Short answer: the Hercules Audio Noah. It ranks #441 of 1291 in-ear headphones by sound quality, rated 4.0/5, at $1,400; the Noble Audio Kadence ranks #509, rated 3.9/5, and costs $1,599, so there is little reason to consider the other one.
Why pick the Hercules Audio Noah: A broadly balanced tuning with a preference score of 74 against the Harman target. The catch: Treble about 4 dB below target from 3 to 10 kHz, which can sound dull or veiled next to brighter headphones.
What the Noble Audio Kadence does well: Eight balanced armatures earn a preference score of 72 in crinacle’s measurement, a reasonably balanced result against the Harman target. Watch for: 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 Hercules Audio Noah. It is rated higher for sound quality than the Noble Audio Kadence and costs less, so it is the default pick unless a specific strength of the other one matters more to you.
Still deciding? The full Headphones rankings cover every ranked option.
A broadly balanced tuning with a preference score of 74 against the Harman target.
Zeppelin & Co $1,400 eBay
Eight balanced armatures earn a preference score of 72 in crinacle’s measurement, a reasonably balanced result against the Harman target.
Audio46 $1,599.00 eBayPrices on this page were last checked October 16, 2026 at 5:46 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.
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
Specifications Side By Side
| Hercules Audio Noah | Noble Audio Kadence | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1,400 | $1,599.00 |
| Ranked | #441 of 1291 in In-Ear Headphones | #509 of 1291 in In-Ear Headphones |
| Form Factor | In-ear | In-ear |
| Back | Closed | Closed |
| Harman Preference Score | 74 (median of 9 squig.link measurements, calibrated to AutoEQ) | 72 (measured by crinacle, via AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 1.74 dB standard deviation | 2.24 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.69 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | +0.41 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (+1.2 dB at 30 Hz) | - |
| Connection | Wired | Wired |
| Driver Type | Tribrid (1 dynamic + 4 balanced armature + 2 electrostatic) | Balanced armature |
| Drivers | 1 x dynamic + 4 x balanced armature + 2 x electrostatic | 8 x balanced armature |
| Impedance | - | 28 ohms |
| Sensitivity | - | 112 dB SPL/mW |
| Frequency Response | - | 8Hz - 28kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built-in Microphone | - | No |
Related Headphone Comparisons
More worthwhile head-to-heads for Hercules Audio Noah: