Package:
Provided with your Khan monitor, come two different carrying cases. A round plastic and a Peli1010 case. Both are built well enough for the struggles of every day carrying, they protect your monitors well, but I strongly prefer the Peli case.
You will also get a selection of silicone and foam eartips to be used with the Khan. I count three gray foam, three black foam and three silicone eartips. They are stored in a plastic bag. Previously Noble supplied a very nice metal tip-card with their IEMs. The metal tip-card is no longer used by Noble because of numerous complaints of torn tips when removing the card. While they looked very nice and felt premium, it is understandable that they went this route.
Noble Audio Khan
In the package there’s also a cleaning tool, a Noble crown logo sticker, two amplifier straps and a velvet bag. In terms of accessory I think it’s absolutely spot on. Of course, there is also your new toy and attached to it, is a black and white silver plated copper cable with a 3.5mm stereo plug.
A small cardboard card is supplied as ownership and warranty card. Again, Noble used to offer aluminum cards, which had a special feeling to them.
Build Quality and Ergonomics:
Noble’s approach to designs has always been with art in their mind, and with Khan they wanted to offer something special again. Khan has a black ABS plastic body, a stainless steel nozzle and an M3 Composite material face plate. Never heard of that? That’s because it has never been used in audio before. M3 compositeis used in the jewelry industry and is highly regarded there.
The M3 Composite face plate on every set of Khan’s is absolutely unique and you will have a very hard time finding two models that look the same. It features a silver and black swirl pattern, which you either like or you don’t. On Khan’s top you will find a hole, whose purpose is to relieve pressure built up by the dynamic driver. Every right earpiece has the Wizard’s signature on the face plate lasered in.
Noble Audio Khan
Noble uses a standard 2-pin socket for their IEMs, and I am happy they’re not on the MMCX bandwagon, as the 2-pin generally is more robust. The sockets are slightly recessed by maybe one millimeter.
From an ergonomics point of view these are fantastic. I have had zero issues with my Khan in terms of fit, comfort or isolation. Sure, they don’t come close to what a custom IEM offers, but this is as good as it gets for a universal.
I was very surprised to not see a full aluminum design, like they use for their Encore and Katana. Personally, I think these two have a more premium feel to them than the Khan, but I guess the M3 face plate would not have been possible with aluminum bodies. The plastic body just doesn’t speak flagship level to me. Maybe I’m nit-picking…
All about sound on the next page.
James
Nice to see you enjoying the Noble Audio Khan too!
After trying out most of the latest batch of flagship iems, the Khan stood out. It is almost perfect, except the price ;)..but I still preordered anyways.
My recent flagship iems ranking:
1. Noble Khan
2. Campfire Solaris
3. QDC Anole VX
4. Meze Rai Penta
5. JVC FW10000
6. Sony z1r
7. Jomo Trinity
Terry
Khan has a serious problem connecting to a smartphone such as an iPhone.
This is obviously a device problem.
So I can’t give Khan a score.
Noble must resolve this device’s defects quickly.
Here’s my ranking.
1. Jomo Trinity
2. QDC Anole VX
3. Legend X
3. JVC FW10000
4. Campfire Solaris
5. Sony z1r
X. Noble Khan
Linus
Hi Terry,
thanks for your comment.
I’ve heard about the iPhone problem, unfortunately I don’t have one to confirm. It works well with my OnePlus 5t.
Cheers
Steven Zore
Hey Terry:
Looking at your rankings… I listened to the Trinity at NYC Canjam and thought it was an utter disaster… Yet you rank it #1.. LOL, Love this hobby!
Linus
Hi James,
thanks for your comment.
Nice list you got there.
I agree, Khan is very nice. Of course the price is always a big factor, but compared to other flagship prices it’s still more “normal”.
Have a great weekend.
Aureen
How would you compare Khan to the CA Solaris? From both a pure SQ standpoint as well as a price / value ratio.
Linus
Hi Aureen,
thanks for your comment.
I have zero experience with the Solaris, sorry, can’t help you there.
Have a great weekend!
Nitish
How does Khan compares to Hyla TE5T? Both have tri hybrid topology.
Thanks
Linus
Hi Nitish,
thanks for your comment.
The 5T is considerably brighter up top and has a lighter, less powerful bass. The Khan is fuller and more dynamic. The 5T in my opinion needs a tube amp or warm source to keep that treble away from being too hot. It’s a rich treble, but too forward for my taste.
A review of the TE-5B and 5T will be out soon. 🙂
Nitish
Thanks Linus
With LPGT, TE5T was too hot. I am pairing TE5T with sp1000cu & EA horus; excellent synergy imho.The bass improves a lot in quantity with JVC spiral dots for me but spinfits cp155 (M) has the best balance.
Cheers
Linus
No worries Nitish.
You’re right, the 5T is source dependent, but for me it’s still on the edge. The only ones that keep it safe for me are pairings with tube amps (Oriolus BA-10 or Woo Audio WA8).
Jason Kang
What’s cable rolling?
Linus
Hi Jason,
cable rolling is when you exchange the supplied stock cable with an aftermarket cable.
Hope that helps.
Cheers
Ben
Hey Linus, great review. Heard it at Canjam Singapore and easily best of show, that and rupert neve rnhp 🙂
Anyways compared to the OG k10s, how did you think it fared?
Side note; had a friend who just got in to audio and he was floored by the Khan too.
Linus
Hi Ben,
thanks for your comment.
The K10 is softer and more forgiving than the Khan, it can’t compete on a technical level and the Khan has faster and more shimmering highs. Khan’s bass is better controlled, tighter and faster.
Glad you like them too. 🙂
YICHING
The Khan is crazy good and heared it at Camjam too!!!
It’s no doubt that Khan is the best and pair very well with my cable.
Wills Chiu
Hi linus, how does the khan perform against Tia Fourte? I’ve heard the khan but would like to know is the Tia Fourte better than it since it is quite expensive. Have a great sounding weekend!
Linus
Hi Wills,
real sorry for the late response.
The Khan isn’t as forward in its upper mids and treble section as the Fourté. The 64 creates a bigger stage and is better organized in my opinion. Bass on the Fourté is more organic and softer. Mids are fuller on the Khan though.
Hope that helps.
Sorry again for the delay in replying…
Dat
Hi Linus,
Can you do a short review about Khan with Linum SuperBar cable?.Is it reduce treble from Khan .Thanks
Linus
Hi Dat,
thanks for your comment.
Well, the Linum doesn’t really change any frequency. It has a very neutral tone and won’t tame the treble of the Khan. If you’re after that you should seek out for copper cables. Something like the PlusSound tri-copper would be a very good choice.
Cheers!
Vladimir
Hello, thanks for the nice review. I would like to know how you compare this one with u12t and Nostalgia Camelot?