ÉTOILE IEM Review: Volk Audio's Luxury Take on Natural Sound Reproduction
Read Time: Approx. 13 min.
From Empire to Étoile: The Jack Vang Audio Legacy Continues
Volk Audio may be one of the newest IEM brands to join the IEM market, but its founder, Jack Vang, is no industry novice–in fact, he's a bit of a legend. In 2014, Jack Vang set out to build his first in-ear monitor company, EarWerkz. What started as a small workshop in Atlanta, Georgia, quickly grew into Empire Ears, as we know it today.
Vang takes his years of experience crafting flagship IEMs and pours it into Volk Audio. Volk aims to bring the essence back to IEMs, where precision, clarity, and connection are valued over innovation and fancy technology. At $3,999, the Volk ÉTOILE IEM is the first chapter in Volk Audio's story. It's a 10-driver per side tribrid IEM designed in collaboration with Michael Graves, founder of Osiris Studios in Los Angeles. Graves lends his musical expertise to bring Vang's sonic vision to life.
Take what you know about Empire Ears and detach it from Volk Audio. Why? Because Volk Audio sits in a league of its own.
PROS
- Excellent Sub-bass extension for bass lovers
- Midrange Magic! Expressive, Detailed
CONS
Design
The first product launch from a new brand is a big deal. It's either the catalyst to a very fruitful venture or a valiant effort. From the packaging to the sound, performance, and price, everything will be examined and scrutinized to the nth degree. With that being said, it's a great day to be Volk Audio because the packaging and presentation are among the most impressive I've seen from a hi-fi brand. I finally got to live out my dream of being an Instagram influencer receiving one of those coveted PR packages.
As the limited Founder's Edition, the ÉTOILE is presented in a luxurious black box with a personal thank you message from Volk Audio Founder, Jack Vang, and an additional card sharing insight into the Saffino Leather used on the IEM's faceplate and carrying case. Everything you need to get started is included in the box: a hard shell leather carrying case, two types of ear tips (one set by Volk Audio, the other by Symbio Ear Tips), the limited edition Arc Cable with a cable clasp, two Volk pins, and a cleaning cloth. The carrying case is particularly luxurious with an engraved red velvet lining that perfectly embodies IEMs as "ear jewelry."
The design of the ÉTOILE IEMs itself is reminiscent of Empire Ears models, yet unique in its own way. While the shell shape is similar to that of the Raven, the ÉTOILE's faceplate is where the IEM truly stands out. Saffino Leather adorns the ÉTOILE's faceplate and carrying case, chosen for its distinguished crosshatch texture and understated sophistication. I don't recall an IEM on the market with a leather faceplate, so hats off to Volk Audio for daring to do something different. The ÉTOILE's design is finished with a 24K gold-plated frame over each faceplate–the left ear etched with ÉTOILE and the right VOLK.
As for fit and comfort, I had no problems inserting the ÉTOILE and achieving a tight seal. I have small ears, and IEMs have always been a struggle for me. I try to avoid IEMs when I can, solely based on discomfort, so when I find an IEM that fits great and feels good, I'm just shy of jumping for joy. If most universal IEMs fit you, so will the ÉTOILE with no problems at all!
Sound
The Volk ÉTOILE IEM's sound quality is the result of a collaboration with Michael Graves, founder of Osiris Studio in Los Angeles. A five-time Grammy Award winner and fourteen-time nominee, Graves is celebrated for his mastery of precision, emotional depth, and his ability to bring sound to life. Vang credited him as "more than a collaborator, he became the architect of ÉTOILE's sound."
Together, Vang and Graves sculpted the ÉTOILE to be highly detailed, technically precise, and breathtakingly lifelike. The star of the show? The M10 subwoofer, easily! Vang incorporated an M10 subwoofer with a Japan-made N52 coil system in the ÉTOILE to deliver a visceral bass response that true bass lovers crave. It has good energy in the mid-bass with a quick, punchy slam, but wow, does the sub-bass stand out! If you're not a bass lover like me, you might not understand the hype around bass response.
The sub-bass extension is big, bold, and well-rounded. You won't find much articulation in the sub-bass, just pure "wubs" as we bassheads call it. Hip-hop beats practically took my breath away, and I was utterly shocked to discover just how crappy some of the songs I enjoy sound in my car's stereo system. There were elements that I never discovered before, and energy that would have stayed hidden had I not listened with the ÉTOILE. The ÉTOILE's bass response is definitely dependent on the song. Songs with a heavy, deep sub-bass were just that. While songs with a snappier, quicker mid-bass maintained that quality.
Beyond the sub-bass extension, the ÉTOILE's sound quality is relatively tame–in the best way possible. It doesn't lean to one side or the other as either warm and musical or analytical and articulate. It sits in the middle and is what I'd refer to as natural, not neutral-sounding. The ÉTOILE does a great job of replicating an artist's intended sound quality with layering, depth, and realism throughout the midrange. Female vocals were an immediate standout for me, and the hypnotic quality of Glass Animals' lead singer's voice sounded uncannily similar to the live performance I attended earlier this summer.
Overall, the ÉTOILE is a balanced, natural-sounding IEM. It's akin to a chameleon in the way it adapts and complements many genres. EDM, hip-hop, and pop music were personal favorites thanks to the ÉTOILE's bass response and expressive midrange. Detail-oriented genres like jazz, classical, and acoustic were full of clarity, detail, and magic. It appeals to every type of listener: Those who know they will spend hours bumping bass-heavy beats like me, and those who strive for a realistic, expressive sound reproduction.
Wonderful Nothing
By Glass Animals
(I Love You So F***ing Much)
Been Like This
By Doja Cat
(Planet Her)
Happier Than Ever
By Billie Eilish
(Happier Than Ever)
So High School
By Taylor Swift
(The Tortured Poets Department)
Features
- 24K gold-plated frame with Italian midnight Saffiano leather construction
- Meister Architecture platform with proprietary driver technology
- M8 magnetostatic tweeter for speed and extension without fragility
- M10 subwoofer with Japan-made N52 coil system for visceral bass
- 10-driver per side tri-hybrid configuration with six-way crossover
- Developed with 5-time Grammy winner Michael Graves of Osiris Studios
- Handcrafted carrying case with Goya Red Alcantara lining
- Founder's Reserve Edition limited to 350 units worldwide
- Tuned for reference-grade tonal accuracy and spatial control
- Holographic soundstage with intimate midrange presentation
When Vang began developing the ÉTOILE IEM, he quickly realized that off-the-shelf drivers and configurations wouldn't deliver the depth, precision, and emotional impact he envisioned for the ÉTOILE. Hence, the creation of two groundbreaking innovations: the Meister VIII (M7) Tweeter and the Meister X (M10) Subwoofer.
Featuring an advanced LCP (Liquid Crystal Polymer) design, the M7 tweeter works harmoniously with the ÉTOILE's electrostatic tweeters to deliver crystalline highs that feel ethereal and lifelike. The M10 uses a proprietary, made-in-Japan N52 coil system to anchor low frequencies with depth and authority.
Together, the Meister M7 and M10 form the backbone of the ÉTOILE's 20-driver (10-per-side) tribrid system, enhanced by quad balanced armatures and quad electrostatic tweeters, and configured in a six-way crossover. The drivers are housed within a shared acoustic volume, utilizing a dual tri-port vent system to regulate airflow and equalize internal pressure across the driver array. This system stabilizes diaphragm motion, eliminates unwanted resonance, and preserves clarity and tonal balance.
Dragon Cables
There are a lot of reasons why you need to make sure your audio cables are not afterthoughts.
Our HiFi Audio Dragon Cables bring out more of what you love in your music and audio gear. If you love your headphones but wish they had a bit more top-end sparkle - a Silver Dragon Headphone Cable would be a great option. If your USB cables keep dying - as many stock cables do - then check out our quality USB Audio Cables. We say time and time again that materials matter, and our audio cables and custom geometries actually help to bring out those desired properties in your gear and music. We make tons of custom options for our customers so that you can get the right HiFi Audio cable for your exact needs. If you have any questions feel free to Contact Us and we'll be more than happy to help.
Verdict
At $3,999, the Volk Audio ÉTOILE IEMs are a welcome addition to the hi-fi IEM market. With a natural sound quality that balances sub-bass extension and midrange magic, the ÉTOILE effortlessly complements the audiophile's growing music collection. It's no easy feat going out on a limb, and Jack Vang risked it all with the ÉTOILE. But as they always say, the risk is worth the reward, and that risk earned the ÉTOILE a stamp of approval from the audiophiles at Moon Audio! Run, don't walk, to purchase your ÉTOILE IEMs at Moon Audio, and while you're at it, grab a Dragon IEM Cable like the Bronze Dragon IEM Cable to pair with it.
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What's in the Box
- ÉTOILE IEMs
- ARC Cable
- Volk Leather Cable Tie
- IEM Carrying Case
- Volk Silicone Eartips, Black - S, M, L
- Symbio F Foam Eartips, Orange - S, M, L
- Volk Decal
- Volk Collector Pins
- Volk Leather Cable Tie
- Volk Microfiber Cleaning Cloth
Specifications
SYSTEM:
10-Driver Quadbrid System
6-Way Crossover
5 Precision-Cut Sound Bores
DRIVER ARRAY:
1× M10 10mm Subwoofer – Sub-Bass, Bass
4× Balanced Armatures – Mid, Mid-High
4× Electrostatic Drivers – High, Ultra-High
1× M8 8mm Magnetostatic Driver – High, Ultra-High
PERFORMANCE:
Impedance: 8.8Ω @ 1kHz
Sensitivity: 110.6dB @ 1kHz
Frequency Response: 10Hz – 50kHz
FACEPLATE: 24K Gold-Plated 6061-T6 Aluminum, Italian imported, Midnight Saffiano Leather, German imported Dreve medical-grade resin panel
SHELL: Gloss Black, German imported Dreve medical-grade resin, Dual, Tri-port acoustic vents
CABLE
TERMINATION:
4.4mm AEC Balanced
.78mm 2-Pin HARDWARE
CNC-machined 6061-T6 aluminum
Anodized black, with 24K gold-plated accents on the Y-split and 4.4mm barrel
CONDUCTORS:
Solid Core 5N OCC Silver
Solid Core 4N Silver
Silver-Plated over 6N OCC Copper
Gold-Plated over 4N Silver
Palladium-Plated over 4N Silver
