Two Years in the Making: The Return of the King
Nostalgia Audio’s IEMs have long been regarded as the perfect fusion of sound and craftsmanship, demonstrating an unwavering pursuit of excellence in both audio quality and design. Since the launch of the Camelot in 2022, our classic flagship model has been highly esteemed by audiophiles around the world. In celebration of the brand's five-year milestone, we proudly introduce our new legendary flagship, named after the most exalted title in the legend of King Arthur—Pendragon!
Design Philosophy
The newly developed Pendragon features an exterior inspired by the theme of the Western dragon, showcasing a dragon scale pattern created through advanced 3D printing technology. The panels utilize high-precision CNC machining techniques for both metal and resin (carbon fiber), paired with our proprietary specially formulated resin panels. The design is elegantly accented with five colors of metallic fragments embedded in the carbon fiber surface, exuding a sense of grace and nobility.
On the technical front, Nostalgia Audio has dedicated two years to the meticulous development of its proprietary quad-hybrid driver architecture. This groundbreaking technology is the result of our relentless pursuit of the limits of driver performance, combined with years of accumulated experience in acoustic engineering, leading to a flawless integration of the complex and precise quad-hybrid structure. This not only enhances the depth of sound quality but also provides listeners with an unprecedented musical experience, allowing every detail to be clearly presented and fully revealing the true allure of music.
In terms of driver configuration, the Pendragon employs a precision-engineered quad-hybrid structure. It combines 2 Sonion bone conduction drivers with 2 custom-made 9.2mm dynamic drivers, 6 Knowles and Sonion balanced armature drivers, and 4 Sonion ultra-high-frequency electrostatic drivers. This configuration maximizes the strengths of each driver type, ensuring robust low-frequency performance while maintaining exceptional resolution and detail in the mid and high frequencies. This design philosophy not only elevates the overall quality of sound but also allows every note to be vividly presented right before your ears.
XBS II Extreme Bass System II – A Tailored Evolution of Bass Architecture for Pendragon
Our acoustic engineers have drawn upon the successful experience of the Camelot XBS system to develop the newly upgraded XBS II Extreme Bass System II for the Pendragon. This innovative design achieves three core technological breakthroughs: Pendragon is equipped with a custom 9.2mm dynamic driver. This driver not only delivers a rich, deep, and soul-stirring bass impact but also maintains exceptional resolution and detail retrieval, allowing every bass note to resonate clearly in the listener's ears.
We upgraded the material connecting the driver to the housing from pure copper to aerospace-grade titanium alloy. This enhancement significantly reduces harmonic distortion and suppresses housing resonance, effectively addressing the tonal coloration issues commonly associated with traditional metal housings. The most significant breakthrough is the pioneering integration of micro-nano 3D printing technology within the dynamic driver system. With an acoustic filtering layer precision of up to 0.015mm, we not only accurately eliminate noise from unnecessary frequency ranges but also optimize the airflow characteristics between the drivers, greatly enhancing the transient response speed of the bass frequencies. These three innovative technologies work in synergy, allowing the Pendragon, with the support of the XBS II system, to achieve stronger bass performance and deeper bass extension.
E.S.C. Electromagnetic Shielding Coating
The Pendragon utilize revolutionary ESC electromagnetic shielding coating technology, which creates an ultimate electromagnetic protective barrier by precisely spraying a special coating on the surface of the driver units. This cutting-edge technology is carefully formulated from a composite of metal oxides and conductive polymer materials, effectively blocking external electromagnetic interference and ensuring pure, untainted sound quality.
Through the perfect ratio of aerospace-grade zinc oxide and indium tin oxide, combined with a conductive polyaniline polymer matrix structure, Pendragon achieves an electromagnetic wave attenuation rate of up to 98.7%. This results in clearer and more natural sound details, allowing music enthusiasts to experience an undistorted reproduction of the original sound. This innovative technology acts like an invisible protective armor for the earphones, thoroughly isolating them from electromagnetic pollution present in everyday environments, and perfectly reproducing the pure essence of every note. The Pendragon earphones are not only a pinnacle of modern audio technology but also a profound interpretation of the legendary spirit of King Arthur, enabling every user to feel the true charm and power of music.
Micro-Nano Printing Technology
As customer demands for advanced technology continue to rise, we have decided to focus on optimizing the sound transmission pathway of our earphones. The adjustment of headphone sound quality relies primarily on three key factors: the selection of balanced armature drivers, the design of the crossover circuitry, and, more importantly, the pathway through which sound is transmitted. After years of development, these areas have reached a bottleneck, prompting us to shift our focus to the design of the sound transmission pathway as a means to enhance audio quality.
Traditional tuning filters used in balanced armature earphones, while common, offer limited sound adjustment capabilities due to their planar mesh structure, which mainly concentrates on high-frequency adjustments. Since we began tuning earphones, we have continuously explored the impact of various spatial structures on sound dynamics. Beginning in 2021, we amassed a wealth of information through simulation techniques and empirical data, yet identifying the optimal acoustic design among numerous spatial structures remained a challenge.
In 2023, with the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence technology, we discovered a new breakthrough by developing a large-scale model to analyze the impact of spatial structures on sound. This model enabled us to identify the best solutions for different frequency ranges from 600 microstructures. Through micro-nano printing technology, we can achieve intricate structures with precision as fine as 2 micrometers.
