[FullCircle]

I can’t speak for your thought process in doing so but as a consumer, nothing is worse than a delay from a a previous mentioned release date. I have been holding my money for the Apollo for quite a while and did the same with the Triumph. So it’s a little disappointing. That said these things happen so I’ll be ready with my money when they are ready to go.

Totally agree

 

[drftr]

I can’t speak for your thought process in doing so but as a consumer, nothing is worse than a delay from a a previous mentioned release date. I have been holding my money for the Apollo for quite a while and did the same with the Triumph. So it’s a little disappointing. That said these things happen so I’ll be ready with my money when they are ready to go.

You may have noticed on other threads that a great many brands are looking at 3-5 month delays for getting parts from Asia. I could easily imagine Noble is not immune to this.

drftr

 

[NebelHexen]

Actually, it would be a great fit for acoustica. The DXII excels with any good recording of natural instruments and vocals. Is it possible to get some sibilance occasionally? Sure. But that's par for the course when it comes any W signature, and is largely going to be recording-dependent in many cases.



I absolutely adore the Stage 3, and recommend it often. To me, I think a good 80% to 85% of Head-Fiers looking for a great IEM can just stop at the Stage 3 and save much money - not to mention weeping and gnashing of teeth from - having to search further. In the grand scheme of IEM things, it's wonderfully affordable for the level of performance that it offers. Having said that...



I'd take the DXII over the Stage 3 if the budget allows. It's just a bit better all around, especially in terms of clarity, and that sense of air and space up top. I'm not saying we'd hear a whole lot of fundamentals up top... but the DXII seems to have an infinite taper in the highs, without out a roll-off that sounds like there's an annoyingly intangible boundary. And that little thing, on top of the wonderfully pleasing bass and articulate mids, ugh, it's such a nice cherry on top.

Now, if budget is no issue whatsoever, then Kublai Khan. Think of the DXII and Stage 3 as a series of very tastefully done compromises on what the Kublai Khan offers... endless extension at both ends, with bass/mids/upper mids crossed over to near perfection in between.

---

But back to the original point, if a very well done low end is what you're looking for from Noble's line-up, I stand by my Spartacus recommendation - with the caveat that I haven't heard the Onyx yet.

This is so helpful, really appreciate you taking the time.

Wow! now i am seriously torn between the two.

Looks like the DXII is actually 1$ cheaper than the stage 3.
Looks like stage 3 comes with a superior cable, I prefer 4.4mm just for the thickness.

These two are the scope of my price range at the moment - working expenses for me, so looking for good quality but not too wild.
I wear them 8+ hours a day, with breaks of course, and a wide variety of music.

Any difference in the comfort of the shell, or noticeable fatigue?
a 12mm DD sounds comfy, then I think the stage 3 is backed down to a 10mm, but has 2 added armatures. presuming a mid and high. Is stage three considered a W?

 

[warrenpchi]

This is so helpful, really appreciate you taking the time.

You're welcome of course!

Wow! now i am seriously torn between the two.

Looks like the DXII is actually 1$ cheaper than the stage 3.
Looks like stage 3 comes with a superior cable, I prefer 4.4mm just for the thickness.

You know, it just occurred to me that I may have mis-remembered the DXII's price... so yeah, I can easily understand being way torn now. Sorry about that.

I love the Stage 3's cable! I think that should be their standard cable for every model, at least in terms of the interchangeability aspect. I use the Stage 3 with it's cable all the time, and this is despite having some very premium cable options at my disposal.

I wear them 8+ hours a day, with breaks of course

Any difference in the comfort of the shell, or noticeable fatigue?

To the best of my memory, no. I don't have the DXII here anymore, only the Stage 3. But IIRC, both are insanely small and comfortable in comparison to what you'd find on the market today.

Quick side note here, if comfort is a big deal, I would highly recommend taking a look at Eletech's Baroque tips. And if you wind up considering them, here are a few tips on how to choose the correct size for them.

a wide variety of music.

a 12mm DD sounds comfy, then I think the stage 3 is backed down to a 10mm, but has 2 added armatures. presuming a mid and high. Is stage three considered a W?

I think this is the crux of your calculus here... As someone who listens to every genre myself, I'd look at the ratio of what you listen to, and then decide based on that. The DXII is decidedly W, so that's a fair if not succinct description. If you listen to acoustic or natural instruments a majority of the time, then the DXII would be great. The Stage 3 sounds a little more Harman-ish by contrast (though not Harman exactly), so if you listen to electronic (or highly produced music) a majority of the time, that may be a better bet.

---

If it were me personally... I'd go Stage 3 and call it a day. It's perfectly fine for a wide variety of music, comes with a versatile cable, and is very comfortable. I love mine.

 

[NebelHexen]

Awesome write up! Thanks!

I will check those tips out, they look nice! Subtonic's house tips are the ones i am REALLY enjoying lately. They look very similar.

Man, weighty choice. I am probably a month out from deciding but excited to add a Noble

 

[FullCircle]

Grinding for a decade

 

[drftr]

Grinding for a decade

Today? Or a general remark?

drftr

 

[FullCircle]

Today? Or a general remark?

drftr

I've been involved at some level for 15+ years, but Noble was established in 2014.

 

[drftr]

I've been involved at some level for 15+ years, but Noble was established in 2014.

Congrats on the anniversary! Is there an exact date to pop the champagne?

drftr

 

[FullCircle]

Congrats on the anniversary! Is there an exact date to pop the champagne?

drftr

TBA

 

[PrestonSturgesEnthusiast]

I don’t know if it is the driver configuration, its sheer size or what, but I really loved some aspects of the FoKus Prestige. The stage, the subbass impact, how natural vocals sound in it, how non-fatiguing it is.

I own and really like the KK which is, of course, a superior iem, BUT, in some ways, I’d love to have some elements of both in the same gear.

Is there any TOTL noble IEM that would be ideal for someone like me, who really dug the Prestige?