RANKING
47
Rank 47 out of 52 Summarized in this category
Rankings based on:
• Pros-to-cons ratio
• Number of reviews
• Category average
Empire Ears
Bravado
around $1600
i
All prices are estimates and may vary from actual prices.
Image source:
63 Pros
59%
7 reviews (1h 17m)
43 Cons
Experience a sound that is unapologetically powerful with the Empire Ears Bravado. Crafted for the listener who craves a visceral, bass-forward signature, the Bravado makes its intentions clear from the start. The premium unboxing experience reveals a suite of high-quality accessories, including a robust aluminum case, a detachable Effect Audio cab...
47%
25 vs 28
Sound Quality
73%
8 vs 3
Comfort
75%
9 vs 3
Build Quality
69%
9 vs 4
Value for Money
73%
8 vs 3
Design
Reviewer verdict
Across 7 YouTube reviews, the Empire Ears Bravado earns a Summa score of 3.4/5, ranking #47 among Wired Earbuds. Reviewers most often praise its sound quality, value for money, build quality, while the most common criticisms concern sound quality, value for money.
The Bravado earns consistent praise for its sound quality, with 25 mentions highlighting detailed mids and treble, strong technical performance, and powerful, textured bass that many reviewers called exceptional. Multiple reviewers noted its efficient sensitivity and ability to scale with better sources, and several comments praised the rich build and premium presentation, including high‑quality detachable Effect Audio cables and a robust aluminum case. Comfort, fit, and included tip selection were noted by several reviewers as positive, and value/accessory extras (adapters, customizable case, and premium unboxing) were mentioned by a smaller but recurring group. Overall, most reviewers admired the Bravado’s exciting, revealing sound and high-end build across multiple independent reviews.
Criticisms are concentrated on sound tuning and balance, with 28 mentions describing overly bassy, thick or uncontrolled low end that masks detail and produces time‑domain inconsistencies, midrange thinness or recession for vocals, and occasional upper‑treble grain or harshness. Several reviewers felt the tuning made the IEMs niche or unrealistic rather than refined, and a few raised concerns about extreme sensitivity/very low impedance creating potential driving or heating issues. Smaller but repeated complaints included fit or comfort issues for some ear shapes, cable memory/kinking problems, and a bulky case or hard‑to‑distinguish cable colors.
Analysis based on 7 YouTube reviews (1h 17m of video) with 63 pros and 43 cons extracted.
Pros (63)
Sound Quality (25)
- Bravado mk2 is a very good set with a premium four driver setup including a custom made dynamic woofer, balanced armature for mids, and two EST drivers for highs and ultra highs. ▶ EMPIRE EARS BRAVADO MKII, ESR MKII and VALKYRIE MKII Debuts @ 0:24
- The Bravado mk2 has a frequency response up to 500 kilohertz and a decibel output of 99, indicating high sensitivity. ▶ EMPIRE EARS BRAVADO MKII, ESR MKII and VALKYRIE MKII Debuts @ 1:33
- The bass on both is exceptional; the Odin's bass is better controlled and detailed. ▶ Empire Ears Odin & Hero - WOWZA, Pretty, Pricey, Worthy!? @ 11:09
- The Odin's dual subwoofers provide exceptionally controlled, detailed, and clear bass. ▶ Empire Ears Odin & Hero - WOWZA, Pretty, Pricey, Worthy!? @ 11:25
- Both IEMs do a very good job with detail and clarity in the mids. ▶ Empire Ears Odin & Hero - WOWZA, Pretty, Pricey, Worthy!? @ 12:29
