[lin0003]

Cheers mate, you should give them a try, they are quite unique. 

 

[FullCircle]

  Pure Setting
Wow, I really did not expect to like the PR so much, they really shocked me the first time I listened to them, they far exceeded my expectations. The Pure mode seems a little V shaped but definitely not overly so. The bass is very nice and punchy, being one of the fastest IEMs that I have come across but having some very good impact. I did not find the bass lacking when I listened to the Pure setting. The sub-bass was not as present as I would have liked, but it wasn't too bad, actually, it never bothered me at all. On the graph from Tyll of InnerFidelity, the sub-bass does not really seem like it is that rolled off, only by a little bit. The midrange was my favourite part of the PR, it was a little recessed, but I actually find that to make the presentation more realistic. The vocals were perfect, just the right amount of warmth and clarity as well as being superbly detailed. Pianos were a little bright, but it was not too annoying. The treble was a little bit bright and sibilant, but it was definitely tolerable and did not bother me most of the time. It was detailed and I was actually quite impressed by the clarity that these possess. Overall, the Pure setting is awesome and I really love it, just the pure setting would have justified the $700 price tag for me, but there is another setting that can be changed by just flicking a switch. 
 
Reference Setting
I've read that the reference setting changes the PR into a single BA IEM that has a "Reference" sound. I was a little sceptical of what the switch would mean in terms of sound quality. I understand the concept of changing filters to alter the sound, but I have never seen an IEM that changes the sound by just flicking a switch and I thought that it would degrade the sound. I don;t know if it did, but the PR sounds absolutely fantastic in both settings. The Reference setting is also spectacular, if I didn't that it was only using a single BA, I would definitely not have suspected it. The bass is a little lighter, especially the sub-bass and it is a little less detailed compared to the Pure. The midrange is the same clear midrange of the Pure setting, but it is a hair brighter and sounds much more forward. Th midrange is actually a little better in clarity, but instruments have a little bit of an odd edge to their sound. The treble of the Reference setting seems overall more forward, but it is not as spiky as the Pure setting, which was what making the treble a little sibilant. The treble here is very nice and actually nicer than the Pure IMO. 
 

I had a wonderful time with the Noble PR and I would like to thank Noble Audio and d_marc0 for making this happen. You guys have a made a fantastic product or two lol. 

 
 
Nice comments, and for me, both setting can be addictive

 

[lin0003]

Cheers.

 

[proedros]

how is the PR compared to the FR model ?

 

[White Lotus]

I love the build of Noble IEMs. Always fantastic. 
 
I have these at the moment. Currently writing up my thoughts on them.

 

[Loquah]

  I love the build of Noble IEMs. Always fantastic. 
 
I have these at the moment. Currently writing up my thoughts on them.

 
Yes, I agree. Spending some time with the PRs, even though the overall tuning wasn't to my taste, was the reason I went with Noble for my next customs - their treble tuning is just perfect and the build quality seems exceptional too.

 

[White Lotus]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
A very curious product, one with a fantastic concept behind it.
 
Included accessories are great, more companies need to include stacking bands, even if everyone doesn't use them.
 
Worth mentioning: The "switch" mechanism is solid, clicks well, never falls out of place. It's a good thing, as you wouldn't want this to be flicking back and forth in your ear, especially if you plan on doing exercise with these bad boys.
 
For my personal tastes, both Pure and Reference modes were a little bright for me - but I know I'm fussy. 
 
It's a fantastic concept, and I'd love to see it implemented further. 
 

Originally Posted by d marc0 /img/forum/go_quote.gif
 
I find the PURE configuration perfect for late night low volume listening... detail comes through easily and quite immersive.

 
I agree. I found that PURE was better for quiet listening. 
 
Both modes have fantastic detail retrieval - but as stated before, both are also a little too bright for my tastes.
 
Here is a crazy idea:
 
A Hybrid IEM with a switch, that has 2 x TWFK for mid/highs, BUT:
 
Switch up: enables a third BA for refined, flat, reference bass
Switch down: Unleashes the bass-head fury of a dirty big dynamic thumper.
 
Just a thought.
 
Keep up the great work, Noble!

 

[d marc0]

Fantastic photos @White lotus and I truly agree with your concept! That will be a dream come true...

Thank you for sharing your thoughts.

 

[Loquah]

Fantastic photos @White lotus and I truly agree with your concept! That will be a dream come true...

Thank you for sharing your thoughts.

 
Agree! Top thought on the hybrid implementation in this type of design - that's pure genius!

