New Noble Katana Universal Flagship IEM

Discussion in 'IEMs and Portable Gear' started by GoodEnoughGear, Jul 12, 2016.

  1. mulolomu

    mulolomu New

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    What do you mean by lush mid as a weakness? is it too lush or need to be more lush?
     
  2. Griffon

    Griffon 2nd biggest asshole on SBAF

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    To my understanding it's too lush. Katana can be understood as Noble's failed attempt for an in-ear HD800.
     
  3. Kunlun

    Kunlun cat-alyzes cat-aclysmic cat-erwauling - Friend

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    While I'd love to hear the Andromeda again, as it's a great iem, I wouldn't say it's neutral (and I wouldn't say that about the Katana, either), both have various boosts here and there in the FR.

    Here's the Andromeda FR graph. And it matches how I heard it, a great boost in the bass, which I like a lot, a twin peak at 6.5k and 9k, the lower of the two was slightly problematic for me and a few other folks, but not for other people. And I didn't use foam tips, which might make a difference.
    [​IMG]
    The Katana avoids that issue in the treble, if you want to call it an issue, but I think it adds something in the mids (which @thegunner100 hears). Whether it is good or not, depends on whether you like a bit of lushness, as noted by iem crewmates. I like it, but I'm not calling the Katana neutral, which is what I think HF'ers are more calling it.

    @Griffon I don't think the Katana is really meant to be like the hd800 (did John Moulton say that? I'd be surprised). I think the ie800 is the failed hd800, right?
     
    Last edited: Nov 28, 2016
  4. Griffon

    Griffon 2nd biggest asshole on SBAF

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    Eh, that's just to my ears - Katana is Noble's failed attempt, while IE800 is Sennheiser's own failed attempt. Katana is close enough though, while IE800 is a massive, massive fail.
     
  5. thegunner100

    thegunner100 Hentai Master Chief

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    Too lush generally. Works nicely for certain genres though.

    My two picks for in-ear HD800s would be the UERMs and K3003. K3003 is closer to a stock model while the UERMs are closer to a modded hd800.

    Edit: The UE4 falls within that category as well.
     
  6. Kunlun

    Kunlun cat-alyzes cat-aclysmic cat-erwauling - Friend

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    So, you'd say the hd800 is the headphone the Katana is closest to?

    Huh, I don't listen to a lot of full size headphones, but I'm not sure I hear the Katana quite that way.
     
  7. mulolomu

    mulolomu New

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    I think Katana its far from HD800's type of sound in my memory...but its more like shure kse1500 imo...ymmv
     
  8. OJneg

    OJneg The Most Insufferable

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    That is not hopeful...
     
  9. mulolomu

    mulolomu New

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    Id rather not to put this iem too shallow, because it makes the soundstage collapse. my favourite eartips for katana is biflange silicone from fitear.

    @OJneg
    What do you mean sir?
     
  10. Warrior

    Warrior RIP 2021

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    Probably that not many have heard the Shure e-stat. Hard point of reference. Just a guess.
     
  11. mulolomu

    mulolomu New

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    Oh..I'm so sorry then if i choose the wrong "reference"

    But one thing for sure is katana wont pleased you @Warrior ...lol...
    Have you tried the encore?
     
  12. Warrior

    Warrior RIP 2021

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    I actually did have the opportunity to hear the Katana, definitely not my preferred signature, but I must admit I did enjoy it. It had more bass than I thought it would. I've yet to hear the encore, and doubt I will want to. It doesn't grab my attention at all.
     
  13. mulolomu

    mulolomu New

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    Yes it still "have some" bass, but of course its not quite enough "boost" for your preferences. Also in my preferences, katana still falls on bass-light category.
     
  14. TomHP

    TomHP Facebook Friend

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    I did about half an hour of back and forths with the Andro and Katana in a local shop recently. To me the Katana is less colored than Andro.

    Don't get me wrong, I love the Andro and I'm still seriously considering buying a pair due to their lovely spaciousness and unique signature, but they are colored. By the way, people that like the Andro signature but are more on a budget... might want to try the Onkyo E900M. I'm biased, but they measure very similarly and the E900M has similar spaciousness.

    The Katana on the other hand is less airy, but I was really quite taken with it. But holy shit is it expensive. It worked wonders on acoustic music. For my usual electronic music choices I would still prefer my SE846 with filter mods. No chance would I spend this much on an IEM. Perhaps in a year or two when they come down in price on the 2nd hand market.
     
  15. Returnity

    Returnity Acquaintance

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    I found a used Katana for a good price. I'm quite satisfied with my Andros but how would you guys compare these two? The reviews I read suggest that they're very similar in sound but Katana is better in technicalities. I'd love to read your opinions...
     

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