Name: NOVUS In-Ear Monitors
SKU: 361026

Product Details ＋

Astell&Kern, known for their relentless pursuit of pure, uncompromising sound, has teamed up with Empire Ears, a prestigious IEM manufacturer renowned for their innovative designs and cutting-edge technology, to create NOVUS – their second collaborative in-ear monitor. This is a LIMITED EDITION in-ear monitor. Their first joint venture, the Astell&Kern X Empire Ears Odyssey, showcased the innovative capabilities of both companies by unlocking the full potential of Astell&Kern's flagship SP3000 player. The Odyssey garnered significant attention for its exceptional sound quality and distinctive design. Building upon the technological advancements of its predecessor, the newly unveiled NOVUS seamlessly integrates Astell&Kern's sound and design philosophy with Empire Ears' unique technology. This collaboration establishes a remarkable new standard in the world of high-end IEMs, pushing the boundaries of audio performance to astonishing levels.

The NOVUS has been meticulously developed to extract the pinnacle of sound from the Astell&Kern SP3000T player, combining the most delicately crafted analog vacuum tube sound with ultra-high-resolution original audio. Every component and material has been carefully selected without compromise to deliver an unparalleled flagship sound experience. The IEM is completed with a design that befits a product of the highest caliber, encapsulating the essence of the Astell&Kern X Empire Ears partnership.

Dragon Cable Recommendation: We recommend pairing the NOVUS IEM with the . The Silver Dragon IEM Cable takes a no-holds-barred approach to quality. It features eight conductors of 99.99998% UP-OCC stranded silver in each cable. It is the purest wire that can currently be produced and is void of all impurities. It includes all the sonic strengths of our original Silver Dragon IEM cable with an enhanced level of resolution and detail. It is not an overly forward or bright-sounding cable. It is extremely smooth and clean with an accurate reflection of the music, making it a non-fatiguing option for mastering and reference sound. The bass is tight, and well-controlled bass with more layers of resolution than any other cable we have produced.

Features of NOVUS include:

13 driver design
LIMITED EDITION
Aluminum shell finished in 24K wet gold-plated faceplates
Custom 4-wire hybrid gold, copper, and silver cable
Incredible dynamic tuning with excellent imaging and presentation

About Empire Ears

Empire Ears is an avant-garde summit-fi and innovative in-ear monitor company. A record-breaking tradition courses through our history – the result of pushing the boundaries of in-ear monitors to achieve higher standards in ultimate performance.

"The NOVUS symbolizes this dream brought to life—a fusion of our shared values and a milestone in my personal journey toward excellence in IEM design. It represents more than a product; it’s a testament to the power of collaboration and the pursuit of perfection in sound. When you listen to the NOVUS, you're connecting with our shared dream, a dream of transcending the ordinary and crafting an experience that's as close to the music as possible. It’s our privilege to share this dream with you, in the hope that it deepens your connection to the music that moves us all" -Jack Vang, Co-Founder of Empire Ears

NOVUS

In an audacious leap forward, Empire Ears, in collaboration with Astell&Kern, unveils the Novus: a beacon of innovation in the in-ear monitor landscape. This partnership marries Empire Ears' relentless drive for excellence with Astell&Kern's renowned audio engineering prowess, setting new horizons in sound fidelity and technological sophistication. The Novus is not merely an advancement; it's a revolution, embodying both companies' shared commitment to transcend the conventional and redefine the extraordinary. With each pioneering technology it introduces, the Novus stands as a testament to its collective inventive spirit, a fusion of visionary design and unparalleled acoustic performance that propels the IEM industry into a new era.

13 Driver, Quadbrid, Dual Conduction

Dual W9 Drivers - Legendary, unparalleled bass reproduction is made possible by Empire Ears purpose-built, W9 subwoofers
Five Balanced Armature Drivers featuring one Sonion driver and Quad Proprietary NOVA Drivers by Knowles
Quad Electrostatic Drivers by Sonion
Dual Bone Conductors by Sonion

Quadbrid Driver Design

The NOVUS is a testament to the groundbreaking achievements that can be realized when a pioneering spirit combines with engineering excellence. Its innovative Quadbrid design seamlessly blends multiple driver technologies to deliver an unparalleled auditory experience. By incorporating a diverse array of drivers, the NOVUS pushes the boundaries of what is possible in IEM technology, showcasing Astell&Kern and Empire Ears' unwavering commitment to sound superiority.

This collaboration not only highlights the dedication of both brands to crafting the finest audio products but also demonstrates their ability to redefine the very nature of IEM technology. The NOVUS stands as a shining example of what can be accomplished when two industry leaders join forces to pursue a shared vision of audio perfection.

Dual W9 Subwoofers

The NOVUS' rich and expansive bass response is driven by Empire's signature Dual W9 subwoofers, which represent the pinnacle of low-frequency finesse. These custom-designed drivers feature a unique dual-role functionality, with one subwoofer meticulously tuned to master bass frequencies and the other dedicated to capturing the depths of sub-bass. This strategic configuration enhances the interplay between bass and sub-bass, adding remarkable depth and dimensionality to the sound.

Each W9 subwoofer is integrated within a precision-tuned bass-reflex system, which incorporates a proprietary internal coil diameter and a carefully engineered excursion envelope. The subwoofers are supported by a robust suspension system that enables them to manage extensive peak-to-peak excursions while minimizing distortion. This advanced design ensures that the Dual W9 subwoofers consistently deliver unparalleled low-frequency performance, creating a legendary bass experience that resonates with exceptional depth and clarity.

Dual High Mass Bone Conductors

NOVUS takes bone conduction technology to new heights by incorporating Dual High Mass Bone Conductors developed by Sonion, a groundbreaking advancement from the traditional single-conductor approach. This sophisticated system features two high-efficiency, high-mass membranes that work in unison, expanding the vibrational range and enhancing the depth and complexity of the sound. These cutting-edge conductors are at the forefront of acoustic innovation, designed to redefine the immersive listening experience by pushing the limits of bone conduction technology.

Engineered for unparalleled imaging and precision, the Dual High Mass Bone Conductors excel in capturing intricate sonic nuances, delivering a sound profile that is not only rich and profound in the lower frequencies but also exceptionally clear and detailed across the entire spectrum. This breakthrough in sound delivery enhances the depth and clarity of music, providing a lush, detailed timbre that resonates deep within the listener.

The result is a profoundly immersive sonic journey that envelops the listener, setting a new standard in the evolution of in-ear monitor technology. The NOVUS' implementation of Dual High Mass Bone Conductors marks a significant milestone in audio innovation, offering an unparalleled listening experience that immerses the audience in a world of captivating sound.

Quad Electrostatic Symphony

NOVUS revolutionizes high-frequency audio reproduction with its quad configuration of advanced electrostatic tweeters, each featuring an ultra-light membrane that sets new industry standards. These sophisticated tweeters operate using a complex mechanism involving a diaphragm and two electrodes, with a high DC voltage applied to create an electrostatic field. This setup enables incredibly precise audio signal handling, allowing the diaphragm to vibrate i