Massdrop x Noble X Universal IEMs Review / Preview
May 13, 2017 at 7:11 PM Post #541 of 766
Agree, probably just creation of shipping info. From my past orders with MD I wouldn't expect any movement to happen on the tracking for a couple of days and it to stay as "en route to dist. cent."

Mine shows that it is close to home already ... Should show up in a couple days at most.
 
May 14, 2017 at 10:10 AM Post #542 of 766
For anyone interested, here's my take on the Noble X:

https://www.head-fi.org/f/showcase/massdrop-x-noble-x-universal-iem.22025/reviews#review-18582
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May 17, 2017 at 12:58 AM Post #543 of 766
Mine came in today. Haven't had a chance to listen to them very much yet, but I am glad to have them...
 
May 17, 2017 at 2:39 PM Post #544 of 766
Got mine in today and doing some testing in my office on the Monoprice Headphone Amp, using with Auvio tips and so far the fit is a bit better for me than the LZ-A4.

The housing is a bit bulky but no big deal, I've seen some complaints about Bass on MD but I think that may be an eartip thing. I'm getting some pretty tight Bass on this and it feels really nicely dialed in so far. Really glad to have a pair of Nobles as well and the sound signature signature so far matches what I like to hear. My only very minor gripe is the plastic Y slider.

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May 18, 2017 at 3:38 AM Post #545 of 766
I got mine today. They sound great directly out of my phone but really shine when I listen to files on my phone via my Fiio e18. I had been chasing something to match how I felt about my RE-600s, without any of the horrible issues with the cables that the RE-600s had and I think I can say my search is over!

Love the mids, love the bass and the highs are well suited for my tastes. Looks great and feels well made. My only gripe is that the connector is straight and not at an angle. Next time someone comments on my awesome looking IEMs, I'll tell them that they came from not just a wizard, but THE Wizard!
 
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May 18, 2017 at 3:52 AM Post #546 of 766
I got mine today. They sound great directly out of my phone but really shine when I listen to files on my phone via my Fiio e18. I had been chasing something to match how I felt about my RE-600s, without any of the horrible issues with the cables that the RE-600s had and I think I can say my search is over!

Love the mids, love the bass and the highs are well suited for my tastes. Looks great and feels well made. My only gripe is that the connector is straight and not at an angle. Next time someone comments on my awesome looking IEMs, I'll tell them that they came from not just a wizard, but THE Wizard!


Princess Wizard thanks you

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Noble Audio Stay updated on Noble Audio at their sponsor profile on Head-Fi.
 
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May 18, 2017 at 4:28 AM Post #547 of 766
Ah cute! She looks so content with life - make sure you never let her on the madness that is Head-fi!
 
May 18, 2017 at 5:31 PM Post #549 of 766
Mine got here 3 days ago:beerchug:

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May 19, 2017 at 12:32 AM Post #551 of 766
I want to sell these Nobel X IEMs. My wife just gave these to me as an anniversary present 'cause she knows I like my tunes. They sound really nice but I'm perfectly happy in my La-Z-Boy with my full size cans. Anyone want? I see they were $250. How about $225? Give me your email and I'll send a PayPal invoice.
 
May 19, 2017 at 1:10 AM Post #552 of 766
Got my pair in today, these are *very* much initial impressions. The included cable has a dead right side :O - though knowing the Noble team and Massdrop that'll be fixed beautifully - so no worries, things happen! I'm using my old Heir Audio 3.ai cable for now. My normal cans are the 2014 LCD-2.2f which I'm still in love with all these years later. More info is in my profile on what I've heard (not so many IEMs but many great over ears).

Source is my Samsung S7 Edge, and a bit of my NFB-28 (2014 or 15?). I'm listening at an above average listening level which I think is best for these headphones considering the more mid-centric response, and for portable use in noisier places.

Build/acessories: The ear hooks are much better than my old Heir Audio cable, good aesthetics, and the plug actually fits through my phone case. Ergonomics are great. Currently using the smaller of the red tips - tried the 2x flange as I used to use those on my now broken 3.ais but I couldn't quite get the right seal - I'll try and revisit when I can.

Lows: Mid bass centric. I could use more coherancy below 90Hz, subbass is present but I think I could use more. My subjective preferences is for a bit more sub-emphasis on IEMs to compensate for lack of tactile response of full sized cans. High bass/low mids are tight! - I'm hearing *great* "bombs" being dropped by the 22" kick in "Take Five".

Mids: Thicker middle of the mids region sometimes (NFB-28 really helps), tho I think otherwise this range might be one of the best aspects of this product. Great detail retrieval, strings are incredible especially in the viola range. Saxophones sing without sounding reed-heavy or shouting. Brass lacks a little bit of cut. Higher range vocalists seem to not shine as well - which can reduce fatigue in longer listening sessions. Snares are funky; rim clicks cut, some deeper snares sound nice and throaty, but the average snare lacks presence. Beth Gibbons (Portishead) *should* sound more "haunting" and present in her mid range. I suspect most of these issues are in fact due to imaging and some of the lower treble response not allowing for proper harmonics to shine. Mids perform exceedingly well in this light!

Highs: There is a slight lack of air, as others have said. I'm in my early 20's and can hear to about 17.5kHz. Ride cymbals have good stick sound but lack a bit of extension which can make cymbals sound a bit thick (like, physically thick. A 2300g ride is sounding more like a 2700g ride - more "ping", less woodyness and bell harmonics @drummers). There's a bit of added breathiness to vocals, but sibilance doesn't exist. My normal headphones are the 2.2fs so I'm used to a darker sound but this is different - there's a lack of extension so some of the finer details that I bet are present just aren't sparkling like I think I'd like them to, even with light EQ.

Imaging/Soundstage: Mild lack of center image, depth shows with a better source, good height. Width is on par for solid IEMs. Separation is absolutely excellent, only hurt by the lack of a fuller stage.

Are they worth $250? Maybe. Attached is the EQ I used to fix some of the issues I see from Tyll's measurements. With a good source and EQ, they can really be super - many issues are improved across the spectrum. For me, that's too much work (especially because my phone is my normal source), and I think I can afford something that'll sound better out of the box so that's the route I'm looking at - we'll see. I don't want to make any rash decisions. I think this headphone shows most importantly that the new drivers from Noble show incredible promise if they can be tuned correctly, and paired with a source that can utilize them (I hope to buy a Cayin C5). I suspect later revisions (should they appear) will be absolute show-stoppers. For now, they're just a bit unrefined.
 

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May 19, 2017 at 3:43 AM Post #553 of 766
Just received my Noble X's! Listening to Eric Clapton performing "River of Tears" from his 1998 album 'Pilgrim'....im just paralyzed with musical rapture!
 
May 19, 2017 at 9:56 AM Post #555 of 766
I am not an audio expert by any means, it's been a number of years since I really enjoyed just listening or was lost in what I was listening to.

Probably not since the TDK BA-200, which doesn't punch in the same class as my later sets but just was fun to listen on. I am seriously enjoying the hell out of these with the Auvio tips. No EQ on them, even just running off the DAC in the V20. The highs I could see as the weak link, not that they aren't present but they don't shine through at times. It's a fair trade off IMO, I am getting them in the end but with a different approach in the mix.

Really glad Massdrop & Noble put this together.
 

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