Short answer: the Noble Audio Kadence. It ranks #302 of 450 in-ear headphones by sound quality, rated 3.9/5, at $1,599. The Symphonium Crimson ranks #323, rated 3.8/5, at $1,499, $100 cheaper, which does not close the gap in sound quality.
The case for 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. 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 Noble Audio Kadence. It is rated higher for sound quality, and saving $100 with the Symphonium Crimson does not make up for the sound-quality gap.
Want more options? Browse the full Headphones rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Noble Audio Kadence | Symphonium Crimson | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1,599.00 | $1,499.00 |
| Ranked | #302 of 450 in In-Ear Headphones | #323 of 450 in In-Ear Headphones |
| Form Factor | In-ear | In-ear |
| Back | Closed | Closed |
| Harman Preference Score | 72 (measured by crinacle, via AutoEQ) | 72 (median of 16 squig.link measurements, calibrated to AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 2.24 dB standard deviation | 1.89 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | +0.41 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | -0.88 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Connection | Wired | Wired |
| Driver Type | Balanced armature | Balanced armature |
| Drivers | 8 x balanced armature | 4 x balanced armature |
| Impedance | 28 ohms | 6.05 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 112 dB SPL/mW | 106 dB/Vrms |
| Frequency Response | 8Hz - 28kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 10Hz - 24kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built-in Microphone | No | No |
| Sub-bass Extension | - | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (+1.8 dB at 30 Hz) |
Related Headphone Comparisons
More worthwhile head-to-heads for Noble Audio Kadence:
- Noble Audio Kadence vs ThieAudio V16 Divinity
- 64 Audio U4s vs Noble Audio Kadence
- ThieAudio V16 Divinity vs Symphonium Crimson
- Symphonium Crimson vs SeeAudio Kaguya
- ThieAudio V16 Divinity vs SeeAudio Kaguya
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
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
Symphonium Crimson: $1,499.00 Headphones.com eBay
Full Symphonium Crimson review and specifications →
| Released | 2023 (3 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Back | Closed |
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 1.89 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Balanced armature |
| Drivers | 4 x balanced armature |
| Form Factor | In-ear |
| Frequency Response | 10Hz - 24kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 72 (median of 16 squig.link measurements, calibrated to AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 6.05 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 106 dB/Vrms |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (+1.8 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.88 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons