Nostalgia Audio Durandal - Reviews

Creating this page as I couldn't find one.

Nostalgia Audio Durandal

Durandal employs a unique triple-driver configuration, combining Sonion dual-membrane bone conduction drivers, a custom dynamic driver, and four balanced armature drivers. Through a meticulously designed 4-way crossover, the strengths of each driver type are fully utilized.
This unique driver arrangement and crossover design allows Durandal to excel in both low-frequency performance and mid-to-high frequency resolution and detail retrieval. The mid-range and vocal presentation is naturally rich and full-bodied. For users seeking natural, lifelike vocal reproduction, powerful bass performance, and crisp, clear high-frequencies, Durandal is an excellent choice. The innovative driver setup and crossover engineering allow it to deliver a comprehensive and coherent sonic signature.

Technical Specifications​

7 Individual Drivers, Tribrid Design
1 Dynamic Driver - Bass
2 Bone Conduction Vibrator - 2 Mid-Low
4 Balanced Armature Drivers - 2 Mid-High, 2 High
4-Way Crossover Design
Spiral Flow Device
Impedance: 15 Ohms @ 1kHz
Frequency Response: 12 Hz - 30kHz
Sensitivity: 115dB @ 1kHz, 1mW

Hruodland​

Nostalgia Audio has partnered with Vortex Cables to design a high-end custom cable for their Durandal headphones. The Hruodland cable features a unique four-color scheme, uses a single-crystal silver conductor for enhanced conductivity and signal transmission, and is tuned to the Durandal's characteristics, ensuring seamless compatibility and synergy between the headphones and the cable.

Ultra Twins Pair​

The Hruodland cable utilizes a proprietary Ultra Twins Pair design, which builds upon the foundational Shielded Twins Pair structure. The Hruodland cable incorporates the latest Litz Type 9 design principle, where the total AWG (American Wire Gauge) of the conductors and the total AWG of the shielding layer are matched. This innovative Ultra Twins Pair construction not only delivers superior EMI shielding performance, but also further optimizes the conductivity and signal transmission quality, resulting in a purer and more refined sonic presentation for the Durandal.

Japanese NUC "Air-Injection" Technology​

Vortex uses the technique of "air-injection" to create the insulation layer's outer skin using polyethylene. As 25% of the insulating material is air, the insulation layer even has a lower dielectric constant than PTFE, further reducing the accumulation of microcharges in the insulation material and making the high-frequency signal more accurate.

Composite Insulation Damping​

In addition to using air-injected polyethylene for the main insulation of the core and twisting the positive and negative poles, Vortex has also added a damping layer for the first time to counteract external vibrations and take the already quiet background to the next level. Internal damping has been widely used in HiFi applications due to its significant effects, but it is rarely seen in headphone cables due to limited wire diameter. Conductors already occupy a large percentage of the cross-sectional area, adding a damping layer significantly increases the difficulty of production and manufacturing.

CABLE SPECIFICATION​

2 Strands 21.3 AWG 4N OCC Silver and Silver Plated 5N LC-OFC Copper Shielding, S-Z Stands with Shielding Twined pair design. Customized flexible nylon wrapping, Gold plated high quality 4.4 mm balanced termination

Customized Royal Blue Symbio W Eartips​

The Durandal IEMs will come bundled with a custom version of the New Symbio W eartips in our signature Royal Blue color. This collaboration allows us to offer an even more personalized listening experience, with the Symbio W's renowned comfort and noise isolation perfectly matched to the Durandal's impressive sound quality.

FEATURING​

Dynamic drivers​

The Durandal features a custom-designed 9.2mm dynamic driver engineered and tuned by Nostalgia Audio's R&D team. Advanced manufacturing and quality control enable the driver to deliver an extraordinary, profound, and impactful bass response that resonates deeply. Remarkably, the driver maintains excellent resolution and detail retrieval, allowing every subtle low-frequency nuance to be vividly rendered, resulting in a captivating low-end performance.

Balanced Armature drivers​

The Durandal headphones feature a multi-driver design with four balanced armature drivers. Two drivers deliver a rich, natural mid-high range, while the other two provide exceptional clarity and detail in the high frequencies. This meticulously engineered configuration results in a refined, cohesive sound signature that satisfies even the most discerning audiophiles, offering a live performance experience with precise reproduction of vocals and instruments.

Sonion Dual-Membrane Bone Conduction drivers​

The Durandal's exceptional mid-range and vocal performance is achieved through Sonion's dual-diaphragm bone conduction driver. This specialized driver utilizes bone conduction to directly transmit sound vibrations, bypassing external interference and delivering a clear, authentic reproduction of vocals and mid-range. The driver's capabilities enable the Durandal to maintain high resolution and detailed presentation, even with its powerful low-frequency performance, resulting in a natural, high-quality vocal experience that satisfies discerning audiophiles.

​

Technology​

Stainless Steel Front Chamber​

The Durandal's dynamic driver is further enhanced by a custom stainless steel sound chamber, engineered to optimize low-frequency performance and tonal balance for a captivating listening experience.

SFD - Spiral Flow Device​

The SFD is specially designed for enhancing the mids performance in Durandal. A helical formation incorporated as a ridge serves to induce a spiral pattern of flow, reducing loss caused by the curvature of the nozzle

Customized titanium sound nozzle​

The Durandal's titanium nozzle is inspired by convergent-divergent designs, manipulating airflow to improve sound clarity, dynamic range, and stereo imaging for an immersive, enhanced listening experience

Design Concept​

Nostalgia Audio's Durandal, a collaboration with Vortex Cables, is inspired by the legendary sword Durandal from the Carolingian epic "La Chanson de Roland". The name symbolizes unwavering strength and valor, embodied in this exceptional earphone's meticulously engineered driver configuration and cohesive, lifelike sonic signature.

Packaging​

Durandal 1DD 4BA 2BC IEM
Hruodland OCC Silver Cable
Aluminum Protective Case
Metal Card
Exquisite Leather Pad
Commemorative Ancient Coin and Necklace
Nylon Mesh Protection Bag
Nostalgia Audio XWB Ear Tips
Custom Royal Blue Symbio W Ear Tips