Let's continue our acquaintance with MyST headphones manufactured under the Nail brand. If you missed the last review, I recommend to get acquainted with it, there I talked about their two previous models, called simply v1 and v2. In this part, we will discuss two more models that have received at least simple names. and .
In brief, I will repeat the main facts of the previous review. MyST is a subsidiary of the Russian company Mycroft, which manufactures audio products. All of their products are different (in addition to excellent sound) in that they are made to the maximum in Russia and use the maximum of domestic labor and materials. I talked about their portable DAC with an OCUB amplifier, but their DAC / amp products are not limited. Now in their lineup there are 4 models of headphones-inserts and even isodynamic and orthodynamic headphones entirely of their own production. The latter, by the way, are very interesting, I hope that I will be able to listen to them in the future, but for now let us return to the “nails”.
Nails v3 (the price at the time of the release of 8800 rubles) is built on the same radiator, which was used in the Sleek Audio SA6 single-head reinforcement headset that was very popular in the past. The American company that made them, over time, took them out of production, but MyST managed to redeem the batch of receivers used in SA6 and make the headphones in their cases. The new model has lost the ability to customize the sound using filters, but it has become noticeably more reliable in design, and this is exactly what the “progenitor” lacked.
Nails 2 × 2 (cost at the time of writing the review is 7900 rubles) are built on a paired reinforcement emitter (two drivers in one case) and is the only multi-driver (if we assume that two is a lot) the company's model.
Specifications
- Headphone type: in -channel (“gags”)
- Emitter: with balanced anchor
- Number of emitters: 1 for Nail v3, 2 for Nail 2 × 2 (two emitters in one case, “sparennik”)
- Acoustic design: closed
- The diameter of the sound guide: 3.5 mm - 4 mm
- Cable: 1.5 m, silver plated copper
- Plug: 3.5 mm, angled
- Impedance: 25Ω for Nail v3, 150Ω for Nail 2 × 2
Design and wearing comfort
Actually, there is not much to say about Nails design. It is as minimal as possible for headphones. Cases are made in the form of thin metal cylinders, plugged on one side and having a groove for attachments on the other. Sound filters are equipped with protective filters for sulfur and dirt. The wire comes out at an angle of 90 ° from the far side of the headphones. It is protected from fractures by a cambric.
The headphone cable is good, it is made of high-quality silver-plated copper in silicone insulation. The wire does not harden in the cold, is not prone to tangling, but due to the small size of the headphones, there is a pronounced microphone effect (noise due to friction of the cable on clothing). I coped with it, using the earpiece.
Headphones are sold without attachments, so buying them, you must choose the most suitable option from the assortment of the store (actually a good idea). Because of its small size, Nails are great even for owners of the smallest ears, and their long wearing does not cause the slightest discomfort.
Sound insulation directly depends on the nozzles used. If you choose dense nozzles with several petals or combined nozzles with foam filler such as Sony Hybrids, you can achieve almost absolute isolation from the outside world.
Sound
The following equipment was used for listening:
- Yulong DA8 as a DAC and Amplifier
- Resonessence Labs Concero HP as a DAC and Amplifier
- Apple MacBook Pro Retina 2013 as a source
- Fidelia as a player
- Fiio X5 and Shanling M3 as portable players
- VSonic Gr01 and HiFiMan Re600 as headphones for comparison
- High-resolution recordings in Lossless-formats (Dr. Chesky The Ultimate Headphone Demonstration Disc and others)
Before listening to the headphones were heated for 48 hours.
Many modern manufacturers, creating flagship models of in-ear headphones, follow the path of increasing the number of emitters used in each “ear”. On the one hand, this allows us to better work out each individual section of the frequency range, on the other hand, with illiterate design, which is not so rare, it leads to the presence of phase distortions, reduced resolution and other problems. One-driver models, such as most Nails, are devoid of this problem and because of this offer resolution and detailing that can numb at first, especially on a good source.
Nails v3
If you heard SA6 from Sleek Audio, then you clearly have an idea about the sound of these headphones. Their sound is a bit atypical for single driver fittings, thanks to the interesting bass response. If you try to characterize them in a few words, you can pick up a lot of epithets: comfortable, tasty, etc. The fact is that they sound a bit softer than typical fittings, especially in the LF area, while maintaining enviable detailing, and this benefits the overall perception of a sound picture. V3 - headphones for those who do not want to divide the musical canvas into separate components, isolating small details of the musical mosaic (for this there are 2 × 2 and especially V1). If we draw an analogy with painting, then V3 is a little work of the impressionist, that is, an attempt to convey the mood of the moment, its tone and shades. Wearing a V3, you can listen to them for a long time, revealing a new depth in each composition. You have to pay for this with a slight decrease in detail (relative to other Nails models, of course), but the result is more than good. Separately pleased that the 3rd version is quite condescending about not the most ideal records and sources (although this is not a reason to abuse them).
Nails 2 × 2
This model of sound is a kind of antipode of Nails v2. If the second "nails" could be considered dark headphones, then this model can be considered light. I deliberately write “to count,” since to call them unequivocally such is to sin against the truth. In the case of nails, it is not about the bias of the frequency response in one direction or another, but rather the placement of accents. In Nails 2 × 2, this very emphasis is placed on the area of mid and high frequencies. Of course, the bass is also not forgotten, the bass is well controlled, has a texture and pleasant detail, but it clearly does not play a major role. In these headphones, his task is to create a background against which the main sound canvas, played out by MF and HF, unfolds. The resolution of the middle is good, the subtle nuances of the vocals, the details of the instruments, all this is here. There are also a lot of high frequencies, they are well drawn and are present in sufficient quantities. The latter leads to the fact that if the recording or source is prone to sibilance, the headphones may sound harsh (although this is not their fault). A separate 2 × 2 ridge is a volumetric imaginary scene with a cool localization of sound sources. It is true to note that these headphones are very demanding for the path and notes.
Compatibility
Nails v3 is the only headphone line that has low impedance and can work with sources such as simple players and smartphones. Moreover, it is the only model that can be listened to with a similar source. But having listened to them at least once with a high-quality DAC and amplifier or a good player, I don’t feel like returning to cheap options.
2 × 2 nails can not even try to connect to a device with a poor gain, since the impedance of 150Ω does not leave him the slightest chance.
conclusions
Four "nails" is a very full line of headphones, offering just four different sound options, each of which will find its fan. The first version is more or less traditional sound, universal and suitable for most genres. The second one is darkish and dray giving for lovers of rock and metal. The third version is the taste flow for lovers of “beautiful” sound with a slightly relaxed bass and melodic mid-range sounds, well suited for live music, jazz, blues and classics. 2x2 - a bright and bright sound for lovers of volume and stage, it is great for so many musical genres, especially well recorded. On these headphones, binaural recordings and music selections for audiophiles sound great.
By adding to this a very humane price tag and a robust design due to simplicity, we get excellent headphones and a product that can proudly represent Russia on the world audio market.
The article is based on materials .
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