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NOVUS: A New Astell&Kern & Empire Ears IEM

Ricky Kovacs | Moon Audio Staff
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Read Time: Approx. 3 min.
NOVUS In Ear with the SP3000T DAP

A Premium In-Ear Monitor You'll Have to Hear to Believe

Alongside the groundbreaking release of the latest addition to Astell&Kern's prestigious A&ultima flagship player line: the SP3000T, Astell&Kern is thrilled to unveil NOVUS, the second collaboration In-Ear Monitor (IEM) with renowned manufacturer Empire Ears. These innovative IEMs (with the SP3000T) made their global debut at CanJam NYC 2024 earlier this month (March 9-10) at the prestigious New York Marriott Marquis in the heart of New York City.

Astell&Kern, renowned for their 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 IEM 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. Read more below about the new premium NOVUS IEM coming to Moon Audio in May. 
NOVUS IEM
NOVUS IEM
      
       

About Astell&Kern

Astell&Kern is a South Korean company that focuses on creating some of the most popular DAPs (Digital Audio Players), CD players, headphones, and home cinema products on the market. The company was founded in 2013 by iRiver with the debut of their AK100 digital audio player (DAP). Later that year they released the AKR01 in-ear monitors to go along with the new music player. The brand name Astell&Kern was created in October of that year to develop their in-brand products.

NOVUS IEM
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.
NOVUS IEM with cable

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 Conductors, delivering a level of detail and clarity that will captivate even the most discerning audiophiles.

Exquisite Design: The NOVUS 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.

NOVUS IEMs
Limited Edition Exclusive: NOVUS will be available as a limited edition release, produced by Empire Ears under the Astell&Kern brand name. This exclusive IEM will be offered for sale exclusively at authorized Astell&Kern dealers worldwide, including Moon Audio, with availability slated for May 2024. Priced at $4,999, NOVUS represents the pinnacle of Astell&Kern and Empire Ears' collaboration, delivering an unparalleled audio experience that transcends ordinary listening.

Stay tuned for our full review coming soon when the NOVUS gets officially released in May, 2024. 
Learn more about the new NOVUS In-Ear Monitor
Learn more about the new SP3000T Music Player

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Ricky Kovacs

Ricky Kovacs

My dad told me to be responsible and get a job that would allow me to finance my passion for music. Well, I did. That's why I spend all day in a proverbial candy store for music lovers. It's a dream job really.

Ricky Kovacs is a performer at heart but loves to bring his passion and experience with music to others. With a background in both politics and religion, Ricky has a knack for writing about divisive topics - which is why at the end of the day he loves writing about the one thing that brings us all together: music. Outside of Moon Audio, Ricky enjoys performing music in his band, recording, video games, virtual photography, reading, traveling, partaking in the finest scotch, and spending time with his wife, newborn, and doggy. see all articles by this author

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