Noble Chronicle

Have the chance to try one of these. Rare and golden opportunity like the shell littered with its interesting aesthetic. Purple, gold, and blue hues crossing the surface. Makes for an initial presentation upon pulling it out of the box. Comes with the standard Noble black case. Well built shell that might be prone to smudges or scratches but otherwise top notch and will hold up well if treated with care.

Spoiler: Having heard or owned many of Noble's audio gear I can say that this is my favorite Noble. It is not as sharp and precise as the Ragnar. It is softer and more balanced in my opinion better than the NA Sultan which is my second favorite Noble. However, Noble Sultan can get tricky at time with certain tracks. Where as Ragnar feels like detail fed to you with a spoon. The Noble Chronicle is appropriately named as it demonstrates just how far Noble Audio has come as a brand.

The driver count is quite impressive. Mixture of electrostatics, BA, DD, and BCD. Able to be driven well of an adequate amount of power. Your milage may vary. DAP for review is regular N30LE. Rich lows and impactful highs the Noble Chronicle feels like a symphony of music and clarity. The crispness and articulation of the notes sweeps one away to a different world. It is difficult to put into words what it is like to have a concert hall in your ears. The separation and articulation of notes sounds sweet, delicate, yet distinct.

Does incredibly well with instrumental, specifically piano, or other concert pieces. Able to recreate jazz or other low end genres accurately. Though they may not have as much force or emphasis as they would on other iems. There are certainly iems with more thump and rumble on the low end like Noble Kubli Khan. However, that does not appear to be what Noble is trying to do here. They appear to be trying to give transparency. Notes are clear and crisp provides a sense of warmth to genres that I am not as familiar with such as electronic providing an enjoyable experience with a reverberation of the beat that feels full bodied yet controlled.

The midrange is complete. One of the best pairings I have seen for soft classic rock. The BCD really does help to impart the low end and helps one to viscerally feel the music. The EST bring a sweetness to the songs that I have not heard before. It is like icing on the cake. It helps add to the already good presentation to the next level. The transition between the base and the mids is handled well and feels more seamless than than most iems. Though one may have to increase the volume slightly for this iem.

Treble is more well controlled than the Ragnar. It is smooth and produces a more natural decay to the transience of the notes. If I had to sum up the Noble Chronicle it would be with the words of musicality and echos of a concert hall. The sound and reverb of Won't Get Fooled Again by The Who is on full display. Makes my toe tap and want to go from song to song. I agree with @fabio19 that words are not going to be able to do the Noble Chronicle justice. It is a truly evocative and emotional experience of an iem. It really does need to be experienced rather than described. If anyone is interested in trying this iem I will possibly be at NY Canjam 2025. Hope to see many of you there. Maybe one of you will be able to do justice to it. Still trying to get my feet underneath me with regards to posting reviews. Hope this modest piece of work helps pave the way for a better future of audio with someone on this forum. For any specific questions post down in the comments below or PM me. I will do my best to try and answer them time permitting. Thank you to @Damz87 for the opportunity to review this wonderfully special iem. Until next time stay safe, be kind, and trust no one but your own ears and the beat of the music itself. PassionForMusic signing out.

Before I begin, I would like to thank Tom Scharfenberg (Audioessence) for selling me issue #14 of 108 Noble Audio Chronicle. Tom was extremely kind and professional; I would say almost exclusive and unique. Thank you so much Tom.



It's hard to start talking about Chronicle... because it would be more appropriate to listen to it than to read it. Personally, I had never put a pair of IEMs on before and struggled just thinking about having to take them off. I'll start by saying that as an owner of Traillii... Rhapsodio V3... Noble Audio Ragnar... RN6... Loki Emerald... The IEM that I loved the most until now was undoubtedly Noble Ragnar.

But Noble Chronicle, believe me... is better (by a lot) and different from everything I've listened to until now, including IEMs that I haven't mentioned like UM, Aroma. Fitear. Here we are faced with something absolutely different and absolutely more performing. I struggle to think that there could be even a single IEM that could sound qualitatively more perfect.

I really like its tuning and I think (for my taste) I've never found the high range very harsh, as many tend to write. But everyone has their own tastes and parameters.

That said: The Noble Chronicle packaging is very classic and elegant. A leather container, where the “plate” with the serial number has been properly inserted (in my case 014/118). Various sizes of etips and a small leather box where the iem and cable are enclosed. The aesthetics of Noble Chronicle is very elegant, refined, sober. Shape and dimensions are very similar to Noble Viking Ragnar. The weight of the iem tends to medium. Beautiful for sure but not ostentatious or forcedly worked and/or colored.



Fit:

The size and fit of Chronicle is very similar to Viking Ragnar. Not small, but not big and/or heavy either. With the right e-tips coupling it becomes comfortable and at least personally I have not had any problems with the seal. The insulation is also really good. Personally, I have only tried the Pentaconn Coreir that I had purchased for Viking Ragnar.

