Whatever the cause, at least in my view, the outcome is right on. Despite recently warming up to liquidy, drier sounding earphones with tauter across-field definition, are my things. Whereas I almost hesitate to plug the just-warmer-than-neutral K10C in for fast trance tunes, I run straight the K10U straight into trance. Some of that changes with other tips, but again, the new high-density Comply tips are hard to exchange for something less comfy.
The K10U does not fit flat into the ear. It’s a Minority Report tear-drop, and therefore not anatomical, but doesn’t fatigue. And, it doesn’t stay as tight in the ear as a good-fitting custom earphone. So, if you’re active, and you have the dosh, the K10C is the best option.
It’s funny. I’ve been shooting Noble Audio’s earphones since late 2014, and only just had the chance to listen to a few of them. I’ve got a Savant of my own and a bunch of empty shells. I’ve lived in a world of angles and colours and 1:1 photography rather than trance and David Bowie and John Denver, and squishy ear tips. I know that everyone’s ears are idiosyncratically shaped, and that insertion angles, depth, and canal size play a big role in forming the sound each of us hears. But my appreciating of products depends heavily on the shadows they cast, on their edges, seams, and colours. Let me tell you, the K10U’s tight flutes required a lot of photography elbow grease.
That same earphone fits sturdier in the ear than the K10U, and pairs perfectly with Linum’s slimline cables. But perhaps by dint of its custom fit, it is tailored for a certain sound, and for a certain ear shape. The K10U exerts a broader range of eccentricities, each less bespoke than the K10C, but not a one pushing against certain genres. Genre-specific pairing is easy as pie.
Lieven
Noble isn’t a client of mine, and so I will be reviewing one of Noble’s designs very soon… 🙂
Barun C
Great read Nathan. The ergonomics of the Andromeda sound tubes was something, which kept me from buying them in the end. Especially after having a long listening session to the Angie’s, as I found them massive and mostly outside my ear even after carefully placing them for a proper listen. I have never owned anything beyond 3 BAs and so that made me a bit skeptical about the fit when it comes to universal IEMs beyond 3 drivers.
On the other hand Noble K10 (either version) are visual stunners but I can’t afford one, so I never considered them as a viable option. Isolation is the main factor along with fit, which currently are the most significant factors behind any IEM purchase I make now.
So I have now considered an CIEM (My first) to put to rest the two issues I mentioned above. Do you think Universals will ever be able to bridge the gap with customs when it comes to both fit and isolation, cause I think its more about luck when it comes to fit with Universals.
Lieven
The universal that comes closest to a custom for, for me, are the German Inear StageDiver series, also reviewed on Headfonia.com
Bubbs
What happened here that made you take down the entire thing? Invalid concerns? Or are you not allowed to say bad stuff about manufacturers?
Wilkin
Noble is like a dystopia government; if their fanboy minions don’t take you out first, they’ll have you offed themselves;)
Lieven
Let’s say there was an issue with Nathan working for Noble and doing a comparison to other gear which made it look like a review.
All is sorted out now