Noble Audio has impressed with true wi-fi for years. We have reviewed the Rex5, the Amadeus, the Status, and the newest flagship Status Encore. Now, prepare for probably the most reasonably priced true wi-fi up to now: the Noble Audio Osprey. This true wi-fi IEM is a pale blue coloration, which is a well-recognized coloration to Noble, and retails for less than $199. With ANC and in-app customization, does the Noble Osprey supply the top quality Noble is understood for at a lower cost level? On this assessment, we’ll dive into all the main points and see if this IEM is about to turn out to be one of the best worth IEM available on the market.
WHAT COMES IN THE BOX
Noble Audio at all times units you up for fulfillment in relation to equipment with their IEMs. For the Noble Osprey, you may discover the next contained in the packaging:
- Noble Audio Osprey IEMs
- USB-C Charging Cable
- Assorted Eartips
- Velvet Carrying Pouch
- Guarantee Data
DESIGN & BUILD QUALITY
Noble Audio has at all times put a whole lot of thought and care into the designs of its earphones, and the Osprey is not any exception to that. Taking the bodily type from that of the Rex5, the Osprey has a grey-blue aesthetic that’s delicate but nonetheless shiny. It stands out amongst another choices that follow black and white coloration palettes. The Osprey is product of ultra-lightweight materials to make it a cushty match for lengthy listening classes, but additionally to provide it extra sturdiness. The plastic cowl helps with sweat resistance and retains the IEMs protected do you have to drop them or use them in additional lively environments. With an IPX4 water resistance score, you possibly can take into account the Osprey for a possible exercise earbud. Getting an excellent seal with an eartip will probably be important in that case, however with the assortment Noble supplies, you should not run into any points on that entrance.
I discovered the Osprey to be very comfy for lengthy listening classes. I used these all afternoon to soundtrack my afternoon, and so they held up effectively to supply consolation and constant sound all day lengthy. The slight curve of the within of the earphone molded effectively to my ear, equally to how the Rex suits. Being that this IEM was extra light-weight, I discovered it simpler to make use of for longer than I might the Rex5. The nozzle is an effective dimension for placing on third-party eartips just like the Azla Xelastic II or the Strauss & Wagner SonicSil.
FEATURES & FUNCTIONALITY
How do you employ the Noble Osprey? Fortunately, the Osprey operates like most different true wi-fi units. Just like the Rex5, the Osprey has a button within the middle on the within of its charging case, so you possibly can simply maintain that right down to pair to your machine. Once I was pairing to my cellphone, the Osprey popped up fairly shortly on the checklist of obtainable units. As soon as paired, I used to be capable of begin listening instantly and navigating the controls through the contact sensors on every earbud. With the contact controls, you’ll be able to change between tracks, toggle ANC modes, play/pause, regulate quantity, and activate Siri/Alexa. With the Noble FoKus app, you’ve got the choice to customise these controls to be most handy for you.
The Osprey comes with lively noise cancellation, which is changing into a brand new normal in true wi-fi IEMs. The noise cancellation was fairly efficient throughout my testing, permitting me to turn out to be absolutely immersed in my listening with ease. The microphones had been delicate within the ambient mode, so that you had been capable of choose up in your atmosphere if you happen to needed. I additionally appreciated how loud the Osprey received, so you bought one other issue that aided your musical immersion.
Like the opposite true wi-fi IEMs from Noble, there are options you possibly can entry within the Noble FoKus app. Like among the different true wi-fi earphones, there may be the choice for EQ presets or creating your personal customized filters that you would be able to save and name upon later. This exact tuning makes it straightforward to essentially regulate the Osprey to your liking, both accentuating or reducing out frequencies it’s possible you’ll not need to hear.
PHOTO GALLERY
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
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Hybrid dual-driver configuration:
- 10mm dynamic driver
- Customized balanced armature
- Wizard-tuned Noble Audio sound signature
- Frequency Response: 20Hz – 40kHz
- Sensitivity: 104 ± 3dB at 1kHz
- Impedance: 32 Ω
- Bluetooth: 6.0
- Chipset: Airoha 1571
- Supported Codecs: SBC / AAC / LDAC
- Multipoint Connectivity
- ANC Modes: Hybrid Lively Noise Cancellation + Transparency mode
- Voice Assistant Assist: Siri / Google
- Precision CNC-machined aluminum charging case: 500mAh
- IPX4 water resistance
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Battery Life:
- ANC Off: As much as 7 hours
- ANC On: As much as 5 hours
- 10-minute fast cost = as much as 90 minutes of playback
- USB-C charging
- Noble Audio app help with EQ and OTA updates
LISTENING REVIEW
SOUNDSTAGE & IMAGING
Now onto the sound profile: what does the Osprey ship at $199? Once I first put these on, I used to be impressed with the quantity and energy throughout the sound signature. You’ll be able to actually get immersed in your listening with the forwardness of all of the sound, particularly with the cohesiveness of the profile in entrance of you. The signature itself was fairly broad, although there wasn’t a whole lot of separation between devices. The Osprey’s horizontal soundstage wraps round you and has pretty good imaging, so that you’re capable of make an image of devices in entrance of you. The sound is especially in entrance, making a wall of sound that has respectable top as you push extra energy by means of the earphones. The depth of the sound signature is proven by means of the layers, the place sound expands backwards ever so barely to create a three-dimensional sound.
