Volk Audio Etoile - A Legacy Lives On

4.5⭐️

+ Slightly warm, unique, and fatigue-free U-shaped tuning makes for a great all-rounder

+ Visceral and realistic bass with great weight and impact

+ Natural, engaging, and forward vocals

+ Inoffensive yet detailed treble that brings just the right amount of energy and air

+ Impressive technicalities including detail retrieval, imaging, and layering

+ Premium design and faceplate materials add a luxurious touch

- Mild driver flex

- Note weight in the upper mids/lower treble could be a little thicker

- Dynamics could be further improved

- Large shell and nozzle sizes may cause fit issues for some; not the most comfortable for long sessions

- Underwhelming build quality 

thaslaya's star rating system:

☆☆☆☆☆ - Fantastic!

☆☆☆☆ - Recommended

☆☆☆ - There are buyers but not for me

☆☆ - Can't see the appeal

☆ - Product is a failure

Disclaimer: 

This product was provided to me for a tour period through the Audio Rush Discord channel. I received no compensation, and all thoughts and opinions are my own. A special thanks to @enigmafotos and @makeitwain for coordinating the tour and Jack Vang from Volk Audio for supplying the IEM.

Non-affiliate link for those interested:

https://www.volk-audio.com/etoile

Gear used: 

●Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra

●Various DAC/amps

Source:

●Listening was done using Amazon Music HD/Ultra HD and local FLAC files. 

Introduction: 

Volk Audio is a new player in the high-end audio scene. The founder, Jack Vang, cut his teeth as one of the founders and head tuners at Empire Ears, and he's now bringing that experience to his own solo venture. The first release from Volk Audio is the Etoile, a ten-driver quadbrid utilizing a single dynamic, four balanced armature, four electrostatic, and one magnetostatic driver. This new IEM was also tuned in collaboration with Michael Graves, a five-time GRAMMY Award-winning engineer. Unfortunately, news broke recently that Empire Ears has shuttered its doors for good. So this begs the question: Can Jack's tuning legacy live on and reach new heights through Volk Audio? Well, let's break down the Etoile and see how it performs.

Build, fit, ergonomics:

As this was a tour unit and didn't include the retail box or all of the accessories, I can't speak to the unboxing experience. What I received for evaluation were the IEMs, the stock cable, and the case. First, let's talk about the shells. I was a little surprised by just how large they were when I first took them out of the case. The pictures I've seen online definitely don't do their size justice. The shells are made of resin, and unfortunately, they don't feel very premium for the $4k price tag. The good news is that they are incredibly lightweight, though I won't dare say they disappear in the ear (they're much too large for that). The faceplates feature a 24K gold-plated frame paired with Italian-sourced midnight Saffiano leather. Though it's not really my personal style, I do appreciate the upscale and luxurious design. The nozzles, also made of resin, are quite large as well. They have a fairly deep insertion and measure 6.7mm at the widest point of the lip. There are three vent holes located behind the flat 2-pin connection and another three further down the shell. Despite the vented design, there can be a bit of pressure buildup, but it's not nearly as bad as some unvented IEMs I've tested. As far as fit goes, I can see the larger shells and nozzle size causing issues for some. Personally, they fit me well enough to get a good seal, but I do experience some fatigue over time, which makes them less than ideal for long-term listening. There is also some mild driver flex upon insertion, but it's definitely not the worst offender I've come across. It doesn't affect the overall sound, but it's worth noting. The Etoile's 2W stock cable is quite an amalgamation of materials. It's made of solid-core 5N OCC silver, solid-core 4N silver, silver-plated over 6N OCC copper, gold-plated over 4N silver, and palladium-plated over 4N silver. It's a soft and pliable cable, and the design and hardware accents match the faceplates very well. It's one of the better stock cables I've seen with a multi-kilobuck IEM, and I have no complaints about it. However, I did do a bit of cable rolling, and I personally preferred to pair the Etoile with the pure silver Lavricables Master Line cable. I found that this one brings out just a bit better separation and detail for me. I didn't receive any of the stock tips with the tour kit, so I opted for my own Final Type E tips for the best comfort and seal. The case, like the faceplate, has a very luxurious feel. It's square-shaped, a little bigger than average, and it's made of high-grade leather. It's not the most pocketable, but it should easily fit in a small bag for easy portability. The only other accessory of note is a branded leather cable tie, which is also of great quality. Overall, the accessories I received look and feel fantastic and are befitting an IEM of this cost. While the shells are very lightweight and have a luxurious black and gold design, the size is quite large, and the resin build quality is a bit underwhelming.

