Introducing NOIRE X

[kith86]

I have had the TH-X00 (I didn't like it) and the TH-610 (I liked it very much), and the Noire X is some steps above the TH-610.
I sold the TH-610 some days after receiving the NX, because I don't need two closed back headphones, and I knew I wasn't going to use the Fostex anymore having the NX.

Hmm same here, i kept 610 and 900 before, and i felt nx better in almost all aspect, its like a 95% direct upgrade from there for me, however, i still kept my lovely fostex th900 as complementary, eventhough i think nx still better headphone in general, 610 definitely must go for me.. No reason to keep it anymore

 

[Buenodrake]

Question, would an Astell and Kern SP2000T drive Noire X optimally out of 4.4 Balanced, or would a portable amp like the iFi Gryphon be optimal? I have read on this forum that the Gryphon is great with the Noire X, but if the SP2KT can drive it on its own, that is money saved!

 

[BowWazoo]

As far as I know, there are no reliable measurements of how well either device delivers power at 13 ohms. It depends on how loud you listen and whether you use an EQ. If you really want it to be portable, then I would go for the Topping G5.

 

[Buenodrake]

As far as I know, there are no reliable measurements of how well either device delivers power at 13 ohms. It depends on how loud you listen and whether you use an EQ. If you really want it to be portable, then I would go for the Topping G5.

Interesting, I checked the specs on the Topping G5 and it outputs 1200mW at 32Ω. If Astell and Kern specs are correct, the SP2000T should put out 1125mW at 32Ω. Does such a small increase make a big difference or is there something else going on that the specs may not reflect?

 

[gKalkin]

Interesting, I checked the specs on the Topping G5 and it outputs 1200mW at 32Ω. If Astell and Kern specs are correct, the SP2000T should put out 1125mW at 32Ω. Does such a small increase make a big difference or is there something else going on that the specs may not reflect?

Power delivery at 32 ohms is not necessarily indicative of how a device behaves with a load of lower impedance. Some devices might deliver even more power while others might have current limits. That is my laymen’s understanding, anyway.

 

[Buenodrake]

Power. They need a lot of power and current to sound full with good bass texture and note weight.

Synergy. They seem to be quite source dependent. I don’t love them on my Ferrum stack which has more than enough power and current. They sound a bit anemic on that but they open up beautifully on the Cayin and even sound great on the Gryphon so I don’t think a huge source chain spend is required. Just the right source chain.

I honestly can’t think of any other downsides.

Is the Gryphon with the Noire X good enough to where you would be happy using the Noire X 100% portable? Or is the difference between Gryphon and the power of a desktop amp too good to ignore? Reason I ask, is because I lean more into portable as I use a DAP and have yet to delve into any desktop equipment. I am teetering between getting a JDS Labs Atom 2 for use with my SP2KT, or getting the Gryphon to use with the SP2KT staying 100% portable with the Noire X. Price difference between the Atom and Gryphon is worth it if it keeps me untethered from a chair and wall outlet.

 

[Kevintj604]

Is the Gryphon with the Noire X good enough to where you would be happy using the Noire X 100% portable? Or is the difference between Gryphon and the power of a desktop amp too good to ignore? Reason I ask, is because I lean more into portable as I use a DAP and have yet to delve into any desktop equipment. I am teetering between getting a JDS Labs Atom 2 for use with my SP2KT, or getting the Gryphon to use with the SP2KT staying 100% portable with the Noire X. Price difference between the Atom and Gryphon is worth it if it keeps me untethered from a chair and wall outlet.

Long story short I’d still recommend a higher powered source. I do like the Gryphon synergy with Noire X but it scales with higher end and more powerful source gear.

If you do go with Gryphon I currently use it with XBass and I also run it with a 4.4mm cable so there’s a bit more power on tap. Even then you’re still running the Gryphon at close to its max SPL.

 

[Buenodrake]

Long story short I’d still recommend a higher powered source. I do like the Gryphon synergy with Noire X but it scales with higher end and more powerful source gear.

If you do go with Gryphon I currently use it with XBass and I also run it with a 4.4mm cable so there’s a bit more power on tap. Even then you’re still running the Gryphon at close to its max SPL.

Understood, hey thanks for the information brother, I appreciate it! Need to see if I can find somewhere to demo the Noire with my DAP and possibly DAP+Gryphon , but if the portable combo is say 80% of what it would sound like on desktop gear I am fine with that!

 

[7pilot]

Sometimes, I listen this way when active.

 

[Kevintj604]

Understood, hey thanks for the information brother, I appreciate it! Need to see if I can find somewhere to demo the Noire with my DAP and possibly DAP+Gryphon , but if the portable combo is say 80% of what it would sound like on desktop gear I am fine with that!

No problem. The landscape of headphones under or around $2000 is super competitive right now. Noire X is one of the crazy value propositions. I'd be hard pressed to buy an E3 when you can buy a Noire and great source chain to drive them and have a phenomenal setup that gives you more flexibility than the E3.

 

[dac2800]

So after extensive auditioning I’ve settled on the Noire X. (Compared with Fiio FT1. Meze Liric2, Drop +DCA Aeon X Closed, and DCA E3). It came down to the Noire X or the E3, and while I really liked the E3 soundstage and detail the Noire X were a bit warmer and close on everything else plus a little more comfortable given the longer pads on the E3. For me and my ears at least, E3 aren’t worth the difference. I did have a few questions for the crowd (or Mr Speakers), however.

Case
Any thoughts on how the Noire X will hold up longer term with the case? While I appreciate the compactness, I can’t stand that the band needs to be stretched a LOT for storage, that the pads get pretty compressed at the top, or that there isn’t really room for the cable.

Cable
The stock cable is fine, but when I swapped for the VIVO included with the E3 I heard a little more midrange warmth, generally more expansive sound, and I thought a bit more detail. That has me thinking whether other SE cables are worth considering in the up to $300 price range.

Pads
Given that they are glued on, are they replaceable and if so how?

Gloss black covers
This is more a nit. I not a fan of the gloss black as it is a smudge and dirt magnet. (I wish they had gone with a darker version of the E3 covers.) Any thoughts for keeping it clean?

Tx in advance.

 

[BowWazoo]

Interesting, I checked the specs on the Topping G5 and it outputs 1200mW at 32Ω. If Astell and Kern specs are correct, the SP2000T should put out 1125mW at 32Ω. Does such a small increase make a big difference or is there something else going on that the specs may not reflect?

No, but the G5 has stunning measurement results. Therefore, we can be sure, to buy a competently build device that "sounds" absolutely transparent.

 

[Ilomaenkimi]

No, but the G5 has stunning measurement results. Therefore, we can be sure, to buy a competently build device that "sounds" absolutely transparent.

More important is that how does it sounds?
Many times those "stunning measurements" are just measurements, sound itself may be garbage.

That's only my experience though.

 

[TRHH]

Pads
Given that they are glued on, are they replaceable and if so how?

Have a look here:



Torben

 

[BowWazoo]

More important is that how does it sounds?
Many times those "stunning measurements" are just measurements, sound itself may be garbage.

That's only my experience though.

A DAC/amp should not "sound".
It should be as transparent as possible. Unless you specifically want a device that creates "special effects".
Of course you can do that, for example in the form of distortions through tubes.
Ultimately, that's a matter of taste.
For my part, I wouldn't want the awesome bass of the Noire X "changed" by distortion...

I'll never forget how the Expanse sounded on the HA-6A. It was a nightmare for me.
These incredibly clean headphones were raped by the distortions of the Cayin.

I also like to personalize the sound, but in a targeted and controlled way, with the EQ.