NF audio NE4

The NF Audio NE4 Evolution in-ear monitors offer a combination of high sound quality, comfort, and advanced customizability. Below is a detailed analysis of their performance.

The NE4 Evolution comes out with 3 different, replaceable faceplates (Reference, Transparent, Pop) which give the possibility to tune the sound to different profiles. Additionally, a fourth faceplate (Explorer) is sold separately. Sound tuning is possible because the NE4 Evolution are multidriver IEM’s, and the faceplates contain frequency crossovers, deciding which driver will perform for what frequencies. This results in having multiple IEM’s in one, with different sound signatures that can cover many needs. The faceplates can be replaced using a tiny screwdriver that is provided in the box.

Common features across the three different sound profiles are the high level of detail retrieval and the large soundstage. Each note and subtle nuance is rendered with clarity, allowing listeners to appreciate the full complexity of their music. This level of detail is particularly beneficial for critical listening and studio monitoring.
The soundstage is expansive, creating a spacious and immersive listening environment. The NE4 Evolution is one of the most spacious sounding in-ear monitors I have tested.


Reference Faceplate
The Reference faceplate comes mounted on the NE4 Evolution out of the box, and it is my favourite as it is the most balanced and suitable for a wide range of genres. On the reference faceplate, the bass response is both powerful and enveloping, extending very deep into the low-frequency spectrum. The bass is rich and resonant, providing a satisfying foundation without overpowering the other frequencies.
The midrange has perfect presence, ensuring that vocals and midrange instruments are delivered with a natural and engaging tone. The midrange is neither recessed nor overly forward, providing a balanced sound that complements the detailed highs and powerful lows.
The treble is crisp and clear, with a moderate peak at 6 kHz. This peak is the only notable deviation from an otherwise linear frequency response. While this might add a bit of brightness to the sound, it can be easily managed by reducing 2-3 dB at the 6 kHz range using an equalizer. This minor adjustment smooths out the treble, making the NE4 Evolution versatile and adaptable to a wide variety of music genres.


Transparent Faceplate
The Transparent faceplate sacrifices bass response in order to extract maximum detail and separation. The bass is still there, but very tight and not enveloping. The midrange is extremely clear takes the main spot with Transparent Faceplate. There is a live performance quality to it, although the lack of bass makes the overall sound a bit light. The treble very clear, although it shares with the Reference Profile the moderate peak at 6 kHz. As said, this can be managed equalizing down 2-3 dB at the 6 kHz range with the proper player (for example, Foobar2000 on Android).


Pop Faceplate
The Pop Faceplate is kind of opposite of the Transparent Faceplate. In this configuration, the NE4 Evolution deliver large bass, which is both powerful and deep, although could be a bit overpowering in some cases. The treble peak is not present in this configuration, which is the smoothest one.


Explore Faceplate
The Explore Faceplate is a fourth faceplate which can be bought separately. It sounds in between the Reference and the Transparent configuration, with similar treble rendition, a bit more bass presence than the Transparent Faceplate, although with a bit more midrange presence than the Reference Faceplate.


Fit and Ergonomics
The NE4 Evolution has an ergonomic shape ensures a secure and comfortable fit. The inclusion of multiple ear tip options allows users to customize the fit for optimal comfort and noise isolation. I use the large tips and can use them for extended listening sessions without losing the seal.


Cable
The NE4 Evolution features a removable silver plated cable that stands out for both its aesthetic appeal and functionality. The cable’s silver finish looks premium, while the removable design ensures durability, since the cable can be replaced in case of damage. The connectors used in the removable cable are sturdy and secure, making it easy to detach and replace the cable without compromising the connection’s integrity.

Moreover, the cable is free from microphonics, meaning that it does not transmit unwanted noise from brushing against clothing or other surfaces, which can be a common issue with lesser-quality cables. This feature is particularly appreciated by users who demand a silent and uninterrupted listening experience.


Conclusion
In conclusion, the NF Audio NE4 Evolution in-ear monitors are a very interesting model, which can sound as several multiple audio experiences and be tailored to several listening approaches. While my favourite listening profile is the one delivered by the Reference faceplate, others could have different tastes and be more comfortable with other faceplates, or just have fun experimenting and finding their sound. The moderate treble peak at 6 kHz is consistent using three of the four faceplates tested, but it can be easily corrected with a minor EQ adjustment. Combining the faceplate flexibility with the comfortable fit and beautiful, microphonic-free removable cable, the NE4 Evolution offer a highly interesting portable listening experience.

NF audio NE4 Evolution

One of the benefits of reviewing newer IEMs is that I get to progressively see advancements in our hobby. Much like anything tech related the earphone industry has seen a surge of newer innovative designs beyond using a mix of drivers which now sees quadbrid designs with 4 different types of drivers which back in the day no one in their wildest dreams would have been a reality but beyond that I am seeing more and more manufacturers include some way of changing up the stock sound of the given earphone. The easiest implementation is the two- three switch enhancement. First ever earphone I heard with tunable switches was at the Rocky Mountain Audio Festival in 2018. It was the InEar Prophile 8 earphones on display. I was impressed with a flick of a switch you got an immediate increase in bass and or treble or both.

That was when I realized this might be a thing for future earphones. Advance to today and we have numerous earphones that do the tuning switches. Another way of onboard tweaking would be the tried and true nozzle filters. Which works to change up how we perceive treble and works pretty well but overall these minor switches and nozzle filters have seen moderate at best in actually tuning the earphones base sound.