Sound impressions:

The Etoile's overall tuning is a little hard to describe, as it doesn't really adhere to any traditional target, at least not to my ears. The best interpretation I can give is that it has a more linear U-shaped tuning with elevated sub-bass, an early pinna gain rise into a flattened upper midrange, and treble that subtly rolls off. I think the real key in this tuning execution is the balance. Each section of the frequency response blends and connects in a way that allows every piece to shine and complement each other, with nothing left out of place. The Etoile can get to high volumes with a simple dongle, but it really scales well with some power, as most IEMs with ESTs tend to do. The note weight falls just on the thinner side of average, and though I typically prefer a slightly thicker presentation, the Etoile has a certain naturalness to it that I really like. The detail retrieval is definitely one of its biggest draws. The caliber of resolution and nuance on display is exactly what I expect from an IEM at this price point. But it also has a certain musicality to it that keeps it from coming off as analytical or sterile. The soundstage isn't the absolute most expansive, but it's still very good. The width and height are impressive, and it paints a nice holographic picture while making great use of the space. If I'm being picky, I might ask for a touch more depth. The timbre is another great aspect of the technical performance. Instruments and vocals alike sound very natural and organic. The imaging also impresses with pinpoint accuracy in all directions. The separation and layering might be my favorite aspect of the technicalities. It's rare to come across an IEM that is able to pull off this level of cohesiveness between the two. Each area of the frequency response is allowed its own space, yet they all coalesce into one grand complementary presentation. The dynamics may be the one area of technical performance that I can point to as a little underwhelming. To be fair, it does get better at higher volumes, which is how I tend to listen, but at lower levels, it can feel a little too relaxed and lacking. Overall, the Etoile thoroughly impresses from a technical standpoint, and the level of execution sets a high standard in this price range.

There are two main sources that I focused on during my testing: the Questyle Sigma and the Muse HiFi M6 Double. Both actually pair exceptionally well with the Etoile, but each has its strengths and weaknesses. The Questyle Sigma brings out the best in bass resolution and texture, adds more of a sense of depth to the soundstage, and pulls out more detail and nuance in the music. But it sacrifices a bit of musicality to get there; plus, vocals are positioned a little closer to the head. Still, this combination is very technically impressive and makes an absolutely great pairing. Next, I tried going in the opposite direction with the M6 Double's tube mode, which adds more warmth and musicality. Unfortunately, vocals become slightly veiled and less detailed, which I didn't care for. The transistor mode, though it sounds clearer and more concise, still adds a touch of note weight, a better sense of musicality, a grounded and realistic timbre, and a wider and more natural vocal presentation. Honestly, I would be more than happy with either of these pairings, but it's nice that the Etoile shows some adaptability and variability to offer slightly different presentations. For the sake of consistency in this review, my impressions were formed using the M6 Double.

●Lows - The bass of the Etoile is the biggest surprise for me, and hearing it for the first time instantly put a smile on my face. I really didn't expect this level of impact, rumble, and weight, along with top-tier separation, resolution, and naturalness, to be possible outside of the highest summit-fi IEMs. Now you may be saying, "Well, $4k is basically the summit, right?" Nope. Not when there's no shortage of $6k+ IEMs like the Mysticraft Hex and Tet, Subtonic Storm, Traillii Ti, and the price goes even higher (looking at you, Fugaku). Back to the Etoile, the bass is more sub-bass-focused, but there's still a decent level of mid-bass. If I'm being honest, I wouldn't mind more mid-bass, though. Kick drums in some more upbeat rock genres don't quite deliver the oomph I'm looking for, but I wouldn't say it's polite either. At least, it's well separated from the midrange, and there's no bleed to worry about. The speed is good, and there's a natural, if not slightly quicker, decay, but bass notes still linger an appropriate amount of time, and the rumble is very nice. It has a clean texture, but not overly so and it's quite resolving. There's a nice sense of body and weight along with an unexpected viscerality that I really like. It might be one of the closest bass responses to that of speakers that I've heard in an IEM, well, besides the aforementioned Fugaku, but that's over four times the price. Though it's not a basshead tuning, I definitely wouldn't recommend the Etoile to those who are bass-averse. For me, it never dominates the soundscape, but it is definitely north of neutral and may come across as a little too bassy for some. Overall, the bass is mightily impressive. It's equally full-bodied, fun, and technically sound.

