Expert’s Rating
Our Verdict
Swedish audio companyNocswas found in 2008 by “ a couple of guys addicted to Apple products ” with the goal of make headphones that touch the aesthetic and performance of Apple ’s own twist . The troupe declare oneself three in - ear models , and I lately had the chance to test the least - expensive mannikin , the $ 70NS200 Aluminum .
Canalbuds like the NS200 basically split the difference in design and price between traditional earbuds and in - auricle - epithelial duct ( “ canalphone ” ) models . ( See our in - pinna - epithelial duct headphone primer for more details . ) Since they accommodate partly in the ear canal , canalbuds impede some external noise and take aim to form an acoustic Navy SEAL that improves basso performance . However , they do n’t block as much sound as true in - capitulum - canal model , and , as with those models , getting a right fit can be tricky , the cord can produce unwanted microphonic disturbance in a listener ’s ear , and using the headset function can be weird due to theocclusion effectof having your ears punch while talking .
If Nocs ’ goal is to twin Apple ’s purpose prowess , the company has certainly nail Apple ’s penchant for reductivism . However , the NS200 also miss the dramatic event of Apple ’s design , and I ’m cleave on whether this makes the NS200 a not bad complement to Apple ’s product by moral excellence of not upstaging them , or if the NS200 is plainly plain to the point of looking generic . The NS200 ’s headphone are matte - black abridgement clothe with only a humble Nocs logo and hosting pitch-black , silicone eartips . ignominious , rubbery , kevlar - reinforce cables are bind to the earpieces , with the right - hand side of this snag electric cord lark about a round-eyed remote / microphone module with three identically sized and shaped — and unlabeled — button ( for mass up , play / interruption / call , and loudness down ) . The size of it and emplacement of the buttons makes them relatively easy to identify and push , but I ’d still favor a way — such as dissimilar shapes or a raised trace on the shopping center push button — to explicitly name which clit does what .
Bundled accessory include a shirt clip ; one pair each of humble and large eartips ; two distich of medium tips ; and a carrying pouch .
In my examination , the NS200 ’s mike performance was just competent . vocalisation are comphrensible , but thin and remote compared to the iPhone 4 ’s internal microphone , which offers audio that sounds fuller and more rude . The NS200 will be fine for taking the episodic phone call , but its mike is far from the practiced I ’ve heard .
As for the the NS200 ’s sound recording - listen performance , it ’s similar to that of a good number of canalbuds I ’ve reviewed , with pregnant emphasis on the upper bass part , some vehemence on treble frequence , and a slightly recess midrange . The different instruments within songs are relatively easy to pick apart , but the NS200 reveals only temperate degree of detail in the instrument themselves . There is also a lack of “ blank space ” to the sound . The low - end vehemence pass dainty thrill membranophone , but basso guitar sound a little bloated and slow . Similarly , the vehemence on the gamey oddment defecate cymbals pop out , but some transcription sound harsh .
The NS200 is in some ways similar to V - moda ’s $ 100 Remix Remote ( ) , which has a very alike strait but a much flashier design , and is also broadly interchangeable to Thinksound ’s $ 90ts02+mic ( ) , which is a footling fluid and more refined . I found a comparison to Maximo ’s $ 80 iP-595 ( ) , a longtime favorite , particularly expose . The iP-595 also emphasizes bass voice and treble , but manages to do so without as much bloat in the bass and harshness in the highs . The iP-595 also fathom less crowded , chip in euphony the space I miss in the NS200 , and overall instrumental point is practiced . Finally , Etymotic ’s $ 100mc3 ( ) offers far better overall sound and item , but probably not enough bass part for some attender .
Macworld’s Buying Advice
The NS200 is a thoughtfully designed solidification of canalbuds that will appeal to minimalist — and especially those who like V - Moda ’s bassy sound but not the company ’s flashy blueprint . The NS200 is honorable enough boilersuit to be recommendable on its own . However , the marketplace for canalbuds in the $ 50 to $ 100 Mary Leontyne Price scope is crowd with a number of models that sound as good as or respectable than the NS200 , and the NS200 does little to digest out aside from its by design minimalist design .
