Hey guys, a few weeks ago I posted impressions of Nocturnal Audio's latest product - the Avalon - on @flinkenick's Ranking the Stars thread. There, I talked about their new AEX technology and how it affected sound, as well as why I think the Avalon currently poses one of the most outstanding price-to-performance ratios in the v-shaped, fun-oriented market. Enjoy! 
Nocturnal Audio Avalon
The Avalon is a 3-driver IEM from Singaporean manufacturer, Nocturnal Audio. They’re a relatively young company in the custom in-ear space - entering the market after spending a considerable period in aftermarket cables and reshells. And, their experience certainly shows. My Avalon’s are equipped with dyed-wood faceplates and swirled acrylic shells. Fit and finish are excellent, especially the clear horn bores at the end of the monitor. The Nocturnal Audio folks also pride themselves in excellent customer service. Communication is always swift, thorough and pleasant, and I couldn’t be happier to review such a promising product from such a promising company.
The Avalon is the first Nocturnal Audio IEM to adopt their AEX technology. A combination of acoustic treatment and innovative electrical cross-overs, the Avalon utilises a solid capacitor for high-pass filtering as well as a specially-tweaked sound tube for the bass drivers - ensuring a clean transition from the bass to the midrange. And, this is certainly the highlight of the Avalon’s enthralling, speedy and clear V-shaped response. Lifts in the mid-bass and the upper-midrange/lower-treble endow the Avalon’s signature with an addictive sense of fun as well as exceptional clarity and air - invoking the energy of IEMs like the Lime Ears Aether and the Jomo Samba. Although midrange notes become somewhat dry and crisp in the process, they’re bolstered by excellent clarity and outstanding articulation.
The Avalon’s background is one of the cleanest and blackest I’ve ever heard, increasing the Avalon’s overall sense of transparency. This also helps establish the Avalon’s stage dimensions, maintaining great spatial resolution no matter how busy tracks can get. Also to praise for this is the Avalon's low-end. Boasting excellent authority, it simultaneously displays explosive impact, impressive definition and zero bleed. It’s magic coming from the company’s AEX technology, and I look forward to its implementation in future products to come. Treble notes are well-formed, benefitting from a lower-treble peak. Listening to harsher recordings isn’t ever a problem, though a lack of richness in the midrange can eventually get fatiguing over time. Nevertheless, the Avalon excels at detail retrieval, doing so whilst maintaining admirable headroom and bounds of dynamic energy.
In my books, the Avalon is an absolutely remarkable achievement - aiming high in the energetic, V-shaped CIEM scene, and proving itself a worthy contender in the overall mid-tier market.
Nocturnal Audio Avalon
The Avalon is a 3-driver IEM from Singaporean manufacturer, Nocturnal Audio. They’re a relatively young company in the custom in-ear space - entering the market after spending a considerable period in aftermarket cables and reshells. And, their experience certainly shows. My Avalon’s are equipped with dyed-wood faceplates and swirled acrylic shells. Fit and finish are excellent, especially the clear horn bores at the end of the monitor. The Nocturnal Audio folks also pride themselves in excellent customer service. Communication is always swift, thorough and pleasant, and I couldn’t be happier to review such a promising product from such a promising company.
The Avalon is the first Nocturnal Audio IEM to adopt their AEX technology. A combination of acoustic treatment and innovative electrical cross-overs, the Avalon utilises a solid capacitor for high-pass filtering as well as a specially-tweaked sound tube for the bass drivers - ensuring a clean transition from the bass to the midrange. And, this is certainly the highlight of the Avalon’s enthralling, speedy and clear V-shaped response. Lifts in the mid-bass and the upper-midrange/lower-treble endow the Avalon’s signature with an addictive sense of fun as well as exceptional clarity and air - invoking the energy of IEMs like the Lime Ears Aether and the Jomo Samba. Although midrange notes become somewhat dry and crisp in the process, they’re bolstered by excellent clarity and outstanding articulation.
The Avalon’s background is one of the cleanest and blackest I’ve ever heard, increasing the Avalon’s overall sense of transparency. This also helps establish the Avalon’s stage dimensions, maintaining great spatial resolution no matter how busy tracks can get. Also to praise for this is the Avalon's low-end. Boasting excellent authority, it simultaneously displays explosive impact, impressive definition and zero bleed. It’s magic coming from the company’s AEX technology, and I look forward to its implementation in future products to come. Treble notes are well-formed, benefitting from a lower-treble peak. Listening to harsher recordings isn’t ever a problem, though a lack of richness in the midrange can eventually get fatiguing over time. Nevertheless, the Avalon excels at detail retrieval, doing so whilst maintaining admirable headroom and bounds of dynamic energy.
In my books, the Avalon is an absolutely remarkable achievement - aiming high in the energetic, V-shaped CIEM scene, and proving itself a worthy contender in the overall mid-tier market.
