Massdrop x Noble X

Discussion in 'IEM Measurements' started by purr1n, Nov 21, 2016.

  1. Kattefjaes

    Kattefjaes Mostly Harmless

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    That may not help as much as you'd hope- aren't Rockets out of production now- so no direct replacement?

    (Also, I use large Spiral Dots on my Noble-X too, seems to work OK. I also had some luck with medium Spinfits- and am going to give the double flange Spinfits a go too)
     
  2. musicfan1

    musicfan1 New

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    Drop is back up for anther 7 days.
     
  3. gixxerwimp

    gixxerwimp Professional tricycle rider

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    Turns out I'm an idiot, in case any of you were wondering. I was having so much trouble finding the right tips so that they would seal properly in my left ear. My last attempt was to try and get a range of Spiral Dots to try. Due to some idiocy, I have an open box of MS and unopened boxes of S, MS and L. The MS didn't work, and I have no M to try because I had a total brain fart when ordering (the 2 boxes of MS are the result of another SNAFU). After yelling at myself for being such an idiot (I also wanted to try the M with my Andros), I went through the stock tips again and it turns out the medium silicone works for me :confused:. The seal is OK, especially if I rotate the shells backwards as far as possible. They feel like they're about to fall out, but stay in fairly well and need only a light push if I've moved my jaw a lot.

    Still need some bass lift and mid/lower-treble tweaking with EQ to get what I consider a neutral response, but now I can use them without having to resort to Complys. Yeah!

    Sorry for the noise, but the end result is I have the above mentioned Spiral Dots that I'm going to put up for trade for:
    • Spiral Dot M and/or ML (new or used, I don't care - just want to try them)
    • stock Noble X silicone mediums
    • or a donation of US$10 to SBAF for an unopened box (S, MS or L), US$5 for 4 unused MS from the opened box
    I'm leaving on vacation for 2 weeks in a couple of days so I won't be able to send them out right away, but PM me and I'll take care of it when I return. I'll post this in the The Earphone Tip Exchange thread as well.
     
  4. a44100Hz

    a44100Hz Friend

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    My new Noble in-line microphone and volume control cable ($80) is busted after two months of use. The volume control wasn't functioning properly for about two weeks, then the left channel went out. Would not recommend.
     
  5. Cspirou

    Cspirou They call me Sparky

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    Trying to decide between the Nobel X and the ATH-IM02. Both are dual-BA and have similar prices($250 vs $212). Leaning towards the audiotechnica because of wait time and slightly cheaper price. Although I am willing to wait if the Nobles compare favorably.

    Anyone heard both?
     
  6. shotgunshane

    shotgunshane Floridian Falcon

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    Going from memory of the IM02, I'd say it will sound just a little more 'exciting' with its very slight V shape compared to the laid back downward sloping X.

    For me fit is a little easier to achieve with the IM02 but both are comfortable and both stick out from the ears. The X will have a easier to deal with cable if memeory serves.
     
  7. Poleepkwa

    Poleepkwa Friend

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    I was also looking at those, have you considered the Stagedivers SD-2? Here in Europe the Stagediver SD-2 is easier to than the IM-02. Price is higher though, not sure how much they are in the States new.Main reason I took these over the other 2 was because of the replaceable filters (I use mine a lot during physical activity). Took a while to get used to the fit, but these isolate and maintain their seal extremely well. If you bump into these secondhand they could be a good alternative.
     
    Last edited: May 31, 2017
  8. raif

    raif Man made lobster/plankton

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    Hey everyone, Just picked up a pair of these phones. Like everyone, having major fit issues with the supplied tips. I am actually using the large pair of soft silicon tips that I had around and am actually getting bass response below 50-60hz. Unfortunately, they feel like they are going to pop out with every head movement.

    I was thinking about picking up a pair of the Comply T500 tips based on this thread. My question, if anyone knows the answer, are the medium size complys larger than the larger of the two included foam tips? That tip is too small for my ears so I wanted to go a bit bigger.

    That being said, these are definitely a huge step above my shure e215s and if I can get a more secure fitting in the ears, these will hands down be my go to iems until I decide to pony up the cash for something like the UE Pro Remastered(which I assume is the current latest version of the UERM)
     
  9. deafdoorknob

    deafdoorknob Almost "Made"

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    it's safe to go bigger with comply as the foam they use compresses more than the stock foamies. I am currently using the rounded ones without the wax guard as the X are dark enough as they are.

    nozzles of the X do suck in terms of fit (for my ears at least) and assuming that all their universals use the same design, i doubt that i would be getting other nobles in the future :/
     
  10. Gemini

    Gemini Facebook Friend

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    I couldn't get good sound from the stock tips either. Just reused the big ones from my Sony XBA H3. Seal is good and bass is thumpin.

    [​IMG]
     
  11. raif

    raif Man made lobster/plankton

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    I decided to bite the bullet and get the multi-size pack of comply tips so I can try both the medium and large sizes. I'll report back here in case it helps anyone else. Also yes, I wonder what it is about their design that makes the fit of the eartips so crucial.
     
