Luxurious In-Ear Monitors by Noble boast a premium titanium construction and a sophisticated multi-driver architecture
Noble Audio has entered the premium wireless earbud market with its latest offering, the Kronos in-ear monitors (IEMs). This new flagship model outperforms the Sennheiser IE 900 in several key areas, including complexity, driver configuration, and premium materials, but comes at a much higher price point.
Technical Sophistication and Premium Materials
The Noble Kronos boasts a highly sophisticated nine-driver hybrid system per earbud. This includes two dynamic drivers (7mm for bass, 10mm for ultra-low bass), four Knowles balanced armature drivers (for mids and highs), two Sonion electrostatic drivers (for ultra-high frequencies), a dual-membrane bone diffuser, and a six-way crossover network.
In contrast, the Sennheiser IE 900 uses a single dynamic driver design, known for its clarity and detail, but with a much simpler internal architecture and a significantly lower price point.
Build Quality and Durability
The Kronos' shells are precision CNC-machined from titanium, with exotic titanium damascus faceplates, offering exceptional build quality and durability. The IE 900 uses high-quality materials, but less exotic than the Kronos.
Ease of Use and Compatibility
The Kronos delivers very low impedance (<35 Ohms), making them easy to drive from various sources including smartphones and dedicated DACs, whereas the IE 900 also features easy drivability but with fewer drivers.
Luxury Audiophile Appeal
Noble includes premium accessories such as a hybrid pure palladium silver and OCC silver cable with balanced 4.4mm connectors, emphasizing the luxury audiophile appeal of the Kronos.
Pricing and Market Positioning
The Kronos' price point places it in the ultra-high-end, collector/audiophile niche, reflecting the extreme engineering and luxury, far above the flagship Sennheiser IE 900. The exact Australian pricing and release date for the Kronos are currently unavailable.
In summary, the Noble Audio Kronos outperforms the Sennheiser IE 900 in technical sophistication, driver count, premium materials, and luxury presentation, but this comes at a more than threefold price increase. The IE 900 remains a strong high-end IEM with excellent sound but with a simpler design and at a much lower cost. Noble's Kronos target discerning audiophiles and collectors seeking extreme performance and exclusivity.
The design of the Kronos is inspired by Mozart's swanky coat. The Kronos is an evolution of Noble's limited-edition Chronicle model, originally created for the company's 10th anniversary. Each unit of the Kronos is hand-assembled by Noble's in-house team. The Kronos represents a significantly higher pricing strategy compared to Noble Audio's current recommended high-end earbuds - the Sennheiser IE 900. The Kronos represents a premium and exotic material choice compared to more conventional aluminium or resin materials found in most high-end IEMs.
The package includes a custom hybrid cable featuring palladium-plated pure silver and OCC silver conductors. The Kronos achieves sub-35 ohm impedance, ensuring compatibility with smartphones, digital audio players, and portable amplifiers. The design includes an integrated stainless steel wax guard for durability. The Kronos is the most expensive product released by Noble Audio to date.
[1] Noble Audio Official Website [2] What Hi-Fi? Review of Sennheiser IE 900 [3] Noble Audio Kronos Product Page [4] What Hi-Fi? Review of Noble Kronos [5] Noble Audio Kronos Price Comparison
- The Noble Kronos, priced for the ultra-high-end market, outperforms the Sennheiser IE 900 in various aspects, boasting a more complex driver configuration, premium materials, and luxury presentation.
- The Kronos features a nine-driver hybrid system, including various drivers for bass, mids, highs, and ultra-frequencies, all encased in titanium shells with exotic damascus faceplates.
- In comparison, the Sennheiser IE 900, while offering clarity and detail, features a simpler design with a single dynamic driver and high-quality materials, but at a significantly lower price.
- The Kronos, with its low impedance of less than 35 Ohms, is compatible with wide-ranging sources like smartphones, dedicated DACs, and portable amplifiers.
- Gadget enthusiasts can find reviews of the Noble Kronos and Sennheiser IE 900 on trusted tech websites like What Hi-Fi? for a comprehensive comparison.
- For those eager to purchase the Kronos, price comparisons are available on specialized websites to ensure the best deal.
- Smartphone users looking to invest in a high-end audiophile experience may find the Kronos' compatibility, combined with its premium materials and technical sophistication, an attractive option among various gadgets and technology offerings.
