Valkyrie 2008 In Dual Audio Eng Hindi
Latia Shiels
Valkyrie has two groups of five 32x oversampled oscillators per voice (a total of 1280 actual oscillators) with hard sync, ring mod and FM, dual PCM wavetables with 4,096 (!) waves available, dual analog ladder modelling filters with 12 and 24dB/octave options, an advanced modulation matrix, a killer stereo hypersaw, an arpeggiator, 3 EGs and 3 stereo LFOs with 64 shapes and MIDI sync. It is 8 part multitimbral with a dedicated nine module FX unit per part including shelving EQ with sweepable mid and formant filter, dual (pre- and post-FX) tube response limiters, 5 algorithm distortion unit, chorus/flanger, DDL, a truly wonderful 6-stage phaser plus reverb. All of these run in stereo at 96kHz floating point. With the exception of dual filters/dual voice mode which uses two voices per note, Valkyrie ALWAYS delivers 128 notes of polyphony regardless of settings or effects. There are no compromises.
Valkyrie has 4 balanced stereo 32bit 96kHz analog outputs using audiophile-grade components including an Asahi Kasei DAC and Nichicon Fine Gold capacitors, 8 stereo 48kHz/96kHz parts over USB 2.0 (Audio Class 2.0 profile, Windows 7+ and OSX) with ASIO, ultra low latency MIDI (via physical MIDI and USB) and a beautiful high resolution OLED display. Valkyrie comes complete with a comprehensive Editor/Librarian application for Windows and Mac users. Valkyrie stores over 3,300 Patches all of which can be instantly recalled on the front panel or via MIDI.
Empire Ears, an American company based out of Norcross, Georgia. These guys have a longstanding reputation for their cutting-edge technology and sound quality. Owned by Founder and CTO Dean Vang and the front-face of the organization, VP Jack Vang, Empire Ears is well-known throughout the audiophile ranks as a significant IEM developer in the IEM industry.
This review is about a second-generation IEM, the Valkyrie MKII. Full disclosure, I have never listened to the OG Valkyrie. So instead, I read about it, actually read about all of the releases the year Valk was released, and I decided to skip a year with Empire Ears. Not for any real reason, but I was still enjoying my Legend X.
Well, here we are, with the Valkyrie MKII. It is an intriguing IEM with mid-tier(to me) pricing. This review has been a relatively long time coming, but not because of Empire Ears or the Valk, but personal time restraints.
Empire Ears has created a heck of a lineup for themselves and their consumers. Legend X still holds a super-strong spot in the TOTL IEM market and ODIN which set a new standard. Can this second-generation IEM compete in their mid-tier market? Yes. I can write this review using four adjectives. Fun, engaging, musical, and dynamic; add photos and review over.
The Valkyrie MKII, from now on in this review referred to as Valk, a wonderfully dynamic listen. Emotion and passion are most certainly not lacking when you listen to the Valk. If this sounds like how you enjoy listening to your music, continue reading; this is the IEM for you.
A thorough and no compromise approach has led us to the evolution of our very first tribrid IEM, the Valkyrie. The Valkyrie MKII is the latest in a distinguished bloodline of evolved, powerful and detailed IEMS. Equipped with a proprietary tribrid driver design and a reengineered 4-way synX crossover network the Valkyrie MKII showcases exhilarating highs from the electrostatic driver, lifelike vocals from the balanced armature and unrivaled bass response from our next gen W9+ subwoofer.
AH4 features a durable, overmolded .78 2-pin connector offered with either a 3.5mm right angle or 2.5mm balanced termination and improves upon the previous cable design. 2.5 to 3.5mm and 4.4mm Empire adapters are available.
Our signature W9+ dynamic driver brought serious performance to the IEM world by combining the breakthrough of an enclosed woofer in a tuned bass-reflex system. Elevating the W9 design formula to its highest level, the W9+ boasts a larger internal coil diameter, more linear excursion envelope along with a more capable suspension to handle peak-to-peak excursion while mitigating distortion. W9+ extinguishes any limits the previous design had and delivers unparalleled bass on all fronts.
Valkyrie MKII comes equipped with a single proprietary balanced armature driver to deliver the signature midrange that the world has come to know and love from Empire Ears. Precision Balanced Armature Driver Mid
Genetically dissimilar from the rest of the IEM world, our synX crossover network truly stands out with countless bespoke methods and technologies protecting it as a unique masterpiece. A marriage of 3 different driver technologies become symphonized by a unique, proprietary 6-way synX crossover network designed to maximize performance from each and every driver.
synX powered in-ear monitors have remarkably high stereo separation and smooth phase response, leading to more dynamic realistic imaging and staging for both live and studio use. synX features a myriad of other advantages including:
Ultra-Wide Frequency Bandwidth: The Valkyrie MKII produces a super-wide frequency range, offering listeners unparalleled sound quality and details that bests even the most high-end headphones on the market.
