Finally some impressions of the Noble Audio Kublai Kahn. I’ve only had a few hours with these thus far and this being my first time ever hearing a Noble Audio Product. I’ve always been intrigued by this long standing American brand and I thought the Kublai would be a good entry point. I love BC driver set ups and the tactile presence they give to the sound signature. I’ve owned every iteration of the UM Mests and Indigo being my favorite with still to this day the best imaging of any iem I’ve ever put into my ears. However what lacked for me with Indigo was the fatiguing treble that felt much too dry and pointed for such a dynamic monitor. I couldn’t get past it…..
KK has def remedied that!
KK was home waiting for me after work Wednesday evening, and I will say one of the best unboxing experiences I’ve had. I personally love the Nanuk case and can fit my Dap and three iems in it. The Kublai Khans themselves are well made and stunning to behold. The stock cable feels nice and looks aesthetically pleasing however I haven’t been able to hear KK with it as the left channel of the cable is not working and Bloom Audio is helping me out with this. So for my impressions I’m using the Traillii stock cable by PW Audio and source Lp P6pro with Eartune Fidelity U tips.
The first moment I listened it was a bit jarring as KK sounds different than what I’ve been listening to this past year. It’s clarity and transparency is off the charts. It did take some brain burn for me to be sucked in, much like it did with Supermoon. However where Supermoon lacked in Dynamic contrast the Kublai Khan has in spades. This is exactly
What I was after. A different sound with energy and dynamic swings on both macro and micro.
The bass is impressive, not overbearing or bloomy, digs deep and stays in its lane. Reminds me of Odin bass. Which is a HUGE compliment. It only comes out when the track calls for it. More of a sub bass boost and less Mid bass with this tuning which I am enjoying as most of my iems/buds are mid bass oriented sets. There is enough mid bass to give some warmth to the stage but not so much that technicals are smudged or lost. Coming into the midrange, it’s very linear with great layering and transparency…
Male vocals are exceptionally muscular and female vocals are sweet and natural while being pulled back a bit in the soundstage. Not much but just enough to let the rest of the stage encapsulate the listener. The soundstage is vastly wide and sounds bounce around the head in a 3D like image. There is a good amount of depth and height as well. Nothing cathedral like with Ier-Z1R. The details are everywhere, well separated with good amounts of air and placement/imaging is top notch. Instrument timbre is natural and realistic especially bass instruments, horns, strings. The only area I heard some struggle was some acoustic guitars in some tracks…lacked some heft and grit.
I will say the treble is my favorite here. So extended, never dry or blunted. Full of sparkle and detail, that never gets fatiguing. With the amount of detail one would think it may get boring or overly analytical, however the musicality with the KK is ever present. Maybe the BC driver at play.
Overall the Kublai Khan is wining me over with its Spacious, musical and technically competent sound, great imaging and fast transients. A world class quality bass and treble extension that rivals my experience with the planar king iem Supermoon. However, like Supermoon, KK loves well produced tracks. Poorer recording show of all that is lacking.
Really enjoy this monitor and tuning. I have Dr. Juggles 50’s clone cardas clear on the way to me and will report back if anything changes with that cable swap.
