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Author Topic: Noble audio: The Wizard is back!  (Read 11523 times)

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Kunlun

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Noble audio: The Wizard is back!
« on: October 07, 2013, 06:56:56 PM »

Noble Audio is live and on-line, (nobleaudio.com), so I thought I'd start a thread for their ciem line and coming universal iem line-up.

The flagship is the Kaiser 10, a 10 driver custom. I have it and it's very, very well tuned with natural, non-boosted bass. The bass here comes from the same dual big CI drivers as the 8.A, but the sound is much different, just a small lift from neutal for naturalness.
The mids have a dual BAs for mids and dual BA for upper mids. They are slightly warm and clear with a gentle lift in the vocal range to give a sense of liveliness to the sound. There are dual BAs for treble and for upper treble. The treble is really excellent, non-fatiguing without darkness or roll-off. Very good extension at both ends.


Overall, a very coherent design and a very versatile tuning.


There's a retuned 8 driver with improved clarity and brightness over the old 8.A.

The Bassy 5 driver is getting a full custom treatment. This is a straight carry-over from the Heir 5, but now custom-fit.

The heir 4.A/frogbeats 4C (EXACTLY THE SAME EARPHONE), is being retuned to eliminate the drop in FR. It's very, very flat from 20hz to 5k and it's quite nice (I have it and will report on it later).

The 3 driver has been entirely redone as well with a special driver which is the newest offering from Knowles.

There will be silicone shell offered as an option for the 4 and 3 driver customs. Update: The 5 driver will also have a silicone shell option.

I've been asked not to comment publicly on the universal fit Noble iems, but they should be coming along and I'll talk about them here as soon as I get the go-ahead.
« Last Edit: October 08, 2013, 12:18:34 PM by Kunlun »
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MuppetFace

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Re: Noble audio: The Wizard is back!
« Reply #1 on: October 07, 2013, 07:18:32 PM »

I've been talking to John and co. this past week. Looks like I'll be getting a Kaiser 10.

I'm also interested in the silicon version of the ever popular four-driver. Considering I've got my sights set on the UERM and L05QD, I may as well make it a "neutral trifecta" at some point with the 4S.
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zerodeefex

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Re: Noble audio: The Wizard is back!
« Reply #2 on: October 07, 2013, 11:15:52 PM »

This will be a stupid question, what differences are there between the acrylic and silicone versions of the customs outside of comfort? I'm assuming isolation? Anything else?
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tomscy2000

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Re: Noble audio: The Wizard is back!
« Reply #3 on: October 08, 2013, 01:36:54 AM »

It is fabled that because of the way sound back-reflects onto the silicone, silicone CIEMs produce a smoother sound (compared to an equivalent acrylic CIEM with the exact same drivers/crossover/tube lengths), but those claims are not substantiated.
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burnspbesq

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Re: Noble audio: The Wizard is back!
« Reply #4 on: October 08, 2013, 03:45:15 AM »

Brannan from Noble has confirmed that he will be exhibiting at the HF meet in Coronado on Saturday 11/2.  If you order at the meet, they will do your impressions on the spot for free.

That settles it for me.  I'm definitely going.  I doubt that they can woo me away from my UERMs, but I'm willing to let them try.

P.S. If you're interested in carpooling from central or south OC, PM me.  Chances are I will still have a Jetta wagon (either my current one or a new one), and I can take three people and a shit-load of gear.
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Kunlun

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Re: Noble audio: The Wizard is back!
« Reply #5 on: October 10, 2013, 03:41:38 AM »

My head-fi review is up:

http://www.head-fi.org/t/685225/review-noble-audio-kaiser-10-10-driver-custom-fit-in-ear-monitor

I tried not to describe it as "musical" so purrin wouldn't make fun of me...
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Anathallo

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Re: Noble audio: The Wizard is back!
« Reply #6 on: October 10, 2013, 11:52:52 PM »

What happened to Heir Audio and why are all these IEMS more expensive than what they were putting out with Heir?
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CEE TEE

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Re: Noble audio: The Wizard is back!
« Reply #7 on: October 11, 2013, 12:51:28 AM »

Nice review, Kunlun.  The Wizard's stuff is definitely art.  Beautiful.
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Kunlun

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Re: Noble audio: The Wizard is back!
« Reply #8 on: October 11, 2013, 01:45:20 AM »

What happened to Heir Audio and why are all these IEMS more expensive than what they were putting out with Heir?

I think the folks at Noble would like me to keep quiet about. However, I did say in my Kaiser 10 review the following:


"Noble is set up very wisely: By giving each of his team a share in the company, they can really put their hearts into what they do and everyone will reap the benefits of their hard work and talent. John has assured that Noble is built to last for years to come, just like his earphones."


John and his whole team left to form Noble, so if you read between the lines a bit, you can see what the problem is with the guy who owns Heir. Please don't comment on it further as there's nothing more I can say about it.

As for the prices, well, the newly re-tuned Noble 8C is EXACTLY the same price as the old Heir 8.A AND the Noble 8C has free shipping...  facepalm

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Kunlun

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Re: Noble audio: The Wizard is back!
« Reply #9 on: October 11, 2013, 01:48:05 AM »

Nice review, Kunlun.  The Wizard's stuff is definitely art.  Beautiful.

Thank you, CEE TEE. I appreciate it.
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