HYPETRAK Review: Nocs NS900

After two years of development, Swedish brand Nocs presents the NS900 headphones. Designed to cater specifically to its market of audiophiles and professional DJs, the company’s latest product is faced high expectations right from the very start. In order to match these demands, the NS900’s design is intended to deliver high quality sound within “loud” club environments while maintaining muted and elegant aesthetic. This was reason enough for us to take a closer look at the Nocs NS900 and see if it keeps what is promises.

SOUND:
The Swedish headphone makers placed high emphasis on the material used to compose the NS900. Incorporating custom 40mm state-of-the-art titanium-coated drivers with a sensitivity of 110 dB, impedence of 32 Ohm and a frequency of 20 Hz to 20 kHz, the NS900 succeed in delivering a well-balanced, optimized sound that meets the high sound requirements within a DJ booth. It doesn’t matter if you are a EDM aficionado, hip-hop head or just a lover of slow jams, the NS900 is making sure that all sound needs are taken care of. While the comparatively streamlined sound has the appropriate response to a wide range of acoustics and a variety of instrumental compositions, it sometimes falls short with bass-heavy productions. This is where the NS900’s noise-isolation effect comes into full play by cutting out simple and ambient sounds. Overall, the NS900 is a leap forward in sound technology as it provides the user with a full soundscape — especially in noisy environments.

LOOK:
Maintaining a sleek, minimal look, the NS900 is in full accordance with Nocs’s signature creative appeal and high-level design standards. The durable construction encompasses a detail-heavy set of replaceable parts while a PVD-coated adjustable stainless steel headband with an inner band adds further structure. The overall minimal approach is retained as the headphones are free of overbearing logos and flashy season-dependent details. The ear-pieces are bolted into the headpiece, using an adjustable, metallic piece that adds as slight raw and industrial aesthetic. Assuming a dark club setting as a DJ’s frequent terrain of activity, the minimal design approach is a suitable one as it clearly conveys its main message: the product’s magic happens within the ear pieces. Although it is marketed as a professional DJ headphone, its smooth, fluid design makes the Nocs NS900 also suitable for day-to-day usage. The headphones are not as physically massive as other DJ-orientated headphone products which also make them usable for private purposes, such as traveling, commuting or just having a relaxed time at home.

FEEL & WEARABILITY:
Designed for professional audio usage, the Nocs NS900 might appear a little bit uncomfortable at first. Due to the adjustable steel headband along with the inner band, the very first impression upon placing the NS900 on the head is that the NS900 are a little heavy for listening sessions at home or during your public transportation commute. However, the weight becomes less and less palpable with every additional song you play. Giving the user a comfortable feel and enhances its long-term wearability, the lush padding proves to be functional in combination with the noise-canceling system. The travel-savvy design permits convenient storage when space is scarce. The headphones themselves may not be the lightest available, but the inner band is dexterously crafted with dependability at its center.

FINAL THOUGHTS:
With the NS900, Nocs delivers a multi-functional headphone that meets the high requirements of professional DJs. The efficient noise-isolating mechanism guarantees full sound coverage — especially in the midst of noisy surroundings. The NS900 are also genre-friendly thanks to their titanium-coated drivers with a sensitivity of 110 dB. It provides the user with a full sound range while isolating ambient sound, thus being an ideal companion within the DJ booth, record studio as well as plane rides and morning commutes. While the $249 USD price might appear a little bit high at first glance, it comes as a result of the premium material that is incorporated in the NS900 and the company’s dedication to cohesiveness for its creation. The buyer receives a high quality product with high sound delivery. While there is some space for improvements in terms of wearability, the NS900 is Nocs’s convincing response to the current developments of the steadily growing headphone market.

The Nocs NS900 will soon be available at the HYPEBEAST Store.