In this article, I’m reviewing the Tangzu Nezha IEM. Nezha is fitted with 6BA+1PZT drivers, Q-IAO electronic crossover and medical-grade resin shells. It’s priced at $399.
Disclaimer: This sample was provided by Linsoul for an honest review. All observations and opinions here are my own, based on my experience with the product.
Tangzu Nezha
Table of Contents
Specifications
Driver: 2* Sonion Subwoofer (Lows), 2* Customized BA (Mids), 2* Customized BA (Highs), 1* PZT Driver (Ultra Highs)
Sensitivity: 106dB 1kHz
Impedance: 16Ω
Frequency response: 10-20kHz
Cable: OCC Silver-Plated Litz modular cable
In the Box
- Tangzu Nezha IEMs
- 0.78mm 2-pin OCC silver-plated modular cable
- 3.5mm + 4.4mm modular plugs
- Leather storage case
- 3* pairs of wide-bore silicone eartips
- 3* pairs of balanced silicone eartips
Design
I think most would agree that Nezha has a stunning shell design. The housings are opaque glossy black with a pseudo-custom shape. The real showstopper is the faceplates with their fiery red hand-layered aluminium flakes and gold-plated aluminium symbols.
A small vent is just in front of the 2-pin sockets to relieve pressure. The nozzles have a sturdy lip to hold the eartips on securely and a protective metal mesh cover.
Regarding comfort, Nezha’s shells feel great in my ears, despite being somewhat large. Passive noise isolation is above average, which is great for distraction-free listening while commuting and in noisy environments.
The stock OCC silver-plated cable is excellent and feels fitting for an IEM in this price range. It’s robust yet flexible and has high-quality aluminium components. In addition, it’s a modular cable that allows you to easily switch between the 3.5mm single-ended and 4.4mm balanced terminations.
Sound
Gear used for testing includes the iFi Audio UNO, xDuoo Link2 Bal and SMSL DO300EX. Nezha is an efficient IEM and it can be used with just about any source, although I’d recommend something with a low output impedance.
Bass
Nezha’s lows have a mid-bass focus and a rolled-off sub-bass. The mid-bass has a nice tone with a lovely texture and a surprising level of impact. It’s somewhat forward and contributes to a warmer signature.
It is axiomatic that a balanced armature sub-bass isn’t going to produce an authoritative rumble but the Sonion BA’s have a pretty good crack at it. Nezha’s bass has a lovely tone and definition, but its subdued sub-bass impact might leave bassheads yearning for more. However, those who favour precision and subtlety will admire its finesse.
Midrange
Vocals are silky, due to the attenuated upper treble response. Likewise, percussion attacks aren’t the sharpest leading to smoother transients. In some sense, it lacks a little bite but, on the other hand, it makes Nezha more forgiving and musical.
One thing I’ll say about the mids is that the timbre is natural and organic. There isn’t the same kind of pinna gain we often see in contemporary IEMs, yet the clarity is still there. There’s no shoutiness, yet the mids are still vibrant and resonant.
Treble
Nezha’s treble is fairly linear, bringing enough energy for tonal balance while staying inoffensive and non-fatiguing. It’s a warmer treble, with rounded, slightly diffuse notes, yet it’s still fairly detailed. Furthermore, it’s a reasonably precise and agile treble, though it only has a modest amount of airiness and sparkle.
Soundstage & Technicalities
Nezha performs quite strongly in a technical sense. It has good soundstage dimensions and layering. But the quality of the soundstage doesn’t come from expansiveness or an airy, crisp treble – it comes from above-average instrument separation and a black background.
Verdict
Overall, I think the Tangzu Nezha is a very nicely tuned mid-centric IEM. It has a lovely timbre, tonal balance and good technical ability. Nezha has a punchy, full-bodied mid-bass, a rich but unsaturated midrange and a laid-back yet detailed smooth treble response.
I can easily recommend this to anyone looking for a natural, organic-sounding IEM with good detail retrieval and above-average instrument separation. The only real caveat is its lack of sub-bass impact, so bassheads may want to look for alternatives.