Nihal opinions the Noble Audio Van Gogh, a brand new hybrid 8mm dynamic and triple BA IEM, tuned with a ‘musical slant’ and at the moment priced at $699.
Disclaimer: This pattern was despatched to me in alternate for my trustworthy opinion. Headfonics is an unbiased web site with no affiliate hyperlinks or standing. I thank Noble Audio for his or her assist.
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Noble Audio Van Gogh Evaluation
Abstract
The $699 Noble Audio Van Gogh hybrid IEM is tuned for listeners who worth musicality, and a little bit of enjoyable over strict neutrality.
Execs
Punchy and voluminous but managed low finish.
Pure midrange with good decision.
Small shells give a simple and cozy match.
Cons
Soundstage and imaging could possibly be higher.
Micro-details should not vivid.
There are just a few the reason why Noble Audio is likely one of the most acknowledged manufacturers within the audiophile group. One, they construct merchandise that vary from very reasonably priced to high-end, permitting individuals to decide on throughout all value segments.
The second vital factor is that they get their tuning proper more often than not. I consider they’re one of the vital sought-after manufacturers, and their consistency has quite a bit to do with it.
I personal a Kublai Khan, which stays one in all my regulars even to this present day, and I’ve all the time regarded for alternatives to strive their IEMs.
To be trustworthy, I’m a fanboy myself. What makes me love them much more is their urge for food for experimentation, as their tunings supply loads of selection, and there’s one thing for everybody of their lineup.
Lately, they launched the $699 Van Gogh, a mid-fi IEM that you’ll have seen making rounds on account of its appears to be like. I used to be fairly excited myself when it was launched.
On this evaluate, I’ll discover out if the tuning enhances its engaging look. I’ll additionally examine it with just a few equally priced IEMs, such because the Softears RSV-MKII and the THIEAUDIO Oracle MKIII, to see how aggressive it’s.
Options
The Van Gogh incorporates a humble four-driver setup, with one dynamic driver and three balanced armature drivers on either side.
Particularly, it makes use of an 8 mm dynamic driver with a magnesium-aluminum diaphragm and a dual-magnetic circuit for the low finish, two Sonion E-Collection balanced armature drivers for the midrange, and a Knowles RAD-Collection balanced armature driver dealing with the ultra-highs.
With a sensitivity of 107 dB and an impedance of 29Ω, the Van Gogh is well powered by most moveable sources.
Design
Noble Audio loves experimenting with appears to be like. The Van Gogh doesn’t simply borrow the identify; it looks like somebody squeezed the portray into these tiny shells.
These midnight blues and sunflower yellows twist collectively and virtually appear like transferring paint. They’ve a life and vitality that feels very very similar to the portray itself.
It jogs my memory of one other Noble Audio IEM, Ronin, which has a equally designed shell, although Ronin is kind of giant.
As a result of each shell is completed by hand, every set has a novel faceplate with no twins. The colour combine is experimental however performed tastefully, giving it a hanging and premium visible attraction.
It feels expressive, not simply one other shiny shell with random patterns, as there’s actual character in how the colours mix and catch mild.
One other factor I like is its measurement. The shells are fairly small, virtually dainty, subsequent to the brick-sized displays which have change into the norm.
It’s so tiny that it’s going to depart you stunned the primary time you see it. As a result of it doesn’t pack a loopy variety of drivers, it retains a neat, compact form.
The nozzle deserves a particular point out. It’s made from steel and options Noble’s signature crown-shaped grille. It’s not only for appears to be like, because it protects the internals whereas including a pleasant, distinctive design contact.
The IEM makes use of commonplace 0.78mm 2-pin connectors. There are two vents on every shell, one close to the 2-pin connection and the opposite on the within of the shell.
Total, Van Gogh’s design has a contemporary and vibrant contact, which holds true for a lot of the Noble Audio IEMs.
The appears to be like of Van Gogh immediately inform you it is a Noble Audio product. There’s one thing very uplifting about the way it appears to be like and feels in hand.
Consolation & Isolation
Match and luxury are the place Van Gogh stunned me, in a great way. Recently, I hold operating into cumbersome shells. This one is small, and it looks like a reduction.
The form is straightforward and ergonomic, so it settles into the ear with none drama. The interior aspect of the shells is easily curved. There aren’t any sharp edges or strain factors on the concha, only a clear seal.
The smaller footprint helps in case you have slim ear canals or get fatigued by large IEMs. I can put on these for lengthy periods and overlook they’re there.
The nozzle is common in size and width, not chunky or very small, which makes ear tip rolling straightforward. I rolled via totally different ear suggestions, and every snapped on with out a wrestling match. With the fitting bore, the shell tucked a millimetre deeper and mainly disappeared.
Stability turned out higher than I anticipated from one thing this small and light-weight. Strolling round, tilting the top, or perhaps a fast jog to the door, they keep put.
