Empire Ears Raven vs Noble Audio Shogun
Introduction
The Empire Ears Raven 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.
Empire Ears Raven vs Noble Audio Shogun Price Comparison
The Raven and Shogun sit at two very different price points.
The Raven comes in at $3,599.00.
The Shogun comes in at $3,900.00.
The Shogun 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 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 Evo 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 Empire Ears Raven vs Noble Audio Shogun 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.
Whereas the Raven goes for a more subdued, sleek design, 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.
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.
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. This makes the Shogun an excellent 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 as well. Complex passages never sound congested - vocals and instruments sound clear and well-defined at all times.
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 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. On the outside, it features a stunning artisan design with Samurai-inspired details and a matching premium cable for enhanced aesthetics and sound.
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.
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 great-looking IEM with an immersive sound signature, the Shogun is the one to get.
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