Nightjar Duality - A Bassy Experience or Experiment?

 3⭐️

+ The balanced setting has a lot of bass quantity but is actually still pretty well-balanced 

+ Big, deep reaching, and clean sub-bass response

+ Smooth and cohesive midrange

+ Treble has a touch of sparkle and enough air to maintain a balanced sound

+ Impressive technicalities 

- Bass sounds a little too clean and lacks mid-bass impact

- Treble can get slightly thin and harsh at higher volumes

- Bassy setting feels more like a tech demo than a well executed tuning 

- Stock cable is a little thin and an upgrade costs a pretty penny

- Very hard to drive adequately 

thaslaya's star rating system:

☆☆☆☆☆ - Fantastic!

☆☆☆☆ - Recommended

☆☆☆ - There are buyers but not for me

☆☆ - Can't see the appeal

☆ - Product is a failure

Disclaimer: 

This set was provided for a trial period through the Watercooler tour. I recieve no compensation, and all thoughts and opinions are my own.

Non-affiliate link for those interested:

https://nightjaracoustics.com/products/duality

Gear used: 

●Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra

●HiBy R3 II

●Various DAC/amps

Source:

●Listening was done using Amazon Music HD/Ultra HD and local FLAC files. 

Introduction: 

Nightjar Acoustics is a Singaporean audio company known for their high-end cables and IEMs, which include the Meteor and the Singularity. The Duality is their latest release and it also happens to be their flagship set. It features a 10mm and 8mm dual dynamic driver configuration and is currently available from Nightjar's site for $3000. This one has a reputation for being quite bassy and incorporates a switch to add even more. Let's break down this latest offering from Nightjar and see how it performs. 

Build, fit, ergonomics:

I cannot speak to the unboxing experience, since this is a tour unit, but it still came with plenty of accessories to evaluate. The Duality's shell features a black aluminum build with a nice weight balance. On the faceplate are two circles that, to me, look like two planetary bodies orbiting one another. It is a somewhat minimalistic and understated design, but I think it works well. There is also a switch on the faceplate to toggle between Bassy (up) and Balanced (down) modes. The Duality are average in size and insertion depth. The nozzle measures 6.4 mm and is angled in a way that leads to a comfortable fit for me. There is no venting that I can see, but I did not have any issues with pressure buildup. This tour unit included both the standard stock 4-wire 7N OCC pure copper and 7N OCC silver hybrid Synthesis cable and the 2-wire edition of Nightjar's Blue Hour cable. I preferred the Synthesis cable because it's thicker. It has a nice weave and good-looking hardware, but it's also pretty chunky and quite a juxtaposition to the somewhat thin cable. I'm not sure the bigger hardware works well with a 4-wire cable, and it looks even more ridiculous on the very thin 2-wire Blue Hour. Nightjar does offer an 8-wire Synthesis cable option when purchasing from their website, but it will set you back an additional $500. No stock tips were included to assess, but I found the SpinFit W1 provided the best fit and comfort for me. The Duality comes with a nice, large metal case. It feels very durable and provides great protection, but it's definitely not pocketable, and I would like to see a small handle for more carrying convenience. Overall, I find the build quality adequate, and the case is very useful, if not a bit large, but the cable is a little disappointing for the price.

Sound impressions:

The majority of my testing was performed with the Duality's switch in the down position, which is the balanced mode. With the switch up, it becomes too sub-bass-oriented and dark for me. It's like it sucks the life out of everything but the deepest bass frequencies and loses much of what I like in balanced mode. Don't get me wrong, the bassy tuning can be fun with certain tracks and genres, but overall, I personally feel it's more of a gimmick. So, the following impressions were made using balanced mode, unless otherwise indicated. I found this tuning to still be quite bassy, but with a level of balance and refinement that is very enjoyable. It has a V- or almost L-shaped frequency response, with a hefty sub-bass boost, an emphasized upper midrange, and rolled-off treble. Outside of the bass, the note weight feels a little thin. This is, hands down, one of the hardest IEMs I have encountered to drive. Without adequate power, the bass distorts a lot at higher volumes, but it works okay at lower volumes. The detail retrieval is quite good for such a bass-heavy tuning, although I wouldn't use it for critical listening. The soundstage is expansive, and although not quite arena-level large, it has a great balance of width and depth, creating a nice orbital soundscape around the head. The Duality has a fairly natural-sounding timbre, but it is not the highlight of the technicalities or a standout for the price. The imaging is very well done, and it has great accuracy, both directional and with distance. Unfortunately, I find the dynamics disappointing, and the tuning cannot be done justice at low or medium levels. The Duality has a nice level of cohesiveness thanks to the fantastic layering, and it also has good separation but does not feel disjointed. Overall, I think the Duality's technical performance is quite good, especially for this style of tuning, but it's not the set I would pick for critical listening.

