Astell&Kern NOVUS IEMs Review: A Reference IEM with Engaging Detail and Deep Bass Extension
TL;DR:
- NOVUS is the second collaboration between Astell&Kern and Empire Ears, following the original Odyssey release.
- It packs a 13-driver Quadbrid configuration, including dual W9+ subwoofers, Sonion electrostatic drivers, and Knowles NOVA drivers, wrapped in a DLC-finished, 24K gold-plated shell.
- Sound quality stands out for its deep, controlled bass extension paired with detailed, engaging mids and highs — versatile enough for EDM, jazz, and everything in between.
- At $5,000, NOVUS is a premium, limited-edition IEM best suited for experienced listeners comfortable with a larger universal fit.
- Pairing NOVUS with a Dragon Audio Cable (Silver Dragon for detail, Bronze Dragon for warmth) further shapes and elevates its sound signature.
Meet the NOVUS: A Flagship Collaboration Delivering a Bold New Sound for Portable Audio
Astell&Kern, renowned for its commitment to delivering uncompromising sound quality and exceptional design, has once again pushed the boundaries of portable audio with the NOVUS. The collaboration with Empire Ears has resulted in a sophisticated and meticulously crafted pair of earphones that promises an unparalleled listening experience. This exciting duo represents the pinnacle of portable audio technology, embodying Astell&Kern's dedication to innovation and craftsmanship.
Following the success of their first collaboration, the NOVUS IEMs represent the mastery of meticulous craftsmanship and visionary innovation in a single device. Under the hood is a 13-driver configuration built on Quadbrid design and Dual Conduction technologies, including Empire Ears' Dual W9+ subwoofers, five balanced armature drivers, quad proprietary NOVA drivers by Knowles, quad electrostatic drivers by Sonion, and dual high-mass bone conductors.
All that engineering translates directly into how the NOVUS excels sonically. From the very first listen, the NOVUS IEM makes its case with a full-bodied low end, richly detailed midrange, and an open, airy treble that never tips into harshness — a signature that feels dynamic without sacrificing nuance.
Curious how the NOVUS actually performs across genres, from bass-forward EDM to intimate vocal tracks? Jump down to our full sound impressions below for details!
PROS
- Great Bass Extension
- Engaging yet Detailed Sound
- Versatile with many Genres
CONS
- Premium Price Point
- Larger Shape. Not ideal for Small Ears
- Limited Edition, Low quantity... BOO We want more!
About Astell&Kern
Astell&Kern products stylistically stand out from the crowd with their modern metals aesthetic, sharp edges, and sleek designs. Their digital music players look like the future. They are best known for high-end music players, portable audio devices, or hi-res “iPods.” As the Financial Times notes, Astell&Kern, much like Chord Electronics, is committed to fidelity and quality. To say Astell&Kern media players are HOT would be an understatement. As consumers learn about the need for higher resolution music files to feed our high-quality media players, those made by Astell&Kern have thrived.
What makes AK different? Astell&Kern creates the best music players in the world as our customer reviews note plus their technology is easy to learn and navigate as a newbie or a technology wizard. Our founder, Drew Baird, P.E., and the staff at Moon Audio recommend Astell&Kern high-resolution music and media players for people who love “mobile audio.” Astell & Kern (A&K) music players are "iPods on steroids". If you love to listen to music “on the go” and want hi-fi sound AK Digital Audio Players (DAPs) are essential listening gear with Mastering Quality Sound (MQS).
MQS includes high-resolution digital music recording formats from 16-bit/44.1kHz to 24-bit/192kHz. Sound engineering tech-speak can be confusing. More is usually better. Higher amounts of information can mean better sound with crisper highs and fuller lows (bass). The trick is to process and play as much information as possible or as much information as your recordings started with in the first place. Playing all the high-res information captured during the music recording process is Astell & Kern’s expertise. You will not believe what your ears were missing once you try AK music players!
About the NOVUS IEM
Introducing NOVUS, the latest collaboration between Astell&Kern and renowned IEM manufacturer Empire Ears. As pioneers in the pursuit of pure, uncompromising sound, Astell&Kern and Empire Ears are united by a shared commitment to pushing the boundaries of audio excellence. Following the success of their first collaboration, Odyssey, NOVUS represents the culmination of meticulous craftsmanship and visionary innovation.
