Intro & Me: Does anyone actually read this part? Does anyone actually care about who I am? Didn't think so. Well, a few words anyhow! I have made a lot of friends on these forums by doing two things consistently: giving my unapologetic, honest opinions of gear and managing to get my cute dog in the photos of my IEMs/cables/gear. I love a wide array of sound qualities, musical genres and gear and writing a review of fantastic audio hardware such as the Empire Ears Legend X comes naturally (and eagerly) for me. That said, I have nearly zero ability to articulate the technicalities of sound equipment. Instead, I will do my best to explain how these wonderful IEMs sound to my ears, how they compare to other IEMs in my collection and generally how they respond to a wide variety of music that I listen to on a daily basis. I hate to give a spoiler so early on, but these have impressed me so much that I inadvertently sold another pair of IEMs that many people probably would have wanted me to compare these to. Oops! On that note, I purchased these directly from Empire Ears, albeit it at a partial discount, with my own hard-earned money.
Test Equipment: As far as sources go, a majority of my listening was done on my desktop Gustard A20H DAC/amp combo via the balanced output. This has dual AK4497 DACs and is on the musical side rather than clinical, but it does produce very high amounts of clarity and detail while having tons of headroom to drive a wide variety of headphones. For portable sources, I primarily use the AK70 mk2, as well as my DX200 with the Amp3 balanced module. All testing was done via 2.5mm balanced connections. Music was streamed via Tidal HiFi (FLAC, or "Master" where available) and this is consistent with my daily listening habits.
Ordering, Accessories, Tips, Packaging: Unlike many other IEM makers who will remain unnamed, Empire Ears has a nice, functional web page for ordering with some great visuals of their various offerings. Throughout the process of shopping, checkout and delivery of the IEMs you can expect a smooth process with no guesswork of what you will receive or when you will receive it. I mention this because sometimes cutting-edge equipment is actually fairly difficult to order and even harder to know when you will receive it. Once my Legend X arrived, I was extremely impressed with the packaging and accessories on offer in the box. Granted, this is my first pair of Empire Ears IEMs, but I have purchased many-a-TOTL pair and this is up there with the best as far as presentation goes. The case, for example, is engraved with my name and upon first sight, I screamed in joy so sharply that my wife thought our one-year-old son had fallen out of his crib. Nope, it was just me Babe! Included are the highly-regarded Final Audio tips, a cleaning cloth/tool and to my surprise, a very high quality Effect Audio Ares II cable. Seeing such a high quality "stock" cable quickly reminded me that these really are a serious offering.
Fit and Cable: I mentioned the cable, so let us start there. Effect Audio and Empire Ears have recently partnered and it is great to see such a nice cable included with these IEMs. Not only is the Ares II highly-regarded for its sound quality, but it is one of the softest, most supple and comfortable cable I have used. There is nothing worse than taking a pair of TOTL IEMs out of the box and learning that they come with the same cable as the $200 entry-level model (Earsonics, I am looking at you!). The cable has very comfortable bends around the ears with no memory wire and again, it is extremely flexible, lightweight and exhibits zero microphonics. This is a big win.
Moving on to fit, the elephant in the room (or in your ears in this case) is that these are massive IEMs in size (and sound, but more on that later!). They are, however, extremely lightweight and ergonomic. Too often do folks assume big, bulky IEMs will not be comfortable. Once I found the right sized tip and got these planted in my ears, I discovered that they can be left there for hours with zero discomfort. They are just so comfortable, despite their size, that I do not believe many people will experience any issues with fit or comfort. I applaud this effort because I do get the impression that a lot of thought went into designing the shape of these. It is no small feat to cram two dynamic drivers and five balanced armatures into a shell that you actually want to wear, so high-five to you Empire Ears!
Sound Signature: Without measurements or frequency graphs, my ears tell me that these fall somewhere in the V-shaped category which is fine by me. That said, you aren't going to find super exaggerated bass or super sparkly treble missing mid-range impact. Instead, everything is just done well. The bass is the star of the show, but I'll get to that as we dive into each range. The IEMs are extremely musical, very detailed and while I've said this about certain other IEMs, no other has managed to make me say with such confidence that I can listen to these all day long.