As I said above, the Duality is very difficult to drive properly, which does make it somewhat source-sensitive in terms of power requirements. No source I own is able to drive it efficiently, but I had the opportunity to borrow the iFi Gryphon, which was just barely able to reach higher volumes without bass distortion. Luckily, the Gryphon can also be used as a standalone amplifier, meaning I was still able to test my stable of DACs. I found that the Duality sounded best for me when paired with the Questyle M18i line out to the Gryphon. I preferred this to running it off the Gryphon alone because the M18i enhances bass texture and resolution, making the low end sound even better.

●Lows - The bass is very sub-bass focused and unfortunately mid-bass deficient for my taste. The extension does reach quite low, though, especially with the switch up, and it has a true subwoofer-like effect; but if you are aiming for a super bass-oriented tuning, why not add more mid-bass as well? At least the bass is well separated from the midrange, which ensures there is no bleed. The speed is good, and the texture is very clean, but it lacks impact and is not very visceral or hard-hitting. It also has a quick decay, which means bass notes simply do not hang around long enough for my taste. Notes hit fast and low, then disappear as quickly as they arrived, which leads to a nice, clean presentation, but it's not necessarily fun. I don't mind the bass being a little messy if it means a nice, longer-lasting rumble and reverberation. I think the Duality's bass is tasteful and precise, but I feel like it's pushed a bit too far toward being clinical. With the bass switch pushed up, there is even more quantity, but the balance is askew, which leads to the mids and treble becoming overly recessed. As big as the bass graph is, it still feels polite somehow. If I'm committing to a basshead tuning, I want a more visceral response that I can really feel, rather than just an elevated sub-bass shelf. Overall, the Duality's bass is big, deep-reaching, and clean, but I think it comes off a bit too sterile and needs more mid-bass to balance it out.

●Mids - For such a bass-first tuning style, the Duality's midrange is surprisingly well-balanced. The separation between bass and mids is very clean, and the lower midrange is still decently well-represented. Instruments here have okay weight but could use more. Vocals are neither too recessed nor overly forward. In bass-heavy tracks, they can get a little overshadowed by the bass shelf, but it's not as bad as I expected. Both male and female vocals are equally well-represented and have a natural-sounding timbre, but I would welcome a bit more warmth and a more emotive presentation. Guitars and other instruments have a nice tonality as well, but you will not get the same level of midrange detail with this tuning style as with a less bass-heavy one. My biggest complaint is that vocals can sound a little thin and slightly brittle at times. They are also not as forward as I usually prefer, but they sound quite a bit better than I anticipated. Overall, the Duality's midrange is decent, but I think it could be further emphasized to suit my preferences.

●Highs - The duality's treble is also pretty well done for this style of tuning. It's not overly emphasized, in an effort to nullify some of that huge bass shelf, but it still stays present in the mix and with a certain energy that's just about right. The extension is okay, but the amount of air is probably less than ideal for some. I personally think it has just enough sparkle and air to allow the bass to remain the star of the show while not being deficient. There's no real sibilance to worry about here, but the treble, like the midrange, can be a little thin. There can also be a little harshness on "s" and "sh" notes at higher volumes, but it's very track-dependent, so I won't fault it too much. Cymbals are not splashy, but they can be a little metallic-sounding at times. Snares and claps fare pretty well and have a nice, crisp texture without being incisive, which I always appreciate. Overall, I'm actually quite surprised with the treble balance and quality. I do think the energy level could be elevated a bit, and the very slight harshness can be distracting at higher volumes, but this is a well-done treble response in my book, and I find very little to fault.

Comparisons: All comparisons made with the Duality's switch in the down position. Credit to Jaytiss and Smirk for the graphs. 