General, the signature has good steadiness, the place the bass hits arduous however you possibly can nonetheless recognize the element of the treble. Midrange comes ahead for a slight V-shape. The dynamic drivers create a thick bass response that’s fairly highly effective in most tracks, however the balanced armature does a whole lot of work in ensuring the treble and midrange do not get misplaced within the combine. I appreciated this signature for its dynamic aptitude, edging simply above one thing flat and analytical. It makes the Osprey an ideal accent for individuals who need good sound to accompany them of their day-to-day.
BASS FREQUENCIES
The bass response strikes an excellent steadiness between punchy and managed. It has a whole lot of energy that makes the Osprey nice for pop and rock tracks, however the bass stays managed sufficient to not turn out to be dominating over different frequencies. Even with the noise cancelling in full impact, the bass does not overtake your entire signature to drown out particulars or principal melodic components. It stays tight and brings out tonal traits with higher element. The textures of low-end devices come out strongly and do not turn out to be washed out or muddy. The Osprey makes certain all the weather are heard clearly and lets you regulate as wanted. For those who’re a fan of actually punchy bass, it’s possible you’ll need to increase this vary up a bit of bit. For those who like a extra managed and supportive bass, the Osprey will certainly be up your alley.
MIDRANGE FREQUENCIES
IN the Osprey’s midrange, you are capable of recognize all of the finer particulars of devices and discern their timbres and textures. The midrange pushes barely to the entrance to focus on principal instrumental melodies and places a highlight on vocals. The Osprey does an ideal job in layering the completely different components in a monitor to make them work in concord collectively, because the separation is not as distinct as another Noble Audio IEMs. You get to understand the imaging that the Osprey supplies within the midrange and the way it enhances the pure sound copy. Devices are straightforward to acknowledge and move seamlessly collectively, so whereas there is not a whole lot of separation, there may be good cohesion that feels pure and purposeful.
TREBLE FREQUENCIES
The treble part of the Osprey is mild and shiny. It hits sharp notes and makes particulars all of the extra accentuated, carrying all the best way to the bass response. The treble works extra time to scrub up the signature and make the instrument copy tighter and extra sensible, all whereas opening up the ultra-highs. The soundstage will get dramatically taller with the addition of the high-end response, and the Osprey feels a lot lighter with the colour and air it provides to the signature. With out it, the extent of element and readability the Osprey supplies can be a lot decrease. You’ll be able to recognize bigger orchestras and the areas they’re recorded in.
NOBLE OSPREY VS THE COMPETITION
The Osprey is just not the primary within the Noble Audio true wi-fi lineup, however it’s the first that dips beneath the $200 mark. Bodily, you may discover probably the most similarity between the Osprey and the Rex5, with the Osprey in its blue-grey coloration scheme and the Rex5 in both inexperienced or black with gold accents. When it comes to their sonic qualities, the Rex5 supplies a extra balanced and separated sound signature. The Osprey is a bit more cohesive, particularly within the midrange, but it surely nonetheless supplies an excellent quantity of element. You may evaluate it to the earlier lowest-priced IEM, the Amadeus, although the Amadeus could be very bass-heavy and has a bigger shell. For those who choose a extra common match that is not as invasive, the Osprey presents a greater worth.
On the identical worth level, you may see largely fashions by JBL. The Dwell Free 2 and the Quantum TWS gaming earbuds are related fashions that share most of the identical options. Noble Audio has a extra refined sound signature and a few further in-app options that JBL does not have. Different true wi-fi earphones with the identical options can be the Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4 TWS or the Sony WF-1000XM6. These earphones retail for $299.95 and $329.95, respectively, which is $100 over the price of the Osprey. This makes the Osprey a greater valued alternative for folks in search of high-quality options at a greater worth.
FINAL THOUGHTS
The Noble Audio Osprey true wi-fi earbuds are actually batting above their weight. The sound is easy and highly effective, making it an ideal on a regular basis accent. The plastic coating is appropriate for all use circumstances, so you possibly can take this for all of your day-to-day actions. The value could make it look like it isn’t as top quality, particularly since their earlier fashions retail for double the worth, if no more. The Osprey provides unimaginable worth and might ship hi-fi sound for a fraction of the price of the competitors.
The Noble Audio Osprey is accessible at Audio46.
Noble Osprey Retail Value: $199
5-7 hour battery life, contains noise cancellation and EQ customization with the Noble FoKus app.
Sound signature is balanced and presents proper in entrance of you. Not a whole lot of separation, however there’s a good move between ranges.
Noise cancellation is robust, and the microphones are delicate for clear cellphone calls.