Bass: Again, the star of the show, but not in the traditional sense. I had high hopes for the dual dynamic drivers, yet at the same time I was slightly concerned that they would be overly bassy. My concerns were not only unfounded, but I quickly realized that this is some of the most controlled and impactful bass I have ever heard. Think of the bass as energetic and forward, while reaching extremely low (lowest I've heard, in fact) and never becoming muddy. It just sounds different. I love bassy IEMs and am never turned off by slow, "analogue-like" bass, but these don't have that. Instead, these have bass that is like a race horse ready to be let out of the gate in a precise, tuned manner. You can hear it, always, waiting and waiting to let loose until the music calls for it. It doesn't muddy any music and it doesn't ever become too much, but you know it's there. It reminds me of when I drove my friend's Nissan GTR in that it was so civilized and drove like a normal car, but when you mashed the gas pedal it was like an explosion of power ripping the asphalt in half. Then when it's done, you pull onto your 25mph suburban side street and all is normal again. Until you hit the throttle again, that is. I cannot overstate how much I love the lower frequencies on this IEM. In fact, I find myself awake at night worried that bass this good will become illegal and I will have to give them up to the authorities. Seriously, a terrifying thought. A test track I like to use for bass is "Why So Serious" by Hans. If you scroll to about 3:15 in the song, you'd better have your seatbelt on and be ready for what is to come. It is horrifyingly deep, authoritative and I'm pretty sure it just took several years off my hearing abilities. And I will do it over and over.
Mids: I feel bad for the mid-range. It's like the damn-good athlete that has to run a lap around the track behind Usain Bolt. He may be the fastest runner in his class or school district for that matter, but how do you stand out when an Olympic runner just got finished making his move before you? That said, the mids are warm, smooth, lush and overall have a nice thickness to the vocals that are very pleasing to the ears. You'll hear that thick, crunchy electric guitar here and emotional male/female vocals. The mid-range actually contributes to the musicality of this IEM in a big way, giving a euphoric tone and spicing up stringed instruments very nicely. It's a pretty epic showing for a V-shape IEM where clearly bass is the star, so I think this is another check in the box of incredible tuning by Empire Ears.
Treble: Being somewhat of a treblehead, I think the treble has a decent amount of sparkle. I would welcome a bit more, but not at the cost of unsettling the wonderful bass and mid-range. In other words, it's just right. I think for most people, even those sensitive to trelbe and sibilance in general, there is a lot to love here. Again, musicality is the key and you can't have a super musical IEM that also has ear-piercing treble. It's a nice, extended treble that reaches high and has very good decay. Playing electronic music on these IEMs yields a very tasty treat, which quick and precise treble keeping everything tidy and coherent. That bass does slightly take your attention away, but if you give yourself an ounce of a nudge to really listen and appreciate the treble, you will hear that it's doing its job perfectly. Let me mention again, these attributes mean I can listen to this IEM all day long.
Vocals: I touched on this in the mid-range a bit, but let's go a little deeper. I'm an unapologetic lover of modern pop country music and one of my go-to favorite songs is Easton Corbin's "A Girl Like You." Singing through these IEMs, there is so much clarity and precision while still being emotional and not cold in any way shape or form. When I think about something like the Dita Dream (which I'll compare with further down), the Legend X gives the vocals so much more life to the vocals and while I don't think vocals are super forward, I just think they sound damn good. On the female side, and in keeping with my addition to modern pop country, Carrie Underwood shuts down the show. There's a lavish quality that makes you feel like you're in the room with the singer and it's so enjoyable. Female vocals sound every so slightly overpowered by the mid-bass, but that is only on certain tracks and given how great that bass is, it's a very small tradeoff that I am more than willing to make.
Soundstage, Separation & Timbre: If you have read any of my other reviews, I have not been shy about pointing out that I am an idiot when it comes to measuring soundstage. Well, I am happy to report that the Legend X has come to my aid and actually made it slightly easier for me to describe the various stages that this IEM portrays (a win in and of itself!). On a few of my test tracks recorded with binaural microphones, I noticed immediately how wide the stage was. Certain attributes of tracks are so clearly defined, yet you can tell that they are very distant on both sides. This was sort of what made me understand what it means when someone says an IEM has a wide soundstage. I could picture members of the band and where they stood, clearly defined. Depth seems to be similarly portrayed, although not to the extent of the left/right extension. Height, sorry, couldn't tell you. But what I can say about soundstage is that I got a very clear picture in my head of where everything was and it overall added to the sepration of instruments. Sometimes I use the term separation synonymously with detail, but in this case not only can I hear the clear separation of instruments, but I can also hear loads of micro-details on each track. Detail is sometimes associated with reference tuning, but not here. Musicality with this much detail is just another factor that makes these IEMs incredible to listen to. As far as timbre goes, well this is a V-shaped IEM after all and I think that may be somewhere that the Legend X doesn't slaughter its competitors. I briefly owned the Phantom and while I much prefer the Legend X based on what suits my style of listening and preference, it was ahead in timbre.
Comparisons: For better or worse (worse if you ask my wife), I have owned a lot of TOTL IEMs throughout the years. For the better, I am able to compare the Legend X to some other popular IEMs that buyers may be considering. Let's dig in!
