Among the domestic lovers of high-quality sound, the MyST brand is widely known. The company is a subsidiary brand of the store. and is among the few who produce their products entirely in Russia (of course, with the exception of radio components). I have already talked about their wonderful portable DAC with an amplifier PortaDAC OCUB, it’s time to tell about their Nail headphones.
At the moment, there are four models of headphone inserts in the company's portfolio, aptly named “nails” (it will become clear why): three one-driver and one two-driver. Externally, the headphones are very similar, the main difference between them is the sound, so I divided the four models into two reviews, this one will be devoted to the very first models of the company: and . At the time of writing the review, their prices were 8,500 and 9,500 rubles, respectively, but given the instability of the course, this may change.
Emitters using the technology of a balanced armature (“armature”) were, perhaps, the latest at the moment revolution in the world of headphones. Their small size, excellent resolution and low distortion allowed to significantly improve the in-channel in-ear headphones. Later, manufacturers began to struggle with the shortcomings of reinforcing emitters, increasing the number of simultaneously used drivers in one earphone. This allowed to solve problems with insufficient development of the entire spectrum of frequency response, but led to a number of other problems. Therefore, MyST decided that their models would be single driver based on broadband emitters. Then they, however, released a two-driver model 2 × 2, but this is the subject of the next review.
Specifications
- Headphone type: in -channel (“gags”)
- Emitter: with balanced anchor
- Number of radiators: 1
- 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: 60Ω in Nail 1, 120Ω in Nail 2
Design and wearing comfort
The appearance of the headphones as utilitarian as possible, to make them even easier, perhaps, impossible at all desire. This makes them related to other MyST products, as the company prefers to lay the lion's share of the cost of the sound, rather than the glamorous design and fashionable packaging. By the way, do not be confused by small flaws in the photos, my copy of the headphones - from among those restored by the manufacturer, the final samples look flawless.
Actually the body of all the “studs” is virtually no different. Conventional elongated metal tubes, plugged on one side and ending on the other side with sound guides with tips for nozzles. Filters for sulfur protection are installed in sound guides. The cables extend perpendicular to the housing near the “bottom”; segments of dense cambric protect them from kinks. On the bottom of the case marked left-right. The name “nails” is very suitable for them, the headphones are very small, in size they can be compared with the most compact models like the Etymotic ER-4 and Klipsch X10. Thanks to a good body, they are very comfortable to wear, they can be used with a straight fit, and with the ear, in the ears they are almost not felt and with proper selection of nozzles, they rush for an arbitrarily long time.
By the way, the nozzles are not included in the kit, so when you buy, you will need to choose and order them with headphones. In general, it is also a reasonable step, as it allows not to pay for something that will not be used.
The cable is very good, silver plated copper is used in silicone insulation, and it looks good, and in terms of price / quality ratio pleases. Headphone wire is practically not hardened in the cold and is not inclined to get confused. Because of the small size of the headphones, there is a microphone effect (an audible rustling of the cable when rubbing against clothes), but the behind-the-ear fit practically eliminates it. The plug is used mega-reliable, Neutrik, all-metal, curved 90 °.
At first glance, the Spartan design seems a disadvantage. But due to common sense two simple facts are realized. First, the design of the headphones is not as important as the main factors: sound and convenience. Secondly, the minimalistic design of these headphones is quite self-sufficient and is good in its own way, and in terms of durability they are plugged into the belt of all competitors. These are not Chinese handicrafts, which sometimes crack and crack on their own.
Soundproofing Nail'ov - very good, if you wish, you can pick up the nozzle with the filling and almost completely isolate themselves from the outside world (only acoustically, of course).
By the way, MyST is constantly refining and improving headphones. I have nails 1 and 2 versions of the old revision, new ones use a different cable design, have graphics with a logo on the case, and Nail 2 is now golden in color (photo from the manufacturer's website).
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.
The main ridge of both models is the highest resolution. Both single-driver solutions demonstrate the maximum advantages of reinforcing emitters: microdetails, speed, testing attacks - all this is very impressive. The main difference is in the frequency balance of decisions.
Nail 1
The frequency response of the first nails has small accents on the low and treble frequencies, but for Nail it does not result in a typical “pop” sound.
Bass assembled and perfectly textured. Traditionally, all fittings may lack stress, but this is a common problem for all single-driver reinforcement headphones, especially since nails are not very susceptible to it. After a little getting used to it, you realize that in fact the control of the bass, their accuracy inherent in Nail 1, is worth it in order to stop appreciating the “buzzing”.
The mids are detailed and very emotional. They are not drowned out by the bass, so they transmit everything that is embedded in the composition, including even not directly related to the music: the rustle of the stands, the touch of the strings, and much more. The virtual scene is built very cool, the headphones play “widely”, the instruments are separated and retain their character.
HF, despite a slight rise, are not inclined to sibilance and sharpness, more precisely, they are not inclined to add this from themselves; if there are sibilants on the record, you will hear them. Tops nails incredibly detailed and well developed.
Headphones are generally universal, I like them with almost any genre, but still I would prefer Nail-2 for instrumental and live music, not because Nail-1 is bad, but because Nail-2 is especially good in this.
Nail 2
The second nails are intentionally dark. They have a rise in the woofer and the same decline in the treble. Despite the presence of such unevenness, it does not so much distort the sound of the headphones as it sets its character as a whole. By permission, Nail-2 is slightly superior to the first model, it allows them to remain unshadowed, despite the low-frequency accent. Perhaps the sound of Nail v2 may require some getting used to it because of its unusualness.
The bass of the second model is also expectedly good. Perhaps he is the best among all one-driver reinforcement headphones that I heard. Control, drive, energy, impact and density - it has it all, you just have to consider that for N-2 you need a very high-quality source, since the impedance is 120Ω - it’s still quite a lot, and, besides, their bass is necessary very well controlled.
The mids would have been swamped with almost all other headphones besides these. Despite the low-frequency accent, the mid-range remains detailed and legible. It conveys all the details and emotions of a recording with a very good level. The scene of Nail 2 is a bit narrower than that of Nail 1, but still quite good, the separation of tools is also good.
High frequencies are weakened, but it also did not affect their resolution. They are detailed and legible, while absolutely not sharp, even with very bright sources and records of the second model copes well.
Nail 2 is also genrely versatile, but with live recordings they are especially good: small jazz bands, acoustic music, vocals - this is their strong point.
Compatibility
Even with the impedance of the headphones, it is clear that simple sources will not reveal them. The first "nails" can still be listened to with modern smartphones, although the sound is noticeably degraded, but the second is clearly not enough stunted telephone capabilities.
If you value sound, then try to provide Nail'y with a high-quality source and not less quality records.
findings
Nails from MyST - headphones for those who put music in the first place. On the one hand, you get a very simple (albeit effective) design, on the other hand, the sound of nails is very, very good. The price tag, of course, cannot be called budget, but they are also very far from the most expensive solutions, and their price-to-sound quality ratio is close to the maximum.
The article is based on materials .
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