Short answer: the ThieAudio V16 Divinity. Both are rated 3.9/5 for sound quality (#301 and #302 of 450 in-ear headphones), and the ThieAudio V16 Divinity costs $1,499 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.
What the ThieAudio V16 Divinity does well: Crinacle’s measurement gives it a preference score of 72, and across six hobbyist measurements on squig.link the bass sits only about 1 dB above target with sub-bass nearly flat down to 20 Hz, so low notes are full without swamping the mids. The catch: The presence region from 3 to 6 kHz sits about 4 dB low, with a dip of roughly 8 dB near 4.6 kHz, which pushes vocals and guitars back and can make the sound feel distant.
Buy the ThieAudio V16 Divinity. Both are rated the same for sound quality, and it costs $100 less than the Noble Audio Kadence.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Headphones rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Noble Audio Kadence | ThieAudio V16 Divinity | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1,599.00 | $1,499.00 |
| Ranked | #302 of 450 in In-Ear Headphones | #301 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 (measured by crinacle, via AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 2.24 dB standard deviation | 2.16 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | +0.41 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | -0.63 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Connection | Wired | Wired |
| Driver Type | Balanced armature | Balanced armature |
| Drivers | 8 x balanced armature | 16 x balanced armature |
| Impedance | 28 ohms | 18 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 112 dB SPL/mW | 112 dB |
| Frequency Response | 8Hz - 28kHz (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Built-in Microphone | No | No |
| Sub-bass Extension | - | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-1.2 dB at 30 Hz) |
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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
ThieAudio V16 Divinity: $1,499.00 Linsoul eBay
Pros: Crinacle’s measurement gives it a preference score of 72, and across six hobbyist measurements on squig.link the bass sits only about 1 dB above target with sub-bass nearly flat down to 20 Hz, so low notes are full without swamping the mids. Air above 10 kHz is lifted about 3 dB, adding sparkle and openness to cymbals and strings. Its 16 balanced armatures run at 18 ohms and 112 dB sensitivity, so a phone drives it with plenty of headroom.
Cons: The presence region from 3 to 6 kHz sits about 4 dB low, with a dip of roughly 8 dB near 4.6 kHz, which pushes vocals and guitars back and can make the sound feel distant. It shares its rating with the Unique Melody MEXT, which costs less.
Full ThieAudio V16 Divinity review and specifications →
| Released | Oct 2021 (5 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Back | Closed |
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 2.16 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Balanced armature |
| Drivers | 16 x balanced armature |
| Form Factor | In-ear |
| Harman Preference Score | 72 (measured by crinacle, via AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 18 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 112 dB |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-1.2 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.63 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
EQ preset to match the Harman target
Set a preamp of -5.1 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 | -0.5 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 134 Hz | -2.4 dB | 1.09 |
| Peak | 4,496 Hz | +4.3 dB | 4.50 |
| Peak | 7,057 Hz | +4.3 dB | 1.60 |
| Peak | 1,813 Hz | -2.0 dB | 1.32 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | -2.9 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 932 Hz | +0.9 dB | 2.70 |
| Peak | 1,329 Hz | -0.6 dB | 3.30 |
| Peak | 6,311 Hz | +1.7 dB | 5.93 |
| Peak | 5,544 Hz | -1.2 dB | 6.00 |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons