Noble Audio Viking Ragnar

Noble Audio Ragnar does not need any introduction. It has been one of the most revered iems in recent times. It’s really great to see Noble Audio pushing their boundaries, with each and every release. I have a Kublai Khan with me, and I am in absolute love with the Kublai. One of my dear friends acquired a Ragnar few months ago, and I happened to demo the unit multiple times in the last month. I will be sharing my views on Ragnar, and I hope they will resonate with those of many other reviews.

Specs:

2 x Dynamic Drivers for Lows
2 x Balanced Armatures for Midrange
2 x Balanced Armatures for Treble
4 x Electrostatics


Fit:

Ragnar, like many other Noble Audio IEMs, has a big shell, but it has a very good and comfortable fit. A couple of my friends mentioned that they have issues with the fitting of Kublai Khan. Kublai Khan fits very well, and since it is a very lightweight monitor, I absolutely have no issues with it either. Similarly, the Ragnar, even if the size is on the larger side, has a light weight and fits well. Also, the tip rolling becomes handy if you find a tip that helps you with a decent insertion, Ragnar will fit really well. Ragnar has a wide nozzle, and a tip with a long stem and wide bore sits really well on it. It's funny to note that in the winter, the aluminum shell is too cold sometimes.

Also worth mentioning is the cable that comes with Ragnar. It is much better than the one that comes with Kublai Khan and many other high end IEMs. The stock cable on Jewel is just meh. I am sure most of the people owning the Jewel do not use it's stock cable. I also tried a couple of different IEMs with the Ragnar's stock cable and found it to be really good in terms of sound. Not that it adds a lot to the overall quality of sound, but you will not consider discarding it either. A well-done job, Noble Audio.


Sound:

All the sound impressions are based on the different listening sessions I had on the following set-ups:

1. Lotoo Paw Gold Touch + Ragnar on stock cable
2. Lotoo Paw Gold Touch + Ragnar on stock cable + Aroma A100tb
3. Lotoo Paw Gold Touch + Ragnar on PWAudio First Times + Aroma A100tb
4. Earmen Angel as DacAmp + Aroma A100tb
5. Sony WM1ZM2 + A&K PA10 + Ragnar on PWAudio First Times (with Shielding)

I will talk about all these combinations later. First, let's try to understand what the general characteristics of Ragnar are.

Those who have demoed or owned Ragnar already know that there are only a very few IEM‘s that come close to Ragnar in terms of technicality, detailing, resolutions, and imaging. Ragnar is a real beast when it comes to detailing. Every thing, every sound, comes out quite clear and distinct. I think this is the biggest prowess of these IEMs; it's something you will notice as soon as you have put them in your ears. You can hear new things in the music, or something that may sound muted on other iems would come to life with Ragnar. It has such a spacious sound stage - wide and tall - it will leave you stunned. Also, the sound is very analytical in the sense that it does not add any color and produces sound as the tracks intend it to. These few characteristics make Ragnar really different from the others in this sense. It has its own character, and it sticks to it. Ragnar does not pretend to be a musical or fun-sounding iem rather, it has it's own type of potential.


Highs:

In my opinion, Ragnar has very impressive highs. I have found that if the EST drivers are properly tuned and implemented, the IEM will have impressively high frequencies. To me, Ragnar is a true treble monster with superb extension and airiness. If for someone the highs are sharp, tip rolling comes really handy to tame the treble, if at all required. I did not find any treble spike or any harshness as such. I am treble sensitive and do not tolerate brightness in the iems, but Rangnar did not bother me at all. I think this is more because of the set up that I was listening the Ragnar on. Also, the stock cable adds a bit or two to the brightness of the IEMs. I think if you give enough power (read a good source) to Ragnar, the upper frequencies become cleaner and more detailed, and there should be no issues as such. The high frequency becomes more enjoyable with a better chain.

Lows:

The lows in Ragnar are lean by my standards, and a lot of people find them the same way. If two dynamic drivers cannot produce enough bass, then what can? With a lean bass and an airy, detailed sound, sometimes Ragnar may come across as a thin or sharp-sounding IEM. If your source (DAP) has a very normal amp section, you will certainly not enjoy Ragnar a lot. I found that if enough power is given to the Ragnar, the lows get some weight and there is enough kick in the lower end, which makes the Ragnar much more enjoyable. Also, throwing a good cable as FTs or 1950s adds to it's tonal weight, and the bass response gets better. The sound is more open with a good cable.

Mids:

With such great resolution and detailing, the mids have to be amazing. The wide and tall soundstage and great imaging help the instruments play very separately, and everything sounds really sweet. I find the mids to be positioned exactly where they should be - not far behind and not too much in the front. The vocals are crisp and sharp. You will feel intimate with the singers, as if they are singing softly in your ears with all the voices directed towards you. On the stock cable, it may not sound as full as many would like it to, but the better the source you have, the more the mids shine. All in all, there is nothing to complain about here.


Comparisons:

To be fair, Ragnar has a distinct characteristic that I do not find fit to compare to other IEMs. But just for the sake of it, I would say that in terms of resolving capabilities, I think it is better than the XE6 and Radon6. Jewel is definitely better at resolution than Ragnar. If given a full-blown chain, Ragnar comes quite close to the Jewel but does not surpass it. Ragnar may have done better on the highs, as the extension is superb. In terms of soundstage, Rangnar has better depth and height and has a three dimensional character, which the XE6 and Radon6 do not have or are lacking in. Both the FiR Audio iems have better bass (default), and Ragnar never reaches the surreal level of bass from XE6 and Radon6. In my opinion, Radon6 probably has the best bass on any iem.



About different sources:

To me, the best chain for Ragnar is - Lotoo Paw Gold Touch + Ragnar on PWAudio First Times + Aroma A100tb. I am very sure there are only a very few chains with a better or equally great sound than this. The LPGT replaced with the Sony WM1ZM2 is equally good-sounding, if not better. Both of these DAPs are on par when it comes to resolution capability. The First Times with Shielding takes Ragnar to another level by opening up the sound, giving it a fuller midrange, and adding to the overall dynamics. There is a better sense of staging with this cable. No wonder it is one of the best cables on the market. The Aroma A100TB amp is a beast, and it gave a new life to Ragnar. It adds a lot to the overall dynamics and tonal weight. The bass response became really amazing, and who says the bass on Ragnar is lean. The overall bass response of this amp is much better than the A&K PA10.

I have an interesting story to share. This unit, which I borrowed for auditions from my friend, was put on sale. He might have used it for nearly 6-7 months, and he was somehow not enjoying the iem a lot on his chain (Sony WM1ZM2 + A&K PA10 + Ragnar on PWAudio First Times (with Shielding)). One evening, I sent him my Aroma A100tb, and things changed. He was so happy with what the amp had done to Ragnar's sound. He was so thankful that I saved him from selling off the unit and saving time for further exploration. I am sure it will take a lot of effort and auditioning if someone wants to go for the next IEM after Ragnar, and there aren't many IEMs. If you have used Ragnar on a good setup, consider yourself spoilt.

I am not sure why some users drive the Ragnar with a dongle. Dongles do not have enough power and resolution to work well with Ragnar. It's just undermining the immense capability of the iem.



Conclusion:

Noble Audio Ragnar is not everyone's cup of tea. I feel that the makers made such a technical and capable IEM with intention. You have to be sure if you want to get one or not. To all who consider owning it: please make sure to audition it well. Also, it's very important to know that Ragnar needs a proper chain - a good source, an amp (may be), and a good cable - and then you will not consider anything else for a long time. Ragnar is an IEM with infinite capability, and as a listener, you have to make sure that you get the best of it. There has to be absolutely no weak link in the chain, because that would really put Ragnar in the back seat. Contrary to some views, I do not find Rangnar to be cold and thin. I have enjoyed my time with it a lot.

Before starting, I would like to publicly thank Andrew of MusicTeck always particularly kind and helpful, for giving me the opportunity to listen to the Noble Audio Viking Ragnar.
https://shop.musicteck.com/collections/noble.


A few words about the name....
Ragnar Lodbrok, according to legend, was recognized as a Viking hero and a Swedish and Danish king. According to the story, Ragnar was notable for many raids and innumerable raids on the British Isles and the Holy Roman Empire in the 9th century. According to a saga, Ragnar's father was a legendary Swedish king named Sigurd Ring

Let's move on to the technical data of the Noble Audio Viking Ragnar:

10 drivers (DD+BA+Electrostatic) divided into:

2 x Dynamic Drivers

2 x Midrange Balanced Armatures

2 x Treble Balanced Armatures

4 x Electrostatics

Frequency: 20Hz – 40KHz

Resistance: 17 ohms

Sensitivity: 1KHz 112dB

Crossovers: 4-way



Cable:

4.4mm Magnus cable constructed from Graphene, monocristalline silver, and copper silver alloy. Twisted conductors 1.064

The internal parts of the Viking Ragnar are the same as those of the Viking, thus giving the listener the opportunity to "experience" the sound of the Viking. Even the shape of the shell remains the same, even if the beautiful damask is missing (which also raises the price), but from an aesthetic point of view it is a great "observing". The cable is a 4-strand Magnus that includes monocristalline litz silver, copper-silver alloy, and graphene. Terminated with 4.4.mm Pentaconn.

Ragnar is presented in its "classic" black top case with NOBLE writing in white. Inside the case we find a small metal plate with the Viking Ragnar logo. A bag with various types of tips of different colors, sizes and construction of materials. Two black elastic bands with white “Noble” lettering and magnetic black leather case for storing the IEM and cable.

The Ragnar (unlike the Viking) does not have a completely damask metal body, so it is not as visually impactful, but overall, it is a little lighter. Very particular dark gray and black color design. Also nice to the touch. Inside we find a total of 10 housed drivers divided as already mentioned in the specifications. Personally, I found the fit good. I would say perfect, but this is a factor that remains purely subjective and linked to the conformation of the ear canal of each of us.

But I go straight to the sound: Ragnar's presentation is truly of immense aural impact. As soon as mass is literally "WOW" without ifs and buts. The synergy with LPGT seemed to me excellent even if I was afraid (initially) that such a neutral source with a slightly radiographic IEM might not be an optimal combination. But it was not so. Indeed, I must add that already after about fifty hours of listening, the sound became more full-bodied and the clarity gave way to a much more homogeneous context and, if I may venture, even more balanced. And in any case after almost 100 hours the sound continues to change, becoming slightly more mellow, more addicted. I've read somewhere that Ragnar has a bit of a colorful sound……I'd say Ragnar sounds like an exact copy of what you're hearing. Like a photograph. Whatever it may be. In the first listening session I must say that going from Ragnar to Fir Audio XE6 and vice versa, it took me a few minutes to RE-adapt to a certainly different musical typology. Then the pleasantness of Ragnar or XE6 logically remains a very subjective thing but the differences are quite marked. In Ragnar overall there is a truly record-breaking recovery of details and micro-details. In some passages that I know quite well, I have caught notes of the same instruments never heard with other iems. So much so that I went back and listened to it again to understand if what I was hearing was true or the result of psycho acoustics. The funny thing is that listening to the low range, I have to say that the two DDS do a great job, but as the song progresses, we tend to forget all this because the absolute star of the listening is the high and mid-high range. I am very sorry to have sold my LP6 Ti, because I have the clear impression that it could have been a perfect marriage with Ragnar.



TECHNIQUE and SOUND:

Ragnar goes a little out of the common ordinary. In common with Traillii (for example) it has a very large soundstage both in depth and width but the representation of this is different. Overall Ragnar plays many more technicalities and many more tools. The separation of the instruments in my opinion is at a very high-level level and sharpness. Then… unlike Traillii, he conveys everything in a less harmonious and persuasive way, because it's not in Ragnar's character. Even if he does everything with such quality. On some songs I heard notes and details never heard before.


TIMBRE:

Traillii, Isabellae and XE6 are 360° warmer almost everywhere in the sound spectrum, while Ragnar is light years ahead of these 3 iems in the high mids and highs. Even compared to Jewel it is abundantly sharper and with excellent separation between instruments. As well as on vocals, although I have to say that Jewel on vocals (both male and female) has more quality. It seems that Ragnar compared to anything else, sounds almost unnatural, but it's not like that. It's just and definitely different. There is an objective datum where one can quibble: it is the response of the treble that appears to be intensified compared to all the rest.

BASS:

I find the Ragnar bass to be very deep and very controlled. So much (sometimes) that it doesn't seem like a DD. He doesn't have any bleeding. It has space around it, but everything is always very well circumscribed. In metal tracks, where the bass speed is sometimes truly remarkable, Ragnar still manages to always maintain excellent separation and even more a great ability to maintain details. Compared to XE6 it has less thud (and I like it a lot for this too), and maintains that sense of airiness, breath and clarity that other iems lack with a deeper bass, articulated but never so sharp or clear. Although overall with metal music the choice between XE6 and Ragnar becomes a subjective thing, with electronic music that Ragnar is better than XE6 is quite evident. On the low range it is one of the most incisive sets I've heard. Perhaps for my taste one of the basses that combine depth, impact and very clear ends, without smudges.





MEDIUM:

Lean, dynamic, fast, open, qualitatively luxurious and detailed. Its midrange is neutral in the truest sense of the word. It never loses its sense of musicality (not like Traillii of course), but as detailed and lustrous as it is one would expect it to be even slightly above bearable, but it isn't at all. It often happens that even if you know a track well, you can pick up musical details whose existence was completely ignored before. In their entirety they have a fairly sweet texture. It seems that the voices (both male and female) are shifted slightly forward, making them more impactful, without ever transcending into digitality. However, they sound three-dimensional and every note of the stringed instruments can be perceived beyond all imagination and above the reproduction of any other IEM. Technically I think they are the best on the current market.



