Encore Review: NAN-7 thoughts, pad-rolling and EQ

Intro:

It’s been a few months since my initial review of the NAN-7. I’ve owned these for about a year now, so it’s a good time for some reflections. Given that these are not so well known, a follow-up seems fitting.

Additionally, I’ve spent more time experimenting with a wide variety of pad options, which, as readers of this site will know, can substantially alter a headphone’s sound. In certain instances, the pad selection can even become the predominant factor in tuning, granting users the liberty to customise the sound to their taste.

Let me break it down one by one.

Further thoughts:

Since my initial review, I’ve had more time with the NAN-7. I’ve also heard and owned many other headphones, some of them TOTL models. How has it affected my view of the NAN-7?

Well, broadly speaking, not much has changed. Priced at around $900 USD, the NAN-7 stands as a formidable player.

There aren’t any odd colourations in its tonality, nor does it suffer from noticeable technical flaws. Some might label it as somewhat ‘bland’ due to the lack of emphasis on specific frequencies, but it’s far from being clinical or thin. The only small anomaly is its sub-bass boost. But even that is done subtlely, and given most music genres aren’t heavy on sub-bass, it isn’t really a sticking point.

As mentioned in my initial review, my minor quibble concerns the treble, which could do with a touch more refinement or perhaps a slight lift overall – such tweaks would make it even more ‘pleasing’ to the ear. With some velour pads, the sound sometimes evokes the feeling of being in a recording studio. The sound might feel a bit on the ‘dry’ or ‘flat’ side. For me, such a tuning is acceptable as an alternative take on neutrality.

In terms of technical performance, the NAN-7 is commendable. It stands its ground notably, even when pitted against high-end planars like Susvara, LCD-5, or Meze Elite, as outlined in my prior review.

But if you’re on the hunt for a ‘Susvara killer,’ let me clarify: the NAN-7 might not be what you’re after. A quick comparison will reveal their distinct qualities. First, the two are designed to appeal to different tastes. The Susvara sounds open, airy and diffused, while the NAN-7 is meatier, more visceral and focused. Second, the Susvara also has an edge in nuancing treble details and the decay of trailing tones, to the point that some may even find it to be on the ‘slow’ or overly ‘euphonic’ side. The Susvara also possesses a kind of ‘effortlessness’ or ‘grandeur’ in its sound, something the more ‘restrained’ NAN-7 do not match, even though they are both examples of the very ‘planar’ type of sound (a kind of ‘plucked’ quality, as some have commented).

That said, the NAN-7 is remarkably close in several departments. It arguably overtakes the Susvara in bass slam and the fullness of mids. Additionally, the Susvara’s exemplary treble clarity can sometimes be a double-edged sword; when dealing with poorly mastered music, the heightened sense of resolution can lead to sharper sibilances. Whether or not the Susvara’s diffused, euphoric character faithfully reflects ‘the artist’s intent’ could also be a matter of debate.

To sum it up, while there are many similarities between the NAN-7 and the Susvara from construction to overall tonal balance, it’s evident they target different preferences.

Another flagship headphone I’ve extensively compared with is the Focal Utopia 2022. Despite the price discrepancy, I find the NAN-7 almost better in almost every technical category, with perhaps the exception of macrodynamics. Focal headphones are renowned in this category, and indeed, the Utopia 2022 stands out. It delivers bass punch with authority and exceptional speed. But even then, the NAN-7 is not that much behind, making it easily one of the best planars in this respect.

Tuning-wise, the NAN-7 and Utopia 2022 are simply different. While both have excellent bass, the Utopia 2022 sounds warmer, rendering vocals with a more ‘romantic’ and ‘mellow’ touch. It also tones down some of the frequencies that can come across as grainy or harsh in poorly mastered music, notably around the 7-8kHz region. The NAN-7, on the other hand, maintains a more linear profile for the mids and the highs. It is still not a bright headphone, but the treble is definitely better extended than the Utopia 2022.

That being said, it’s not a simple case of one being superior. For pop listeners, the Utopia 2022 may be a more immediate choice given its tuning. The NAN-7’s linearity may leave some yearning for a touch more engagement. Yet, if one takes technical performance into account, the NAN-7’s excellence in this regard allows it to shine with genres like jazz, metal, classical, or cinematic soundtracks, making it the better all-rounder.