NF audio has taken this idea one step further in developing an actual way to not just do a minor tweak in sound here and there. They managed to figure out how to actually give you a completely different sound altogether using the outer plates on the NE4 shells. The plates are embedded with crossover circuitry using different parameters, frequency dividers that tax certain drivers on the host housing which changes the emphasis and the use of the programmed drivers it is using for a completely different sound profile. The idea of this is not exactly new as it was implemented to a much lesser degree on the A New X-One earphones with very mild changes to the sonics. NE4s use of this idea is not a minor tweak in each sound tuning. It is giving you an entirely different sound for each of the plates.

Before I continue with my report/ review I would like to thank Penon Audio and NF audio for the review sample. You can find out more and get yourself a pair here. The NE4 has been burned in for a weeks worth of time and sound evaluation was done using my sources; IBasso DX300Max, Fiio M15, Shanling M6pro, M5s,M3s,IBasso DX160,Sony ZX300, Pioneer XDP-30r, IBasso PB3 and IFI Black Label for amping.

NF audio has made some great sounding dynamic IEMS and this being my first go round of an all BA tuned IEM by the group, I was very surprised when the announcement I saw about the NE4 included a way of replacing the plates on the shells which somehow effectively changed the sound tuning to give you a different tuning with each plate. This idea on paper is great. I mean who doesn’t want to be able to change how your earphones sound depending on your mood on the fly. They include 3 different colored plates and each one represents a different tuning and use of the drivers.

The NE4 comes in a larger box as there are a lot of extras you get from your standard earphone package. The inner box contains their 3 CD display with the earphones themselves which had their black reference plate already installed and two extra plates. Red for pop and light blue for neutral transparent signature. It comes with a small allen wrench tool to install the plates with 4 extra screws just in case you lose one. The tool and screws are tiny, a bit like the screws you see on a pair of glasses. Very small so be warned. Comes with 2 sets of silicone tips labelled balanced and atmosphere. A stereo adapter and their proprietary 5N silver plated copper cables in litz format in single ended. Same cables they put in for their NM2+. Rounding out the accessories is their medium sized box using a magnetic lid to carry everything.

This accessories package is pretty much what you got with their dynamic earphones. Which was OK for them but for these? Not so much. There is nothing really to carry around the plates and the tiny tool and screws. A simple lined pouch would have been sufficient but the included box is not ideal to put your plates or the tiny screws and such. Only two types of tips? The earphones have three sounds but they only include two types. The cable is decent but I do notice the level of the sonics on the NE4 greatly benefits from nicer aftermarket cables. So the included stuff is just left overs from their previous earphones. Which is just OK however it seems NF audio has spent an enormous amount of research and development into the NE4 in creating something very groundbreaking, yet they include basic accessories that are more or less left overs from their previous earphones. I was expecting more to be honest. I can tell 99% of their effort was in the design of the sound of the NE4. Not so much what was included.


The use of 4 high precision Knowles BAs was the foundation for the base tunings using a new larger CNC machined aluminum alloy shell. The physical size of the shell is a bit bulky but the ergonomic design makes them very comfortable for my medium sized ears so no struggle with fit or use on them. These are a bit weighty at 360g but not so bad where they feel like heavy slugs in your ears. The plates themselves add some weight due to the circuitry inside them and the plates themselves are not a wafer thin material but you can clearly tell they have some electronics inside them. I would have liked to see this design just a bit more streamlined in design as it is clearly bulky and big. So small eared folks might have some struggles with how these fit.

With all the circuitry and metal the NE4 uses you would figure it has great passive isolation. It actually does not. Which was surprising. I find the isolation about average and I think it was more due to the venting that was required to get the sonics to be correct. So that was a bit surprising there. The trade off is some astounding stage presentation however.

As gimmicky as it may sound because to be honest I have yet to see your garden variety switches and or nozzle implementation drastically change the tuning, these are playing at a different level as far as optional sound from one earphone goes. The first plate you are greeted with is their black reference plate. These are easily my favorite tuning out of the NE4 and I have to give NF audio some credit. I was thinking no way is a 4BA IEM going to be worth the money they are asking for a set. Then I heard these with the black plate.

Reference plate.
SPECS:
Frequency Response: 18-22Khz
Sensitivity: 110/mw
Impedance: 10 ohm


This tuning uses all 4 BAs. 1BA for ultra low + 1BA for full range + 2BA for trebles. The sound balancing and tuning for this particular sound design I can argue is worth the cost alone. These are by far NF audios best sounding earphones easily beating their dynamic counterparts in sound quality. I suppose it will depend on how much of a premium you have about your earphone designs, dynamics vs BAs which can be debated on which one gives you the best sound. But here is the reason why.

For starters the sound presentation is fantastically wide. The NE4 reference tuning easily has the widest stage I have heard out of any of their earphones. The stage presentation is flagship level in presentation. Then there are the fine details of a well implemented BA design that clearly shows its strengths. They call this one reference for a reason. Having a mild 5dbs of bass boost with a reference level clarity and imaging across the sound. Its balancing is superb with the right amount of treble emphasis to cap it of. It is by far their best sound tuning out of the three plates that was included.

Its treble is nicely extended and is balanced well with a good presence for the region. Trebles are moderately imposed and not forced sounding which is a win in my book as it seems more and more manufacturers are all about imposing that treble in the tuning for the high fidelity tuning. Its BA based treble is well defined and has good agility and nicely textured. When called for, has good sparkle and shimmer but just ever so reserved for sparkles otherwise I have no issue with the treble end. The mids have a moderate 10dbs of upper mids presence which gives good clarity for the overall mids presentation.

The single BA used for the region seems to be a very high level Knowles BA as its sound presentation is really spot on with very good range and layering to the mids. It sounds like it is using more than just one BA for the region which is always a good sign. It has good body to the sounds, note weight is moderate and not thin sounding and has a nice seamless tonal balance between the trebles to the bass. The mids head a bit toward lush in tonal quality and sounds very natural with no strange BA timberal issues. Imaging is also a stand out of the NE4 reference tuning. There is really not much to complain about the mids of the NE4 reference as it shows a very high quality sound presentation for the overall tuning, then there is the Bass

Bass end of the NE4 is very surprising, showing similar impact and realistic characteristics that are closer in performance to their dynamic earphones. In fact I bet if you didn’t know NF audio was using a single BA for the bass on these it would have been difficult for you to tell they are using a BA. Its Bass timbre, tone and ability is accurate more than superficial sounding and due to the sheer speed of the BA design. Speedy metal becomes almost a religious experience.


Its sub bass is where you can tell they are using a BA but it is due mostly from not having a proper boost for the sub bass for their reference plate. The pop plate presents with much more authority in the region. As they are, its rumble is moderate in emphasis and decay is fairly quick. So here is where I wished NF audio implemented a very agile dynamic driver to handle the bass notes or if they could have tuned the sub bass with an uplift. I suppose I am spoiled by hybrids that do this aspect well. Otherwise for an all BA implementation NF audio was able to squeeze out every bit of the low end they could using the drivers they are using. I feel overall the bass end actually sounds very natural and its impact and tonality is spot on. It does surprisingly well for EDM and Jazz music even with the reference tuning due to that nice level of bass accuracy for a BA but for something that requires a bit more bass emphasis that is where the pop plate is all about.

Pop plate.
SPECS:
Frequency Response: 9-20Khz
Sensitivity: 104db/mw
Impedance: 6 ohm

The red plate is the most colored sound out of the three plates as it boosts the bass end 15dbs from flat transparent plates and about 10dbs from their reference plates. Pop plate utilizes a single BA handling the lows + a single BA for mids + 2 BAs for trebles. So how NF audio was able to boost the BAs for a massive 15dbs of emphasis from their transparent plate tuning is beyond me. The sound signature now becomes more of an L shaped tuning where bass is going to be a bit pronounced but what is surprising is just how controlled the sound is for being a bass infused tuning. The sound actually has more than a bit of control with some finesse thrown in and not much in the way of compromise to the mids and treble presence with that bigger bass end. By the sheer amount of boost we are talking about, bass is not as tight sounding vs their reference but you bet there is much more impact and sub bass is surprisingly good.

Mids presents with a bit more body and fullness to the sound due to an increase of the lower mids to bass vs the reference plate configuration and does a great job not to throw a big bass shadow for the tuning. The mids are able to maintain a good sense of clarity and show a similar well balanced presentation from the reference tuning. I do noice the mids side to side imaging is a bit more intimate for the pop plate and not as open sounding as the reference plate. This is probably due to that much greater bass emphasis. Mids presentation however is surprisingly clean and mids tonality shows a very slight hint of warmth over the reference plate. Again due to that bigger bass presentation. Bass infused music sounds tremendous with even greater impact which clearly stands out as a bass tuned earphone.

This sound tuning will appeal to fans of bass or when using the NE4 for outdoor use. Bass quantity is pushed to the limit here for what this single BA can do while retaining a good semblance of control and tightness. The issue here is with its very high 6 ohm sensitivity, the Pop tuning must be used on lower output impedance sources or you will not get the full bass effect from them. Somehow this is yet another aspect of the NE4 design that could have been a missed opportunity for NF audio. Don’t know how difficult it would have been to include a nice higher end dynamic inside this larger housing but I do wish they used a dynamic for this tuning vs using a BA.

To be fair, NF audio has a clear mastery of tuning the low end using this particular BA. The BA used for the bass seems again very much higher end as it is able to go from a fairly neutral emphasis to a full bored bass boost with absolute zero distortion and bass here sounds like a well implemented bass end even down to having some real sub bass texture. Pop here is every bit a quality presentation as their reference plate especially for folks that are into their bass. I can see many actually preferring this plate for music listening as this plate gives the best musical sound tuning for all the plates yet retains a high level of technicalities for the overall sound.

The treble aspects of all 3 plates have the most consistent aspect of their sound tunings. Treble is how I described on the reference plate for all three plates of course you will get a touch more treble perception depending on the varying bass infusion on the different plates but for the most part treble is fairly identical in form and function and presence as all 3 plates use two BAs for their treble presentations. .

Transparent plate.
SPECS:
Frequency Response: 20-30Khz
Sensitivity: 110db/mw
Impedance: 22 ohm

As drastic as the Pop plate is on one end, this one goes the complete opposite direction. Utilizing a single full range BA + two BAs for highs. I am sure you have heard neutral earphones before but I am willing to bet, you have never heard anything this ruler flat before. It is literally a straight line from 20hz sub bass all the way to the upper mids where it has the same 10dbs of pinna gain compensation and then its treble presence all the way to 20 khz. Some might actually refer to these as the actual reference sound. It is by far their most neutral tuning out of the three plates.

I can see a use case scenario for the blue transparent plates here for several occasions. First of all as a reviewer I have had neutral earphones in the past but not quite this ruler flat. These will make for perfect reference for just how colored your earphones are in comparison. Even stage monitors have some coloring to their tunings. Not these. For some reason the sound here is literally perfectly balanced from treble to bass but it also has the more intimate sound with an average stage vs the other two configurations. Could be due to utilizing a full range BA more closer toward the ear vs being a BA in the outer housing, also with a drastic impedance shift from 6 ohms in the pop plates to 22 ohm for the transparent plate. This plate tuning can be used with just about any source and even amplification with no problems.

The other scenario is for the sound engineer. I don’t know if there is an earphone out in all of earphone land that has the ruler flat response of these. You can literally tell just how much coloration your other earphones have in comparison. These are literally windows to your music, your hearing. These have the driest, cleanest tonality with the least amount of coloration and not just for the NE4 but any earphone. If you're a sound engineer and would like to get an actual reference tool for sound. These might be what you're looking for.

