NF Acous, Formerly known as NF Acoustics is one of those, slightly lesser known brands that makes a handful of high quality IEMs. I liked what their JD24 offered a few years ago but it seems those are obsolete now. Usually known for their high quality hybrid IEMs, they have recently launched a couple of single DD IEMs. Priced at just $120 their NA20 houses a single, dual magnetic, dual acoustic chamber, Beryllium coated, dynamic driver in each side which is encased in a beautiful looking amber colour shell. I am not a sucker for a looker but I can’t deny that this looks refreshing and good. But looks is not what we are looking for here are we? Let’s find out how this IEM sounds!!
I will like to thank NF Acous for providing this unit for review.
Get one from these links:
ACCESSORIES:
Unlike most brands, NF Acous offers a unique unboxing experience. Their book style box design is definitely interesting. Lift the CD like disk and we have the tips (two sets , wide and narrow notes) and cable placed under it. On the other side, there is a booklet and the case is placed under it. Love the presentation no doubts. But somehow I think they could have used the space wisely because the box is big and beautiful but has a lot of empty spaces. I am liking the case but it’s a bit smaller.
CABLE:
I am definitely not disappointed with this cable, this compliments the looks of the IEMs has looks good in it’s own. I liked the fact that it’s a well behaved, not bouncy cable without much microphonics to worry about.
Sonics wise this is a good sounding cable, they haven’t offered much detail about it but it’s a 6 core ofc cable and NF Acous have used decent parts on it. Yes, the jack is a bit on the thicker and heavier side but everything else is small and easily manageable.
BUILD QUALITY:
It has an interesting build too. They have used poly carbonate shell with frosted design and on the back plate we get a CNC carved aluminum ring. We are getting a decently ergonomic design with a slightly bent nozzle for better fit and stability. Yes it doesn’t have a prominent wing design but definitely offers very good traction inside the ears. Yes, it’s a light weight shell and the cable guides too are aptly relaxed.
PAIRING WITH SOURCES:
NA20 is not a very demanding IEM. I have used it with a variety of dongles and daps and it barely screams or screeches. It definitely can sound slightly bity and sharp at the finishing region but use a decent source, even cheaper stuff like Hidizs S8 pro will offer very good clarity and control over the notes. I used with my mobile phone and it sounded good, slightly lacking resolution and depth but that’s it. No issues with staging or tonality.
SOUND QUALITY:
I have been working with a lot of lower mid range IEMs as of now and nearly 50% of these are using dynamic drivers. NA20 too uses a new magnetic structure with a 10mm dynamic drivers aided by Beryllium plated diaphragm. Tuned for a slightly serious yet musical tuning it has a W shaped signature with very good lower end depth and dynamics. Mids have nice instrumental clarity and definition while highs have an a big stage to play with.
It has a warmish presentation and neutral tonality but doesn’t shy away from offering very good finishing definition too. Let’s expand!!
P.S. I am using Shanling UA6 and Hidizs S9 Pro Plus for this review.
BASS:
When we hear DD, we expect high quality bass and unlike the recent IEMs, NA20 actually offers high/better quality bass. It’s not the new meta bloat we usually see these days. The new meta is inclined towards mid bass but I am happy to report that NA20 has very good sub-bass extension, lovely rumbles while the mid bass isn’t unnaturally overpowering. We still get slightly more prominent mid bass but with very good control and dynamics. NA20 offers a bit area of impact too, it’s not heavy but has right amount of weight behind the notes, exhibiting it’s contrast and technical abilities. Notes move in and upward but doesn’t have a lot of air movement or travel. We get very good layered delivery while the decay is dynamically paced, holding back and letting the notes go when needed. This is what I like. I appreciate the cleanliness with the upper bass too, it hits these notes without sounding soft or monotonous.
MID RANGE:
I don’t need to think twice before labeling NA20 as one of the best IEMs for vocals under $200. If you like a bit of extra finishing definition and transparency, you will love this mid range. It not only offers much better clarity and definition, it’s tonality and timber are neutral with a hint of warmth, making it superb when it comes to vocal accuracy and clarity. We get very good texture and cohesion too. Another excellent thing is the sense of clarity and cleanliness with intricate movements within the note, earning NA20 extra points. Yes, vocals are a bit on the tighter side yet male vocals have good height and throat emphasis while female vocals have slightly taller and more precise presentation.
Instruments around the vocals on the other hand are slightly less energetic, giving a bit of pop to the vocals. Yet, instruments maintain very good clarity and height. Yes the back and foreground separation is a bit on the flatter side but the layering is very good. Yes, this mid range has a bit more bite, leaving an impression, yet, no uncomfortable sharpness even at the upper mids but it can be slightly fatiguing after around 2-3 hrs.
Be advised, NA20 is a more neutral and precise sounding, not a warm or thick sounding IEM.
TREBLE:
Highs on this beautiful looking IEM are equally beautiful and soothing. It offers very good agility and comfortable sharpness with the lower and mid treble regions. It doesn’t have any excess energy or sharpness to be wary of but yes, it doesn’t cut out sharpness of cymbal crashes and violin strokes if the track has it. It definitely shows the dynamic range and technical capabilities of this IEM. We get very good extension but the upper treble isn’t exactly the deepest. It offers similar extension as Kiwi Ears Aether and Tanchjim FISSION so you can imagine where it stands. We get very good transparency and clarity at the finishing regions and an aptly airy presentation too. Layering and separation are very good at this price and the contrast of back and foreground instruments is very good too.
STAGE AND IMAGING:
This little IEM has one of the biggest stages we can get under $150. It’s got one of the tallest stages with good width and Z-axis depth. Most of the lower end instruments and vocals are placed inside the head while some of the treble notes maek their way out of the head. I love the imaging here, it has one of the cleanest cue placement from a single DD IEM. It has one of the best sonics too, they are a bit more on the transparent side, a bit more softness would have been awesome but that’s like stretching beyond this price range.
COMPARISON:
VS Sennheiser IE300:
Available at similar prices, does the newer NA20 with dual chamber dual magnetic DD has the edge over the older single DD iem? The short answer is.. Its kind of complicated. NA 20 has edge when it comes to technical abilities, has slightly better sub-bass rumbles and finishing definition too, while the IE300 is more cohesive, has a smoother, seamless kind of presentation and is more laid back.
Here is my comparison review video, feel free to have a go at it.
CONCLUSION:
I have heard a lot of DD based IEMs but I have to admit, NF Acous NA20 is definitely a unique sounding IEM with its nicely balanced yet slightly vocal forward presentation. It easily has one of the most realistic vocal performances under $200. It’s not smooth like the IE300 or Kiwi Ears Aether but is more grippy and textured with accurate tonality and body. What’s even more impressive is that, this IEM doesn’t ignore the rest of the spectrum, when powered properly it offer deep, punchy bass notes and aptly open highs with very good sonics too.
If you want a comfortable, easy going IEM with a bit of vocal emphasis under $150, NA20 is something you can definitely consider.