Low Range:

What can I say: Deep, detailed, with a great structure. It has an impressive impact and boldness. It really is enough to make you shiver if you “perceive” the sound as something essentially exciting. It never goes beyond its limits. It does not overflow and does not bring waste into the medium-low range. It remains almost surgically fixed within its limits. We will find this characteristic a bit throughout the musical spectrum of Noble Chronicle. Let me explain better. Both the low range and the medium range and the high range are all delimited in their musical limits, never getting involved in the ranges in front or in the mode (for example) that accompanies the medium range, in the medium high, the low range in the medium low or medium high and so on. But it is precisely at that point and after careful listening that there is something indecipherable, indescribable, which instead creates a union, a continuity, a fluidity in the passage from one sound range to another. Everything is pleasantly (and perhaps inexplicably) “accompanied” in the various musical passages. The low range is powerful and deep, without ever transcending. It never carries mud behind it. The sound reaches a cleanliness and a contextuality that is truly difficult to think of. And I repeat……take what I write with caution, because IF you listen to Noble Chronicle you will be left speechless and only with shivers. It is an iem above all expectations. Compared to RN6 (for example) it has a quality that is absolutely above all expectations. The bass is clear, powerful, strong, slammed in the face with sublime mastery. A train at full speed that passes inside you without hurting you. Decay and recovery are very very fast. While still remaining full-bodied and detailed. The resolution is excellent.



Midrange:

It transcends perfectly from the low range. Without bringing mud, nuances… nothing. Stands alone. Like the rest of the Noble Chronicle. The midrange is incisive, full-bodied, maintaining clarity, speed, detail, stability. Nothing seems wrong. Nothing seems more or less. It all seems perfect… and for the third time I suggest you read it, yes, but above all (if you can) to LISTEN TO IT. Because the imagination of what it could be is not what you could hear. The voices are there… a few steps from the eyes, a few steps from the head. If you close your eyes, the voice is there in front of you. The breath, the notes, the whispers. There is everything that is sung. There is everything that was possible to record. Until now I have always thought that, in order not to convince myself completely subjectively, but objectively, the midrange of Trailli, was the best ever. The Noble Chronicle bypasses the concept of “better”, because the Chronicle’s midrange is not only much better than Trailli, but it goes into a completely unexplored field of the concept of midrange. It is something “new”. A new musical way of making a midrange sound.

If someone asked me to find a flaw in this midrange at all costs, I swear that I personally would not know what to say. They have a good three-dimensionality, which they combine with a wise detail. In terms of presentation, my impression is that they are neither forward nor backward. They are where they were placed during the performance of the piece.

I could sum it up with “neither backward, nor forward… simply balanced and perfect (or improvable but subjectively).

High Range:

Here the surprise takes shape. I have in my ears the technique, the surgical detail, the speed and the clarity of the high range of Noble Viking Ragnar. First of all, I personally find it to my liking. I can agree with those who say that the high range of Ragnar is too bright and perhaps a bit aseptic, even if for me, the combination of Ragnar/LP6 Ti/ dampens this analyticality a bit… So back to Chronicle:

The high range is surprising. Take the high range of Viking Ragnar, make it silkier, warmer, fuller, more structured and add surgical details, speed and brightness again. Now I believe that the high range of Chronicle can become THE absolute reference of Noble. As a “lover” of the high range of Ragnar, I did not think that any other high range would have liked me more. But I was wrong. This high range on Chronicle makes it perfect in every aspect. Quality and quantity of information blend together perfectly. The transparency is superb. To be clear: This type of high range on the Ragnar would not have gone well with the character of the Ragnar in general. The high range of the Ragnar would not have gone well with the general character of the Chronicle. I hope I explained myself. On the Chronicle everything seems to make sense differently from other IEMs. It is almost perfect on an objective level. Then… like everything, you may like it or not, but I repeat, OBJECTIVELY I think it is the best thing I have ever listened to.



Technical Performance:

It is the most “fragile” sector for many iems. Because technical performance and musicality rarely blend well. Often one undermines the other and vice versa. It is impressive how the technique and performance of Ragnar, in the Chronicle, blend to a further step above. The speed and focus are surprising if you also judge under the impressive musical quality that it maintains under the entire musical spectrum. I do not know how Kai did it, but here there is an unimaginable work to achieve the overall result of this Chronicle. It seems the excellence of all the technologies used, brought to their maximum level of performance. Easy to say ... very difficult (I think) to engineer (right Kai ??).

The soundstage is not the most immense, but it is perfect here too. Neither narrow nor dispersive. The sound is only in the head. The staging is the best possible within the quality expressed by the Chronicle.