 

[FullCircle]

Agree! Top thought on the hybrid implementation in this type of design - that's pure genius!

Currently the 5c can be ordered in a 5c + R configuration ( see face book page for photo)

The 5c is not a bass shy ciem

 

[Loquah]

Thanks - I didn't know that. That would be a nice combo.

 

[d marc0]

The Noble PR has been my "sleeping partner" for a couple of months now and I've grown to love these even more. I've finally mastered setting the right amount of volume for both Pure and Reference settings. Patience is the key and the rewards are overwhelming. I truly understand why some reviewers didn't conform to the Noble PR signature because we all have different listening styles. Personally I've learned to adjust my listening methods to conform to each and every headphone I listen to. In line with the conclusion of my review, I firmly believe that these reference monitors are meant for low volume listening in a dead quiet environment. Under these conditions, I've been overwhelmed by clarity and detail never before experienced in any other IEMs I've listened to. 
 
Recently I've come across an excellent combo for a portable rig. This is what I've posted in the Noble 4 thread:
 
 

  Hello Noble 4 owners!
 
Just want to share my recent discovery... 
 
There's an excellent synergy in this new found combo I got:
 

 
The Fiio E11k capitalises on the wide soundstage, clarity, and detail of the Colorfly C3 and adds a bit of smoothness in the highs and depth in the lows. The Noble 4 normally sounds a bit too analytical when paired directly with the Colorfly C3. This combo takes the Noble 4 to the musical side of things without compromising the detail and clarity that we always love. Turn on the bass boost and BAAAM! It's a whole new level of musical enjoyment. Metal heads rejoice! Heavy metal sounds killer with this combo. But wait there's more! Throw in any other genre and they're all amazing! 'just listened to Sia's 1000 Forms of Fear and I can't stress enough how much I enjoyed it.
 
So if you're looking for a BUDGET PORTABLE rig that will perfectly match your Noble 4, look no further.
 
There's a slight drawback tho... a VERY faint hiss can be heard when music isn't playing. But when you're out and about does it really matter? And at the level of volume I listen to (3) I can barely hear it in a quiet environment. So in real life usage, it's really negligible.

 
I am excited to report that this combo works even better with the Noble PR! Because of the higher impedance especially in the Pure setting, the FiiO E11K can now afford more travel in its volume setting and the hiss is almost totally gone! One thing I've discovered through this combo is that the Pure configuration digs a lot deeper than my previous perception when I reviewed these. Even without the bass boost on the E11K, the sub bass is deep, well rounded, and controlled. I love it! What's more addictive is how clear and detailed the entire bandwidth becomes at lower volume. The treble extension is actually one of the best if not THE best I've heard. I originally thought they were on par with the ER4S... I was wrong. The Noble PR is my favourite analytical reference monitor to date!
 
Special thanks to everyone who participated in this tour! 

 
Again, my sincere gratitude to Noble Audio for introducing me to this work of magic! 

 

 

[Loquah]

Interesting impressions, mate - thanks!
 
Interestingly, it was the quality of the PRs (even though their signature wasn't for me) that led me to ordering K10s as my end-game CIEM and it has proven to be an excellent decision - Noble is a class act in almost every sense!

 

[proedros]

how does the PR compare with the N4 ?

 

[d marc0]

  how does the PR compare with the N4 ?

They are quite similar signature wise... N4 and Pure. Reference is quite different because the mids (vocals) are way more upfront.
Difference is N4 has more bass depth and warmer with a slight sub bass roll off while the PR Pure mode extends a bit deeper in the sub bass.
Mids are quite similar but N4 seems more fuller to my ears.
HIghs on the PR is a bit hotter on high volume levels but it's also a bit more clear, detailed, and extended. N4 is a lot smoother but still clear and detailed.
 
Bottom line:
Noble 4 is nearly analytical but still musical while the Noble PR is purely reference/analytical.
 
It's a bit hard to compare because I listen to both at different volume levels. Very Low on the PR but a bit louder on the N4.
 
Hope that helps.
 
 

  Interesting impressions, mate - thanks!
 
Interestingly, it was the quality of the PRs (even though their signature wasn't for me) that led me to ordering K10s as my end-game CIEM and it has proven to be an excellent decision - Noble is a class act in almost every sense!

I couldn't agree more my friend. Honestly, if I had the resources I'd already have the Noble K10 universal in my collection. I currently have a K10 fund box that I put extra money on. At the current rate I'm looking at the end of next year before I'd finally reach my goal.