Unrivaled Sound with 13 Drivers, Quadbrid Technology: NOVUS is a marvel of engineering, featuring a 13-driver configuration utilizing Quadbrid and Dual Conduction technologies. This includes the legendary Dual W9+ subwoofers by Empire Ears for unparalleled bass reproduction, complemented by five Balanced Armature Drivers featuring a Sonion driver and Quad Proprietary NOVA Drivers by Knowles. To further enhance the sonic experience, NOVUS incorporates Quad Electrostatic Drivers by Sonion and Dual Bone Conduction drivers, delivering a level of detail and clarity that will captivate even the most discerning audiophiles.
Exquisite Design: The NOVUS aluminum shell is crafted from high-grade 6061-T6 aluminum, meticulously finished in Diamond-Like Carbon (DLC) for durability and elegance. The faceplates are adorned with 24K Wet Gold-Plating, adding a touch of luxury to the sleek design. To protect the intricate components, NOVUS is fitted with sapphire glass, ensuring both beauty and resilience.
Premium Cable for Superior Transmission: Included with NOVUS is a custom-made four-wire hybrid cable, meticulously crafted with copper, gold, and silver for optimal conductivity. The cable boasts a 23.7AWG Litz Type 4S structure, reinforced with black macro-molecular fiber for durability. Terminated in a 4.4mm balanced jack, this cable ensures a seamless connection for an immersive listening experience.
Sound Quality
Nothing gets a group of audiophiles more riled up than being one of the few to listen and test out brand-new gear. Between the HiFiMan SUSVARA Unveiled Headphones and NOVUS IEMs, we've been busy putting in the listening hours—fangirling between listening sessions. The well-anticipated NOVUS IEMs didn't disappoint with my colleague running over to my desk practically in hysterics over how good they sound. "You've got to listen man. These things are SWEET. They're unreal." Okay, that's enough for me to bite. Now, I'm not a big IEM listener, I prefer the old-school over-ear cans and wireless headphones (I can feel the eye rolls). But every once in a while a pair of IEMs comes around and gets everyone so hyped up that I've got to see what all the fun's about. And I'm glad I did.
The NOVUS IEMs were right up my alley. Dynamic, engaging, detailed, great bass extension. They checked about every box for me as a warm and musical listener. Immediately I noticed an uncanny similarity to the Empire Ears RAVEN. If you haven't gotten a chance to listen to the RAVEN IEMs they deliver a big, bold sound that's dynamic, full of energy, and slammed with bass. If you love bass and your favorite genres are all bass-heavy, you'll love the RAVEN. The NOVUS took everything great about the RAVEN and enhanced it. The NOVUS delivers a great balance of bass and detail. It is not overly obnoxious, leaving enough room for details to shine through. They had a better bass extension with more control than the RAVEN, packing a punch on genres like EDM and hip-hop while being fast enough on tamer genres like jazz, roots reggae, and country.
With highly detailed tracks like In My Life by the Beatles and some Hall and Oates tracks, I noticed excellent imaging with a three-dimensional soundstage that wraps around your head—an enveloping sound. Going back to that phrase balanced, the NOVUS IEM is just that. You can jump from high-energy songs to nuanced, emotive tracks. It's a versatile, fun-sounding IEM that can cater to all kinds of listeners—warm and musical, detail-oriented, laidback, you name it. Sound-wise the NOVUS isn't fatiguing on the ears. My only complaint, and it's a personal one, is comfort and fit. IEMs have always been a challenge for me in the fit department and the NOVUS' size isn't on the small side. If you have this problem, try to audition them before you purchase, but if you're well-versed in IEMs and have no trouble with universal fits, they'll be a great fit for you.
Who is the NOVUS for: At $5,000 the NOVUS isn't an entry-level IEM by any means. It's got some crazy technology in it supporting that price point and the sound quality helps justify the price point. If you love Empire Ears IEMs and didn't get your hands on the RAVEN, the NOVUS is a great choice for you. The NOVUS excels with your favorite portable gear, from the Astell&Kern A&Norma SR35 and SP4000 DAP to portable DAC/Amp combos. From the design to the sound, the NOVUS had a lot of the qualities present in Empire Ears IEMs. The NOVUS has a lifelike, emotive sound to it that pulls on the heartstrings of vocal-centric songs and breathes life into more neutral presentations. It's a great choice for the versatile listener who jumps around and doesn't really stick to one genre over another.
