Nihal critiques the Noble Audio Lu Ban, a brand new high-end hybrid 10mm wood composite dynamic and twin planar driver common in-ear monitor. It’s at present priced at $1399.00.
Disclaimer: This pattern was despatched to me in change for my trustworthy opinion. Headfonics is an impartial web site with no affiliate hyperlinks or standing. I thank Noble Audio for his or her help.
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Noble Audio Lu Ban Assessment
Abstract
I’d decide the hybrid Noble Audio Lu Ban IEM for particular genres equivalent to gentle rock and easy jazz, the place it delivers some of the nice displays amongst its friends. That is the place its power lies. As well as, the scale and design make it interesting.
Execs
Deep, impactful low finish.
Pure and musical midrange.
Fairly Simple to drive.
Cons
Lack of separation in quick, complicated tracks.
Noble Audio is actively constructing IEMs throughout completely different worth segments. Most of us know the model’s identification is constructed round its high-performing flagship releases.
However there’s something in every worth section, equivalent to extra budget-friendly IEMs just like the Knight, the lately launched Van Gogh, and premium releases equivalent to AGIS II, after which shifting as much as flagship releases equivalent to Onyx, Shogun, and KRONOS.
By way of design and efficiency, I can’t deny that they’re among the many finest within the moveable audio enterprise.
The Lu Ban was lately teased at CanJam Singapore in early Could and launched someday later in Could. This IEM sits within the mid-fi tier of the Noble Audio lineup, so it will likely be attention-grabbing to see how the IEM performs on this crowded section.
Keep on with me by means of the evaluation as I discover what the Lu Ban brings to the desk and the way it compares with notable releases equivalent to Noble’s AGIS II, the THIEAUDIO Monarch MKIV, and Campfire Audio’s Grand Luna.
Options
The Noble Lu Ban has an attention-grabbing hybrid driver configuration. It homes a 10mm wood composite dynamic driver paired with twin Tremendous-Magnetic planar drivers. There are only a few trendy IEMs with a wood-composite diaphragm.
The dynamic driver caters to the low finish and the midrange, whereas the planars add pace, readability, and high-frequency extension. The precise frequency breakdown just isn’t obtainable to me, although.
Noble additionally makes use of a Mortise and Tenon Acoustic Chamber contained in the Lu Ban to assist handle inner driver resonance.
The IEM is rated at a sensitivity of 108 dB SPL/mW and an impedance of 27Ω. It’s an easy-to-drive IEM and might simply pair with low-spec sources too. We’ll discuss extra about it within the synergy part.
Design
Noble IEMs by no means compromise on design and appears, and that could be a well-known trait.
That’s true right here with the Lu Ban. Noble Lu Ban takes its title from the Chinese language craftsman Lu Ban, a grasp craftsman also referred to as the daddy of carpentry in Chinese language historical past.
Lu Ban carries that affect into the design and rightly has a really putting look. It doesn’t look overdone.
Every shell is crafted from Cocobolo wooden and precision 3D-printed resin. Cocobolo is very wanted for knife handles, musical devices, and a few luxurious crafting.
The shells characteristic a wealthy, reddish-brown wood-grain end. What stands out on these shells is using clear housing on the internal a part of the shells, which helps you to peek into the intricate internal design parts. That offers off a really premium vibe.
The IEM makes use of normal 0.78mm 2-pin connectors.
Consolation & Isolation
The Lu Ban is small in comparison with a lot of the IEMs I see round. The dimensions is barely bigger than that of the Van Gogh, which itself is tiny.
Contemplating this measurement and the sleek ergonomic design, I’m certain the match is not going to be a problem for many customers. There aren’t any sharp edges or strain factors as soon as the shells settle; it’s only a clear seal each time.
The shell tapers closely in the direction of the nozzle, giving the nozzle an extended look, however fit-wise, it’s straightforward on the ears. I may use the Lu Ban for hours with none points.
Throughout my time with the IEM, I didn’t discover any driver flex. Nevertheless, once I insert the IEMs, I do really feel a small strain, however nothing that bothers me.
Nothing like these IEMs the place strain points enhance with utilization. Isolation is sort of good, and I take the Lu Ban out lots for night walks.
The included ear ideas are normal silicone ones, with one of many varieties being double-flange ear ideas. I’d recommend making an attempt some aftermarket ear ideas as effectively.
Whereas most ear ideas ought to go effectively with the IEMs, I’d advocate making an attempt barely wider-bore ear ideas. Divinus Velvets, together with Nostalgia Audio’s XWB, match completely effectively for me.
Inventory Cable
The Lu Ban comes stocked with a premium OCC silver-plated cable with a 4.4mm balanced termination.
