Noble Audio - the Wizard returns!

[Eoin]

I don't think the Kublai Khan is going for the same overall effect with its bass as the Ragnar, so to say the Ragnar "trounces" it in that area may not be entirely fair. It's the breathy tickle of the BCD vs. the slam/vibration of the double DD. That is a matter of taste, imho. Also, to me, it's more about how all the many elements of the frequency range relate to each other and how the technicals then relate to the FR. Hard to comment on bass in isolation is my point. I happen to love the overall presentation of the KK. I may be in the minority but I think the KKs offer you a little bit of everything - deep sub-bass albeit not domineering, BCD effect, super clean midrange with a hint of warmth, wonderful treble tone and extension, great detail in the upper mids/lower treble, incredible imaging, holography and depth. To me it sort of combines the strengths of a lot of other TOTL IEMs but with no single element dominating the others, each given its bit of room to move around in. Quite intoxicating the more I listen.

Sorry, for me!, Ragnar is, to put it mildly “trance inducing” in the waves of bass that pass (literally) from head to toe. What ever way it’s tuned, it seems a perfect match for me.
The Kubali Khan and Legend X are also impressive in their own rights, I don’t get the sense of waves of bass, it’s there in the head and in the toes, but there is no sense of the sound moving through me.

I don’t know, I’m new to the Head-Fi scene, home hifi scene was/is my thing. What I’ve learnt on my Head-Fi journey is that synergy can make or break anything. But just because it’s broke or wonderful for me, others may struggle.

An apt old Viking saying:

“Oftentimes, it is not the numbers that win the victory, but those that charge forward with the most vigor”

Trounces … oh yea!

 

[fabio19]

Well if you read my description I don't really feel there is anything in the KK that has more quantity than quality. They have got a lot of treble but it's exceptionally high quality treble, for instance. In fact, I find everything in the KK to be quite high in quality - that was sort of my point. And to me there is such a thing as too much quality, especially in relation to other qualities within the overall presentation. This can happen with hyper-technical sets, imo, where technicals dominate over tone, timbre, emotional connection, etc. I guess I am trying to say I like balance and I find the KKs to be quite well balanced with all elements being of equal quality and this equality of qualities (so to speak!!) is more important to my ears that any one quality standing out more. Hope that makes sense.

I meant to say that reading the various comments .... I understand that beyond the technicalities and the amazing detail that Ragnar has ... for the rest it seems to be a very very qualitative IEM anyway. Then like all iems ... you may like it or not.

 

[fejnomit]

No doubt the Ragnar is a technical marvel. Just covered too much of the same ground for me to switch from the KKs. As for Vikings and so on - I'm not personally looking for savage pillaging in my listening time - well maybe sometimes! - but this is where we all differ quite a bit and that's what's great about this hobby. For me, music time is about tranquility and meditation and deep-space travel. A way to remove myself from the savagery of daily life. Technical prowess must be there but in the service of benign wonder and introspection. Perhaps it's my age who knows.

 

[Eoin]

For me, music time is about tranquility and meditation and deep-space travel. A way to remove myself from the savagery of daily life. … Perhaps it's my age who knows.

Me too!

 

[drftr]

For me, music time is about tranquility and meditation and deep-space travel. A way to remove myself from the savagery of daily life.

Most beautiful sentence on Head-Fi, sir...

drftr

 

[FullCircle]

Japan

 

[fabio19]

No doubt the Ragnar is a technical marvel. Just covered too much of the same ground for me to switch from the KKs. As for Vikings and so on - I'm not personally looking for savage pillaging in my listening time - well maybe sometimes! - but this is where we all differ quite a bit and that's what's great about this hobby. For me, music time is about tranquility and meditation and deep-space travel. A way to remove myself from the savagery of daily life. Technical prowess must be there but in the service of benign wonder and introspection. Perhaps it's my age who knows.

............."For me, music time is about tranquility and meditation and deep-space travel. A way to remove myself from the savagery of daily life........."
Great !!!!!

 

[DaveStarWalker]

Kk and Ragnar seem to hit the spot...

 

[fabio19]

Do KK and Ragnar have something in common? Would KK be Ragnar's "gateway"?

 

[drftr]

Do KK and Ragnar have something in common? Would KK be Ragnar's "gateway"?

From my understanding they're quire different. Perhaps Sultan is the missing link. Not only in price.

EDIT: I found KK quite a bit more coloured than Sultan, and I believe VR is even less coloured.

drftr

 

[fabio19]

From my understanding they're quire different. Perhaps Sultan is the missing link. Not only in price.

EDIT: I found KK quite a bit more coloured than Sultan, and I believe VR is even less coloured.

drftr

ok ..... but I thought they had a lot in common. I was wrong. Thanks for the clarification.

 

[drftr]

ok ..... but I thought they had a lot in common. I was wrong. Thanks for the clarification.

I think what they have in common is that they're both top notch products, but that they differ quite a bit in both tuning and goals. That goes for all 3 though. 3 flagships, and any company would be very proud having only 1 of those. Go figure...

drftr

 

[Eoin]

Kubali Khan's bass is closest to Ragnar, Sultan's highs closest to Ragnar.
All 3 give a similar (house) sound, but definition and clarity increases from KK -> S -> VR

 

[fabio19]

Kubali Khan's bass is closest to Ragnar, Sultan's highs closest to Ragnar.
All 3 give a similar (house) sound, but definition and clarity increases from KK -> S -> VR

You have all 3 ... Congratulations! I would be tempted to take Ragnar. Which of the 3 is your favourite?

 

[Eoin]

You have all 3 ... Congratulations! I would be tempted to take Ragnar. Which of the 3 is your favourite?

I like all 3, each has something different to offer depending on source and music.
My favourite would be Ragnar, without any doubt. But I could also be perfectly happy with the Sultan. KK is more a choice between it and Legend X.