Empire Ears Triton vs Noble Audio Onyx
Introduction
The Empire Ears Triton and Noble Audio Onyx are premium IEMs designed to deliver an engaging sound experience. We compare both models to help you find the best in-ear monitors for your listening preferences.
Not the right fit? Browse other In-Ear Monitors from Empire Ears and Noble Audio.
Empire Ears Triton vs Noble Audio Onyx Price Comparison
The Triton and Onyx sit at two different price points.
The Triton comes in at $1,799.00.
The Onyx comes in at $3,200.00.
The Triton costs almost half the price of the Onyx IEM. Let's dive deep into the specs, design, sound signatures, and features of both so you can get a better idea of what each IEM brings to the table.
The Empire Ears Triton
The Triton is a hybrid IEM crafted for musical engagement, combining dynamic and balanced armature drivers to deliver a lively, full-bodied sound with enhanced bass response and immersive staging.
Empire Ears Triton Features:
- Tribrid driver setup with Dynamic + BA + Bone Conduction Drivers
- Dynamic driver W9+ subwoofers delivers impactful low-end punch
- Balanced Armatures add clarity and layering
- Bone Conduction Drivers for rich and detailed vocals
- Tuned for engaging, musical listening
- Premium design with ergonomic fit
Empire Ears Triton Specs:
Driver Configuration: Tribrid (W9+ Dynamic / EMP75 Balanced Armatures / Bone Conduction Drivers)
Frequency Response: 5 Hz - 40kHz
Impedance: 2.8 ohms @ 1kHz
Sensitivity: 99dB @ 1kHz, 1mW
Connector: 2-pin, 0.78mm
The Noble Audio Onyx
The Noble Audio Onyx is a quadbrid IEM packed with cutting-edge driver technologies to give you an impactful and immersive listening experience.
Noble Audio Onyx Features:
- 8-driver configuration: 1 Dynamic, 4 BA (2 mid, 2 high), 2 Electrostatic, 1 Bone Conduction Driver
- Precision CNC Aluminum Shell with Raffir Composite Faceplate
- Eletech Courage 4-core OCC silver-plated copper cable with 4.4mm termination
- Stainless steel wax guard for enhanced driver protection
Noble Audio Onyx Specs:
Driver Configuration: 1 Dynamic, 4 BA (2 mid, 2 high), 2 Electrostatic, 1 Bone Conduction Driver
Frequency Response: 20Hz – 70kHz
Impedance: 14Ω
Crossover: 5-way crossover design
Design and Build Quality
The Triton and Onyx are premium IEMs, boasting exceptional build quality, design, and ergonomics.
The Triton takes a more striking approach, blending luxury and performance with its stunning ergonomic design. Its shell is made from high-density resin reinforced with premium materials for enhanced rigidity and durability.
The faceplate design is eye-catching, showcasing Empire Ears’ attention to craftsmanship with a premium finish that feels and looks premium. While the housing is slightly larger to accommodate its hybrid driver system, the ergonomic shaping ensures it remains comfortable, with a secure seal that enhances both isolation and bass impact.
The Noble Audio Onyx features CNC Aluminum Shells with a special Raffir composite faceplate for enhanced aesthetics. The Onyx is small and compact, making easy to fit and comfortable to wear for extended periods. For enhanced durability and aesthetics, the Onyx features a stainless steel wax guard and a premium Eletech Courage cable.
Sound Signature
You're probably looking to see how these IEMs stack up on sound. We'll share our thoughts here, although keep in mind this information tends to be anecdotal and subjective.
Triton Sound Signature
The Triton, with its tribrid driver system with a powerful W9+ subwoofer, BA drivers, and Bone Conduction, deliver a fun and smooth sound signature.
The W9+ subwoofer brings impressive bass power for deeper, more textured bass with natural decay. The balanced armatures layered on top bring clarity and definition to the mids and treble, giving instruments and vocals weight while still preserving detail.
The slightly larger housing allows for better driver placement and airflow, which helps create a wider, more holographic soundstage. The result is a sound that feels immersive and full-bodied, perfect for listeners who want to feel like they're part of the performance.
Onyx Sound Signature
The Noble Audio Onyx steers away from a studio-accurate tuning and instead offers a rich and immersive sound characterized by powerful bass and a wide soundstage.
The powerful dynamic driver delivers well-defined sub-bass rumbles and an impactful mid-bass kick. The midrange is natural and detailed, featuring life-like vocals and realistic instrumentals. The Onyx's treble is airy, sparkly, but smooth. This helps add space between sounds for a very immersive sound experience.
Price and Value
At $1,799, the Empire Ears Triton positions itself in the upper-midrange tier, offering a blend of premium internals and refined engineering. Buyers get a tribrid setup featuring the W9+ dynamic subwoofer, a custom EMP75 BA, and dual bone conduction drivers, all integrated through the synX crossover and stabilized with ARC anti-resonance tech. The housings are hand-finished with ARC-treated resin shells for durability, while the Monarch hybrid cable and dual case system (Pandora CNC aluminum and OPUS leather) round out the accessories. In value terms, the Triton delivers high-end construction, proprietary technologies, and a rare dual-conduction architecture at a price that undercuts ultra-flagships, making it a compelling choice for enthusiasts seeking impact and innovation in one package.
The $3,200 Onyx comes in at almost twice the price of the Triton. At that price, you're getting a premium-built IEM with precision CNC Aluminum Shells, Raffir Faceplates, an exotic driver package that combines Electrostatic and Bone Conduction Drivers. You're also getting a premium Eletech Courage Cable in the box alongside a selection of ear tips and other accessories.
Our Thoughts
Get the Empire Ears Triton if you're looking for a bassy in-ear monitor with excellent vocals and a non-fatiguing yet detailed treble. With a dynamic driver under the hood, the Triton delivers slam and impact only a dynamic driver can. Vocal performance is top-notch as well, allowing you to experience your favorite vocal-centric tracks with life-like clarity and detail.
Like the Triton, the Noble Audio Onyx offers an exciting sound experience with its tight bass, weighty vocals, and shiny highs. The Onyx's soundstage is a highlight, offering an immersive sound that spans deep from left to right, front to back. Build quality is exceptional too, with its Machined Aluminum Shells and that unique Raffir faceplate aesthetic. You're also getting a premium Eletech Courage cable in the box for enhanced durability and looks. Get the Onyx if you want a premium IEM with a sound signature that will make your music sound more lively and engaging.
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