[sonickarma]

I was pleased to be approached by Null Audio Studio and asked to provide a review of Advanced AcousticWerkes recently released 'Nebula One Universal In-Ear monitor earphone'

 

https://www.null-audio.com/products/advanced-acousticwerkes-nebula-one-universal-in-ear-monitor

 

Null Audio Studio is a well known Singapore based audio workshop that have been in the industry since 2008. They are pioneer custom cable makers and official distributor for Advanced AcousticWerkes.

 

Advanced AcousticWerkes (AAW) is a Singapore based electric-acoustic company specialised in in-ear monitoring technology. They are very well known for their high end CIEMs  but are now moving into creating some universal models.

 

https://www.aaw.me/collections

 

Some of their well crafted customs are shown below:

 

 

 

https://www.aaw.me/pages/gallery

 

I was very happy with the finish that they achieved when converting my ACS Encore to a universal.

See below:

 

 

 

 

AAW's Nebula One Universal In Ear Monitor

 

The Nebula One uses 10mm ultra-thin layer titanium diaphragm with Neodymium drivers. This has been created by Advanced Acoustic Werkes over an 18 month development phase.

 

Where to buy/pricing:

 

https://www.null-audio.com/collections/vendors?q=Advanced%20AcousticWerkes

 

https://www.null-audio.com/products/advanced-acousticwerkes-nebula-one-universal-in-ear-monitor

 

Initial Discount Price $188 SGD =  $140 USD*

Standard Price $141 SGD = $100 USD*

 

*Approximate exchanges rate at time of review

 

 
 
 
 

Earphone Specifications:

1. Proprietary titanium plated microdriver
2. Frequency Range: 10Hz-23000Hz
3. Sensitivity: 100db SPL @ 1mW
4. Input Power: 3mW
5. Cable Length: 1.2m
6. Android/Apple dual mode inline remote control

 

 

Sources Used: AK380CU,  Altmann Tera Player and Sony Z5 phone (mainly for remote control testing).

 

 

 

 

Packaging/Build/Accessories:

 

 

 

 

 

The packaging and presentation is excellent and are to be expected for earphones in this affordable price bracket ($140).

 

The build quality is excellent and it really feels like a much more expensive earphone, it reminds me of the higher end Audio Technica models.

 

It has an elegant shell design with silver external outside and dark plastic inner shell, up to the nozzle which is protected by a metal wire mesh guard protector. This is great as it should protect the earphone from any debris/wax, so should last a very long time.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Even though the shells look large they are a really nice fit and sit nice and snugly with great overall ergonomics. There is nice thin plastic coated memory wire near the shells to ensure a comfortable customised fit.

 

The cable colour is translucent brown and the blue/red/brown inner cables can be seen.

It is OFC multi-stranded wiring core in Type 2 Litz construction reinforced by Kevlar fibre and no microphonics in my experience. The OFC litz wire should help ensure the signal gets to where its needed to be smoothly. I get very little tangle problems when storing this earphone. There is a chin slider and it also has android controls on the right cable (this worked well on my Sony Z5 Phone). The remote has dual mode and auto detection functionality - to support for both Android and Apple devices

 

I was pleased to see a right angled jack with re-enforced rubber protection to protect it for longer.

 

It would have been nice to see a detachable cable but you usually do not get them in this price bracket.

 

Other items included are:

 

Flex 3 pairs, Ultra-Flex 3 pairs

AAW carrying pouch

Flight adaptor

1/4 inch adaptor

 

 

 

Sound Signature:

 

We know it looks nice but now for the important bit - how does it sound:

 

I will say from the start this earphone does not work well for modern classical, ambient and slow laid back styles (which is mostly what I'm into!).

I like intimate delicate separation and refined distinct layering in the presentation like "Flat 4 Kaede" earphone type signature.

 

But in all honesty most people prefer very different music to me, so let me see how it fairs with other styles and I need to put aside my preferences.

 

This Nebular One is able to handle dynamic changes without struggling, the immediate thing you will notice is the wideness of signature and blackness of background. It has a far from shy signature, it is definitely not afraid to tell you what it likes. What it wants is to consume beats and bass, then spit it back at you fearlessly. The bass is a strong characteristic but not overwhelming, the decay is pretty quick which helps with fast moving tracks.

 

There are no sparkles or sibilance on the treble which I'm sure we'll all welcome.

The rest of the signature is quite coherent but it could do with the mids to highs being more present, I think this would help the perception of detailed separation and provide a more precise sound.

 

It works well with lively full music styles (e.g. Duke Ellington - Villes Vile is the Place is the Place Man) and especially fast hard hitting electronica (e.g. Marko Furstenberg - Dwights Warning or Alec Empire - Low on Ice).

 

Duke Ellington - Villes Vile is the Place is the Place Man

 

 

 

Marko Furstenberg - Dwights Warning

 

 

Alec Empire - Low on Ice

 

Alec Empire - Low on Ice - Seems like it was designed for this earphone as it has expansive wide warehouse echo decay and snappy escaping snares with "twisty" electronic percussion expanding in all directions

 

This is definitely one for the gym and a fast work out.

 

 

 

Note: In the interest of full disclosure these were sent to me from Null Audio  for review.

Thanks to Null Audio for letting my try these excellent IEMs.

 

I hope to review some of the higher end models in the future

 

[highwind2008]

Great review! Looks like it is well build and very competitive in terms of price.
 
Looking forward to your impressions of the higher end Models.

 

[sonickarma]

  Great review! Looks like it is well build and very competitive in terms of price.
 
Looking forward to your impressions of the higher end Models.

Yep good value for an earphone with t

itanium diaphragm with Neodymium drivers.

Will keep you posted if they approach me to review their other models.

 

[Cyanogenmoded]

Am getting one for 35 bucks what say , instabuy?

 

[Emelya]

Nebula One or Tin Audio T1? Which one is better?