The custom in-ear monitor segment is a crowded space, with multiple companies targeting directly the original musicians market, while some stronger and established brands have diversified its offering also for the high-end earphone enthusiast market, with more expensive and sophisticated models. Californian brand Noble Audio is one of the most successful players in this space, leveraging both markets with an extended range of sophisticated products. The collaboration with popular crowdfunding promotion platform, or community-driven commerce platform, as they present the service, is a clever way for Noble Audio to extend its reach to more price-conscious potential buyers, which wouldn't be otherwise able to consider a custom solution.
Over the past few years, Noble Audio has grown a cult following of music enthusiasts as their custom products are not only exceptional in sound due to their custom fit per individual ear, but their ability to combine materials like 24K gold, wood, metals etc., allows each commissioned piece to be absolutely exclusive. "The Massdrop x Kaiser 10 custom IEM falls nothing short of luxurious, boasting 10 balanced armature drivers per ear. Each pair is assembled and matched by hand. The precision-machined faceplate and shell are available in nine different combinations, each customized with your choice of artwork or swirl designs," Noble states.
The Massdrop x Noble Kaiser 10 custom IEM comes with a 50-inch lightning cable or 2.5mm TRRS balanced cable and is optimized for use with smartphones, as well as digital audio players or amps. Each of the 50 units available are secured within an Otterbox case including a carabiner for ease of transport and a custom engraved owner's card.
"With the Massdrop x Noble Kaiser 10 custom in-ear monitors, we’re bringing back Noble’s previous flagship for a more accessible price. Also known as the K10, this model uses the same tuning as the Noble Kaiser 10, with 10 Knowles balanced-armature drivers per ear. Each pair is assembled and matched by hand, and the precision-machined faceplate and shell can be customized with your choice of artwork or swirl designs. This CIEM is sensitive enough for use with smartphones, as well as portable digital audio players and amps," the promotion details.
The Massdrop promotion qualifies bidders for a $150 instant rebate for a final price of $1,249.99. At checkout, bidders can choose from nine different combinations for the faceplate and shell. For an additional $40, they can add a 50-inch lightning cable or a 2.5mm TRRS balanced cable. The drop is limited to 50 units.
Because these are custom IEMs, the bidder is responsible for having ear impressions made with an audiologist and sending them to Noble Audio in Santa Barbara. Noble must receive tracking info on the impressions within 6 weeks of the drop completing, or the order will be canceled and refunded — with no exceptions or extensions.
The Noble Kaiser 10 custom feature 2 balanced-armature drivers for bass, 2 for mid-frequency, 2 for mid/high-frequency, 2 for high-frequency, and 2 super-high-frequency drivers, using a 4-way crossover design. Impedance is <35 ohms. The socket and aluminum CNC housing is manufactured in the US, with cable, tubing, solder, and wiring manufactured in Taiwan. Final assembly and QA is done in the US.
Estimated ship date is August 21, 2018.
https://www.massdrop.com/buy/massdrop-x-noble-kaiser-10-custom-in-ear-monitors
nobleaudio.com
