Astell&Kern x Empire Ears Odyssey In-Ear Headphones | Limited Edition

A Benchmark Collaboration founded on the same passion for the extraordinary

Astell&Kern is challenging the possibilities of infinite sound and always striving for purest sound imaginable. We wanted to fully convey the overwhelming sound of the newest flagship A&ultima SP3000, which was created by our continued efforts, through the best IEM that deserve it.

Empire Ears is an uncompromising and prestigious manufacturer of IEMs that are the most original and complete with the latest technologies. Astell&Kern and Empire Ears, completed Odyssey to present our most extraordinary sound with our flagship products containing the essence of A&K and Empire Ears.

Odyssey

Empire Ears’ never-ending pursuit of extraordinary drove them to build an IEM that is unashamedly without compromise.
With technology harnessed from the Odin and Legend EVO we’ve distilled everything we’ve learned into this epic collaboration to create the next generation in-ear monitor, Odyssey.

Our legacies are proof that attention to detail and visionary innovation conceive magnificent design. Never before has this been truer than with the partnership between two extraordinary companies collaborating to construct a revolutionary new in-ear monitor category.

New Rules

We look to the future with a visionary approach, carrying our pursuit of extraordinary to the extremes.
Our advantage is that we champion invention over convention. Our efforts have produced many world’s-first technologies that have changed the IEM industry forever and the Odyssey is no exception – it is a technological showcase.

Quadbrid Design

Even with low-volume quantities, we develop and build several of our own bespoke drivers rather than outsourcing them from other manufacturers. Doing so gives us the freedom to develop groundbreaking technology unrestricted by industry limitations or compromises. The Odyssey is proof of concept of the incredible engineering at Empire Ears.

At its core is a proprietary 10 drivers Quadbrid system composed of twin W9+ Subwoofers, 5 Balanced Armatures, dual Electrostatics and a W10 Bone Conductor. With 7-way synX cross over network and EIVEC MKII engine, harmonize all 10 drivers of Quadbrid System, ensuring perfect coherence and timing throughout its remarkable 5Hz-100kHz frequency response range.

W10 (Bone Conductor)

– Otherworldly imaging, nuance retrieval and timbre are achieved via bone conduction from our W10 Bone Conduction Ultra Driver. (Full Range)

Five Balanced Armature Drivers

– Custom spec’d Knowles(Upper Mid –High) and Sonion balanced armatures(Lower Mid – Mid) are commissioned with a single minded purpose of reproducing only the most pure, breathtaking mid-range frequencies.

Dual W9+ (Subwoofer)

– Legendary, unparalleled bass reproduction is made possible by our purpose-built, W9+ subwoofers. (Sub bass – Bass)

Dual Electrostatic Tweeters

– Distortion-free, lightning fast transient response and hyper treble extension from Sonion electrostatic drivers ensure unparalleled transparency.(High – Ultra High)

Dual Conduction Architecture

Empire has a long history of developing innovative, in-house solutions aimed at maximizing in-ear monitor performance. Our no-compromise philosophy inspired the development of our Dual Conduction Architecture – a revolutionary method of audio reproduction through both air and bone conduction to maximize listener immersion with a sound that you cannot only hear but feel, guaranteeing the purest experience possible.

Air Conduction

When you look at our hearing system you can break it down into 3 different regions: the outer ear, middle ear and inner ear. Air conduction utilizes all 3 as sound is collected by the outer ear and directed along the ear canal into the ear drum, vibrating the bones of hearing (ossicles) in the middle ear to stimulate the hair cells inside of your cochlea in the inner ear. This stimulation creates electrical nerve impulses which are then carried to the brain by the auditory nerve to be converted into sound.

Bone Conduction

Bone conduction completely bypasses the outer and middle ear components by sending vibrations directly through the skull to stimulate the hair cells inside of your cochlea. Through bone conduction we can perceive ultrasonic hearing (beyond 20kHz) Bone conduction is generally perceived to have a lower, deeper tone because the skull conducts lower frequencies more efficiently than air.

Dual Conduction

The Odyssey fully exploits the best of both worlds with its pioneering Dual Conduction Architecture (DCA). A full range 5Hz-100kHz frequency response is delivered via air conduction from the dual W9+ subwoofers, five balanced armatures and dual electrostatics while imaging, soundstage, detail retrieval, low frequency extension and reverb is extraordinarily enhanced from 5Hz-40kHz via bone conduction from the W10.

Through the use of DCA and Empire’s masterful tuning the Odyssey reproduces the most immersive, pure and stereophonic sound possible.

EIVEC MKII

The all-new EIVEC MKII engine was developed specifically for Odyssey to ensure optimal timing, phasing and control between the electrostatic and bone conduction drivers – a monumental achievement.
Empire Intelligent Variable Electrostatic Control – EIVEC – is Empire’s approach to incorporating electrostatic EST drivers into IEMs. For all the incredible range and resolution, electrostatic drivers are notoriously hard to control, often overpowering other drivers. EIVEC is our solution to that, and the degree of control provided by EIVEC is so precise that the electrostatics can operate independently, performing disparate tasks within the sound stage to deliver layer upon layer of detail and texture for unparalleled performance.

Dual Tri-Port Exhausts

Due to the nature of the W10’s extreme output the enclosure’s air volume and vent design were especially crucial for proper tuning. Even the slightest change in diameter and positioning had a dramatic effect on sound quality and performance. By mastering the W10’s volume requirements we’re able to harness its optimal output, capabilities and potential.

PRECISION MOUNTED WEAPON

The W10 is strategically ceiling mounted in a specially designed cavity at the top of the shell. This cavity is engineered to keep all sonic vibrations internal, maximizing bone conductivity transfer through the solid-filled ear canal.

A.R.C. Treated Chassis

Any flex in the enclosure walls will have unequal resonant frequencies and by treating the internals in critical areas with ARC we gain control of the room, allowing what gets reflected and/or absorbed. This eliminates any unwanted sound and allows the tone of the drivers to be as pure as possible.

SOUNDPROOFED BARRIER

Low frequency energy causes even some of the most stable materials to resonate which is why we’ve sealed the shell with a custom spec cast polymer to channel the internal sonic vibrations towards the listener while reflecting any unwanted energy from the outside.

Ares II

The Effect Audio Ares II cable boasts a proprietary multi-size stranded 26 AWG UPOCC Litz copper with Ultra FlexiTM Insulation for maximum signal speed transmission, performance, and ergonomics. Each Ares II is terminated with an ultra premium 4.4 Pentaconn connector.

Technical Specifications

• UPOCC Copper Litz
• 26 AWG 4 Wire
• EA Ultra FlexiTM Insulation
• Proprietary Multi-Size Stranded design within a Single Encapsulation
• Satin Black Effect Audio x Empire Ears Connectors and Y-Split

What’s In The Box?

· 4.4mm Bespoke Effect Audio ARES II UPOCC Copper Litz Cable
· 4.4mm to 3.5mm Pentaconn adapter
· 5 pairs of Final Audio E-Type Tips (XS/S/M/L/XL) with Aluminum Tip tray
· Pandora V2 CNC anodized black aluminum case
· Cleaning Tool
· EE X AK Microfiber Cloth