Astell&Kern x Empire Ears Novus In‑Ear Monitors

Hear the music’s body, space, and sparkle—at once

Novus is built for listeners who want goosebumps, not graphs: subterranean bass that you feel, a holographic stage you can point into, and treble air without fatigue. Astell&Kern and Empire Ears fuse a 13‑driver quadbrid engine with dual air-and-bone conduction to deliver detail, dynamics, and physical presence in equal measure—wrapped in jewel‑like craftsmanship that makes every session feel special.

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Why Audiophiles Choose This Product

• • Sound quality: A balanced, musical “V” with thunderous yet controlled sub‑bass, natural vocals, and airy, refined highs; staging is wide, deep, and stable. Reviewers praise its texture, imaging, and non‑fatiguing sparkle.
• • Technical excellence: 13‑driver quadbrid per side—dual W9+ dynamic woofers, five BAs (including four proprietary NOVA by Knowles), four Sonion electrostat tweeters, and dual high‑mass bone conductors—united by Dual Conduction Architecture (air + bone). Venting and anti‑resonance control further tame vibration for cleaner transients.
• • Practical luxury: Precision‑milled 6061‑T6 aluminum shells with DLC finish, sapphire‑glass accents, and 24K wet‑gold faceplates. Everyday durability meets heirloom aesthetics.
• • Compatibility and ease: Supplied 4.4 mm balanced cable plus 4.4→3.5 mm Pentaconn adapter makes it plug‑ready for DAPs, balanced amps, and standard headphone jacks. Pairs beautifully with quality sources; the collab was voiced alongside Astell&Kern’s SP3000T.
• • Uniqueness: Hand‑crafted and assembled in North Atlanta, USA, with a tribrid 23.7 AWG Litz cable combining 5N LCOFC and gold‑plated silver conductors—designed specifically for Novus.

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What’s Included

• • Novus in‑ear monitors: Flagship 13‑driver quadbrid, Dual Conduction Architecture.
• • Primary cable: Astell&Kern x Empire Ears 4‑wire tribrid Litz (5N LCOFC + 4N gold‑plated silver), 4.4 mm balanced termination.
• • Adapters/case: 4.4→3.5 mm Pentaconn adapter; Empire Ears Pandora V3 CNC‑milled aluminum case.
• • Fit and care: Five pairs of Final Audio E‑Type tips (XS–XL) with aluminum tray; cleaning tool; EE x AK microfiber cloth; custom packaging.

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Technical Specifications

Specification	Value	Notes
Product Type	Wired in‑ear monitors (IEM)	Quadbrid, passive; no wireless radios.
Driver system	13 drivers/side	2x W9+ dynamic woofers; 5x BA (1 Sonion + 4 Knowles NOVA); 4x Sonion EST; 2x Sonion bone conductors. Cohesive bandwidth and speed across spectrum.
Architecture	Dual Conduction (air + bone)	Bone conduction adds tactile nuance and spatial realism without masking air conduction detail.
Frequency Response	5 Hz–100 kHz	Ultra‑wide extension for perceived air and slam.
Sensitivity	108.1 dB @ 1 kHz, 1 mW	High sensitivity supports effortless drive; quality source recommended for best results.
Impedance	2 Ω @ 1 kHz	Very low impedance—pair with low‑output‑impedance sources for ideal control.
Housing	6061‑T6 aluminum, DLC finish; sapphire glass; 24K wet‑gold faceplates	Stiff, low‑resonance structure reduces enclosure coloration.
Cable	4‑wire 23.7 AWG Litz (5N LCOFC + 4N gold‑plated silver)	Tribrid metallurgy for clarity, body, and longevity. 4.4 mm balanced termination.
Included Adapter	4.4 mm→3.5 mm Pentaconn	Versatile connectivity to portable players and standard headphone jacks.
Weight	Not specified by manufacturer	Ergonomic sculpting; larger shells may challenge very small ears (see community notes).

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Professional Recognition

• Reviews
  • “Sheer power and presence of the NOVUS bass… separation never smears.” — Forbes.
  • “Supremely well‑balanced V‑shaped tuning… airy treble without fatigue.” — Head‑Fi community review.
  • Headfonia highlights ARC (Anti‑Resonant Compound) and the NOVUS’s cleaner, wider staging versus peers.
• Heritage
  • Second A&K x Empire Ears flagship collaboration (after Odyssey), engineered to extract the full character of A&K’s SP3000T DAP.
  • Designed, engineered, and hand‑assembled in the USA at Empire Ears’ North Atlanta facility.
• Innovation
  • Dual Conduction Architecture, custom NOVA BA drivers with quad‑vent exhausts, quad Sonion EST array, and precision venting (VENT) to optimize pressure and airflow.

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The Bottom Line

Novus delivers the hard‑to‑find trifecta: visceral low‑end authority, lifelike mids, and ethereal treble, presented on a grand, three‑dimensional canvas. Its dual air‑and‑bone conduction system and meticulously damped, DLC‑clad shell keep that performance coherent and fatigue‑free, while the premium cable, adapter, tips, and travel‑ready Pandora case make it turnkey for serious listening on day one. If you want flagship emotion and flagship execution in one design, Novus is the statement piece that listens as good as it looks.

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Notes for Headphone Buyers

• Connectivity: Novus is a wired IEM, supplied with a 4.4 mm balanced cable and a 4.4→3.5 mm adapter for versatility.
• Sound Signature: A refined, musical take on a balanced V—deep sub‑bass, natural mids, airy treble; large, layered stage.
• Comfort: Precision‑milled shells; include multiple Final E tips for fit. Shells are on the larger side—try tips to optimize seal and comfort.

Research sources used for technical validation and community consensus include the official Astell&Kern product page (specs, materials, accessories), press coverage (Forbes), professional reviews (Headfonia), and Head‑Fi community impressions.