Disclaimer
NF Audio NM2+ was sent to me for review, but there were no expectations for a positive or a negative review. All thoughts and impressions shared here are based on my unbiased experience with the product.
Introduction
The NF Audio NM2+ is a single dynamic driver IEM priced at $170. Before trying these out, I hadn’t done much research on them, but I had been hearing about the brand more and more, especially with the recent rebranding to NF Acous. This item’s packaging still carries the original NF Audio branding. I wasn’t sure what to expect from the NM2+, but the unboxing experience left me pleasantly surprised, especially considering the professional appeal advertised on the box.
Design and Comfort
The NM2+ comes in a box that feels premium. The packaging is thoughtful, with the ear tips neatly organized on a card instead of being tossed into a plastic bag. It also includes a 6.35mm jack adapter, reinforcing its professional monitoring intent. The carrying case, with the NF Audio logo, is compact and well-built, offering a nice touch of durability.
The IEMs themselves are solid and high-quality, with a durable feel. The cable is decent in length and build, and suitable for stage use, though it lacks explicit right/left markings, relying on its asymmetric design for orientation. However, the included cable didn’t impress me much; it feels somewhat underwhelming in quality for a product at this price point. On the positive side, it uses a QDC-style 2-pin connector, which is a bit more secure for stage use than regular 0.78mm 2-pin options.
In terms of comfort, the NM2+ sits well in the ear. Despite my smaller ears, they felt lightweight and comfortable, barely touching the sides of my ear canal. However, noise isolation seemed a bit lacking, especially for louder environments like live performances or noisy studios.
Sound Performance
To evaluate the NM2+, I used a Shanling M9 Plus for the best possible source and went through a variety of tracks.
Starting with O-Zone Percussion Group’s Conflict of Interest, the soundstage stood out as above average, with a satisfying sense of space. The treble leaned on the brighter side, especially noticeable with instruments like cymbals. However, there’s a slight dip before the upper treble, creating a feeling of body thinness in some mid and high-mid instruments. I suspect there’s a peak around 6kHz or 7kHz, leading to the treble occasionally feeling sharp.
Next, I listened to Max Schults’ El Corazon, a track focused on mid and low-mid classical guitar. The NM2+ handled the track well, revealing subtle details like the delay synced to the metronome—a tricky detail for less resolving IEMs. The soundstage height felt adequately large here as well, creating a convincing sense of space.
The NM2+ is marketed as a professional IEM meant for monitoring rather than critical listening. That said, its frequency response felt close enough to reference for live monitoring purposes. Tracks like Peder af Uglass’ Water gave me a convincing impression of the recording space, with slide guitars coming dangerously close to my tolerance for sharp treble, though they never crossed the line into sibilance.
On 1979 by Pain of Salvation, the NM2+ reproduced vocal details with remarkable clarity. I could hear the compressor working on the vocal track, and the slap delay effect was easy to discern—excellent transparency for this price range.
Sub-bass had noticeable roll-off, particularly below 80Hz. However, between 80Hz and 130Hz, the bass felt well-extended with good control.
Lastly, with Dream Theater’s As I Am, the limitations of the single dynamic driver became apparent in more complex passages. During chaotic sections, the NM2+ struggled slightly with separation, leading to some blurring across the frequency spectrum.
Ease of Driving
The NM2+ is relatively easy to drive but definitely scales with higher-end equipment. When paired with my Shanling M9 Plus, it performed at its best, revealing more details and delivering a cleaner sound than with entry-level sources. It retains its core characteristics with lower-end gear, but you can easily hear improvements when using better sources.
NF Audio NM2+ Personal Comments
Overall, the NM2+ delivers a solid, detail-oriented performance that is well-suited for musicians, sound engineers, and those who prefer analytical listening. However, the stock cable detracts from the experience, and I found significant improvement when switching to a pure copper cable, which tamed the treble and improved overall sound quality. Additionally, using foam tips greatly improved isolation and slightly rounded off the treble sharpness.
For $170, it’s a competitive IEM, but compared to something like the cheaper Truthear Hexa, I found myself wondering if the price difference was justified. While the Hexa is more musical and easier to listen to for casual HiFi enthusiasts, the NM2+ is a better fit for those looking for a more analytical, monitor-like sound signature.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Detailed and spacious soundstage, great for analytical listening.
- Durable design with well-thought packaging tailored for professional use.
- Comfortable fit, even for smaller ears.
- QDC-style 2-pin connectors offer secure attachment for stage use.
- Scales well with higher-end sources.
Cons:
- Treble can be sharp for some listeners, especially on cymbals and high frequencies.
- Stock cable feels underwhelming in terms of quality.
- Noise isolation could be better, especially for loud environments.
- Some blurring in complex tracks.
Also, check out Mahir’s opinion on NF Audio NM2+ as well.
