Volk Audio - Étoile
Volk Audio is a new earphone brand founded by Jack Vang, formerly of Empire Ears. Although the external design inevitably bears similarities to Empire Ears' products, Étoile distinguishes itself through the involvement of professional engineers in its tuning process.
Michael Graves, notably a five-time Grammy-winning engineer, specializes in mastering and audio restoration. The participation of a Grammy-winning engineer itself serves as a significant promotional point. However, what catches my attention is the shift in sound profile. Empire Ears traditionally did not focus on reference or monitor-type sound profiles, but Étoile explicitly aims for nearfield reference monitoring, using Michael Graves' mastering environment as the standard for tonal accuracy and soundstage.
Additionally, Jack Vang further adjusted the tonal balance based on his personal preferences to achieve a more expansive soundstage. Given these aspects, Étoile clearly departs from the traditional Empire Ears' tuning style. Both myself and other users who attended the listening event agreed that the Étoile's sound tuning demonstrates remarkable balance.
While the sound tuning is distinct, internal specifications clearly reflect that Volk Audio branched from Empire Ears. The earphones utilize multiple drivers and crossover divisions. Although using many drivers is common among various brands, the 6-way crossover design, dividing frequency bands very finely, is a distinct characteristic closely associated with Empire Ears.
Étoile features 10 drivers in total: Four Balanced Armature (BA), four Electrostatic (EST), one 10mm dynamic driver named M10, and one magnetostatic tweeter named M8.
The numerical designations (M10, M8) likely refer to driver diameter. M10 presumably refers to the 10mm dynamic driver responsible for sub-bass. However, I am not entirely sure about the exact operating principle of the magnetostatic driver, claimed to be newly developed by Volk Audio. In summary, sub-bass is handled by the dynamic driver, mids by the BA drivers, highs by the EST drivers, and ultra-high frequencies by the magnetostatic driver. Truly diverse in driver technology.
Based on available information, the magnetostatic driver appears to be a hybrid type between electrostatic (EST) and planar magnetic designs. Personally, I would have liked more details on technical aspects unique to Étoile, such as crossover frequencies and specifics about the M8 tweeter technology, but unfortunately, such information is not currently available.
Impedance is measured at 8.8 ohms at 1kHz, with a sensitivity of approximately 110 dB, indicating relatively low impedance. The nozzle has five separate sound channels, each dedicated to sub-bass, bass, mids, highs, and ultra-high frequencies. This indicates that the Étoile employs precise acoustic tube designs for meticulous balance and phase alignment across frequency ranges.
The earphones feature resin units with faceplates composed of three layers: an inner polymer panel acting as an acoustic panel, an Italian Saffiano leather layer to control sub-bass resonance for tighter bass reproduction, and a 24k gold-plated aluminum alloy frame for overall rigidity and clearer highs.
The cable uses a complex blend of five materials: 5N OCC silver, 4N silver, 6N OCC silver-plated copper, 4N gold-plated silver, and 4N palladium-plated silver. The cable is specifically developed for Étoile and does not indicate third-party collaboration. The PVC insulation is slightly stiff but comfortable for regular use. 24k gold plating on connectors and splitters enhances the luxurious feel.
The cable is detachable, using a 0.78mm 2-pin connector with a standard 4.4mm balanced termination. The connection between the cable and units could have been designed more elegantly; currently, the connector insertion point is visibly basic, rather than seamlessly integrated.
Fit and Comfort
The Étoile fits exceptionally well, providing secure placement and excellent isolation. Despite being moderately sized and having a conventional shape, the earphones remain firmly in place. The cable thickness and shaping further enhance stability, making it generally comfortable for most users.
Some initial diaphragm noise when inserting the earphones was noticed but resolved immediately after fitting.
Sound
Étoile was tested in stock configuration using the Astell&Kern PD10 DAP, set to normal amplifier mode with DAR PCM enabled. A volume level of around 45 was sufficient for most music, while quieter recordings like classical required around 55.
Étoile clearly presents a balanced sound signature with a subtle bass lift. This bass lift seems intended to enhance spatial presentation, giving the overall sound an expansive scale.
However, the bass is not reminiscent of Empire Ears’ previous house style—there’s less quantity but the quality and texture remain intact. Despite the reduced bass weight, the soundstage is still wide with excellent depth, forming a highly three-dimensional space. Many IEMs expand perceived stage size by boosting sub-bass and low frequencies, which can push mids back or lead to a congested tone. Étoile avoids this.
