Marcus reviews the Volk Audio ÉTOILE, a new high-end quadbrid multi-driver IEM developed in partnership with GRAMMY winner Michael Graves. It is currently priced at $3999.00.
Disclaimer: This sample was sent to me in exchange for my honest opinion. Headfonics is an independent website with no affiliate links or status. I thank Volk Audio for their support.
Click here to read more about the hybrid universal IEMs previously reviewed on Headfonics.
This article follows our latest scoring guidelines, which you can read in more detail here.
You may not have heard of Volk Audio as a brand before, but I am sure most of the audiophile community knows the man behind the business, Jack Vang, formerly of Empire Ears.
Partnering up with GRAMMY winner Michael Graves, the new high-end quadbrid multi-driver ÉTOILE is the first ‘fruit’ of this collaboration and promises to surprise those who think this will be EE part two.
Delivering a smooth, yet weighty sound signature, rich in detail, and so very listenable, the ÉTOILE may well be expensive at $3999, but, combined with a stellar Founder’s Edition packaging and accessory experience, and exceptional passive isolation, I rate it as one of the best IEMs to be launched in 2025.
It’s not alone, though. Four grand is a lot, but it’s becoming an increasingly crowded summit-fi shelf with competitors such as Noble Audio’s Shogun, FIR Audio’s Radon 6, and UM’s still outstanding Multiverse Mentor.
How does the ÉTOILE perform in its own right, what is unique about it, and how does it compete against these IEMs? I will find out in my full review below.
Features
The Volk Audio ÉTOILE is a hybrid 10-driver-per-side universal IEM. The first 350 units come in a special Founder’s Edition box set, which is the sample we have here for review, with more ‘regular’ offerings thereafter.
Inside, the drivers are a mix of dynamic, BA, EST, and magnetostatic using a 6-way custom-engineered crossover. The precise configuration is a proprietary 10mm M10 subwoofer (dynamic) for the lows up to 350Hz and two dual BA driver arrays for the mids from 350Hz to 8kHz.
One of which dual BA arrays has a dual diaphragm designed to enhance the midrange body and tonal weight of instrument and vocal notes. The second is a single diaphragm, more focused on producing clarity in the upper-mids and lower-treble.
The highs and ultra-highs are composed of a quad array of EST drivers, spanning 8kHz to 45kHz, with an overlapping 8mm M8 Magnetostatic tweeter featuring a planar diaphragm, ensuring the upper treble has a more natural coloration.
The ÉTOILE is rated at just 8Ω for impedance, with an SPL of 110.6dB/mW @ 1kHz, so it’s not the most efficient IEM out there. DAPs in most gain settings and modern dongles on a high-gain setting should drive the ÉTOILE well.
Design
It just had to be bling, it just had to be gold. I somehow felt Jack would end up adorning his IEMs with something opulent.
And here it is with a 24K Gold-Plated 6061-T6 Aluminum ‘fender’ on the ÉTOILE plates, surrounding an Italian-imported Midnight Saffiano Leather insert. This is bold, to some, maybe garish, with the large, embossed logo and product name on the front.
However, that little black leather insert brings me back to when IEM designers were more adventurous with organic materials for faceplate finishing. I think that was around 2018 or 2019. We are currently in a sea of complex resin and metal; organics are now unique.
The main shell is probably less dramatic. It’s a pure black, finished German Dreve medical-grade resin panel with a mild curvature, and punctuated by a triple-bore venting system for the subwoofer at the rear corner.
It features a relatively large form factor with a medium-length penta-bore nozzle exit, accompanied by a subtle lip to keep the stock tips firmly in place. 2-pin 0.78mm flush-mounted sockets are not surprising from a Jack Vang creation.
Comfort & Isolation
Despite the large shell size, the ÉTOILE contours fit my ears perfectly, courtesy of the stock single flange black stem silicone tips (medium size).
They will stick out a little from your ear, but not egregiously so. The more important observation was the secure fit and decent canal penetration combined with excellent passive isolation for a hybrid shell.
Ear Tips
The ÉTOILE also comes with a set of S, M, L Symbio F slow recovery foam tips finished in a dashing orange, which looks cool on the end of the black shell nozzles.
However, foam tips of late have this irritating sensation in my ear canal, similar to a friction sensation, and the additional pressure is noticeable compared to the silicone tips.
I would not say there is no pressure from the silicone tip fitting, but the material is softer in the ear, creating a more relaxed physical sensation.
The Symbio F tips will be for those who want maximum isolation and a bit more density and volume to the ÉTOILE’s low-end response.
Personally, I prefer the slightly less claustrophobic sound of the silicone tips. They provide slightly more air and a more balanced low-end response.
Stock Cable
The ÉTOILE comes with a bespoke stock cable called the Arc, which is a fairly heavy-duty twisted solid-core offering with a hybrid mix of 5N OCC silver, 4N silver, silver-plated copper, gold-plated silver, and palladium-plated silver.
There is no mention of AWG wire sizing or core count, but I presume it’s low, around 22 or 24AWG for the wiring with a transparent soft and supple PVC jacket that most modern cable makers are using now.
Older PVC jackets were thinner but hardened over time; these new ‘bouncy’ jackets shouldn’t do that.
Microphonics are really low, so you will only ever hear any noise on the cable when rubbing your fingers vigorously over the PVC. Memory retention is nil, and I mean nil. This is one of the better cables for handling.
The finishing on the 4.4mm 6061-T6 aluminum barrels closely matches the theme of the ÉTOILE shells with a harmonious mix of anodized black and 24k gold ring accents, and subtle ‘Volk’ and ‘ÉTOILE’ engravings on the plug and splitter ring, respectively.
The Founder’s Edition version throws in a classy organizer strap made of the same malleable Italian Saffiano leather as the shell inserts, adorned with a branded Volk badge and snap-ons.
Packaging & Accessories
I can’t comment on the regular ÉTOILE packaging since the version sent to me is the limited-run Founder’s Edition.
However, I remember Jack doing a few of these Founder’s versions for EE, and they always came packaged beautifully, so I am not surprised that the ÉTOILE version is accessory-rich and immaculately designed.
It’s a relatively deep box, all in black with branding clean and simple in a Noire 40’s style font. Inside is a jewelry-box style drawer system with prepacked black envelopes on top of each drawer.
Both envelopes have a mix of personal notes from Jack on the Volk Audio vision, combined with some background on the construction of the ÉTOILE’s handmade leather carry case.
The included carry case is stunning and relatively unique, if I might add. No puck-style patina offerings here; this is a mix of wood for the frame, Italian Saffiano black leather outer, and Goya Red Alcantara inner lining.
You might have seen this case a fair few times at various audio shows, and it makes for a heck of a display box for the shells and cable.
Aside from that, you get the additional Italian Saffiano leather organizer strap, some ‘Volk’ pins, decals, a cleaning cloth, and a rather larger black dust bag to throw everything into when not in use.
Click on page 2 below for my sound impressions and recommended pairings.