HIGH:

It is Ragnar's characteristic. In stringed instruments, you really can hear anything and everything. Perhaps slightly clear overall, but quality and body act as a counter altar. Technically I've never really heard anything like this. Everything seems to be perfect, maybe even too much. There is a lot of air and space overall and between the top notes. The high end is beyond any doubt the part that polarizes all of Ragnar's sound. In pieces of the pop or classic jazz genre, the notes, although very detailed, never lead to the most absolute brilliance. Also, in this Ragnar knows how to give an open and clear high range but also soft when the piece requires it. In metal songs it is never harsh, hard, or excessively present. Perhaps it is in the songs that are not perfectly recorded ... there it is a bit like a photograph and if necessary, it can be a bit shrill. I don't find (as someone mentioned) that it has a slightly cold tuning…but maybe it's just a matter of getting used to, because you have to get used to the sound of the Ragnar as I think it has a high range perhaps never heard in this mode, before this iem. A fusion of perfection, detail, technique but of the highest quality.



COMPARISON : Jewel/Ragnar and Traillii/Ragnar


JEWEL vs. RAGNAR:

I'm going from memory…having heard in the same session, Jewel, Ragnar and XE6. Jewel and Ragnar are two IEMs if we want to put it that way, with a neutral, technical, fast sound. I found the mid range of Jewel more melodious, compact, certainly more beautiful. Overall, bottom, top, and technically, I much preferred the Ragnar. The quality of 80% of Ragnar's 360° sound, but made her preferred, without the slightest doubt. Jewel (albeit neutral) has a more soulful sound than Ragnar which is however much more technical than Jewel. In the low range Jewel has a more powerful thud, but Ragnar has a bass that never overflows and is always very precise and restrained. Jewel in the high range certainly remains more intimate than the
slenderness, breadth and audacity of Ragnar. Ultimately, I believe there is no absolute best between Jewel and Ragnar. I believe that even in their similarities, the difference is made by the personal listening pleasure. And here I can go too far in saying that I like Ragnar infinitely more than Jewel.





TRAILLI vs RAGNAR:

Here in some ways, the differences are amplified. If Jewel and Ragnar have similarities, it's not exactly the same here. Overall Traillii is certainly a handyman compared to Ragnar, and has a much more relaxed, sweet, harmonious, persuasive sound. Traillii doesn't have Ragnar's technique or "wow", but has a more mellow, romantic sound. It is different precisely in the strict sense of sound setting. Ragnar with electronics is excellent. Traillii is like an armchair in front of a fireplace with a fire lit on a cold and overcast day. And you wouldn't trade it for anything or for any reason. Ragnar is an intense, sparkling, lively sunny day. Let's say that they compensate almost completely. And that's why I keep them both, I think for a long time yet. Even though……between Ragnar and Jewel as I said, I chose Ragnar without the slightest doubt, between Ragnar and Traillii, not only is it not easy to choose, but if I really had to stay with one, I would probably choose Traillii. You listen to it for hours and hours and it is always very pleasant. Ragnar is more beautiful and satisfying (in my very personal opinion) than Traillii, but it certainly implies a more demanding, more attentive, more quirky listening. Luckily, I don't have to choose and so I keep both. And, depending on what and how I want to listen to, I have a very valid alternation. I just have one doubt……I read somewhere that technically Storm is better than Ragnar. I haven't listened to Storm, but personally I find it hard to think of anything even more technical than Ragnar. I hate to think what could be better Storm than Ragnar in this respect. I hope to listen to Storm and clear my doubts.



For now (for me) Ragnar is number one.

Hello all,

New to head-fi forums here and wanted to come and post some impressions of my most recent IEM trial/purchase, the Noble Audio Viking Ragnar. The trial and sale was all done via Musicteck and the help of Andrew which, as most here know, is always helpful and there to supply great customer service. You can check out the Viking Ragnar other Noble Audio products at https://shop.musicteck.com/collections/noble. I can be a bit wordy at times so sorry if I ramble or drag on at any point.

With intros out of the way, I want to briefly go into my gear and preferences, especially what I was looking for in my newest IEM to be added to my collection.



Gear:

My current gear for IEMs includes the Empire Ears Odin, Unique Melody Mest Indigo (and now a Viking Ragnar). For sources I have an Astell&Kern SP3000 and a Shanling H7. I want to also include the pair ups and tips/cables used here for everyone to be able to make exact comparisons if they wish as well. The Odins are attached to my SP3000 via an Effect Audio Horus+Cleopatra 8 Wire with Final Audio Type E Medium tips and the Indigos are attached to the Shanling H7 via an EA Cleopatra II Octa with Spinfit W1 Medium tips. For all comparisons done to the Ragnar below, these are the combinations used while the Ragnar was used with the SP3000, it's stock Magnus cable (4 wire OCC Silver and Graphene) and Azla Crystal SS size tips. It is worth noting here, I absolutely did not enjoy the Viking Ragnar paired with the Shanling H7, the SP3000 feels like a perfect match for it since the soundstage is stronger, the bass goes deeper and does not have the same vocal boost/focus as the H7 which takes away from the Ragnars strengths.

All music was streamed via Qobuz and my listening ranges from Rock, Alt Rock, Classical Rock (Zeppelin and the like), Metal, Metalcore and more within the same genre areas with light amounts of Rap or other genres speckled in. A few specific songs will be referenced in the sound description/comparison as they are my "reference" tracks for specific areas of the FR I look at.




Preferences and expectations:

As for my preferences and what I was looking for in the Ragnars, I like my bass to be relatively controlled and not bleed through to the rest of the frequency range (Empire Ears are a bit notorious for this, and the Odins don't escape the fact) while my mids are detailed but never shouty and I have an extremely high tolerance for treble and thus often like my treble quite spicy and piercing. With the addition of the Ragnars I was looking for a very detailed, more analytical leaning IEM that would really be able to pull every last detail out of music and they delivered on every front, but more in depth to follow.

I'll start with the obvious, the look, build and fit of the Viking Ragnars.

The aesthetics of the Ragnar are striking compared to most other IEMs, they aren't overstated or exaggerated but have a distinct look and feel (the Damascus steel is slightly textured and has a nice "matte" like gloss). The shells are aluminum and quite thick feeling but are still light and comfortable and will get warm but, personally, never got TOO warm or uncomfortable in the ear where I felt the need to remove them.

I have fairly small ears/canals and, while the Ragnar have a relatively deep insertion (very similar to the Indigos, but without the UM twist on filters which often poke even through tips) they never became irritating and were not pushed out (something I experience regularly with the Odins, it's a fight between getting a good seal or having bass attenuated to death by improper seal). The shell fits perfectly in my ear, very similar to the indigo shape and fit, with almost no protrusion when fully/properly inserted. With the Azla Crystal SS tips they did take a mild bit of twisting to get in, but once in, they stayed and were comfortable as long as you don't push too far, a common problem for me with the Azla tips since they are wide bore, is they can sometimes expose a bit of the IEM nozzle if pushed too far without a proper twisting motion.



