NF Acous NA20

A Musical Evolution: The NF Acous NA20

The NF Acous NA20 is a single dynamic driver earphone that represents a very nice upgrade over the original NM20. I only got to try the NM20 at a trade show, so I was delighted with the opportunity to test out the NA20 and see what it can do.

The NA20 delivers a musical, V-shaped sound signature that excels at pulling details from your music, but what immediately stood out was its extremely lightweight and comfortable design.

Before we get into the sound, let’s get into looking at what was a pretty impressive unboxing:

Unboxing and Build Quality

The unboxing experience of the NA20 is impressive, especially at this price point. NF Acous has clearly put thought into creating a premium first impression:

Removing the outside sleeve reveals the inside box:

But then opening this box reveals an impressive layout that showcases the IEMs and accessories:

The IEMs come presented in an elegant CD-like holder, adding to the premium unboxing experience:

Inside the package, you’ll find:

• NF Acous NA20 IEMs
• Detachable cable
• Selection of ear tips
• Hard carrying case
• Documentation

The ear tip selection 4 ear tip sizes - but I would have preferred a few more options:

I mainly used my own earips, but I did try the large ones during my initial listening tests.

The included cable, while functional and looks well at initial unveiling:

Is somewhat annoying in use as it tends to tangle easily.

This is one area where the NA20 could be improved.

But the IEM connector on the cable is well-made and provides a secure connection with its recessed design:

A headphone adapter is also included for versatility:

The 3.5mm adapter constructed well:

So, my only complaints with the accessories are that the cable does get tangled easily, and it would have been nice to
get more eartips.

The IEM shells themselves are very nice with a cool semi-transparent plastic:

But how comfortable are they?

Fit and Comfort

The NA20 truly excels in the comfort department.

The shell design is very lightweight and ergonomic, similar in some ways to the Truthear Gate.

This makes it particularly suitable for users with smaller ears:

The nozzle size and angle are well-designed for a secure fit and maintaining a proper seal. This was one of my favourite IEM shell from this year as far as comfort is concerned:

The lightweight shells distribute pressure evenly, and the smooth contours prevent any hotspots from developing during extended use.

Size Comparison with Truthear Gate

A size comparison with Truthear Gate, another comfortable and extremely light weight IEM:

As shown, the NA20 has a similar form factor to the Truthear Gate, reinforcing its suitability for users with smaller ears and those who prioritize comfort during extended listening sessions.

Sound Quality

The NF Acous NA20 delivers a warm, engaging sound signature that prioritizes musicality and emotional connection over analytical precision. Basically, it has a nice V-shaped sound with some extra treble to give it a little bit of ‘musicality,’ but that also might mean that it will sound a little sibilant for some people.

Bass

The bass response on the NA20 is warm but nicely extended into the subbass. There’s a satisfying weight to the low end that adds body and warmth to music, particularly noticeable in genres like electronic, hip-hop, and modern pop.

James Blake – “Limit to Your Love” The NA20 delivers the deep, tactile sub-bass drops of this track with satisfying rumble and weight, highlighting its warm and extended low-end without clouding the mids.

Midrange

The midrange presentation is melodic and clean with fairly tight transients, yet never clinical. It can be a little laid-back in some tracks, vocals and instruments maintain good presence and clarity.

Male vocals have appropriate weight and body, while female vocals sound clear and emotive. Instruments like guitars, pianos, and strings display good timbre and texture. The midrange tuning strikes a good balance between detail and warmth, contributing to the overall musical presentation.

Track: Norah Jones – “Don’t Know Why” This track reveals the NA20’s smooth, emotive midrange — Norah’s vocals come through with natural warmth and clarity, never veering into harshness or over-analytical territory.

Treble

The treble response on the NA20 is well-extended and detailed, providing the sparkle and air that completes its V-shaped signature. There’s good detail retrieval, though some users may notice a touch of splash in the lower treble at times and occasional sibilance with certain tracks. You might find you are on the edge where some tracks sound incredibly detailed while some older poorly recorded albums might get fatiguing after a while.