In My Life
by The Beatles
(Rubber Soul)
Prisoner
by Miley Cyrus
(Plastic Hearts)
Birds of a Feather
by Billie Eilish
(Hit Me Hard and Soft)
Head Over Heels
by Tears for Fears
(Songs From the Big Chair)
Dragon Audio Cable Recommendation
To give the NOVUS as fair of a chance as possible I paired it with three cables: The included stock cable, Bronze Dragon IEM Cable, and Silver Dragon IEM Cable. I'll just go ahead and say it—it sounded fine with the stock cable. However, if you're going to pony up and spend $5,000 on an IEM, what's another $350 for a premium IEM cable? In case you didn't already know we make premium audio cables, custom made-to-order everyday in our headquarters. If you've been looking for an audio or digital cable with a certain connector that you just can't find anywhere, or a stable, reliable network cable—choose Dragon Audio Cables. Trust me, we're bound to have the solution for you.
So which IEM Cable sounds best with the NOVUS? Ultimately it comes down to personal preference and what tonality you're looking for. The Silver Dragon IEM Cable complemented the NOVUS IEMs the best, adding top-end resolution and further accentuating the already fine details. I felt that the Bronze Dragon, our warm and full-bodied cable added too much warmth to the NOVUS, mudding up the low end on certain songs. If you want more detail go for the Silver Dragon. If you want more body and bottom-end weight, choose the Bronze Dragon.
Verdict
At $5,000, the Astell&Kern NOVUS IEMs are a true flagship product in every sense–engineering, craftsmanship, and sound working together to create something truly special. The 13-driver Quadbrid configuration, hand-finished DLC shell, 24K gold-plated faceplates, and sapphire glass protection all point to a level of craftsmanship that matches its price point.
A full, controlled low end, detailed mids, and an airy top end that stays engaging without becoming fatiguing, all wrapped in a signature versatile enough to handle everything from EDM to jazz to vocal-forward tracks–that's the NOVUS. Whether you're an experienced listener who already knows their way around universal-fit IEMs, or an enthusiastic music lover craving endgame sound in a portable package, the NOVUS fits the bill. It's even a great choice for those who are particularly fans of Empire Ears' house sound and want something even more refined than the RAVEN IEM.
The included stock cable performs well, but pairing the NOVUS with a Dragon Audio Cable unlocks noticeably more from the IEM. For listeners chasing extra top-end clarity and detail, the Silver Dragon IEM Cable is the best match. If you'd rather lean into a warmer, fuller low end, the Bronze Dragon IEM Cable is worth considering instead. Either way, upgrading the cable is a small investment relative to the IEM itself, and one that lets NOVUS perform at its full potential.
Simply put, the NOVUS is a rare kind of IEM that fully delivers on its price and its promise — and once you hear it, it's hard to go back.
Featured Products
Related Videos
Astell&Kern SE300 Music Player Review: A New Standard for Innovation
Astell&Kern AK File Drop Tutorial & Review
Astell&Kern SP3000 DAP Music Player Review
What's In the Box
- Novus In-Ear Monitor
- Astell & Kern X Empire Ears 4-Wire Tribrid Copper, Gold & Silver 4.4 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
Specifications
Driver: 13 driver quadbrid, dual bone conductors, dual proprietary W9+ subwoofers, quintuple bespoke balanced armatures by Knowles (1 Sonion driver, quad proprietary NOVA drivers by Knowles), quad electrostatic tweeters by Sonion, dual high-mass bone conductors by Sonion
Material & Finishes: 6061 T6 aluminum finished in DLC, Diamond-Like Carbon shell, DLC logo grid, 24K pure gold faceplates
Cable: Astell&Kern X Empire Ears 4-wire tribrid copper, gold, and silver 4.4 cable
Frequency Response: 5Hz - 100kHz
Sensitivity: 108.1 dB @ 1kHz, 1mW
Impedance: 2 ohms @ 1kHz
