Community Insights: Empire Ears Odin Review

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Empire Ears Odin Review: True High-Fidelity in Your Pocket

Oh boy, oh boy… Where do I even begin with the Empire Ears Odin? This IEM is a powerhouse of detail, clarity, and raw sound reproduction. While the packaging may not be mind-blowing and the cable might feel less luxurious than expected, none of that truly matters. The real highlight here is the sound, and it’s nothing short of spectacular. Let’s dive in.

First Impressions and Build

Let’s get the basics out of the way: the packaging is decent but, honestly, it’s not the main attraction here. It’s simple and functional, which is all I need. The cable, though – well, it feels like it could easily be mistaken for a budget cable, with the only standout feature being the milled Y-split. While it’s perfectly functional tonally, it doesn’t scream luxury. But when it comes to the sound, this IEM means business, and that’s where it truly shines.

What does the Odin bring to the table?

If you’re looking for a pair of in-ears that delivers astonishing sound clarity and detail, the Odin might just be your perfect match. Here’s why these IEMs could be exactly what you’re searching for:

• Unmatched Detail: I can’t compare the playback quality of the Odin with any other IEM. It feels to me as if I were walking around with two reference studio monitors. EVERY Detail is reproduced finely and tonally correct.
• Balanced Tonality: The quality of the mids and the general tonality is second to none. The manufacturer has managed to completely suppress the balanced-amature timbre. With many sounds in ambient music, you think to yourself: “Was that in the song?”
• Impressive Imaging: The imaging of the little “god” is perfect. It feels to me as if a miniature opera singer stands in my head while singing at the top of his lungs. I’ll even go one further: I say you can even feel the image of his beard! Jokes aside: the narrow soundstage is more than compensated for by the world-class imaging.
• Portable Power: The Odin is truly portable. You definitely don’t need anything more than your smartphone (and a dongle if necessary). The DAC/amp hopping has hardly brought me any advantages. It’s perfect as it is. When it comes to volume, I listen to my Odin at 20-40% volume via the iPhone dongle. With orchestral music, I go up to a maximum of 70% to hear every detail.
• Stunning Design: A bonus point – the faceplate is a work of art. If you like colorful details, you’ll get lost in it for hours.
• Versatile Across All Genres: After almost a year of intensive listening, I didn’t find any genre that the Odin wasn’t equipped for. Jazz? Sounds like you’re sitting in a café… Metal? Even the scratchy high notes of old tracks are pleasant… electronic music? Boom. Like standing in front of a DJ booth… Classical music? EVERY detail, regardless of the frequency range, can be perceived… Hip hop? As if the bass was punching you in the stomach… superb.

Who Might Want to Avoid the Odin?

While the Odin offers an exceptional experience, it’s not for everyone. Here are a few reasons why you might want to think twice before diving in:

• Fit: While the fit is great for my ears, some might find it a bit tight due to the size of the shell. The Odin’s volume may be challenging for those with smaller ear conchas.
• Relaxed Listening: Forget about laid-back, background listening. Even elevator music is gripping! But who goes to a rock concert and tries to ignore the performer? The structure of the sub-bass, the impact of the mid-bass and the fine sparkling details of the treble keep you awake. It’s not a no-go, but you should be aware of it.
• Driver Flex: Surprisingly, the driver flex took some getting used to, but you can find a way to reduce it by adjusting the way you put the earphones in.
• Soundstage: If you’re looking for a wide soundstage, you might not find it with the Odin. I would describe it as average, though the world-class imaging more than compensates for it.

The Final Word

Yes, the price tag on the Odin is high, but let me tell you: once you have these, you don’t need anything else. No amplifier, and probably no other pair of headphones. You get an experience that I can only compare to high-end over-ear headphones like the HiFiMAN HE1000SE on a really good amp, or, in terms of soundstage and tonality, the Abyss Diana TC.

In the words of a friend: “Yes… dreamy look… the Odins are still something special.” And I couldn’t agree more. If you’re willing to make the investment, you’re in for an audio experience that’s nothing short of transcendent.

You can find the Empire Ears Odin here.

Many thanks to our community-author Rafael.