[Layman1]

Hi All,

For anyone that's interested, I've just posted my (long overdue!) review of the Noble Audio Katana, which can be found here:
https://www.head-fi.org/showcase/noble-audio-katana.21779/reviews
Hopefully that works just fine!

 

[Xinlisupreme]

Does Katana compete in 2020?
I mean, would you find better IEM for 800/900$?

 

[FullCircle]

Does Katana compete in 2020?
I mean, would you find better IEM for 800/900$?

Sound is a matter of vibrations.

It isnt a matter of RAM or some other computer tech that quickly reaches obsolescence.

The drivers that were used to build the katana
Are still sold today "new in box" and are probably found in the latest and greatest top of the line products being offered today.

(Example: twfk, dfk, CI are all drivers being sold today)

The katana housing = cnc aluminum, a feature that even some $3k+ do not have.

 

[Xinlisupreme]

@FullCircle in December Zephyr UIEM will be available and I don’t know main differences with Katana sound signature...

 

[FullCircle]

@FullCircle in December Zephyr UIEM will be available and I don’t know main differences with Katana sound signature...

Different animals
Especially with the use of a dynamic driver
Physically, the katana is smaller

 

[Xinlisupreme]

I like bass very articulated and detailed, maybe Katana BA goes in that direction..
I like also transparency and rich mids/highs but not harsh.
I’d pair with Shanling M6 pro and they told me Katana match well.
Don’t know if Zephyr could be better

 

[Xinlisupreme]

Any comparison with UM MEST?

 

[mynamesjeff]

i'm looking for a compliment "fine wine" smooth iem to go with my dynamic Odin and Tia Fourtes. Tried the Katana and this is definitely the kind of sound signature i am after. Smooth and buttery vocals with some nice bass for a BA. The highs are non fatiguing or harsh. Pretty much just right.
Soundstage is airy.

I reckon Katana is fairly under-appreciated/under-rated amongst all the mid to top end iems.

Will probably buy one soon

 

[FullCircle]

i'm looking for a compliment "fine wine" smooth iem to go with my dynamic Odin and Tia Fourtes. Tried the Katana and this is definitely the kind of sound signature i am after. Smooth and buttery vocals with some nice bass for a BA. The highs are non fatiguing or harsh. Pretty much just right.
Soundstage is airy.

I reckon Katana is fairly under-appreciated/under-rated amongst all the mid to top end iems.

Will probably buy one soon

I think we have some B stock aluminum, but we can certainly offer them in prestige universal or ciem format.

The Katana received the "IEM of the year" award in Japan, so it is not a slouch.

 

[mynamesjeff]

I think we have some B stock aluminum, but we can certainly offer them in prestige universal or ciem format.

The Katana received the "IEM of the year" award in Japan, so it is not a slouch.

All good Mr Wizard!
My good friend however has kindly sold his Katana to me in your limited edition Blue Gun colour. I don’t know how many you made but these are absolutely beautiful.

I will say though the effect audio balanced cable in the photo was not the best synergy for me. Made everything too dynamic and slightly harsher.

stock cable unbalanced is where it’s at with my “fine wine” sound.

 

[Sp12er3]

Anyone got an Andromeda and how does it compare to the Katana?

 

[MidFiMoney]

Anyone got an Andromeda and how does it compare to the Katana?

I owned both of them several years ago. From what I recall, the Katana was superior in every way. The andromeda had a more analytical sound but it wasn’t necessarily more resolving, if that makes sense. It’s been a long time since I’ve heard them so I apologize for not being able to go more in depth.

 

[Sp12er3]

The Katana just came, first impression: it's smoother than the Andro, Andro have slightly bigger bass, more quantity also, albeit not quite as fast nor tight as Katana's. It's also much narrower in Soundstage. Mids are more forward (some may say harsher), top end doesn't reach as high, while Katana is airier, about as airy as my Keyaki in fact. On the flip side the Andro have blacker background than the Katana.

It's less sensitive than the Andro of course, no more hissing and fussy OutputZ sound changes for me.

All that on top of the smaller fit of the Katana make it overall a better IEM for me.

Both are good but IMO with how used price are between these two, Andro no longer has a big lead on price point.



I'm surprised at how dead Katana's thread are, The Kaiser and its successors definitely stole the Noble Audio's flagship spotlight.