Noble Audio has collaborated with the community-driven commerce site, Massdrop, to create an exclusive IEM. The new Noble X, which is available for a time-limited period on Massdrop, features Noble’s new proprietary drive units for $249 (around £200), a price point not seen before in a Noble product.

The Noble X offers distinct styling, differentiating it from Noble’s five-strong Classic IEM line, the inspiration for the new model. The Noble X for Massdrop features the same build materials and metalwork as Noble’s other models, but with a unique basket-weave texture and midnight blue finish. Inside, each unit features two proprietary balanced armature drivers: one for midrange/treble duties and the other for bass; the latter featuring a reconfigured vented port.

In response to feedback from Massdrop’s community, the Noble X has a shrink-wrapped cable guide in place of the memory wire featured in Noble’s other models. Further features include a detachable two-pin braided cable, aluminium end caps, plus a Massdrop presentation case with accessories. The promotion, or ‘drop’, is limited to 2,000 units (three per customer) and is available to both US and international consumers.

Noble X features

Faceplates: anodized aluminium in midnight blue
Drivers: two proprietary balanced armature drivers per side
Impedance: 30 ohms
Frequency response: 15Hz – 20kHz
Cable: 127cm detachable, with industry-standard 2-pin configuration
Plug: 3.5mm, gold-plated
Weight: 19.5g
Included accessories: two pairs of single-flange silicone ear tips; two pairs of Noble foam ear tips, one pair of double-flange silicone ear tips; cleaning tool; carrying case; Noble warranty

Price, availability, images and other points of note

Noble X: $249 (around £200 and subject to current exchange rates)
All orders will be shipped by Massdrop, estimated shipping date is March 15, 2017