Empire Ears Odin MKII Review: Your Next Flagship IEMs

The Odin MKII arrives with an array of high-quality accessories to match its luxury-tier price point. Here's what you get:

• Empire Ears Odin MKII IEMs
• Premium Kvasir Four-Wire Quadbrid Cable
• Empire Ears Black Leather Odin Case
• Cleaning Tool & Microfiber Cloth
• Final Audio Type E Silicone Eartips (various sizes)
• Empire Ears Mesh IEM Sleeves

Each element in the unboxing experience underscores the attention to detail and luxury that Empire Ears brings to its flagship products.

The Odin MKII commands attention visually. Its bold, geometric design and bright gold finish give it a high-end aesthetic reminiscent of luxury watches like the Rolex—polarizing, but unmistakably premium. While some users may appreciate the flashy and attention-grabbing design, others may find it overly extravagant, especially for more discrete use in public or professional settings.

The large aluminum shell has both aesthetic and ergonomic implications. For listeners with smaller ears, the size may cause some fatigue over time, but many will still achieve a snug and secure seal thanks to the excellent Final Audio Type E eartips. Despite lacking active noise cancellation, the passive isolation is exceptional. Once a proper seal is achieved, the size of the housings enhances the physical isolation, making it easy to tune out external distractions.

• Driver Configuration: 11-Driver Quadbrid, Dual Conduction
• Low End: Dual W9+ Subwoofers
• Mids: Two Balanced Armature Drivers
• Highs: Three Balanced Armature Drivers
• Treble Extension: Dual Electrostatic Drivers (EIVEC MKII)
• Tactility: Dual Bone Conduction Drivers
• Crossover: Proprietary 10-Way synX Network
• Technology Highlights:
  • DCA (Dual Conduction Architecture)
  • EIVEC MKII (Empire Intelligent Variable Electrostatic Control)
  • ARC (Anti-Resonance Coating)
• Impedance: 2.7Ω @ 1kHz
• Frequency Response: 5Hz – 100kHz
• Sensitivity: 105dB @ 1kHz, 1mW

The Odin MKII utilizes a sophisticated driver array and crossover system to achieve its layered, detailed sound—tailored for high-resolution playback with powerful source components.

While the Odin MKII doesn’t offer the lateral spaciousness found in some open-back headphones, it impresses with its exceptional sense of depth and vertical layering. Sounds are projected with a strong frontal bias, creating an experience that feels like being placed in the first row of a live performance. The soundstage has more height and depth than width, which can be both engaging and overwhelming depending on the genre.

Imaging is pinpoint precise, with instrument positions clearly defined in the stereo field. You can easily isolate subtle elements like background vocals, room reflections, or reverberant cues, which makes the Odin MKII a compelling IEM for critical listening and audio production. However, the staging can feel somewhat congested on densely arranged tracks, especially when layered instrumentation competes for attention in the upper mids.

Genre performance varies:

• Orchestral works have an almost cinematic presence, but the narrow lateral space may feel boxed-in during large crescendos.
• Jazz and acoustic recordings benefit most from the Odin’s sense of intimacy and depth, with tactile microdetails and spatial layering adding nuance.
• Electronic and hip-hop tracks truly shine, with forward energy and bass impact making for an immersive, club-like experience.

The low-end of the Odin MKII is a standout feature, offering both depth and articulation thanks to the dual W9+ dynamic drivers and bone conduction units. Sub-bass is rich, extended, and palpable, offering a physical presence that you can feel as much as hear. This lends a visceral quality to kick drums, 808s, and cinematic rumble effects.

Unlike bass-heavy IEMs that sacrifice control for quantity, the Odin MKII maintains clarity and speed, allowing low-frequency elements to retain their textural integrity. Bass lines have grip and tonal nuance—you can distinguish between different types of drums, synth layers, and ambient low-end effects without muddiness.

Paired with DACs like the iFi Hip DAC 2, the Odin’s bass performance becomes even more emphasized, especially when engaging XBass. This is where the bone conduction technology becomes most apparent, delivering tactile reinforcement that adds dimensionality without distorting the rest of the signature.