This 4-wire cable makes use of a fiber sleeve and is sort of light-weight, so dealing with is rarely a problem. The wire is sort of skinny however doesn’t tangle whereas in use or in any other case. Storing it’s fairly straightforward too.
The {hardware} parts, together with the adapter, chin slider, and surrounding accents on the cable, are in-built wooden and observe the identical handcrafted design language because the IEM itself.
The termination adapter is especially distinctive and bigger than normal plugs. A part of its housing has a translucent resin part, permitting the black inner construction beneath to stay seen by means of it. This provides it a layered impact, much like what you get on the IEM shells too.
Total, the entire bundle with the cable and the shells seems like one distinctive design piece and provides off a boutique, artisan-like enchantment.
Packaging & Equipment
As with different Noble IEMs, the Lu Ban will get spectacular packaging. The field it arrives in is sort of giant, with related Noble Audio vibes to what I received with the Van Gogh and AGIS II.
As you unbox the bundle, the presentation feels top-notch. The earpieces sit in cosy foam cutouts on the highest, whereas the equipment lie under them.
The carry case and the ear tip case deserve additional point out. These plastic instances have a twist-lock mechanism to shut the lid, which feels mechanical, and I’m certain the Lu Ban inspiration has some position to play right here.
The lid has a woodgrain-style sample matching the general design scheme, which they carry throughout the IEM shells and cables too.
The carry case has protecting foam padding inside it, which provides some additional safety, however the case itself doesn’t have ample house to suit the IEMs and cable. I want they’d gone for a bigger case right here.
Total, the bundle places on a superb show, however I’d have beloved much less foam and a few saved house too.
Sound Impressions
The next sound impressions of the Noble Audio Lu Ban have been accomplished utilizing a combination of my essential supply, the Lotoo PAW Gold Contact, the QULOOS MUB5, and the Campfire Audio Relay dongle DAC/amp.
For the evaluation, I paired the IEMs with the inventory cable and Divinus Velvet ear ideas, measurement L.
Abstract
Once I plugged within the Lu Ban for the primary time, I actually didn’t have any thought how it might sound.
It did take some time to begin totally appreciating Lu Ban’s tuning, partly as a result of the dynamic driver took a while to cool down. And as soon as it did, I used to be enthusiastic about the very distinct low finish it began delivering.
Lu Ban leans into neutral-warm territory, truly much less impartial than you’ll think about. It goes for a lush, fuller sound with a relaxed prime finish, a strong bass ground, and a wealthy midrange. The bass brings in good heat, which matches all the best way as much as the decrease midrange.
The midrange stays very pure, with good heat and weight beneath the notes. Vocals are one of many highlights on Lu Ban.
The tuning doesn’t rely closely on particulars and technical features, however nonetheless, you’ll respect the extent of element and backbone right here. The treble is well mannered, and you may miss the shimmers and air right here.
Lu Ban’s soundstage feels pure within the sense that it offers sufficient house to the devices and avoids cluttering, however on the similar time, I don’t discover it broadly stretched.
With its musical and relaxed nature, the IEM feels splendid for these late-night relaxed periods the place you cease checking the time.
Genres equivalent to gentle rock, R&B/soul, easy jazz, and so on., go very well with the Lu Ban. The best way it provides a superb low-end ground to music works out fairly effectively with these talked about genres.
Bass
Bass is the half that I like probably the most on Lu Ban. It’s not a bass-first IEM, however the bass provides a strong basis right here. There’s beneficiant sub-bass extension and a wholesome quantity of mid-bass presence.
The feel is an actual standout right here. The stunning quantity of layering and definition that you just get right here makes this bass much more nice. Distinct bass traces are fairly straightforward to observe. So even when there’s a crowded passage, the bass doesn’t flip into one thick wall.
Very apparently, there’s additionally a sure natural, virtually woody character to the bass texture.
Whether or not that immediately comes from the wood composite dynamic driver is tough to say, however the presentation does really feel completely different from the same old low-end tuning. This one seems very pure and barely relaxed regardless of remaining heavy.
Drum hits land with real looking physique and weight quite than a loud, aggressive impression. String devices equivalent to bass guitars and cellos carry a convincing sense of physicality and timbre. You possibly can simply respect their pluck, the rawness, and the grit within the tone.
The bass notes really feel rounded and substantial in the best way they hit. It’s extra of a strong, grounded thump than a pointed or sharp-edged strike.
Thus, this isn’t an aggressive or hard-hitting fashion of bass, however one which leans towards heat, naturalness, and realism. And should you’re a basshead, this bass will certainly therapeutic massage your ears with a satisfying dose of rumble and heat.
On bass-heavy tracks, it might probably ship good weight, however I don’t discover it spilling over into the remainder of the frequency vary.