Rhapsodio Zombie: I think the only thing the Zombie and Legend X have in common is that they're hybrid designs. While both also exude monstrous bass, they do so in a completely different fashion. Where the Legend X is precise, tight, punchy and controlled, the Zombie gives off that analogue, slow, relaxed feeling. If you read my Zombie review, you know that I am a huge fan of the sound and while it's not going to win any awards technically for being a "reference" IEM, it's just good old-fashioned fun to listen to. In some ways, the Legend X feels like a grown-up, more mature version of the Zombie. Bass is actually deeper and harder hitting on the Legend X, but the huge mid-bass on the Zombie makes it sound like the bassier IEM. The mid-bass bleeds into the mids a bit on the Zombie, but that gives the vocals are very warm, lush sound and while they're not forward, they're soft and rounded. The Legend X is technically better here with a more natural timbre, but I love them both for these differences. I would say the treble is less sparkly on the Zombie and overall more relaxed, while the Legend X's treble sparkle is pretty fantastic. Given the different sound signatures of these IEMs, I would nto really declare a winner and just say that if you like a slow, relaxed, "analogue" sound then the Zombie has it. If you listen to a wide genre of music, appreciate monstrous sub-bass that is very controlled (and who doesn't?) with very natural mids and the perfect blend of treble sparkle and extension, then I have to say the Legend X is your trophy here. Well that's not entirely true, in the looks department the Zombie is the trophy
Dita Dream: Even more contrasting than the Zombie is the Dita Dream. I think literally the only similarities here are that they're both freaking expensive and contain a dynamic driver, but you already know that. Starting with the sub-bass, the Dream is praised for a very controlled, tight sub-bass rumble and I agree that it has that. For quantity, though, it's more on the leaner side and the Legend X easily outshines the Dream for me when it comes to my preferred bass representation. While they both reach low, the Legend X seems to just go deeper and deeper and never come across a note that it cannot hit with ease. The Dream is dryer in the mid-bass as well, making it sound cold in comparison. Clarity and detail are extremely high with the Dream, but it is not as enjoyable to listen to for me. Mid-range, the same applies: you have a very natural mid-range with the Legend X and while it is not recessed on the Dream, it is fairly cold and without the "emotion" you get on other IEMs. I'm not trying to say the Dita is losing in any way; it has been tuned this way on purpose and it achieves its excellent technical prowess from that very tuning, but for me I love the way the Legend X sounds with it's musical emphasis. Moving along to the treble, I do actually like the amount of sparkle on the Dream and wish the Legend X just had a tad more than it does. Many will find the Dream to be overly-bright, however, so again this really speaks to personal preference. At the end of the day, the Legend X puts a huge grin on my face every time I listen to it and the Dream only does once in a while.
Earsonics S-EM9: Ah, the S-EM9. I keep coming back to this pair of IEMs. They're older now, they don't have a dynamic driver, the nozzle design is the worst thing since the Ford Pinto and the cable that comes with them is undeserving of a barnyard animal chewing on it. But dang if I don't love them for what they are. Starting with the sub-bass, the Legend X has a much more pronounced rumble. The S-EM9 keeps everything neat, clean, but still has emphasized sub-bass, although it does not reach as deep. The mid-bass is similar in that the sub-bass is the star of the show and nowhere near that presence of the Zombie. The mid-range on the S-EM9 is a bit recessed in comparison to the Legend X, although again the S-EM9 has this clean, musical, but still technical ability. Pop music really shines through the S-EM9 and when you get up to the higher frequencies, I think the S-EM9 shows its magic and takes on the Legend X. I prefer the treble on the S-EM9 (or to any other IEM, bar none, for that matter), but that sub-bass of the Legend X is not only addictive, but it makes me forget any other minor complaints I have. This one is another tough call because they're so different. Someone preferring a U-shaped sound with incredible precision and speed for electronic music will likely prefer the S-EM9, where someone listening to a wide variety of music and craving that massive bass slam will undoubtedly want the Legend X.
