Empire Ears Raven vs Noble Audio Viking Ragnar
Introduction
The Empire Ears Raven and Noble Audio Viking Ragnar 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 Viking Ragnar Price Comparison
The Empire Ears Raven and Noble Audio Viking Ragnar sit at two very different price points.
The Raven comes in at $3,599.00.
The Viking Ragnar comes in at $4,000.00.
The Raven costs significantly less than the Viking Ragnar. 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 Viking Ragnar
The Noble Audio Viking Ragnar is a top-of-the-line universal IEM that features ten drivers and stunning CNC-machined aluminum shells with handcrafted Damascus steel faceplates.
Noble Audio Viking Ragnar Features:
- Ten drivers: 2 dynamic (bass), 4 balanced armature (mid and treble), 4 electrostatic (ultra-high)
- CNC-machined aluminum shells with Damascus steel faceplates crafted by Chris Ploof
- Magnus 4 cable with graphene, monocrystalline silver, and copper silver alloy
- 4.4mm Pentaconn termination with 0.78mm 2-pin connectors.
Noble Audio Viking Ragnar Specs:
Driver Configuration: 2x Dynamic Drivers, 4x Balanced Armatures, 4x Electrostatic Drivers
Frequency Response: 20Hz – 40kHz
Impedance: 17Ω
Sensitivity: 112 dB @ 1kHz
Driver Configuration: Tribrid (Dynamic + Balanced Armature + Electrostatic)
Crossover: 4-way
Design and Build Quality
The Empire Ears Raven and Noble Audio Viking Ragnar 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 Viking Ragnar boasts an ultra-premium design, featuring CNC-machined aluminum shells and handcrafted faceplates. The faceplates are the highlight of the Viking Ragnar's overall design, featuring Damascus steel faceplates hand-carved by master jeweler Chris Ploof for an ultra-exclusive look and feel.
The Viking Ragnar comes with the ultra-premium Magnus 4 cable for enhanced aesthetics, feel, and sound. The elegant silver cable features a 4-core Graphene/Silver 2-pin Cable with a 4.4mm Pentaconn connector for the ultimate bass response and high-frequency extension.
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.
Viking Ragnar Sound Signature
The Viking Ragnar is all about soundstage, resolution, and detail. Compared to the Raven, the Viking Ragnar delivers a more balanced bass, a wider soundstage, and more clarity and detail.
The treble is superbly extended, which brings out details like taps, slides, and breaths with ease. The midrange is neutral and accurate - vocals come through with life-like clarity and tone, while instruments sound immersive and textured. bass is lean and tight, with rumbly sub-bass texture and a tactile punch when called upon. The Raven gets the nod when it comes to outright bass power, but the Viking Ragnar’s bass is leaner, tighter, and more textured, delivering a sound that brings you closer to the original recording.
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 $4,000, the Noble Audio Viking Ragnar delivers stunning build quality, top-tier sound quality, and decent accessories in the package. The Viking Ragnar boasts premium CNC-machined shells with handcrafted Damascus steel faceplates for an elegant and premium look. It also comes with a 10-driver high-end configuration and a premium Magnus 4 Cable in 4.4mm termination.
It is loaded with premium accessories, including a Nanuk 903 hard travel case, a leather carrying case, a selection of foam and silicone ear tips in various sizes, a pouch, a cleaning tool, some stickers, and rubber bands.
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 Noble Audio Viking Ragnar is one of the most resolving and detailed in-ear monitors you can buy right now. If you're looking for the ultimate IEM in terms of clarity, detail, and soundstage, then the Viking Ragnar is for you. It effortlessly reveals every nuance and detail in your music, and delivers a wide soundstage for a more immersive listening experience. With its premium CNC-machined shells and Damascus steel faceplates, the Viking Ragnar delivers unique design with a one-of-a-kind feel, so you can enjoy your music in style.
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