Noble Trident Earphones Review

The Trident is a phenomenal all-rounder

by Ed Selley
Hi-Fi Review

Highly Recommended
Noble Trident Earphones Review
MSRP: £350.00

What is the Noble Trident?

The Trident is the most affordable member of Noble’s current range but this is more a reflection that their models go a long way into four figures than it is that £350 is a ‘starter’ price point. While some other Noble models we’ve looked at make use of up to ten drivers a side, the Trident ‘only’ has three armatures per side with each armature handling part of the frequency response. Noble is traditionally very tight lipped about their design and build processes so the nature of the crossover points and even the internal layout are not something that they are forthcoming on.

Design & Specs

One intriguing detail that Noble does let slip though is that the complete range of Noble earphones has been designed with different voicing to work with slightly different types of music. The Trident has been tweaked for a ‘pop friendly’ presentation while other models have features such as tweaked low-end or extended treble response. All models share the same basic body which uses a metal endplate bonded to a resin front section that contains the port and mount for the domes. Just to make sure you secure a decent fit, Noble supplies the Trident with a very extensive selection of fittings and you should be able to find something that works for you.

Like the other models here, the Trident is a structured fitting with the earphone sitting in the ear canal and a stiffened loop to wrap around the ear. The fitting is comfortable even though the Noble has no pivot at the point where the cable meets the housing. The cable is detachable meaning it can be replaced and removed if needed and it must be said, like every other Noble I have tested, the cable is an absolute nightmare for tangling up. There is also no form of inline remote.
Noble Trident
Otherwise, the news is good. The Noble isn’t as exquisitely finished and detailed as some other earphones but it still feels solid and well thought out. The carry case is also an impressively sturdy device and should stand up to some sustained use – although the sheer size of it will preclude its use in some situations. You do get some stickers and a small carabiner so that’s something.

The Noble does without a rotating cuff between the cable and earphone itself but this doesn’t seem to hold it back from securing an excellent fit and proving very comfortable indeed. They also possess great sensitivity and shouldn’t trouble even a fairly feeble smartphone output. The statement from Noble that the Trident has been voiced with pop in mind might be alarming for some but having used them for a while, there is nothing that leaps out about the Trident that you’d put your finger on and identify as definitely ‘poppy’ – but there is a lot to like.

Performance

The Noble does a consistently good job of sounding controlled, from the lowest point of its response to where I run out of hearing. Nothing is over emphasised or recessed, you simply receive an unfailingly even and believable version of whatever you happen to be listening to. It takes the Sturgill Simpson In Bloom and gives you an immersive and involving rendition that lays out the component parts of the music in a way that feels consistently like you were there at the event. The thing that helps this is the detail. The Noble finds fragments of information that other earphones can miss and this helps pretty much whatever you play on it sound more realistic as a result.

Where the Trident also excels is the sense of fun it possesses. If you listen to something with a bit of energy to it like Kraftwerk’s Aerodynamic, it simply motors along with a drive and energy that is hugely enjoyable. The bass response is usefully deep and perfectly capable of generating low-end you feel as much as hear. It isn’t perfect, there is a sense when listening to very simple and delicate pieces of music that the Trident is trying to push on and make for a livelier presentation than is strictly the case but this is rarely a serious issue.

Using the Noble on the move is also pleasurable, it has good isolation which means that even noisy environments are not really a problem. It is also able to show the benefits of higher quality music and partnering equipment while staying forgiving of poorer files. Noble’s literature for the Trident is at times a little curious, saying things like you can use them as your spare pair when you don’t want to use a more expensive set. While we can’t all have a selection of high-end earphones at our disposal, there is no doubt that the Trident is an extremely easy one to live with day-to-day.

Conclusion

Pros

  • Outstandingly lively and enjoyable performance
  • Very comfortable
  • Well made

Cons

  • Cable tangles too easily
  • Case is a little large
  • Won't flatter poor recordings

Noble Trident Earphones Review

When compared to more user friendly earphones, there can be moments where the Noble has a tangled cord and you're wondering what to do with that vast carry case that makes it seem impractical and fiddly. This is a good design, slightly undone by some details. Listen to the Trident though and these issues – while still a bit annoying – will seem far less important. This is an accomplished all rounder and a truly outstanding earphone at the price.


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Scores

Build Quality

.
.
8

Ease of Use

.
9

Sound Quality

.
9

Design

.
9

Sensitivity

.
9

Verdict

.
9
9
AVForumsSCORE
OUT OF
10

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