Unique Melody Mason II: The Mason II holds a very, very special place in my heart for reasons that have nothing to do with its sound quality. So it's almost not fair here because I will never say a bad word about the Mason, but at the same time it's the only IEM I own that is actually MORE expensive than the Legend X. These prices are silly, folks, just silly. Anyway, the Mason II (not the Mason V2, this is the Japanese version) has 12 balanced armature drivers and no dynamic driver. Bass impact is great on the Mason, but it is tighter and a little leaner than the Legend X. The Legend X, as I have mentioned approximately 6,000 times now, has that insane bass slam and it makes the Mason II sound lighter on the bass in an A/B comparison. The tuning of the Mason II is more realistic, I would say, with an overall signature that just sounds natural from top to bottom. It has a more realistic timbre than the Legend X, but again I will say the Legend X is more fun. Mids are a bit more laid back on the Legend X and slightly more forward on the Mason, but it's not a night/day difference. Treble sparkle for me is actually similar on the two, which is a good thing. The choice comes down to whether or not you prefer a natural but still fun and musical tuning of the Mason, or the havoc that the dual dynamic drivers will undoubtedly wreak on the Legend X. Honestly, and yes I am biased here, if I could only have one pair of IEMs (oh, the horror of that thought), it would probably be the Mason II because it is such a wonderful all-rounder.
Cables, continued: Cables are always an interesting topic and it's sort of a new thing for me to comment on them in a review. I'll do my best here to offer up some meaningful thoughts on which cable(s) pair best with the Legend X and how they affect the sound. Non-cable believers, well, the door is over there...
Stock: The included Ares II with these IEMs is a great cable and one of the best you'll find in the box other than on the Dita Dream. I would also put it up there with the Pandora Dwarf that came with the Zombie as far as build quality and ergonomics. It's soft, supple, VERY comfortable and overall presents a natural and smooth sound on the Legend X. I think this pairing works well and was a smart choice by Empire Ears, but I quickly got tempted to try others as you can imagine.
Effect Audio EOS X Ms: A slightly re-done and more expensive version of the Ares II, I preferred this cable due its transparency, sparkle and natural tone. It has the same ergonomics and great build quality of the Ares II, but has slight internal upgrades and it's a very nice choice. It is, however, discontinued now so get one while you can. I would say that overall the Ares II is an ever-so-slightly warmer cable across the board, but the EOS gives that slight edge in transparency which I always expect of cable upgrades.
Effect Audio Thor Silver II+: I thought this was going to be my go-to pairing as a monstrous IEM surely needs a monstrous, 22awg cable! Well, it might be, depending on the sound you are looking for, but for me it missed the mark a bit. While the transparency and detail of this cable are incredible, it is a very smooth cable that gives the impression of a relaxed sound. For me, I wanted to brighten up the Legend X slightly and I figured any silver cable would do that, but this made things a bit too relaxed. Also, I must mention that similar to Twister's findings, this cable did add quite a bit of sub-bass to the mix and the Legend X already has plenty of that. Cable changes are usually pretty subtle, but in the case of the Thor Silver II+ the difference is pretty noticeable in A/B comparisons. It's not a bad pairing, per se, but for me I wanted a bit more sparkle and I was definitely not asking for more bass.
Effect Audio Leonidas + Thor Silver II: This was my favorite pairing. I have a one-off "bespoke" version of the Leonidas that has two normal wires of Leonidas wires and two Thor Silver II wires. Ergonomics on this are absolutely outstanding and sound quality is among the best I have heard. This cable tightened up that sub-bass and kept everything tight and controlled. Separation and detail is perfect on this cable and unlike the Thor Silver I+, the treble sparkle was still there and even slightly enhanced. The cable just sounded "right" on these IEMs, as if they were made for each other. I am guessing the Leonidas would sound equally good, if not better than this cable.
Triton Audio Cables Triton8 Silver: David over at Triton Audio cables makes some incredible cables that will not hurt your wallet as much as some of the Effect Audio stuff, so I wanted to try one of my personal favorites: the Triton8 pure silver edition. This cable consists of 8 wires of pure silver and high-end Eidolic connectors. This is a very transparent cable, presenting tons of detail and overall a very pleasing sound signature. It has very tight bass impact, along with smooth but detailed highs. I found this pairing to be up there with the best of the other cables I have tried. It certainly looks the part and build quality is fantastic and I could very easily recommend this cable for the Legend X (and I haven't been shy about doing so in the past). If I didn't have the Leonidas + Thor Silver II, the Triton8 would be my preferred choice here.
Final Thoughts: It took me 4,000 words to get here, but I think it's obvious now what I think of these IEMs. I used to think that spending this much money on IEMs really does produce diminishing returns, but the Legend X have done the unthinkable and have made me realize that every once in a while, a game-changer really does come around. I have never heard anything like these IEMs and I remember, clear as day, the first time I put them on and thinking "holy ****!" It was that immediate, that profoundly, that I knew these had risen to another level than what I was used to. For years, IEMs have walked the line of "emphasized" or "controlled" bass, but now you do not have to choose one or the other. The Legend X bring incredible tuning, top of the line hardware and a beautiful package to the table and I applaud what Empire Ears have done. It's so easy to recommend these and heck, you probably don't even need my review in the first place. Just check the several-thousand page thread on Empire Ears and see what people are saying. They have built a cult following and it is through their listening and dedication to their users, their unwillingness to compromise on getting the absolute best sound and building products that can make people grin ear to ear. These are IEMs that you will form a bond, a special relationship with, and you will probably cry like a baby if and when you ever have to take them out of your ears. I don't know about you guys, but I am considering quitting my job, moving to a remote island and I'll just send a child-support check from time to time because seriously, there are not enough hours in the day to listen to these gems.