Summing up, the NAN-7 presents a technically excellent headphone with overall neutral-ish tuning that one can experiment with. Its dynamism, speed, and linearity are remarkable, punching way above its price point. While extensive mods are possible, pad-rolling is a quick way to tweak the sound to your preference. This leads us to the next section.

(of course, EQ is always another option – read till the end!)

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Pad-rolling: measurement & comments

Hifiman Pali pads

Starting with the Pali pads, they offer a relatively neutral tonal balance overall. Like many Hifiman headphones, the NAN-7 does have a noticeable dip in the upper mids between 1-3khz. This causes vocalists to sound a bit more distanced, and instruments seem slightly spread out, adding to a sense of depth in the sound field.

Apart from this, the sound is quite neutral. Treble energy is well-balanced; there aren’t harsh sibilance peaks. The upper treble might be a tad more emphasised than what is considered linear, adding a hint of ‘airiness’ and ‘zing’, but it doesn’t overpower the tonal balance.

Regarding the soundstage, the NAN-7 with the Pali pads provides a decent sense of space. It doesn’t sound excessively wide but maintains a proportionate depth and breadth.

Genre pairing: The Pali pads serve well as an all-rounder, apt for various genres of music.

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Susvara pads

Made with the same material, the Susvara pads are larger in size offering a roomier front volume. As such, these introduce a heightened sense of spaciousness compared to the Pali pads, amplifying the Hifiman characteristic of a distant soundstage (read: 1-3kHz scoop).

One key thing to note is the change in treble. It becomes slightly smoother and exhibits a greater sense of airiness. The decrease in the mids makes vocalists sound more distant, making these pads potentially less desirable for those who appreciate forward and engaging vocals.

Genre pairing: Classical, Jazz, Cinematic, and Instrumental music, where the expansive soundstage and distant mids can add to the listening experience.

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Fenestrated/perforated leather pads

The fenestrated leather pads bear a strong resemblance to the bundled perforated ones in terms of tonal balance. They edge the NAN-7 even closer to a neutral sound, almost ‘monitor’ style.

These pads shine when it comes to balancing between clarity and sibilance. Their forte lies in the precision of delivery, particularly in the mids. Instruments and vocals come across as fast, clean, and sharp. This heightened clarity does however slightly sacrifice the richness or warmth in the mids. If your preference is for electric guitar distortions that brim with vigour and a swift attack, these pads are your go-to.

Genre pairing: Metal, Rock, Jazz, Hip Hop, and EDM, these pads provide an articulate sound where the intricate details of the music can shine.

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ZMF Auteur Hybrid pads (solid & perforated)

The Auteur pads present a nice blend of warmth and clarity. Contrary to the often ‘fuzzy’ or ‘dark’ characteristics associated with leather pads, the Auteur pads maintain a full-bodied yet clean sound. The stage size is commendable, offering more expansive horizontal reach than the Pali pads.

In terms of tonal balance, these pads align well with neutral, although there’s a gentle nudge towards warmth. This warmth, however, is mild and doesn’t overshadow the clarity they bring.

Genre pairing: Suitable for a diverse range of genres, especially Pop, Rock, Country, Jazz, and EDM, making them a versatile choice for those seeking a rich yet detailed sound.

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Cheaper alternatives to the ZMF

The 1688 (Alibaba) hybrid pads mirror the ZMF Auteur Hybrid Solid pads closely in terms of both material and design. Their distinct feature is the side perforations that come in contact with the cheeks, whilst having solid walls on the remaining sides.

The 1688 pads have a balanced sound with a touch of warmth. The bass is tight and dynamic. The midrange is clean and never grainy. The highs are well-balanced, rendering a crispness without sounding sharp. While the ZMF pads offer a tad more airiness and a slightly smoother sound, but then, the differences are rather subtle.

Genre pairing: Given their low cost, the 1688 pads are hands down my top recommendation for the NAN-7, excelling as an all-rounder.

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Larger pad diametre – what does it change?

Both the NAN-7 and the Verum pads are made with what seems to be identical material and craftsmanship, or at least I can’t tell them apart. The main difference is dimensions. The NAN-7 pads, with a diameter of 100mm, are more compact than the Verum pads at 105mm.

