Technical Performance
The Kadence, as I mentioned above, does not try to impress with its rumbling bass, colourful mids or bright treble, because it doesn’t contain those things. What it contains though, is that awesome overall technical prowess and consistency. The IEM is one of the most cohesive units I’ve heard, and the resolution is top-notch. Transparency is easily one of the best I’ve heard in this range. It’s also very detailed, hence unforgiving. So be careful about your recordings here. Make sure you use a silent source with high-quality recordings to get the most of it.
When we come to the sound stage, the Kadence is not hugely impressive, especially when you listen to the Khan and go back to the Kadence. However, in its presentation and own price range, it has a very good sound-stage performance. Sure, there are many impressive IEMs -especially hybrids- in terms of staging performance, but the Kadence keeps it real with a conventional full BA sound-stage on the highest level in the sub-2000$ range. Since the separation is on a top level and the background is perfectly black, it has great stereo imaging as well.
Another last thing I can mention about the Kadence is the ”naturalness”. This is not an easy topic to truly define, but it plays effortlessly with a very natural and smooth tone, despite its flat and reference tuning. The music just flows and makes you feel like you’re listening to something live in a recording studio. It never feels sterile, cold, or warm in the opposite way. It just sounds truthful and natural, with great coherency and neutrality, except for that very slight boost in the lower end.
Cables
The supplied cable with Kadence is Noble’s 8 Core cable which is sold at 199$ when purchased alone. This is an OCC Copper one, which has good build quality, flexibility and tensile strength. However, you can improve and alter the sound presentation with aftermarket cables.
Effect Audio Eros S
The new signature series from EA will be here very soon, but the new Eros S completes and improves Kadence’s presentation with extra depth, and already excellent imaging steps up and becomes even better. Resolution is higher and the instrumental separation is just great.
So if you want to open up the sound even more and make Kadence sound a bit wider and more spacious, the Eros S is a perfect companion. It works wonders with the Kadence.
PlusSound Silver+
One of the best silver cables I’ve tried, the PS Silver+ makes the sound narrower and the resolution improves as well as transparency. The bass is tighter and faster, and the mids are extremely clean. However, I think the presentation becomes a bit bright, which is on the edge for me. I think hybrid cables like the Eros S are better for Kadence.
Effect Audio Ares S
Another member of the new signature series from EA; the new copper-based Ares S gives more impact & emphasis on the bass. Mids became slightly warmer with a bigger note size, and it just added a fine small touch to that region, sounding a little more colourful. Treble became a notch thicker but they become just a bit brighter overall. Another very good pairing with the Kadence, so I recommend the Ares S here. But I think Eros S works better overall since it provides a bigger stage if you have more budget.
Page 1: Noble Audio, Kublai Khan, Package, Build, Design, Fit
Page 2: Sound
Page 4: Comparisons & Conclusion