  12. raif

    raif Man made lobster/plankton

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    So to follow up in case it helps anyone else, the larger of the provided foams with the Noble X is about the size of the medium comply tips. However, because of the taper of the noble tips, the comply mediums seal a bit better.

    With the comply tips, I am getting amazing sound out of these iems. I have to mess a bit with insertion depth to insure things don't get muddy, but once they are set, I forget they are in and get both great sound and isolation from all of the extraneous office noise. A great compliment to my Ebony Fostex TH-X00.
     
  13. AllanMarcus

    AllanMarcus Friend

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    There a few different types of comply tips. Which ones are you referring to? Comfort, isolation, other?
     
  14. gixxerwimp

    gixxerwimp Professional tricycle rider

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    I caved and ordered the Spiral Dot mediums. Seller on amazon.com with free shipping from Japan. Quoted 1.5-2 months shipping, but I got them in just over a week.

    Fit is a bit deeper and more stable than the stock silicones (which was the best I could do before) so a touch more bass. Still need some EQ. Would be interesting to try the MLs to see if they give a slightly snugger fit (none of the Amazon sellers with ML stock would ship to Taiwan).

    Then, I finally clued in that the Sony hybrid tips are hybrid in the sense that they're both silicone & foam, and not because they're for their hybrid IEMs. Doh! :confused:

    Since the Spiral Ms were still a bit loose, I tried making my own hybrids and inserted a ring of 2mm felt. A bit better, but still a touch loose on the L side (which has been problematic from the start). Then I added a ring of 3mm open cell foam (on the left) and I think that's done the trick. The real test is the gym where they blast super crappy music and I'm making faces which tends to push the tips out.
     
  15. Grahad2

    Grahad2 Red eyes from too much anime

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    Just so no one buys the wrong thing: Sony Hybrids (EP-EX10/EX11<size>) are without foam, but with a coloured stiff inner stem and a soft 'mushroom' (mix of 2 stiffness -> hybrid). The ones with foam (i.e., hybrids + foam donut glued in) are their "noise isolation" line, EP-EXN50<size>. Then you have their foam ear tips(EP-TC50<size>)... <- these are like the usual foam tips I'd guess, versus the Monster ones that have the silicon tube all the way out to prevent foam bloom.

    Yeah, Sony.
     
    Last edited: Jul 7, 2017
  16. gixxerwimp

    gixxerwimp Professional tricycle rider

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    I defer to the much more knowledgeable @Grahad2. Now I'm even more confused about them than before ...

    Was just going off some of the images that turned up when I searched for sony hybrid tips. In any case, my ignorant assumptions led me to an improved fitment for my Noble Xs.
     
  17. Crinacle

    Crinacle Friend

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    Just to add on since I've been spending waaaay too long trying to chase those rare items. No point getting the EX11; it's just a standard ear tip.

    The EXN50 is the "real deal" that's completely discontinued and impossible to find unless you look into the deepest corners of the Japanese internet (I've asked a friend to physically scour the e-earphones to no avail).

    The TC50 is Sony's update to the EXN50 which is using a stiffer foam-like material in the "mushroom cap" form-factor and can be found more easily than the aforementioned EXN50. Unfortunately, it's also completely different from the EXN50 and is still relatively rare as they're only sold in Japan.
     
  18. Grahad2

    Grahad2 Red eyes from too much anime

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    I only have the genuine Hybrids, the "NC" ones I have are from the very generous Vsonic accessory packages (back when they included Sony clones) - I think they got a complain and now feature their own more conically shaped ones...

    Monster's foam SuperTips are rare foam tips without the typical foam bloom, but they're stiffer than even Shure Olives. I don't know how they sound cause they hurt my ears within minutes. Monster's gel supertips are similarly an comfort abomination to my ears, but they're essentially silicone tips with gel filling instead of foam like the EXN50.
     
  19. gixxerwimp

    gixxerwimp Professional tricycle rider

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    I got the SYMBIO W Wide Bore Silicone+Memory Foam tips in last night. Took 10 days from Hungary to Taipei using standard free shipping. I've had a lot of trouble getting a good fit and I think these are finally THE ONES that do the trick. With the mediums, I get a slightly deeper insertion than my homemade Spiral Dot foam hybrids and they are totally secure. And way more convenient to use than Complys: just a quick squeeze, hold in place for 10 seconds. Bass response is much better now, though sub-bass is still a bit lacking (they don't pass @deafdoorknob's Kelis - Weekend (Feat. Will.I.Am) test, first "boom" in the break at 1:00).

    Tried the smalls and can get a slightly deeper insertion but the seal isn't as good and fit not as secure. Slightly moar bass though.

    Recommended for those who have difficulty getting the Noble X to fit properly and can't stand using Complys.
     
  20. DigMe

    DigMe Friend

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    I bought these from Vansen and they arrived yesterday. I'm enjoying the sound so far after probably a couple of hours of listening. I'm going to see how they do as IEM for live music monitoring while playing bass later today. Hopefully they'll be good for double-duty. If so then they'll be replacing my Westone UM Pro 20's. I wish the cord was a bit more substantial and maybe 8 inches longer.
     

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