Isolation is best than I anticipated, and as soon as fitted correctly, ambient noise drops to a murmur, so I don’t really feel the necessity to crank up the quantity.
The Van Gogh is good in your long-duration periods. No sweaty hotspots, no odd strain buildup, and no “reduction sigh” after they lastly depart your head.
Total, I’ve zero complaints in regards to the match. Should you’ve been bruised by the current arms race of 12-driver thick-‘bois’, the Van Gogh looks like a palate cleanser.
Ear Suggestions
Van Gogh is shipped with two totally different units of silicone ear suggestions: one common sort and the opposite with a double-flange construct. These are available three sizes: S, M, and L. Each units are gray and have a pleasant construct.
I take advantage of the common sort, because the double-flange suggestions are fairly broad and have shorter stems that don’t match me properly.
Given the common nozzle measurement on the Van Gogh, you shouldn’t discover it fussy with most ear suggestions. I take advantage of the L measurement, because the small IEM shells pair properly with it for me. I battle quite a bit with smaller nozzles; fortunately, it’s not the case with Van Gogh.
Aside from the inventory suggestions, I additionally paired it with the Divinus Velvets and the AZLA SednaEarfit Mild ear suggestions, each work very well.
I desire ear suggestions with barely wider bores, so the highs should not restricted, and the bass feels balanced. I did discover a little bit of strain buildup when the information are too tight, so be careful for that.
Inventory Cable
The Van Gogh ships with Noble’s 8-core OCC copper cable, fitted with a 4.4mm balanced plug as default. This inventory cable appears to be like purpose-built and clear. It’s a 4-wire, neatly braided cable with none seen gaps.
The outer sleeve has a smoky blue-grey tint that pairs properly with the Van Gogh shells and provides the braid some depth below mild.
{Hardware} matches the aesthetic. The straight 4.4 mm plug has an everyday measurement and makes use of a black metallic barrel with the NOBLE emblem.
Up the road, the Y-split is an identical steel barrel with the crown emblem. The 0.78 mm 2-pin connectors sit in related gray housings, once more with the crown emblem, and really feel cosy and safe.
Over-ear hooks are smooth and adaptable, so the cable naturally wraps across the ear with none fuss. Flex is nice, reminiscence is low, and microphonics are minimal when worn over the ear.
The dealing with is simple, and it doesn’t want frequent changes. It coils neatly, maintains its type, and doesn’t spring again.
Total, it’s a snug cable with a refined shade scheme that enhances the IEMs and doesn’t allow you to fear a lot about cable rolling.
Packaging & Equipment
Opening the Noble Audio Van Gogh looks like unwrapping a restricted artwork print. The sleeve appears to be like as if contemporary oil paint was pressed onto a canvas.
The sleeve has globs of blue, yellow, and inexperienced smeared round, aligning with the theme of Van Gogh’s Starry Night time portray. Creative, messy, and vibrant.
Sliding this sleeve off, you discover a matte black field that opens sideways from the center. Raise the lid and all the things is laid out neatly with “Van Gogh” printed in white. The earpieces sit in cosy foam cutouts. The shells are shiny and catch mild like moist paint.
The cable comes pre-attached. It’s a darkish braided one, wrapped tidily in a small field hidden below the cutout. The entire tray appears to be like deliberate and premium with out making an attempt too arduous.
Contained in the field, which is hidden below the principle layer, you’d discover the extras. A smooth velvet pouch for fast carry, an ear suggestions package with a number of silicone sizes packed in a small arduous case, a Noble Audio emblem sticker, and a cleansing brush are the equipment you get with the Van Gogh.
That is minimal but considerate packaging. I might not say it’s probably the most premium at this value vary, however the shade play elevates the expertise. Easy, tasteful, and really Noble.
I do miss a carry case right here, as at this value level, it ought to have been included. A pouch doesn’t minimize it, because it can’t give the safety you’d want.
Sound Impressions
The next sound impressions of the Noble Audio Van Gogh had been accomplished utilizing a combination of my predominant supply, the Lotoo PAW Gold Contact, the Questyle CMA18P, and the Campfire Audio Relay dongle Dac/Amp.
For the evaluate, I paired the IEMs with the inventory cable and inventory common silicon ear suggestions, measurement L.
Abstract
The Van Gogh stunned me in a great way. The tiny shells don’t trace at what it may possibly do.
Bass hits like thunder, fast and heavy, but it by no means drowns the combination. The midrange stays pure with a superb quantity of heat. Decision lands proper the place it ought to.
Even with the robust low finish, the mids and highs keep clear and tidy. That steadiness is the win right here. Treble has sufficient chew and air. It will get slightly increase however stays simply easy and pure and resolves properly. Particulars slip via simply and open up the sound.
On the technical aspect, the stage feels immersive and a bit intimate. The width is modest, which inserts this sort of bass-forward tuning.
Imaging just isn’t very exact, however placement feels positive. The IEM goes properly with most genres. Briefly, if you would like the intestine punch with out the muddy aftertaste, this tuning delivers.
