Short answer: the 64 Audio U4s. Both are rated 3.9/5 for sound quality (#316 and #302 of 450 in-ear headphones), and the 64 Audio U4s costs $1,199 against $1,599 for the Noble Audio Kadence, so with nothing between them on sound quality, price settles it.
Why pick the Noble Audio Kadence: Eight balanced armatures earn a preference score of 72 in crinacle’s measurement, a reasonably balanced result against the Harman target. The tradeoff: The qdc Gemini and Shuoer Cadenza 12 both rate higher at a similar price, so the score here is modest for what it costs.
Buy the 64 Audio U4s. Both are rated the same for sound quality, and it costs $400 less than the Noble Audio Kadence.
Want more options? Browse the full Headphones rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| 64 Audio U4s | Noble Audio Kadence | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1,199.00 | $1,599.00 |
| Ranked | #316 of 450 in In-Ear Headphones | #302 of 450 in In-Ear Headphones |
| Form Factor | In-ear | In-ear |
| Back | Closed | Closed |
| Harman Preference Score | 72 (median of 4 squig.link measurements, calibrated to AutoEQ) | 72 (measured by crinacle, via AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 2.23 dB standard deviation | 2.24 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.30 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | +0.41 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-2.4 dB at 30 Hz) | - |
| Connection | Wired | Wired |
| Driver Type | Hybrid (1 dynamic + 3 balanced armature) | Balanced armature |
| Drivers | 1 x dynamic + 3 x balanced armature | 8 x balanced armature |
| Impedance | 11 ohms | 28 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 107 dB/mW | 112 dB SPL/mW |
| Frequency Response | 10Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 8Hz - 28kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built-in Microphone | - | No |
Related Headphone Comparisons
How Noble Audio Kadence compares with other leading options:
- Noble Audio Kadence vs ThieAudio V16 Divinity
- Noble Audio Kadence vs Symphonium Crimson
- 64 Audio U4s vs ThieAudio V16 Divinity
- Aful Dawn X vs 64 Audio U4s
- Kinera Verdandi vs 64 Audio U4s
Prices on this page were last checked October 11, 2026 at 4:59 PM UTC. Product prices and availability are accurate as of that date/time and are subject to change; the price and availability shown on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
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The Two Headphones In Full
64 Audio U4s: $1,199.00 64 Audio eBay
Full 64 Audio U4s review and specifications →
| Back | Closed |
|---|---|
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 2.23 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Hybrid (1 dynamic + 3 balanced armature) |
| Drivers | 1 x dynamic + 3 x balanced armature |
| Form Factor | In-ear |
| Frequency Response | 10Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 72 (median of 4 squig.link measurements, calibrated to AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 11 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 107 dB/mW |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-2.4 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.30 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Noble Audio Kadence: $1,599.00 Audio46 eBay
Pros: Eight balanced armatures earn a preference score of 72 in crinacle’s measurement, a reasonably balanced result against the Harman target. At 28 ohms and 112 dB/mW sensitivity it reaches high volume from a phone or small dongle with no amp needed.
Cons: The qdc Gemini and Shuoer Cadenza 12 both rate higher at a similar price, so the score here is modest for what it costs. It also rates the same as the Unique Melody MEXT, which sells for noticeably less.
Full Noble Audio Kadence review and specifications →
| Released | 2022 (4 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Back | Closed |
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 2.24 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Balanced armature |
| Drivers | 8 x balanced armature |
| Form Factor | In-ear |
| Frequency Response | 8Hz - 28kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 72 (measured by crinacle, via AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 28 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 112 dB SPL/mW |
| Tonal Tilt | +0.41 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
EQ preset to match the Harman target
Set a preamp of -3.6 dB, then add these filters in any parametric equalizer (Wavelet, Equalizer APO, Peace, or a player with parametric EQ). Calculated by AutoEQ from its measured frequency response.
| Filter | Frequency | Gain | Q |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low shelf | 105 Hz | +3.5 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 787 Hz | +3.9 dB | 1.02 |
| Peak | 132 Hz | -2.6 dB | 0.47 |
| Peak | 6,018 Hz | -4.2 dB | 1.86 |
| Peak | 2,710 Hz | +2.4 dB | 4.01 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | +0.6 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 1,854 Hz | -0.5 dB | 3.68 |
| Peak | 39 Hz | -0.3 dB | 2.18 |
| Peak | 418 Hz | +0.2 dB | 2.26 |
| Peak | 80 Hz | +0.3 dB | 2.26 |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons