Cerberus is mythical 3-headed dog, who protect entrance in to Hades underworld. So it seems, that Cerberus is proper beast. Cerberus I’m will write about are not beast at all. More like your loyal dog, which love you and never let you down.
About few months ago my eye was catch by Empire Ears. Name I overlooked for some time and that was huge mistake. In middle of summer during my holiday with family I read as usually what is new in IEM world and Empire Ears appear front of my eyes. From that moment I was wondering and eager to try some IEM from EE line. After some proper research I choose Cerberus III and I placed order.
At this moment you can chose between 8 different models and those are separated further in to custom, universal and universal MTO ( Made to order ) design. Each model have several colour choices from transparent or non transparent hypoallergenic UV acrylic material. Shells are made in 3 different sizes – small is common for Supra, Cerberus, Spartan, medium for Hermes, Athena, large for Apollo and both Zeus models. Each model have own colour range and with MTO you can combine different shells and faceplates as per you personal taste. According to size comparison I add picture with Cerberus and CA Nova side by side.
I did choose conservative Transparent Smoke shell. Delivery was fast and after few days I got chance to unbox legendary Empire Ears box which have no competition between any IEM I ever hold.
Standard content:
When I pulled Cerberus out out of box I was surprised with their size. These are smallest 3 drivers earphones I seen yet. Cerberus have 3 balanced armatures and is equipped with 3-way crossover.
Because I’m usually not using stock cables, I left cable in the box and I connect Cerberus on cable from my inventory – Toxic Silver Poison. Later I tested other cables like Rhapsodio RSD SG2,98 or Rhapsodio Dark Knight, but best sound according to my taste I got with PlusSound Xseries cable Silver + Gold ( type 6 LITZ ). After some tip changes I found Comply foam tips as best for comfort and sound.
Fit of Cerberus is exceptional. Isolation with Comply tips is very good as well.
How Cerberus sound? Very adult on 3 driver earphones. As mythical Cerberus has 3 heads, here you can hear how these barking. Most active is middle one. Mids are clear and give a lot of details. Lows are firm and you will get bass where it belong. It have not level of sub bass as earphones with dynamic drivers, but I never really miss basses in any music genre I listen. Highs are nicely smooth, they are not crispy as you will get from Jupiters for example, but according to me, that is great, because it make sound very pleasant even for longer time listening. Generally is sound nicely balanced with gentle middle accent and soften high end. Details retrieval and instrument separation is exemplary. Soundstage is very decent. At Cerberus price level are these little things one of best choices. There are only two things which need to be mentioned. Shells are very fragile. After few cable changes appears cracks in shells around 2pin terminal. But that is probablyb because I'm clamsy. Second one is, that with some sources will be hiss noticeable. I connect Cerberus with iP6s – no hiss, DX80 very noticeable, Aune M2 dead silent, Cowon PD is quite and my current DAP AK70 is silent. Cerberus are very good with iPhone, Aune M2 or AK70. DX80 is nice except hiss, but FiiO X5ii I found flat and boring.
This is my first attempt to review, so please be gentle with me. Thank you very much you read at this point.
About few months ago my eye was catch by Empire Ears. Name I overlooked for some time and that was huge mistake. In middle of summer during my holiday with family I read as usually what is new in IEM world and Empire Ears appear front of my eyes. From that moment I was wondering and eager to try some IEM from EE line. After some proper research I choose Cerberus III and I placed order.
At this moment you can chose between 8 different models and those are separated further in to custom, universal and universal MTO ( Made to order ) design. Each model have several colour choices from transparent or non transparent hypoallergenic UV acrylic material. Shells are made in 3 different sizes – small is common for Supra, Cerberus, Spartan, medium for Hermes, Athena, large for Apollo and both Zeus models. Each model have own colour range and with MTO you can combine different shells and faceplates as per you personal taste. According to size comparison I add picture with Cerberus and CA Nova side by side.
I did choose conservative Transparent Smoke shell. Delivery was fast and after few days I got chance to unbox legendary Empire Ears box which have no competition between any IEM I ever hold.
Standard content:
- In-Ear Monitor
- Empire Aegis case
- Empire dust bag
- Empire IEM pouch
- Empire cleaning cloth
- Cleaning tool
- Quick Start User Guide
When I pulled Cerberus out out of box I was surprised with their size. These are smallest 3 drivers earphones I seen yet. Cerberus have 3 balanced armatures and is equipped with 3-way crossover.
Because I’m usually not using stock cables, I left cable in the box and I connect Cerberus on cable from my inventory – Toxic Silver Poison. Later I tested other cables like Rhapsodio RSD SG2,98 or Rhapsodio Dark Knight, but best sound according to my taste I got with PlusSound Xseries cable Silver + Gold ( type 6 LITZ ). After some tip changes I found Comply foam tips as best for comfort and sound.
Fit of Cerberus is exceptional. Isolation with Comply tips is very good as well.
How Cerberus sound? Very adult on 3 driver earphones. As mythical Cerberus has 3 heads, here you can hear how these barking. Most active is middle one. Mids are clear and give a lot of details. Lows are firm and you will get bass where it belong. It have not level of sub bass as earphones with dynamic drivers, but I never really miss basses in any music genre I listen. Highs are nicely smooth, they are not crispy as you will get from Jupiters for example, but according to me, that is great, because it make sound very pleasant even for longer time listening. Generally is sound nicely balanced with gentle middle accent and soften high end. Details retrieval and instrument separation is exemplary. Soundstage is very decent. At Cerberus price level are these little things one of best choices. There are only two things which need to be mentioned. Shells are very fragile. After few cable changes appears cracks in shells around 2pin terminal. But that is probablyb because I'm clamsy. Second one is, that with some sources will be hiss noticeable. I connect Cerberus with iP6s – no hiss, DX80 very noticeable, Aune M2 dead silent, Cowon PD is quite and my current DAP AK70 is silent. Cerberus are very good with iPhone, Aune M2 or AK70. DX80 is nice except hiss, but FiiO X5ii I found flat and boring.
This is my first attempt to review, so please be gentle with me. Thank you very much you read at this point.