faceplate that features nine individual polymer layers in three proprietary lamination steps. Each coating is unique in its ability to filter and reflect specific wavelengths of light. The result is an aperture that creates stunning color transitions as the viewing angle changes - it literally changes before your eyes.
Enigma is made in the USA by an award-winning chemist who currently holds two patents in polymer science for the High solids coating chemistry lasts, masterfully handcrafted.