Still, for listeners who prefer a more neutral or "reference" bass presentation, the Odin MKII’s low-end may verge on excessive. It’s controlled, but certainly emphasized in a way that appeals more to those who enjoy an exciting and engaging bottom end.

The Odin MKII’s midrange is detailed, expressive, and assertive, bringing vocals and lead instruments front and center. Thanks to the dual balanced armature drivers dedicated to this region, you get crisp articulation and quick transient response in the mids. Vocal harmonics are richly layered, with enough clarity to separate the sibilant edges from the body of the voice, whether it's a soaring soprano or a gritty baritone.

Where the Odin MKII truly shines is in instrumental separation and timbre. Stringed instruments like violins and guitars exhibit microdynamic shifts and resonances that feel lifelike. Brass instruments retain their tonal bite, and piano notes are delivered with a satisfying percussive weight and harmonic sustain.

That said, this forwardness in the mids can feel aggressive at times. When playing louder or more complex tracks, certain midrange frequencies—particularly in the upper mids/lower treble overlap—can sound pushed, almost as if they’re projecting out of the soundstage toward the listener. Some may interpret this as "shoutiness," particularly if their source gear leans toward analytical or neutral tuning.

Pairing the Odin MKII with a more relaxed DAC/amp—like the Astell & Kern HC4—can help mellow this midrange intensity and balance the signature for extended listening sessions.

The high frequencies are presented with airiness, sparkle, and composure—a testament to the dual electrostatic (EST) drivers under Empire Ears’ EIVEC MKII control system. Treble notes are light and clean, extending effortlessly into the upper ranges without sounding etched or unnatural. Cymbal crashes, vocal overtones, and string harmonics feel free and unconstrained, without the "ceiling" effect you sometimes get in BA-only designs.

Compared to the original Odin’s treble-forward profile, the MKII is slightly more restrained. The top end is still resolving and bright, but it’s smoother, less aggressive, and avoids sibilance—offering longer fatigue-free listening even at higher volumes.

This makes the Odin MKII more versatile across genres. On classical recordings, treble textures like violin harmonics or high winds remain present without dominating. Electronic music give dimension and control to more high-frequency details, like hi-hats and synth air effects. Pop and indie vocals benefit from the balance between sparkle and body, remaining intelligible without becoming piercing.

However, listeners coming from the original Odin or treble-forward sets like the Vision Ears EXT may notice the more conservative tuning. The MKII trades some “wow factor” at the top end for greater coherence and ease of listening, especially over long sessions.

The Odin MKII responds well to high-quality source gear, and pairing it with a relaxed or slightly warm DAC/amp can counterbalance its energetic personality. Here’s how it fared with a few devices:

• iFi Hip DAC 2 – Powerful low-end enhancement with XBass; tactile and immersive.
• Astell & Kern HC4 – Dialed back the forwardness of the mids, giving a smoother listen.
• FiiO Snowsky Retro Nano – Punchy, energetic pairing for on-the-go setups.

These combinations each brought out different aspects of the Odin MKII’s signature, allowing for some tuning flexibility depending on your preferences.

Comparing the Odin MKII to the original Odin, the most noticeable differences lie in bass response and treble refinement. The MKII’s quadbrid setup introduces bone conduction for a more visceral bass impact, delivering greater slam and sub-bass presence than its predecessor.

Conversely, the treble has been toned down, moving away from the original’s brighter, more analytical edge. Fans of the Odin OG may find this version slightly warmer and more physical, while still maintaining the clarity and separation that made the original so beloved.

For those already familiar with the Odin line, the MKII represents a re-tuned experience rather than a strict upgrade—ideal for collectors or those seeking a new flavor from a familiar platform.

The Empire Ears Odin MKII is a statement piece—both visually and sonically. With its commanding appearance, intricate driver configuration, and dynamic presentation, it offers a unique experience tailored for those who prefer intensity, clarity, and immersion.

While it may not be for everyone—particularly those who prefer a more relaxed or natural tuning—it’s undeniably an accomplishment in IEM design and performance. The $4,299 price tag reflects its flagship status, and for the right listener, it could be a standout addition to their collection.

The Odin MK II will be available at Audio46 soon.