Speaking of "Guoding" (home-made customized earphones), it can be said that in recent years, it has been a flourishing trend, and all major brands can be said that a hundred flowers bloom. Among them, NF AUDIO is a very special brand. It is no doubt that the focus on neutral tone and the founder "Laoyang", who is highly competitive, are all brand characteristics. The author also recently received the first batch of NF6 personal film earphones (if there is no accident, it should be the first, of course, people should keep a low profile). I take this opportunity to share this new product with you.

The following share is based on the private NF6 retail version, which is slightly different from the public version of the tour audition in terms of sound. In addition, in order to grab the first earphone, it has not been warmed up for a long enough time, so the sense of hearing is only for reference.

Since it is the first release, it is still necessary to write down a running account. Before writing about the sense of listening, let's first learn some basic information about this earphone, which is called "portable ceiling":

NF AUDIO NF6

Unit configuration: six balance armature units (commonly known as moving iron)

Frequency division: 4 frequency division (9 components)

Sensitivity: 106dB@1kHz

Impedance: 18 Ω @ 1kHz

Frequency response range: 8-30kHz

Distortion:<0.5%

Sound insulation: 26dB

In terms of parameters, NF6 does not seem to be very special. According to the popular routine, the number of units can only be said to be medium (after all, the units of many brands have reached double digits). From the sensitivity and impedance, NF6 is a headset with low resistance and high sensitivity (however, it is not very easy to push, as will be mentioned below). The most special thing is that NF6 uses three moving iron units at a time, including the well-known Knowles' BK series and ED series units, Sonion Sonic's 3300 series units (composite units), and the moving iron units (composite high-frequency units) jointly developed by NF AUDIO and Double Sound Acoustics.

Of course, I won't tear down my earphones. Here is the last official photo of the independent R&D unit of NF AUDIO. Some people have said that this unit is just "marking", but according to the author's understanding (the author was lucky to attend the press conference of Double Sound Dynamic Iron Unit), when cooperating with manufacturers, Double Sound will carry out special development according to the needs of specific manufacturers, and NF AUDIO is the product of in-depth cooperation with Double Sound, It is different from other moving iron units of double sound in some indicators and materials.

Laoyang has made great efforts in frequency division when developing this earphone. A circuit board with an exaggerated area is directly inserted inside the NF6 for frequency division, which is the origin of NF6's promotion of "nine frequency division components". Although there are plenty of materials, the number of frequency dividers is not surprising. There are four channels of low, medium, medium high and extremely high frequency dividers. From the perspective of this frequency division architecture, NF6 does not enhance the sense of low frequency with the current. We know that many multi frequency division earphones have extremely low frequency and low frequency frequency division. In this respect, NF6 seems to be intended to strengthen high-frequency processing. PS： The author still looks forward to the emergence of one unit corresponding to one crossover earphone like SE5WAY in China. Considering the "555" monster combination of five units, five frequency divisions and five catheters, it sounds particularly aggressive. However, it is estimated that there will be a lot of trouble in this way. You can only click Laoyang to create an NF6 Plus in the future and use the "666" configuration.

NF6 picture appreciation

Since they are customized earphones, they are generally similar in shape (after all, they should be made according to ear prints), but the materials, tube lengths, colors, panel designs and cavity sizes of each household are all different, which also create a variety of customized earphones.

NF6 still comes with a Pelican 1010 waterproof storage box, whose market price is about 100 yuan.

The NF6 customized by the author is not very complicated in the selection of Artwork, but it should also fully reflect the "customized" style. On the left is the transparent purple chamber+brushed blue panel+personal signature logo, and on the right is the transparent green chamber+wood grain panel+NF brand logo.

The results are basically in line with expectations, but the color seems to be a bit too "dark". The details of the right panel are not easy to see, which is also a drawback.

The author's NF6 is the first item of the first release, so the number is also very special, NF6000 *, and the prefix of the user's name is also in front of the number, but this lettering is only on one side, engraved on the top of the headset.

NF6 adopts hard mold design, and the conduit is not very deep, probably just at the "second bend" position.

The pilot hole is also a continuation of the feature of the NF series. It uses a multi in one structure. It is said that such a design can increase the sound field. Of course, the disadvantage is also obvious. It is easy to let dirt fall into the hole. In fact, similar designs are rare. Among the mainstream products, only VE (Vision Ears) and Rhines from Germany use similar pilot hole settings.