Synergy:

I evaluated Chronicle with both LPGT(Ti) and LP6(Ti). In general, it remains very faithful to its peculiarities and its character with both daps. In my opinion with LP6(Ti) the sound is slightly sweeter and more persuasive. It has more charm and seems like a twilight sunset, with a warm atmosphere and more muted colors. With LPGT(Ti) the sound becomes disruptive. It seems like a recording studio well soundproofed. It is a listening that keeps the listener's attention higher. With LPGT all the technique comes out in its purest state. With LP6 all the technique comes out with warmer and more articulated nuances.




Comparison:

Maybe later I will make some comparisons with Oriolus Trailli, and Rhapsodio V3 Supreme and (from memory) with Fir Audio RN6. For now… even if it may seem strange to you, I will refrain from doing them because I consider Chronicle to be much more complete than anything I have ever heard, and I fear that I could be merciless with other iems (even if they are of the highest level). I would like to “get used” to this new sound and try to find some flaws in this iem, something that I am not yet able to identify in any way. And the further problem is that it seems to have such a high level of quality and perfection that it makes any other iem that I have had the pleasure of listening to “small”.



Conclusions:

It is difficult to find adjectives. It is difficult to imagine that an iem of this level could have been studied, fine-tuned and finalized. You do not have to believe me, but, if you are truly a lover of music, of the 7 notes that blend together, of its reproduction systems, of the emotions that these can transmit, well… you should LISTEN to Chronicle. Because it is something incredible. It's really incredible and I don't want to sound too ceremonious, but I really struggle to believe that there could be something in 2024 that could sound more perfect, more qualitative, more total.





Thanks (again) to Tom.

Thanks, Noble Audio. Chronicle is pure emotion.

Noble Chronicle is an incredibly rare IEM, with only two units available in Taiwan. When I returned from the U.S., I was fortunate enough to acquire one. As a fan of the Viking series, I knew I couldn’t miss this opportunity. In the end, the sound performance lived up to expectations. Compared to the Viking, this IEM delivers a completely different, more balanced sound signature. While it lacks the intense density found in the Viking, the way it handles low frequencies is more expansive, with bone conduction technology adding a notably impactful punch.
The high frequencies aim to preserve Viking’s signature characteristics, but due to driver design limitations, the extension is slightly reduced. That said, this IEM remains an exceptional performer. Upon close examination, I couldn’t find many flaws—it excels across all genres of music, making it a versatile choice. The only drawback is that the stock cable makes the mids feel a bit dry and rigid, though this issue was significantly improved when paired with the Shirogane 8W cable.
When the Noble Chronicle is paired with the Brise Orochi cable, the overall sound performance becomes more refined and dynamic. The Orochi cable enhances the bass by providing better resolution and control, making the low frequencies tighter and more impactful. The midrange, thanks to the cable’s warmth, becomes smoother, resolving the slight dryness from the stock cable. Vocals and instruments sound more natural and fuller, particularly benefiting vocal-centric tracks. The high frequencies retain their clarity, with improved extension and air, adding brightness without being harsh. Additionally, the Orochi expands the soundstage, offering a greater sense of space and more precise instrument placement, creating a more immersive listening experience. This pairing elevates the Chronicle's versatility, making it perform exceptionally well across various music genres. For audiophiles seeking balanced yet detailed sound, this combination is an ideal choice.

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Noble Chronicle vs. Mason FS Le Jardin​

• Balance: The Chronicle is more balanced across frequencies, while the Jardin is smoother and excels in soundstage, making it better for expansive, immersive listening.
• Low Frequencies: The Chronicle has more impactful low frequencies thanks to bone conduction, while the Jardin offers a subtler, more refined bass.
• Vocals: The Chronicle delivers clear, present vocals, whereas the Jardin emphasizes a smoother vocal tone.
• Versatility: The Chronicle is more versatile across different genres, while the Jardin excels in vocal and acoustic tracks due to its smoother sound.

Noble Chronicle vs. Fugaku Final Edition​

• Low Frequencies: The Fugaku excels in bass with extreme depth and clarity, offering a darker, quieter background. The Chronicle's bass is more expansive but not as deep or controlled.
• Soundstage: The Fugaku wins with a wider and deeper soundstage, while the Chronicle has an excellent but slightly smaller space.
• Detail: The Fugaku is known for its precision and resolution in detail retrieval, while the Chronicle is balanced but not as detailed.
• Portability: The Chronicle, with its stock cable or Shirogane, is a more portable option compared to the weight and exclusivity of the Fugaku setup.

Noble Chronicle vs. Viking Damascus​

• Density: The Viking has a much denser sound, especially in the midrange and low frequencies, which creates an overwhelming presence. In contrast, the Chronicle is more balanced and less intense.
• Low Frequencies: The Viking delivers thick, immersive low-end, while the Chronicle’s bass is more spacious and punchy, though less weighty.
• High Frequencies: The Viking offers slightly more high-frequency extension, though the Chronicle does a decent job but with slightly less sparkle and air.
• Overall Style: The Viking is more specialized for those who prefer impactful, intense sound, while the Chronicle is better suited for a broader range of music style