Test Equipment: As far as sources go, a majority of my listening was done on my desktop Gustard A20H DAC/amp combo via the balanced output. This has dual AK4497 DACs and is on the musical side rather than clinical, but it does produce very high amounts of clarity and detail while having tons of headroom to drive a wide variety of headphones. For portable sources, I primarily use the AK70 mk2, as well as my DX200 with the Amp3 balanced module. All testing was done via 2.5mm balanced connections. Music was streamed via Tidal HiFi (FLAC, or "Master" where available) and this is consistent with my daily listening habits.
Ordering, Accessories, Tips, Packaging: Unlike many other IEM makers who will remain unnamed, Empire Ears has a nice, functional web page for ordering with some great visuals of their various offerings. Throughout the process of shopping, checkout and delivery of the IEMs you can expect a smooth process with no guesswork of what you will receive or when you will receive it. I mention this because sometimes cutting-edge equipment is actually fairly difficult to order and even harder to know when you will receive it. Once my Legend X arrived, I was extremely impressed with the packaging and accessories on offer in the box. Granted, this is my first pair of Empire Ears IEMs, but I have purchased many-a-TOTL pair and this is up there with the best as far as presentation goes. The case, for example, is engraved with my name and upon first sight, I screamed in joy so sharply that my wife thought our one-year-old son had fallen out of his crib. Nope, it was just me Babe! Included are the highly-regarded Final Audio tips, a cleaning cloth/tool and to my surprise, a very high quality Effect Audio Ares II cable. Seeing such a high quality "stock" cable quickly reminded me that these really are a serious offering.
Fit and Cable: I mentioned the cable, so let us start there. Effect Audio and Empire Ears have recently partnered and it is great to see such a nice cable included with these IEMs. Not only is the Ares II highly-regarded for its sound quality, but it is one of the softest, most supple and comfortable cable I have used. There is nothing worse than taking a pair of TOTL IEMs out of the box and learning that they come with the same cable as the $200 entry-level model (Earsonics, I am looking at you!). The cable has very comfortable bends around the ears with no memory wire and again, it is extremely flexible, lightweight and exhibits zero microphonics. This is a big win.
Moving on to fit, the elephant in the room (or in your ears in this case) is that these are massive IEMs in size (and sound, but more on that later!). They are, however, extremely lightweight and ergonomic. Too often do folks assume big, bulky IEMs will not be comfortable. Once I found the right sized tip and got these planted in my ears, I discovered that they can be left there for hours with zero discomfort. They are just so comfortable, despite their size, that I do not believe many people will experience any issues with fit or comfort. I applaud this effort because I do get the impression that a lot of thought went into designing the shape of these. It is no small feat to cram two dynamic drivers and five balanced armatures into a shell that you actually want to wear, so high-five to you Empire Ears!
Sound Signature: Without measurements or frequency graphs, my ears tell me that these fall somewhere in the V-shaped category which is fine by me. That said, you aren't going to find super exaggerated bass or super sparkly treble missing mid-range impact. Instead, everything is just done well. The bass is the star of the show, but I'll get to that as we dive into each range. The IEMs are extremely musical, very detailed and while I've said this about certain other IEMs, no other has managed to make me say with such confidence that I can listen to these all day long.
Bass: Again, the star of the show, but not in the traditional sense. I had high hopes for the dual dynamic drivers, yet at the same time I was slightly concerned that they would be overly bassy. My concerns were not only unfounded, but I quickly realized that this is some of the most controlled and impactful bass I have ever heard. Think of the bass as energetic and forward, while reaching extremely low (lowest I've heard, in fact) and never becoming muddy. It just sounds different. I love bassy IEMs and am never turned off by slow, "analogue-like" bass, but these don't have that. Instead, these have bass that is like a race horse ready to be let out of the gate in a precise, tuned manner. You can hear it, always, waiting and waiting to let loose until the music calls for it. It doesn't muddy any music and it doesn't ever become too much, but you know it's there. It reminds me of when I drove my friend's Nissan GTR in that it was so civilized and drove like a normal car, but when you mashed the gas pedal it was like an explosion of power ripping the asphalt in half. Then when it's done, you pull onto your 25mph suburban side street and all is normal again. Until you hit the throttle again, that is. I cannot overstate how much I love the lower frequencies on this IEM. In fact, I find myself awake at night worried that bass this good will become illegal and I will have to give them up to the authorities. Seriously, a terrifying thought. A test track I like to use for bass is "Why So Serious" by Hans. If you scroll to about 3:15 in the song, you'd better have your seatbelt on and be ready for what is to come. It is horrifyingly deep, authoritative and I'm pretty sure it just took several years off my hearing abilities. And I will do it over and over.