- The Odin's treble is more controlled and airy with a good energetic and sparkly presentation. ▶ Empire Ears Odin & Hero - WOWZA, Pretty, Pricey, Worthy!? @ 13:28
- Both IEMs have pleasing soundstage width and good depth and layering with a good image. ▶ Empire Ears Odin & Hero - WOWZA, Pretty, Pricey, Worthy!? @ 13:56
- The Spectra X from Nextdrive was the favorite pairing, adding a slight warm touch and good control. ▶ Empire Ears Odin & Hero - WOWZA, Pretty, Pricey, Worthy!? @ 17:40
- The Empire Ears Bravado is a hybrid with one balanced armature for mids and highs and one dynamic driver for lows. ▶ Empire Ears Analysis Part 1 @ 0:17
- They focus on audio quality rather than bells and whistles, providing excellent sound. ▶ DROP + Empire Ears Zeus IEM Review - YES! @ 1:31
- Very efficient in volume output, pulling out 40-50% more volume than AKG wired buds. ▶ DROP + Empire Ears Zeus IEM Review - YES! @ 3:43
- Contains 14 drivers per earbud, delivering incredible detail and sound quality. ▶ DROP + Empire Ears Zeus IEM Review - YES! @ 4:20
- Technical performance is off the charts with excellent detail retrieval, speed, and texturing. ▶ DROP + Empire Ears Zeus IEM Review - YES! @ 5:50
- Low end hits hard and fast, mid-range is detailed and impressive, highs are smooth and slightly forward. ▶ DROP + Empire Ears Zeus IEM Review - YES! @ 6:00
- Despite being closed-back with a smaller soundstage, the imaging, layering, and detail make the soundstage feel spacious and well presented. ▶ DROP + Empire Ears Zeus IEM Review - YES! @ 7:43
- Extremely revealing to the point of absurdity, able to detect issues in audio gear that other headphones cannot. ▶ DROP + Empire Ears Zeus IEM Review - YES! @ 8:53
- Better than most headphones the reviewer has heard, with only a few more expensive models surpassing them. ▶ DROP + Empire Ears Zeus IEM Review - YES! @ 10:58
- Not amp dependent to sound good but scales well with better quality sources. ▶ DROP + Empire Ears Zeus IEM Review - YES! @ 11:21
- Valkyrie has a powerful sub-bass emphasis with ridiculous decay, outperforming Sony Z1R in this respect. ▶ Empire Ears Valkyrie & Wraith Review: Defying Expectations @ 2:44
- Valkyrie offers superb rumble, slam, and texture in bass, great for bass heads. ▶ Empire Ears Valkyrie & Wraith Review: Defying Expectations @ 3:25
- Valkyrie highs exist and are impressive due to the electrostatic drivers, which are difficult to implement well. ▶ Empire Ears Valkyrie & Wraith Review: Defying Expectations @ 4:02
- Valkyrie has an energetic warm presentation with a warm coloration to timbre and faster transient speed (except bass). ▶ Empire Ears Valkyrie & Wraith Review: Defying Expectations @ 4:20
- Valkyrie holds its own technically and tonally despite not beating established giants like the ZOEN R or U12T. ▶ Empire Ears Valkyrie & Wraith Review: Defying Expectations @ 4:35
- Valkyrie is a fun, niche IEM for those who want an exciting, edge-of-seat listening experience. ▶ Empire Ears Valkyrie & Wraith Review: Defying Expectations @ 4:48
- Well done upper mids and treble naturally and decently extending ▶ EMPIRE EARS ODIN!! Is the hype real?? + Legend X, Hero, ESR @ 9:18
Value for Money (9)
- Empire Ears bravado has a very premium unboxing experience, consistent with Empire Ears' reputation. ▶ Empire Ears Bravado & Empire Studio Reference (ESR) unboxing @ 3:39
- The product comes with a customizable hard case with signature engraving options. ▶ Empire Ears Bravado & Empire Studio Reference (ESR) unboxing @ 2:04