Sound and Technicals:

I'll start with the most apparent and what some may find to be a downside based on their preferences/expectations in the IEM they want. The Ragnars have a VERY wide and deep soundstage that is extremely transparent and airy. The ability to pinpoint every sound/instrument/singer in the stage is absolutely there beyond any of the other IEMs I've heard (to include Trailii, Jewel, UM Universe). The thing that really surprised me here is the Ragnar's ability to take even HEAVILY crowded tracks and separate them so they felt open, airy and detailed. My reference point for this is usually Confession by Wovenwar and We Are One by White Chapel. Both songs, despite being very crowded and having lots of bass going at once, felt like completely new songs with the Ragnar; minute details buried previously (Yes, even on the Odins, the Indigos faired slightly closer due to their BCD) were present in all the space injected between the drums and bassist.



Transients:
The Ragnar bullseyes everything here, alongside the Indigo, but still edges the Indigos out, ever so slightly. Compared to the Odins, it wins more handedly, mostly because a lot of transient strength of the Odin is buried beneath the aforementioned bass bleed and, typically, the shouty mids. However I solved that thanks to the Horus+Cleopatra cable (also purchased with the help of Andrew and Musicteck, so thanks again there).

The sound profile overall of the Viking Ragnar is extremely detailed while leaning heavily toward the analytical, cold and SLIGHTLY thin side (this thinness greatly decreases as you become accustomed to them and not other bass-ier IEMs/sources). It is important to note in the rest of this impression that this is EXACTLY what I was looking/hoping for from the Ragnars.

Timbre:

The Odin being warmer in the mids and a bit less realistic in the treble than the Ragnar. While the Indigo (w/ CleoII/H7) have a very natural and analog timbre all the way through. My one test here especially for lower treble/upper mids is Libertine (Abbey Road Version) by Architects. At approximately 1:50 there are a series of piano strikes which, with the Indigos, sound like you're right in the room with the piano, the Ragnar had the same quality timbre but it was further back due to the soundstage expansion. The Odins with this test can sound SLIGHTLY unnatural in comparison to the Indigo and Ragnar.

Bass:

The bass is very well controlled, fast, and present when it needs to be in terms of rumble and oomph, but as soon as it doesn't need to be there, it's gone, which is absolutely perfect for me. It's still detailed and has a good sense of air due to being a double dynamic driver IEM but they will absolutely never bleed any of that bass into the mids/upper mids or treble, or even sub bass to mid bass for that matter - everything is precisely where it should be and never outside that area. Even on the above mentioned tracks I use for congestion testing/passing with a lot of bass, I never felt like I was missing any bass or thump/rumble to the music. One of my favorite songs, Immigrant Song by Led Zeppelin was particularly amazing with the Ragnar.

Compared to the Indigo the bass can feel a little flatter at times, but this is one of the Indigos heavy strengths due to the BCD and it's also not something I'd deduct from the Ragnar (because, as mentioned, not looking for a bass cannon). Detail retrieval was similar, but slightly easier to discern on the Ragnar due to the air/width of the soundstage in comparison.

The Odins obviously have more rumble and thump than the Ragnar due to their dual W9+ but they also suffer massive bleed through which can often make them feel crowded and overly close to the stage as a result. The Horus+Cleo once again helps a LOT here for the Odin. When comparing to the Ragnar with the stock stormbreaker there is a stark contrast and it really makes the Odin feel like a bit overwhelming. There's a time and a place for the Odin and its bass, but there is absolutely no overlap between the two in this region of the FR. It'll all come down to listening preference/what your current mood is.



Mids:

The Ragnars mids are very detailed, but due to the wide soundstage as well as the airy, forward, extended treble, can sit a little further back than some may prefer. The good news here though is, since the bass is so well controlled and tight, the mids don't suffer a loss in quality or quantity and are able to be fully articulated. Worth noting, they do not suffer with female vocals at all, no siblance or other even with the highest of pitched singers I tested (tried with The Pretty Reckless, Elyose, Icon for Hire, etc.).

I'll start by comparing to the Odins, as they are usually the front runner for most people in the Mid department of ToTL IEMs that aren't all BA based. I don't necessarily prefer one over the other here when using the Horus+Cleo on the Odin, but with stormbreaker and the absolutely intollerable echo/reverb that is present on the odins with that cable, the Ragnar win hands down. With the Horus+Cleo the Odins Mids are fuller and sweeter sounding while also being closer to you, for me the singer is placed slightly infront of you with the band in a holographic but fairly intimate stage. The Ragnars place you infront of the singer with the band all behind them but spread across a vast plain in every axis, as a result, the mids are a bit further back and colder in tonality but still extremely detailed, absolutely nothing is lost to the void that is present between. The void statement feels like an exaggeration, but the more I look back at A/B comparisons, it really is that dark/open and a stark contrast to the Odin.

The UM Mest Indigo with the H7 are a bit more forward in their mid presentation though never shouty like the Odin w/ stormbreaker, again, greatly assisted by the use of the non-stock cable. When compared to the Ragnar the Indigos mids are fairly similar but lacking the depth/detail of the Ragnar. The Ragnars Mids are able to let you hear absolutely every little guitar pick, slide on a violin or other tiny nuance you might have missed with other IEMs.



Treble/Highs:

The Ragnars home and kingdom, as far as I'm concerned. It does everything perfectly here, my one and only complaint is I didn't get some of the pierce I was able to achieve with the Odin and Indigo but afterwards I quickly realized this was a tip difference, which is worth noting. The Ragnar is one of those IEMs that are very sensitive to tip rolling, so if you have a penchant for a more tamed treble, you can use your typical Final Audio Type E or others to control it. In my tests they definitely took away some of the spice that I personally loved from them.

The Treble on the Ragnar is so well extended, airy and detailed. Symbols ting and reverb as they should, popping out of the black and fading back in. Another test track for me in the treble region is Rumination by The Dead Rabbitts, from about 40 seconds to 1 minute there is a series of xylophone strikes deep in the background that, with the Ragnar, are so much clearer and noticable than on the Odin (again, the bass covers them a bit, an on-going problem for the Odins as you may notice). The Odin also doesn't keep the clarity or reverb as they fade into the black as long due to the treble roll-off. The Indigo fairs a lot better in this test vs the Ragnar than the Odins, but still has a bit of roll-off that gives a clear win to the Ragnar.

Overall/Closing:

The Ragnar are technical/treble monsters, which anyone looking for a "closer to reference" sound while still maintaining insane levels of detail and soundstage width/depth, will want to obtain. The initial listen/comparison of the Ragnar was hard to get past, I'll admit, they sounded cold, thin and dead. But once you start hearing all those details come through and you acclimate to their tuning, you realize it's all there, just a little further or "misplaced" than your used to due to the stage. They quickly found a place in my collection and are unlikely to ever leave it as they bring something completely new/different to the table for me. They're a blend of the Indigos and their very balanced signature but nice treble and BCD detail (minus the BCD, obviously) while also taking the Odins technical prowess and none of it's weaknesses.

I hope this helps anyone here who may be on the fence with the Ragnar as they might feel it's "too similar" to the EE Odin, but I assure you, they are entirely complimentary and you'll reach for one over the other depending on mood/music you want that day or evening.

PS: I really want to try the XLR8 with these, Noble Audio, if you're reading let me know

Thanks for reading. Don't forget to check out the Ragnar and other Noble products at https://shop.musicteck.com/collections/noble.