The upper treble extension contributes to a good sense of air and space around instruments, enhancing the overall presentation. Those sensitive to upper-end brilliance might find the treble a hair bright at times, but most listeners will appreciate the energy and detail it brings to the overall sound.

Track: Patricia Barber – “Company” Here, the NA20’s detailed treble brings cymbals and piano flourishes to life, adding sparkle and air — though on brighter recordings, that same energy might edge toward fatigue.

Soundstage and Imaging

The NA20 presents a fairly large soundstage with good width and adequate height. Imaging is generally precise, allowing for accurate placement of instruments and vocals within the sound field. However, the stereo image can become somewhat congested during complicated tracks with many layers.

Separation between elements in complex mixes is handled well in most cases, maintaining clarity except in the most demanding passages.

Track: Yosi Horikawa – “Bubbles” This playful and spacious binaural recording showcases the NA20’s commendable imaging precision and stage width, though it does occasionally tighten up on denser passages.

Specifications

Measurements

The measurements below were taken with my 711 Clone coupler (unless stated otherwise) and are availale here

Frequency Response

The frequency response graph below highlights the key characteristics of the NA20’s sound signature:

As shown in the graph, the NA20 features:

• A warm, elevated bass response that provides the foundation for its musical character
• A slightly scooped midrange that creates the V-shaped signature while maintaining vocal presence
• A treble peak around 5kHz that can add detail but might introduce some sibilance for sensitive listeners
• Well-extended upper treble that contributes to the IEM’s good technical performance and sense of air

Comparison with NM20

The graph below compares the NA20 with its predecessor, the NM20; these measurements are from ‘Paul Wasabi’ Squig:

The comparison reveals that while both models share a similar overall sound signature, the NA20 features improved treble response ( i.e. slightly reduced treble). This refinement makes the NA20 a natural upgrade path for fans of the NM20, offering a familiar but enhanced listening experience.

Comparisons with Other IEMs

To provide context for the NA20’s sound signature, here’s how it compares to the Hifiman Svanar LE and Meze Alba:

I was trying to find an similar sounding IEM, but ultimately I thought the Warm, detailed V-shaped sound was somewhat reminiscent of the Hifiman Svanar LE but with a better subbass. I added the Meze Alba to this comparison as originally I thought it might have that Meze ‘warmth’ but the Alba is much closer to a Harman / Neutral tuning.

Distortion Measurements

The distortion measurements below provide insight into the NA20’s technical performance:

The distortion measurements show that the NA20 maintains good control across the frequency spectrum, with slightly higher distortion in the bass region—a common characteristic in dynamic driver IEMs. However, the levels remain well below the threshold of audibility for most listeners, contributing to the clean and detailed presentation despite the warm tuning.

And as a percentage you can see minimal distortion:

Rating

The NF Acous NA20 earns a 4-star pragmatic rating based on its performance and value:

Pros:

• Very light, extremely ergonomic IEM design
• Nice simple aesthetic, classy looking
• Well-executed unboxing experience
• Dynamically V-shaped sound

Cons:

• Those who desire a more Harman V-shaped sound or a fully transparent sound may not enjoy this set
• Cable is very thin & prone to tangling
• The build is meant mainly for comfort, and the plastic shell might feel a little cheap
• Some splash in the treble and occasional sibilance

Conclusion

The NF Acous NA20 represents a compelling option in the mid-tier IEM market at $119. Its V-shaped sound signature delivers an engaging, emotional listening experience that works well across a wide range of genres. The extremely comfortable, lightweight design makes it particularly suitable for extended listening sessions and those with smaller ears.

While not without its limitations, particularly with the elevated treble, the NA20 excels at what it sets out to do: deliver a musical, engaging sound in a comfortable package. The unique unboxing experience is a highlight, creating a premium impression that enhances the overall value proposition.

For listeners seeking a warm, engaging IEM that prioritizes a detailed V-shaped sound signature over analytical precision, the NA20 is an easy recommendation.