We are thrilled to officially launch the Pendragon earphones, a product born from the results of our next-generation tuning technology. Moving forward, every driver unit in our products will incorporate micro-nano printing technology, significantly enhancing tuning resolution and allowing us to express our understanding of high-fidelity audio with greater accuracy. This research and development project exemplifies our commitment to embracing new technologies. While micro-nano printing has traditionally been applied in high-tech industries, we are now shifting part of this technology toward the consumer market. Despite the higher costs involved, we are dedicated to finding optimal solutions to integrate these innovations into our products.
SFD II Spiral Flow Device II
The Pendragon earphones are equipped with the revolutionary SFD II (Spiral Flow Device), which fundamentally transforms the physical characteristics of mid-frequency reproduction. Through the precisely designed helical ridge structure, the SFD II creates a unique vortex effect within the acoustic chamber, effectively reducing energy loss caused by traditional conduit bends. This innovation not only significantly minimizes phase distortion in the 3-5 kHz range but also enhances the clarity of lip and dental details in vocal performances, while increasing the dynamic headroom of throat resonance. This results in a perfect reproduction of studio-grade vocal quality. Additionally, the SFD II is manufactured using micro-nano 3D printing technology, showcasing an unprecedented level of precision and further enhancing the overall performance of the earphones.
High-Precision 5-Axis CNC Machining Technology
The frame of Pendragon is crafted from aerospace-grade aluminum, ensuring high mechanical strength. Through a thousand CNC machining processes, we meticulously create a high-precision dragon scale texture on the exterior frame, which is then subjected to an anodizing treatment to effectively prevent scratches. This design not only enhances the durability of the earphones but also adds an element of elegance and nobility to their overall appearance, perfectly embodying our relentless pursuit of craftsmanship and performance excellence.
The King's Treasure Vault – Multi-Color Fragmented Carbon Fiber Panels, A Modern Interpretation of Legendary Craftsmanship
The treasure vault of King Arthur symbolizes countless treasures and magical artifacts, representing power, glory, and courage. Nostalgia Audio has exclusively developed the "Multi-Color Fragmented Carbon Fiber Panels" for the Pendragon, innovatively incorporating five colors of metallic fragments. These colorful metal fragments are embedded in the fragmented carbon fiber prepreg, which undergoes precise temperature and pressure curing to form a solid structure. This is followed by CNC machining to shape the panels, and finally, each piece is meticulously selected by skilled artisans. Under light, the carbon fiber panels exhibit a dynamic iridescent effect, reminiscent of the magical reflections on a lake's surface. Each piece is a unique work of art, showcasing the enchanting interplay of light and shadow, and perfectly embodying the harmonious coexistence of legend and technology.
Disrupting Traditional Visual Aesthetics: 3D Dragon Scale Texture Ear Shells
The Pendragon transcends conventional design frameworks by employing high-precision 3D modeling and micron-level printing technology to intricately sculpt a three-dimensional dragon scale texture on the ear shells. Ingeniously, a layer of golden microparticle coating is applied to the inner surfaces, which refracts a subtle golden halo as light penetrates through the gaps of the scales. This dual craftsmanship not only endows the earphones with a revolutionary visual aesthetic but also achieves the ultimate balance between "light and shadow artistry" and "acoustic purity," ensuring that sound quality remains uncompromised.
Caliburn - Custom Cable Crafted Exclusively for Pendragon
Caliburn is the dedicated standard cable for the Pendragon, meticulously designed with a coaxial shielding structure. The core of the cable is woven from 4N German OFC copper in a Litz Type 4S four-strand configuration, enhancing dynamic performance while ensuring tonal delicacy. Both the core and the outer surface of the cable are coated with a PVC protective layer, providing reliable physical protection. The inner shielding mesh is made from 5N OFC copper with a silver plating, utilizing a specific ratio of cross-weaving techniques to form an efficient shielding layer. This significantly enhances the purity of sound quality and interference resistance, resulting in a serene listening background.
The Caliburn cable features a black and gray dual-tone aesthetic, with the cross-woven shielding layer creating a unique dragon scale texture visual effect, harmonizing aesthetic design with a technological feel. We have carefully selected a single type of OFC copper as the foundational material for the cable, which not only enhances the earphones' durability but also allows for precise tuning techniques to fully exploit the layout characteristics of the Pendragon’s driver units. This ensures that every detail in the music is perfectly reproduced, pushing flagship tonal qualities to their limits and delivering an exceptional listening experience for users.
Three Exclusive Ear Tips, Three Unique Listening Experiences
The Pendragon comes with three exclusive ear tips carefully crafted by Nostalgia Audio, each featuring distinct materials and sound characteristics. This allows you to customize your listening experience based on your personal preferences, achieving the perfect tonal quality for the Pendragon:
- Nostalgia Audio Exclusive New Symbio W: Enhances low-frequency performance, delivering a richer and fuller listening experience;
- Nostalgia Audio XWB Eartips: Improves high-frequency extension and detail resolution, presenting a clearer and more refined sound;
- LSR (Liquid Silicone Rubber) Eartips: Offers a balanced performance across all frequency ranges, providing a natural and comprehensive sound quality enhancement.
Additionally, we have meticulously designed a portable ear tip storage case inspired by the legendary Round Table of Knights. Crafted with precision using 3D printing technology, this case is not only practical but also showcases the exceptional character of the Pendragon.
In the Box:
- Pendragon In-Ear Monitors;
- Avalon High Purity OFC copper Cable;
- Nostalgia hand-crafted leather case;
- Metallic Warranty Card;
- Nylon Mesh Cloth Protective Bag;
- Nostalgia Audio XWB Ear Tips;
- Custom Royal Blue Symbio W Ear Tips;
- LSR Ear Tips;
- Manual.