I briefly got to demo the Noble Audio Ragnar during a local meet-up some time back. The meet-up took place in a hotel lobby which doesn’t always turn out to be the best environment for critical listening, but out of all of the gear I tried that day, Ragnar stood out and I left that meet-up intent on hearing it again.

Fast forward a month or two and I have since picked up a set from Musicteck and have been using it daily since. My impressions below like always are just one man’s opinions on how I hear things. Please remember this will always be subjective and we no doubt hear things differently.

What’s in the Box​

Ragnar comes in a Nanuk hard case similar to other Noble sets. I don’t know why, but it always seems impressive opening these types of cases to find the IEMs presented inside. The case certainly offers a safe way of storing your IEMs if you are on the move but I am not sure how practical it is on a day-to-day basis unless you are trying to keep things safe from kids or pets.

Also included is a leather carry case, some ear tips, some branded accessories and a steel thank you card for purchasing Ragnar.

Overall, everything has a high-quality feel to it and is in line with what you could expect at this price point.

Design​

While Ragnar may not have the full Damascus Steel body like Viking, I actually prefer the more subtle aluminium body which makes that face plate the real star of the show visually. It is a unique design and one of the nicest I’ve come across to date. The IEM feels solid in hand, and while I still baby them when holding them, they feel like they will be more durable than plastic-shelled alternatives.

The 4 wire Magnus cable that is included is aesthetically very complementary to Ragnar. Its weave has darker and lighter strands which gives a similar visual impression to the Damascus Steel. There’s a Pentaconn 4.4mm jack and the rest of the hardware is nicely machined steel. It is surprisingly light and supple in hand and overall, it is an excellent quality “stock” cable.

Inside the aluminium and steel body of the IEM lies 10 drivers per side. There are two dynamic drivers for the bass, two balanced armatures for the mids, two for the highs and four EST drivers for the super highs.

Fit in general has been fine for me. Ragnar, to me, sounds best with narrower bore tips and a deep insertion. The sound changes quite dramatically with different tips so if you have smaller ears, the large hybrid shell may present some issues in achieving the best fit but it will always be a case of just having to try them to find out. Even with the steel, the IEMs are not that heavy and once I achieved a good seal with my chosen tips (Spinfit W1), I seldom had to readjust the set in my ears.

Sound​

Without the demo I had of Ragnar, I never would have bought this set based off of the impressions I had read to that point. I’m glad I got that demo or I would have missed out on experiencing an excellent set of IEMs. Make decisions with your own ears is the key takeaway here!

Your experience with Ragnar will come down to whether you enjoy its sometimes intense presentation and synergy with your sources. It has a lot of treble energy which can go from too much with the wrong source to unique with a well-paired one. It pairs well with warm-leaning sources and R2R DACs and clearly less so with sources that would already be considered bright or analytical. When you find the right synergy it can produce stunning results.

Ragnar is also a set that needs some brain burn-in on a day-to-day basis. I couldn’t swap from a set like XE6 to Ragnar as it would just seem bass-light but if I start the day with Ragnar there are no such problems. This isn’t unique to Ragnar. Going from a very coloured set to a very detailed set will always create a moment (or longer) where your brain needs to adjust.

Soundstage, imaging and layering are all exceptional with Ragnar. The IEM is capable of producing a 3D soundstage which stretches far in every direction. Another area Ragnar really shines in is how it can handle complex or busy tracks. It seems like no matter how many instruments or sounds are in a track it can handle it with ease whereas other sets I have compared the same tracks on start to sound congested and lose details.

Detail retrieval and resolution are also at the very highest level with Ragnar. It will make many other sets feel blurred around the edges and what you have been missing before in a track becomes very apparent when you start comparing. The analogy of going from 1080P to 4K is probably fairly apt here. You don’t necessarily look at 1080P videos and think they look bad but when you compare it to a 4K version you can see what was missing and the 1080P versions just doesn’t seem so good any more.

Bass​

It is worth noting that the stock tips that come on Ragnar in the box produce a very poor bass experience for me. I have seen impressions from a few people saying that Ragnar was bass-light after having a demo and I wonder if these tips are the cause of that. These tips also result in your focus being drawn to the treble region due to the lack of balance.

Certainly for me, with the correct tip and seal, I think both bass quality and quantity are very good. The two dynamic drivers are fast and mid-bass is tight with no bleed. There isn’t bass head levels of impact but the quality and texture are on point so it certainly doesn’t feel lacking. There is also decent sub-bass rumble when called for.

Overall, bass keeps in its lane. It is there when called for and then gets out of the way so everything else can shine.

Mids​

Accuracy, details and realism are the words that come to mind first when describing the mid-range of Ragnar. It can’t really be understated what impact having so much detail available has on your listening experience. Stringed instruments sound natural and life like but when you add in the extra details that sense of realism or the sense of being there listening to a performance just goes up a level. It’s addictive and it makes you want to dive into your library to hear how your favourite tracks sound.

Vocals are fairly forward and you feel like you are right next to the artist as they perform. There can be an intensity in female vocals especially as you go up the frequency range but it never becomes too much for me. Both male and female vocals have a very natural tone and likewise benefit from being so detailed, creating a captivating experience when you listen to a track that has been well recorded. While I wouldn’t go as far as to say Ragnar is unforgiving with poor recordings, you certainly won’t be allowing it to shine if your library doesn’t have high enough quality material to support it.

Treble​

Probably the part of the frequency range that causes the most polarizing opinions of Ragnar. While some of that may be down to differences in how people use terms such as “bright”, if you are sensitive in this region then a demo is a must before a purchase.

I would classify Ragnar as being intense in the Treble region. Sets I would classify as “bright” are the ones that generally have spikes that make you wince or make you quickly reach for the volume knob and for me, Ragnar never causes either reaction. Clearly, my library and my hearing have a huge impact on this, as do the source and tips you use, so it’s something you will have to experience for yourself.

The EST implementation here really adds to the sense of air and the vast soundstage. Notes are crisp and detailed but you can also get that type of ethereal and smooth nature to notes when the track requires it. R2R sources have by far produced the best experiences here for me with Ragnar and I’ve enjoyed the intensity it brings rather than finding it to be a negative.

Comparisons​

Unique Melody Mentor​

Listening to “Keith Don’t Go” by Nils Lofgren from the Acoustic Live album

Source: MacBook>Gustard R26>Topping A90D

I really love this album as the guy is a genius with a guitar and it shines on sets like Ragnar and Mentor.

Listening with Ragnar, the thing that stands out first is the level of detail. Everything is pin-point from the vibrations of the strings, his fingers moving along them and the taps on the body of the instrument and the resulting echos. As Nils’ strumming intensifies, Ragnar conveys it brilliantly and effortlessly. It is highly detailed but never analytical. There’s plenty of emotion and it’s songs like this where the intense nature of Ragnar comes into its own adding to the listening experience when needed without becoming too much.

