Hi, everyone! Please forgive my noob impressions. Just sharing my thoughts on these.
NF Audio NA1 Dynamic Driver IEM
Based on the documentation included in the package, Shenzhen Ningfan Acoustics Co., Ltd. manufactured this product under the NF Audio brand name. They also noted that the NF stands for “Near Field, Nice Fit, Nice Frequency.” The brand has released several other earphones already including custom fit IEMs (CIEM).
Comments on sound, build, and aesthetics are mostly subjective and based on how I appreciate this product. As always, YMMV.
PROS:
• Clean and well balanced bass response
• Highly resolving details
• Seamless build quality
• Quite easy to drive
CONS:
• Some tracks seem to sound sibilant
Source:
• Sony Walkman ZX300
Build, Fit, and Accessories:
NF Audio did a great job for the build quality of the NA1. The outer part of the shell is made of aluminum with an elegant design bearing the NF Audio logo, NF. It is coated in a matte finish which adds an elegant feel to it. The outer shell joins seamlessly with the inner part which appears to be a semi-opaque resin. It’s as if the whole shell was made out of single block of material, having no feeling of being clamped together when you run your fingers between the outer and the inner parts. Two vent holes can be found in each earpiece; one located near the nozzle which looks like just a hole poked into the resin, and the other one close to the outer shell which is made of metal with a small bore in the center. The included cable is a 5N silver-plated OFC with 2-pin connectors and a 3.5mm single ended plug. Cable design is decent and doesn’t look like a generic type of cable, having NF Audio labels on the plug as well as on its Y-split. It also has a Velcro strap attached to it.
Throughout my testing period, I did not encounter any signs of driver flex. And that’s good news for this dynamic driver IEM.
I decided to use my own wide bore ear tips, which appears to be just appropriate since the nozzles are a bit wide in diameter. They sit comfortably enough using medium tips, though still protruding a little bit off my ears.
Other accessories include two extra sets of ear tips (S, M, L) for balanced and bass tunings, a cleaning brush, and a box-shaped traveling case with snap-on magnets.
Sound:
•
Bass – The overall bass response is well balanced and clean, no bleed going into the upper frequencies at all. Bassheads will probably feel the lack of quantity on the subbass though. For me, there’s definitely enough rumble to feel whenever tracks needed it. This doesn’t strike me as a bass-anemic IEM. There’s also a decent punch on the midbass, with a quite fast decay and enough thump on mid to higher volume levels, but almost on the threshold of being smooth. Overall, it’s a well-rounded bass that fits my preference.
•
Midrange – Vocals sound slightly upfront and at times on the thin side. Sibilant recordings, specially of female vocals, have the tendency of being slightly emphasized. It is probably unforgiving on such qualities of recordings. The rest of the frequency is rich in detail. Stringed instruments are highlighted well without being too upfront throughout.
•
Treble – The upper midrange going up to the treble region is highly resolving while still having a smooth feel to it. The sparkle up top is good without any obvious graininess. Though the extension could have been improved more.
•
Soundstage – Soundstage width is good which enhances its imaging capability as well as its instrument separation. There’s enough airiness which prevents the overall sound to feel confined or too intimate despite all the microdetails being offered.
iBasso IT01 comparison:
The IT01 has more subbass quantity and goes a little deeper. Vocals sound more laid back, but without any hint of sibilance or harshness. Treble is on the smooth side here in comparison to the better textured NA1. Extensions on both ends are slightly better on the IT01. Soundstage feels more airy, but with almost the same width. The NA1 edges the IT01 when it comes to definition of microdetails and overall resolution.
Conclusion:
The NF Audio NA1 has a well-rounded sound which, I think, will please both bassheads and trebleheads enough. Those who are looking for “earth-shaking” bass or boom-boom type of sound may look at some other place. Perhaps try the iBasso IT01 instead. However, if you’re the type who’s looking to pay more attention to details and who’s also looking to have a great all-rounder type of IEM, I highly suggest you try the NA1. Awesome dynamics! For the asking price of $169, I would say that money is well spent on these, having an excellent build quality, elegant design, and despite leaning slightly to bright at times, still maintains a flexible type of sound signature with good neutrality.
SPECS:
• Model: NA1
• Driver: Double cavity dynamic driver
• Frequency response: 9Hz - 40kHz
• Maximum SPL: 125dB
• Sensitivity: 110dB/mW
• Distortion: <1%
• Impedance: 18Ω
• Sound insulation: 25dB
• Cable: 2-pin 0.78mm 5N silver-plated OFC
• Plug: 3.5mm single ended
• Dimension: 138 x 225 x 50mm
• Net weight: 330g