[clerkpalmer]

But that's like comparing the Blessing 2 to the Odin. Sure, the Blessing 2 is really good...for the price. And yet, people buy the $3500 Odin - and not just for the fancy shells.

Yes I know what you were saying. I think klipsh makes a tws that costs like 5k or something. I nominate you the first to buy them.

 

[552609]

Yes I know what you were saying. I think klipsh makes a tws that costs like 5k or something. I nominate you the first to buy them.

Ha, yeah, I'll get right on that.

 

[jose205]

Has anyone tried the CFA Orbit?

 

[552609]

Yes I know what you were saying. I think klipsh makes a tws that costs like 5k or something. I nominate you the first to buy them.

Oh, the T10 bespoke. Geez. That's jewelry, not high quality TWS buds.

 

[clerkpalmer]

Oh, the T10 bespoke. Geez. That's jewelry, not high quality TWS buds.

They cost a lot so they must sound good right?

 

[FullCircle]

You mentioned smaller profit margins with TWS, and maybe I'm the only on who would pay $500-1k for REALLY good TWS, but after having heard some great IEMS (many of which run 1k+, do you think it's possible to make really good sounding TWS buds with a higher price? Maybe there's just not a market for it, but a wireless Khan or Ragnar would be pretty sick.

Yes & No
The gamble the tws industry faces that wired products do not have is time.

Time meaning new chip sets are launched rendering current products obsolete = lack of consumer interest = poor sales = revenue loss = poor faith in the Noble brand = low / to no purchases through our distributors

How does one mitigate risk?
ANSW: Accept lower margins & try to get low volume builds. But low volume builds are expensive, again leading to the acceptance of lower margins.

But we feel, the only way a small company like Noble can compete against billion dollar companies is to use more expensive internals and try to keep prices within an acceptable area. It is a risky balance, but fortunately our FoKus line has captured some attention.

I'm just a guy that grew up in a small town, (population 10k) tinkering with car audio. I never imagined in my youth I would own an audio company one day.

But back to your question, can something better be produced at a higher price... ? Time will tell, but your position on willingness to pay more to get more is one I believe many share.

Sorry for the long post

 

[clerkpalmer]

Yes & No
The gamble the tws industry faces that wired products do not have is time.

Time meaning new chip sets are launched rendering current products obsolete = lack of consumer interest = poor sales = revenue loss = poor faith in the Noble brand = low / to no purchases through our distributors

How does one mitigate risk?
ANSW: Accept lower margins & try to get low volume builds. But low volume builds are expensive, again leading to the acceptance of lower margins.

But we feel, the only way a small company like Noble can compete against billion dollar companies is to use more expensive internals and try to keep prices within an acceptable area. It is a risky balance, but fortunately our FoKus line has captured some attention.

I'm just a guy that grew up in a small town, (population 10k) tinkering with car audio. I never imagined in my youth I would own an audio company one day.

But back to your question, can something better be produced at a higher price... ? Time will tell, but your position on willingness to pay more to get more is one I believe many share.

Sorry for the long post

So you’re saying there’s a chance!

 

[FullCircle]

You're crazy. The chase never ends huh?

What are you chasing that the Kublais don't give you? Or is it just the custom impressions? I actually wouldn't mind one either, now that I've tried the universal fit.

However I've read as many comparisons as there are of the Kublais vs the Sultan or Ragnar, I get the impression the KK offers better sq for what I use them for. With the others being better in some areas but not the ones I prefer.

The kk is trade off product, while it does deliver flagship level sound, the trade off is the housing isn't aluminum so you do not get the durability that our metal housing flagship products provide. Ultimately looking at the kk from a financial/practical stand point, it offers a good dollar to sound ratio.

 

[Gilroypro]

Chinese TWS are stepping up their game. Hearing the Huawei Freebuds 2 Pro, Oppo Enco X2, Vivo TWS 3 Pro, and Fiio FW5. They are all amazing at good prices and can match more expensive ones. Looking at the OnePlus Buds Pro 2 next

 

[552609]

Yes & No
The gamble the tws industry faces that wired products do not have is time.

Time meaning new chip sets are launched rendering current products obsolete = lack of consumer interest = poor sales = revenue loss = poor faith in the Noble brand = low / to no purchases through our distributors

How does one mitigate risk?
ANSW: Accept lower margins & try to get low volume builds. But low volume builds are expensive, again leading to the acceptance of lower margins.

But we feel, the only way a small company like Noble can compete against billion dollar companies is to use more expensive internals and try to keep prices within an acceptable area. It is a risky balance, but fortunately our FoKus line has captured some attention.

I'm just a guy that grew up in a small town, (population 10k) tinkering with car audio. I never imagined in my youth I would own an audio company one day.

But back to your question, can something better be produced at a higher price... ? Time will tell, but your position on willingness to pay more to get more is one I believe many share.

Sorry for the long post

Thanks, it was a great post. I've always found it odd that we see 6k IEMs and headphones, but TWS top out at around $350 (not counting the previously mentioned designer piece from Klipsch with alligator skin and diamonds.) My problem is always finding TWS headphones that sound good, but don't stay in my ears for working out, or they're not sweat proof. The Sennheiser TWS are the best I've found (though I have the Mystique waiting at home to test.) Anyway, it's cool to get the insider view - thanks for that and keep making some of the best sounding IEMs out there (the Ragner, Sultan, and Khan are epic.)

 

[FullCircle]

Damn. Took my left earbud to answer question #28 from my little adhd’r and the FoKus mystiques lost their sync to each other again. Left ear again is quiet when both buds are in the case the left earbud blinks. Tried the reset procedure again. This time it’s not working. I assume at this point this is not normal behavior to lose sync by just taking out one bud and then placing it back in the ear? Enjoying the sound but not enjoying the syncing problems.

I'd reach out to Jim on this idiosyncrasie, he may know the remedy right away. My mystique has an interesting characteristic. When I adjust the volume the volume doesn't instantly drop bilaterally, there is a slight lag between the two. But as far as music play, there isn't a channel imbalance.

 

[FullCircle]

@mikewbragg

Jim's response

 

[mikewbragg]

Thanks so much for the response. That did work the first time. Everything was working fine. Switched from my phone to the iBasso 320. My son asked a question and I pulled out the left earbud while it was playing to answer his question. The earbuds lost sync with the left earbud low volume again. Haven’t read anyone else having these problems so I’m sure it’s relatively isolated unless I shouldn’t pull out one bud while playing? I do love the sound and understand their gateway appeal into other noble products. I also like how different the signature is from my U12T’s. Going to go through the sync process again. Read the online trouble shooting to reset the opposite blinking bud. Seems my left always ends up blinking - just a slow steady blink. Strange. Thanks again to everyone sending such helpful tips!

 

[dweaver]

Still a bit off topic. But for those using a Fold 4. I just bought this Amazon available case and it seem very durable and light. I also picked up this Accessory Happy Holster that holds the case really well and does not feel overly bulky.

On a somewhat TWS related topic I have tried a couple TWS now and I definitely think every thing is a bit bassier a touch warmer sounding. So the BT is definitely different.

Still have not had a chance to test the GB2P for binaural recording yet. Hopefully will have a chance soon. BTW this is a feature that only works on Fold/Flip 4 Samsung phones...

 

[Not so fat head]

It's the source that delivers the data. TWS can't even match my amazing TOTL Denon, Sony and Panasonic Portable CD players on the 90's. They are just Redbook 16/44, let alone 24/196. Look, these small wireless bandwidth limited devices have come a long way! Also, who's to say having a small battery driven computer (and that's what they are essentially), shoved down your ear hole, hasn't already hit a tech plateau....