●Mids - The Etoile has an interesting and unique midrange presentation that, on paper, has no business sounding as good as it does. There isn't the usual upper midrange pinna gain peak that I've come to expect from so many sets I've heard. Instead, the pinna gain starts early in the lower midrange and nearly plateaus from 1kHz to 4kHz. I didn't think this kind of tuning would work as well as it does, but I'm glad to be proven wrong. It's truly unlike any other IEM, or maybe it's just a much, much better execution of this type of tuning than I've heard before. The first thing that stuck out to me about the midrange is how forward and clear the vocal presentation is, making the Etoile a sort of de facto midrange specialist. But it's never shouty or detracts from the bass and treble. One of the best parts is how both male and female artists are equally well represented, making it quite balanced for virtually any vocal track. The tonality has a slightly warm tilt to it, which I am very drawn to, but vocals also manage to sound very natural and organic. The instrument tonality, timbre, and detail are fantastic and noteworthy. Every instrument, from piano and brass to strings and woodwinds, sounds lifelike and "correct." Overall, the midrange is nearly as impressive as the bass, but it falls just a bit short of that high bar. My very minor gripes are that the lowest portion of the midrange is just a tad underrepresented, and the note weight in the upper midrange is a touch thinner than I prefer, specifically for certain breathy female artists. It never approaches harshness or irritability, but a more grounded presentation would be ideal.

●Highs - The good news is that the treble continues the high-performance streak set by the bass and midrange. In fact, the Etoile is probably one of my favorite implementations of EST drivers that I've heard so far. I'm always a little wary of this particular driver type as I've been sensitive to them in the past, but there are never any odd timbre issues or inherent thinness in the upper echelon of the treble of the Etoile. When consulting the graph, my initial worry was that there would simply be too much emphasis on the treble compared to the midrange, and the Etoile would come off bright and fatiguing. Boy, am I glad to be wrong on that one. In reality, the treble is expertly done. It's very well-balanced and stays present throughout any genre of music, but it's never fatiguing or harsh. The air is also dialed in nearly perfectly, and the extension reaches high enough to capture great detail in the upper treble without becoming a distraction. I will say the treble as a whole is not as sparkly, energetic, or airy as some treble aficionados would like, but the Etoile prioritizes balance first and foremost. Cymbals tend to be ever so slightly splashy, but not in an unnatural way. Perhaps they have a bit more energy than I'm used to hearing, which could be the work of the ESTs. I did notice that snares and claps sound a little crisper, more concise, and natural. There's also no sibilance to worry about, which is always a relief. Overall, the treble as a whole is tuned fantastically. It's energetic, detailed, and crisp while remaining balanced, fatigue-free, and enjoyable. My only real issue here is that the Etoile won't do any favors for tracks with inherently incisive or piercing notes. But can we really blame the transducer for accurately portraying what's inherently in the mix? I think not. 

Comparisons: Credit to Audio Amigo for the graph.

