Now as the summer is raging time for essentials, meet NF Audio NA3 Essentials. NF Audio is a brand who knows what they are doing and results are fantastic even at NM2 we had reviewed. Fantastic because it was the first model with price tag so low. Let’s examine the SQ of this summer themed iem.
Pros_
Controlled yet bassy overall
Clarity
Vocal monitoring ability
Cons_
Dark timbre
Treble that is not shining
Mundane cable
Box, Cable and NA3
Iem’s color themed and illustrated in a weird way. What can you expect from a Chinese iem company who doesn’t want to be called as chifi? There are many eartips with its box too.
The unit is simple in looks. Digital Monster character is embedded on the backplate. And cable is retractable too. Overall volume is tiny. However not for #smalleargang and air venting is only a tiny hole. Somewhat disappointing.
The cable is crude. It is almost like the PVC Cable of recently reviewed KBear Little Q. However replaceable cable and presence of Y split and chin guard are making up for it.
Sound
Within seconds I understand that NA3 needs power and stock Bd005pro eartips give it a sound that is heavily lacking bass. And i feel forced to roll the eartips with Balanced M within its OG box..I normally review or first impression any iem with its OG tips, but these eartips are causing a horrific sound so now balanced M tips – thats the second time I do this throughout in my whole iem life – first was 05s
After re running its first go, now I am hearing an actually balanced sound yet not a true Audiophile grade sound I used to hear with NM2. Bass is slightly boomy but soundstage is close to the listener and wide in Limehouse Blues. If it had good (light piercing and tonalitywise faithful to the source) treble, I would rate this OK for smooth jazz.
But starting Centipede, it’s showing the true colors of its nature.. Basses are colossal and clarity is pretty high before or after the bass drop.
Although the colossal bass of dubstep, Bella Lula of Jason Mraz is resulting with a melancholic young adult and free of crispness male vocal in my face as its mix desires. Details are quite good. And the bass is a little much for an acoustic track. However, 40/100 volume level is giving out a moderate to high volume. The same goes for Madonna too.
Gaming
Thumpy but not vibrating gunshots. It’s somewhat realistic at reflecting those. Details are slightly better than meh. However with the front presentation, compressed stage when underpowered and lineer treble, it’s still same if you raise the volume up. But positioning is better than meh.
NF Audio NA3 Essentials Review Conclusions
So my final conclusions of this summer atmosphere (and indeed sound like Bqeyz Summer as well) iem are mixed: its a bass colored and cheaper tuned NM2 with better build. Deal with it at its ~$50 price. You can’t have a Heart Mirror all the time. But do not back down. You won’t be getting a chunk of plastic with careless tuning in the end.
However if you accept that its an iem made for summer and focus on the fun, with this perspective, it’s final score is an easy %75
Thanks to HifiGO and NF Audio for making this review possible.
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