Lear NS-U1 NatroSound's Impression + Discussion

[shigzeo]

If the new one fits better, great idea. For me the NS-U1 to be as painful as I've had in my ear. But the sound is truly phenomenal.

 

[pinoyman]

no more love for this iem?

 

[Jackpot77]

no more love for this iem?

Trying to work on some impressions of these at the moment but picked up to much gear recently so need to sort out some proper listening time at some point. They are a lovely warm sounding pair with Natrosound on tho (I have the original 1st version with the original cable).

Must say, the stems are the most insane I've ever seen on an iem tho - they practically poke out of the front of my Comply directly into my brain!

 

[pinoyman]

Trying to work on some impressions of these at the moment but picked up to much gear recently so need to sort out some proper listening time at some point. They are a lovely warm sounding pair with Natrosound on tho (I have the original 1st version with the original cable).

Must say, the stems are the most insane I've ever seen on an iem tho - they practically poke out of the front of my Comply directly into my brain!

will wait for more impressions.
thanks for sharing.
 
how's the mids on this?
the vocals and details too?

 

[HiFiChris]

 
how's the mids on this?
the vocals and details too?

 
It's a really nice in-ear and stands extremely well against the other dynamic driver models in the price range around US$200.
 
However, If you can give up bass speed/aridness and crossfeed, I would personally go for the LHF-AE1d any day because it is even more authentic and better resolving (the only thing that could be improved is bass speed) and imho probably the best dynamic driver in-ear (midrange and treble resolution-wise) one can get in that price range.

 

[pinoyman]

   
It's a really nice in-ear and stands extremely well against the other dynamic driver models in the price range around US$200.
 
However, If you can give up bass speed/aridness and crossfeed, I would personally go for the LHF-AE1d any day because it is even more authentic and better resolving (the only thing that could be improved is bass speed) and imho probably the best dynamic driver in-ear (midrange and treble resolution-wise) one can get in that price range.

thanks for the impression.
but, isnt the bass crawling into the mids?

 

[HiFiChris]

 

   
It's a really nice in-ear and stands extremely well against the other dynamic driver models in the price range around US$200.
 
However, If you can give up bass speed/aridness and crossfeed, I would personally go for the LHF-AE1d any day because it is even more authentic and better resolving (the only thing that could be improved is bass speed) and imho probably the best dynamic driver in-ear (midrange and treble resolution-wise) one can get in that price range.

thanks for the impression.
but, isnt the bass crawling into the mids?

 
Do you mean with the AE1d? Surprisingly by not tooo much. Sure, they are affected when the potentiometer is already turned halfway up, but they don't become overly thick and warm then. You should check out @Hawaiibadboy's excellent video review on the AE1d.
 
If you are however referring to the NS-U1: with the standard cable, the mids are clean and clear with NS off and become warm and thick when NS is engaged. With the NSC-03 upgrade cable however, the amount of bass and warmth can be regulated.

 

[pinoyman]

   
Do you mean with the AE1d? Surprisingly by not tooo much. Sure, they are affected when the potentiometer is already turned halfway up, but they don't become overly thick and warm then. You should check out @Hawaiibadboy's excellent video review on the AE1d.
 
If you are however referring to the NS-U1: with the standard cable, the mids are clean and clear with NS off and become warm and thick when NS is engaged. With the NSC-05 upgrade cable however, the amount of bass and warmth can be regulated.

thanks.
is the upgraded cable included on the package of the brand new unit of ns-u1?
or you have to pay separately for it?

 

[HiFiChris]

 

   
Do you mean with the AE1d? Surprisingly by not tooo much. Sure, they are affected when the potentiometer is already turned halfway up, but they don't become overly thick and warm then. You should check out @Hawaiibadboy's excellent video review on the AE1d.
 
If you are however referring to the NS-U1: with the standard cable, the mids are clean and clear with NS off and become warm and thick when NS is engaged. With the NSC-03 upgrade cable however, the amount of bass and warmth can be regulated.

thanks.
is the upgraded cable included on the package of the brand new unit of ns-u1?
or you have to pay separately for it?