Needless to say I don’t know if I need to describe the sound on this plate as if you can imagine a straight line from 20hz all the way to 1khz and how that would sound. This is exactly what that is. It will reproduce any studio recording as what it is with zero boost in any part of the sound as it possibly can. So I can see how this plate can be used in such a way. It is surprising that NF audio included this particular tuning aspect as it would have been better to do an intermediate plate from reference to pop instead but since their background is music monitoring. This plate exists as a tool more so than listening to actual music using them. It is a bit too flat to really enjoy real music with, but if used as a monitoring tool, It could be an invaluable tool for the sound professional.

And you can certainly throw on the pop or reference plate for any real music listening.

And there you have it, three very distinctive tunings with three different plates. My time with the NE4 has been very eye opening as it has been interesting to see NF audios tuning prowess at full display here. Three very different sound signatures and with that let me address the hurtle for this actual ground breaking product.

As great as this product is. I will give NF audio every bit of credit on how they developed an actual way to give you three different earphone sounds using one earphone. The price of these are hard to swallow. Its sound is actually worth the price tag believe it or not. The reference plate sound is about on the level of Campfire Audios Andromedas and not only that but you get a bass version thrown in for good measure. However it is the idea of buying an all BA iem with 4 BAs that's the hurtle. These are in many ways groundbreaking, evolutionary, I can even say stupendous in what it does. But the cost to play on these are a bit steep for a relatively unknown product.

Competition ramps up so much in this price range right now, at the asking price these are facing tribrids and hybrids that are getting ever so close to summit fi level sound quality. 4 BA earphones don’t seem all that compelling no matter how well they are tuned at the price.This is a case where if you heard these you will hear the value in what NF audio has achieved.

I heard that NF audio plans to release more tuning plates which will effectively give you even more sound options. NF audio is onto something here and if you would like to take part in what they are doing with these. I can say without reservation the NE4 will be worth it but for the budget minded enthusiast. It will be difficult to see the value, groundbreaking or not. This review has ended up being a longer one as there was so much to cover about the NE4, I appreciate you sticking with me on this one and seeing it though. Whether these will be an option for the enthusiast or not, NF audio has done something very much new in the industry and I can only see this idea blossoming from here. As always thanks for taking the time to read and happy listening always.

NF Audio NE4
4BA
$700

Before I begin this review, let me thank NF Audio for sending me the IEM in for review.
Rest assured, all of my reviews are 100% my own personal opinion.

Unboxing
The unboxing experience is very good, pretty much what you would expect from a flagship product.

Inside the box you get :

• IEM
• Cable
• Case
• Faceplate
• 6.35mm adapter
• Manual
• Screw drivers
• Screws

Build Quality

Let’s start from the IEM shell.
It’s made from what I believe to be aluminum. The shell itself feels premium, but one thing I should point out is that the size of this IEM is very chonky, and thick.

Don’t get me wrong, this IEM is still comfortable to wear, but it's just that the shell sticks out from your ear canal.
Also I found using the NE4 with Dunu S&S tips help me to get more stable fitting.

The faceplate is removable, and actually the faceplate acts as a selectable tuning for the NE4.
There are 4 faceplate available

• Pop (red)
• Reference (black)
• Transparent (blue)
• Explore (transparent)

As for the cable itself, it's decent at best. It uses what I believe a QDC type 2 pin, but normal 2 pin cable also works just fine. For its price I expect better cable or modular cable, but to be fair, the NE4 first release is like way back in 2021 or something. So modular cable hasn’t been the trend yet at that time.

Sound

Tested using FIIO KB3, FIIO M23, Poco M6 Pro, stock cable and Dunu S&S eartips.
Music is mostly from Apple Music (J-POP, Rock, EDM, Jazz, Metal)

The tonality itself is depending on what faceplate you use.

• With the “Reference” faceplate, you get a neutral tonality with slightly boosted bass, smooth midrange and treble
• With the “Pop” faceplate, you get an aggressive bass boosted v-shape tonality
• With the “Transparent” faceplate, you get a flat bass with main focus on midrange and treble.
• With the “Explore” faceplate, you get more or less the same like “Transparent” faceplate but a tad brighter tonality.

I will explain the tonality and technicalities using the “Reference” faceplate because it is my favorite tuning.

Bass : You can clearly tell it’s a balanced armature bass, It sounds tight, nimble, and just very agile in general.
While it lacks in physical punch, the NE4 offers a very good bass texture on its presentation.
Its extension is also very deep, like you can easily hear the sub-bass rumble. The only thing I can nitpick from the bass is just the fact it just sounds like a balanced armature bass.

Midrange : Spot on, very well tuned on the “Reference” faceplate, it does not sound thin, and the overall timbre is very natural for a balanced armature unit.
Vocal placement is also not very forward, definitely free from shout and sibilance.
As for instruments, it sounds “sweet” if that even makes any sense. For example, the sound of Violin on Violet Evergarden OST “The Ultimate Price” man, listening to that song using the NE4 gave me literal goosebumps, like it is so good. As expected from a flagship IEM.

Treble : Airy, smooth, normal extension, detailed.
The treble of the NE4 with the “Reference” faceplate is just like where it should be, what I mean by that?
The treble is blending in with other frequencies very well, it does not stick out like a sore thumb, and not dull sounding either.
While it might not have the best extension for the price, the micro details of the NE4 is very good, you can easily hear small nuance sounds using this IEM.

Technicalities
Very good for $700 USD

Stage : I found the NE4 has a medium sized stage with spectacular stage layering.
The NE4 can easily render the room of the songs, and it has a very symmetrical stage shape both in width and depth.

Detail Retrieval : Very good.
The NE4 offers a very detailed listening experience in all of its frequencies.
Bass, midrange and treble sounds very resolving and just like a treat to listen to, as expected from a flagship class IEM.

