Today I’m going to tell you about a single-driver BA model which, however, has a pretty unique sound signature for its type and form factor.
Nail is offered by Mycroft which is a Russian audio distributor with an extensive audiophile product line. They produce some pretty exclusive stuff ranging from multibit DACs to planar full-size cans. Myst Nail is their balanced armature IEM series (1/2/3/2x2/4) with a similar built style and varying tonality (in this review, we talk about the darker one, but in a good sense as you’ll see later on).
Nail 2 retails at USD 300 and can be ordered directly from the manufacturer.
Not sound
The package is spartan, to say the least. No luxury box, expensive case or even tip selection - just a pair of in-ears. However, their appearance will hopefully make you forget about it: metal, military-grade styling with a braided cable and angled (also metallic) Neutrik jack. Now, this looks serious… dare I say timeless (at least in style) and similar to a piece of art.
Earpieces themselves are compact and small, therefore, I don’t see someone even with a small ear canals having any fit issues. “Nails” (as they’re often called on local audio forums) can be worn both cable down and in an over-ear manner, and feel secure yet lightweight. I personally like that, contrary to something like Etys, there’s no need for the deepest insertion and it is much easier to maintain a good seal and thus achieving a proper sound reproduction for the whole frequency range (which for BAs is a bit more important than for dynamic drivers).
Tip rolling allows to achieve a secure and tight seal - not a total isolation maybe, but still more than sufficient for most use cases. A non-vented construction (more typical for BAs) also does help in this regard.
Sound
First, I’d like to note that by now my experience mostly comes from dynamic models, like Lear LHF-AE1d MKII, KEF M200 or Meze 12. Tonally, I prefer something smooth and non-fatiguing (without sacrificing details, but still more musical than analytical) for long listening. Also, please keep in mind that I don’t usually listen to something too fast or aggressive and mostly dig into jazz, soul, funk, disco, afrobeat and electronica.
Sonically, BAs are quite different and I expected that. Turning the music on (from iBasso DX80 and my HRT microStreamer + Meier Audio ROCK home combo), I was immediately surprised how textured and micro-detailed the whole sound picture is.
Still, it’s quite a common opinion that many single-BAs “suffer” a bit from the lack of natural, life-like bass feeling and “bodyness” provided by dynamic drivers. In this regard, Nail 2 is special: its low end comes down really deep, and I perceived some kind or multi-layered bottom end without a lack of dynamism. Lots of things are going on within this frequency range, and Nail 2 shows a very broad picture (which is really surprising and quite unique). You don’t get a basshead-level punch, but rather something more mature and informative (but without missing any naturalness or realism). Definitely, it’s a very different perception, but in a very positive way.
Midrange takes its place, along with all the necessary clarity and overall smoothness, as well as lots of new sonic details. Vocals, guitars, saxes and strings are well-textured yet very musical. It’s the perception of upper midrange which turned out the only slight problem (maybe for me personally, so take it with a grain of salt). It’s just some kind of peak somewhere in upper midrange/lower treble which for me turned out a bit fatiguing on both sound sources (note that here a popular combo for Nails is the "vintage" HM601/2/3 DAP family from Hifiman). Not sure if that will affect many listeners, just note this if your ears are sensitive in that area.
Highs are slightly relaxed, yet there is the same level of clarity. High notes of female vocals along with high-hats and percussions are perceived just fine (at least for my taste, although trebleheads looking for top-end forwardness should look elsewhere). Resolution and micro-details level are top notch and there’s not a hint of hollowness, just something fit for long-term sessions.
Overall, I perceive some tonal similarity with more or less dark headphones that I’ve listened to (Sony MA900, ATH-ESW9, Shozy Zero), but Nail 2 feels quite different due to the nature of BA sound. I also compared it to Lear LHF-AE1d. This one has a tunable bass which allows to alter the tonality, but overall it still feels more “physical” compared to the lens-like detail level of Nail’s BA. Lear is also much more neutral, while Nail 2 is on a darker side. Still, the latter also sounds very coherent and the music is perceived solidly, as a whole and not the sum of details.
Conclusion
I’m glad to have experienced BA sound with Nail 2 which has surprised me in a positive way. Be it not a peak in the upper range, everything would be just perfect since I like both neutral and dark sound signatures depending on current mood and genres that I listen to. Still, if you love bass and would like to try how good it can be implemented in a single balanced armature driver (and, which is more important, still enjoy the music in general), this one is a must!
