Scaling Up Their Craft: NF ACOUS Headphone Inauguration

NF ACOUS makes a triumphant return, bringing the acclaimed studio sound of favorites like the NM25 IEM to an exciting new arena, the headphones realm. For their debut, they’re launching the NH20, a model built from the ground up by scaling their IEM innovations to a larger form. At its core is a newly developed MC2L-400 dynamic driver, featuring a dual-vector swivel, dual magnetic circuit design paired with a meticulous damping system and priced at $199 USD(RM800), the NH20 represents NF ACOUS ambitious bid to make a grand entrance into the competitive headphone segment. The question is: how will this studio-born newcomer fare?

But first, a huge gratitude to NF ACOUS for the opportunity by sending us a sample of the NH20 and no monetary transactions or affiliation is garnered for this review for an honest take on these headphones. Review is done solely by personal opinion.

Functions & Specifications

Before we start the review, here are the specifications of the NF ACOUS NH20;

Cable: 6N OFC 1.2m & 3m

Dimensions: 265 × 290 × 80mm

Weight: 270g (without cables)

Driver: MC2L-400 Dynamic Driver

Sensitivity: 110 dB / mW

Impedance: 50Ω

Frequency Response: 5-50kHz

Distortion: < 1%

Max SPL: 125dB

Connector: 3.5mm

The NF ACOUS NH20 can be purchased at their website and many other platforms around the globe like Linsoul.

NH20 Monitor Headphone

Packaging & Accessories

The packaging here is very decent and looks way more pricier than other offerings in this price range. It comes in a rather big box with a well executed futuristic design that has some 3D texture of the headphones image. Inside we are greeted with all the accessories like a 1.2 meter cable, a 3 meter cable, a 3.5mm to 6.35mm adapter, a manual and a high quality nylon hard case. The hard case design is superb and it provides a good protection for the headphones from drop, dust and water.

Design

The design here is an all black, modern yet original design that is made from a mix of high quality plastic and metal parts at the hinges. The build here is great and they feel solid on hands with a slight weight that gives a premium feel. Weighing at 270 grams, they are good headphones for long listening sessions without any discomfort. The faceplates are adorn with NF ACOUS logo that is made from polished metal while the sides are fitted with aluminum strips to give them a more complete look.

NF ACOUS has implemented a special swiveling design that they called Dual Vector Design that enables them to swivel from front to back and slightly up and down, and that gives a superb fit for better sound as well as better isolation.

The earpads are a circumaural, custom made to pair well with the overall tuning while giving a superb comfortable fit. The outer part of the earpads are made from hydrolysis-resistant PU leather, cashmere inner microfiber and paired with high-density slow-rebound sponge. This hybrid earpads isolates decently as well as lessening heat build up. There are left and right markers on the inner mesh of the earpads.

At the heart of the NH20, it is driven by a self developed dynamic driver named the MC2L-400, a 40mm polymer diaphragm, beryllium plated with Zoned damping system  and they have a dual magnetic circuit producing a whopping 1.5 Tesla in the magnetic gap. This dynamic driver has the capabilities to produce a wide dynamic range from 5 to 50khz and although beyond our listening limits, the airiness produced can be felt.

The headband mechanism is made from metal and has a tight adjustments with the length adjustable to fit even big heads. No weird creaking noise is present once the headphones are worn as they are thoughtfully designed. The top headband has a 2 layer built where vegan leather is used on the top side with NF ACOUS stamped on it and the inner part has a smooth velour fabric that has some padding in it.

The cables come in 2 lengths, 1.2 meters and 3 metres and designed for studio use, only 3.5mm termination is available. It is made from 99.9999% oxygen free copper and it has a unique single entry 4 pole 3.5mm but can be used on whichever side users connect to. It has a twist locking type of plugs which looks like a modular type, so 3rd party cable upgrade might be hard. Cable is soft and robust with high quality molded plugs. No balanced cable is included and I do hope NF ACOUS provides this upgrade option in the future.

Gears Used for Comparisons

Songs list

Tone and Presentation

The tone of the NH20 is indeed a neutral balanced type of signature, almost a reference neutral apart from a slight boost in the high range. No major peaks present but due to a lifted treble, they manage to sound quite exciting without major sterility or being too cold and lifeless. The overall sound is clean and transparent with no colouration present adhering to a neutral studio sound. The overall sound presentation is quite similar to their IEM, the NM25 but airier and a wider dynamic range. Though musicalities isn’t their main takeaway, they are still able to produce a lively sound while still having neutral tuning intact.

Soundstage

The NH20 soundstage is average due to its closed back style but they do have a decently wide and tall sound that doesn’t feel closed and they are competent well in their range. They are wider than tall and do perform like a near field monitor that focuses the sound straight to your ear instead of dispersing the sound field, producing an immersive, lively sound that has adequate air and space. Headroom here is spacious and has a medium headroom with no boxy feels. In terms of accuracy, the NH20 possesses a holographic soundstage that has an accurate 3D spatial awareness with directions of sound easily distinguished, making them suitable headphones for gaming. Overall, for their closed back nature in this price range, their soundstage is still competitively good and airy.

