Wired IEMs
Kinera Thorking
81Outstanding
$2,500
Full review dataKinera Thorking vs Noble Audio Sultan: which should you buy?
Specs, scores and condensed review verdicts for the Kinera Thorking vs Noble Audio Sultan, side by side. Where a product has no HearWiki score yet, not enough reviews have been aggregated to rate it.
Wired IEMs
Noble Audio Sultan
Not yet scored
$2,900
Full review dataScore breakdown
Each axis is a 0–10 blend of what reviewers scored, not a lab measurement.
Kinera Thorking leads on 4 of 4 measures.
- Kinera Thorking
- Noble Audio Sultan
HearWiki score
81
-
Sound
9.2
-
Value
6.0
-
Price (USD)
$2,500
$2,900
Generation & platform
The scores rank quality. This is the other question: is the newer one actually newer technology, or the same platform in a new shell?
Same generation
The Kinera Thorking is 5 years newer, but it is the same generation of hardware: nothing in the radio, the codecs or the noise cancelling separates them. Nothing separates them on convenience features either, so the choice comes down to tuning and price. For 5 years between them, that is a thin return - treat this as a restyle rather than a new platform.
- Thorking20255 yr newer
- Sultan2020
Specifications
ThorkingSultan
- Type
- Wired IEMs
- Wired IEMs
- Price (USD)
- $2,500
- $2,900
- HearWiki score
- 81
- Not scored
- Released
- 2025
- 2020
- Availability
- Sold new
- Discontinued
- Driver
- 1DD + 6BA + 4EST tribrid
- 7-driver tribrid
- Driver type
- tribrid
- tribrid
- Driver configuration
- 1DD + 6BA + 4EST
- -
- Driver size
- -
- 10 mm
- Drivers per side
- 11
- 7
- Frequency response
- 5 Hz - 50 kHz
- 10 Hz - 70 kHz
- Impedance
- 10 Ω
- 16.5 Ω
- Sensitivity
- -
- 115 dB/mW
- Active noise cancelling
- -
- No
- Detachable cable
- Yes
- -
- Connector
- 2-pin 0.78 mm
- -
- Balanced connection
- Yes
- -
What reviewers said
Kinera Thorking
The Kinera Thorking is a premium tribrid flagship IEM with a treble-forward, reference-style tuning that prioritizes air, detail, and transparency. Its 11-driver setup delivers strong technical performance with excellent separation and imaging, though the lean bass and lower midrange may not appeal to those seeking warmth or heavy impact. Best suited for treble enthusiasts and classical music fans, it pairs well with warmer sources to balance its bright character.
- Pro:Excellent treble extension and airiness
- Pro:Strong technicalities with precise imaging and layering
- Pro:Natural, coherent midrange
- Con:Lean bass and lower midrange may lack warmth
- Con:Not for bassheads or those seeking impactful low-end
- Con:Can sound dry at times
Noble Audio Sultan
The Sultan is a premium wired in-ear monitor from Noble Audio, housed in a durable aluminum shell. It uses a tribrid driver setup—a 10mm dynamic driver for bass, four balanced armatures for mids, and two electrostatic tweeters for extended highs—to deliver a detailed, reference-style sound. With a low 16.5-ohm impedance and high sensitivity, it's easy to drive from most sources, though it lacks any noise-canceling features.
- Pro:Rich, deep bass from the dynamic driver
- Pro:Crisp, extended treble from electrostatic tweeters
- Pro:Solid all-aluminum build quality
- Con:No active noise cancellation
- Con:Very high price point
- Con:Requires a good seal for optimal bass response
Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.
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