Empire Ears Raven vs Noble Audio Ronin
Introduction
The Empire Ears Raven and Noble Audio Ronin 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 Ronin Price Comparison
The Empire Ears Raven and Noble Audio Ronin sit at two very different price points.
The Raven comes in at $3,599.00.
The Ronin comes in at $3,900.00.
The Ronin costs significantly more than the Raven. 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 Ronin
The Noble Audio Ronin is a flagship universal in-ear monitor that packs a hybrid 12-driver configuration within a sleek blue/black resin shell. The Ronin is tuned to deliver detail, space, and refinement, utilizing balanced armatures and electrostatic drivers for an accurate, immersive, detailed, yet natural sound experience.
Noble Audio Ronin Features:
- 12-driver hybrid configuration (BA + EST)
- Eight electrostatic drivers for extended treble sparkle and air
- Handcrafted resin shells with striking faceplate designs
- Premium Eletech Ronin custom cable
Noble Audio Ronin Specs:
- Driver Configuration: 8× Balanced Armatures, 4x Electrostatic Drivers
- Impedance: Less than 35Ω
Design and Build Quality
The Empire Ears Raven and Noble Audio Ronin 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 Ronin features a striking design. Its lightweight and robust CNC-machined shells feature stunning blue and black glitter aesthetics for eye-catching looks. The Ronin also comes with a matching blue/black premium Eletech "Ronin" cable for an enhanced look and feel.
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.
Ronin Sound Signature
Noble Audio Ronin is tuned to deliver a clear, detailed, and precise sound.
The bass is punchy and impactful on the Ronin. Bass notes come through with an incredible sense of control. The bass kicks sound tight and impactful, while bass guitars sound weighty and textured. The midrange is clean and accurate. Vocals are life-like and instruments are presented with impressive tone and detail. The treble on the Ronin is well-extended and airy. The generous treble brings out details like drumstick impacts and guitar slides with ease.
The soundstage on the Ronin is expansive, offering good separation between instruments in busy tracks. The Ronin's sound positioning is equally impressive - instruments and other sounds are easy to locate within the mix.
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.
At $3,900, the Noble Audio Ronin delivers top-tier build quality, sound, and accessories. In terms of accessories, the Ronin comes with a premium Nanuk 903 Hard Case, a premium Eletech 7-Core Shielded Cable, a leather carrying case, and 11 pairs of double-flange silicone, silicone, and foam ear tips.
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.
Get the Noble Audio Ronin if you like a very balanced and accurate sound. Its tight and punchy bass, life-like vocals, and smooth, detailed treble let you experience music as intended by the artist. The Ronin is also exceptionally well-built and offers a stunning aesthetic that's truly unique in the high-end IEM space. The accessories it comes with don't disappoint either - you're getting a premium hard case, matching premium cable, and a generous selection of ear tips in the package.
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