Separation & Positioning : Very good.
Thanks to its high quality balanced armature driver used, you literally can pinpoint objects so easily that it feels like I’m having an unfair advantage using the NE4 when I play Valorant.
Same can be said with normal music listening, you can easily separate and pinpoint exact instruments easily, again, as expected from a flagship class IEM.

Comparison

Moondrop S8
8BA
$700

My previous daily driver.
More or less released around the same time frame, the S8 has superior build quality IMO, it uses a very high quality transparent filled resin and much more ergonomic compared to the NE4.
More or less same quality accessories.

Sound wise, the S8 only has one tuning, typical Moondrop VDSF Target, or we can say, modified Harman target tuning.

The S8 also exhibit the same balanced armature bass issues, it lacks physical punch, and for the midrange itself, I found the NE4 to have more body compared to the S8, the timbre also superior compared to S8.
As for the treble, I found the S8 to be more extended compared to the NE4.

While technicality wise both are more or less in the same ballpark, I can’t point out which one is superior because it is literally just on the same level.

Moondrop Dark Saber
2DD + 8BA
$750

Also my previous daily driver.
More recent releases compared to both S8 and NE4.
For some reason Dark Saber build quality for its price to be honest its very bad.
I’m not sure why Moondrop decided to use thin resin not filled resin for the Dark Saber.
Though comfort wise, the Dark Saber more ergonomic compared to NE4.

Tonality wise, the Dark Saber utilizes isobaric design DD for its bass, so my issues with balanced armature bass are fixed.
As for the midrange and treble, to be honest nothing has changed much from the S8.

Technicality wise, I can say the Dark Saber has a larger sound stage compared to both S8 and NE4, though sometimes when I listen using my Dark Saber, it can sound a bit disorienting for some reason.

Conclusion

Is the NE4 any good?
Would I recommend the NE4 in 2024?

YES and maybe.

Let me explain, the NE4 is released around 2020 or 2021, and It is indeed a very good sub $1000 flagship IEM.
It offers a solid metal build quality with an innovative tuning faceplate that you can change.
But in 2024, there are dozens more new releases, for example like the Moondrop Dark Saber.
While the Dark Saber has a very bad build quality, it offers a Harman like tuning with isobaric DD bass, and more extended treble compared to the NE4.

In the end it depends on you completely, what kind of tuning you’re searching for, and is build quality an important deciding factor or not for you.
If you’re tempted to get the NE4, let me say that this IEM has a very good timbre for a full balanced armature IEM.
Also with the NE4 you get 4 tuning options just in case you’re getting bored with the “Reference” tuning, you can get other tuning options by just changing the faceplates.

Thanks for reaching this far !

Just in case you want to watch the review of this IEM, you can watch it here


-littlenezt.

Audio Geek Turkey Group; We have some subjective ideas for NF Acous NE4 Evolution that was sent to me within the scope of Turkey Tour and I will write them. I would like to thank them very much and I will try to convey what they promise in order.

NF Acous with its changed name is a professional IE manufacturer and the products it produces really stand out with their design, material and musicality.
I was able to establish the brand culture and target audience a little more in my mind with the Nf Audio RG15, Ra15, nf nf2+, NE4 Evolution that I reviewed.
NE4 Evolution has emerged as a result of futuristic blending with their unique retro box design. We start with the box.


NF Acous NE4 Evolution Package Contents
The iems themselves, made of large metal structure
White silver plated 5N copper QDC 3.5 mm cable
S/M/L balanced S/M/L atmosphere tips
Grey hard carrying case
6.35 mm adapter
4 pairs of Faceplates
Mini screwdriver used for faceplate replacement and warranty documents




Sources Used
Btr 7 Hiby R4 fiio k3

If we give a short information about Faceplates, the company has offered us 3+1 different possibilities here.
POP red, Reference black, Transparent blue, Also Explore is a colorless transparent palette
There is a significant change in the sound dynamics, it is aimed to feel in different frequency ranges.


Comfort: NE4 Evolution It has a large design with a very thick body, but despite this large size, it provides a comfortable fit, it seems to be outside the ear and tends to come out very often and leak with little movement,
you can absorb this a little by using the largest tips.
You also have the atmosphere-balanced 3x2 ear tips offered in different sizes and characters. There is a nice 3.5 mm silver-plated cable in a thin pearl white appearance.


With the Black-Reference palette, you can get the most natural sound. Although the bass is a little ahead, the mids and trebles are felt more elegant and detailed. The midrange is distinct and natural.
It feels more airy compared to the stage of the Pop palette. It has become my most preferred option among the palettes. It is the most enjoyable palette regardless of the music genre.

Although the Red Pop palette is aimed at V shape, it offers enough energetic bass, but unfortunately its extension and texture were not enough. Here, of course, an opinion was expressed by targeting bassheads. The airiness is preserved, and it is still noticeable for Mid and Treble lovers.

With the Blue Transparent palette, a very neutral sound was given, I even heard the sounds of the usual vocals differently. I did not like it.
The bass was reduced to a minimum, the trebles were polished, the micro details increased, but the vocal sounds felt strange.

The Colorless Explore palette, on the other hand, has polished the sound a little more and polished the trebles a little. There is a better quality presentation.
The stage is significantly widened and the torque that comes to the sound brings
its performance a little closer to the reference palette.

Conclusion: Considering that these operations are done with too many switches in the market and some are done only for decorative purposes,
NF Acous NE4 Evolution has generously presented the power and difference of innovation here.
It makes it very easy to access different tones of music by unscrewing a screw with a single allen.
Among the palettes, the one that I liked and enjoyed the most according to my personal taste was the Black - Colorless Explore palette, which has reference and similarity. Considering its price, I would have preferred it to be a little lower.
After all, I guess this is the price of R&D.

