Empire Ears Odin Review: Sound Check

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3 жыл бұрын

Empire Ears Odin Review: Sound Check
Idiot spends way too much money in pursuit of audio nirvana and KZfaq clicks.
Sound Check: $3400 Empire Ears Odin
Empire Ears Odin (1-Week Impression)
Pros: World-Class Sound-- Best IEM I've Heard
Cons: Very Picky Amplification and Ear Placement
UPDATE: Because of the shallow insertion, I've recently switched to Symbio W hybrid eartips for the Odin only, which are designed for getting a good seal with a shallow ear placement. Order them larger than you think you need, they are designed not to sit deep in the ear. I think the Symbio sound is superior to the TENNMAK on this IEM. They also seem to tune the headphone a bit better. Admittedly, they are not as comfortable as the TENNMAK, but they do a better job with sound.
symbioeartips.com/termek/symb...
www.empireears.com
SOURCES:
Astell & Ultima SP1000 tinyurl.com/ya73qncf
Chord Hugo TT / Chord Hugo 2 chordelectronics.co.uk/produc...
McIntosh C2600 www.mcintoshlabs.com
RECOMMENDED:
Favorite budget IEM:
Moondrop Starfield:
amzn.to/2KGviwQ
Smitty's Glass Wax
amzn.to/3nCg7DN
TENNMAK Turbo Pro Tips
amzn.to/36NXTJB
Sedna Eartips
amzn.to/34A081D
STUDIO INFO:
Mic: RCA-77DX
Processor/Pre: Universal Audio LA-610 Mk II
Camera: Blackmagic Design Cinema Camera 2.6k
Lens: Canon Cine Prime 24mm
Lighting: Aputure 120D
Software: Blackmagic Design DaVinci Resolve
Hardware: Blackmagic Design Ultrastudio Mini 4k
Switcher: Blackmagic Design Television Studio HD
Computer: 12-Core Apple Mac Pro (2013)
Music: Epidemic Sound www.epidemicsound.com
Head-Fi Handle: reeltime
Copyright: Michael De Lazzer
All rights reserved

Пікірлер: 30

@ZephonWing 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks for helping me make the purchase decision for Odin! Love your videos, but one suggestion if I may... I think you can do without the special FX sounds; you are professional and engaging enough.

@dHolbach77 3 жыл бұрын

I'm going to put this as simply as I can: I'm running the Odins off an iBasso 160 and they sound fantastic. When I scale up to my Gilmore Lite MK2 desktop amp they sound even better, but it's not night and day. You don't need thousands of dollars behind these IEM's to enjoy their excellence.

@nellatl 2 жыл бұрын

Exactly. I have a lg v60. I keep buying daps trying to get a much better sound quality. The sound from daps doesn't get that much better. I bought the new fiio m17, Sony, ibasso etc... Daps don't make as much a difference as the type of iem you have.

@Nephilim-81 3 жыл бұрын

Love your findings. You are a wonderful and genuine person who has awesome taste in audio. Love your videos and based on your findings I think the WA8 transportable vaccum tube amp would be an awesome pairing.

@datdudeinred 3 жыл бұрын

What you experienced with mcintosh & chord is basically higher output impedance & that elevates bass insanely & drops highs alot... & all of your a&k & hugo2 have very low output impedance... & that odin is vet sensitive too which helps too... Also tubes.. So it was anyways going to be like that. But just tubes & high op imp isn't what you should be needing for a $3500 iem's... They should be perfect on any source.. Isn't it? Especially when it's about portable gear if this was case with lcd4 i would have been ok but this is ment to be played with portable amp/dap/dac... Correct me if I'm wrong

@leekenyon4099 3 жыл бұрын

I'm very much starting to enjoy your reviews. 👍 New subscriber. By the way I hear Cayin C9 is the portable route to go on these.

@guylerner8416 3 жыл бұрын

Another great review Mike. I like how you take the viewer through your experience. Just a thought: have you put your 64 Audio IEMs through the same Chord/McIntosh sources to see if/how they scale up compared to Odin? That should be interesting, especially with the U12t.

@DirectorsGarage 3 жыл бұрын

I have. Neither the U18 Tzar nor the Fourte are better on the McIntosh than the SP1000/Hugo2 setup. They lose detail but increase soundstage. They do not sound poor, just not as good as my portable rig.

