[Review] Nostalgia Audio Durandal: An Excellent Choice for Listening to Band Sound!

Nostalgia Audio, a brand from Hong Kong, has recently launched the Durandal headphones, inspired by the classic work "The Song of Roland" from the famous Carolingian stories. The name Durandal comes from the legendary sword used by the knight Roland, renowned as one of the most powerful weapons in the world. By choosing Durandal as the name, the brand symbolizes strength, with the headphones representing the sharpness of Roland's sword, giving listeners an unparalleled sense of "brilliance."

Earphone Design

Circle Iron Bone Conduction Three-Mixed 7 Unit Configuration

The Durandal features a three-mixed 7-unit configuration, equipped with Sonion dual-diaphragm bone conduction units, a specially designed dynamic driver, and four single balanced armature (BA) units. This design maximizes the characteristics of each unit while employing a 4-way crossover design. The BA units specialize in the mid-high and high-frequency ranges, accurately and delicately reproducing vocals and instruments, achieving top-level standards in detail, spatial awareness, and analytical capability.

The exceptional vocal performance of Durandal benefits from Sonion's latest dual-diaphragm bone conduction units, designed specifically to enhance the clarity and precision of mid-range frequencies and vocals. This results in more direct and clear sound transmission, allowing mid-range and vocals to sound more natural and realistic. Additionally, there is a specially crafted 9.2mm dynamic driver, meticulously customized and tuned by the development team, capable of delivering deep, powerful bass while maintaining excellent detail reproduction.

The back of the headphones features a translucent blue design, allowing you to see the internal driver structure.



It uses a custom 9.2mm dynamic driver.

It features a 4-way crossover output.


Both the front chamber and the sound nozzle are constructed from stainless steel.

In addition to the driver configuration, multiple internal acoustic components have been meticulously selected and tested by engineers. For instance, a custom stainless steel front chamber is specially designed in front of the dynamic driver. This component is crafted with precision, and its shape and size have been refined multiple times to ensure excellent sound wave transmission, echo suppression, damping, and anti-magnetic properties. This custom front chamber not only enhances the low-frequency output of the dynamic driver but also effectively reduces various distortion interferences, resulting in more stable and detailed sound quality.

Regarding the balanced armature drivers, they are equipped with specially designed stainless steel sound nozzles, which draw inspiration from convergent-divergent nozzle designs. This unique nozzle alters the airflow speed and pressure distribution, forming a tapered then expanded pathway. The narrowing portion helps improve clarity and dynamic range, while the wider section creates a broader soundstage and stereo effect.

Custom-made exclusive cable for the headphones.

To further enhance the audio performance of the Durandal, Nostalgia Audio has collaborated with Hong Kong cable brand Vortex Cables to create a custom high-end cable named Hruodland. This cable continues Vortex Cables' signature design style, using synthetic silk as the wrapping material and introducing four new colors that harmonize beautifully with the earphone, making it visually appealing.

In terms of conductors, the brand chose single-crystal silver for its exceptional conductivity and signal transmission capabilities, specifically tuned for the Durandal to significantly improve performance across various frequency ranges.

While the Hruodland cable is not sold separately, it is undoubtedly a potent upgrade option. It features a Shielded Twins Pair structural design, effectively reducing external electromagnetic interference through shielding. Moreover, it incorporates the latest Type 9 Litz specification, ensuring that the total AWG of the conductors matches that of the shielding, creating a unique Ultra Twins Pair structure.

For insulation, Vortex uses an air-impregnated polyethylene method, resulting in an insulating layer that contains 25% air. This low dielectric constant helps further minimize microcharge accumulation, enhancing the authenticity of high-frequency performance. Additionally, a damping layer has been integrated, significantly improving craftsmanship and production difficulty, helping to counteract external resonance and elevating the clarity of the background noise.

 The Durandal features a 2-pin CM interchangeable cable socket.

Invited Hong Kong brand Vortex Cables to create a custom high-end cable, Hruodland, specifically for the earphone.

The ear-wrap position is equipped with a plastic sleeve.

Plug features a 4.4mm balanced gold-plated connector.

Wearing experience

The Durandal features a metal frame in its shell design, with the panel undergoing multi-layer processing that creates a shimmering effect in sunlight. Paired with the "Sword" motif, it elevates the overall visual presentation with a stronger sense of depth.

In terms of fit, the earphones sit securely at the tragus and antitragus. Despite housing up to 7 drivers and having a relatively larger form factor, they do not cause excessive pressure when worn. Equipped with dual-diaphragm bone conduction drivers that are positioned on the inner wall of the concha, the fit of the Durandal has a notable impact on its audio performance. Generally speaking, the better the earphones seal to the ear, the superior the sound quality—especially in terms of the fullness and coherence of the mid and low frequencies.

For this reason, we recommend trying a size smaller ear tip than your usual fit when auditioning the Durandal to see if it delivers a different audio experience.

The panel undergoes multiple processing layers, giving the "sword" pattern a very 3D appearance.

A variety of ear tips are included, featuring the custom blue Symbio W hybrid ear gels.


Sound Performance

Deep, fast-response bass , Natural and precise vocal imaging

The initial impression of the Durandal is that it is not difficult to drive. We tested it with the Shanling M5 Ultra, Astell&Kern A&ultima SP3000, and Fiio M17 players, and it had no power drive issues whatsoever.

In terms of bass, it delivers a powerful punch with deep extension and ample fullness, yet never sounds bloated—thanks to its exceptionally fast attack and decay. Drum hits are impactful and tight, with abundant energy and weight. What’s more, the bass renders string instruments with remarkable density and detail.

Vocals feature natural, well-proportioned and precise imaging, with clear, delicate sound and excellent three-dimensionality. The lateral soundstage offers impressive spatial extension, with good separation between vocals and instrumental backing. The overall presentation is well-layered with a subtle lingering resonance, making for a thoroughly enjoyable listening experience.

While the treble isn’t particularly bright, it boasts quick transient response and sufficient extension, resulting in a smooth high end that never sounds harsh or shrill.

The bass delivers abundant energy and weight, while string instruments in the low end are rendered with exceptional density and detail. Vocals feature well-proportioned,
precise imaging, with clear, delicate sound and outstanding three-dimensionality.

Summary

Excels at reproducing guitar and drum sounds

The Durandal is a mid-to-high-end in-ear monitor from Nostalgia Audio, with a tuning style that doesn’t pander to audiophiles, but instead prioritizes musical expression. While it possesses a certain level of analytical capability, this is not overemphasized. For music lovers, especially rock fans, this IEM is sure to leave a lasting impression after the first listen.
The Durandal delivers exceptional performance on guitars and drums: the pluck and resonance of guitar strings can be perceived with remarkable clarity, and its rendition of drums and percussion is equally outstanding. It brings forth powerful three-dimensionality and high-density sound with impeccable coherence, effortlessly drawing the listener into the music

Comes with a round aluminum protective case.

Specifications for Durandal

  • Headphone Type: In-ear
  • Drivers: 7 drivers (1 × 9.2mm dynamic driver, 4 balanced armature drivers, 2 Sonion bone conduction drivers), 4-way crossover
  • Frequency Response: 12Hz to 30kHz
  • Sensitivity: 115dB/mW
  • Impedance: 15Ω
  • Interchangeable Interface: 2-pin CM
  • Cable: Vortex Cables Hruodland 4N single-crystal silver cable, 4.4mm balanced gold-plated connector
Sorce ：https://www.spill.hk/headphones/Nostalgia-Audio-Durandal-review/
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