Empire Ears Odin vs Empire Ears Odin MKII
Introduction
The Odin and Odin MKII are Empire Ears' flagship IEMs designed to deliver a life-like, high-resolution sound experience. We compare both 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.
Empire Ears Odin vs Odin MKII Price Comparison
The Empire Ears Odin and Raven sit at two very different price points.
The Odin comes in at $3,399.00.
The Odin MKII comes in at $4,299.00.
The Odin MKII costs significantly more than the OG Odin. 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 Odin
The Odin is Empire Ears' ultra-flagship model, featuring stunning Bifrost Faceplates, Weapon IX subwoofers, synX Crossover, and A.R.C. technology for an accurate and impactful, high-resolution sound experience you can enjoy in style.
Empire Ears Odin Features:
- 11-driver setup for unmatched impact, clarity, and detail.
- Dual W9+ subwoofers for deep, powerful bass.
- Five Balanced Armatures for natural vocals and instrumentals.
- Four Electrostatic Drivers for an airy and detailed sound.
- synX Crossover for a smooth and cohesive sound.
- A.R.C. for reduced driver vibrations and distortion.
- Premium Stormbreaker cable for seamless sound and connectivity.
Empire Ears Odin Specs:
Driver Configuration: 2x W9+ Dynamic Subwoofers, 5x Balanced Armatures, 4x Electrostatic Drivers
Frequency Response: 5 Hz - 100kHz
Sensitivity: 108dB @ 1kHz, 1mW
Crossover: 7-Way synX Crossover Network
Impedance: 3 Ohms @ 1kHz
The Empire Ears Odin MKII
The Odin MKII is the latest iteration of Empire Ears' legendary Odin IEM. New for the MKII model is a stunning 24K Gold-Plated Faceplates and a matte black aerospace-grade aluminum chassis. Inside, the Odin features a revolutionary 11-driver quadbrid system, comprising dual W9+ subwoofers, balanced armatures, electrostatic drivers, and bone conduction drivers, for a vivid sound experience that you can feel.
Empire Ears Odin MKII Features:
- 24K Gold-Plated Faceplates with matte black aerospace-grade aluminum chassis
- Dual W9+ subwoofers for tight, textured bass
- Five Precision Balanced Armature Drivers for organic vocals and instrumentals
- Twin EIVEC MKII-powered Electrostatic Drivers for breathtaking air and resolution
- Twin Bone Conduction Drivers for a tactile and immersive feel
- 2-pin, 4.4mm KVASIR Cable for enhanced sound and aesthetics
Empire Ears Odin MKII Specs:
Driver Configuration: 11 Drivers (Dual W9+ Subwoofers, 5x Balanced Armatures, 2x Electrostatic, 2x Bone Conduction)
Frequency Response: 5Hz–100kHz
Impedance: 2.7 Ohms @ 1kHz
Sensitivity: 105dB @ 1kHz, 1mW
Connector: 2-pin, 0.78mm, 4.4mm Termination
Design and Build Quality
The Empire Ears Odin and Odin MKII are premium IEMs, boasting exceptional build quality, design, and ergonomics.
The Empire Ears Odin boasts an eye-catching, bold design, combining a unique faceplate design with an ergonomic resin shell for a blend of style, comfort, and durability.
The Bifröst-inspired faceplates are the star of the show, featuring nine individual polymer layers in three proprietary lamination steps, which produce a multi-color aesthetic that shifts under different angles and lighting conditions.
The Odin's premium design extends to its premium cable. The included Stormbreaker cable from PWAudio boasts outstanding build quality for added style and comfort.
The Odin MKII features an updated design that's a clear departure from the original Odin.
Gone is the multi-colored, Bifröst-inspired faceplates in favor of stunning 24K Gold-Plated faceplates with enigmatic runic engravings and Empire Ears insignia. Empire Ears swapped out the medical-grade resin shells for a more durable matte black, aerospace-grade aluminum chassis. Together, these design elements give the Odin MKII an eye-catching style that's robust and elegant.
Like the original Odin, the Odin MKII comes with a custom bespoke cable called the KVASIR - a four-stand braided cable with gold, silver, and copper conductors for enhanced musical detail and clarity. Intricate design details include etched Valknut on the cable's Y-Split piece and a blacked-out plug with Empire Ears branding.
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.
Odin Sound Signature
The Odin was designed to showcase balance and precision, delivering a sound that’s powerful yet refined.
Its dual W9+ drivers provide deep, textured sub-bass with tight mid-bass punch - impactful yet controlled. The midrange is clear and natural, bringing vocals and instruments to life with exceptional detail and realism. Treble extends generously with sparkle and air, adding extra energy without harshness.
The soundstage is wide and holographic, creating a 3D-like experience where sound wraps around the listener with excellent layering and pinpoint imaging with a concert hall-like feel.
Odin MKII Sound Signature
While the differences in design between the MKI Odin and MKII Odin are drastic, the overall difference in their sound signature is more subtle.
Like the original Odin, the Odin MKII features a spacious, open soundstage. This time around, you get the same width but with a more intimate presentation where the performer sounds closer to you.
The overall tuning is now more balanced than ever, offering a less-exaggerated sub-bass rumble and a more polite mid-bass impact. Vocals and instruments now sound more weighty compared to the OG Odin, offering a more emotional and life-like tonality for both male and female voices. The treble has also been scaled back, now sounding smoother and less crisp than the previous Odin.
Price and Value
At $3,399, the Odin represents Empire Ears’ ultimate vision of summit-fi performance. It features an ambitious 11-driver tribrid design, delivering impact and immersion you won't get with lower-tier IEMs. Its Bifrost faceplates and bespoke Stormbreaker cable give it aesthetics and feel unlike any other in-ear monitor on the market.
In the box, the Empire Ears Odin comes with a premium case, cleaning cloth, cleaning tool, and Final Audio Type E ear tips in various sizes.
At $4,299, the Odin MKII is a significant step up in price and build quality. It features authentic 24K Gold-plated Faceplates with matte aerospace-grade aluminum shells and an 11-driver quadbrid design for an emotional sound you can feel. It also comes with a brand new KVASIR custom cable in 4.4mm Termination, giving the Odin MKII a stunning look, feel, and sound befitting its flagship price tag.
In the box, the Odin MKII comes with a black leather Odin MKII case, cleaning tool and microfiber cloth, black mesh IEM sleeves, and Final Audio Type E Tips in SS, S, M, L, and LL.
Our Thoughts
The Empire Ears Odin is a flagship IEM designed to deliver an exciting and bold sound. The Odin doesn't aim for the ultimate accuracy and detail, instead offering a more musical and enjoyable sound that will make your favorite playlists sound alive and exciting. Get the Odin if you love bass and want an immersive listening experience for music, movies, and games.
The Empire Ears Odin MKII is a step up in terms of build quality and aesthetics over the OG Odin, combining an exclusive 24K Gold-plated faceplate with aerospace-grade shells. In terms of sound, the Odin MKII boasts a more mature, balanced sound signature that's tuned to give you a more emotional sound experience. Get the Odin MKII if like the OG Odin's sound but want a more balanced, vocal-centric sound signature for daily listening.
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