Empire Ears Raven vs THIEAUDIO Valhalla
Introduction
The Empire Ears Raven and THIEAUDIO Valhalla 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 THIEAUDIO.
Empire Ears Raven vs THIEAUDIO Valhalla Price Comparison
The Raven and Valhalla sit at two very different price points.
The Raven comes in at $3,599.00.
The Valhalla comes in at $1,999.00.
The Raven is significantly more expensive than the Valhalla. 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 THIEAUDIO Valhalla
The THIEAUDIO Valhalla is a flagship all-BA in-ear monitor built to deliver reference-grade performance with cutting-edge engineering. With 19 drivers per side, a precision bass system, and titanium housings, it’s designed for uncompromising resolution, immersive bass, and smooth treble extension.
THIEAUDIO Valhalla Features:
- 19 Balanced Armature Drivers per Side: Features 4 Sonion sub-woofers, 10 Sonion mid-low drivers, 4 Knowles mid-treble drivers, and 1 Knowles ultra-treble tweeter for extraordinary detail and separation.
- Precision Bass System (PBS): Employs resonance chambers and divergence tubing to create a deep, impactful sub-bass shelf that extends down to 10 Hz without overwhelming the mids.
- 4-Way Passive Crossover & Acoustic Tubing: Custom crossover network with four bores ensures coherent transitions across lows, mids, and highs for a natural yet highly resolving sound.
- Titanium Alloy Shells: Durable Grade-5 titanium housings provide both a premium aesthetic and lightweight comfort for long listening sessions.
- EliteNoir Cable: Comes with a high-purity silver-plated LCOFC cable, available in 3.5 mm SE and 4.4 mm balanced terminations for versatility.
THIEAUDIO Valhalla Specs:
Driver Configuration: 19 BA drivers per side (4 sub-woofers, 10 mid-low, 4 mid-treble, 1 ultra-treble)
Frequency Response: 10Hz – 44kHz
Sensitivity: 103 dB/mW @1kHz
Impedance: 9Ω @1kHz
Crossover: 4-way passive crossover with 4-bore acoustic tubing
Housing Material: Aerospace-grade titanium alloy
Included Cable: EliteNoir silver-plated LCOFC, 3.5mm SE & 4.4mm balanced
Design and Build Quality
The Empire Ears Raven and Noble Audio AGIS II 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 THIEAUDIO Valhalla is crafted with Grade-5 titanium alloy shells, offering both durability and a premium finish while remaining lightweight enough for extended wear. The housings are ergonomically shaped but noticeably large due to the 19-driver configuration, which may affect comfort for smaller ears. Each unit is hand-assembled and individually tested, ensuring consistent quality control across fit, finish, and performance.
The included EliteNoir cable matches the flagship positioning, featuring silver-plated LCOFC construction with both 3.5mm and 4.4mm terminations. Overall, the Valhalla combines luxury materials, precision craftsmanship, and robust build quality that reflects its flagship pricing.
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.
Valhalla Sound Signature
The Valhalla delivers a bold yet refined presentation that balances power with precision.
Its bass is deep and authoritative thanks to the Precision Bass System, offering a strong sub-bass shelf with excellent texture and control that avoids midrange bleed. The midrange is smooth and natural, with a gentle warmth that gives vocals and instruments body while maintaining clarity. The treble extends effortlessly into the upper registers, with sparkle and air that highlight micro-details without becoming harsh.
With its wide soundstage, pinpoint imaging, and exceptional layering, the Valhalla excels at both immersive musicality and technical resolution.
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 THIEAUDIO Valhalla comes in at $1,999, offering a flagship design with 19 balanced armature drivers per side, titanium alloy housings, and the Precision Bass System for powerful yet controlled low-end. Buyers also get THIEAUDIO's EliteNoir cable with both 3.5mm and 4.4mm terminations, along with a standard set of ear tips. At this price, the Valhalla delivers a competitive mix of advanced driver technology, premium materials, and flagship-level tuning, delivering strong value against higher-priced summit-fi rivals.
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 THIEAUDIO Valhalla is designed for audiophiles seeking a flagship all-BA IEM that combines deep, controlled bass, smooth mids, and extended treble with high-end materials and craftsmanship. It’s ideal for listeners who value technical resolution, expansive staging, and cutting-edge driver tech at a price point that undercuts many flagship models. If you like a 3D-like soundstage, detail-rich presentation, fast and textured bass, the Valhalla is the IEM for you.
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