TONALITY: 7.5/10
TECHNICALITIES: 8/10
TIMBRE: 7/10
SOUNDSTAGE: 8.2/10
IMAGING: 8/10
MUSICALITY (subjective): 7/10
CONSTRUCTION: 9/10
SOUND VALUE: 7/10


INTRO

NF Audio is a earphone brand under Shenzhen Ningfan Acoustics. It was founded in 2014 in China.

This company get good praise in the past for IEMs like NM2+, which is a single dynamic driver IEM.
Most of their IEMs are single DD, yet the one I will review today is an exception in their catalogue and use 4 knowles balanced armature.

This is the NFaudio NE4, a flagship IEM like no other that have changeable ‘’frequency dividing faceplate’’ that can truely offer different tuning option, promising ‘’infinite’’ possibilities, though for now their 4 faceplate option.
Unlike nozzle tuning that inflict on air conduction acoustic behavior byt filter or damping its dynamic and loudness intensity, the faceplate are direct crossover that inflict on drivers frequencies response as well as permitting to activate or deactivate specific balanced armature, which mean the final sound isn’t subtle in different.
NE4 is the only IEM i consider ‘’multi-IEM’’ and I own alot of IEMs with switch, yet again you always know you listen to same IEMs, while going from red to silver faceplate with NE4 is like using whole different IEMs.


Priced 750$, the NE4 might seem pricey for a 4BAs IEM, but since it come with 3 faceplate, you can see this as buying 3x 250$ IEMs!

Now, let see in this review if the NE4 deliver proper sound performance for 750$ or even 250$ (using this strange sound value math).


CONSTRUCTION&ACCESSORIES



The craftsmanship of NE4 is exemplary and the attention to details is evident. This isn’t a rushed design and engineering behind it is very well done, from the faceplate installation to all metal housing construction, everything scream quality and professionalism.

Sure the housing is a bit big and those who aren’t fan of short nozzle will not be able to achieve very deep fit, but this isn’t a problem for me because I prefer shallow fit and the NE4 fit well my big ears. For people with small ears, this housing size might be an issue.

The high grade metal housing has NE4 Evolution engraved in it and this add to high end elegance of the IEM.

When it come to installing faceplate, you slip it in housing then screw it with included mini screwdiver. This can be a bit cumbersome for people with big thumbs like me, the screw are really tiny and easy to loose, so be cautious (and patient).

The 2pin connector aren’t QDC but standard yet it’s protuberant and not appropriate for all third party cables.

The included cable is of good quality enough, it’s a 5N silver plated OFC cable.



When it come to packaging, NFaudio give alot of care about the presentation which is quite fascinating and include graph and explanation of each tuning Faceplate. It include a nice quality carrying case. The good SPC cable and 6 pairs of silicone eartips in 2 model. To note the short wide bore ear tips is very good to expend soundstage of NE4, and the one I based my review on.

SOUND IMPRESSIONS



The NE4 RED offers the warmest and bassiest signature of them all, with a balanced V shape dynamic and forward lush thick mids that favor vocal and wind instrument, both presence and substance of mids is boosted here and the treble is rather inoffensive, darkish in fact.

The bass is warm, dense and euphonic in texture with mid bass focus and no lower mids scoop, so this isn’t clean thin bass here, it’s chunky, vibrant of air density and rather opaque to. The rumble sustain is compressed, juicy and free of resonance release.
The big balanced armature woofer does a very good job of delivering a fast thumpy attack with great physical impact, a kick that feels both bubbly and creamy, slightly dominant of background instruments that aren’t as forward in dynamic as main instrument and vocal. The kick drum isn’t best defined in presence, it’s the impact and it’s round release we heard.
Cello sounds lush and thickened, very appealing.
Bass line can sound one tone though, they can in presence definition mixing with mid bass kick, but it delivers oomph and grunt when needed, so electric bass do better than acoustic bass which will sound more boomy.

The mid range is thick in presence, should it be piano, saxo or male and female vocal, nothing sounds thin with the Red.
These are vocal specialists, as expected with Pop tuned IEM. The warmth adds naturalness from behind, and the macro dynamic is preserved in articulation due to 3BA used for each frequency range. Lower range vocals are fully bodied, euphonic in timbre with no metallic BA timbre, here we just have an ounce of breathy abrasivity which do well to add presence definition.
Upper mids are smoothly forwards, it’s no peaky or sibilant mids, nor shouty, it’s among smoothest mids I've heard from any NFaudio IEM, pinna gain is lower than NM2+ and such.
In terms of clarity, it’s rather dark in fact, it’s no clean and crisp mids here and warmth and color transparency.
Some background instruments can get lost in hazy spatiality, we are in a guilty pleasure zone with surprisingly addictive and well balanced musicality.

The treble is smooth and speedy in attack with crunchy, thich and euphonic highs.
It sits behind bass and mids yet has an extra upper highs boost that extracts some percussion and micro details in a sharper way and adds sens of air on top of round macro dynamics.
The percussions aren’t very sharpen, nor very snappy, the attack lead is smoothen apart for highest pitch percussions.

The Soundstage is quite wide and tall but not deep.

Imaging is average, their alot of bass warmth that affect proper positioning readability.



TRANSPARENT FACEPLATE

Tonality is bright neutral with a W shape twist on top that has extra crispness and even a notch of sparkle which is quite rare for an all BA set. This is both mid and treble centric focused musicality with very lean and light bass, in fact, its most bass light tonal balance of them all yet it doesn’t mean it feel scooped or weak, its neutral with sub bass roll off and zero rumble or impact release that will move air.

So, we are into monitoring IEM tonality, with bright mids and sharp upper treble, those are polar opposite of the Red faceplate which is warm V shape with extra treble boost.