Empire Ears was known for delivering big fun-sounding signatures without compromising other frequencies. In contrast, Étoile isn’t what one would call a fun-tuned IEM—it leans more toward a reference-style tuning, yet maintains a large-scale presentation.
For example, take the recent classical album featuring Lim Yunchan’s performance of Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 3 from the 2022 Van Cliburn International Competition. Though the performance had been widely streamed on YouTube (with over 17 million views), the album was only recently released by Decca. Reviews praise both the CD and LP versions for their recording quality.
The mastering is excellent, and I’ve been testing it with various IEMs. With Étoile, the earphones reproduce orchestral tone and hall ambiance without highlighting any particular instrument excessively.
One notable tonal detail is the sparkle at the tail of piano notes—subtle and shimmering, adding listening interest. In the middle of the first movement, where the piano clashes with the full orchestra, the piano timbre becomes more pronounced, likely a result of elevated bass and bolstered midrange energy. Tonal edges are carefully shaped—mids, shimmering treble, and vivid note outlines lend the sound a refined brilliance.
Rebecca Vasmant’s house-influenced jazz album demonstrates this well. On the track "Becoming," instruments are mixed with varying reverb levels—dead-sounding drums contrast with glittering chime bells that descend from above, creating a lush stage with minimal instrumentation. Vocalist Tara King’s dreamy voice matches the track’s hazy, lounge-like mood—an excellent match for listeners who enjoy ambient or chill genres.
Étoile excels in spatial layering—not just left to right, but also vertically and in depth, making listening more immersive than with most IEMs. Switching from Étoile to other earphones can make other sets feel flat in comparison. While its left-right stage width may not match earphones with strong lateral emphasis, its dimensionality in other directions more than compensates.
Ambiance reproduction is also impressive. Despite vivid note outlines, the earphones maintain a rich blend of direct sound and reverb, elevating the overall sense of sophistication. There’s fullness and weight, yet the sound avoids becoming sluggish—a result of excellent tuning and sonic control.
The balance isn’t just about equal presence across bass, mids, and treble, but how finely each band is crafted and integrated, resulting in a coherent and polished sonic experience. Like fine dining—each element has character, yet they’re blended seamlessly. This is the level of finesse one expects from a high-end flagship.
Listening to Miles Davis’s “So What” highlights this even further. Each instrument—bass, drums, trumpet, saxophone—is vividly rendered. The bass stands out without overwhelming the mix, supporting the horns beautifully. Right-channel drum lines continue throughout the track, and when the tenor sax enters later, the overlapping spatial cues remain clear and untangled—thanks to excellent staging depth and resolution.
I’ve heard this track on many devices, but Étoile ranks among the best for resolving both texture and dimension. The trumpet’s mid to upper-mid range can sound sharp if reproduced thinly, but Étoile’s thicker note body ensures a pleasant, grounded presentation, with reverb intact.
Finally, I tested it with a recent high-impact track: “Lose My Mind,” part of the upcoming F1 movie soundtrack. The track, featuring Doja Cat, has abundant bass and punchy impact despite a moderate tempo. On many IEMs, vocals risk being overwhelmed by bass weight, but with Étoile, both Doja Cat’s rap and the main vocal lines come through clearly, while maintaining the song’s scale.
The entire OST feels energetic—ideal for summer. The second track, “No Room for a Saint,” leans more EDM, with a tighter, faster feel. Track 1 is a hip-hop-influenced electronic piece with longer decay and lush presentation; track 2 is punchy and structured. While both emphasize bass, their approaches differ.
Étoile pairs especially well with track 1—delivering grandeur, scale, and rich mids without overbearing weight. This well-judged mass and tonal depth make Étoile shine across genres. If this tuning were on a speaker, it might feel heavy—but in an IEM, the balance feels luxurious and satisfying
Conclusion
Étoile is, at its core, a balanced IEM—but not in a dry, sterile way. It’s a refined and distinctive sound that blends reference sensibility with engaging flair. Not crisp or clinical—more like a “balanced fun” tuning, paradoxical as that may sound.
The expansive stage, immersive imaging, and careful tonal integration make this a successful tuning. Michael Graves' reference baseline combined with Jack Vang’s personalized tweaks seem to have struck the right chord.
On durability: Because of not a bone-conduction design like previous Empire models, the resin shell appears robust. The earlier issue with Empire's Raven shell seems resolved here. Users currently enjoying Étoile will likely feel it’s worth the price—it certainly delivers on performance.