Sound performance
Due to its inner nature, I mostly used the Questyle NHB12 with my iPhone on a daily basis. Out of curiosity I’ve also tried the ddHiFi TC44 Pro with a 2-Pin to 4.4mm Pentaconn Cable to see if that makes a real difference with the ears.
Files were played from either Apple Music / Spotify or my own music library. Some tracks will be highlighted, just so you can try them at home too!
Overall signature
So, is the NHB12 + CMA SiP a good combination? To tell the truth, I was initially skeptical about integrating a DAC into the Questyle NHB12. While the brand has already proven itself in terms of electronics, the world of IEMs is, in essence, quite different, and it’s quite rare to deliver a good iteration first time around, even more so for a brand that has never produced headphones before.
However, upon listening, I was pleasantly surprised by the end result, the duo delivering a performance that is quite remarkable for an IEM in this price range. Sure, everything isn’t perfect – there is a definite lack of power at the lower-end – but the brand managed to produce a sound that is both detailed and engaging.
In fact, despite being Questyle’s first venture into the IEM market, the NHB12 delivers an impressive sound performance that belies its modest price tag. Paired with the CMA SiP, the IEM clearly outperformed many similarly priced combos, adding style and convenience to the whole ordeal.
The proprietary DAC, the “piece de resistance” of this IEM, ensures a balanced and harmonious sound across the frequency spectrum. Whether you’re listening to the pulsating beats of electronic music or the intricate melodies of classical compositions, the NHB12 consistently delivered a full-bodied sound that rivals many higher-priced models. The medium, in particular, stands out for its tightness and impact, and on that game, my Apple AirPods Pro 2 were completely beaten as the Questyle allowed me to discover some details previously hidden with Cupertino’s IEM. Compared to other IEMs in its price range, the NHB12 really stood out for its superior voice accuracy and smoother transients. Impressive!
The soundstage, while not as expansive as some higher-priced models, is still commendable. The NHB12 manages to create a sense of space and depth, especially when playing Apple Dolby Atmos tracks. Sure some might argue bout fidelity issues, but with those ears, the difference between with and without Atmos is almost uncanny, the small IEMs even competing with much larger headphones in terms of render.
The NHB12’s sound profile is characterized by precise highs, lush mids, and impactful lows. The bass, while a bit muddy when paired with the base DAC/AMP, still manages to deliver a solid punch. The soundstage is commendable, especially when playing Apple Dolby Atmos tracks, and the crafting of voices is surprisingly well-executed, adding a layer of realism to the listening experience.
But let’s address the elephant in the room: like every IEM, the Questyle NHB12 requires to be paired with a robust and pretty powerful source for optimal results. And even if the CMA SiP remains a very good solution on a daily basis, the amp lack of power makes the bass a tad disappointing. That’s even truer if you switch to a beefier solution like the iBasso DC06, the small DAC/AMP delivering a much more
That said, while a bit muddy due to the limitations of the default DAC, the bass remains impactful and adds a certain depth to the overall sound. This is particularly noticeable when listening to tracks with heavy bass lines like Emotion from Cenk Gursoy, where the NHB12 managed to dig into the lower frequencies with ease. And while they’re clearly not up to the level of the Letshuoer I’ve tested previously – at least as far as bass is concerned – Questyle IEMs make up for it quite nicely in the treble department.
Yes, the high frequencies benefit from the same attention as the midrange. Precise, chiseled and never aggressive, they perfectly complement the midrange thanks to a perfectly mastered crossover. Incredible finesse rendering, combined with excellent harmonic distortion control makes these headphones one of the best alternatives available today for all fans of high frequencies.
Finally, out of curiosity, I also plugged the NHB12 into my Astell&Kern CA1000T – a majestic device only slowed by its UI – and while the matching was not ideal, the end result definitely was, unveiling the earphone last hidden virtues. Soundstage widen even more, bass finally reached the level I longed for and the voices became even more astute. Scrumptious !
So yeah, it’s good with the default DAC, but amazing with a TOTL DAC.
Tonality
Highs: impressive. One best highs you could get in this price range IMO. There is no sibilant and you can confidently raise the volume never to encounter any harshness. The highs/super-highs difference didn’t strike me, but if you prefer highs over lows, this is the IEM to get.
Good test-track : Through and Through – Leaving Laurel
Mediums: rich and full. Exceptional soundstage and clean mids make for a very pleasant experience. For my first Questyle experience, the NHB12 has done an excellent job in this regard: voices are bliss, and the earphone can fully immerse you, in just a few seconds. It lacks the 3D openness of high end solution, but quite honestly, that’s just me being picky.
Good test-track: Money – Pink Floyd
Bass: solid bass but some trailing at low volume. For me, the lows are the achilles heel’s of the NHB12: they aren’t bad by any mean, but the driver needs more power to deliver really impactful lows. Once plugged to my HiFiman EF400 via the provided cable, I was astounded by how sharp they became, especially on my usual electro tracks. So yeah, great bass, but not by default.
Good test-track : Seyfert – Binaryh
Sensitivity / Hiss
With the provided CMA SiP, in idle mode, I didn’t notice any hiss, even in a silent environment. If you’re sensitive to ground noise, this is good news as more and more people tend to listen to their music at low, or even extra-low volume thanks to years of health awareness.
Impedance is rated at 38 ohms, but that’s only relevant if you use an external DAC or DAP. I tried it with the FiiO KA3, ddHiFi TC44 Pro and even the Hifiman EF400 and none had any issue driving the Questyle NHB12.
Paired with the default DAC though, you’ll notice that top-volume sees voluntary lowered compared to your usual source – probably to get the MFi badge – but on a daily basis, the ear will give you more power than you’ll ever need.
Conclusion
For $299 USD, the Questyle NHB12 is more than a good first attempt, it’s a winner combo.
Build quality is exquisite, design is classy, comfort is very good, and for less than three hundred bucks, you get a very compelling sound, with clean mids, amazing highs and great staging, in a life-lasting shell. Add to that the fact that it also comes with a real DAC/AMP – compared to Apple basic one – MFi certified and this becomes a solid combo for any aspiring audiophile, with an iPhone.
The only drawback I could point would be the low-end, that definitely needs more power to truly shine, but that could be fixed with some fine-tuning on the DAC, or simply by replacing the default DAC by something beefier, like the Cayin RU7.
Apart from that, it’s all good!
Pros :
- impressive sound quality
- great build and solid shell
- affordable price for an IEM + DAC combo
- low to none distortion
- it’s for iPhone users !
Cons:
- bass can use more power
- its not for Android users…
