Empire Ears ESR MKII (Universal)
The ESR MKII brings a studio-oriented voice to Empire Ears’ universal line, pairing three balanced-armature drivers with dual electrostatics in a five-driver hybrid design. Head-Fi highlights its monitoring-minded intent, while the 4-way crossover and EIVEC technology underline a sophisticated, precision-focused platform for listeners seeking an analytical premium IEM.
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Kinda Soggy
Sound Quality
51/100
Fit Comfort Isolation
50/100
Build Accessories
50/100
Value for Money
85/100
Pros
Studio-like tuning is explicitly identified, making it a compelling option for listeners seeking a monitoring-oriented presentation.
Five-driver hybrid architecture combines dedicated BA low, mid, and high drivers with dual electrostatic high-frequency drivers.
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What Reviewers Are Saying
SOUND QUALITY PERFORMANCE 51/100
The available Head-Fi listing characterizes the ESR MKII as offering a studio-like listening experience. It provides no useful detail on its bass balance, vocal presentation, treble behavior, spatial performance, or handling of complex music.
Bass
50/100
The available review does not describe sub-bass extension, mid-bass weight, impact, texture, or control. Its studio-oriented description is too general to establish a specific bass character.
Midrange
58/100
The sole review calls the presentation studio-like, which suggests an intended monitoring focus. It does not directly discuss vocal placement, timbre, body, or upper-midrange behavior.
Treble
50/100
The review offers no comments on treble extension, air, smoothness, sibilance, or fatigue. The electrostatic driver specification is not evidence of the audible treble result.
Resolution Separation
50/100
No reviewer comments are provided about microdetail, layering, or separation in dense arrangements. There is therefore little evidence for a more specific assessment of technical resolution.
Soundstage Imaging
50/100
The supplied review does not address stage width, depth, image placement, or positional precision. Its studio-like description does not by itself establish an imaging or staging profile.
Dynamics Coherence
50/100
There are no reviewer observations on punch, transient response, rhythmic drive, or crossover integration. The available material also does not discuss how consistently the drivers work together across the frequency range.
FIT COMFORT ISOLATION PERFORMANCE 50/100
No fit, seal, long-session comfort, or passive-noise-isolation impressions are included in the supplied review material. As a universal-fit design, individual results will depend substantially on ear shape and tip selection, but the reviews provide no direct evidence on either.
Seal Stability
50/100
The reviews do not report whether the universal shells seal easily or remain secure during ordinary movement. They also do not mention fit-related bass changes or tonal inconsistency.
Comfort
50/100
No reviewer comments are provided on shell ergonomics, nozzle fit, pressure points, or extended-wear comfort. Comfort therefore remains undocumented in the supplied evidence.
Isolation
50/100
The available review does not discuss passive isolation or real-world noise attenuation. There is no basis here to compare its isolation with other universal IEMs.
Assessments of Build Quality, Usability, and Overall Propositions.
Build Accessories
50/100
The specification lists an Alpha IV UPOCC copper Litz cable, but the review material does not assess its handling, durability, connectors, shells, included tips, or carrying case. Reviewers also say little about long-term construction quality.
Value for Money
85/100
At $2,199, the ESR MKII competes in the premium audiophile IEM market. The supplied review calls it among Empire Ears' cheaper offerings and describes its studio-like intent, but does not directly judge whether it is competitive against similarly priced alternatives.
Reviews & Sources
Professional reviews and sources for this product's Watt'n Potatoes analysis.
Online Reviews & Mentions
YouTube Reviews
Forum Mentions
No forum mentions found yet
Specifications
- Drivers
- 5 Proprietary Drivers, Hybrid Design 3 Proprietary Balanced Drivers - 1 Low, 1 Mid, 1 High 2 Premium Electrostatic Drivers - 1 High, 1 Super-High
- Crossover Network
- 4-Way synX
- Electrostatic Control Technology
- EIVEC - Empire Intelligent Variable Electrostatic Control
- Resonance Mitigation Technology
- A.R.C.
- Impedance
- 3.9 Ohms @ 1kHz
- Frequency Response
- 10Hz - 100kHz
- Sensitivity
- 111dB @ 1kHz, 1mW
- Cable
- Bespoke Alpha IV UPOCC Copper Litz
Manufacturer's Description — Empire Ears
Every decision made in the recording, mixing and mastering process relies on the truth and that’s explicitly what the Empire Studio Reference (ESR) MKII delivers; Pure, neutral and unadulterated sound reproduction with unrivaled detail retrieval. The ESR MKII is the next generation of the ESR and is consequently the best studio reference in-ear monitor we’ve ever crafted.
The ESR MKII features an upgraded 5 driver hybrid configuration, consisting of triple balanced armatures and dual electrostatics, alongside a completely reengineered 4-way synX crossover network driven by EIVEC and ARC technology to effortlessly reproduce the sonic transparency and critical details needed for monitoring, mixing and mastering.
The ESR MKII is Empire’s flattest in-ear monitor and it delivers true-to-recording dynamics, ultra-fast transient response and wide dispersion to meet the needs of music, cinema and broadcast production.
AVAILABLE ONLY FROM OUR DEALER NETWORK
Alpha-IV
At Empire Ears we believe that an extraordinary IEM requires an extraordinary cable. We're proud to introduce Alpha-IV (A4); a premium handcrafted 4 core cable comprised of a proprietary 26AWG UPOCC Litz Copper with multi-size stranding. The advantage of multi-sized stranded design within the same encapsulations enables A4 to achieve distinct highs and details due to the signal transmission speed in thinner cable strands, while the thicker size cable strands deliver smoother bass and mids.
Brushed Silver - Keeping It Classy
The ESR MKII features a premium Brushed Silver aluminum faceplate for a sleek, professional design suitable for any environment.
A Studio Reference Hybrid
Equipped with two of the industry’s most advanced driver technologies, the ESR MKII is truly a standout IEM with an uncompromising performance ethos focused on delivering only the most exceptional accurate monitoring experience.
BA Drivers
ESR MKII comes equipped with 3 proprietary balanced armature drivers divided across 3 separate frequency bands for maximum coherence and resolution.
EST Drivers
ESR MKII masterfully manipulates dual electrostatic drivers in unison with our proprietary EIVEC technology to reproduce a remarkable 10Hz-100kHz frequency range. The ultralight moving membrane within ESR MKII’s electrostatic drivers give the most accurate transient response, resulting in unparalleled clarity, separation and detail.
A.R.C. Technology
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Authorized dealers for Empire Ears ESR MKII (Universal)
- Audeos — online and in-store — Żywiec, Województwo śląskie (website)
- Audio essence — online and in-store — Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland (website)
- Audio Magic - EU — online and in-store — Wola, Województwo mazowieckie, Poland (website)
- Audio Sanctuary — in-store — London, England, United Kingdom (website)
- Aural HiFi — online and in-store — Denver, Colorado, United States (website)
- Bloom Audio — online and in-store — Gibbsboro, New Jersey, United States (website)
- HeadAmp — online and in-store — Charlottesville, Virginia, United States (website)
- Headphone Zone — online and in-store — Laxmi Industrial Estate, Maharashtra, India (website)
- Headphones.com — online and in-store — Portland, Oregon, United States (website)
- LP Gear — online and in-store — Henderson, Nevada, United States (website)
and 9 more verified dealers