Empire Ears Raven vs Noble Audio Onyx
Introduction
The Empire Ears Raven and Noble Audio Onyx 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.
Empire Ears Raven vs Noble Audio Onyx Price Comparison
The Empire Ears Raven and Noble Audio Onyx sit at two very different price points.
The Raven comes in at $3,599.00.
The Onyx comes in at $3,200.00.
The Raven costs significantly more than the Onyx. 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 Raven
The Raven is Empire Ears’ ultra-flagship in-ear monitor, blending cutting-edge tech with a bold, musical tuning. It’s designed for those who want visceral bass impact, immersive soundstage, and life-like clarity in their listening experience.
Empire Ears Raven Features:
- Quadbrid driver system with Dynamic + BA + Electrostatic + Bone Conduction
- Weapon IX+ dynamic subwoofers for thunderous bass
- W10 Bone Conduction for rich tones and crisp detail
- synX Crossover Network for a cohesive sound
- Premium materials and a sleek, blacked-out design
Empire Ears Raven Specs:
Driver Configuration: 12 Drivers (2 Dynamic, 5 Balanced Armatures, 4 Electrostatic, 1 Bone Conductor)
Frequency Response: 5Hz–100kHz
Impedance: 2 Ohms @ 1kHz
Sensitivity: 99dB @ 1kHz, 1mW
Connector: 2-pin, 0.78mm
The Noble Audio Onyx
The Noble Audio Onyx is a quadbrid IEM packed with cutting-edge driver technologies to give you an impactful and immersive listening experience.
Noble Audio Onyx Features:
- 8-driver configuration: 1 Dynamic, 4 BA (2 mid, 2 high), 2 Electrostatic, 1 Bone Conduction Driver
- Precision CNC Aluminum Shell with Raffir Composite Faceplate
- Eletech Courage 4-core OCC silver-plated copper cable with 4.4mm termination
- Stainless steel wax guard for enhanced driver protection
Noble Audio Onyx Specs:
Driver Configuration: 1 Dynamic, 4 BA (2 mid, 2 high), 2 Electrostatic, 1 Bone Conduction Driver
Frequency Response: 20Hz – 70kHz
Impedance: 14Ω.
Crossover: 5-way crossover design.
Design and Build Quality
The Empire Ears Raven and Noble Audio Onyx are unmistakably premium IEMs, boasting exceptional build quality, design, and ergonomics.
The Empire Ears Raven features build quality and aesthetics befitting its flagship status. It uses premium materials with a bold, futuristic aesthetic that instantly stands out anywhere. Its multi-driver housing is larger but surprisingly ergonomic, distributing weight comfortably across the ear for a fatigue-free feel.
The striking faceplate design is more than just a pretty face - it features Empire Ears' Harmonic Resonance Core, which enhances the W10 Bone Conductor's performance for a more tactile sound. Finally, the reinforced construction and matching black cable give it the premium durability and aesthetics you would expect from an in-ear monitor costing over $3,000.
The Noble Audio Onyx features CNC Aluminum Shells with a special Raffir composite faceplate for enhanced aesthetics. The Onyx is small and compact, making easy to fit and comfortable to wear for extended periods. For enhanced durability, the Onyx features a stainless steel wax guard and a premium Eletech Courage cable.
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.
Raven Sound Signature
The Empire Ears Raven is tuned to deliver a crisp, immersive sound for a more exciting listening experience in a wide variety of genres.
Its Weapon IX+ dynamic drivers deliver thunderous, physical bass, giving music a visceral impact you can feel, ideal for genres like rock, electronic, or cinematic soundtracks. The midrange is lush and engaging, adding body and warmth to vocals and instruments, making them sound rich and emotional. Treble is impressive - the dual electrostatic drivers provide sparkling highs with incredible air and separation, creating a massive soundstage that feels holographic and immersive. This makes the Raven a perfect choice for listeners who want their music to feel exciting and fun.
Onyx Sound Signature
The Noble Audio Onyx steers away from a precision-focused tuning and instead offers a rich and immersive sound characterized by powerful bass and a wide soundstage.
The powerful dynamic driver delivers well-defined sub-bass rumbles and an impactful mid-bass kick. The midrange is natural and detailed, featuring life-like vocals and realistic instrumentals. The Onyx's treble is airy, sparkly, but smooth. This helps add space between sounds for a very immersive sound experience.
Price and Value
At $3,599, the Raven represents Empire Ears’ pursuit of no-compromise performance. Its 12-driver hybrid system delivers a sound experience that feels cinematic and emotionally engaging, offering a kind of immersion few IEMs can match. The luxury build and bold aesthetics add to its flagship aura, making it an incredible-sounding IEM that looks the part as well. The Raven is for audiophiles who want to experience emotion and soul from their music and don't mind paying for the uncompromising experience.
The $3,200 Onyx comes in at a lower price point than the Raven. At that price, you're getting a premium-built IEM with precision CNC Aluminum Shells, Raffir Faceplates, an exotic driver package that combines Electrostatic and Bone Conduction Drivers. You're also getting a premium Eletech Courage Cable in the box alongside a selection of ear tips and other accessories.
Our Thoughts
The Empire Ears Raven is built for listeners who want energy and excitement above all else. Its quadbrid 12-driver system, with dual dynamic drivers and bone-conduction, delivers sound you hear and feel, allowing you to enjoy your favorite tracks with life-like clarity and impact. With its sleek and robust build and premium PWAudio R7 cable, the Raven blends flagship performance with bold design for audiophiles who want to hear their favorite music with next-level impact and excitement.
Similar to the Raven, the Onyx offers an exciting sound experience with its tight bass, weighty vocals, and shiny highs. The Onyx's soundstage is a highlight, offering an immersive sound that spans deep from left to right, front to back. Build quality is exceptional too, with its Machined Aluminum Shells and that unique Raffir faceplate aesthetic. You're also getting a premium Eletech Courage cable in the box for enhanced durability and looks. Get the Onyx if you want a premium-looking IEM that can make your favorite playlists sound more lively and engaging.
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