Empire Ears Triton vs Noble Audio Van Gogh
Introduction
The Empire Ears Triton and Noble Audio Van Gogh 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 Van Gogh Price Comparison
The Triton and Van Gogh sit at two different price points.
The Triton comes in at $1,799.00.
The Van Gogh comes in at $699.00.
The Triton costs significantly more than the Van Gogh 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 Van Gogh
The Noble Audio Van Gogh is a premium four-driver hybrid universal IEM tuned for emotional impact and detail. Inspired by Vincent Van Gogh’s Starry Night, the Van Gogh faceplates feature hand-finished swirling resin art. Its hybrid driver system combines a powerful dynamic driver with three balanced armatures for deep bass, layered mids, and airy highs for an immersive sound experience.
Noble Audio Van Gogh Features:
- Hybrid 1DD + 3BA Driver Configuration: 8 mm dynamic driver impactful and textured lows, two Sonion E-Series BA drivers for smooth, articulate mids, Knowles RAD-Series BA driver for controlled, extended treble response.
- Contrast-Rich, Expressive Sound Tuning: Tuned for a bold, emotionally engaging sonic presentation while maintaining air and clarity, all without causing listener fatigue.
- Artisanal Design: Features unique, hand-finished resin faceplates inspired by Starry Night, housed in low-profile resin shells for comfort and passive isolation.
- Premium Cable & Accessories: Comes with Noble’s 8-core OCC copper cable with balanced 4.4 mm Pentaconn connector and 2-pin system for easy upgrades. Includes ear tip kit, branded accessories, and a protective carrying case.
Noble Audio Van Gogh Specs:
Driver Configuration: 1× 8 mm dynamic driver (magnesium-aluminum diaphragm, dual-magnetic circuit) + 2× Sonion E-Series BA + 1× Knowles RAD-Series BA
Frequency Response: 20 Hz – 20 kHz
Sensitivity: 107 dB
Impedance: 29 Ω
Cable: Detachable 8-core OCC copper, 2-pin design, balanced 4.4 mm Pentaconn plug
Design and Build Quality
The Triton and Van Gogh 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 Van Gogh features hand-finished resin faceplates inspired by Starry Night, with swirling patterns that make every unit one-of-a-kind. The low-profile resin shells are lightweight yet sturdy, designed for a secure and comfortable fit during long sessions. Build quality reflects Noble’s artisanal approach - careful assembly and attention to detail in both the housing and driver integration. The included 8-core OCC copper cable with a 4.4 mm balanced connector complements the design while ensuring durability and low-resistance signal transfer. Together, the Van Gogh’s construction balances artistry, ergonomics, and rugged practicality, making it a unique IEM with stunning sound and striking aesthetics.
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.
Van Gogh Sound Signature
The Van Gogh delivers a powerful and textured listening experience. Its bass goes deep and comes through with natural impact without muddiness. Mids are layered and articulate, offering clarity and emotional presence through vocals and instruments. The treble is clean, airy, and extended, providing sparkle without harshness. Overall, the tuning is immersive, musical, and high-contrast, perfect for experiencing enhanced emotional connection with your music.
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.
At $699, the Noble Audio Van Gogh positions itself as a mid-tier hybrid IEM with a strong balance of performance and artistry. For the price, the Van Gogh offers hand-crafted resin shells with one-of-a-kind faceplates, a durable low-profile design for comfort, and a premium 8-core OCC copper balanced cable. Internally, it houses a hybrid setup of a magnesium-aluminum dynamic driver with dual-magnetic circuit for powerful bass, paired with Sonion and Knowles balanced armatures for refined mids and treble. The combination of bespoke design, high-quality internals, and expressive tuning gives the Van Gogh excellent value - delivering both collector-grade aesthetics and a technically capable, musical sound at well under the $1,000 mark.
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.
The Noble Audio Van Gogh is for listeners who want a musical and emotionally expressive IEM with both audiophile-grade internals and collector-worthy design. It’s a great choice for those who enjoy bold bass, clear mids, and airy treble in a presentation that leans more engaging than analytical. The Van Gogh also appeals to buyers who value unique craftsmanship - no two faceplates are the same, ensuring you get an exclusive design that's truly yours only.
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