So if you haven’t read the title, beware this review will have a some sensual overtones.
So I’ve had the Noir for nearly a month. It’s like have a partner that just slumming it…with you, in this case me. The sound is classy, and I get a bit self conscious of the music I’m listening to with it. However this set did willingly pair well with nearly every genre of music, besides Rap and some Hip hop.
How does this compare to the Silver Pilgrim, well I own that set as well. Having an auditory ménage à trois with both. They each stand on their own feet. While the Noir has a warmer bass shelf overall. The midrange is the most noticeable trait, while the Silver Bullet has more sub bass and treble extension.
Like it’s good sorority sister it loves powerful sources, most of my 200mw DAC’s are only sufficient at best. Using the Cayin RU7, ifi GoBar Kensei, Questyle M15 & FiiO BTR7 have opened up this sets full potential. The Noir will not require, but will make you feel that you that you need better equipment and better quality music files.
The sound stage, separation, imaging is dependent on your music and source it can be great or your 80’s music will sound like 80’s mastered recordings. I actually have found that some remastered music actually sounds pretty good at times with sultry vixen. The Noir can be that partner who gets you out of that curated content comfort zone.
I have found my self listening to more 60’s & 70’s soul music and 80’s rock hairbands lately. The group Cinderella has a an album that has wonderful blues rock with 80’s rock music. The guitars and piano in that album just pop out. Even 90’s grunge sibilance is subdued in my opinion, making you wonder if your EQ is on.
Genres I have most enjoyed are NuMetal, Modern Rock and nearly everything with female vocals. This dynamic driver feels fast which may affect bass decay to the low end. However that jut means she keeps up with musical chaos that is Rammstein, Metallica, Linkin Park, Green Day and Manson.
The oh so clear midrange really brings out that country twang. I have come to appreciate the mandolin more. The husk vocals of Randy Travis just hits the bones and then the lively mood comes back when listening to George Strait.
Pop music is clean, but some modern artists do have a sub bass melody that can playback thin. Example would be Blinding Lights by The Weeknd, but the bass melody is full in his duet with Post Malone singing One Right Now. So it can vary from track to track.
Boomer Pop artist such as Dean Martin, Frank Sinatra, Nat King Cole and Sam Cooke. Yes this is pop music of your generation, the each have full meaty vocals that harmonize with their stings and brass sections. Gentle on my mind be Dino just makes you wanna go outside for a brisk stroll.
The treble although taking a loss of a single BA in this model configuration , doesn’t mean it’s not absent of detail and air. So K-Pop does pop the vocal highs are achieved and most multi singer groups don’t come across congested or a musical blob of sound. Each vocalist can be identified and placed on your stage in your mind’s imagination. Just keep it tasteful in their wardrobe please.
Jazz is where it’s at. Melody Gardot track from Paris with Love that lower midrange and dynamic driver shows their synergy. The Cello pulls are clean and full as her voice is clear. The track Don’t Worry by Leon Bridges has a wonderful duet with female singer Ink both never crowd the head stage. The organic guitar melody is clearly present even with synthesized deep boomy bass melody playing in parallel.
So is she worth twice the cost of the Silver Sorority Sister. Yes, likely you would upgrade the cable anyway. I did on the sorority sister to….guess it…..an Eros cable. They just took the initiative to curate one for you. The internal wiring is also upgraded with effect audio wires. She has a 4-way crossover from the silvers 3-way crossover. So the silver sister ended up costing just shy of the same asking price of the Noir.
So yeah…. I Love her. At times I forget how long my listening sessions go. One time I was gonna go out on the weekend for lunch. I ended up having to get dinner instead.