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What's going on everyone?! My name is Jack Vang and I'm the Founder of EarWerkz and VP of Sales for Empire Ears. I can't tell you how ecstatic I am for this project and how much it means to me. Christian (@CEE_TEE) has relentlessly pursued this opportunity and I'm glad he persevered because we're FINALLY here! With the help of Massdrop, Knowles, and Final Audio we're proud to present to you all the flagship IEM that put us on the map, the Empire Ears Zeus XIV.
Dean and I have been relentlessly working on this project to ensure that each and every one of you will receive the same Zeus-XIV that the audiophile and HeadFi community has come to love. In order to achieve this we needed to make sure we had the following key components:
Empire Ears spec’d proprietary Knowles drivers
XIV crossover networks
7-strand Estron Litz internal wiring
Premium silver-plated copper (SPC) cable
These are the exact same components that we’ve been using since day one with the exception of the cable. As some of you may know we’ve gone through quite a journey with Zeus-bundled cable pairings. First it was the BTG Starlight (SPC), Whiplash (SPC), and then the Effect Audio Ares II (Copper Litz). We’ve always felt strongly about a silver-plated copper (SPC) cable to enhance the Zeus’ sound signature which is why we’ve partnered with Null Audio to help manufacture a cable that would compliment it.
Ergonomics and durability are also key considerations. The Zeus XIV does feature 14 full-size drivers and a 7-way crossover network on each side, and the drivers must be placed in a very specific place in order to achieve the original FR curve. The comfort and fit should be optimum as we’ve made the shell as small as possible and partnered with Final Audio of Japan to bring to you a complete set of their Type E tips. I encourage you to look into them as they’re some of the best premium silicone tips we’ve ever used and feel quite luxurious, though it may not be very evident in the pictures.
In regards to the shell, it is no longer hand-poured acrylic. ABS is more durable than acrylic, reduces return rates, and the faceplates/shells can be made more efficiently to help reach the price point.  Driver/crossover assembly, final assembly and testing, lacquer plus hand-polishing is all completed in our North Atlanta facility ensuring that every Zeus is built to the same standards as every other Empire IEM.  Holding these in our hand, side-by-side with the hand-pour…we know you will be happy with the looks and feel of what we are making for you.
I hope this answers a lot of the questions out there and I’ll be around from time to time to answer any other that you all might have! We will be publishing FR soon to showcase comparisons between the original handcrafted Zeus and the MD edition Zeus. I can’t thank the community and Massdrop enough for making this happen. We are STOKED to be building these Zeus’ for you all!
jsmiller58
804
Oct 1, 2018
EmpireEarsJack - thank you for all of that - very helpful!
Can you post frequency response graphs of these and the original version?
Also, any chance there will be samples at RMAF? Maybe some listening impressions will help folks like me who are on the fence...
jsmiller58We definitely will post a comparison graph soon! We won't have a full production version available with the ABS housing but I will have the original handmade sample available to audition.
functionaldoc
24
Oct 4, 2018
EmpireEarsi will be coming by to hear the original sample and compare with the Legend line .
RareAirs
156
Oct 6, 2018
EmpireEars$699 and I’m in. I compared your bravado $699 and amazing to legend X $2400 and bravado is 96.725% there... conservative of course! ;) Liked your iems but maybe take a page out of campfire audios book with amazing andromeda at $1199 and less from the 64 audio manual with $1700+ universals...
U0900147
60
Oct 7, 2018
EmpireEarsHi! Curious about the measurements, please post them to reassure us that these are the same as zeus xiv?? :)
Gos7
3
Oct 8, 2018
EmpireEarsWhy don't you respond to us about the impdance of zeus massdrop(10homs is not the same with original zeus(20homs);this change the sound ; and we don't know if the construccion is solid;finally i think that you should include the cable ares2 becouse the price is still higt;in audio 46 with a copun the Andromeda in ear cost 900dolar ; in my case i prefer zeus xiv with ares2;i hope you will better soon
flipleung
35
Oct 8, 2018
Gos7someone has replied u already lol
Gos8
15
Oct 14, 2018
EmpireEarsHi; mr.jack you should be give us the graps o zeus massdrop; and in general a better produc becouse the cost in still very expensive ; in other case can you give us a low price for this produc thank you
Gos8
15
Oct 14, 2018
EmpireEarsWhen???? The grahps of zeus
Mangocherries
9
Oct 16, 2018
Gos8I hope that you are aware that the original Rtp for this is 2k and at 1k it's still considered expensive to you? If that's the case, please get your Tin Audio T2 as end game.
Gos8
15
Oct 16, 2018
MangocherriesJajaja i have the oriolus reborn the cost was 780dolar ; and the materials are very good the cable is paw n.5(200dolar)is a produc premiun and the sound is awsome; many people prefer this oriolus over andromeda;zeus is awsome to but this drop are very cheap it comes with tin box; in general anti stetic
Gos8
15
Oct 19, 2018
EmpireEarsGraphs soon??????? When the zeus massdrop over;you laid everybody
Gos8
15
Oct 19, 2018
EmpireEarsAre you serious???
Gos8
15
Oct 20, 2018
EmpireEarsMr.jack the graphs when? These are in this year or the next year?you have to learn of massdrop noble kaiser 10 (more than 900 drops sell)zorry but zeus massdrop is a bad deal at this time;for many reasons
Gos8
15
Oct 27, 2018
VAS007
291
Nov 18, 2018
Gos8Read my message above. Are you one of the people that have joined this drop?
U0900147
60
Mar 13, 2019
EmpireEarsHi! It's mid-Mar now, i.e. the promised shipping date. Any news, please? It's ok if it isn't good news, we just need to know to manage our expectations. Please share!
Benzc01
1
May 28, 2019
EmpireEarsSame connection as 10 dollar chifi crap , for a g I'll pass haha
jsmiller58
804
May 29, 2019
Benzc01Sorry, can you elaborate??
riseuplight
77
May 31, 2019
jsmiller58he's probably looking for a balanced connector at this price point
jsmiller58
804
May 31, 2019
riseuplightCould be... If that really is the case, I must admit that most cables I get with IEMs go into a drawer and get replaced by third party ones... a great balanced cable can be had for $49 on Amazon... with this set costing $1000, I would hope people are more focused on the sound, but I may be missing something...
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