Swapping to Mentor, the guitar has a much warmer tone with each note lingering a little longer than with Ragnar. There’s also a feeling of more vibrations from the strings which I will put down to the BCD. Vocals are smoother and not as crisp as Ragnar but it goes with the overall warmer tone. When the track is at its most intense around 04:45 in, there is noticeably less energy than with Ragnar and some of the higher frequency notes just don’t cut through the air in the same way.

I can thoroughly enjoy the track on both sets. The BCD in Mentor really makes some of the guitar notes vibrate and linger in a unique way. On the whole, it is a smoother listen on Mentor vs the more detailed version and accurate version Ragnar produces. Ragnar makes you sit up and listen and you go on a bit of a journey with the track as it ebbs and flows.



Listening to Warwick Avenue by Duffy

Source: MacBook>Gustard R26>Topping A90D

Listening with Mentor, there’s a noticeable warmth to the instruments with the bass guitar being quite prominent at the start but everything is nicely spread out within the stage created. It’s really easy to isolate any one of the instruments and just appreciate it. Even as the orchestral instruments enter and the track builds, everything remains clear and uncongested. As Duffy’s vocals likewise build, there are some moments where the higher notes have you thinking about reaching for the volume dial to turn it down a touch but I think this is caused by the stock cable, which I am using for this comparison, but is not something I experience when I use other upgrade cables. Overall though, the track sounds great with Mentor.

When I swap to Ragnar, the vocals have your focus. They cut through the music with their clarity. The instruments feel like they are supporting the vocals whereas with Mentor everything is on an equal footing.

There’s a clear difference in warmth between the two sets again and notes feel like they have less impact with Ragnar which leads to the vocals taking centre stage in the presentation. The bass notes that were prominent with Mentor now seem much smoother and laid back with Ragnar. The soundstage, in size and layout, is very similar between the two sets. When I swap back and listen to the track on Mentor I come away thinking about the instruments. Swap back to Ragnar and it's vocals. Both sets draw you in but you end up focusing on different aspects of the track.

Cables​

This section is going to be fairly short as out of all the different cables I have tried with Ragnar, I have found the stock to be the best pairing. Not too often that happens.

During my testing I tried the Kinera Orlog, Plussound Hybrid+/ Silver+/ Copper+, Liquid Links Venom, PWA Deep of Universe, Khanyayo Cardas Clear and a number of cheaper cables I own and while some improved some areas of the sound, they made sacrifices in others which were not worth it to my ears.

Nearly universally across all of the cables, the major things that suffered compared to the stock cable were details. The stock cable really allows Ragnar to present incredible amounts of the tiniest of details and once you hear that, it is hard to sacrifice it even for improvements in other areas.

If I were to pursue an upgrade cable for Ragnar I would look into the 8-wire version of the stock cable that Noble sells via their website.

Conclusion​

I like the sets I own to have something unique about them and Ragnar certainly fits that bill. The sometimes intense signature coupled with absolute top-level detail retrieval creates a listening experience that is never dull.

If you get a chance to demo Ragnar, take some time to try different tips and sources with it. It took a little fine-tuning for me but I’ve found it an incredibly rewarding set to own since and I am glad I took a chance on it.

Hello dear friends, I am pleased to share with you my review of the Viking Ragnar from Noble Audio. This is one hotly anticipated IEM, having been on the scene only for a short while, and I was really excited to hear it for myself. The original Viking is legend but sadly no longer made, so thankfully Noble decided to revive the line with an updated, and happily for the rest of us, much cheaper version for the masses. Gone is the full Damascus steel body, instead the Ragnar features an aluminum body with a Damascus faceplate, keeping in the same vibe and vein, but cutting the price in half. Boasting an impressive array of tech inside, these are some startlingly resolving IEMs to say the least, with best in class abilities and sound. They have a huge sound stage, ridiculous levels of detail, deep textured bass, impeccable mids and soaring highs. Needless to say I was very impressed right from the start. Are they the best thing I have ever heard? You’ll have to keep reading to find out

Before we get into the nitty gritty let me quickly state my due diligence:

Firstly I would like to thank @MusicTeck for asking me to review these and for sending me a demo to do so. I was provided with said unit for testing purposes, after which time I had to send it back for others to enjoy. I was not required in any way to provide a favorable review, only to share my experiences and feelings about it. My demo unit came in an unmarked soft case and only included the IEMs, the stock cable and one set of generic tips. I cannot detail the retail packaging or the unboxing experience as I didn’t have any of that to begin with. I do know from my own research that the Ragnar comes with a nice Nanuk hardcase and all the usual accessories befitting an IEM of this price point, so I will focus only on the sound.

***After a full burn-in of 150+ hours, I did all my testing with the LP6 Ti AE. I had the PW Orpheus and First Times Shielding as additional cables to experiment with. Something to note, the Ragnar has a bit of a name for itself as being on the colder and leaner side, a fact that could vary greatly dependent on the source you use. As with all IEMs, synergy is paramount, but I feel with the Ragnar even more so. As I was using the LP6, which is itself quite warm and full bodied (adding in the PW Copper cables to boot), this has definitely affected my experience with the Ragnar, so as always YMMV. ***

So let’s get into it shall we?









The Ragnar is a tri-brid IEM, with dual dynamic drivers for the bass, four balanced armatures for the mids and highs and a set of four EST for the super highs. The shells as explained before are made of aluminum while the faceplate is made from Damascus steel by master metalsmith Chris Ploof. Quoting the Viking official announcement the stock cable is “the Magnus - 4, includes Graphene, litz monocrystalline silver and copper silver alloy. The plug is 4.4 pentaconn while the two pin is silver-copper alloy.” I find the entire package to be a beautifully understated and modern achievement, without being pretentious in any way. In terms of styling and design these are right up my alley, bold yet reserved, dark but with enough contrast to stay interesting and catch the light. Priced at $4000 they are absolutely not cheap, are they worth it? We shall see. For more detailed specs on the Ragnar, I recommend you to visit their website here.

First off the Ragnar shells are exquisite. Some of the nicest I have ever seen, with beautiful detail work. The aluminum shells are painted black, and fitted with the one of a kind Damascus faceplates which are really stunning, especially in person. I was curious if they would impress me when I finally got them in my hands, and I was happy to find they were even more lovely in person than expected. A gorgeous quasi batman combination of matte black and shiny steel, very cool indeed. In traditional Noble fashion, there are runes etched into the black shell, just under the faceplate in a ring around the entire shell. The shell itself is carved and ribbed, instead of being completely smooth, but I can attest that they extremely well made. They were also heavier than I expected, while not crazy heavy, the all metal construction definitely isn’t weightless. They are medium large but well shaped - with one caveat. Noble decided to make the spout angle slightly upwards instead of straight out, resulting in, at least for me, the IEM not sitting inside my ear but being forced outside and up. Without a tip installed they do rest inside my ear rather flush, but the tip of the nozzle spout hits the inside of my ear canal just barely, meaning in order to seal and be comfortable the IEM had to sit outside my ear, relying entirely on the tip to hold it in place. Not ideal for a heavier all metal beast such as the Ragnar. This is of course down to personal anatomy, I have kind of small ears, but it was a bummer nonetheless. Now this type of fit didn’t cause discomfort in and of itself, but I would have preferred this beautiful work of art to sit somewhat flush(ish) in my ear, and no matter of fidgeting or wiggling could get them to settle in. I actually made my ears a bit raw from repeatedly trying so hard as I really wanted them to fit me, but in the end I was forced to just let them hang out and wiggle in the wind. I imagine that other sized ears or ears shapes would perhaps not have this problem, just know that this angled spout could potentially lead to some fit issues as well. I did try quite a few tips, and all had the same, or similar, problem for me. I eventually came to favor the Spinfit W1 for reasons of sound, they provided the largest stage and least restricted frequencies.




