With the release of the Vanguard, Noble Audio reinvigorates their medieval-themed crusade through the entry-level audiophile market. Focused on balancing response and resonance, the Vanguard champions an exciting signature developed from the Knight’s previous pillage as Noble’s self-described bestseller. Those aware of contemporary challengers might draw a direct connection to Punch Audio’s weighty yet clear Martilo, released at the end of last year with a similar price. Listening to them side-by-side, how do each approach these parallel objectives? What should buyers know in deciding between the two?
With Your Purchase
| Noble Audio Vanguard | Punch Audio Martilo |
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Build Design
While dark-fantasy has become incredibly common over the past decade, Noble finds ways to keep it creative. Using an artificial beam of light to illuminate the centerpiece and rusty gold background, the Vanguard cleverly displays a shield that appears worn yet triumphant. The Martilo, by contrast, captures Punch Audio’s street graffiti branding with a cracked red wall. I found this to be a really fun take on the abstract patterns typical for IEMs. Although the matter of which looks better is entirely subjective, I’m personally more into the reserved flashiness of the Vanguard.
Regarding physical build, each holds their own distinct advantages and disadvantages. An immediate point of comparison is shell size. The Vanguard is quite wide, giving an awkward profile and potentially off-putting fit. Punch’s shell feels more comfortable in the ear, complimented by a denser feel and smooth finish on the shell. However, Noble’s provided cable feels far better than the stiff Martilo cable.
Both IEMS have strong accessibility with their included cable options. In addition to their balanced adapters, the Vanguard and Martilo also include a USB-C dongle and s-balanced adapter respectively.
Audio Design
Both IEMs are “tri-driven” with an emphasis on fun, but carry significantly different definitions of what those descriptors mean. Noble invests two balanced armature drivers into the mid-highs and treble, leaving a 10mm dynamic driver to hold down the low end. With this allocation of its three drivers, the Vanguard believes excitement to sit within higher frequencies, giving them ample tools for a polished gloss.
The Martilo is a true tribrid, combining three driver types to reap their individual advantages. Where the Vanguard’s priorities weighed towards the polar ends, Punch places drivers at each range for full coverage. Even so, its heaviest hitters are the dual 8mm dynamic drivers that collaborate on a colossal yet controlled bass. Mids are cleaned by dual balanced armatures, and a single planar driver opens the highs. Punch Audio seems to have an opposite opinion to Noble, drawing excitement through booming, explosive bass.
| Noble Audio Vanguard | Punch Audio Martilo | |
| Sensitivity | 112dB @ 1Khz (±1 dB) | 100 dB @ 1Khz (±1 dB) |
| Frequency Response | Not Officially Listed | 10 Hz–22 kHz |
| Impedance | 23Ω @ 1 kHz (±1.5 Ω) | 9 Ω @ 1 kHz (±1.5 Ω) |
Soundstage
To compare the sound of these in-ear monitors, I used the iFi Go Link 2 Max DAC/Amp to stream Tidal from my computer.
In my individual review for the Vanguard, I deemed its soundstage to be a pretty standard IEM affair. It had a nice circular quality, with enough dimension and layering to keep everything distinct and complimentary. Returning to it for this comparison, I found its verticality to be far better than I remembered, especially next to the Martilo. Punch’s IEM is equally impressive in its depth and placement, but the vertical axis was notably shallow. Width is an entirely different story for the Martilo, however, as it stretched farther than the Vanguard. Each stage presents an expanded experience, just with slightly different shapes.
Low End
Although the Punch’s tuning might impose grander audio spectacle, the Vanguard has a precise and punchy tone of its own. Playing support to the highs, Noble’s bass profile remains prominent yet tasteful. Bass instruments snugly fit in the mix, with intricacies not feeling lost or blown out by heavier moments. In this role, the Vanguard’s bass is a strong subordinate to what is otherwise a treble-centered signature.
I think hearing the name Punch Audio could give a good enough idea of what I am about to say. As outlined by Punch themselves, the Martilo is primarily for bassheads. Dual dynamic drivers give more room to push clarity and force to a level far beyond the Vanguard. It is a serious shame that its cable is so stiff, as the Martilo makes the dance-prompting bass synths of electronic songs like Ninajirachi’s “iPod Touch” uncontrollably infectious. In an all-around impressive sound, I want to bring serious highlight to the Martilo’s sub-bass, which miraculously remains explosive and detailed in a way that exceeds far pricier IEMs.
Mids
While lows felt absolutely dominated by the Martilo in comparison, hearing other ranges unfortunately unveils the price of such a takeover. Where the lack of a directly dedicated driver makes the Vanguard have a pretty natural mid range, the sheer destruction that is the Martilo bass puts its admittedly clear mids far into the background. Where mids felt appropriate throughout my Vanguard listening, physical instrumental tracks sometimes feel blown out by the Martilo’s low end pulses.
While their instruments and vocals have pretty similar timbre otherwise, the Martilo’s priorities give the Vanguard the more prominent mids. This is further hyphenated by the stellar high-mids made possible by the Vanguard’s balanced armature driver. In this negativity, I should acknowledge that this is not some oversight from Punch Audio. Seeing how fun the genres that support heavy bass were, this decisive identity is fully intentional. Recessed mids allow for the Martilo’s bass to be that much more impactful.
Highs
Far away from the Martilo’s sonic turf, the Vanguard’s glistening highs soar. As the Martilo’s bass was impressive for the price, I could easily say the same for the Vanguard’s treble. Effortlessly musical and meticulously precise, Noble crafts a range which somehow feels both free and controlled. For listeners comfortable in a brighter signature, the Vanguard is truly a cut above.
Being the only range with a single driver, a rolled-off high is to be expected. Fortunately, this works in the Martilo’s favor. The highs sit comfortably atop the roaring bass, playing a similar role to the Vanguard’s own low end. As was true with the Vanguard signature, the Martilo’s treble gives secondary texture to its more anchored opposite.
Summary
In the pursuit of flavorful sound, the Noble Vanguard and Punch Audio Martilo exist at a crossroads of where that ideology leads. Flexing an in-ear experience that is visually and sonically crisp, the Vanguard pushes treble excellence and secondary bass precision through its three drivers. On another path, the Martilo throws almost everything at its bass, delivering a primal tone that keeps every track impactful, for better or worse.
Deciding which is right for you depends on which route looks more promising. If you prefer a balanced musicality with upper gloss, the Vanguard might be a stronger pick. Listeners aiming for overwhelming power and energy will better appreciate the small but intense Martilo. It just comes down to which will take you where you want to go.
The Noble Audio Vanguard and Punch Audio Martilo are both available at Audio46.
