Massdrop x Noble X Universal IEMs Review / Preview

[Seph Haley]

Even though I was extremely excited to get my first pair of Noble's, I decided to pull out due to other interest.

 

[Drunkbag]

I've joined the drop, but should I really expect the X to be equal in terms of quality to the Savant and Sage?
I've always wanted a Savant but couldn't afford it.
I hope it's not far fetched to expect a $250 IEM to be as good as a $600 one, just with a different tuning. 
I'm willing to wait 4 months for a bargain.

 

[mattering]

I've joined the drop, but should I really expect the X to be equal in terms of quality to the Savant and Sage?
I've always wanted a Savant but couldn't afford it.
I hope it's not far fetched to expect a $250 IEM to be as good as a $600 one, just with a different tuning. 
I'm willing to wait 4 months for a bargain.

I would assume that these are going to indeed perform like the original price of 500 USD before the markdown to 250. Noble is putting their name and reputation on these iems and they are being advertised as having their original price to be around 500 USD. I don't think they will skimp out on performance here.

 

[FullCircle]

  I've joined the drop, but should I really expect the X to be equal in terms of quality to the Savant and Sage?
I've always wanted a Savant but couldn't afford it.
I hope it's not far fetched to expect a $250 IEM to be as good as a $600 one, just with a different tuning. 
I'm willing to wait 4 months for a bargain.

 
 
 
As stated before, the Savant, the Sage, and the Noble X all have a different sound quality.  Some may say the Savant is the best of the 3, some may say the Sage is the best of the three, and some may say the Noble X is the best of the three.
 
 

 

[myemaildw]

interesting how performance went from

"Do I think it sounds better than the Savant? For my tastes, yes--it benefits from the added richness and presence down low."

to worse than iems at same price rha t20

with many people pulling out from preorder

 

[mashuto]

   
 
 
As stated before, the Savant, the Sage, and the Noble X all have a different sound quality.  Some may say the Savant is the best of the 3, some may say the Sage is the best of the three, and some may say the Noble X is the best of the three.
 
 

I guess for some of us that are new to this class of iems, sound quality is more about performance, and whether they perform to a similar level as those. I understand that the sound signatures are different and that the sound signatures can affect perceived audio quality. Whether or not these would be put in a similar class as the savant and sage or whether as the actual price reflects, would they be "less than". Thats the question in my mind at least. And if its a similar class as those, with a different tuning, then it sounds like a real bargain for me, but if its much more similar to others in its actual price bracket, then the question starts popping into my mind if there are better values for me personally elsewhere that come down a lot more to sound signatures and tuning.
 
Either way, I am in for the drop and think I am going to stay. And I do really appreciate you taking the time to come on here and answer questions, especially for those of us like me who really are not much in the know, so to speak.

 

[FullCircle]

interesting how performance went from

"Do I think it sounds better than the Savant? For my tastes, yes--it benefits from the added richness and presence down low."

to worse than iems at same price rha t20

with many people pulling out from preorder

 
 
Whats more funny is the idea a $4.99 ear bud sounds better than a $1,850 Noble Katana.
 
There is something very wrong with that statement.....  
 
 if it is really the case that the Noble Katana can be bested by a product that is cheaper than a bucket of popcorn, I have done something very wrong, and need to return to audiology.

 

[FullCircle]

 
I guess for some of us that are new to this class of iems, sound quality is more about performance, and whether they perform to a similar level as those. I understand that the sound signatures are different and that the sound signatures can affect perceived audio quality. Whether or not these would be put in a similar class as the savant and sage or whether as the actual price reflects, would they be "less than". Thats the question in my mind at least. And if its a similar class as those, with a different tuning, then it sounds like a real bargain for me, but if its much more similar to others in its actual price bracket, then the question starts popping into my mind if there are better values for me personally elsewhere that come down a lot more to sound signatures and tuning.
 
Either way, I am in for the drop and think I am going to stay. And I do really appreciate you taking the time to come on here and answer questions, especially for those of us like me who really are not much in the know, so to speak.

 
 
Looking at it from a physical/parts perspective.....
 
Essentially everything is the same, shell/housing, cable, ear tips, aluminium CNC face plate, and the drivers in the Noble X are within the same "family" as the Sage and the Savant.  
 
Knowles builds their drivers in a series/family concept.   Much like BMW has a 3 series, 5 series, 7 series.   The number represents the chassis.   So it could be said, the Savant, Sage, and the Noble X share the same chassis.
 
What they don't share is the sound quality.
 
(and the Noble X doesn't come with a Pelican case, and has fewer ear tips)

 

[mashuto]

   
 
Looking at it from a physical/parts perspective.....
 
Essentially everything is the same, shell/housing, cable, ear tips, aluminium CNC face plate, and the drivers in the Noble X are within the same "family" as the Sage and the Savant.  
 
Knowles builds their drivers in a series/family concept.   Much like BMW has a 3 series, 5 series, 7 series.   The number represents the chassis.   So it could be said, the Savant, Sage, and the Noble X share the same chassis.
 
What they don't share is the sound quality.
 