The stock cable is quite nice; supple, soft and lovely as well. It features a clear jacket, underneath you can clearly see the gleaming matte silver wires in all their glory. It also features some nice matte aluminum hardware with polished ring accents - the 2 pins remind me of Eidolic connectors, while the 4.4mm is an official Pentaconn connector. The Y split is a fairly minimal barrel with Noble etched in the side, again understated but lovely. There was little memory effect, no microphonics, and I found the cable quite comfortable for extended listening. My only gripe with the cable would be that the chin cinch does basically nothing, no matter how tight I got it up by my neck, I found it had slid down by the Y split every time. I did do a lot of my testing with my PW copper cables, and while I will get into the sound aspects in a little bit, it is fair to say I preferred these, despite the stock cable being very resolving and of flagship level quality.

One last thing that did disappoint me right off, my demo unit already had some noticeable scratches on the shell, and part of the black paint had come off. For an IEM that’s only been in the hands of a few people, and couldn’t be more than a month or two old, this isn’t great for the long term as a show of quality. Of course I don’t know how it was handled, but for an IEM of this price point I would expect the finish to hold up for more abuse than that.







So, the sound.

These are some seriously resolving IEMs, holy shnikeys! From the moment I put them in my ears I was totally blown way by their sheer abilities. A friend told me they made his Jewel sound somewhat veiled, which I of course snickered at, but I do agree it’s an effect you may notice upon first listen. I am not here to say these are better than the Jewel, not at all, but in terms of absolute resolution I haven’t heard an IEM that brings this much crazy minute, ultra fine detail before. They are definitely a more critical listening analytical set, so do keep that in mind. That’s not to say they aren’t musical, but they err on the side of technical over romantic for sure. They have a huge stage, probably not quite as wide as Traillii but very large for sure, especially in the spherical and vertical aspects. They just go off into space, very impressive. Imaging, positioning and placement - all flagship level. After reading some initial impressions, the words “sibilant”, “peaky”, “lean” and “cold” were floated around - not keywords I usually associate my favorite gear with. So when I first put them in my ears I also noticed, yes, these are indeed kind of bright. But I would perhaps use the phrase “treble focused” instead of bright, as the Ragnar really does focus your attention to the top end more so than the lows, instead of being just “bright” which has a negative connotation for most. And yes, in truth, the Ragnar is a bit cold and lean. Using my LP6 AE the cold and/or lean didn’t bother me much, but this is a warm and thick DAP to begin with. I could imagine that with a very neutral source this could be a bit of a deal breaker for some, unless of course they prefer the leaner-cleaner thing to begin with. I will say I personally think the stock cable was perhaps not the right choice, I would have instead opted for something perhaps more copper based. While I think the signature will appeal to some, this could have been an all rounder for the masses with a different stock cable, but what do I know. Noble sure has been around a lot longer than I have. In fairness, the Ragnar is indeed more than the sum of its parts and I don’t want to force anyone’s opinion too far from center without having the chance to explain further. I’ll try to go one piece at a time, and then you all can make up your minds at the end.





BASS - Funny enough the Ragnar bass was touted as a bit shy and lean, and I didn’t find that at all. Yes, the quantity might not please the absolute bass heads, but in terms of quality this is some of the best bass I have ever heard in an IEM. The punch, control, depth and texture are remarkable! Seriously, I was totally in love from the moment I first heard that low end. I would call it linear yes, with perhaps an ever so slight tilt northward, but that doesn’t mean it won’t thump when you need it to. What I adored was its uncanny ability to get out of the way when not called for, keeping the rest of the spectrum gorgeously open and unfettered. But when called for it came back with serious depth, control and slam. When listening to jazz I found the bass quantity to be perfect, keeping a more reference linear tuning on the whole of the spectrum. It was only when listening to more bass featured music that I found the lesser quantity to be noticeable, but only just so. It actually didn’t bother me, I instead came to appreciate the nuanced tuning, especially when switching back to other IEMs - only to find them rather bass heavy for a brief moment. Of course that is just a symptom of A/B’ing, and after some back and forth that acclimated itself, but I think it bares mentioning. I think for many this type of bass tuning would totally satisfy. Honestly the quality is tremendous, and Noble should be very very proud of what they have accomplished here. I would have to admit that in terms of pure tonality, texture, and abilities the Ragnar’s bass outperforms the Jewel which is saying something.

CABLE A/B - Using either the FTS or Orpheus I did hear an improvement in the bass all around for my preferences. It became more assertive, more thunderous, and more out in front. It reached deeper, flushed out more, and hit harder. It dominated the scene more than with the stock, instead of being slightly timid or reserved in the background. Of the two PW cables I preferred the FTS pairing in fact, it kept the tactile and punchy tones, while rounding out the low end and bringing it more in line with the rest of the spectrum. The Orpheus was more bloomy, and for such an agile and clean IEM I felt that the FTS was simply a better fit.





MIDS - Ragnar has a wonderful midrange. Slightly forward, with more weight on the lower mids than upper but only by a bit. All around the note weight was good, with plenty of heft and body to create a realistic and artful presentation. As I mentioned earlier the resolution of these IEMs is totally crazy, and this is heard in spades in the midrange. Every single nuance and minute detail is brought forward in a natural and cohesive way. The level of micro details and tiny flecks of sonic material are just hanging there for you to grab out of the air. There is a slight uptick in upper mid energy - I wouldn’t say a spike - but there is additional energy there. It could be said that the mids are the star of the show, not in terms of tuning - as the high end definitely steals the show in pure volume - but the best part of the Ragnar is its mids. They are clear, open and clean. Transients are fast, articulate and crisp. They do lean on the slightly colder side, and while there is good weight they are not exactly thick either. They are not romantic mids, but musical for sure. This is not Mason FS or even Jewel mids, they are less warm and more lean, but wowed me just the same. There is just a massive amount of detail there, even with my usual reference sets like Jewel and 18t, they both seem slightly veiled in comparison. Now, that being said, too much of a good thing isn’t always better. While I do enjoy being able to hear absolutely everything, in crystalline clear stereophonic sound, there is a limit to which my ears and brain can handle. I think my threshold is quite high already, but after some time with the Ragnar I found the sheer level of detail to numb me down a bit, and while it was always natural, it could be tiring. Not in the sense of peaks or harshness, just know that after some time these IEMs can wear down your senses a bit. These are analytical/clean IEMs, and they come for you whether you’re in the mood or not.