Clean and open sounding with airy upper highs and very textured presence and timbre, this tuning choice is good for instrumental, classical, folk, male and female vocalist but absolutely not suggested for big beat, electronic, rap and for jazz and rock it will depending the energy of bassist and drummer since as said low end isn’t very dynamic.

The bass has just a minimal mid bass punch, the kick drum is well defined in presence but not very round or impactful, you have minimal thumping effect when the track is really punchy, otherwise good luck to headbang. Then the sub bass is very lean and rolls off fast, this means double bass will not extend down to 20khz and feel shorten in release. But overall bass lines are well extracted in presence, textured and speedy, this helps the layering and you don’t lose it in the mix.

The mids are bright and clear and forwards in presence, the upper mids gain energetic but not harsh, timbre is in fact quite realistic with just a notch of metallic edginess for instruments like violin. Its speedy mids too, open and with enough air around them. It’s no end game in terms of resolution, transparency is good but macro rendering is a bit unidimensional, when you have a lot of instruments there are some struggles for proper readability. Female vocals are more forward than male vocals, presence is a bit compressed and centered, it's no lush vocals that envelope the listener but I enjoy Gillian Welch country music due to the extra dimension the upper treble can have.

The treble is the most boosted part of dynamic and it's very sharp and airy, it extracts percussions aggressively so a sense of immediacy is amplified and percussions or acoustic guitar sound very snappy and tactile. BA timbre is more evident with highs since we have a bit of fuzziness in texture which is boosted in loudness when attack is energic. In terms of micro details, it’s half cooked, we don’t get the whole sound info of track and this means there is a compromise in tuning tweak to add extra air on top.

Soundstage is wide and deep, U shaped.

Imaging is average, the layering has 2 stages: percussion and all other instruments' presence in the same packaged sound layer.



REFERENCE FACEPLATE

These are extremely similar to the Transparent Faceplate. Simply put, the Clear adds a harder mid bass boost so we get more punch and now go real crisp W shape balance. I do prefer this take since the bass is more vibrant and less rolled off in sub bass at least in terms of density.

Bass is round, fast and punchy, a touch warm so not as textured in presence as Transparent tuning.

The mids are bright and forward, but with a hint of lower mid lushness so I find timbre more pleasant for breathy female vocal and male vocal pop up more in fullness too. Piano has a good note weight too. Vocals are risky in terms of sibilance, those are edgy mids.

Treble is identical, but not as clean in percussion separation since the bass part stole a bit of air around the instrument, making the overall balance more cohesive. This is super snappy highs still and percussions are sharp in presence and energetic in attack.

Soundstage is very wide but not deepest, less so the Transparent faceplate.



CLEAR FACEPLATE

The Clear offers a very similar musicality to Transparency faceplate but with more mid bass punch and slightly fuller mid range, especially male vocals.

It’s the most W shape signature, the bass is fast, round and punchy with a notch of sustained warmth, mids are forwards in presence and bright and treble as good amount of air.

The bass is all about mid bass, so sub bass feels thin and rolled off, this is problematic for double bass which has scooped extension and one note tone, in jazz band basses can nearly completely disappear. For electric bass the presence boost permits a notch of grunt and bass line readability but it’s still not right in tone and very compressed in sustain-release, so we have thinner sub bass than mid bass. The kick will be well textured and defined, but the dynamic weight isn’t always there.

The mids are bright and transparent, timbre isn’t the most natural and female vocal can be quite aggressive while male vocal and lower pitch female vocal go lusher and fuller bodied, more natural and densify in presence. There is a bit of breathy metallic shine and rough BA timbre too, intelligibility is good but not the best, R are tamed while S are boosted making fast lyrics harder to understand and potential risk of sibilance higher. Mid range feels clean and open, with good air around the instrument but a slightly polished edge that affects presence carving clarity. We can say the attack lead is less vivid than its loudness peak, making some instruments like saxophone a bit overly energetic in loudness, same goes for female vocals which are borderline shouty.

The treble is master of the show and main conductor of the musical experience, it’s fast in attack and generous in micro details which can be somewhat feeling detached and a notch too forwards. If the track has a lot of percussions, these will be all extracted with excitement, but the natural brilliance and sparkle will not be there, it will be crunchy more than snappy since attack lead is a bit lacking for both percussions and guitar.
Acoustic guitar will have boosted texture details, making string vibration noise very upfront while the string pulling will be lacking definition and energy, feel scooped in proper swing fullness, then the brilliance release will be lacking, making overall guitar dry and thin, even a bit boxy in rendering.
For percussion this is less of an issue, the layering is excellent and balanced armature speed doesn’t struggle to deliver clear transient, full cymbals rendering though fast click and snap will be a bit rounded with light attack lead. You don’t feel the stick hitting cymbals with NE4, it’s shooting at you fastly and tightly.

The soundstage is very nice, tall, wide and deep, very open and quite airy.

Imaging is very good too, apart from the bass line as noted, we have transparent layering and boosted clarity for percussion positioning.



COMPARISONS



VS KINERA SKULD (5BA-500$)

The Skuld is warmer, darker and more mid centric, more similar to Red POP Faceplate warm V shape tuning in the sense it sounds thick and lush for vocals, not transparent and crisp.

Yet, since 3 out of 4 faceplates have slightly similar tonality I'll continue this comparison with Clear Faceplate.

Skuld bass is more muddy and less well defined and speedy in mid bass punch which is thicker and warmer, sub bass is thicker too, more sloppy and less textured in presence. The punch is less well rounded and bleeds more on mids, it’s not as well layered and clean. Both have rolled off sub bass but resonance euphony of Skuld make it feel more rumbly and physical, yet it negatively affects background clarity which is notably cleaner with NE4.