- Includes premium accessories such as a branded cleaning cloth, carrying pouch, and quick start guide. ▶ Empire Ears Bravado & Empire Studio Reference (ESR) unboxing @ 1:32
- The Odin has a more spectacular spec list and is the more expensive model. ▶ Empire Ears Odin & Hero - WOWZA, Pretty, Pricey, Worthy!? @ 2:29
- The Zeus are a version of the original Zeus 14 but about half the price, making them more accessible. ▶ DROP + Empire Ears Zeus IEM Review - YES! @ 1:04
- A great alternative to expensive headphones costing two to four thousand dollars. ▶ DROP + Empire Ears Zeus IEM Review - YES! @ 12:21
- Drop offers a $250 discount making them more affordable for the target demographic. ▶ DROP + Empire Ears Zeus IEM Review - YES! @ 13:15
- The company offers customization options for the cable and case, allowing personalized designs. ▶ Empire Ears Bravado & Empire Studio Reference (ESR) unboxing @ 2:59
- The package includes adapters for different balanced connections (1.5mm to 4.4mm and 1.5mm to 3.5mm), enhancing compatibility. ▶ Empire Ears Bravado & Empire Studio Reference (ESR) unboxing @ 6:00
Build Quality (9)
- Empire Ears products are premium and high quality, reflected in the technical specifications like a four-way crossover network and advanced technologies such as EIV EC and anti-resonant compound. ▶ EMPIRE EARS BRAVADO MKII, ESR MKII and VALKYRIE MKII Debuts @ 1:20
- Both the Hero and Odin have really good technology inside them. ▶ Empire Ears Odin & Hero - WOWZA, Pretty, Pricey, Worthy!? @ 2:26
- The carrying case is very well built, made of aluminum, and feels high quality. ▶ Empire Ears Odin & Hero - WOWZA, Pretty, Pricey, Worthy!? @ 4:07
- Both IEMs feel top notch and justify their price tag in build quality. ▶ Empire Ears Odin & Hero - WOWZA, Pretty, Pricey, Worthy!? @ 10:26
- The cables are detachable and from Effect Audio. ▶ Empire Ears Analysis Part 1 @ 6:10
- Empire Ears nailed the presentation and accessories, including very nice, high-quality cables and robust cases that inspire confidence. ▶ Empire Ears Valkyrie & Wraith Review: Defying Expectations @ 0:22
- The included Effect Audio Cleopatra cable with the Wraith and another expensive cable with the Valkyrie are very pretty and high quality. ▶ Empire Ears Valkyrie & Wraith Review: Defying Expectations @ 0:29
- Empire Ears shows excellent build quality, ahead of many other IEMs, comparable to the best domestic manufacturers. ▶ Empire Ears Valkyrie & Wraith Review: Defying Expectations @ 2:19
- The cable included is an Effect Audio Aries 2 cable, which is high quality and customizable. ▶ Empire Ears Bravado & Empire Studio Reference (ESR) unboxing @ 2:35
Design (8)
- The unboxing experience is simple but elegant and enjoyable. ▶ Empire Ears Odin & Hero - WOWZA, Pretty, Pricey, Worthy!? @ 5:00
- The Odin build is really nice, gorgeous to look at with a sparkling shimmer in the light. ▶ Empire Ears Odin & Hero - WOWZA, Pretty, Pricey, Worthy!? @ 6:13
- The Hero is also very well built with a nice marbly look and attractive design. ▶ Empire Ears Odin & Hero - WOWZA, Pretty, Pricey, Worthy!? @ 8:18
- Includes a cleaning utensil with a brush and a scoop to carefully clean earwax from the earpieces. ▶ Empire Ears Analysis Part 1 @ 6:54
- Comes with a Quick Start Guide that shows how to wear, care for, and listen responsibly with the earphones. ▶ Empire Ears Analysis Part 1 @ 7:54
- Includes a cloth to wipe the earphones and a soft bag with Empire branding for storage. ▶ Empire Ears Analysis Part 1 @ 9:37
- The design looks good with a chrome Empire Ears logo and translucent blue housing. ▶ DROP + Empire Ears Zeus IEM Review - YES! @ 1:51
