NF ACOUS MN25 REVIEW

>>I am brazilian and I speak portuguese, so forgive my english, I’ll use translation tools to help<<

INTRO:

After reviewing the excellent NF ACOUS NA20, earphone that were among the best I heard in 2025, I now have the opportunity to test another new release from the brand: the NM25.

The NM25 carries the company’s PRO label, which is a line intended for the professional market, meaning it’s best suited for instrument monitoring, vocal monitoring, mastering, mixing, video editing, live streaming, and more.

Price: $199 USD
Color: Silver
Cable: 3.5mm (no Mic)

NF ACOUS LINKS:

https://nfacous.com/products/nm25

https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_c2y8LPsJ

SPECIFICATIONS:

Single DD:

• (1) Dynamic Driver (DD) MC2L-100A beryllium plated per side

– Frequency: 9Hz – 40kHz
– Effective frequency: 20Hz – 20kHz
– Impedance: 32Ω
– Sensitivity: 108dB/mW
– THD: <1%
– SPL Max: 125dB
– Isolation: 25dB
– Connectors: 2pin 0.78mm QDC (detachable)
– Cable Plug: 3.5mm (straight design)
– Cable size: 1.20m
– Cable material: Silver-Plated Copper OCC
– Shell: 5-axis CNC aviation aluminum
– IEM weight: 5.5g (one side)(without eartips)
– Cable weight: 17.7g
– Total weight (packaging, iems, etc): 326.8g
– Packaging size: 13cm [H] x 15cm [W] x 8.5cm [D]

UNBOXING:

PHYSICAL ASPECTS:

Construction:

• The shell is made entirely of aviation-grade aluminum.
• Aesthetically pleasing (subjective).
• It has a minimalist design, only one color (silver).
• Embossed faceplate details.
• It has 2 vents.
• Excellent build quality.
• It has the same shape as the NM20 and NA20.
• Great unboxing experience. NF ACOUS standard.
• Well-designed packaging.
• Excellent carrying case. Genuine product.
• Semi-rigid case, compact, lightweight, discreet.

Eartips:

• Proprietary eartips from NF ACOUS: MS42.
• They work with any type of IEMs.
• Great eartips. Very soft silicone.
• They have a shallower profile, with medium insertion.
• A good alternative for IEMs with a very long nozzle.
• Because they have a shallower profile, they may feel smaller than standard.
• Only observation: the kit could include more eartips. Variety.
• It is possible to use the stock eartips. Change them only if you prefer.
• I review the product with the MS42 (size M).

Cable:

• Excellent cable. A very positive point.
• High-quality cable, and it matches the elegance of the IEM.
• No need to replace it (subjective).
• Great malleability.
• Very light and thin.
• Doesn’t tangle.
• Doesn’t develop “memory” (creases).
• The earhooks are excellent (smooth).
• No microphonics.
• The chin slider is effective.
• “QDC” connectors aren’t my preference, but they are secure.
• If it’s for professional use, it could have a modular cable with straight and L-shaped plugs.

Fit and comfort:

• Excellent fit – stable in the ears.
• Very comfortable, excellent ergonomics. A major plus.
• Good shape for those with small ears.
• Medium insertion.
• Good/okay isolation.
• Very lightweight for a metal earphone, only 5.5g!
• Recommended for long listening sessions.

Earphone kit (accessories):

• NM25 earphones.
• 4 pairs of MS42 ear tips in sizes XS/S/M/L.
• Cable.
• Semi-rigid case.
• P2-P10 adapter (3.5mm to 6.35mm).
• Manual.

SOUND ASPECTS:

Sound:

• Technical, analytical, and detailed sound.
• Mid-centric tuning.
• Mid-centric = forward mids, focus on the mid-range.
• IEM with plenty of life in the mids and upper-mids.
• Linear bass and treble.
• Excellent resolution and detail.
• Tonally and technically very competent.
• The NA20 is a better choice for more musical purpose, the NM25 for more technical ones.
• There’s also the RA15 as a more neutral-natural option.
• Personally, I still think the NA20 is the best from the brand (that I’ve heard so far).
• The NM25 is perfect for those who work with audio, it’s a very correct IEM.
• The NM20 has the same purpose as the NM25, but the NM25 is superior (even in construction).