Nail is offered by Mycroft which is a Russian audio distributor with an extensive audiophile product line. They produce some pretty exclusive stuff ranging from multibit DACs to planar full-size cans. Myst Nail is their balanced armature IEM series (1/2/3/2x2/4) with a similar built style and varying tonality (in this review, we talk about the darker one, but in a good sense as you’ll see later on).
Nail 2 retails at USD 300 and can be ordered directly from the manufacturer.
Not sound
The package is spartan, to say the least. No luxury box, expensive case or even tip selection - just a pair of in-ears. However, their appearance will hopefully make you forget about it: metal, military-grade styling with a braided cable and angled (also metallic) Neutrik jack. Now, this looks serious… dare I say timeless (at least in style) and similar to a piece of art.
Earpieces themselves are compact and small, therefore, I don’t see someone even with a small ear canals having any fit issues. “Nails” (as they’re often called on local audio forums) can be worn both cable down and in an over-ear manner, and feel secure yet lightweight. I personally like that, contrary to something like Etys, there’s no need for the deepest insertion and it is much easier to maintain a good seal and thus achieving a proper sound reproduction for the whole frequency range (which for BAs is a bit more important than for dynamic drivers).
Tip rolling allows to achieve a secure and tight seal - not a total isolation maybe, but still more than sufficient for most use cases. A non-vented construction (more typical for BAs) also does help in this regard.
Sound
First, I’d like to note that by now my experience mostly comes from dynamic models, like Lear LHF-AE1d MKII, KEF M200 or Meze 12. Tonally, I prefer something smooth and non-fatiguing (without sacrificing details, but still more musical than analytical) for long listening. Also, please keep in mind that I don’t usually listen to something too fast or aggressive and mostly dig into jazz, soul, funk, disco, afrobeat and electronica.
Sonically, BAs are quite different and I expected that. Turning the music on (from iBasso DX80 and my HRT microStreamer + Meier Audio ROCK home combo), I was immediately surprised how textured and micro-detailed the whole sound picture is.
Still, it’s quite a common opinion that many single-BAs “suffer” a bit from the lack of natural, life-like bass feeling and “bodyness” provided by dynamic drivers. In this regard, Nail 2 is special: its low end comes down really deep, and I perceived some kind or multi-layered bottom end without a lack of dynamism. Lots of things are going on within this frequency range, and Nail 2 shows a very broad picture (which is really surprising and quite unique). You don’t get a basshead-level punch, but rather something more mature and informative (but without missing any naturalness or realism). Definitely, it’s a very different perception, but in a very positive way.
Midrange takes its place, along with all the necessary clarity and overall smoothness, as well as lots of new sonic details. Vocals, guitars, saxes and strings are well-textured yet very musical. It’s the perception of upper midrange which turned out the only slight problem (maybe for me personally, so take it with a grain of salt). It’s just some kind of peak somewhere in upper midrange/lower treble which for me turned out a bit fatiguing on both sound sources (note that here a popular combo for Nails is the "vintage" HM601/2/3 DAP family from Hifiman). Not sure if that will affect many listeners, just note this if your ears are sensitive in that area.
Highs are slightly relaxed, yet there is the same level of clarity. High notes of female vocals along with high-hats and percussions are perceived just fine (at least for my taste, although trebleheads looking for top-end forwardness should look elsewhere). Resolution and micro-details level are top notch and there’s not a hint of hollowness, just something fit for long-term sessions.
Overall, I perceive some tonal similarity with more or less dark headphones that I’ve listened to (Sony MA900, ATH-ESW9, Shozy Zero), but Nail 2 feels quite different due to the nature of BA sound. I also compared it to Lear LHF-AE1d. This one has a tunable bass which allows to alter the tonality, but overall it still feels more “physical” compared to the lens-like detail level of Nail’s BA. Lear is also much more neutral, while Nail 2 is on a darker side. Still, the latter also sounds very coherent and the music is perceived solidly, as a whole and not the sum of details.
Conclusion
I’m glad to have experienced BA sound with Nail 2 which has surprised me in a positive way. Be it not a peak in the upper range, everything would be just perfect since I like both neutral and dark sound signatures depending on current mood and genres that I listen to. Still, if you love bass and would like to try how good it can be implemented in a single balanced armature driver (and, which is more important, still enjoy the music in general), this one is a must!