- The Valkyrie has fantastic artwork and small details, showing artistic vision and execution. ▶ Empire Ears Valkyrie & Wraith Review: Defying Expectations @ 2:03
Comfort (8)
- The Odin is very comfortable to wear for several hours despite its size. ▶ Empire Ears Odin & Hero - WOWZA, Pretty, Pricey, Worthy!? @ 6:43
- The nozzles on the Odin are quite small and the Final Type E-tips fit perfectly. ▶ Empire Ears Odin & Hero - WOWZA, Pretty, Pricey, Worthy!? @ 6:55
- Neither IEM frustrated or annoyed the reviewer to the point of not wanting to listen to them. ▶ Empire Ears Odin & Hero - WOWZA, Pretty, Pricey, Worthy!? @ 18:28
- Comes with their own ear tips and a set of Final Audio Type II ear tips, which fit easily and are easy to adjust. ▶ Empire Ears Analysis Part 1 @ 3:00
- The design is similar to the ESR but the Bravado is smaller, preferred for fit by the reviewer. ▶ Empire Ears Analysis Part 1 @ 3:39
- Both earphones are excellent, but the Bravado is preferred for fit, especially for smaller ear canals. ▶ Empire Ears Analysis Part 1 @ 4:34
- Comes with a hard carrying case and five sets of different sized ear tips for a good fit. ▶ DROP + Empire Ears Zeus IEM Review - YES! @ 2:28
- Final Type E silicon ear tips included are very nice quality with a metal plate holder. ▶ Empire Ears Valkyrie & Wraith Review: Defying Expectations @ 1:12
Connectivity (4)
- Both are easy to drive and pair well with various gear, including Sony NWA105 Walkman and Pioneer XDP 30R. ▶ Empire Ears Odin & Hero - WOWZA, Pretty, Pricey, Worthy!? @ 16:14
- It comes with a 4.4 millimeter adapter compatible with several digital audio players. ▶ Empire Ears Analysis Part 1 @ 0:53
- It is compatible with 2.5 millimeter balanced auxiliary cables. ▶ Empire Ears Analysis Part 1 @ 1:43
- The connection is terminated with a 1.5 millimeter balanced connection, suitable for high-end audio devices. ▶ Empire Ears Bravado & Empire Studio Reference (ESR) unboxing @ 3:50
Cons (43)
Sound Quality (28)
- Valkyrie throws tonal balance out the window, making it a niche product. ▶ Empire Ears Valkyrie & Wraith Review: Defying Expectations @ 4:48
- Wraith sound signature is dark neutral but has many sonic flaws making it not just boring but disappointing. ▶ Empire Ears Valkyrie & Wraith Review: Defying Expectations @ 6:07
- Wraith bass is one-note, lacks authority and slam, making EDM and pop sound disappointing. ▶ Empire Ears Valkyrie & Wraith Review: Defying Expectations @ 6:28
- Wraith mid-range sounds muffled and closed in, like someone talking through a wall. ▶ Empire Ears Valkyrie & Wraith Review: Defying Expectations @ 6:47
- Wraith highs are basically non-existent on portable sources, sounding inverted and taming even difficult tracks. ▶ Empire Ears Valkyrie & Wraith Review: Defying Expectations @ 7:04
- Wraith is slow technically despite having seven balanced armatures, slower than the Valkyrie. ▶ Empire Ears Valkyrie & Wraith Review: Defying Expectations @ 7:35
- Wraith sounds closed in and horrible even to listeners with no IEM experience. ▶ Empire Ears Valkyrie & Wraith Review: Defying Expectations @ 7:57
- Wraith sounds like garbage compared to many cheaper IEMs. ▶ Empire Ears Valkyrie & Wraith Review: Defying Expectations @ 8:10
- Wraith feels like a rushed product with many drivers crammed in without proper tuning, possibly due to industry pressure. ▶ Empire Ears Valkyrie & Wraith Review: Defying Expectations @ 9:06
- The Bravado mk2 has an ultra low impedance of 4 ohms which makes it extremely sensitive and potentially problematic to drive with regular or powerful amps, leading to possible heating issues. ▶ EMPIRE EARS BRAVADO MKII, ESR MKII and VALKYRIE MKII Debuts @ 1:50
- The reviewer personally dislikes ultra sensitive IEMs with very low impedance like the Bravado mk2 due to these driving and heating concerns. ▶ EMPIRE EARS BRAVADO MKII, ESR MKII and VALKYRIE MKII Debuts @ 2:00
- Both IEMs have recessed mids that are too forward and prominent, making them less realistic sounding. ▶ Empire Ears Odin & Hero - WOWZA, Pretty, Pricey, Worthy!? @ 11:56
- The treble on both is aggressive, hot, sibilant at times, and harsh, with the Hero being worse in this regard. ▶ Empire Ears Odin & Hero - WOWZA, Pretty, Pricey, Worthy!? @ 12:49
- The Hero sounds domineering and overly aggressive in the room, making its presence known too forcefully. ▶ Empire Ears Odin & Hero - WOWZA, Pretty, Pricey, Worthy!? @ 12:59
- Both IEMs have some graininess and harshness in the upper treble region, which can be grating. ▶ Empire Ears Odin & Hero - WOWZA, Pretty, Pricey, Worthy!? @ 13:43
- Neither IEM has a massive soundstage; they are average or slightly above average in width but lack wow factor. ▶ Empire Ears Odin & Hero - WOWZA, Pretty, Pricey, Worthy!? @ 13:56
- The Hero sounds bombastic and fun but lacks refinement and detail clarity in the bass. ▶ Empire Ears Odin & Hero - WOWZA, Pretty, Pricey, Worthy!? @ 11:42
- The Hero is too much in your face and lacks realistic tendencies in the mids. ▶ Empire Ears Odin & Hero - WOWZA, Pretty, Pricey, Worthy!? @ 12:22
- Both IEMs try too hard to sound correct but are boosted in the wrong spots, missing the mark on realism. ▶ Empire Ears Odin & Hero - WOWZA, Pretty, Pricey, Worthy!? @ 15:24
- Soundstage is not the widest due to closed-back design, which might be a downside for some. ▶ DROP + Empire Ears Zeus IEM Review - YES! @ 7:47
- Valkyrie bass attack isn't as clean and the subwoofer speed is slower than the rest of the IEM, causing time domain inconsistency. ▶ Empire Ears Valkyrie & Wraith Review: Defying Expectations @ 3:00
- Valkyrie mid-range is thin, especially male vocals and country music, with an unnatural tonality. ▶ Empire Ears Valkyrie & Wraith Review: Defying Expectations @ 3:30
- Valkyrie soundstage is more intimate and resolution is just average for the price. ▶ Empire Ears Valkyrie & Wraith Review: Defying Expectations @ 4:24
- Overpowering bass that puts everything else in the backseat, vocals and instruments feel way behind the bass ▶ EMPIRE EARS ODIN!! Is the hype real?? + Legend X, Hero, ESR @ 9:34
- Extremely bassy tuning similar to mainstream headphones like Beats by Dre and Sony, which overpowers the rest of the range ▶ EMPIRE EARS ODIN!! Is the hype real?? + Legend X, Hero, ESR @ 9:43
- Not well tuned, lacking resolution and details ▶ EMPIRE EARS ODIN!! Is the hype real?? + Legend X, Hero, ESR @ 10:00
- Mostly bass from sub bass, mid bass to lower mids, sacrificing resolution and detail ▶ EMPIRE EARS ODIN!! Is the hype real?? + Legend X, Hero, ESR @ 10:08
- Probably the worst Empire Ears IEM tried by the reviewer, strongly not recommended ▶ EMPIRE EARS ODIN!! Is the hype real?? + Legend X, Hero, ESR @ 10:23
Value for Money (4)
- Empire Ears products including the Bravado mk2 are expensive, so buyers should be prepared for a high price point. ▶ EMPIRE EARS BRAVADO MKII, ESR MKII and VALKYRIE MKII Debuts @ 0:55
- The reviewer feels the Odin does not justify its $3400 price tag due to some harshness and sibilance issues. ▶ Empire Ears Odin & Hero - WOWZA, Pretty, Pricey, Worthy!? @ 14:49