Bass
I by no means anticipated this pocket-sized shell to pack the type of bass it does, but the low finish is the star of Van Gogh’s tuning.
The low finish is tuned impressively properly. It punches in on demand, hits with thunder-like weight, and nonetheless by no means drowns the remainder of the spectrum. Management is excessive.
The bass has a slight heat and affords a superb stage of element. It isn’t the most effective bass I’ve ever heard on this value vary, however that isn’t the transient right here; the enjoyable and pleasure are.
Sub-bass digs deep and delivers actual rumbles. On common tracks, it doesn’t intrude, but you continue to get these little tickling sub-bass moments that add a layer of enjoyable and pleasure.
The mid-bass is fortunately properly managed. If it had been any extra, it might crowd the higher ranges. As is, it has a stable influence, and the steadiness feels spot-on.
Layering is dealt with properly. When bass comes from a number of sources, it doesn’t thicken the combination. It stays clear and separated. Many bass-heavy IEMs add bloom. This one hardly ever does, except the observe itself is loaded with bass.
Lastly, that slight heat provides the low finish an easy-going nature. The bass doesn’t really feel dry or compelled, only a easy cushion that invitations lengthy listening periods with out fatigue.
Midrange
Midrange is an fascinating one. The Van Gough mids should not very recessed, which I anticipated at first, given the bass and nature of the tuning. As an alternative, the midrange sits clearly within the combine, with vocals floating proper within the center, which neither feels too ahead nor pushed again.
The tone feels pure, with a superb dose of heat and an genuine timbre. It’s lush and wealthy with out going overboard. Notes carry element and slightly path of sweetness.
Decrease mids carry actual meat. It has a full-bodied presence, giving guitars, cellos, and male vocals correct weight. Fortunately, it’s not too heat or bloated, because of the managed bass.
Some micro particulars and tiny nuances are much less pronounced, which fits this tuning. They’re current, simply not poking at your ears.
The higher mids are barely centered. Don’t anticipate further chew or sharpness, however there’s a delicate forwardness that extends devices properly and makes feminine vocals sound lifelike.
It retains the general tonality clear. There’s a seamless handoff to the treble area, giving a really coherent sound.
One factor I observed: at low volumes, the Van Gogh midrange feels a bit shy, so chances are you’ll have to nudge the quantity dial for them to completely open.
The midrange tonality and timbre of the Van Gogh meet expectations. Just a few issues fall quick right here and there, however nothing that screams “lacking.” Total, it’s an easy-to-love midrange.
Treble
The Van Gogh treble performs a supporting position and stays locked in with the midrange, coming throughout as one well-integrated unit. It’s barely boosted naturally with no sharp peaks, so it by no means sounds compelled.
Vitality stays intact, and particulars come via sufficient to maintain issues participating, with nothing vital lacking. Some tiny nuances can really feel a bit muted, however not by a lot.
There’s a good dose of air and sparkle that retains the Van Gogh from drifting right into a darkish territory and provides the sound a delicate glow.
The decrease treble is a contact relaxed. It retains sibilance in test and stops the higher mids from getting sizzling. The higher treble picks up some vitality and provides shimmer. Transients are crisp, with clear edges that assist separate busy mixes.
There’s sufficient air to open the stage and cease the tuning from sounding closed in. Extension is nice quite than infinite, and the very best sparkles are barely softened, which helps for lengthy listening.
Total, Van Gogh’s element retrieval is nice. Micro-detail is current however not pushed at you. On treble-heavy tracks, notes can typically smear collectively and lose separation. The treble brings air and light-weight, retains the rhythm nimble, and balances the robust low finish with out inflicting fatigue.
Staging & Dynamics
The technicalities of Van Gogh aren’t razor-sharp. The stage is slightly slim in width, however depth and peak really feel good. It’s immersive sufficient to maintain you engaged.
The opposite excellent news: layering lands proper on most tracks. Even on quicker, busier mixes, it holds collectively, and also you don’t really feel any congestion. Imaging is nice sufficient; it’s not pinpoint sharp, however devices sit the place you anticipate them.
Total, the stage feels tidy and well-structured. It makes first rate use of depth, retains devices spaced with out that cramped, suffocated really feel, and left-right actions observe precisely.
Decision is about proper for a bass-heavy tuning. The large, heavy-hitting sounds akin to kick, bass strains, snare influence, and lead vocals come via first.
The tiny stuff hides a bit. Some nuances and micro particulars don’t announce themselves except you pay attention arduous. That appears intentional; this tuning isn’t making an attempt to highlight each final element. Nothing essential is lacking; it simply feels a bit relaxed.
So, macro over micro: slam, physique, and description are extra current, whereas the best textures and faintest cues take a step again. Should you’re chasing microscope-level element, this gained’t scratch that itch. If you need a clear construction with weight and drive, it does the job properly.
Click on on web page 2 under for my really useful pairings and chosen comparisons.
