Empire Ears Legend Evo vs Noble Audio Shogun
Introduction
The Empire Ears Legend Evo and Noble Audio Shogun are flagship IEMs designed to deliver a clear, impactful, and detailed sound experience. We compare both models to help you find the best in-ear monitors for your listening preferences.
Not the right fit? Browse other In-Ear Monitors from Empire Ears and Noble Audio.
Legend Evo vs Shogun Price Comparison
The Legend Evo and Shogun sit at two different price points.
The Legend Evo comes in at $3,099.00.
The Shogun comes in at $3,900.00.
The Legend Evo costs significantly less than the Shogun. Let's dive deep into the specs, design, sound signatures, and features of both so you can get a better idea of what each IEM brings to the table.
The Empire Ears Legend Evo
The Legend Evo is the evolution of Empire Ears' Legend X IEM. It features an eight-driver tribrid design consisting of W9+ Subwoofers, Prioprietary Balanced Armature Drivers, and a Weapon X Bone Conduction Driver. The Legend Evo boasts A.R.C Resonance Mitigation Technology and a premium Empire x PWAudio GENESIS Cable.
Empire Ears Legend Evo Features:
- W9+ Subwoofers for deep and powerful bass
- Weapon X Bone Conduction Driver for a smooth and airy treble
- 9-way synX Crossover Network for a cohesive sound experience
- A.R.C Resonance Mitigation Technology for distortion-free sound
Empire Ears Legend Evo Specs:
Driver Configuration: 2x W9+ Subwoofers - 5x Balanced Armatures - 1x Weapon X Bone Conduction Driver
Frequency Response: 5 Hz - 40kHz
Sensitivity: 108dB @ 1kHz, 1mW
Crossover: 9-Way synX Crossover Network
Impedance: 3 Ohms @ 1kHz
The Noble Audio Shogun
The Noble Audio Shogun is a 13-driver quadbrid in-ear monitor that combines striking aesthetics with breathtaking sound. Its dynamic driver, balanced armature, electrostatic, and bone conduction drivers deliver unmatched accuracy and clarity to your tunes. A striking 3D-printed shell and Shogun-inspired faceplates bring an eye-catching look everywhere you go.
Noble Audio Shogun Features:
- 1DD + 6BA + 4EST + 2 Bone Conduction Drivers for clear, impactful, and accurate sound
- 3D Printed Resin Shells with 3D Shogun Art Faceplate for a unique look
- 8-Core Custom Shogun Cable for enhanced aesthetics and sound
Noble Audio Shogun Specs:
Driver Configuration: 1DD + 6BA + 4EST + 2 Bone Conduction Drivers
Frequency Response: 20 Hz - 20kHz
Sensitivity: 10db SPL/mW
Impedance: 23 Ω
Design and Build Quality
The Legend Evo and Shogun are flagship IEMs with exceptional build quality, design, and ergonomics.
The Empire Ears Legend Evo is a simple looking IEM. Empire Ears used robust medical-grade resin shells in a stunning piano black semi-transparent paint for enhanced durability and looks.
The shells are ergonomic and lightweight for enhanced fit and comfort. Subtle design details like the golden EVO logo and Empire Ears Wingspan insignia give the Legend Evo a luxurious aesthetic.
The Legend Evo's overall feel is great - offering a smooth and high-quality feel. The interior features Anti-Resonance Compound (ARC) for superior sound control and is coated in custom-spec cast polymer for reduced vibrations.
The Shogun offers a bold and striking aesthetic that instantly stands out. It features bold red and black striped shells, a black metal faceplate ring, and a breathtaking Samurai Armor-inspired faceplate design, for a unique and eye-catching look.
To complete the package, the Shogun comes with a fully-custom 4-Core cable with a unique katana-hilt-inspired audio jack sleeve and red Shogun Y-Split.
Sound Signature
You're probably looking to see how these IEMs stack up on sound. We'll share our thoughts here, although keep in mind this information tends to be anecdotal and subjective.
Legend Evo Sound Signature
The Legend Evo sports a W-Shaped tuning, with powerful bass, clear vocals, and extended treble.
For daily listening, the Legend Evo delivers a life-like rendition of vocals and instrumentals with excellent clarity and detail. With that said, the Legend Evo's real weapon is its incredible bass.
The bass in the Legend Evo is easily some of the most powerful you'll ever experience in an IEM. Low frequencies come through with a visceral, subwoofer-like feel, without sounding muddy or overwhelming. Despite the powerful bass, vocals and other instruments sound clear and well-defined.
Shogun Sound Signature
The Shogun is tuned to deliver an immersive and life-like sound experience. With its wide soundstage, rich vocals, and smooth highs, the Shogun lets you experience any genre with stunning clarity and detail.
The bass on the Shogun is tight and controlled. The 10mm Dynamic Driver and Bone Conduction Driver combo delivers deep, rumbly sub-bass you can hear and feel - great IEM for listening to bass-heavy, complex genres like EDM.
The midrange on the Shogun is accurate and clear. Vocals and instruments are pushed forward in the mix, offering a more intimate and engaging listening experience. The treble is smooth and well-extended, while being free from sharpness.
Soundstage performance is impressive on the Shogun. Music sounds wide and spacious, and sounds are easy to pinpoint in the mix. Complex passages never sound congested - vocals and instruments sound clear and well-defined at all times.
Price and Value
The $3,099 Legend Evo features a total of eight drivers in a tribrid configuration. Under the hood are 2 Next Generation W9+ Subwoofers, 5 Proprietary Balanced Armature Drivers, and a Weapon X Bone Conduction Driver. All eight drivers are synced through a 9-Way synX Crossover Network. All this is packed inside a high-quality piano black resin shell with ARC treatment.
In the box you get a premium Empire x PWAudio GENESIS Ultra Pure OCC Copper Cable, a hand-crafted leather case, and a wide selection of premium ear tips from Final Audio.
At $3,900, the Shogun offers an immersive listening experience and stunning build quality. Under the hood, it packs a 13-driver quadbrid configuration with Dynamic, Balanced Armatures, Electrostatics, and Bone Conduction drivers. It features a stunning artisan design with Samurai-inspired details and a matching premium cable for enhanced aesthetics and sound.
Our Thoughts
The Legend Evo offers an exciting combination of bass power and accuracy, making it a great option for listening to genres like Pop or Electronic. There are very few IEMs that can match the Legend Evo's bass power and quality, yet it doesn't fall flat when reproducing vocals and other instruments.
The overall sound here is big and impactful, but smooth - the IEM to get if you want to experience energy and excitement from your music.
The Shogun is a well-balanced IEM that delivers both energy and excitement to your listening sessions. The combination of DD/BA/EST/BC drivers offers bass power without bloat and impressive energy without harshness. These qualities ensure you can enjoy your favorite music without fatigue. Build quality is exceptional here, too. The robust resin shells feature a unique aesthetic, and those faceplates are nothing short of jaw-dropping.
If you want a visually stunning IEM with an immersive sound signature, the Shogun is the one to get.
Elevate Your Listening Experience With These Related Articles
Enjoyed this article? Check out our other product comparisons!