@guylerner8416 3 жыл бұрын

@@DirectorsGarage ok, good to know. I guess the Odin was tuned with desktop sensibilities, which is strange for a mobile device. Glad you found the sweet spot though!

@DirectorsGarage 3 жыл бұрын

@@guylerner8416 Hold for the N8. I have one on the way. I'm interested to see if the Cayin tube stage has the same effect.

@juliezhik 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the review. Could you, please, say what volume approximately you used on your SP1k?

@DirectorsGarage 3 жыл бұрын

Between 75 and 95 depending. I tried different volumes, even EQ at first.

@bak2mb 3 жыл бұрын

Hi Michael...between the Empire Odin..Tia Fourte and JH Layla AION...what do u suggest to get? will pair with SP1000M..thanks

@DirectorsGarage 3 жыл бұрын

Hey, thanks for reaching out-- I haven't heard the Layla yet. It's on my short list to buy, once I clear out some inventory. Between the Fourte and the Odin, I prefer the Odin.

@stephenbeaudoin4440 3 жыл бұрын

I use the Cube and have the Wraith-- is this a "justifiable " upgrade?

@ChazZeromus 3 жыл бұрын

I definitely had the same experience, In the end changing the tips finally got to the sound signature I really liked, and I finally settled on foam comply tips. Using the default tips me gave me a very bright harsh treble. After a while I started learned that the manufacturer has an intended acoustics In regards to distance between driver and eardrum and ear canal acoustics. You really have to just wiggle it around and try different tips until it sounds the best to you. Also I agree that the driver flex was very alarming the first time I heard it but it wasn’t unfamiliar as I also have a legend Xs. To minimize potential damage what worked for me was to insert them at an angle and remove them by breaking the seal using your finger to push down on the tip from the outside.

@stevestang7551 3 жыл бұрын

You do a good job. I don’t want to spend $3400 for IEM’s and then “make them work”. I want them to be outstanding no matter how I use them.

@DirectorsGarage 3 жыл бұрын

Me neither! I Gotta pay the mortgage! But in fairness, either the Odin has settled down with more hours on them, or my ears are adapting to the sound. Not sure which. But the N8 pairing is very good with these, particularly the 4.4 output. Still forming opinions. My next video will be a shootout between the KSE-1500 electrostatic and the Odin. Can't wait! Thanks for watching!

@stanleyholmes7155 3 жыл бұрын

I am here again to hear THE REGULAR GUY! Love to hear what you think about Theiaudio Clairvoyance and Unique Melody Mesh.

@DirectorsGarage 3 жыл бұрын

Stay tuned!

@TheGrandPumma 3 жыл бұрын

Probably the Best ODIN Review on KZfaq IMHO Well Done Sir.

@briansmith5140 3 жыл бұрын

It was so great to hear that you came to the conclusion that it had nothing lacking with your ultimate mix of amps. I don't have the funds to get all the other. Could I get by with a chord mojo and a custom computer with top of the line audio hardware. I am one that factors in appearance while purchasing products. This Odin checks all the boxes for looks. I think it's the best I have seen. The odins are a must have for me. I have the best of samsung mobile devices. What DAP or other item do I need to optimize the capabilities of the all mighty Odin --- You put out the best videos. Unlike that whack job Zeos from Zreviews

@DirectorsGarage 3 жыл бұрын

Zeos kills me! He reminds me of Jack Black. Hysterical. I think the Odins are breaking in (as much as I hate to admit it!) and they're getting better, particularly in the treble. I still think the N8 is the best match I've heard in a portable. But the best part about this hobby is that you can build to that ultimate rig. Thank you so much for watching, Brian!

@anthonyberryman3443 3 жыл бұрын

Brian in their video Jack Vang said they used the Chord Hugo 2 to actually tune the Odin.

@glynmatthews678 3 жыл бұрын

I just wish ZEOS would talk more ....he doesn't go into enough detail for me.

@iKaGe01 3 жыл бұрын

Not great then is it if it needs amps/dacs far more expensive than it to tone it down. Surely it is basically being eq'd and filtered through that tube amp. Surely the same as burn in with 100 hours or more? It makes the Mest that much more appealing

@stanleyholmes7155 3 жыл бұрын

Oh love what your saying...regular talk.