Design & Build Quality
Shell
When you get a BGVP’s IEM, you only have two choices: it’s either 3D-printed, or 3D-carved. Each solution has its own benefits – silicon is comfier, aluminum is sturdier – and the brand has achieved some impressive feats, helped by production costs, getting lower and lower each year.
The NS9 shell is made from two pieces of aluminum, processed by a five-axis CNC (computer numerical control). Each piece needs no less than 320 000 cuts before the team can polish, sandblast and paint every one of them. The design is fairly similar to the FiiO FH3 and FH7, even if up close, the differences are much easier to spot.
The shell thick and the BGVP NS9 is topped by a removable tuning nozzle, which should give you a different sound signature when you change them. Again, acrylic remains my top choice in terms of comfort, but to be completely honest, those are very comfortable, once you find the right tip.
Obviously, if you intend to have a rough use, this would be the sure choice.
Build quality
The BGVP NS9 is built using aluminum, so unless you intend to put them in a forge, they should last longer than your source, or even you. The shell is absolutely flawless and if I saw some reviews, where the NS9 showed some discrepancies, mine was perfect from top to bottom.
The cable is good, surprisingly thick, but comes with a 3.5mm termination only, instead of the full 2.5mm/4.4mm/3.5mm we had for the DM8. If you want to swap it, the NS9 gets the usual MMCX port, so it should be fairly easy to get a balanced one.
Bundle and Comfort
Inside the box
The BGVP NS9 bundle is pretty good. You get:
- the BGVP NS9
- 1x 5N OCC Silver-Plated copper cable with a 3.5mm termination
- 3 pairs of vocal eartips + 3 pairs of bass eartips + 1 pair of memory foam
- a fabric carry box
- some documentation
Comfort
If not as curvy as the TRN BA8 or the FiiO FH7, the BGVP NS9 semi-custom shape makes them pretty comfortable, even after long use. There are no sharp edges and everything fits perfectly, once you get the right tip: mines were the regular one, but take some time to find the one for you.
The cable feels equally good, even if a bit thick, but the sheath doesn’t tangle nor transmit microphonics parasites and, that’s what really matters.
Isolation
Isolation is quite good for a metallic IEM. In fact, compared to the previous DMG and DMS, I can even say that the NS9 is a nice improvement, blocking a wider range of frequencies than the previous models.
Compared to my usual silicon ears, it’s not as immersive, as silicon seems to dampen unwanted sounds to a higher degree, but once you play your music, it’s more than enough to cover the outer world.
I used them on the train and subway, and I never had to push the volume more than necessary. Just take some time to find the right tips for your use, or try the memory foam if you’re not sure.
The review continues on Page three, after the click HERE or by using the jump below.
Page 1: about the brand
Page 2: Design, bundle, comfort
Page 3: Specifications
Page 4: Sound performances, conclusion
Dharmasteve
Nice review. I don’t review because I don’t use stock accessories, but I have really listened to these intensely. I firstly noticed the NS9 stock, sounded slightly boomy using 3.5mm, especially from phones. Changing to Spiral Dot tips and then using, siver or red filter, 4.4mm from a HiBy R5, the bass bleed completely disappeared, making this IEM sound fantastic and the mids begin to sing beautifully. It needs good power and good tip rolling to reach it’s ‘true’ sound.
Phil Harris
What a coincidence! I’m also running balanced from a Hiby R5. I’m using double flange tips as well. Still, it is a bass monster and I love it.
Orcun
BGVP DMA have a good review. if possible can you review it?