Mids are lusher, fuller and wider in presence and more natural in timbre with the Skuld, It’s not as sharply clear, nor as open, intelligibility is better even if resolution is darker. We have more note weight too yet more bass warmth so vocals are more opaque and discerning other instruments isn’t as easy as the NE4 which offers a more monitor-like tuning of mid range.

Treble is darker, more rolled off, less snappy and airy with the Skuld, it’s all about lower and mid treble boost which benefit presence fullness and brightness more than upper highs and micro details clarity. NE4 has lighter and thinner highs and BA timbre is more prominent, it’s better layered and more airy and attack speed is more lively.

Soundstage is about as wide for both, NE4 is notably deeper and cleaner.

Imaging is sharper in definition and has wider and cleaner space between instruments, layering is more transparent, which makes nE4 superior in all aspects of imaging.

All in all, Skuld is a one trick pony and while it sure delivers more focused, natural, lush and appealing vocals, it fails in all the rest including technical performance from imaging to clarity to attack control and speed.

VS PENON TURBO (5BA with switch-550$)

The Turbo is notably warmer and bassier, it can go full basshead mode which NE4 can’t. It uses 2 woofer BA for bass which is evident in terms of performance.

The Turbo bass delivers wider, bigger and chunkier slam as well as deeper and more vibrant rumble, it doesn’t feel as rolled off and bass lines are easier to read and offer a fuller more natural tone. Mid bass isn’t as textured nor as dry and lean, it’s more hazy in presence definition yet fuller in substance and more natural in tone. Both offer speedy punch, yet even if warm the layering between sub and mid bass is superior with Turbo since near full scooped in sub region with NE4.

Mids are lusher, wider in presence, more natural and even in timbre and less aggressive and loud in loudness peak intensity, even if warmer, words intelligibility is better. Female vocals are notably smoother and more buttery, BA timbre is less metallic and textured too, clarity isn’t as crisp and open, nor as transparent, yet macro layering is as good just not as boosted in resolution.

The highs are smoother, rounder and less spiky, percussions aren’t as sharpen and upfront nor as airy than brighter NE4, cohesion is more natural and organic with the Turbo, timbre differentiation isn’t as easy nor as boosted in texture details, acoustic guitar are more bodied and euphonic, overall fuller but not as clean. Highs are dryer and harsher with NE4, they are more at risk of going into trebly territory at high volume too.

The Soundstage is wider and taller with Turbo but notably deeper with NE4.

Imaging is sharper with NE4, but the bass line is easier to track with Turbo.

All in all, the Turbo is way more musical and fun sounding to my ears, the timbre is more natural and vocals are lusher and smoother. Technical performance is on par too, though tuning is bassier and warmer and doesn't boost as much sense of clarity and blur a bit imaging capacity more than crisper, colder and more analytical sounding NE4.


CONCLUSION



The NFaudio NE4 worth an applause for pushing sound technology further with implementation of crossover tuning module, and I was amaze to discover how different the musicality can goes from one faceplate to another.

Yet, I think 3 faceplate out of 4 are quite similar still and wish NFaudio offer more colorful and radicaly different tuning like the Red faceplate which is most fun sounding of the bunch as well as warmest in term of timbre.

NE4 offer average technical performance for the price and it's due to limitation of 4 balanced armature, especialy the use of only one BA woofer for bass section which mean the sub bass roll off is very notable. Other thing notable is balanced armature timbre, which can be very dry and thin with all faceplate but the Red.

Average isn't bad tough, and you get crisp and high resolution and an impressive treble response in term of attack speed and control, the imaging can be quite good with Clear faceplate too.

All in all, the NE4 is one-of-a-kind IEM that offer very versatile musicality choice due to it's 3 included faceplate, if NFaudio launch more than 1 new faceplate like the Clear, this might mean sound value will raise in long term instead of lowering like it's the case with most multi-BA IEMs.


Recommended for those seeking an IEM that is different from anything else in IEMs market and can be use for both monitoring purpose and music enjoyment (Red Pop faceplate).

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PS: I want to thanks NFaudio for sending me this review sample. As always, this is my independant sound impressions and opinions.

You can order the NE4 directly from NFaudio website here: http://www.nfaudio.cn/en/product/438.html

the flagship of Nf audio that was released in 2021 for $750 is it good?


build : simply good, all made of metal and feels a bit heavy, you can tell that this is a premium product

and even though it’s a bit bulky but the fit is so snug in my ears and i have no complain on wearing them for long time

and you can change the tuning by changing the faceplate using a small screwdriver included in the package, btw usually people get 3 faceplate but looks like they have a new one with clear faceplate and here’s the measurement


reference : grey fp
pop : red fp
transparency : blue fp
clear : clear fp

and yes they definitely change the sound, the pop being the most V while for my ears the reference is the most balance and my favorite

basically the bass does have good body especially on pop fp but it feels like BA indeed, missing slam, depth and definition, just…. there

vocal and instrument are smooth but more like restrained due to the drastic dip around upper mid

it does have a separated sparkle around 8k and above to give a clarity sensation around treble

but…… as you could see… the measurement is…. simply unique and that portrays what i hear, there’s a missing huge chunk of freq around upper mid to lower treble area transition before rising again on the mid treble

no matter which fp you use, it just feels weird for me on that specific area

for me that missing freq or you could say the transition upper mid to treble plays a big role in vocal and instrument bite and definition

it does sound smooth but in a weird way

i have to give praise to the build, fit and also the ba that are being used feels high on quality (never sounds metallic or plasticky in timbre like cheap ba timbre)

but sorry i just can’t understand the tuning… that missing frequency always bugged me no matter what song or genre i heard

with all that being said, this iem has potential here and there but the final product just doesn’t give justice to its price point