The NF ACOUS NM20 was kindly provided free of charge in exchange for an honest review. I didn’t receive monetary or any other kind of compensation and I don’t use affiliate links. The price of the NM20 is $119 and you can order it from the NF ACOUS online shop.
NF ACOUS
NF ACOUS, formerly NF Audio, was founded back in 2024 by Mr. Felix Yang, a graduate of science and engineering. The brand started creating IEMs for stage and professional use and eventually expanded into the Hi-Fi market, while it was one of the first brands in China to make custom IEMs.
NF ACOUS NM20
One of the most successful earphones made under the brand name NF Audio was the NA2+ model. The NM20 is their first earphone under the brand name NF ACOUS and belongs to their professional series.
The NF ACOUS NM20 is a single dynamic driver earphone that is essentially an upgraded version of the classic NM2 model. The NM20 features a MC2L-100P dynamic driver that employs an integrated, electronic tuning PCB. The MC2L-100P driver has strong neodymium magnets, beryllium plated diaphragm, dual magnetic circuit and a dual acoustic chamber design.
The NM20 uses a patented technology called “Clutter Trap” that reduces the reflected sound with the aid of 5 air pressure controlling damping nets and 2 tuning sponges. It effectively adjusts the air pressure balance between the front and rear, providing a better reference class sound.
Appearance and wearing comfort
The NM20 ear-shells are made of high-strength polycarbonate (PC) material with a frosted surface, plus a stylish aluminum decorative part at the outer perimeter of the faceplate.
The translucent material allows a partial view of the inner components and is available in blue, pink or gray options. The NM20 doesn’t look as premium or unique as other competitive earphones but the truth is that it is well made and finished despite its plain appearance.
The shells are compact and lightweight, they have an ergonomic shape that helps a lot with the fit which is very comfortable even after hours of use. The ear-shells are also discreet looking, they disappear without attracting much attention so they are suitable for stage or any other low-profile use.
The shape of ear-shells is a little swallowed and the included ear-tips are too short so the passive noise attenuation can range from average to very good, depending on the shape of your ears and how deep they can go.
Cable and accessories
The detachable cable uses the 0.78mm 2-pin interface with a reversed structure that is considerably more durable and easy to connect than the traditional female plug. The cable is made from 5N silver-plated OFC copper in a four strand design and is terminated with a 3.5mm aluminum plug. It is soft and lightweight but it tangles rather easily and is prone to friction noise.
Except for the cable, the package also includes four sizes of the same silicone ear-tips, a nice carrying case with a side zipper and a 6.35mm plug adapter.
Efficiency
The electronic characteristics of the NM20 are 32Ω impedance with 108dB/mW of sensitivity so they are exceptionally easy to drive. Go ahead and use them straight out from your phone or even better with a high quality USB DAC dongle like the FiiO KA15.
Listening impressions
NF ACOUS advertises the NM20 as ideal for studio/live tracking use and they are absolutely right because the earphone has a tonal profile that suits such applications. The tuning emphasizes the bass and the upper frequencies to help mask stage noise and let the user focus primarily on the details and the beat, and to a lesser extent to the melody. This classic V-shaped tuning is also suitable for everyone else who sympathizes with this kind of target curve.
Thus said, the bass might be quite emphasized but it doesn’t sound dominant over the rest of the frequencies and it doesn’t mask the mid-range. The sub-bass extension is good but the NM20 is somewhat lacking in dynamic thrust and impact. The bass is more technical than physical, the textures are lean, the focus is on clarity rather than weight and muscle. The bass is fast, tight and controlled but also a little dry and without much elasticity.
The mid-range is slightly recessed but not lacking that much in overall presence. The focus is definitely towards the upper mid-range, making for a forward and energetic sound profile that can end as fatiguing for some people, especially in quiet listening environments without surrounding noise.
More listening impressions
The timbre is not that artificial but also not as organic and lifelike as someone might expect. The NM20 is not especially harmonious or melodic, the textures are thin and the priority is on instrumental separation and definition. The mid-range is exceptionally articulate while the NM20 is very clean sounding for the category.
The treble is mildly boosted, crispy and energetic, trying to define every last note no matter how many instruments are playing together. The NM20 is a little bright sounding, fast and sparkling with excellent detail retrieval for the category but also a bit more clinical and analytical than musical and engaging.
The sound is lacking in weight, the textures are thin and dry throughout the whole frequency range but this kind of consistency is a plus for a monitoring earphone. The NF ACOUS NM20 is not to be confused as harsh and piercing but its timbre is somewhat metallic and artificial to sound convincing and let you get carried away by the melody.
The soundstage is large and spacious enough, it never feels cramped, even with large scale works. It has good imaging accuracy but it is lacking in depth and holographic elements.
In the end
Exactly as advertised by its manufacturer, the NF ACOUS NM20 is ideal for live performances, stage monitoring and general professional use. It will also appeal to audiophiles who like clarity and an analytical sound presentation while it can pair well with darker and thicker sounding sources.
Well made, lightweight and very comfortable for extended use, the NM20 can handle a live concert or a long train trip without causing any annoyance to its user. Be it a professional or a hobbyist who needs a clean sounding earphone, the NF ACOUS NM20 is a solid and well priced choice.
Copyright – Petros Laskis 2025.
+ Ideal for professional monitoring use
+ Good clarity and transparency
+ Bass technicalities and definition
+ Satisfying detail retrieval
+ Spacious soundstage with precise imaging
+ Easy to drive
+ Lightweight and comfortable for extended use
+ Detachable cable and nice carrying case
+ Affordable
- Emphasized upper mid-range and treble
- Lean and dry textures
- More clinical than musical
- Average dynamic impact
- Flat soundstage and slightly artificial timbre
- Only one set of ear-tips
- The cable is too short for stage use
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