 
At the moment, the upgrade cable with bass and NatroSound control dials comes included for no additional charge for the first production batch because of some minor visual inconsistency (gap), according to their product page: http://www.lear-eshop.com/products/lear-natrosound%E2%84%A2-ns-u1-in-ear-monitor-pre-order-page
 
I'm not sure if this is still valid though, you should better check with @lear-hk.
 
 
Personally, I prefer the non-NS sound with the NSC-01 cable (which is the stock one) whereas I highly prefer the NS sound with the NSC-03 upgrade cable (with that one, I have the NS at probably 75-80% and the bass at very low quantity for a fairly neutral frequency response despite engaged NS - nonetheless, thanks to the bass and NS dials, the sound with the NSC-03 cable can also be tuned to a bassy and warm presentation, almost similar to the sound presentation as with the NSC-01 cable).

 

[jdog]

Although I don't have the "new" version of the NS-U1s, I do have the original NS-U1 (sliver/black).  I also have the LUF-NS2 model.  Based on the LEAR audio site description of the newer U1s (blue or grey/black), it sounds like they have modified the sound quality of the U1s (less bass, more balanced sound).  Actually, I was an original backer of the NS-U1 project, so I was able to get the original U1s with both cables for a fantastic price...  I really enjoyed the U1s, but found the NS effect was highly dependent on the source I used.  So, when paired with my Xuelin iHiFi 960, the sound I got from the U1s and the NSC-03 was unbeatable for me...  The NS effect was much less apparent with my Xuelin iHiFi 800.  So then Tatco Ma and LEAR came up with the NS2 version and offered a trade-in program for the U1s.  So, I figured that if the original U1s were really very good, then the NS2 would be fantastic...  The NS2 is advertised by LEAR as follows: "On the basis of the NS-U1 Ver.1, LUF-NS2 enhanced its mid and high frequency, with a more detailed and prominent sound, which would be enhanced with the NS effect that gives a more balanced, natural, and realistic sound".  Also:  "Hand Made in HongKong ! The LUF-NS2 (Universal fits) was designed for our distinguished customers whom the NS-U1 does not fit, or those who would experience a better sound quality than the  NS-U1 ver.1 .  
In a patented outlook and exterior that better fits human ears, it has a size smaller than the U1, but a more comfortable sense."

So after much self-debate, I opted to trade in my orignal U1s for the LUF-NS2.  Now, I've had a chance to compare both. While I do find the NS2 version to be more attractive in their appearance, I was a bit disappointed with the NS sound quality.  With the trade in, I did get both cables (NSC-01 and -03) with the NS2.  I can easily say that the sound quality of the NS2 with the NS off is much better than what I experienced with the U1s.  However, the sound quality of the NS2 with NS on just doesn't sound quite right to me; it just sounds like the sound field becomes compressed and vocals become slightly muffled.  Adjustment of the NS effect/bass with the 03 cable may help some, but to be honest, with the NS2, I prefer listening with the NS off.

But, there is a bright side here...  I was able to find a listing for the original U1 (silver/black) on ebay, so I bought them (at a very nice price).  Now that I hve both, I do really prefer the U1s to the NS2s, especially using the NSC-03 cable.  Again, the NS effect (at least for me) is very dependent on your source, so others may have opinions different than mine.  But, in my opinion, I think that Tatco Ma had it right when they developed the original U1s, esp using the 03 cable...  Now, I just have to see if Tatco Ma will be willing to sell me an original 03 cable....

 

[shigzeo]

 
thanks for the impression.
but, isnt the bass crawling into the mids?

As with all earphones, it depends on the fit you get. The bass is huge. It certainly colours most of what you hear, but it certainly doesn't cloud anything up. It is just one of the most ridiculous-fitting earphones I've ever tested. 

 

[damson]

Bass is huge, smooth and warm but lacks clarity, separation, and treble. Interesting sound indeed but still needs more improvement. 
Kinda sad that there's not so much talking going on about this IEM

 

[cme4dp]

After the LONG wait, what a disappointment. They are in every way average at best. After one day of uncomfortable listening I threw them somewhere and see no reason to seek them out. Re-600 and DB-2000j are my go to iem's. Lot of hype and no delivery.