● A&K x EE NOVUS ($5000) - This multi-kilobuck matchup features the Duality's 2DD against the NOVUS' 2DD, 5BA, 4EST, and 2BCD quad-brid configuration. I cannot compare all accessories, but both have decent stock cables, although I prefer the NOVUS' fabric-sheathed cable. I also prefer the NOVUS' smaller, more premium-feeling metal, puck-style case to the Duality's much larger case. Both have somewhat lightweight, durable metal shells, but the NOVUS is quite a bit larger, and its much longer nozzle provides a better fit for me. The overall designs differ significantly, with the Duality being more subtle and the NOVUS appearing more premium and expensive, which I personally prefer. Regarding tuning, both have a bass-oriented V-shaped frequency response, but the NOVUS has significantly more mid-bass, while the Duality offers more bass quantity with deeper sub-bass extension. The NOVUS comes across as the better-balanced, more energetic, and engaging of the two, whereas the Duality is a bit darker and more laid-back. Even though the graph shows the NOVUS as having much less sub-bass, it can still reach quite low when needed. The Duality has superior rumble and reverberation, with a bit more impact, but the NOVUS has a cleaner texture, better resolution, and slightly slower decay. The added mid-bass also helps add a nice, subtle warmth to the entire frequency response, which I thoroughly enjoy. The Duality is a little better separated between bass and mids, but I don't hear any particularly major bleed on the NOVUS. Lower midrange instruments are better represented on the NOVUS and they have more weight and a warm, sweet timbre. The Duality's lower midrange dip just can't quite do justice to things like cellos and lower brass instruments, for me. Despite how it graphs, the vocals are also better represented on the NOVUS, as it pushes them a little more forward. They are also more energetic, engaging, and natural-sounding, with a better balance between male and female vocals, although they can also sound a hair thin at times. The mid-treble and air of these two measure remarkably similarly, but their presence regions are where much of the difference lies. The NOVUS' emphasis here really helps balance the entire treble to my ear, whereas the Duality sounds somewhat incomplete in its treble. To its credit, however, cymbals and snares are less incisive and have a slightly darker tilt compared to the NOVUS, which can be slightly fatiguing at higher volumes. Technically, the NOVUS has better timbre, detail retrieval, and a slightly wider soundstage, while the Duality has better separation, layering, and a slightly deeper soundstage. They are about even in imaging and note weight. For me, this comparison depends less on bass quantity and more on overall balance and engagement. The NOVUS is one of the best TOTL IEMs I've heard, demonstrating refinement, maturity, and nearly perfect amounts of excitement, technical prowess, and musicality. It's true the Duality has a deeper-reaching sub-bass, which can be a blast, but it lacks a little something special or X-factor for me. It's still a great bass-heavy, laid-back set, but the NOVUS does so many things exceptionally well, and it's also one of the best all-rounders in my library.

My pick: NOVUS 

● FATfrequency Grand Maestro with black "Power" NOAH module ($3000) - Here we have the 1DD, 8BA, 4EST tribrid configuration of the Grand Maestro against the 2DD drivers in the Duality. The Grand Maestro has a switch as well, but it enhances vocals, unlike the Duality's, which emphasizes the bass. For this comparison, both sets had their switches in their down position. I am unable to compare the stock accessories since the GM is a borrowed unit and they were not included. When it comes to build quality, the GM has an all resin shell, which feels a little less sturdy than the aluminum of the Duality, but they are about equal in weight. The size of these two, however, is much different. The GM is almost comically large, with a very long nozzle. It honestly feels a little invasive even for my large ears. I much prefer the fit and comfort of the Duality. As for the design, the GM features a nice blue and white patterned faceplate, but I think the more subtle aesthetic of the Duality is better. Both sets have bassy V-shaped tunings, but the Duality comes across as a little more musical and smooth, while the GM is more exciting and energetic, with a brighter tilt. In the bass, the Duality is all about sub-bass extension, but it also has a little more mid-bass too. The GM's bass extension doesn't reach as low, but it does have a more satisfying rumble and reverberation due to a slower decay. It also has a harder-hitting attack with more impact, which I prefer, although the Duality has slightly better resolution and texture. In the lower midrange, the GM lends a bit more weight to instruments, but the Duality has a sweeter and more enjoyable timbre. As for vocals, the Duality pushes them a little more to the forefront, and when combined with the cleaner and better-separated bass, they really shine. They are also a bit more emotive, which I enjoy. While the GM's extra treble emphasis helps it sound more balanced and complete, it can also be a little too bright and incisive at times. The Duality, however, handles treble much better for my preferences, and I do not encounter any harshness or sibilance, though admittedly it could use a bit more air. When it comes to technical performance, the GM has better detail retrieval, dynamics, imaging, and a more expansive soundstage, while the Duality wins in timbre, note weight, separation, and layering. Ultimately, for me, this matchup really comes down to the overall energy level and treble response. It's no doubt that the GM is the more versatile of the two, thanks to the interchangeable NOAH modules; unfortunately, its tuning can be a little too aggressive and lean a little bright for me. To its credit, I prefer the rumblier, more visceral bass impact of the GM to the Duality's cleaner style; however, the slightly darker Duality has a certain engagement factor and a greater sense of refinement that I enjoy much more. It also doesn't hurt that it fits much more comfortably.

My pick: Duality

● DUNU DK3001BD with 50ohm impedance adapter ($500) - This matchup pits the Duality's dual DDs versus the BrainDance's 1 DD, 4 BA, and 4 micro planar tribrid configuration. I'm including this comparison more for my own amusement, since, even though these two have different stock tunings, the BrainDance becomes significantly bassier with an impedance adapter. When it comes to accessories, DUNU is one of the best and they are hard to beat. I prefer both the smaller leather case and the well-built modular cable of the BrainDance. Both sets of shells feature an aluminum build, but the BrainDance has a ceramic coating, making it slightly heavier, sturdier, and more premium feeling. While they are very similar in size, the BrainDance offers a slightly better fit for me. Design is always subjective, and even though I like the subtle aesthetic of the Duality, the BrainDance's cyberpunk design is more eye-catching and my preference. When it comes to overall tuning, I would never think to compare these two without the extra impedance added to the BrainDance, but with an added 50 ohms, they do share some similarities. The Duality is more V-shaped, while the BrainDance becomes almost an L-shaped meta tuning. In the bass, the BD has more mid-bass and is more impactful. It also has a little more fullness and rumble and a slightly slower decay. The Duality's bass extension digs deeper and it has a cleaner sound with better texture, resolution, and a quicker decay. Basically, the bass of the BD can be more fun with the extra impedance, but it ultimately sounds like just adding an extra bass shelf to an existing tuning (because that's essentially what's happening). On the other hand, the Duality sounds more like the bass was specifically tuned to handle the large quantity from inception to production and it shows. In the midrange, vocals are better separated on the Duality but a little warmer, smoother, and more emotive on the BD which I definitely prefer. They're also a little more engaging, whereas they take a bit of a backseat to the bass on the Duality. In the lower midrange, the BD has better instrument representation but the Duality is better separated between the bass and mids leading to a cleaner transition. In the treble, the BD does have better extension, leading to a more complete tuning style. I think the added bass also helps smooth them out and alleviate some complaints about the brighter tilt of the stock tuning, while still retaining a degree of sparkle and air. The Duality does have more of the rolled-off treble I typically prefer, but it sounds noticeably thinner. As for technical performance, the Duality has better detail retrieval, separation, and layering, while the BD has slightly better timbre and note weight. They compete well in soundstage and imaging. While the BrainDance + impedance adapter will not serve as a replacement for something like the Duality, it can definitely be a fun, bassy change to an already fantastic tuning. However, if bass quality is your first concern, the Duality is clearly better, and it also has a more laid-back tuning style compared to the energetic BD. For me, the BD+IA serves me well when I'm in the mood for a bass-heavy tuning. The midrange and treble are also better tuned to my taste, making it an easy choice. It's much less expensive, too, and I appreciate the versatility of being able to remove the adapter and still have the fantastic stock tuning.

