Short answer: the Noble Audio Sultan. It ranks #349 of 450 in-ear headphones by sound quality, rated 3.6/5, at $2,900. The qdc Anole VX ranks #358, rated 3.5/5, at $2,499, $401 cheaper, not enough of a saving to outweigh the sound-quality gap.
The case for the Noble Audio Sultan: Bass extends on target to 20 Hz with about 2.6 dB of extra midbass in HypetheSonics’ measurement, giving a warm, full low end, and its 2.4 dB average deviation is fairly smooth. The catch: A 7.4 dB dip near 3.2 kHz and a 3.4 dB shortfall across 3 to 6 kHz recess vocals and the attack of guitars and pianos.
What the qdc Anole VX does well: Ten balanced armatures keep bass close to target, within about 1.4 dB from 20 Hz to 200 Hz in squig.link measurements, so low end is clean and controlled rather than boomy. The tradeoff: Across hobbyist measurements a deep 10.7 dB dip near 5.4 kHz leaves the presence band 6.2 dB low, so vocals, snare and guitars lose clarity and attack.
Buy the Noble Audio Sultan. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the $401 saving on the qdc Anole VX is not enough to make up the difference.
Want more options? Browse the full Headphones rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Noble Audio Sultan | qdc Anole VX | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $2,900.00 | $2,499.00 |
| Ranked | #349 of 450 in In-Ear Headphones | #358 of 450 in In-Ear Headphones |
| Form Factor | In-ear | In-ear |
| Back | Closed | Closed |
| Harman Preference Score | 69 (measured by HypetheSonics, via AutoEQ) | 67 (measured by crinacle, via AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 2.41 dB standard deviation | 2.81 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.60 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | -0.34 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (+0.4 dB at 30 Hz) | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-1.1 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Connection | Wired | Wired |
| Driver Type | Hybrid (1 dynamic + 4 balanced armature + 2 electrostatic) | Balanced armature |
| Drivers | 1 x 10mm dynamic + 4 x balanced armature + 2 x electrostatic | 10 x balanced armature |
| Built-in Microphone | No | No |
| Sensitivity | - | 110-113 dB SPL/mW |
| Frequency Response | - | 10Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
Related Headphone Comparisons
More worthwhile head-to-heads for Noble Audio Sultan:
- Kinera Loki Divine Mark vs Noble Audio Sultan
- Unique Melody MEST Fortune vs Noble Audio Sultan
- Noble Audio Sultan vs Oriolus Mellianus
- Oriolus Mellianus vs qdc Anole VX
- qdc Anole VX vs 64 Audio Tia Trio
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 Sultan: $2,900.00 Audio46 eBay
Pros: Bass extends on target to 20 Hz with about 2.6 dB of extra midbass in HypetheSonics’ measurement, giving a warm, full low end, and its 2.4 dB average deviation is fairly smooth. Treble from 6 to 10 kHz sits about 2.6 dB above target without sharp peaks, so cymbals keep sparkle without harshness. It rates higher than the 64 Audio Tia Trio.
Cons: A 7.4 dB dip near 3.2 kHz and a 3.4 dB shortfall across 3 to 6 kHz recess vocals and the attack of guitars and pianos. The Oriolus Mellianus earns the same rating for noticeably less money.
Full Noble Audio Sultan review and specifications →
| Released | May 2020 (6 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Back | Closed |
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 2.41 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Hybrid (1 dynamic + 4 balanced armature + 2 electrostatic) |
| Drivers | 1 x 10mm dynamic + 4 x balanced armature + 2 x electrostatic |
| Form Factor | In-ear |
| Harman Preference Score | 69 (measured by HypetheSonics, via AutoEQ) |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (+0.4 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.60 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
EQ preset to match the Harman target
Set a preamp of -6.7 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 | -1.3 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 3,280 Hz | +7.0 dB | 2.31 |
| Peak | 189 Hz | -2.7 dB | 0.94 |
| Peak | 7,074 Hz | -3.3 dB | 1.84 |
| Peak | 798 Hz | +1.3 dB | 1.55 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | +1.2 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 69 Hz | +0.6 dB | 1.79 |
| Peak | 9,606 Hz | -0.6 dB | 2.32 |
| Peak | 120 Hz | -0.4 dB | 2.39 |
| Peak | 4,645 Hz | -0.8 dB | 6.00 |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
qdc Anole VX: $2,499.00 Shenzhenaudio eBay
Pros: Ten balanced armatures keep bass close to target, within about 1.4 dB from 20 Hz to 200 Hz in squig.link measurements, so low end is clean and controlled rather than boomy. The tuning suits warm and bass-leaning listeners, and sensitivity of 110 to 113 dB/mW means it runs from a phone with plenty of headroom.
Cons: Across hobbyist measurements a deep 10.7 dB dip near 5.4 kHz leaves the presence band 6.2 dB low, so vocals, snare and guitars lose clarity and attack. Crinacle’s preference score of 67 is low for its price, and the qdc Gemini, Noble Audio Kadence and Shuoer Cadenza 12 all rate higher for less money.
Full qdc Anole VX review and specifications →
| Released | 2018 (8 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Back | Closed |
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 2.81 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Balanced armature |
| Drivers | 10 x balanced armature |
| Form Factor | In-ear |
| Frequency Response | 10Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 67 (measured by crinacle, via AutoEQ) |
| Sensitivity | 110-113 dB SPL/mW |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-1.1 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.34 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
EQ preset to match the Harman target
Set a preamp of -4.9 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 | +1.8 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 140 Hz | -2.8 dB | 0.75 |
| Peak | 9,209 Hz | +3.5 dB | 2.24 |
| Peak | 3,239 Hz | +3.2 dB | 0.89 |
| Peak | 1,349 Hz | -3.3 dB | 1.64 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | -1.1 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 5,253 Hz | +3.8 dB | 4.77 |
| Peak | 508 Hz | +0.7 dB | 2.37 |
| Peak | 6,539 Hz | -2.8 dB | 6.00 |
| Peak | 4,387 Hz | -2.6 dB | 6.00 |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons