The Noble Vanguard is a 3-driver in-ear monitor (IEM) that comes with a USB DAC/amp, typically priced around 325 USD.
The driver configuration is 1DD+2BA: The lower frequencies are handled by a 10mm polyether ketone (PEK) dynamic driver, the midrange and lower treble are handled by a custom balanced armature driver, and the ultra-high frequencies are handled by a second custom balanced armature (ultra-tweeter).
Noble says the Vanguard is optimized for smartphones, portable amps, and DAPs. The low 23 ohm impedance and high 112 dB/mW sensitivity certainly make the Vanguard easy to drive, but also prone to revealing hiss from amplifiers that aren’t very quiet.
NOBLE AUDIO VANGUARD SPECIFICATIONS
- Type: wired analog IEMs with USB DAC/Amp adapter
- Number of drivers: 3
- Low Frequency driver: 10mm dynamic PEK driver (Polyether Ketone)
- Mid-to-high frequency driver: 1 dedicated custom balanced armature driver.
- Ultra-high frequency driver: 1 dedicated custom balanced armature ultra tweeter.
- Impedance: 23 ohms
- Sensitivity: 112 dB SPL/mW
- Shells: Precision-machined aluminium
- Integrated stainless steel wax guard
- Cable: 8-core silver-plated OFC
- Cable termination: 4.4mm balanced gold-plated plug
- DAC: 4.4mm to USB-C DAC/Amp
- 0.78mm 2-pin connectors
- Ear tip set included
The review unit was provided in exchange for an unbiased review.
Availability:
BUILD AND DESIGN
The Vanguard has a precision-machined aluminum shell and the typical Noble Audio design. It is on the larger side, with longer, integrated nozzles. There is a decorative faceplate.
The cable is a black, flexible 8-core silver-plated OFC cable that terminates in a 4.4mm balanced gold-plated plug, with a supplied 4.4mm to USB-C DAC/amp adapter. The cable connects to the IEMs with standard 0.78mm 2-pin connectors.
LISTENING IMPRESSIONS
Associated equipment:
- Amplifier: Topping A90
- DAC/Amp: Ferrum Erco mk2
For the Good Reason by Marco Locurcio Trio
A nice adaptation of a classic Sigur Rós song. It is very airy, the percussion is bright and clear, and the bass is polite. It sounds neutral and tight rather than lush and warm. Very good detail.
In the Mountains by Espen Eriksen Trio
The bass is polite in presence, the piano delicate and smooth. The percussion is punchy and the soundstage airy.
The Saint by Berke Özcan
The saxophone has a bright and somewhat crisp timbre. The bass is polite but firm, and the percussion is crisp.
Re-Melt by Tord Gustavsen Trio
Again, the bass is rather polite and the piano smooth. The percussion is crisp and tight, and the soundstage airy.
Teardrop by Massive Attack
Here the bass is not only polite but feels recessed compared to what I am used to hearing. Otherwise, things are nice, with spacious imaging and delicate vocals without sibilance.
The Hidden Camera by Photek
The bass feels more adequate than above, but it is still not very powerful. The percussion here can sometimes feel dry and overly crisp, but not so with the Vanguard. It sounds neutral and airy.
Eye of The Day by Marta del Grandi
The vocals feel very neutral and rich in detail. They sound natural in a neutral manner. The bass is not huge. As usual, the percussion is crisp but not overly bright.
Come Away With Me by Norah Jones
Vocals are rendered in a neutral manner. Everything sounds nicely balanced, with the vocals in the center of focus and the piano nice and smooth.
Dancing in the Dark by Jørgen Dahl Moe
The vocals here can often sound overly dry and sometimes unpleasantly crisp, with sibilance, but the Vanguard sounds very good, in a neutral rather than lush manner.
Alt e bra by Building Instrument
Very nice delivery. The bright percussion (bells, etc.) sounds nice and bright, yet not sharp. The soundstage is very airy.
Limit to Your Love by James Blake
Nice vocals. The normally almost violent bass, on the other hand, is not too impressive. The Vanguard is certainly not a bassy IEM.
Summer 3 Vivaldi Recomposed by Max Richter
Nicely detailed, with good instrument separation. The overall tonality is bright rather than lush.
Young Vivaldi by Modo Antiquo
The string timbre is on the brighter side, but it doesn’t sound aggressive or excessively upfront.
Vicarious by Tool
This sounds nicely detailed and surprisingly smooth, with no overly sharp edges. However, I do miss some bass quantity. With a bit of help from an EQ bass shelf, things get better.
WRAPPING IT UP
Sound Signature
The sound signature is neutral to bright. The bass is of good quality but very polite in presence. The mids and highs are crisp and articulate, yet still quite smooth.
Treble
The treble is bright, crisp, and airy, but not sharp or offensive.
Midrange
The midrange is also relatively crisp and bright, but still manages to feel natural, and, e.g., vocals do not easily become sibilant.
Bass
The bass is polite in quantity but of adequate quality. It seems to take EQ well enough, but if you want an IEM with a bass boost, the Vanguard is not the obvious choice.
Soundstage and Imaging
The soundstage is very large and airy. The imaging is good, with nice instrument separation and positioning.
Detail, Dynamics, and Timbre
The detail level is high. Things feel articulate and crisp, especially in the midrange and treble.
Dynamics in the midrange and treble are quite good, with great micro-dynamics.
The general timbre is again crisp and upfront. The bass is neutral and polite and does not make too much of itself. The midrange is very natural, but in a neutral and slightly bright manner. The treble is airy and crisp, but avoids becoming sharp.
AMPLIFICATION
I primarily used my desktop rig for listening, but also spent some time with the included USB DAC/amp dongle. It works very well, and there is not a big leap up to the desktop rig. The Vanguard is easy to drive, both on paper and in real life.
COMPARISONS
I compared the Vanguard in a side-by-side session with the Noble Knight. The Knight is Noble’s entry-level in-ear monitor, priced at 289 USD. It is, however, an end-of-life product and will be phased out.
Associated equipment:
- Amplifier: Topping A90
- DAC/Amp: Ferrum Erco mk2
NOBLE VANGUARD VS NOBLE KNIGHT
The Knight is a tribrid IEM featuring a 10 mm dynamic driver for the low frequencies, a Sonion balanced armature for the midrange and lower treble, and a piezoelectric super tweeter handling the upper registers.
Physically, the Knight and Vanguard are very similar, and both use three drivers, although their configurations differ. Most notably, the Knight employs a piezoelectric tweeter, whereas the Vanguard uses a balanced armature for the upper frequencies. Their tuning also differs quite considerably. In short, the Vanguard leans towards neutral-bright, while the Knight takes a more neutral-to-dark approach.
When I listen to them side by side, the Knight has more bass and a warmer, darker midrange compared to the Vanguard. Vocals sound especially warm and smooth, and also a bit darker. Generally, the Knight has a more relaxed, laid-back presentation. The Vanguard, on the other hand, is more articulate and crisp, with a brighter, airier delivery.
Read more: Noble Knight Review
CONCLUSION
The Noble Vanguard is a well-executed neutral-to-bright IEM that delivers high detail, airy imaging, and crisp, articulate mids and treble without becoming sharp or sibilant. The bass is polite in quantity but of good quality. The Noble Knight is a bassier, warmer, and similarly priced alternative.
The Vanguard is a strong contender if you prioritize clarity and spaciousness over lushness and warmth. The included USB DAC/amp works very well and adds to the value.
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