- The starting price is quite high: $599.99 for universal and $699.99 for custom version. ▶ Empire Ears Analysis Part 1 @ 0:37
- The expensive cables included may not be worth it from a functional aspect. ▶ Empire Ears Valkyrie & Wraith Review: Defying Expectations @ 0:41
Build Quality (3)
- The Odin's cable, while beautiful and well-built, twists, tangles, and retains kinks, making it unpleasant to use. ▶ Empire Ears Odin & Hero - WOWZA, Pretty, Pricey, Worthy!? @ 7:36
- Driver flex is present, a common symptom of dynamic drivers, causing a clicking sound when touched. ▶ Empire Ears Analysis Part 1 @ 4:54
- The Effect Audio cables have a memory wire issue, causing annoying coiling and stiffness. ▶ Empire Ears Analysis Part 1 @ 6:17
Comfort (3)
- Third-party tips do not work well with the Odin; only Final Type E-tips fit properly and sound correct. ▶ Empire Ears Odin & Hero - WOWZA, Pretty, Pricey, Worthy!? @ 7:15
- The Hero is not quite as comfortable as the Odin and causes discomfort after about an hour of use. ▶ Empire Ears Odin & Hero - WOWZA, Pretty, Pricey, Worthy!? @ 9:55
- Ear hooks and size of the buds may cause discomfort or pain depending on ear shape and positioning. ▶ DROP + Empire Ears Zeus IEM Review - YES! @ 3:22
Design (3)
- The carrying case is a bit large due to the size of the buds and cable. ▶ DROP + Empire Ears Zeus IEM Review - YES! @ 2:38
- The cable color is solid black for both the Bravado and ESR models, making it difficult to distinguish between the two. ▶ Empire Ears Bravado & Empire Studio Reference (ESR) unboxing @ 5:05
- The reviewer wishes for different cable colors to easily discern between the Bravado and ESR models. ▶ Empire Ears Bravado & Empire Studio Reference (ESR) unboxing @ 5:07
Connectivity (1)
- Wraith requires a high-powered desktop source to get any treble, which defeats the purpose of portability. ▶ Empire Ears Valkyrie & Wraith Review: Defying Expectations @ 8:21
Durability (1)
- The housing is plastic and may not survive drops, requiring careful handling. ▶ DROP + Empire Ears Zeus IEM Review - YES! @ 2:08
Review sources
- Empire Ears Odin & Hero - WOWZA, Pretty, Pricey, Worthy!? by the Honest Audiophile — 17 pros, 12 cons
- Empire Ears Valkyrie & Wraith Review: Defying Expectations 11 pros, 14 cons
- DROP + Empire Ears Zeus IEM Review - YES! by Gus Gonzalez — 14 pros, 4 cons
- Empire Ears Analysis Part 1 10 pros, 3 cons
- Empire Ears Bravado & Empire Studio Reference (ESR) unboxing by Army-Firedawg — 7 pros, 2 cons
- EMPIRE EARS BRAVADO MKII, ESR MKII and VALKYRIE MKII Debuts as the company's premium Earphones by AV Atmos — 3 pros, 3 cons
- EMPIRE EARS ODIN!! Is the hype real?? + Legend X, Hero, ESR MKII & More by Gizaudio — 1 pros, 5 cons
Frequently asked questions
Is the Empire Ears Bravado worth buying?
Based on 7 independent YouTube reviews, the Empire Ears Bravado scores 3.4/5 with 63 positive and 43 negative points mentioned by reviewers, placing it #47 in the Wired Earbuds category.
What do reviewers like most about the Empire Ears Bravado?
The most praised aspects are sound quality, value for money, build quality — Sound Quality (25 mentions), Value for Money (9 mentions), Build Quality (9 mentions).
What are the most common complaints about the Empire Ears Bravado?
Reviewers most frequently criticize sound quality, value for money — Sound Quality (28 mentions), Value for Money (4 mentions).
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