Mids: I feel bad for the mid-range. It's like the damn-good athlete that has to run a lap around the track behind Usain Bolt. He may be the fastest runner in his class or school district for that matter, but how do you stand out when an Olympic runner just got finished making his move before you? That said, the mids are warm, smooth, lush and overall have a nice thickness to the vocals that are very pleasing to the ears. You'll hear that thick, crunchy electric guitar here and emotional male/female vocals. The mid-range actually contributes to the musicality of this IEM in a big way, giving a euphoric tone and spicing up stringed instruments very nicely. It's a pretty epic showing for a V-shape IEM where clearly bass is the star, so I think this is another check in the box of incredible tuning by Empire Ears.
Treble: Being somewhat of a treblehead, I think the treble has a decent amount of sparkle. I would welcome a bit more, but not at the cost of unsettling the wonderful bass and mid-range. In other words, it's just right. I think for most people, even those sensitive to trelbe and sibilance in general, there is a lot to love here. Again, musicality is the key and you can't have a super musical IEM that also has ear-piercing treble. It's a nice, extended treble that reaches high and has very good decay. Playing electronic music on these IEMs yields a very tasty treat, which quick and precise treble keeping everything tidy and coherent. That bass does slightly take your attention away, but if you give yourself an ounce of a nudge to really listen and appreciate the treble, you will hear that it's doing its job perfectly. Let me mention again, these attributes mean I can listen to this IEM all day long.
Vocals: I touched on this in the mid-range a bit, but let's go a little deeper. I'm an unapologetic lover of modern pop country music and one of my go-to favorite songs is Easton Corbin's "A Girl Like You." Singing through these IEMs, there is so much clarity and precision while still being emotional and not cold in any way shape or form. When I think about something like the Dita Dream (which I'll compare with further down), the Legend X gives the vocals so much more life to the vocals and while I don't think vocals are super forward, I just think they sound damn good. On the female side, and in keeping with my addition to modern pop country, Carrie Underwood shuts down the show. There's a lavish quality that makes you feel like you're in the room with the singer and it's so enjoyable. Female vocals sound every so slightly overpowered by the mid-bass, but that is only on certain tracks and given how great that bass is, it's a very small tradeoff that I am more than willing to make.
Soundstage, Separation & Timbre: If you have read any of my other reviews, I have not been shy about pointing out that I am an idiot when it comes to measuring soundstage. Well, I am happy to report that the Legend X has come to my aid and actually made it slightly easier for me to describe the various stages that this IEM portrays (a win in and of itself!). On a few of my test tracks recorded with binaural microphones, I noticed immediately how wide the stage was. Certain attributes of tracks are so clearly defined, yet you can tell that they are very distant on both sides. This was sort of what made me understand what it means when someone says an IEM has a wide soundstage. I could picture members of the band and where they stood, clearly defined. Depth seems to be similarly portrayed, although not to the extent of the left/right extension. Height, sorry, couldn't tell you. But what I can say about soundstage is that I got a very clear picture in my head of where everything was and it overall added to the sepration of instruments. Sometimes I use the term separation synonymously with detail, but in this case not only can I hear the clear separation of instruments, but I can also hear loads of micro-details on each track. Detail is sometimes associated with reference tuning, but not here. Musicality with this much detail is just another factor that makes these IEMs incredible to listen to. As far as timbre goes, well this is a V-shaped IEM after all and I think that may be somewhere that the Legend X doesn't slaughter its competitors. I briefly owned the Phantom and while I much prefer the Legend X based on what suits my style of listening and preference, it was ahead in timbre.
Comparisons: For better or worse (worse if you ask my wife), I have owned a lot of TOTL IEMs throughout the years. For the better, I am able to compare the Legend X to some other popular IEMs that buyers may be considering. Let's dig in!
