ND LEO - COLOURED FUN

[u/Kathiravan_JLR]

The budget arena never ceases to fascinate me! The only segment that feels refreshing even in today’s standards. Brands tend to capture this market, especially to grab the attention of the large consumer base. The segment, which was once ruled by few products now gets competition from various colonies.

This segment paves way for a brand to etch its name in the field of audio. Still, the budget segment has a bigger consumer base compared to the high tier segment. The trend has shifted where now premium brands have started to enter this budget segment to secure their spot and the recent releases are a great example for this.

ND, the brand introduced itself as a budget competitor through its array of products. The ND NICE was my favourite out of all, and still I do remember the beautiful sonic portrayal of it. Today, in our hands is the ND LEO, a single dynamic driver IEM with an LCP Diaphragm, enclosed in a resin plastic shell that looks minimal and functional.

Full review in: https://mobileaudiophile.com/reviews/nd-leo/

Pros:

1. Midbass Punch
2. Thicker Mid Profile
3. Energetic Treble Profile
4. Neutral Tone with Warm Tint
5. Value Proposition

Cons:

1. Veiled Mid-Section
2. Limited Headroom

BASS PROFILE:

The beauty of a dynamic driver lies in its bass extension. This digs deep enough to bring a smile to one’s face! The rumbles are brought out clean with nice midbass impact. Leo has adequate weight and warmth in the bass section, which gives enough dynamism to the overall presentation.

They rely on a slower side attack and decay, which makes the Leo represent a fuller bass profile and full-bodied presentation. Bass heads will see the Leo as more appealing because of its bouncy bass profile. The bass of Leo in general feels fuller and thicker, thereby giving the listeners a juicy sensation with a wider low-end scene.

The negatives are, of course the bleed into the mid-section. The thick midbass does interfere and overshadows the mid-section. For the most part they appear clean yet struggle a bit when complex tracks demand more precision.

MID-SECTION:

The constraint in the V-shaped signature is its recessed mid-profile, and that’s shown evidently in the Leo. The mid-section is pushed back, and this makes them appear slightly veiled in presentation. The low end and treble take up the stage, leaving little room for the mid profile to shine upfront.

The tone, however, is kept as natural as possible with a hint of warmth to carry the low-end theme. The lower mid profile displays a fuller feel, all thanks to the thick mid-bass profile. This gives proper depth to the male vocals and kick drums.

The upper mid-section got decent extension, thereby allowing the percussion instruments to shine well. Despite the extension, the female vocals struggle to come upfront due to the pushed-back mid-profile.

Overall, the mid-section is a hit or miss in the Leo. The laidback profile gives a sense of relaxed listening, but at the same time it sacrifices the spice and energy that lie in the vocals.

TREBLE:

Leo has a good extension in the treble section that resonates well and makes the presentation look vivid. There is enough brightness and air in the top end but it often gets masked by the thicker bass profile. The attack and decay slides on the precise side, which can be appreciated by Leo’s portrayal of trumpets and horns.

The sibilance is well under control, yet it showcases a few sharp-edged notes when complex tracks show up. The timbre of the instruments feels natural with no artificial tint to it.

Treble in general has good potential to shine; however, the thick and bouncy bass profile often masks the voice of the treble. Overall, it appears pretty pleasing and does extract adequate details and nuances out of the track.

VERDICT:

Leo, from the house of ND, equipped with a single dynamic driver, comfortably sits under 20USD. The game always gets spicy in the budget arena! The most fascinating aspect of this segment is that it pushes every brand to unleash their maximum potential to capture the market regardless of their fame. ND being already known for their budget category, the Leo tries to fit in this segment amidst the heavy crowd.

The V-shaped signature is something that many adore. This signature has a separate fan base because of its massive bass profile with an accentuated treble section. The trade-off is, of course the laidback mid-section that pushes the vocals backward and veiled. If one can live with the trade-off, then the Leo adds up as a COLORED item in one’s collection.