There’s a slight bloom, although, which might be nice or gloomy relying on the recording. I additionally imagine the bass may use a tighter assault.
Midrange
The midrange has a really pure and natural presentation. The midrange doesn’t really feel misplaced within the bass because it will get sufficient room on the stage to breathe correctly.
The bass does assist with a low-key heat within the midrange, including a shade of richness with out making the mids sound overly thick or coloured.
The decrease midrange has a superb quantity of physique and weight. String devices sound convincing and lifelike, carrying loads of texture and resonance.
Bass guitars, acoustic strings, and cellos have a pure physicality, and vocals profit lots from this basis.
Probably the most attention-grabbing half right here is that the midrange has an virtually analog-like character. This jogs my memory of the presentation we frequently affiliate with tube amplifiers.
I gained’t say the heat solely performs a job right here; this character comes from the best way notes are delivered.
You’ll discover a nice softness to how the notes land. Their pure texture and natural high quality are what make devices and vocals really feel extra tangible and natural-sounding.
Beneath all this natural tonality, the main points are by no means sacrificed. On the similar time, it by no means feels just like the tuning is making an attempt too exhausting to impress, throwing off plenty of particulars. It’s not a really crisp, ultra-lit tuning right here.
On complicated tracks or tracks with loads of low finish, you might discover the midrange a bit much less structured. Nonetheless, these particulars are there if you search for them.
Lu Ban is constructed to impress if you take care of feminine vocals. They sound very pure, avoiding any thinness or these sharp edges. The higher midrange is the place the tuning retains issues very easy, possibly additional easy.
This enhances the timbral accuracy and expressiveness of the vocals and devices, however you gained’t discover it additional lit.
Treble
The treble right here is on the smoother facet. It isn’t chasing a crisp presentation that grabs you instantly within the first minute after which bothers you later.
The small print right here aren’t pushed at you or extra-lifted. You hear particulars, however the supply is relaxed. You might miss that floating, ethereal sensation.
What I like is how the transition from the midrange into the treble occurs. I by no means caught myself pondering, ‘okay, now the treble is taking on.’
Planar drivers might be tough to tune, as you might get plenty of element, however the coherency might be compromised. This jogs my memory of the Moritz Audio ENZO, the place the planar drivers felt a bit incoherent and barely indifferent.
Even in busier tracks, the notes really feel separated sufficient, however they sit additional again within the combine and have much less sparkle or shimmer than you’d count on from a superb prime finish.
So, even with a posh combine, Lu Ban held itself collectively effectively, however don’t count on plenty of element or strong separation.
Notes nonetheless get sufficient respiratory room, and they don’t get piled on prime of one another. Cymbal strikes and shimmers may sound extra pure, as that final little bit of correct tone feels lacking.
These don’t sound very sharp or hyper-crisp; they’re only a bit toned down. Notes have a pure fade; they don’t simply vanish and clip the main points. The decay feels relaxed too.
There’s simply sufficient air and sparkle within the prime finish, which prevents it from sounding too darkish.
It’s good to see that even with the heavy bass and the way the midrange has that heat, natural contact, the treble has sufficient distinction to maintain the entire sound from feeling too closed-in.
Staging & Dynamics
The stage offers an honest feeling proper from the start. I by no means actually received the sense that devices have been combating for house, even when the observe received busier.
It doesn’t have a type of ultra-stretched displays, however I by no means sat there wishing for more room both. I want it have been a bit extra open, although
There’s a good holographic really feel to the presentation. Width feels good, and depth is definitely fairly respectable too. If I needed to level out one factor, I believe the stage peak may have been a bit higher.
How this house is being utilized issues lots right here. The house that the stage provides helps the instrument arrange extra precisely. Imaging additionally feels extra relaxed right here. I by no means struggled to observe the place the devices have been sitting, both.
The layering and separation features work out effectively right here, however I anticipated extra. Not that it feels congested, however the notes may have extra air and house round them.
Background devices really feel much less current and further relaxed. Nevertheless, on simpler tracks, the association feels pure and straightforward to observe.
Those that don’t wish to sacrifice the dynamics, Lu Ban is a simple one to understand. I believe plenty of this comes from the low-end basis.
It offers the entire presentation strong weight and motion. Neglect the fashionable style; I very a lot take pleasure in listening to the rock numbers from the early 60s and 70s.
The Lu Ban additionally offers a decent quantity of element and backbone, however you by no means begin analyzing technical efficiency.
More often than not I simply ended up listening to the music. One observe after the opposite. It retains you extra engaged quite than continuously working after each little element. That’s the way it’s tuned.
Click on on web page 2 under for my advisable pairings and chosen comparisons.