Bass:

– Quantitative:

• Moderate. Close to neutral.
• Not for bassheads.
• Sub-bass and mid-bass are present but linear.
• I didn’t feel any overlap between one region and another.

– Qualitative:

• These are very natural bass frequencies (to my ears).
• Physicality and texture in a moderate, coherent way.
• The bass has good extension, you can hear the entire spectrum of low frequencies.
• It’s a type of bass that usually accompanies the recordings.
• The definition is good.
• The impact is a middle ground between dry and loose.
• They don’t invade the mids.
• They aren’t boomy, not bloated, not muddy.
• Gives a slight touch of warmth, but doesn’t manage to “warm up” the sound.
• Bass drum beats are well balanced (neither dry nor muffled).
• It’s an ideal bass for making the mid and treble frequencies more defined.
• Also good for those who listen to piano, the sound becomes more balanced (the instrument).

Mids:

– Quantitative and qualitative:

• Forward mids, mid-centric IEM (focused on the mids).
• Advanced pinna gain, without harshness or shrillness.
• The NF solved the equation of forward mids without sounding aggressive.
• Great definition and detail.
• Great clarity, airiness, and transparency.
• Without a doubt, this is the best part of the IEM.
• The midranges have a great sense of speed.
• Instrument sounds are very detailed.
• I didn’t experience fatigue in the upper midrange.
• With wind instruments, you can hear the nuances of the air in the instruments.
• Guitars have Great definition, the sound is very clean.
• It gives the feeling of being in front of a piano, the sound is palpable.

Voices:

• A very positive point. The voices sound great.
• Especially the high/female voices.
• Lots of detail and energy for higher-pitched voices.
• Lower-pitched voices receive less emphasis on the NM25 (compared to).
• Great for whispering voices, it sounds like the singer is close to your ear.
• It’s suitable for vocal monitoring.

Treble:

– Quantitative:

• Moderate treble.
• They feel in line with the mids/upper-mids.
• Not for trebleheads.
• Well-implemented treble.
• I didn’t experience fatigue due to the treble.
• I don’t see the NM25 as a bright IEM.
• Because it has less bass, it ends up emphasizing the mid-range and upper frequencies.

– Qualitative:

• Versatile, controlled, fast, and good extension.
• Lively sparkle but still within coherence.
• Great detail and airiness. Great level of definition.
• They aren’t shrill, not sharp, not harsh.
• I didn’t heard any sibilance, peaks, or abnormal coloration.
• Guitar solos have great energy and detail.
• Chimes and bells stand out, but everything within the context.
• Ride cymbals sound lively and defined.

Soundstage:

• Good soundstage.
• Midrange instruments are more forward in the presentation.
• Midrange frequencies that are more “forward” diminish the feeling of spaciousness.
• For me, the NA20 has a slightly more spacious soundstage than the NM25.
• Good in depth, height, and width.

Imaging:

• Great instrumental separation.
• The stereo image is also very good.
• The good resolution of the mids and treble improves the imaging.
• Easy to identify the position of the instruments.
• Hybrids IEMs can convey a greater sense of separation (isn’t a rule).

Driver flex test:

• The NM25 didn’t show driver flex characteristics.

Amplification:

• Easy to drive.
• Doesn’t require a powerful amplifier.
• A DAC/AMP dongle is sufficient.
• I tested the NM25 with the FiiO KA11 and the FiiO QX13.
• Both dongles performed adequately.
• Obviously, the QX13 drives better (more powerful and higher quality).
• QX13 at 20 and KA11 at 30 (out of 100 available in W10).

PROS AND CONS:

GRAPHS BY PRACTIPHILE:

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