As we speak, Marcus critiques the Noble Audio Onyx, a brand new high-end common match IEM with a hybrid mixture of dynamic, BA, EST, and bone conduction drivers. It’s priced at $3200.
Disclaimer: This pattern was despatched to me in change for my sincere opinion. Headfonics is an unbiased web site with no affiliate hyperlinks or standing. I thank Noble Audio for his or her help.
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Noble launched the Onyx earlier this 12 months which caught me out a bit since I used to be focusing extra on the Ronin in 2023 and thought the Spartacus was the following huge launch for some time.
Whereas it isn’t their new flagship, that accolade nonetheless belongs to the Ronin and the Ragnar, the common format Onyx IEM nonetheless instructions a high-end premium tag of $3200.
For that, you’ll get a mixture of 4 various kinds of drivers together with bone conduction and one other distinctive design that we anticipate from Noble’s artisanal method to IEM aesthetics.
Additionally it is fairly a departure from their typical in-house tuning, a tone hinted at by the smoother sound of the Ronin in 2023. It is a muscular darker sound signature, chock filled with element, but in addition a lot simpler on the ear for these delicate to energetic, forward-sounding highs.
So, worth apart, the place precisely ought to this sit in Noble’s line up and the way does it examine to Ragnar, Ronin, and Kublai Khan? You could find out how the Onyx performs in additional element in my full evaluate beneath.
Options
The Noble Audio Onyx is a hybrid multi-driver common in-ear monitor positioned between the Kublai Khan and the Viking Ragnar from a technical and pricing perspective.
It makes use of a mixture of 4 various kinds of drivers, 8 in complete, together with a single personalized 10mm dynamic for the lows, 4 BA break up evenly between the mids and highs, twin Sonion ESTs for the ultra-highs, and a PZT Bone Conduction driver for some extra mid and treble texture.
From what I perceive utilizing various sources the Onyx is rated with an impedance of 14Ω and an SPL of 108 dB/mW @1kHz although this knowledge will not be listed on the principle Noble web site.
If correct then the Onyx is a reasonably simple monitor to drive, an announcement we check in additional element on web page 2 of this evaluate.
The Onyx additionally marks the continuation of Noble’s latest partnership with Eletech with the latter’s 4-wire Sort 4 Litz OCC Silver Plated Copper ‘Braveness’ cable getting used as its inventory cable.
Design
It’s maybe becoming that the Onyx aesthetics has a little bit of a ‘noire’ vibe infused alongside the intricate Raffir-partnered faceplate design.
I point out becoming because the tonal coloration of the sound signature veers extra to the darker aspect of the spectrum in comparison with their various choices. Therefore the black exterior look works fairly properly.
The digital camera footage additionally do a greater job revealing the cool three-dimensional weave impact from the composite faceplate at sure angles than taking a look at them with the bare eye.
The shape issue is often Noble sized, that means bigger than common with a really lengthy nozzle designed for a deep penetration or as shut as doable to the second bend within the ear canal.
It’s not the largest IEM in Noble’s lineup although. I might say it’s nearer to the Ragnar measurement and smaller than the Kublai Khan and the Ronin.
Just like the Ragnar, the Onyx’s fundamental shell materials is aluminum giving it a dense and durable really feel within the hand. Nonetheless, not like the Ragnar, the shell has no intricate ribbing or rune graphics adorned on the perimeters. This shell has a plainer however smoother end with finely completed contouring for an correct match.
Consolation & Isolation
In case you have ever owned a latest Noble Audio IEM you’ll know precisely how the Onyx will slot in your ear.
The lengthy plate-to-tip snout makes it a deep penetrating in-ear monitor, a depth I recognize coming from a each day weight loss plan of customized screens as a result of it makes it a lot simpler to get an excellent seal from any provided tip.
And that’s precisely what is going on right here with the Onyx. It sits tremendous regular in your ear with a slight little bit of physique protrusion however not an enormous quantity with first rate passive isolation for a hybrid monitor.
I might say first rate however not superb for isolation as a result of the inflexible aluminum shell can leak greater than resin options. In the event you use the provided inventory broad bore silicone ideas they’ll leak greater than the inventory foam variants.
Ear Suggestions
Noble has additionally upgraded the information presentation although not essentially the tip choice. It’s nonetheless a mixture of slim and broad bore foam choices with a single set of single flange broad bore silicone ideas and one spare set fitted onto the shells out of the field.
The improve is the slider field they now come wherein is cool and simple to handle with low profile dimensions making it a worthy carry choice in instances with good depth. The branded black tray is a pleasant improve from the plain plastic luggage they used to return in just a few years in the past.
Of the froth variants, I most popular the wide-bore gray variant. It sounds barely much less relaxed and spacious however deeper and extra highly effective than the slim bore foam ideas.
In addition they isolate higher than the silicone ideas and generate extra weight and heat. The silicone ideas aren’t as rounded and darkish sounding making them a greater or extra balanced alternative for normal listening.
Only a remaining word on the above variations; they aren’t refined in any respect. There are marked modifications between every set of ideas that may have an effect on your opinion of the sound signature and what music sounds splendid with the Onyx.
Inventory Cable
The Onyx inventory cable ‘Braveness’ is an unique design in partnership with Eletech of Singapore and never that far faraway from the aesthetics of the sooner ‘Ronin’ inventory cable collaboration.
It is a 24AWG 4-wire creation utilizing a high-strand depend OCC silver-plated copper and a hybrid kind 4 Litz geometry with a Kevlar core. The wires are cryogenically handled inside and completed with Eletech’s FlexiMax insulation and tender translucent PVC outer leading to a robust silvery tone.
It is a pretty light-weight cable and low on reminiscence retention and microphonics. The deadening from the splitter does an important job right here with even the finer two-wire break up displaying little to no noise throughout use.
The exterior aesthetics complement the Onyx’s black shells with a mix of tightly braided silver wiring and completed with black Eletech-themed barrels utilizing extremely beveled accents in gold.
There isn’t any reminiscence coating on the base of the Braveness connectors however the PVC is supple sufficient to maintain it snug when on the highest of your ears.
The Onyx cable connectors are 2-pin 0.78mm mixed with 4.4mm gold-plated Pentaconn which I presume is the default termination as the web site doesn’t supply totally different terminations on checkout.
Packaging & Equipment
That is the primary time in ages I’ve obtained a full retail package deal for evaluate from Noble. I believe the final one was the Sultan and its Nanuk weather-sealed case whereas the Onyx setup appears slightly extra city or commute-ready.
The screens are available in a reasonably large however squat retail field with knowledgeable end and a blue theme although maybe an identical black theme would have completed it completely.
Inside you get a cumbersome fundamental carry case with a pocketable various case neatly packaged inside on prime of the brand new ideas tray. The within of the lid is mesh-finished for added storage functionality.
The screens are neatly displayed in a big stack of protecting foam with the cable operating into the small case to maintain every little thing neat and tidy.
Actually, the choices appear coated right here between long-term storage and portability with maybe an absence of branding on the case my solely minor nitpick.
Click on page 2 below for my sound impressions and recommended pairings.
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