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Product Description
Lauded by Forbes, The Verge, and InnerFidelity, and long rated Head-Fi users’ favorite IEM, the Noble Kaiser 10 returns as the Massdrop x Noble Kaiser 10. Also known as the K10, this model uses the same tuning as the company’s previous flagship, with 10 Knowles balanced-armature drivers per ear Read More
No. The K10U are sensitive IEMs and do not require any "extra power" to drive them properly. They can be played loud enough to seriously damage hearing using a standard phone output jack. They also do not need to be run "balanced".
As with any IEM one can use a dedicated DAC/AMP or other "audiophile" gear. DAC/AMPs can change the sound signature slightly - ie. might not be "audibly transparent" - so it's often a matter of preference, budget, and convenience. For example, I prefer the iPhone 6 SE and FiiO Q5s "warmer" output over the ES100's "neutral" signature. While there are some valid technical merits, "tonal" and "sound quality" differences are often subjective artifacts. Set a budget, try some things, and use whatever suits you.
A JDS labs Element is nice for finely tuned volume control since it's got a huuuggeee volume knob. But these are pretty sensitive so it's not really necessary.
I connected it to the lightning audio amp and hooked to the iphone with good results. With this decent earphones, I am sure you will get the decent sound quality if you use a DAC.
They work well out of my iPhone for pretty non-demanding music such as pop-rock (actually I found the signature a little V-shaped when using the lightning connector directly, which some people may like).
As I listen mainly to classical, I have added a Dragonfly Red into the mix, and the improvements in clarity are amazing, but I still find them a little bright sometimes, particularly with old records.
So I am considering pairing them with some DAP with a reputation for a darker sound, such as maybe the Kann.
These are well-known as all-rounders. Personally, I must yet find a track they do not do justice to.
In the forums other people say that music with a lot of sub-bass may not be ideal for the Kaisers.
I use the 500 series Complies (confort and / or isolation). Funnily enough, I find the confort ones isolate better for these IEMs. If I am not mistaken, if you choose the brand in ComplyFoam’s website, they will point you to the right size.