From Small Things Comes.....
EQUIPMENT
Topping a50s Amp
Xduoo MT-602 Hybrid Tube Amp
SMSL Sanskrit 10th MK2 DAC
iFi Hip-Dac
Acoustune AET07 & Finale Type E (2020 Version) Tips
Cable: Stock MMCX Cable, Cema OCC Cable 4.4mm Balanced (With Adapter)
Sources: Flac Files From my Personal Collection / Tidal
SPECS
Driver: 8 mm Graphene DD
Cable: MMCX
Impedance: 32Ω
Frequency response: 8H z- 30KHz
Sensitivity: 110 ± 3dB
NOTES
The Smabat is a relatively tiny earphone packing what at first glance seems to be unimpressive tech. A single DD utilizing an 8mm Graphene driver. The build quality seem good but it's tiny size did present issues as tip selection was much more involved as usual. To get them inserted with a good seal was challenging at times , but the rewards were worth it. I also found that the Smabat NCO likes power and it's sensitivity rating didn't seem to correspond with my experience with it.
BUILD QUALITY, Accessories& FIT
Build quality appears good with fit and finish being reassuring. The included accessories are comprised of a set of Small, Medium & Large tips and another set pre-installed. The cable is ok if not inspiring for this price range. Product presentation was well packaged but nothing special for this price range as well. Fit is very dependent on the tips used. The Smabat NCO is quite small, as earphones go, and I had to use tips with larger size and depth to get a good seal and resulting sound. Comfort is good as long as the above mentioned tip rolling is done. Their size really makes them almost disappear physically.
:SOUND:
BASS
Bass on the Smabat NCO is something to write home about. That 8mm Graphene driver is tuned wonderfully in this frequency range. There is a bass emphasis but it is mostly in the mid-bass to sub-bass region, not bleeding into the midrange. Bass goes deep and is very impactful while remaining detailed and tuneful with a good balance of slam, decay and speed. Control in the bass region is also impressive with transients handled with a tight grip sounding natural. Wayman Tisdale's "Inside Stuff" had the bass guitar sounding meaty yet detailed and remaining tight. "Angel" from Massive Attack was played with ample bass power while remaining detailed with the texture of the bass being easily heard without distracting the listener from the other elements in the track. The beauty of the bass presentation offered by the NCO is it seems to lend itself to all genres of music. The Smabat NCO though is NOT a bass cannon but possesses a level of refinement in that frequency range that can be appreciated weather your are listening to Jazz, Classical, House Music , ect.
MIDS
The midrange is pleasingly balanced with a slight tilt to warmth. Detail and texture are good with a great sense of space. Transients are handled very well being impactful while remaining believable. Both leading and trailing edges are presented cleanly without overhanging or undue emphasis. An ode to the speed and control of the driver used. Anita Bakers "Love you To The Letter" placed Anita intimately in the sound stage and the ebb and flow of her emotional delivery were captured very well. Macro details were more prominent than micro details but does not leave the listener wanting. Layering is also good with the NCO being able to let one listen into those layers easily. Not at the same level of the KBear Believe, but impressive nonetheless. All together the midrange is expressive, clean and organic. "Protection" by Massive Attack had Stacey Thorn's vocal delivery as engaging as ever. Very nice indeed.
TREBLE
The NCO's treble, and everything else about this earphone, is very tip dependent. At first I was underwhelmed with an upper register I found sounding lackluster and depressed. The right tips brought that observation around 180 degrees. Extension is good, though not necessarily the best at this price range. The upper-midrange/Treble of the Smabat NCO is detailed and organic without adding the audible embellishments so unfortunately common with many of today's ChiFi offerings. It calls attention to itself by what isn't there. Sibilance, elevated shoutiness and unnatural sparkle. Ronny Jordan's "Vanston Place 12am" has some beautiful cymbal work which is reproduced in a very believable and organic nature on the Smabat NCO. Cymbal strikes have believable impact and falloff with good air and enough sparkle to keep things interesting without sounding like the audio equivalent of Christmas Lights. Sibilance is kept well under control with the Smabat NCO which is another big plus. Anita Bakers "Whatever It Takes" can occasionally sound sharp with other earphones that are prone to sibilance, but on the NCO this was kept in check. This type treble quality at first was offsetting due it's natural and organic feel, coming from my experience with iem's I had previously been listening to. This made extended listening sessions comfortable and enjoyable though.
IMAGING & SOUNDSTAGE
The Smabat NCO throws up a nice soundstage with good width and height. Depth is also commendable, all together creating a well defined and stable space. The soundstage never feels crowded or congested. Hugh Masekela's "Coal train (Stimela)" put me in the venue with great imaging and believable scale. This ability to cast a great image with a very coherent overall sound makes for a very pleasurable listening experience.
TRENGTHS & WEAKNESSES
The strengths of the Smabat NCO far outweigh any weaknesses. Poor tip selection can lead to poor sound no matter what earphone you are using. Some are more affected by tip selection and the NCO is definitely in that camp. It's strong but controlled bass character can be made too prominent, in particular when used with sources that have a bass emphasis. It's size may also put off some as it is really quite small. Smaller than the Soundmagic 10c and TRN TA1. Other than it's lackluster accessories, there is very little to complain about and much to praise with the Smabat NCO.
VERSUS
- HZsound Heart-Mirror
The Smabat NCO sounds very different than the Heart-Mirror. Bass is not even a contest with the NCO winning out very easily. Mids are more meaty on the NCO while being a touch thinner and more recessed on the Heart-Mirror. Details in the mids is a toss up. The detail retrieval of the treble goes slightly to the Heart-Mirror, but with respect to that organic realism, the NCO is tops. The Heart-Mirror & NCO in many ways compliment each other more than are against each other.
VERSUS
- Senfer DT6
Interestingly, I find that the Smabat NCO sounds much like a more refined Senfer DT6. There is a balance of sound top to bottom that is similar, with each frequency band being just that much more refined on the NCO.
CONCLUSION
The Smabat NCO is a very good earphone. It's mature & organic tuning and presentation really lends itself to musical enjoyment. Unfortunately it seems that this may be a discontinued model as it no longer appears on Smabat's website. Still it is one worth considering if looking for a very capable iem in it's price category. It offers a cohesive and believable musical picture sounding different enough from the latest crop of earphones to make a welcomed statement. Time spent tip rolling is essential here and as usual a good source is preferable. The Smabat NCO is a keeper.
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