Maximum Signal Transfer: Every driver and crossover is individually wired and insulated with 7-strand, UPOCC Litz wires to eliminate acoustic feedback and further soldered with highly conductive, ultra pure silver and gold Mundorf Supreme for maximum signal transfer.
Empire Ears always has a premium feel with the packaging and pack-ins. Stickers, cleaning cloth, cleaning tool, Pandora case, and an assortment of Final E tips. I am not sure what more you could want. I feel the pack-ins are perfect in terms of quality and quantity at their given price point.
AH4 features a durable, overmolded .78 2-pin connector offered with either a 3.5mm right angle or 2.5mm balanced termination and improves upon the previous cable design. I asked for the 2.5mm balanced connection for easy connection to my AK SP2000 and Shanling M8 with its interchangeable outputs.
The Universal Valk comes with a black shell and the Dragonhide faceplate. I was under the assumption Empire Ears was utilizing the ODIN shell, but when side by side, the Valk appears to have a tiny bit more heft.
The shells are largish, and I could see where they could be annoying in little ears. However, I have no problems, as the Valk has excellent ergonomics and fits in my large ears without discomfort. Fit is subjective, but they are a touch more comfortable than the Legend X as a reference point. If you have an ODIN and struggle with the fit of ODIN, you will struggle with the Valk as well.
Another review I feel I need to suggest to EE to please put a lip or flange on the nozzle to help hold favorite tips on the nozzle and not leave them in your ear when removing. My Custom Art custom tips will not work with these because they always stay in my ear when removing.
The build quality is superb, as is always the case with Empire Ears. There are no blemishes, and the faceplate and shell seams are smooth and seamless, and the Dragonhide faceplate is a beauty. Between Valk and ODIN, I am oh so blingy!
The Valk is a V-Shaped IEM. I have never been a massive fan of V-Shape, as usually, you feel you are missing something because there can be a scoop of mids missing. The Valk is V-Shaped, yes, scooped out and missing something, absolutely not! The Valk is almost sinful in how it slings the sound at you. The Valkyrie is most definitely not a reference IEM. Analytical or reference lovers need to look elsewhere.
This 2nd generation Valk will demonstrate just how good W9+ drivers can be. Fast, tight, and full of rumble, incredible bass, reminiscent of my favorite bass, the Legend X, but snappier and with less decay.
This IEM will also show you just how far the estat technology has come. Not the honky, harsh in-your-face treble that appears on its island, lacking coherency. The Valk has a smooth balance in the treble with no uncomfortable sizzle, even on the fringe. It does not lack in the coherency of estats of days past.
The stage is extensive, and I love how the stereo separation is so distinct. The stage is open, mainly as you go up the scale. The sub lows are forward and airy, and there is a peak in the 3-4K midrange. The ranges between the sub-bass and upper mids are where the V-shape is in regards to staging. Once you hit the upper mids and treble, you find space and openness, with an airy stage.
I think the Valk has a masterful tuning, remembering it is a 3-driver IEM. Also, it is a unique V-shape, with the V stopping at upper mids, so there is more to it than just bass and treble, as is the case with most other V-shape tunings.
The mids have oodles of clarity and are defined by their own space. With the lift in the upper mids, it would maybe conjure memories of ODIN forwardness; however, the Valkyrie, for the most part, has less bite than ODIN in the upper mids. I think that the smoothness of the treble and the fullness of the bass helps to balance out that lift. Also, the peak of the lift is in the 3-4k range, not the 2-4k range.
Think female vocal forwardness and male vocals with less intensity, and you will understand the mid-range tuning. From all of the previous impressions I have read regarding the OG Valkyrie, I can say that this may have been one refinement Empire Ears made, a more refined, less harsh tone. I think even though the signature is lively; it still retains a comfortable tonality.
The treble air and detail are noteworthy, and I have only heard sharpness in less than a handful of tracks. What I do hear is stereo separation and space. Instruments with treble focus stand out but in a smooth and non-offensive manner. The overall coherency and tuning, while avoiding unwanted sharpness, brightens the future when considering an IEM with estats. However, I have had some negative experiences in the past with similar configurations.
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