BGVP NS9 : Multidriver King for Bassheads

BGVP is a well known Chinese company mainly involved with customizing and producing high end Hifi earbuds, earphones and other electronic products. The BGVP NS9 took its name from the number of drivers it has. Each earpiece consist of total 9 drivers - 2 dynamic drivers and 7 balanced armature drivers(Sonion and Knowles). The dynamic drivers have a titanium-plated silicone composite diaphragm. These diaphragms are powered by an N5 magnetic circuit with a CCAV voice coil. The lower midrange is handled by a pair of FDK-6018, which is a combination of 30017 and 60318, the upper mids are then handled by RAF-32783 units, and the treble frequencies are by 2 E50DT from Sonion. 

The NS9 features a 3D printed acoustic tube that has 3 channels in the sound tube to allow for isolation of each frequency range in the NS9. There are two pressure vents, one on the inside and one on the side. The shells are also equipped with tuning filters that allow the user to customize the frequency response. The NS9’s shells are made of aircraft-grade aluminium, that goes through a CNC machining process. In terms of design is minimalistic and very comfortable 

The stock cable is pretty decent and is a 5N silver-plated copper cable with MMCX connectors. It also comes with a carry case that has semi hard shell covered with fabric. There is wide selection of eartips provided (Bass eartips, Vocal eartips and Memory Foam eartips) in the box along with three sets of different sound filters.

Disclaimer: 

I have received  as part of review circle sent from the brand itself in exchange of honest reviews. All impressions of sound are subjective to my own listening and my sources and is based on my experience with IEMs of similar hardware configurations and price range.

Sources:

For this review the unit has been paired to A&K SE100 (ES9038 Pro) and Shanling M6 (AK4495EQ) without any other amplification. The review is based omnivore filter with stock tips.

Pros:

1) Lavish quantity of bass

2) Decent BA resolution and timber

3) Weighted and organic mids with good depth

4) Comfortable treble and fit

5) Good Build quality and well accessorized 

Cons:

1) Bass can be boomy and bloated at times

2) Mid range feels recessed at times

Highs:

So starting with the treble section, I would say that the treble is minutely extended as compared to mids, but doesn’t feel like much boosted. It's just highlighted the way to give a feel of balanced armatures it has. The treble air is decent but extension I would say is average. Overall it gives a very pleasant experience specially for those who are bit sensitive in this region. If I talk about instruments like cymbals and other bells and whistles all sound quite natural, not even a single time it gets sibilant or harsh. 

Mids:

Coming towards mid-range, I felt it quite weighted and organic. Mid range has apt resolution and separation. Bother upper and lower mids feel natural with very nice timber. Instruments like pianos and flute sound very melodious and smooth. Only issue is with some complex tracks where upper mid bass has a bleed to lower mids and takes away all the technicalities of that region. Also at times it has been observed that the upper mid bass pushes the vocals to the background. While listening to "Sting - Shape Of My Heart” there was this nice feel of presence factor in bass guitar and decent sound stage.

Lows:

The bass does get boomy, I would say talking in terms of quantity is too much and can fill in all the desires of a casual basshead, but in terms of quality I would say it's not that clean. At times it does feel over powering and bleeding into the mid-range. The decay in bass is very slow hence one feels the rumble very distinctively. For slow EDMs the bass control is top notch. Talking about sub-bass , the IEM shines very much. 

Listening to “Bass Rani” album by Nucleya was such an awesome experience - what a rumble on all the bass drops, it was entirely fun listening to each track. Although there were occasions when bass got overwhelming and muddy, but sub bass rumble was amazing. I enjoyed each and every bass drop with same fervor.

Technicalities: 

The stage I would say is quite average, its neither too wide not too intimate but has good depth overall. Separation on other hand is quite decent. Imaging is also above average but instrument placement at times feel at weird places. The stereo transitions are smooth. It has an average resolution and micro dynamics. 

Final Verdict:

In a nutshell I would say that BGVP NS9 is not a typical V-shape IEM, although the lows I would say are bit boosted but with apt control. I really liked them, I find them fairly balanced with decent resolution. The best part of tuning as per me is that there is no over boosting of treble despite of 7 balanced armatures. There is slight highlight in micro dynamics and has good transitions and very good emotions. Mids do feel bit recessed and generally pushed to the background but has good timber and sounds well weighted and organic. The major thing that I felt missing is the overall coherency but that is understandable in an IEM of this price range with so many drivers. The bass on the other hand feels elevated and powerful, so if one is digging for good quantity of bass then this is definitely the one for you.

Comparison (BGVP NS9 Vs Fiio FH3):

I would say they look a bit similar to my daily driver (Fiio FH3) and also priced similarly but fit wise to me I find BGVP NS9 bit better than FH3. Fiio I would say is more V-shaped, It has bit more emphasize on the low frequencies with more punch and slam but on the other side on BGVP NS9 it shows more weight to the mids and has more organic signature. Overall quantity of bass is more in NS9 as compared to FH3 specially in sub-bass region. Comparing the micro details and treble FH3 is bit more effective. Overall Fiio FH3 I would say is more musical and fun sounding where as BGVP NS9 is more on the balanced side of tuning.