admin
In at the moment’s function, we assessment the Nostalgia Audio Camelot which is a brand new flagship 10-driver tribrid electrostatic common in-ear monitor. It’s priced at $2599.
Disclaimer: It is a pattern despatched to us in trade for our trustworthy opinion. Headfonics is an unbiased web site with no affiliate hyperlinks or standing. We thank the staff at Nostalgia Audio and Audio Essence for his or her assist.
To learn extra about in-ear monitor merchandise we’ve got beforehand lined on Headfonics click here.
Observe, that this text follows our newest scoring pointers which you’ll learn up on here.
We truly lined Nostalgia Audio round the very same time final yr with their debut 5-driver Benbulbin providing which did fairly effectively. This yr, the staff from Nostalgia Audio has returned with a brand new and extra bold hybrid undertaking, their 10-driver Camelot
The worth level is lots greater additionally in comparison with the Benbulbin at $2599 putting it in flagship or TOTL territory and with some stiff competitors on the market already. So, does the Camelot soar excessive sufficient to compete amongst a few of the greatest hybrid IEMs at present on the market available in the market? Learn on to search out out!
Tech Highlights
The Camelot is Nostalgia Audio’s flagship tribrid IEM full of a ton of technical options. Housing 10 drivers, the Camelot manages to squeeze in two 10mm dynamic, 4 balanced armature, and 4 electrostatic into one single shell.
The 2 10mm dynamic drivers deal with the sub and mid-bass frequencies while the balanced armatures and electrostatic drivers deal with the midrange and treble. That is all threaded along with a 5-way crossover.
The 2 10mm dynamic drivers are self-designed by Nostalgia Audio and are constructed with an N52 Neodymium magnet in tandem. The final word aim right here is to ship Nostalgia Audio’s “XBS or Excessive Bass System” which is supported by a brass chamber.
The Camelot additionally options “SFD or Spiral Circulate System” which is a particular spiral building inside the IEM nozzle to cut back lack of sound high quality attributable to the curvature of the nozzle.
Design
The Camelot is available in a easy but elegant design. The IEM shells are comprised of a 3D-printed resin and are available in a jet-black coloration. Every shell is topped off with a darkish brown faceplate which has a wooden or timber-like texture.
To complete, the right-sided shell contains a standing lion carrying a crown whereas the left shell wears the Nostalgia “NA” brand. The Camelot has an prolonged nozzle that means that the insertion depth is kind of deep.
One other good function of the IEM shells is that the 2-pin join slot is barely recessed guaranteeing that the cable linked to the IEM is tightly secured.
Consolation & Isolation
The Camelot’s shells are very ergonomic and have a properly curved part on the internal facet of the shell from the highest to the nozzle. Though the shells of the Camelot are fairly giant, there have been no discomfort or match points even after hours of listening.
Going into the assessment and testing part, I used to be positively stunned at how snug the Camelot was to put on on the ear regardless of its measurement.
From my expertise, the mix of the lengthy nozzle and inventory suggestions offered is an important aspect in attaining an ideal seal and match because the conical form of the ideas and lengthy nozzle size enable a good distribution of weight throughout the nozzle to counter the massive measurement of the Camelot’s shells.
The Camelot shells had been capable of isolate the sound successfully leaving no cases of sound leaking in or out of the IEMs.
Suggestions
The Camelot comes with a big selection of ear suggestions spanning three differing types. There are two principal kinds of ear suggestions supplied with sizes starting from small, medium, and huge.
The principle distinction between these ear suggestions is their composition as one set is comprised of comfortable, black silicone materials with a versatile core whereas the opposite is constructed from a thicker, orange silicone materials with a stiffened core or stem.
Throughout my testing, the comfortable black silicone suggestions offered an total higher match and seal and thus had been favorable over the opposite set. The third and final kind of ear tip is a medium-sized pair of froth ear suggestions that remoted effectively and are fairly snug to make use of.
Inventory Cable
The staff from Nostalgia Audio has paired the Camelot with their in-house cable referred to as the “Avalon” which is a 4-wire, 22 AWG Excessive purity OFC and OCC Copper cable.
That is fingers down, a improbable cable and the proper match for a flagship IEM of this caliber. The cable contains a multi-strand design and a thick however extremely versatile nylon jacket. Talking of flexibility, the cable could be very supple and comfortable. It’s effectively constructed with even braiding and ample pressure to retain its form.
At one finish, the Avalon is completed with a 4.4mm rhodium-plated plug housed in a black metallic casing with reduce edges, topped with the Nostalgia Audio “NA” brand.
On the different finish, the cable has a 2-pin system the place the connectors are completed with a black metallic casing. L and R letters assist establish the left and proper sides of the cable that are adopted by a thick plastic layer on high of the ear hooks.