● Letshuoer Cadenza 12 ($2000) - Unfortunately, I don't have many IEMs on hand that are in the Etoile's price range, and it's quite difficult to find a similar-sounding tuning for comparison, so I'll have to make do with just one. Here we have a matchup between the Etoile's 1DD, 4BA, 4EST, and 1MST quadbrid configuration versus the much simpler 1DD, 11BA hybrid of the Cadenza 12. I can't compare all the accessories, but I will say both include a nice case, though the Etoile's cable is much more supple and manageable. The build qualities are very different, as the Cadenza utilizes a solid titanium alloy shell, while the Etoile is made of resin. Obviously, the Cadenza is the heavier of the two, but it's also much smaller in size, and the shape is more ergonomic, which offers an easier fit. Design-wise, I'm not particularly drawn to the shiny, mirrored look of the Cadenza, in part because it's prone to scratches and fingerprints, but it's also kind of boring compared to the Etoile's more luxurious faceplate design. As for the sound, these two have different tuning targets, as evidenced in the graph, but they actually do share some similarities, like a certain level of balance and refinement. The Etoile is more U-shaped with a bigger sub-bass boost, an earlier pinna gain, and a slowly rolled-off treble, while the Cadenza offers a more linear bass, a later pinna gain, and a similarly rolled-off treble. In the bass, the Etoile has better extension, more sub-bass quantity, and an added layer of rumble and reverberation. The Cadenza, though, has more impact, a slightly cleaner texture, and may be a touch more resolving. It also has more mid-bass presence for things like kick drums, but the Etoile's mid-bass dip ensures that the bass is better separated from the mids. Speaking of the midrange, the Etoile puts a bit more focus on vocals, while the Cadenza pulls ahead in instrument tonality and separation. The Etoile has a warmer tilt, and vocals are more emotive, engaging, and natural. The Cadenza has a clean and uncolored midrange presentation, and the upper mids don't showcase the occasional thinness that the Etoile does. It also better represents the lower midrange, which helps add weight and body to instruments. In the treble, the Cadenza comes across a little more energetic and treble-forward, but it also has a slightly thicker note weight, which helps to keep it grounded. The Etoile has a little less sparkle and crispness, but the air and extension are still adequate, and though the detail and texture aren't as obvious, they're still on display for those willing to look. Unfortunately, some "s" and "sh" notes can be a little harsh on certain tracks, whereas the Cadenza handles them with ease. As for technical performance, the Cadenza has better dynamics, note weight, and soundstage depth, while the Etoile has better imaging, detail retrieval, soundstage width, and timbre. This is an interesting comparison because both sets have a common theme of balance, but they go about it with different tuning philosophies. I'd say the Cadenza has a more traditional sound signature, while the Etoile is more unique. For me, this matchup may hinge on the bass and midrange. The Etoile has a deeper and more impactful bass response that really grabs my attention, and the midrange has a touch of warmth which I always enjoy. The Cadenza, though, offers a much sturdier build quality and a more comfortable fit. It's also superbly well-tuned, but there's just something in the Etoile's vocal presentation that helps me better connect with my favorite tracks and performances. It's more emotionally charged, while the Cadenza is cleaner and more revealing. The choice is a difficult one, to be sure, and both sound great across all genres of music; however, the Etoile's added bass and warmer midrange manage to eke out a win by the smallest of margins.

My pick: Etoile

In conclusion:

As the first release from a brand new company, I think Volk knocked it out of the park with the Etoile. It has a unique tuning and character, yet still a certain familiarity that makes it relatable. You can really hear the sheer amount of experience and expertise that both Jack Vang and Michael Graves bring to the table. The bass is fantastically executed. The weight, feel, and impact are truly impressive, and it also has a cleanliness about it without betraying the fun factor. The uniquely tuned midrange has a forward and natural presentation, and the hint of warmth is a great addition. The treble is crisp, clean, and well-extended without any harshness or sibilance. It's definitely one of the better implementations of ESTs that I've heard. But as good as the Etoile is, I do have a few minor gripes. There's a slight thinness in the upper mids and lower treble that can be slightly distracting, and I would welcome more mid-bass to round out the low end. Also, there might be a few wrinkles to iron out in the build quality department, but the overall design and accessories are great. The Etoile makes a great all-rounder and performs admirably across every genre I threw at it. My introduction to Volk Audio via the Etoile has been a thoroughly enjoyable experience. It truly is a unique and fantastically executed tuning that you won't find just anywhere, and I can easily recommend it as a one-and-done for anyone looking for a kilobuck that's equal parts musical and technical. I believe this fledgling company has a bright future ahead, and my hat's off to both Jack and Michael for a promising launch.