NF ACOUS NA20 REVIEW

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

INTRO:

The NA20, the new IEM from NF ACOUS – despite having a design very similar to the NM20 – has, in its essence, a bias more focused on relaxed use, that is, it is part of the ‘Music Series’, a company’s label created to have this euphonic side. So, we have here a new product, an IEM with a more musical sound proposal.

Price: $118,99 USD
Color: Maillard
Cable: Without Mic

NF ACOUS reviews: NA3, RA15, NM20

NF ACOUS LINKS:

https://amzn.to/3VQ5501

https://nfacous.com/products/na20

https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_omH3HeA

SPECIFICATIONS:

Single DD:

• (1) Dynamic Driver (DD) MC2L-100M Beryllium plated

– Frequency: 9Hz – 40kHz
– Effective frequency: 20Hz – 20kHz
– Impedance: 32Ω
– Sensitivity: 109dB/mW
– THD: <1%
– SPL max: 125dB
– Passive isolation: 25dB
– Termination plug: 3.5mm (straight design)
– Connectors: 2pin 0.78mm QDC (detachable)
– Cable size: 1.2m
– Cable: Silver-Plated Copper 6N OFC
– Shell: Plastic + aluminum
– IEM weight: 3.7g (one side)(without eartips)
– Cable weight: 16.3g
– Total weight (packaging, iems, etc): 305g
– Packaging size: 13cm [H] x 15cm [W] x 8.5cm [D]

UNBOXING:

PHYSICAL ASPECTS:

Construction:

• The shell is made of plastic. The nozzle and edges of the faceplate are made of aluminum.
• The earphones are aesthetically very elegant (subjective).
• They have a vintage color, but at the same time a modern design.
• They look better in the hands/personally.
• They have 2 vents (ventilation holes).
• Great construction quality.
• Plastic earphones require more care.
• Great unboxing experience.
• Well-designed packaging.
• Great carrying case. Genuine product.
• Semi-rigid, compact, lightweight, discreet case.

Eartips:

• NF ACOUS proprietary eartips: MS42.
• They work with any type of earphone.
• Great eartips. Very soft silicone.
• They have a shallower profile, with medium insertion.
• Good alternative for IEMs with very long nozzles.
• Because they have a shallower profile, they may feel smaller than the standard ones.
• Only observation: the kit could have more eartips.
• It’s possible to use the stock eartips. The reason to change is only for personal preferences.
• I tested the sound with the MS42 (M).

Cable:

• Excellent cable. Very positive point.
• Extremely high-quality cable, and matches the elegance of the IEMs.
• No need to change (subjective).
• Excellent malleability.
• Very light and thin.
• Doesn’t get tangled.
• Doesn’t get “memory” (creases).
• The earhooks are excellent.
• No microphonics.
• The Chin Slider is 99.9% effective.
• “QDC” connectors: not my preference, but they are safe.

Fit and comfort:

• Excellent fit – stable in the ears.
• Very comfortable, excellent ergonomics. Very positive point.
• Good form for those with small ears.
• Medium insertion.
• Good/ok isolation.
• Ultralight, only 3.7g!
• Recommended for long hours of listening.

Earphone kit (accessories):

• NA20 earphones
• 4 pairs of MS42 eartips sizes SS/S/M/L.
• Cable.
• Semi-rigid case.
• 3.5mm to 6.35mm adapter.
• Manual.

SOUND ASPECTS:

Sound:

• Harman Target sound.
• A variation of the aforementioned tuning, but with the same goal.
• Emphasis on bass, recessed mids, elevated pinna gain, linear treble.
• Musical and at the same time “forward”.
• “Musical” IEMs tend to have lower upper-mids, but the NA20 doesn’t.
• Engaging and objective.
• Fun and energetic in a coherent way, without exaggeration.
• A silky version of the NM20.
• I don’t consider as V-shaped because it has controlled treble.
• The IEMs are very pleasant to listen to, doesn’t tire (+ the comfort).

Bass:

– Quantitative:

• Moderate to high.
• It’s not a basshead but it has a good amount of bass.
• The mid-bass is a little more present than the sub-bass.
• The difference between the two regions is small.
• It has sub-bass, but a little less than the mid-bass.

– Qualitative:

• The bass is versatile, adapts according to the recordings.
• It’s full-bodied, controlled, has good definition, texture, physicality, has impact, and good extension.
• It gives a dose of warmth to the presentation.
• It doesn’t invade the mids.
• It’s not bloated, it’s not boomy, it’s not muddy.
• In this price range, I’ve heard IEMs with more detailed bass.
• Great for acoustic genres, although it also works well for non-acoustic ones.
• An acoustic guitar’s bass notes have body and resonate from inside the instrument’s.

Mids:

– Quantitative and qualitative:

• “Forward” mids but without exaggeration.
• Well-developed pinna gain.
• Upper-mids bring energy without going overboard.
• Doesn’t cause hearing fatigue.
• I have more sensitivity in this region and didn’t feel tired.
• Great clarity, definition, transparency, and airy.
• The NM20 has a more direct and “raw” mids (in comparison).
• The NA20 is more melodious (in comparison).
• Harmonica sounds with life and resolution.

Voices:

• Great performance for both types of voices – high or low.
• Male/low voices stand out and have texture.
• Female/high voices have energy, clarity, and projection.
• The NA20 provides a very interesting balance for the types of vocals.
• Voices are well-defined in the presentation.

Treble:

– Quantitative:

• Moderate treble.
• Not for Trebleheads (those who seek more treble).
• More discreet region in the earphone.
• Recommended for those who are sensitive to treble.
• Free from hearing fatigue.

– Qualitative:

• Balanced, comfortable, linear, controlled treble, good extension, good definition.
• Natural sparkle.
• Detailing is good/ok (I’ve heard IEMs with greater detail).
• They aren’t shrill, sharp, or harsh.
• I didn’t experience sibilance, peaks, or coloration.
• Great for a wide variety of musical genres.
• I didn’t consider as V-shaped due to the linear energy in the treble.
• The chimes sound natural, without shrillness or coloration.

Soundstage:

• Great soundstage
• Very good in height, width, and depth.
• Soundstage that gives the sensation of two layers: vocals in front and band behind.
• Isn’t a super spatial soundstage because the more forwarded upper-mids.

Imaging:

• Good separation of instruments.
• Very well-defined voice positioning (one step forward).
• Soundstage width improves spacing between instruments.
• Hybrid IEMs tend to have more imaging (personal opinion and isn’t a rule).

Driver Flex Test:

• I didn’t experience any driver flex when inserting the IEMs into my ears.

Amplification:

• Easy to push.
• No need powerful amplifier.
• A simple dongle is enough.
• I used the NA20 with the FiiO KA11.
• It will play well directly from smartphones or iPads.
• Volume below 20 (of the 100 available on the W10).

PROS AND CONS:

GRAPHS BY HI-END PORTABLE:

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