CABLE A/B - Swapping in the FTS or Orpheus and the mids are warmed up, they gain some girth and weight, and sound more pleasant to my ears. I didn’t hear any loss in details, only a more musical, daresay relaxed presentation that lightened up some of the overly critical/analytical qualities from before. I also heard the upper mid energy tamed down some and smoothed out which I preferred. While the Orpheus has the biggest spread out mids, and a step above FTS in terms of pure resolution, I found myself again preferring the FTS much to my surprise. It all amounts to synergy, and while I prefer the Orpheus 99% of the time, I think this is the cable for these IEMs.





TREBLE - Now we’re gonna get into it. If you’ve ever read my previous reviews, it’s no secret that I have a sensitivity to treble. That doesn’t mean I don’t like it, or I like dark tonalities, it’s only that when it’s too much then it’s really too much for me. I have in recent times been pushing that limit, stretching what I find comfortable, and I have found that I can enjoy a great deal more than I used to. So please keep this is mind when I say that the Ragnar has too much treble. The treble is of outstanding quality - detailed, airy, shimmering and glistening. It reaches up to the heavens, and has insane levels of detail and resolution continuing up from the mids. I could even say it’s perhaps the best treble I have heard, or at least one of the best. There is simply too much of it. It’s not harsh or peaky at all, it’s very smooth and natural. Not “bright”, “treble focused”, remember? Some will disagree with me, and that’s totally fine. I would just like to say honestly to anyone reading this, if you are at all sensitive, or even don’t like a lot of treble, this could be the end of the line for you, like it was for me. The slightly colder tuning didn’t really bother me here, nor did the reference/analytical nature. These are things I really enjoyed about the Ragnar. It was the sheer amount of treble that brought the whole thing overboard. Music genre will play a role here, and depending on what you listen to this emphasized treble region could be less intrusive. When I listened to jazz, acoustic music, and some vocal stuff the treble didn’t bother me as much, and while it wasn’t my preferred presentation I could handle it. But put on some rock, any heavier styles of music and I found the Ragnar mostly unlistenable. Electronic was hit or miss, some was stellar but most of the time I was again overwhelmed with the level of high end. Now I know some people like this kind of thing, crave it even, and for anyone that really loves their treble this just might be the best IEM in the world right now. But I think for some it will simply be too much emphasis on the treble, regardless of how good it is. I cannot stress enough that this is my personal opinion, my personal tastes and my personal library - so take what I say with a grain of salt please, and not as fact.

CABLE A/B - I tried my go-to KBear07 tips that take a bit of the edge off, but that wasn’t enough and they killed the vertical stage, one of the most impressive things about the Ragnar. The Orpheus’ top end rolloff had the same negative staging effect, and despite my expectations, it still remained too much. The stock cable has the most treble focus of all, and again I venture to say that for the majority of people this might not have been the best choice of pairing. While it is highly resolving and clear, it puts too much attention to the treble, and accentuates the upper mid bump a bit as well. Funny enough I still preferred the FTS out of all the cables I had available, even with it’s additional treble energy. I don’t know why, but somehow it sounded the most coherent and balanced of the three.




COMPARISONS - How does the Ragnar place among its other well deserved brethren? As far as TOTL goes, I only have the Jewel on hand at this very moment, and memory is a fleeting thing, so I will limit myself to what I can attest to concretely. I hope this can be helpful to those that might be curious between the two.

JEWEL VS RAGNAR - I had the chance to AB these two for a period of a week or so, and spoiler alert I preferred the Jewel hands down. That isn't to say that the Ragnar might have bested it a few areas, but as a cohesive whole the Jewel simply fit my tastes more.

These are both highly resolving and neutral tuned IEM at their roots. They could both be considered reference, while the Jewel is more musical and even, the Ragnar is more cutting edge and clean. They both have best in show abilities, and present music in an impactful and impressive way. Compared to other IEMs they could also both be considered on the lean side, and analytical too, so keep that in mind.

The Jewel has a more impactful and boosted bass which will jive with most people more, but I do feel the texture and abilities of the Ragnar bass is not to be trifled with. Ragnar may best the Jewel in raw deep tonality alone, although the tuning of Jewel's bass is more to my liking, and I would bet of popular opinion as well. For mids the Ragnar does outdo the Jewel in pure resolution, but I find the Jewel's slight warmth and additional weight here to be more suited for me in the long run. Instruments seem more real and analog on the Jewel, where the Ragnar is more cold, calculated and lean. The Jewel is certainly not lacking in the resolution department, and for extended listening it is simply more enjoyable to my ears for the majority of my library. They both feature a slight uptick in the upper mids, neither is bothersome to me. The Jewel is, dare I say romantic compared to the Ragnar, and while the clarity and resolution is very impressive I will stick to my guns and repeat that the Jewel has the best mids in the business. Jewel has soul, (at least as it compares to the mighty Viking) while the Ragnar has surgical power and microscopic detail retrieval. Some might prefer the thicker mids of the Mason FS or RH, but as an all rounder the Jewel ticks all my boxes - detail, emotion, accurate timbre, it's the whole package. In the high end the Ragnar has a lot more treble, but also more vertical height and sparkle compared to the rather reserved Jewel. I wouldn't mind if the Jewel had a bit more of an open top end, but the Ragnar is too much in that direction. Never have I felt the Jewel to be too intense, too bright or too lean, which is more than I can say for the Ragnar with certain types of music.

Stage wise the Ragnar is wider, while the Jewel is more spherical, and perhaps with better positioning because of it. In a similar vein to the Traillii, Ragnar throws sound waaay out into the left and right, while the Jewel puts you right in the middle of it, while still retaining a great stage size and feel.

Which do I prefer? They are both fantastically featured IEMs, they both posses great ability and resolution. Great bass, great mids, great stages. The thing that will most greatly separate the two is how they render treble, and the warmth/weight, or lack thereof to the entire spectrum. Only you can decide what you prefer, but if I was asked to honestly recommend one, the Jewel would be my pick.


CONCLUSION - So, is it the best I have ever heard? Well, in terms of raw resolution, abilities and potential, then yes I can honestly say the Ragnar is groundbreaking. The performance is staggering, and if nothing else they are very very impressive. My personal fit issues aside, they are beautiful and very well made - with the small instance of the easily scratched black shell. I loved the bass, especially its slightly shy nature and texture for days. Mids were really great, while not my exact preference for tuning, they were very impressive and seriously enjoyed. The treble quality was indeed fabulous, very airy and spacious with great detail. Sounds like the greatest thing in the world right? Even with the LP6 Ti AE, the ultimate instrument of warm and romantic, it was just too much. It really is a shame, at least for me, as I was quite taken with this IEM - but all that great stuff melded with a somewhat excessively enhanced treble, and you have a recipe for a top level performer that will appeal but to a select few, at least in my very personal opinion. In closing, the Ragnar is hugely impressive, but I would absolutely recommend a demo before you consider buying one.

If you do decide you want one, I recommend getting it from Andrew at Musicteck, he's the best in the biz. You can find it here:
https://shop.musicteck.com/collections/noble

Thank you all for reading