Rhapsodio Zombie: I think the only thing the Zombie and Legend X have in common is that they're hybrid designs. While both also exude monstrous bass, they do so in a completely different fashion. Where the Legend X is precise, tight, punchy and controlled, the Zombie gives off that analogue, slow, relaxed feeling. If you read my Zombie review, you know that I am a huge fan of the sound and while it's not going to win any awards technically for being a "reference" IEM, it's just good old-fashioned fun to listen to. In some ways, the Legend X feels like a grown-up, more mature version of the Zombie. Bass is actually deeper and harder hitting on the Legend X, but the huge mid-bass on the Zombie makes it sound like the bassier IEM. The mid-bass bleeds into the mids a bit on the Zombie, but that gives the vocals are very warm, lush sound and while they're not forward, they're soft and rounded. The Legend X is technically better here with a more natural timbre, but I love them both for these differences. I would say the treble is less sparkly on the Zombie and overall more relaxed, while the Legend X's treble sparkle is pretty fantastic. Given the different sound signatures of these IEMs, I would nto really declare a winner and just say that if you like a slow, relaxed, "analogue" sound then the Zombie has it. If you listen to a wide genre of music, appreciate monstrous sub-bass that is very controlled (and who doesn't?) with very natural mids and the perfect blend of treble sparkle and extension, then I have to say the Legend X is your trophy here. Well that's not entirely true, in the looks department the Zombie is the trophy
Dita Dream: Even more contrasting than the Zombie is the Dita Dream. I think literally the only similarities here are that they're both freaking expensive and contain a dynamic driver, but you already know that. Starting with the sub-bass, the Dream is praised for a very controlled, tight sub-bass rumble and I agree that it has that. For quantity, though, it's more on the leaner side and the Legend X easily outshines the Dream for me when it comes to my preferred bass representation. While they both reach low, the Legend X seems to just go deeper and deeper and never come across a note that it cannot hit with ease. The Dream is dryer in the mid-bass as well, making it sound cold in comparison. Clarity and detail are extremely high with the Dream, but it is not as enjoyable to listen to for me. Mid-range, the same applies: you have a very natural mid-range with the Legend X and while it is not recessed on the Dream, it is fairly cold and without the "emotion" you get on other IEMs. I'm not trying to say the Dita is losing in any way; it has been tuned this way on purpose and it achieves its excellent technical prowess from that very tuning, but for me I love the way the Legend X sounds with it's musical emphasis. Moving along to the treble, I do actually like the amount of sparkle on the Dream and wish the Legend X just had a tad more than it does. Many will find the Dream to be overly-bright, however, so again this really speaks to personal preference. At the end of the day, the Legend X puts a huge grin on my face every time I listen to it and the Dream only does once in a while.
Earsonics S-EM9: Ah, the S-EM9. I keep coming back to this pair of IEMs. They're older now, they don't have a dynamic driver, the nozzle design is the worst thing since the Ford Pinto and the cable that comes with them is undeserving of a barnyard animal chewing on it. But dang if I don't love them for what they are. Starting with the sub-bass, the Legend X has a much more pronounced rumble. The S-EM9 keeps everything neat, clean, but still has emphasized sub-bass, although it does not reach as deep. The mid-bass is similar in that the sub-bass is the star of the show and nowhere near that presence of the Zombie. The mid-range on the S-EM9 is a bit recessed in comparison to the Legend X, although again the S-EM9 has this clean, musical, but still technical ability. Pop music really shines through the S-EM9 and when you get up to the higher frequencies, I think the S-EM9 shows its magic and takes on the Legend X. I prefer the treble on the S-EM9 (or to any other IEM, bar none, for that matter), but that sub-bass of the Legend X is not only addictive, but it makes me forget any other minor complaints I have. This one is another tough call because they're so different. Someone preferring a U-shaped sound with incredible precision and speed for electronic music will likely prefer the S-EM9, where someone listening to a wide variety of music and craving that massive bass slam will undoubtedly want the Legend X.
Unique Melody Mason II: The Mason II holds a very, very special place in my heart for reasons that have nothing to do with its sound quality. So it's almost not fair here because I will never say a bad word about the Mason, but at the same time it's the only IEM I own that is actually MORE expensive than the Legend X. These prices are silly, folks, just silly. Anyway, the Mason II (not the Mason V2, this is the Japanese version) has 12 balanced armature drivers and no dynamic driver. Bass impact is great on the Mason, but it is tighter and a little leaner than the Legend X. The Legend X, as I have mentioned approximately 6,000 times now, has that insane bass slam and it makes the Mason II sound lighter on the bass in an A/B comparison. The tuning of the Mason II is more realistic, I would say, with an overall signature that just sounds natural from top to bottom. It has a more realistic timbre than the Legend X, but again I will say the Legend X is more fun. Mids are a bit more laid back on the Legend X and slightly more forward on the Mason, but it's not a night/day difference. Treble sparkle for me is actually similar on the two, which is a good thing. The choice comes down to whether or not you prefer a natural but still fun and musical tuning of the Mason, or the havoc that the dual dynamic drivers will undoubtedly wreak on the Legend X. Honestly, and yes I am biased here, if I could only have one pair of IEMs (oh, the horror of that thought), it would probably be the Mason II because it is such a wonderful all-rounder.
