Astell&Kern & Empire Ears reveal the Odyssey: a next-generation, luxury in-ear monitor that embarks on a journey to sound perfection

The two prestigious high-end audio companies have collaborated to produce an IEM that sets a new standard in the category

Astell&Kern, the global premium audio leader based in South Korea, and Empire Ears, the innovative, high-end in-ear monitor company, have collaborated to produce a next generation IEM, the Odyssey.

The Odyssey is a handcrafted, high-performance in-ear monitor that combines a shimmering, multi-lamination design with the latest audio technologies from both esteemed brands to deliver a clear, precise and powerful sound through its 10-driver Quadbrid system.

The Odyssey arrives with its perfect companion, the SP3000. Together, the luxury audio devices deliver higher standards to ultimate performance for a truly remarkable listening experience. Dean Vang, Founder of Empire Ears, commented: “The Odyssey has been an extraordinary adventure in engineering, and it’s forced me to focus on new technologies and unconventional processes.  The idea was to build an IEM of extremes, one worthy of bearing both the Empire Ears and Astell&Kern name. No half measures. No compromises. We had to use everything in our arsenal to break new barriers.”

Groundbreaking Technology

The Odyssey features a 10-driver Quadbrid system composed of twin W9+ Subwoofers, 5 Balanced Armatures, dual Electrostatics and a W10 Bone Conductor.

With a 7-way synX cross over network and EIVEC MKII engine that harmonises all 10 drivers of the Quadbrid System, perfect coherence and timing is maintained throughout its remarkable 5Hz-100kHz frequency response range.

The game changing IEM also includes Empire’s own 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.

Breathtaking Design

The stunning design of the Odyssey is based on the key principals of Enigma, a masterfully handcrafted, one-of-a-kind dichroic faceplate that features nine individual polymer layers in three proprietary lamination steps.

The result is a striking product that produces colour transitions as the viewing angle changes.