The Titan of IEMs Is Here! Noble Audio Kronos Review

After the Onyx, the Viking Ragnar, the Shogun, and a host of others, Noble Audio does not stop trying to achieve perfection in their in-ear monitors. The latest release from the American company is the Noble Kronos. This quadbrid IEM is inspired by the limited edition Chronicle, sharing the same internal components and physical material makeup. This review will take you through all the fine details of the sound profile, aesthetic design, and user experience.  

Unboxing these IEMs was like opening a gift on Christmas morning. The larger carrying case presented the Kronos beautifully. The faceplates on the IEMs are reflective and a little deceiving. While the photo shows a very bright faceplate with red, yellow, and blue features, the actual IEM is a bit more muted and turns darker unless hit with the right reflection. It’s a subtle flair in design to make it stand out in the right light. 

The Kronos is an earphone built to last. It does hold a bit of weight, and the bulky outer shell is ideal for getting complete isolation. The included cable is solid and exudes luxury, with its custom design and 4.4mm termination to plug right into any DAP or amplifier. 

Unfortunately, I found a bit of trouble finding the comfort that Noble Audio is known for in their IEMs. On the IEM, there are ridges around the nozzle and a slight lip around the faceplate. These elements were a surprise; I’d not encountered an IEM with that much physical texture. As I put the IEM in, I was a little put off by the texture of the ridges against my inner ear. It was a cool physical design, but perhaps it wasn’t meant to be part of the interior design. 

However, after I got the Kronos in, the fit was snug and the ridges provided some stability for the in-ear fit. It was a style I had to quickly adjust to, and after that small introductory time, the texture was not bothersome. Getting a good ear seal was simple and easy with the assorted tips. Because the IEM is a little bigger, smaller ears like mine might find it fatiguing after long periods. 

During my listening, I experimented with several different DACs and amps to determine which would have the best synergy. Because the Kronos was relatively easy to drive, they didn’t require too much power, but they certainly performed exceptionally well when paired with some more upgraded gear. 

As I will mention in the listening session later in the review, the Kronos is very detailed and has a V-shaped signature. If you’re looking to hear even more of the detail that this IEM can provide and tune it to the max, the Chord MOJO 2 is an excellent pairing to get that kind of precision. I found a good blend between the Astell & Kern HC4 and the Kronos, where the HC4 put a blanket of relaxation over the hyper-energetic Kronos. 

• Precision CNC-machined titanium body integrated stainless steel wax guard
• Quadbrid Arrangement:
  • Sub bass: 10mm Dynamic Driver + 7mm Dynamic Driver
  • Medium range: 2 Knowles Mid Balanced Armature Drivers
  • High range: 2 Knowles High Frequency Balanced Armature Drivers
  • Ultra High range: 2 Sonion Ultra High Frequency Electrostatic Drivers
  • Full range enhanced: Dual membrane Bone Conduction Driver
• Sensitivity: 102dB at 1kHz, 1mW
• Impedance: 8.6 ohms at 1kHz, 1mW
• Frequency Response: 20kHz-70kHz
• Crossover: 6-way
• Cable Specifications:
  • Custom Built Kronos Hybrid Palladium-plated 4N Pure Silver and 6N SPC OCC Detachable cable with Titanium Yoke
  • Industry-standard 0.78mm 2-Pin Configuration
  • 4.4mm AEC Termination

SOUNDSTAGE & IMAGING

Now onto the listening. The Kronos presents one of the widest soundstages I’ve heard on IEMs, which is an impressive feat. This creates an ultra-immersive listening experience that is second to none. You are presented with incredible horizontal space; everything gets placed with razor precision. The height and depth of the signature should also get its flowers. The dynamics between the lows and highs reach peaks that make listening fun rather than clinical, and the depth of the layers in numerous tracks puts you right in the center of everything. 

In terms of sound signature, there is a distinct V-shape that you notice almost instantly. The midrange is the forefront of any track, with transients jumping out with tactful clarity. The bass and treble still come out and filter behind those main instruments, providing support and accentuation of all your favorite elements in a track. Nothing flies under the radar or goes unnoticed with the Kronos: you are sure to notice every detail in high definition. 

BASS FREQUENCIES

The Kronos is equipped with two dynamic drivers for the sub-bass frequencies. The is not as powerful as you would think. It’s more reserved and controlled rather than booming and forward. For an audiophile IEM, this is a great feature to still get the body in the lower frequencies while still getting the detail and texture of instruments that fall in that range. The sub-bass is brought out well and is still not overpowering. 

The bass is tight and punchy with just enough force to be present and driving. It is colorful and textured, making any instrument that falls into this range truly stand out. A bass-boost filter allows the dynamic drivers to show off and come forward in some mixes. If you’re a basshead that loves a strong out-of-the-box bass sound, you may feel disappointed by the initial sound. However, the right DAC/amp pairing can make all the difference.

MIDRANGE FREQUENCIES

As mentioned previously, the midrange is the forefront sound of the Kronos. The transients in this range stick out and pierce through everything, which could prove to be overwhelming in some tracks with busy instrumentation. Still, the level of detail and clarity in any track is impressive and truly something to applaud. Vocal sound reproduction is natural and smooth, so you’re able to appreciate good recordings and still get fun detail out of accompanying instruments. 

Textural elements in this range were my favorite parts of these earphones. The Kronos gives you a level of detail that has you discovering new layers and minute artifacts in all your favorite tracks. During my listening, I loved listening to acoustic guitars and glitchy hyperpop beats. The textures of brass versus synth piano versus chopped percussion were all clear and melded together in a bizarre way that kept me fully entertained for hours. 

TREBLE FREQUENCIES

Moving to the high end, this is where everything came together. The treble is equal in power to the bass frequency range, so you get an excellent balance from one extreme end to the other. There is a certain airiness and lightweight feel that comes from this frequency range, allowing the low end to still feel heavy but not completely weigh down the sound signature. Upper register instruments like strings and brass ring out and have precise tonality, steering clear of shrill or piercing qualities.

The high end is really detailed and has exceptional space. You don’t feel any compression at the top end, and instead, there’s a lot of room for the higher frequencies to dissipate naturally. I appreciated the space given to orchestral arrangements, and how reverbs were given air to breathe out and fade without awkward cut-off. 

The Noble Audio Kronos has proven that Noble Audio continues to make exceptional in-ear monitors. Between the precise detail of the soundstage, colorful signature, and luxurious build quality, the Kronos sets a benchmark for how flagship IEMs should be made. Fans of bass may be disappointed by the lack of heaviness in this signature, and sensitive ears will likely turn away from the ridged texture of the outer shell. Still, the detail-hungry listener will certainly love to add this to their collection. 

The Kronos retails for $4,500, and while that price may seem high, it earns its place amongst other flagship models.

The Noble Audio Kronos is available at Audio46.