Cables, continued: Cables are always an interesting topic and it's sort of a new thing for me to comment on them in a review. I'll do my best here to offer up some meaningful thoughts on which cable(s) pair best with the Legend X and how they affect the sound. Non-cable believers, well, the door is over there...
Stock: The included Ares II with these IEMs is a great cable and one of the best you'll find in the box other than on the Dita Dream. I would also put it up there with the Pandora Dwarf that came with the Zombie as far as build quality and ergonomics. It's soft, supple, VERY comfortable and overall presents a natural and smooth sound on the Legend X. I think this pairing works well and was a smart choice by Empire Ears, but I quickly got tempted to try others as you can imagine.
Effect Audio EOS X Ms: A slightly re-done and more expensive version of the Ares II, I preferred this cable due its transparency, sparkle and natural tone. It has the same ergonomics and great build quality of the Ares II, but has slight internal upgrades and it's a very nice choice. It is, however, discontinued now so get one while you can. I would say that overall the Ares II is an ever-so-slightly warmer cable across the board, but the EOS gives that slight edge in transparency which I always expect of cable upgrades.
Effect Audio Thor Silver II+: I thought this was going to be my go-to pairing as a monstrous IEM surely needs a monstrous, 22awg cable! Well, it might be, depending on the sound you are looking for, but for me it missed the mark a bit. While the transparency and detail of this cable are incredible, it is a very smooth cable that gives the impression of a relaxed sound. For me, I wanted to brighten up the Legend X slightly and I figured any silver cable would do that, but this made things a bit too relaxed. Also, I must mention that similar to Twister's findings, this cable did add quite a bit of sub-bass to the mix and the Legend X already has plenty of that. Cable changes are usually pretty subtle, but in the case of the Thor Silver II+ the difference is pretty noticeable in A/B comparisons. It's not a bad pairing, per se, but for me I wanted a bit more sparkle and I was definitely not asking for more bass.
Effect Audio Leonidas + Thor Silver II: This was my favorite pairing. I have a one-off "bespoke" version of the Leonidas that has two normal wires of Leonidas wires and two Thor Silver II wires. Ergonomics on this are absolutely outstanding and sound quality is among the best I have heard. This cable tightened up that sub-bass and kept everything tight and controlled. Separation and detail is perfect on this cable and unlike the Thor Silver I+, the treble sparkle was still there and even slightly enhanced. The cable just sounded "right" on these IEMs, as if they were made for each other. I am guessing the Leonidas would sound equally good, if not better than this cable.
Triton Audio Cables Triton8 Silver: David over at Triton Audio cables makes some incredible cables that will not hurt your wallet as much as some of the Effect Audio stuff, so I wanted to try one of my personal favorites: the Triton8 pure silver edition. This cable consists of 8 wires of pure silver and high-end Eidolic connectors. This is a very transparent cable, presenting tons of detail and overall a very pleasing sound signature. It has very tight bass impact, along with smooth but detailed highs. I found this pairing to be up there with the best of the other cables I have tried. It certainly looks the part and build quality is fantastic and I could very easily recommend this cable for the Legend X (and I haven't been shy about doing so in the past). If I didn't have the Leonidas + Thor Silver II, the Triton8 would be my preferred choice here.
Final Thoughts: It took me 4,000 words to get here, but I think it's obvious now what I think of these IEMs. I used to think that spending this much money on IEMs really does produce diminishing returns, but the Legend X have done the unthinkable and have made me realize that every once in a while, a game-changer really does come around. I have never heard anything like these IEMs and I remember, clear as day, the first time I put them on and thinking "holy ****!" It was that immediate, that profoundly, that I knew these had risen to another level than what I was used to. For years, IEMs have walked the line of "emphasized" or "controlled" bass, but now you do not have to choose one or the other. The Legend X bring incredible tuning, top of the line hardware and a beautiful package to the table and I applaud what Empire Ears have done. It's so easy to recommend these and heck, you probably don't even need my review in the first place. Just check the several-thousand page thread on Empire Ears and see what people are saying. They have built a cult following and it is through their listening and dedication to their users, their unwillingness to compromise on getting the absolute best sound and building products that can make people grin ear to ear. These are IEMs that you will form a bond, a special relationship with, and you will probably cry like a baby if and when you ever have to take them out of your ears. I don't know about you guys, but I am considering quitting my job, moving to a remote island and I'll just send a child-support check from time to time because seriously, there are not enough hours in the day to listen to these gems.