Separation and Timbre

Separation here is superb and punches above their asking price here. Imaging and layering is accurately clean. Crosstalk issues are non-existent and that contributes to a wide dynamic range that separates the left and right sound in a wide, accurate stereo width. Timbre here is natural as they don’t display the usual planar metallic timbre, instead they are accurate and natural sounding really close to a dynamic driver in this region. Timbre here is best described as punchy, rich, lively and full of energy.

Drivability

While rated at 50 ohms with a 110db sensitivity, they do need some driving power to perform to their best but don’t necessarily need a dedicated full fledged desktop setup to perform with adequate volume. A simple dongle wouldn’t be sufficient for them to unleash their potential and they are rather suppressed, meanwhile, a better, stronger setup does scale them up quite significantly by increasing their dynamic range, imaging and clarity. Source matching here does slightly lean towards a neutral sound with a slightly warm tone in to give some extra body while keeping the neutrality but may also match bright sources to give them some extra energy for trebleheads. The NH20 is a pair of headphones that is quite unforgiving as they are revealing and picky in the types of files being played benefitting from a good mastered track making them a suitable pair of headphones for a monitoring for editing and producing music apart from onstage usage.

The Bass (Low)

The bass is a neutral flat type of bass that is linear and pure without any addition in amount, giving the bass as it is. It has the authority when called upon by giving a tight, clean slam that doesn’t feel muted but the amount here surely isn’t for bassheads. Details here are superb and they possess a clean, clear, textured bass that is highly technical, free of any bloat, muddiness or bleed. Mid-bass is relatively flat with no major peaks but they do have a slow roll off that  extends well, giving an airy, spacious bass presentation. Resolution here is great with a defined overall bass that also excels in their transparency. The sub-bass is natural with a good rumble that reaches low and due to their closed back, damped system, the sub-bass has the presence without being muted. The overall bass do have a good pace to keep up with bassy tracks but energy here is slightly average. A quality over quantity situation indeed.

The Mids

Midrange on the NH20 is a neutral flat presentation that has a touch of warmth embedded, preventing the overall mids from being too dry or cold. There is some thickness present here but in an acceptable amount for them to stay relatively neutral. The mids are full with no gaps and there is some focus towards the upper midrange that gives a slightly brighter signature. Details here are great that put the  focus on the macro details alongside decent micro details and they do have a clean, clear midrange. The accuracy here is really good as there is no colouration present and they are highly resolving with a vivid yet precise sound reproduction. Vocals here are faithful with a slightly intimate sound that is close to your ears with a good amount of brilliance. The tuning here actually suits female vocals better for their shiny brilliance. Instruments sounded correct but on some bass driven instruments like bass, cello and bass violins, they do lack body but only on certain bright sources.

The Highs

The high range here is a neutral with a mild boost at the 10kHz and above to give the highs a good amount of air and presence. The high range does has the house sound of NF ACOUS and they are similar to the NM series IEMs with an energetic, boosted highs that is a little spicy but well done. There isn’t any sibilance nor shout present and they are relatively smooth and neutral albeit slightly boosted. The details here is top class and rivals competitors way above their price range as they are clean, clear and possess an airy highs that is both enjoyable and accurate. Timbre here is spot on with a breathy, brassy, piercy highs that managed to sound natiral and excels with most genres giving a lively sound that prevents the NH20 from sounding too safe or boring. Sparkle here is strong yet controlled and they possess a crisp decay that makes the high range uniquely NF ACOUS signature. But that being said, for those who are highly sensitive to treble or a laid-back sound lover, the NH20 might not be for you as I do find the treble are on the intense side in a small margin and in return, the clarity push that these type of treble gives is great.

Comparisons

VS Kiwi Ears X Z Reviews Serene (169USD)

The Serene is a custom planar driver with a similar closed back system by Kiwi Ears in collaboration with Z Reviews and they are priced slightly less than the NH20. They are slightly harder to drive with a smaller size albeit still a circumaural headphones. The dual 3.5mm entry on the Serene makes cable rolling easier and they have a V shaped sound that is energetic yet still packs full details across the spectrum. Technically the NH20 is the better one in technicalities but the Serene has a more fun, bass dominant style of sound.

The high region of the NH20 is slightly more refined and has a crisper sparkle that gives more air to the music while the Serene does sound a little more energetic. Details are better on the NH20 but both have good clarity here. Timbre does sound better on the NH20 with more accuracy. Trebles on both have an intense type but NH20 does have a more extended treble.

Midranges both have a similar neutral signature but the NH20 has better presence here and they aren’t recessed like the Serene. Details are better on the NH20 with more clarity. The NH20 are more resolving with better accuracy and timbre while the Serene midrange has a dash of colouration on the, thus sound more fun albeit isn’t as natural. Vocals on the Serene sounded sweeter and lusher while the NH20 has a more natural, and balanced vocal presentation alongside better brilliance.

