Compared to Eminent Ears Ruby (Review link)
Ruby is a 1DD+4BA+4EST tribrid and the first IEM released by Eminent Ears, priced at $2300 – roughly a kilo-buck higher than Sapphire. Overall, Sapphire is more low-mid centric and emphasizes more musicality and depth, whereas Ruby desires a brighter and more expansive sound that opens towards the upper headroom.
Sapphire has a warmer, smoother, and darker sound. Vocals are thicker, warmer, and bulked-up in body, with prominently boosted sub-bass quantity – but still not overwhelming. While Ruby’s sub-bass quantity was more equivalent to a slightly v-shaped sound, Sapphire’s sub-bass quantity is similar to those that are V-shaped. Despite the boosted bass, Eminent Ears has well-controlled the bass so the mid-range isn’t recessed – though the vocals are less penetrative and technical.
Meanwhile, Ruby is higher in overall resolution throughout the spectrum, with better high and ultra-high extension and sharpness. But as you’d expect, this also leads to the listening comfort – Sapphire shares a lot of characteristics of Ruby but is smoother and further-polished for easier listening. While Ruby was a bit genre/track-dependent, Sapphire easily handles all sorts of genres. Another thing that I’ve noticed is that the ‘focal point’ of the sound (or the ‘center’ of sound) is different between these two. Ruby’s focal point is placed right in the middle, while Sapphire is shifted a bit lower. This gives a stronger sense of stability, weight, and depth, but is less airy and open-ended than Ruby.
Compared to Jomo Audio Nautilus (Review link)
Nautilus is also known for its rich resonant sound signature, though there are noticeable differences. Nautilus has a brighter sound with amplified mids and highs. The vocals are much closer to the ears with boosted transparency and airiness, providing a generous amount of openness and cooling treble splashes. Bass has liveliness that partially resembles the Sapphire, though not quite as much. Nautilus is overall flatter in bass quantity and sound balance. In comparison, Sapphire is noticeably bassier, warmer, darker, and fatigue-free. Trebles are not as resolving as Nautilus, though the vocals and highs are much more organic in tone.
Nautilus has a bit of metallic sparkle to the upper-mid timbre, yet Sapphire’s timbre for mids and highs is all natural and smooth, sounding more accurate while highlighting the micro details. The bass is an obvious win for Sapphire, providing a much more in-depth, large, and realistic presentation with superior ultra-low extension and layerings. Overall, I’ll give Sapphire a solid win even despite considering the sound signature differences. Well, yet again, I must also mention their rather noticeable differences in release date and price (Nautilus retail price is about 60% of Sapphire).
Feel the Lushness, and Extra Meaty.
Eminent Ears deserves more spotlight, and this thought has only grown now that I’ve experienced Sapphire. It’s definitely an under-appreciated brand that deserves a lot more attention and fame, as Sapphire is surprisingly well-tuned and lush for its price, being easily capable of tackling some much higher-priced flagship IEMs. I’d give Sapphire the nickname of being “the budget-friendlier Unique Melody Amber Pearl”; majorly due to the resemblance Sapphire shows for soundstage and bass perception. The realistic and vast bass vibrations grooving up and down (the abyss-level down in particular) is Sapphire’s greatest charm, and that alone makes Sapphire an incredibly valued flagship IEM option that is currently available.
While the international attention for the brand may be shy for now, Eminent Ears is quickly building a strong user base and fans in its Hong Kong mainland market. Why not consider grabbing the Sapphire while it’s available and perhaps in its most cost-effective status? I bet you’ll be thoroughly impressed with the qualities of these… 😉