Sonically, the sound is very similar as expected, with a small difference in the treble. The NAN-7 version shows a slight drop in energy post 6kHz. The reduced treble can be attributed to the lesser front resonance volume with the smaller pads. The larger Verum pads are favoured here as they introduce a subtle shimmer and a more ‘room-like’ or perhaps ‘organic’ decay, likely due to heightened treble harmonics. Fundamentally, both pad versions offer a clean, neutral, non-aggressive sound. This crisp and clean sound profile contrasts with the warmer, more full-bodied sound of the ZMF pads.

Genre pairing: well-suited for a variety of genres that demand clarity and precision.

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NAN’s new 1266 pads

Nan’s new 1266 pads, tailored specifically for the Abyss 1266 headphones, boast a deep and spacious front cavity.

Unsurprisingly, the most prominent feature is the expansive soundstage, particularly its lateral definition. This often lends the feeling of being in a concert hall. These pads also enhance the tactility of bass impact, likely an effect of the large front volume allowing more room for the planar drivers to ‘breath’. There is also a discernible lift in treble quantity, giving it a brighter, more diffused character. Instruments such as cymbals exude a sharper, more vibrant quality.

In a nutshell, these pads deliver a sound that is grand and dynamic. They can be likened to a more exciting version of the Susvara pads with an added zest in both the bass and treble departments.

Genre pairing: Ideal for genres that benefit from a ‘v-shaped’ signature, these pads emphasise the tactility of bass and the sparkle in treble, along with an expansive soundstage.

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Hifiman Velour pads

These are the stock pads for the HE-6 OG and HE-500, made with velour and low-density foam. As anticipated, the sound is markedly linear and transparent. Among all pad options, these arguably present the most ‘neutral’ and ‘clear’ sound profile. So much so that some listeners might perceive them as leaning slightly towards the dry side.

The characteristic warmth often associated with leather pads is entirely absent here. In its place, instruments are articulated with sharpness and clarity. Decay is particularly well-controlled. While the soundstage doesn’t extend exceedingly wide, the precision in instrument separation and positioning is commendable.

On the vocal front, these might occasionally introduce a touch of sibilance, but such sharpness is often balanced by the bass boost. A noteworthy mention is the affordability of these pads ($10) when purchased directly from Hifiman’s official store.

Genre pairing: these pads shine with instrumental genres such as chamber music, jazz, or post-rock.

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Another direction…

These pads are custom-made based on the Audio Technica AD pads from the Aliexpress JingZhi ear muff store. They’re designed for modern pop recordings, which can sometimes skew towards the brighter side.

The shallower front cavity means there’s less resonance, helping to temper the highs, particularly in the 6-8kHz range where sibilance and harsh notes can be problematic. But, crucially, the upper treble remains largely untouched to maintain that sense of air and clarity. There’s just a slight reduction around 12kHz to avoid excessive energy.

Overall, these pads produce a sound that leans towards the softer and warmer side, making them a different approach to tailor the NAN-7’s sound profile to specific genres. The bass retains a good punch. The ear gain region maintains an appropriate energy level at around 3kHz, so the overall sound profile is still clean and clear. This clarity is credited to the use of medium-density foam, as opposed to denser memory foam which can often veil the treble.

Genre pairing: Ideally suited for contemporary genres and those that centre around vocals, such as country, soft rock, ballads, and the like.

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One last thing: notes on EQ

Finally, if pad-rolling doesn’t hit the mark for you, EQ is always an option. For this purpose, Squiglink offers a built-in AutoEQ tool that could come in handy. To use it, simply select the model and navigate to the left panel for generating EQ presets. If the existing target curves aren’t to your taste, the platform allows you to upload your own.

When it comes to the NAN-7, I don’t feel a pressing need for extensive EQing, though some tweaks could still help. Personally, all I do is pull down 13kHz by around 3dB using a sharp filter and then gently lift the 1-3kHz range (basically what I do to Hifiman planars as well). On the odd occasion, I might use a bit more bass, especially when the weekend vibes set in.

In any case, I hope you find this article useful. If there’s anything specific you’d like me to delve into further, please leave a comment below. Looking forward to seeing you there.

EDIT 10/Nov/23: Here’s the link to the 1688 hybrid pads for anyone who’s interested. I’ve got quite a few enquiries for these so I’ll just leave the Aliexpress link here. They are also available for slightly less on Taobao and 1688.com for those well-versed in buying from China. You can find the links from the comment section below.

END OF THE ARTICLE

Disclaimer: all the headphones tested here are my personal units unless otherwise stated. All the links and recommendations provided are not associated with me in any financial manner.