Bass quantity on the Serene sounds bigger with a good amount of mid-bass and they  dive deeper with a bigger sub-bass response while the NH20 has a more correct amount of bass that sounds more accurate. Details and clarity on both are similar but texture seems better on the NH20. The Serene does have the edge of being more immersive.

Soundstage on the NH20 is wider with an airier presentation marginally alongside better air.

Verdict: The neutrality on the NH20 does have the upper hand in technicalities and sounds more accurate but the Serene has a more fun sound with more immersion. Pick your poison.

VS Sony MDR-MV1 (299USD)

The MV1 from the Japanese giants, Sony, is a lineage studio grade open back headphones that is priced slightly above the NH20 but has the same sound motive, to give a studio sound that plays music as it is. Though they are positioned more towards a studio usage instead of on stage, they do share similarities in their neutrality and transparency with the NH20 but with some differences in tuning. Value wise, the NH20 gives better value for their nylon hard case inclusion in a lower price but the material used on the MV1 is slightly better with more metal parts used. Build on both are on par with each other.

Highs on the NH20 is stronger with more energy along with brighter and crisper presentation versus slightly laid-back, smoother highs of the MV1. Details and clarity is better on the NH20 here along with more resolving highs but the MV1 does have a more natural timbre. Treble on the NH20 is more intense and they gave the edge in the overall clarity.

The midrange of the MV1 is slightly more resolving with a slight forwardness to them but clarity and details are better on the NH20 marginally. The MV1 does possess a thicker mids with a mild dash of colouration that leans towards the lower range while the NH20 sounds clearer and cleaner with a more upper mid range brilliance. Vocals on the NH20 sound livelier but the MV1 excels better in depth.

The bass quantity is similar in amount but the MV1 sounds a tad meatier and punchier with a more evident mid-bass while the NH20 has a quicker bass with a tighter slam. Details on the NH20 here are cleaner while clarity on both are similar. The sub-bass on the MV1 had a slightly bigger rumble with better presence while still being as accurate.

The soundstage on the MV1 does has the edge partly due to their open back style and they are wider, more spacious but both possesses great air in the soundstage.

Verdict: The NH20 has the better value of both with slightly better technicalities but the house sound of Sony studio lineage does has better timbre and a more immersive sound.

Synergy

Due to their neutral bright signature, the NF ACOUS NH20 fare well with most warm to neutral setups from the likes of AKM, Cirrus Logic and Burr Brown but not so much on bright sources like some Sabre based chipset with the infamous Sabre hump. Some power is needed for them to perform to their best, so a decent dongle or portable DAC/amp to a desktop setup will do the NH20 justice.

Good matching: Neutral to warm desktop setup, Qudelix T71, Hidizs S8 Pro, Questyle M15, IFI Diablo, 7HZ Artemis39, FiiO Q15

Not so good matching: EPZ TP35, FiiO KA3, Dunu DTC100, FiiO Q7

Who Is It For?

Suited for studio use, monitoring, on stage, musicians, critical listeners, audiophiles, gamers, travels.

Not really suitable for movies, bassheads, treble sensitive users, mainstream users.

Genres selection: Classicals, acoustics, pop, rock, instrumentals, ACG, metal, live performances.

Not recommended genres: EDM, hip-hop, modern pop.

Final words

Through extensive work with musicians and studios, NF ACOUS has refined its expertise into the studio-grade NH20 headphones. They carry the brand’s signature sound defined by a strong, refined treble and deliver top-tier technical performance with an exciting, energetic upper range. The NH20 is thoughtfully built from the ground up with self developed dyanmic drivers, meticulous tuning and high quality components that sounds as good as it feels. While slightly light on bass weight, with a slight treble intensity and no balanced cable included, these are minor notes in an otherwise outstanding package. For discerning listeners, the NH20 is a compelling and dedicated studio offering. What a great headphones debut NF ACOUS.

I would rate this product a 4 and half stars over 5 stars.

Pros

• Superb technicalities
• Solid build, well designed
• Unique 4 pole 3.5mm left or right easy connection
• High earpads, highly comfortable cashmere
• Great passive isolation
• Near neutral reference sound
• Top class separation, imaging, resolution and transparency
• Great overall clarity and details
• Good piercy , breathy timbre
• Decent headroom and soundstage
• Linear, extended bass
• Natural sub-bass
• Clean, accurate midrange without being thin and overly sterile
• Great amount of brilliance
• Energetic, sparkly, crisp high range
• Well extended, intense treble
• Relatively easy to drive
• Beautiful, practical nylon hard case
• Value for studio/onstage headphones

Cons

• May lack openness as a closed back headphones (nit-pick)
• Not a fun type of sound for mainstream listeners
• Not for bassheads
• Not for treble sensitive users (subjective)
• No balanced cables