ND LEO – COLOURED FUN

INTRODUCTION:

The budget arena never ceases to fascinate me! The only segment that feels refreshing even in today’s standards. Brands tend to capture this market especially to grab the attention of the large consumer base. The segment which was once ruled by few products now gets competition from various colonies.

This segment paves way for a brand to etch its name in the field of audio. Still, the budget segment has a bigger consumer base compared to the high tier segment. The trend has shifted where now premium brands have started to enter this budget segment to secure their spot and the recent releases are a great example for this.

ND, the brand introduced itself as a budget competitor through is array of products. The ND NICE was my favourite out of all and still I do remember the beautiful sonic portray of it. Today, in our hands is the ND LEO, a single dynamic driver IEM with a LCP Diaphragm, enclosed in a resin plastic shell that looks minimal and functional.

DISCLAIMER:

This unit was provided to me by ND Official in exchange for my honest opinion. Despite this being a review unit, the review is based on my impressions without any influence. The views might vary from person to person depending on the pairing and sources.

ND LEO SPECIFICATIONS:

Driver Unit: 10mm Dynamic Driver

Impedance: 18Ω

Sensitivity: 106±3dB

Frequency Response Range: 20Hz – 20000Hz

Cable Material: High-Purity OFC Twin-Core Cable

Pin Type: 0.75mm (Type-C 2-Pin)

Connector Type: 3.5mm / Type-C

BUILD AND DESIGN:

The usual ABS plastic shell is what used in Leo and is done by the manufacturers to keep the price in control. Despite the cheap plastic build, the finishing appears smooth with no noticeable sharp edges. The faceplate gets a metallic touch to add a sense of beauty to its minimalistic outlook.

The 2 pin connectors protrude out to receive the stock cable’s input which feels basic by the way. The interesting thing to note is the metallic nozzle! Which is not a usual thing in the budget segment. The generic ear tips are included in the package and does the job without any issues.

ND LEO SOUND IMPRESSIONS:

SIGNATURE: V shaped Profile

Tonality: Natural with Warm Tint

BASS PROFILE:

The beauty of a dynamic driver lies in its bass extension. This digs deep enough to bring the smile on one’s face! The rumbles are brought out clean with nice mid bass impact. Leo has adequate weight and warmth in the bass section which gives enough dynamism to the overall presentation.

They rely on a slower side attack and decay which makes the Leo to represent a fuller bass profile and full-bodied presentation. Bass heads will see the Leo to be more appealing cause of its bouncy bass profile. The bass of Leo in general feels fuller and thicker thereby giving the listeners a juicy sensation with a wider low-end scene.

The negatives are of course the bleed into the mid-section. The thick mid bass does interfere and overshadows the mid-section. For most part they appear clean yet struggles a bit when complex tracks demand more precision.

MID-SECTION:

The constraint in the V shaped signature is its recessed mid profile and that’s shown evidently in the Leo. The mid-section is pushed back and this makes them appear slightly veiled in presentation. The low end and treble take up the stage leaving little room for the mid profile to shine upfront.

The tone however is kept as natural as possible with a hint of warmth to carry the low-end theme. The lower mid profile displays a fuller feel and all thanks to the thick mid bass profile. This gives proper depth to the male vocals and kick drums.

The upper mid-section got decent extension thereby allowing the percussion instruments to shine well. Despite the extension, the female vocals struggle to come upfront due to the pushed back mid profile.

Overall, the mid-section is a hit or miss in the Leo. The laidback profile gives a sense of relaxed listen but at the same time it sacrifices the spice and energy that lies in the vocals.

TREBLE:

Leo has a good extension in the treble section that resonates well and makes the presentation look vivid. There are enough brightness and air in the top end but often get masked by the thicker bass profile. The attack and decay slides on the precise side which can be appreciated by Leo’s portrayal of trumpets and horns.

The sibilance is well under control yet it showcases a bit sharp edged notes when complex tracks show up. The timbre of the instruments feels natural with no artificial tint to it.

Treble in general has a good potential to shine however the thick and bouncy bass profile often masks the face of the treble. Overall, it appears pretty pleasing and does extracts adequate details and nuances out of the track.

TECHNICALITIES:

STAGING: The stage feels quite constricted in the Leo. Considering its price it’s quite obvious to have a contained stage presence. Despite the small staging, the notes are neatly spread out without noticeable congestion. It’s mostly observed when the complex tracks demand that sort of expansion to represent a massive presentation.

IMAGING AND LAYERING: This aspect is handled well by the Leo showing no compromise in terms of imaging and layering. The placement of the notes appears to be on the precise side with smooth transitions. The notes are layered out well on the basis of their depth thus creating a nice depth effect to the overall presentation.

DETAIL RETRIEVAL: They appear to be on the modest side and nothing to be complained considering its price tag. Though they are not a detail monster, they do extract the essential nuances that brings sparkle onto the table.

VERDICT:

Leo, form the house of ND, equipped with a single Dynamic Driver comfortably sits under 20USD. The game always gets spicy in the budget arena! The most fascinating aspect of this segment is that it pushes every brand to unleash their maximum potential to capture the market regardless of their fame. ND being already known for their budget category, the Leo tries to fit in this segment amidst the heavy crowd.

The V shaped signature is something that many adore. This signature has a separate fan base cause of its massive bass profile with accentuated treble section. The trade-off is of course the laidback mid-section that pushes the vocals backward and veiled. If one can live with the trade off, then the Leo adds up as a COLORED iem in one’s collection.

POSITIVES AND NEGATIVES:

Pros:

1. Mid Bass Punch
2. Thicker Mid Profile
3. Energetic Treble Profile
4. Neutral Tone with Warm Tint
5. Value Proposition

Cons:

1. Veiled Mid-Section
2. Limited Headroom