Massdrop x Noble X

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

  1. Warrior

    Warrior RIP 2021

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    Don't dealers make a 50% mark up normally? That would explain the price differential.
     
  2. MuppetFace

    MuppetFace Sultana of Seafoam Green - Moderator

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    ....haha j/k. I hate when people do that. But yes, this has been my exact experience with the X. Then again, I tend to listen at lower levels with IEMs in general. In a way I'm reminded of my experience with the LCD-X: mids make me wanna crank it up, so I do, but then the higher volume starts bothering me, so I turn them back down again.

    I call this the "seesaw effect."

    But, for those who can't tell, I like more about the Noble X than I don't. Especially at this asking price. I'm only harping on this negative because it might potentially be a deal breaker for some.

    I suspect many won't find it too bothersome however.
     
    Last edited: Nov 22, 2016
  3. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    I think a lot of us are being more reserved than usual because we are friends with @CEE TEE and don't want to seem be too shilly. I don't see good reason for folks happy with their TOTL IEMs to buy this, other than if they wanted to collect another high-value IEM or if they were a Noble fan who wanted to collect them all like Pokemon. I see the Noble X more as a product that folks who have been spending $75 to $200 (or using iBuds) to make a HUGE jump to a serious IEM. IMO, The Noble X is comparable to $450-$700 IEMs out there.

    FWIW, I don't find it all that recessed in the mids, certainly not anywhere near the Audeze LCD series, but I do tend to crank the volume up.
     
    Last edited: Nov 22, 2016
  4. Warrior

    Warrior RIP 2021

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    That sounds like an excellent assessment. Props to Noble for working with MD to bring an affordable iem to the market for those less fortunate to enjoy. Thanks to all for giving their feedback and for @CEE TEE for setting this up.

    I guess Noble does care about competitive pricing now, which is great for us as consumers.
     
  5. Lingering Sentiment

    Lingering Sentiment Acquaintance

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    How's the isolation with these?
     
  6. MuppetFace

    MuppetFace Sultana of Seafoam Green - Moderator

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    Very good, especially with the foam tips.
     
  7. sugakandrey

    sugakandrey New

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    Any comparisons with Ibasso it03s? They fall in the same price range (250$ish) and were also highly praised.
     
  8. peterpangea

    peterpangea New

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    Haven't heard either, but I get the impression that IT03 are "praised" on head-fi but not actually so hot in terms of SQ. Feels like there's too much selling activity for such a new product. Anyone able to confirm that assertion?

    EDIT: Well prove me wrong. Have to go check 'em out in person sometime. Shape still kind of weird.
     
    Last edited: Nov 22, 2016
  9. Warrior

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    @shotgunshane has reviewed them. You can check his thread, he gave his stamp of approval, which is good enough for me.
     
  10. shotgunshane

    shotgunshane Floridian Falcon

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    The iBasso IT03 is great. It's more V shaped. Bigger, deeper bass and a good bit more treble presence. IT03 mids will be more distant and thin in comparison to the X.
     
  11. sugakandrey

    sugakandrey New

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    Thanks for the insight!
     
  12. Decomo

    Decomo Almost "Made"

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    Thank you very much for quick comparison. I prefer mid to be closer so might snatch up Noble X when it is on....
     
  13. IAmTheLampizator

    IAmTheLampizator New

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    +1 on the P1 comparison. I wasn't too big of a fan of the Savant at $800 (wizard edition and all that), but $250 definitely sounds a lot more interesting.
     
  14. Warrior

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    Savant was, or is, the 2 driver that created all that controversy if I'm not mistaken? I remember some loved it, some didn't. I suspect the latter didn't due to price and it only being a 2 driver.
     
  15. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    Again, these don't sound anything like the Savant. I don't know why people keep thinking that. Also, tip rolling makes a big difference on these. Also, as @Ethicon & Covidien mentioned, consider tips not included with it.
     
  16. Warrior

    Warrior RIP 2021

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  17. Serious

    Serious Inquisitive Frequency Response Plot

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    The FR somehow reminds me of the Apple Dual BA IEM, but the distortion characteristics (and impedance) seem completely different. It's probably even bassier than the Apple IEM. I kind of liked my Apple IEM for what it was but preferred the more neutral balance of the Brainwavz B2. How does it compare in technicalities against the TWFK IEMs or the UE4?

    Sidenote: Are the TWFK type treble drivers really the only BA drivers that go to 20kHz? Actually, when I measured my B2 it seemed to go well above 20kHz.
     
  18. Pyotr

    Pyotr Acquaintance

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    Looks like I'm gonna have to jump on this. These look really awesome. The description says the sound borrows from the Savanna, Django, and Katanna, so I'm interested. I love the Savanna but I have been looking for something that sounds more fun with a warmer signature with more sub-bass, but I wasn't looking to buy another $500+ IEM. Measuements look great and everyone's been pretty positive so far, so $250 sounds like a no-brainier. Price is perfect; not high enough to keep me hesitant but just low enough to make me impulse buy. I also use a balanced cable for the Savannas so I can slap the X right on there the day I get em.

    Might be a real winner if the midrange isn't terribly recessed.
     
  19. zerodeefex

    zerodeefex SBAF's Imelda Marcos

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    I'm going to be ordering a pair! These look fun.


    Dealer and distributor usually take 30-40 points each. As a manufacturer of audio equipment going through regular channels you can expect to recover 30% of MSRP as revenue from any sale minus any inventory you have to reclaim for obligatory takeback due to retailer buyer's remorse returns or unsold inventory.

    Basically the audio industry is really fucked up. Glad Massdrop and ID companies are turning this model on its head.
     
  20. Decomo

    Decomo Almost "Made"

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    Quote from Dr Moulton himself on HF...

    ++The savant had the least bass response out of the group, the sage has more bass response than the savant, and has similar highs as the savant. The noble x has essentially the same lows as the sage, but the high frequency response is not the same as the sage.
    Three different products, three different sound signatures++

    If I understood correctly, Noble X has Sage's low with Savant's high.
     

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