In the midst of the cable, the splitter and cable ring have the identical, jet-black coloration and metallic end because the plug casing. The splitter itself is small and compact and options the phrases “Avalon” and “Nostalgia” written on the edges. To high it off, a brown cable strap can be included.
Total, Nostalgia Audio has offered a really high-quality inventory cable. If there was one want for the long run, it will be they might provide the Avalon as a standalone cable to enhance the remainder of their aftermarket cable vary. Thus, opening it as much as all audiophiles with and with no Camelot.
Packaging & Equipment
The Camelot comes pre-packaged in a black, rectangular field that options medieval art work on the entrance. The art work depicts Camelot on the high of a hill, surrounded by forest which ends up in Excalibur or the Sword within the Stone within the foreground.
It is a good contact from Nostalgia Audio because it hyperlinks all facets of the product collectively to the primary theme: the Arthurian legend. As you open the primary field, one other one awaits inside which slides out like a small drawer containing the IEM and its equipment.
Other than the offered ear suggestions, the Camelot comes with a round, hockey puck-style case. The case is grey-blue in coloration with a suede-like end.
The scale of the case is on the bigger facet and offers greater than sufficient house to carry the IEMs and Avalon cable. Lastly, the lid of the case is stamped with the face of a lion and the phrase “Camelot”.
Sound Impressions
Abstract
Total, the Camelot has a fully attractive and effortlessly coherent sound signature. It has a slight bass increase, coupled with a ahead decrease mid-range and sparkly treble.
The top of the sound signature is derived from its extremely resolving mid-range and 3D-esque soundstage. After you have these IEMs working at full pace, it’s straightforward to get misplaced within the music.
Bass
The Camelot’s bass response is crisp, clear, and tight. Supported by Nostalgia Audio’s “Excessive Bass System”, the IEM is reliant on its two self-developed 10mm dynamic drivers to deal with the sub and mid-bass frequencies.
By having two dynamic drivers, the Camelot is ready to obtain a high-quality bass response. It is because it is ready to layer its bass notes while providing some wonderful imaging capabilities.
The phrase “Excessive” because the system suggests isn’t in relation to the amount of bass being excessive however somewhat the general high quality of the bass response. Therefore, the aim of the Camelot is to provide a practical bass response that focuses extra on pace, decision, and texture somewhat than amount and slam.
The sub-bass doesn’t rumble typically and solely digs deep when referred to as upon. In different cases, the sub-bass isn’t subdued or lacking however offers simply sufficient basis for the general sound signature.
The mid-bass has a slight increase sounding punchy and managed although it sits behind the midrange by way of forwardness. Mid-bass notes decay can sound quick or sluggish relying on the word or instrument itself giving it a way of realism.
Moreover, mid-bass notes are dealt with effortlessly and are introduced with a really excessive degree of element and texture. For instance, the distinct sound and texture of snare and kick drums can actually be “felt and heard” because the Camelot is ready to allocate an applicable quantity of decay, layering and determination.
Mids
The Camelot midrange sounds extremely resolving, pure, and coherent in its efficiency. It is a barely heat timbre which permits the midrange to return off with a natural-sounding tone.
The decrease mid-range is on the forefront of the general sound signature sounding essentially the most ahead. That is intently adopted by the higher midrange which sits simply behind the decrease mid-range.
The higher mid-range isn’t too far ahead that it turns into too harsh however as a substitute is positioned in an acceptable method the place devices and vocals come off as extremely clean, and detailed.
The Camelot detects and presents micro-details with ease which permits anybody to simply respect the music being introduced.
For instance, the sound and texture of guitars and violins being strung, piano keys being tapped, and female and male vocals are introduced effortlessly with a excessive degree of readability, air, and house.
Treble
The Camelot has a glowing treble presentation with unimaginable extension and a excessive degree of element. Offered by the 4 electrostatic drivers, excessive hats and cymbals sound very refined and with sufficient zing to make them noticeable sufficient all through the sound signature.
Additionally they have sufficient power to assist the higher mid-range however not an excessive amount of to make them sound too brilliant or sibilant. As a substitute, the treble response could be very articulate permitting you to pick a variety of high-frequency micro-details.
Staging & Imaging
The soundstage on the Camelot could be very extensive and tall and is introduced in a fashion that offers an total 3D impact to the sound signature. The staging width isn’t linear and even extends diagonally.
Layering and imaging from the Camelot are very correct and holographic sounding creating a number of layers with loads of spacing between devices and vocals.
Devices and vocal imaging are positioned with pinpoint accuracy permitting for an encapsulating and enveloping listening expertise.
Click on page 2 below for pairings and our select comparisons