(and the Noble X doesn't come with a Pelican case, and has fewer ear tips)

Yea, I think my personal "issue" is just that I think you are referencing sound quality as the sound signature and tuning, where as for me (as someone who is new to this) I am looking at sound quality in a similar sense to your BMW analogy. For example, the savant and sage are 5 series, different within the 5 series, but still the same class. Is the X a 5 series or a 3? Thats more what I was getting at, and from everything you have said, its a 5 series, but different (the tuning/signature, or audio quality as you put it). So if its just me using incorrect terminology here, I apologize, but I think you definitely cleared up exactly what I was thinking and was hoping for. As to whether the sound signature is perfect for me, well I haven't heard them, but I have read some impressions, and I think it should be something I am looking for.
 
I also saw that the accessories package was pared back a bit, and if that keeps the cost down for this drop, then great, I have plenty of spare tips and cases I can use.
 
Thanks for the response! Removed any doubt for me whether I wanted to stay in or not, and I am definitely staying in.

 

[FullCircle]

 
Yea, I think my personal "issue" is just that I think you are referencing sound quality as the sound signature and tuning, where as for me (as someone who is new to this) I am looking at sound quality in a similar sense to your BMW analogy. For example, the savant and sage are 5 series, different within the 5 series, but still the same class. Is the X a 5 series or a 3? Thats more what I was getting at, and from everything you have said, its a 5 series, but different (the tuning/signature, or audio quality as you put it). So if its just me using incorrect terminology here, I apologize, but I think you definitely cleared up exactly what I was thinking and was hoping for. As to whether the sound signature is perfect for me, well I haven't heard them, but I have read some impressions, and I think it should be something I am looking for.
 
I also saw that the accessories package was pared back a bit, and if that keeps the cost down for this drop, then great, I have plenty of spare tips and cases I can use.
 
Thanks for the response! Removed any doubt for me whether I wanted to stay in or not, and I am definitely staying in.

 
Lets say all three products are within the BMW 5 series, the question then becomes where to they fall, 528, 535, or M5.    With a car, there are some objective differences, Hp, gas mileage etc. with the Savant, Sage and Noble X, it is really up to the individual where to place them in the product line up.  "Which one is the top tier?"  (Wich one isthe M?)   
 
That is subjective question when it comes to sound quality.   

 

[mashuto]

   
Lets say all three products are within the BMW 5 series, the question then becomes where to they fall, 528, 535, or M5.    With a car, there are some objective differences, Hp, gas mileage etc. with the Savant, Sage and Noble X, it is really up to the individual where to place them in the product line up.  "Which one is the top tier?"  (Wich one isthe M?)   
 
That is subjective question when it comes to sound quality.   

Yea totally makes sense. And again, exactly the answer I was hoping for. Same class overall, but as to which is "best" is all about personal preference, which was what I was hoping the case was. But with all the information being thrown around in here, its hard to sift through and figure out what is real and what is speculation so thank you for clearing it up. As far as me being able to determine which is top tier, I would love to, but the others are unfortunately out of my price range/comfort zone for right now, so I am just happy to be able to jump in on one of them at this price and am feeling a lot more confident about it after your responses. Thanks!

 

[Drunkbag]

 
Yea totally makes sense. And again, exactly the answer I was hoping for. Same class overall, but as to which is "best" is all about personal preference, which was what I was hoping the case was. But with all the information being thrown around in here, its hard to sift through and figure out what is real and what is speculation so thank you for clearing it up. As far as me being able to determine which is top tier, I would love to, but the others are unfortunately out of my price range/comfort zone for right now, so I am just happy to be able to jump in on one of them at this price and am feeling a lot more confident about it after your responses. Thanks!

Exactly what I was wondering too.
Thank you FullCircle, I am now at peace with my purchase!

 

[yoowan]

   
Lets say all three products are within the BMW 5 series, the question then becomes where to they fall, 528, 535, or M5.    With a car, there are some objective differences, Hp, gas mileage etc. with the Savant, Sage and Noble X, it is really up to the individual where to place them in the product line up.  "Which one is the top tier?"  (Wich one isthe M?)   
 
That is subjective question when it comes to sound quality.   

I will definitely keep my drop now. Being able to buy a Sage/Savant-like product at this price is an opportunity you have to seize. For a moment Moedawg's review got me thinking again as 250$ is still a serious amount of money for an iem but your input convinced me to stay. Thanks! Looking forward to spring 2017!

 

[astromaddie]

I'm curious, if I have a pair of Etymotic ER4XR, do I really have any business getting these, or will they have a somewhat similar sound signature, and be in a similar class? The Etys are single BA and these are dual BA so I wasn't sure what differences to expect.

Or might I be better off going for the Purpleheart over-ear closed backs?

 

[FullCircle]

I'm curious, if I have a pair of Etymotic ER4XR, do I really have any business getting these, or will they have a somewhat similar sound signature, and be in a similar class? The Etys are single BA and these are dual BA so I wasn't sure what differences to expect.

Or might I be better off going for the Purpleheart over-ear closed backs?

 
 
Sorry, I'm not up to speed as to what Etymotic is doing nowadays.   I am more familiar with the ER4P (showing my age).   I suspect the ER4xR is a variant of the ER4p?    Of the three products,
 
Savant, Sage, and the Noble X, the Savant would have been the closest to the Er4p.  That being said, the Savant had a pinch more bass, and it is also discontinued.
 
 
I am clueless as to the Purpleheart etc etc.