Like most customizations, NF6 also uses the interchangeable cable design and the mainstream 0.78mm double pin. What needs to be complained about is that the phase of NF AUDIO is opposite to that of other 0.78mm earphones, with the signal+pole at the bottom and other earphones at the top. Students who hold a large number of local luxury upgrade cables should pay special attention to this. When customizing NF earphones, they should specify this point. If the+pole is set above, it can be perfectly compatible with the existing upgrade cables. Although theoretically, the opposite phases of the left and right sides will not cause great changes in the sound, it is still a bit awkward psychologically.

Sound performance

As the first multi unit high-end headphone of NF AUDIO, NF6 has attracted much attention in terms of sound performance. After auditions in Guangzhou, Beijing and other places, many fans also shared their listening experience with NF6 male models, and most players still gave very positive comments. However, there are few people who think NF6 is extremely difficult to push. After pushing, they can even win the T1 battle with Baya Power. It seems that there is still a big difference in everyone's opinion.

First, let's talk about the equipment for audition

Headphones: NF6, NF4, VE6 X1 (for fairness, the original wires of NF AUDIO are uniformly used here)

Portable front end: iPhone 7 Plus、 Feiao X7+AM3 balance module

Machine: PC+Benchmark DAC2L+BHA-1

Music: omnivorous, mainly vocal, of course, the song itself must be enough "Hi Res".

Direct push sense of hearing

Since NF6 is really "current hungry", it is expected that it did not play its due strength on the direct push, so this time the listening sensation is also divided into two situations: direct push and onstage. In terms of parameters, NF6 is a headset with high sensitivity and low resistance, but in fact it is not easy to push.

First, the iPhone 7 Plus, the popular fried chicken of mobile phones, has played a leading role in all aspects of mobile phones. It's a pity that Apple took a bad lead in audio this time, and even removed the 3.5mm interface. This is a disastrous decision for us who like to listen to music. Although Apple is "kind" to be equipped with a Lightning to 3.5mm adapter, it is quite embarrassing to hang its tail when listening to music, and cannot recharge when you want to listen to music.

In terms of sound quality, the iPhone 7 Plus and the previous generation are slightly better than the previous generation (but the gap is very small). There is a 338S00140 Codec in the Lightning to 3.5mm adapter. iPhone 7 Plus When connected to NF6, the first ear did not say that it could not be heard at all, and the basic trend of the sound was still audible. The quality of the product was significantly improved compared with that of the previous product (taking NF4 as an example, it was my private film after all, and I had heard it for a long time. However, it is estimated that NF3 and NF3Bass are the main forces). As the number of units increased, the sound density also increased. However, it can be felt that the sound cannot be turned on. The high and low frequencies are not displayed. The sound field is also somewhat narrow, and the sound direction is slightly brighter. However, it always gives people a feeling of powerlessness of the four cylinder BMW X6. It can be seen that the NF6 still has a lot of strength to use.

For the X7 with AM3, there is no balance port, even though the 3.5mm port has been significantly improved compared with the iPhone 7 Plus. In terms of thrust, AM3 has basically met the "harsh" requirements of NF6. AM3 is no longer a fuel saving lamp. It can achieve an output power of more than 170mW (32 Ω) under the unbalanced port, while a mobile phone like the iPhone is generally only about 20mW. In terms of "loudness", here is also a reference. X7+AM3 adjusts the high gain. With a 3.5mm port, NF4 requires a volume of more than 40 to have a more appropriate sound pressure, while NF6 requires a volume of more than 50. From the perspective of "push sound", NF6 is obviously more difficult than NF4. At this time, it should be more referential to evaluate the listening sense of NF6. After all, most people who want to cook should use the front end of this grade or worse. First, by definition, NF6 is a headset with a well balanced sound style. Compared with NF4, NF6 has a more balanced middle and high frequency, and its adaptability is wider, because its low frequency is obviously more solid, and its low frequency sense of quantity and texture is better. With the increase of the number of units, NF6 has significantly improved its sound resolution and sound density. In terms of specific three frequencies, the low-frequency diving has been greatly enhanced, and the sound field has also been significantly increased. The amount of low frequency can not be said to be surging, but it can also be regarded as fist to meat. I believe that there is no need to produce another "NF6Bass" this time. The thickness of the intermediate frequency is increased and more calm. Relatively speaking, NF6 will be more suitable for male voices, and NF4 will be thinner and more elegant, more suitable for female voices. Of course, this is just about "fitness". Sound quality is no longer a level contest. The details and density of intermediate frequency are also better than NF6. In terms of high frequency, NF6 will be more smooth in the connection of medium and high frequency, and the extensibility of UHF is also better than NF4. In terms of high frequency, NF6 has done quite well, which should benefit from the independently developed high-frequency composite unit and the processing of frequency division.

