flinkenick's 17 Flagship IEM Shootout Thread (and general high-end portable audio discussion)
When Noble start tuning their IEM’s better
KuroKitsu
Headphoneus Supremus
I think Damien has better taste than that
Annnnnnd right as predictedWhen Noble start tuning their IEM’s better
When Noble start tuning their IEM’s better
KuroKitsu
Headphoneus Supremus
"In my defence Greedo shot first" @Damz87 probably
Irrespective of what you think of Noble or the price, the craftsmanship on these looks absolutely exceptional. Much prefer to see this over the rather gaudy QDC Blue Dragon or Noble's own Gold Sultan.Woah, Noble Audio Viking made of Damascus Steel (2DD, 4BA, 4EST)! If price is to be believed, it’s around 7500 USD.
source: https://www.head-fi.org/threads/noble-audio-the-wizard-returns.684787/post-16736835
Aesthetically, I find this stunning, my knees go weak when I see metal. Viking is also a name I’m crazy about. But when I saw the price, my wallet will remain safeWoah, Noble Audio Viking made of Damascus Steel (2DD, 4BA, 4EST)! If price is to be believed, it’s around 7500 USD.
source: https://www.head-fi.org/threads/noble-audio-the-wizard-returns.684787/post-16736835
efftee
1000+ Head-Fier
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$7.5K is about right for ear jewellery that plays music…Woah, Noble Audio Viking made of Damascus Steel (2DD, 4BA, 4EST)! If price is to be believed, it’s around 7500 USD.
source: https://www.head-fi.org/threads/noble-audio-the-wizard-returns.684787/post-16736835
armstrj2
1000+ Head-Fier
Will the people that buy it even be worried about what it sounds like?
efftee
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The people that will buy it are likely more concerned if the slider on the cable comes in matching design...
[edit: I am, of course, kidding. No disrespect to Noble or the good folks seriously considering this purely for listening pleasure.]
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kevin638880
500+ Head-Fier
Well, speaking of which...When Noble start tuning their IEM’s better
I am not sure how long this demo unit has been burned in, I am going to give it 100 hours before I go back and confirm my impressions.
My first impressions:
w/ stock cable + SP2000 = literally unlistenable for me due to how sharp and bright the treble is. If anyone finds Odin to be sharp, this is a steak knife. I have to squint when listening.
w/ stock cable + Shanling M9 = tamed the treble a bit but still really sharp.
w/ Centurion + M9 = seems to smooth out the treble to listenable levels, but the bass is gone - no subbass extension, uninspiring slam and power.
It has the Sultan Damascus DNA but with improved resolution and imaging. However, due to the red-hot treble, everything sounds higher pitched.
Mids are quite flat (which I personally dislike), nothing too special.
I suspect this needs a lot of power - I am going to wait for the unit to burn-in and use an amp to try again. I think this is the best Noble to date in terms of tuning and technicalities (I am never a Noble fan), but that price......if it is priced similarly to the Odin I might consider it, but there is just no way under current pricing.
And the cable - it is as expensive as the Eletech Aeneid according to the HK pricing...
Edit: craftsmanship is stunning but I was hoping for a unibody design. It is not as heavy as the Erlkonig and fits OK.
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Sounds like you will be buying one.Well, speaking of which...
I am not sure how long this demo unit has been burned in, I am going to give it 100 hours before I go back and confirm my impressions.
My first impressions:
w/ stock cable + SP2000 = literally unlistenable for me due to how sharp and bright the treble is. If anyone finds Odin to be sharp, this is a steak knife. I have to squint when listening.
w/ stock cable + Shanling M9 = tamed the treble a bit but still really sharp.
w/ Centurion + M9 = seems to smooth out the treble to listenable levels, but the bass is gone - no subbass extension, uninspiring slam and power.
It has the Sultan Damascus DNA but with improved resolution and imaging. However, due to the red-hot treble, everything sounds higher pitched.
Mids are quite flat (which I personally dislike), nothing too special.
I suspect this needs a lot of power - I am going to wait for the unit to burn-in and use an amp to try again. I think this is the best Noble to date in terms of tuning and technicalities (I am never a Noble fan), but that price......if it is priced similarly to the Odin I might consider it, but there is just no way under current pricing.
And the cable - it is as expensive as the Eletech Aeneid according to the HK pricing...
kevin638880
500+ Head-Fier
Nah there is no way. I prefer a smooth, warm, thick and musical signature. This is definitely not any of these.
I simply wanted to provide fair impressions and not sound overly positive/negative based on first impressions, that‘s why I am going back.
Looks like a Ali Express cable from the snapshot...