Next is the play of PK with VE6. VE6 is a flagship customized headset with great controversy. One reason may be that the male model does not play well in sound, and the other may be that some batches have a lot of quality problems and the "delayed order event" has led to its low popularity. The author's VE6 should belong to an earlier batch. Fortunately, there are no problems in workmanship and quality, and there is no low-frequency disability in sound, as some burn friends said. It is worth noting that VE6 X1 is compared here, that is, the version with relatively more low frequencies and relatively less high frequencies and transparency. First of all, in terms of information volume and quality, VE6 is close to NF6, and there will be no obvious quality difference between VE6 and NF4. In the case of X7 direct push, the overall control force of VE6 is better than that of NF6. After all, VE6 still has a relatively targeted "optimization" in direct push. In terms of high-frequency, the better high-frequency extension and smoothness of NF6 in home comparison have been at a disadvantage compared with VE6. It is estimated that the gap will be larger if the VE6 X2 is replaced. In terms of intermediate frequency, the voice of VE6 should be more attentive, and the analysis should be better. The intermediate frequency of NF6 is thicker than that of VE6, and the "iron" flavor will be less. In terms of low frequency, NF6 has a greater sense of low frequency, but it is still inferior to VE6 in terms of diving and texture. In this link, there is still a gap between the two. After all, NF6 is not so good to serve. In addition, VE6 is fully warmed up, while NF6 does not. This result is also expected.

Audio sense of console

It has long been heard that NF6 will have unlimited potential when it is put on the console. Here, a BHA-1 with enough "power" is also used as an ear amplifier for audition. Sure enough, as the saying goes, great efforts can make a miracle. With such a violent ear amplifier (32 Ω can reach 2.9W output power at most), NF6 has become obedient. This is what we should have: the analytical power, sound field, looseness, and sound dynamics have all been improved explosively, which made me wonder whether Lao Yang used a desktop earphone when tuning. When NF6 is launched, it is like getting through the two channels of Ren and Du. In contrast, the direct push triple frequency of Guozhuan seems crowded. The most surprising thing is that the overall sound has been greatly improved on the three frequencies, without the feeling of pushing too far. The high frequency is more malleable, and the sound field is two circles larger, especially the longitudinal sound field performance is really surprising. The texture, separation and transparency of the IF can no longer be found in the plug at this price. In terms of low frequency, the problem of diving and lack of texture in the direct push of the National Brick has disappeared. In return, the low frequency performance has excellent atmosphere and quality. Of course, there is still a gap between the looseness and smoothness of Big Ear and Big Ear. At this time, NF6 has enough confidence to face VE6. Although the latter has also improved since it was put into operation, its leap is still smaller than the former. When comparing NF6 and VE6 under the console, it can be considered that the quality is basically the same. Of course, the sound styles of the two are quite different. In terms of medium and high frequency, the connection of VE6 will be more natural, and the amount of information in high frequency will also be more, but the gap is not big. The thickness of the intermediate frequency NF6 is lower than that of the direct push, but it is still a little thicker than that of the VE6. The sound density of the two is similar, the NF6 is more straightforward, the VE6 is more emotional, and the intermediate frequency resolution VE6 is slightly superior. The low frequency sense NF6 converges much more than the direct push, but the low frequency is still slightly more than VE6. For some low frequency controllers, the NF6 on the console may be "not enough". It is not surprising that VE6 is defined as "low frequency disabled". To sum up, NF6 has the strength to challenge VE6 after it is launched.

summary

As a customized headset, it should serve the Walkman or even the mobile phone, but from the characteristics of NF6, it seems that it is a strong product. From the three-step improvement of mobile phone → walkman → mobile phone, NF6 is a rare headset with obvious differences and significant improvement in three frequencies, which is different from other multi unit dynamic iron earphones. As far as the product itself is concerned, the most suitable front end should be the national brick of 4k or above. The product at this price level will not be hard to push, and can play its due value. From this experience, NF6 is a customized headset that is suitable for struggling and has great potential to be tapped. The NF6 that gives full play to its strength is very competitive in the price of 7k. However, if you insist on using mobile phones, you may lose much of its effect.

This is the end of the first experience and sharing of NF6. Due to time constraints, NF6 has not been fully warmed up. I believe it will improve after it is warmed up. Considering that the comparison is more convenient and direct, this time only the original NF AUDIO line is used for several earphones. If it is matched with various high-end wires or even balance wires, NF6 and VE6 will perform better. These are some regrets for this comparison.