My pick: DK3001BD + impedance adapter

● Flipears Aegis ($480) - This matchup features the dual-DD configuration of the Duality against the 1DD, 1BCD of the Aegis. I did not receive all the accessories, as one is a tour unit and one is borrowed. But, from what I have on hand, I prefer the Aegis's inclusions. It has a great leather zipper case, which I prefer over the Nightjar's larger metal case, and a much nicer, thicker stock cable. As for build quality, the Aegis's shells are made of resin with a metal faceplate, compared to the Duality's full aluminum build. The Aegis is a bit smaller and heavier, with a slightly longer and more angled nozzle that fits my ear better, but the Duality's shell feels sturdier. Regarding design, these two are pretty starkly different. The Duality features a very simple and understated aesthetic, while the Aegis's faceplate is quite ornate. I personally prefer the Aegis, but it understandably won't appeal to everyone. When it comes to overall tuning, both have a bass-first V-shaped sound signature with an emphasized upper midrange. However, the Aegis is more mid-bass heavy, while the Duality is more sub-bass focused and sounds better balanced. In the bass, the Duality has a very clean-sounding, deep-reaching sub-bass response with a fast attack and quick decay. The Aegis has more mid-bass presence, though it's not devoid of sub-bass either. It also has the better-balanced bass response of the two, between sub- and mid-bass. The Duality has a cleaner texture and is a bit more resolving, but the Aegis has a little warmth, and the extra impact and slower decay give it a more natural presentation to my ear. In the lower midrange, the Aegis lends a little more weight to instruments, and they are better represented. Vocals on the Aegis are a bit more forward and have a more intimate presentation, positioned closer to the ear. I typically enjoy this vocal style, but it also slightly betrays the soundstage width and depth. The Duality also handles vocals well, though they sound a bit cleaner, slightly thinner, and less emotive. In the treble, the Duality definitely has more sparkle and air, while the Aegis is more heavily rolled off. My preference, as a treble-sensitive listener, is the Aegis, since it still has a little energy and excitement to prevent things from sounding too dark; however, I think the Duality has decent treble too. It's not too bright, and cymbals and snares sound more natural, but there can be a little harshness on certain vocal notes at higher volumes, and it's more prone to sibilance than the Aegis. As for technical performance, the Duality wins pretty handedly in detail retrieval, layering, separation, imaging, and soundstage, but the Aegis competes well in timbre and has better note weight. Essentially, this matchup comes down to bass style and driver preference. Sure, the sub-bass reach of the Duality is impressive, and it has a fantastically clean sound for so much bass quantity, but it lacks a certain visceralness, body, and "messiness" that the Aegis reproduces so remarkably well, with the help of the BCD. For me, the Duality's tuning is more of a bass specialist, while the Aegis is truly a great bass first all-rounder. Taking the warmer tonality, added vocal emphasis, smoother treble, and greater sense of musicality into account, the Aegis is basically my bassy dream come true. Also, at only one-sixth the cost, it's hard to fault.

My pick: Aegis 

● FATfrequency Deuce ($260) - This matchup is a contest between two dual-DD configurations. Unfortunately, I can't compare the accessories since I don't have any for the Deuce. When it comes to build quality, the Deuce is quite a bit smaller, and the full resin shell is much lighter. It also has some well-documented build quality issues that I won't get into here. However, even with those concerns aside, I would still prefer the more durable aluminum shell of the Duality. The fit, though, is a different story, as the Deuce has a better contoured shell that fits me very nicely. Design-wise, I'm more drawn to the Duality, but neither one is particularly eye-catching for me. Both of these two sets have a heavy handed V-shaped style of tuning but the Deuce is more energetic and engaging while the Duality is a bit more relaxed. In the bass, the Deuce has a bigger mid-bass tuck while the Duality has a deeper reaching sub-bass extension. The Deuce sounds fuller with a more visceral feel, bigger impact, and greater rumble and reverberation, which I prefer, but it also sounds noticeably muddier in direct comparison. The Duality really excels in having a clean texture and great resolution even with such a big bass shelf, but the quicker decay doesn't really do it for me. The bass of the Deuce is a bit better separated from the midrange though. In the lower midrange, neither set truly does justice to the instruments due to the severe V-shaped tuning. Vocals on the Deuce are a bit more forward, better separated, energetic, and emotive, but they can sound a little disjointed from the rest of the frequency response. The Duality has a more cohesive and better-balanced vocal presentation. They also sound a little more natural and smoother, although they can get a little thin at times. As for the treble, the Duality offers more air and better extension, which helps the balance of the entire frequency response, but the Deuce has a more rolled-off style of treble that I prefer. Neither is particularly bright or sibilant, but the Duality does sound a little thinner and exhibits slight harshness on certain notes at higher volumes. In the technical performance, the Duality has better timbre, detail retrieval, imaging, layering, and soundstage, while the Deuce is more dynamic with better note weight and separation. This matchup really comes down to the bass. Even though both are more sub-bass focused and lack some mid-bass presence for my taste, the Deuce has a more visceral and full-sounding bass response with greater impact. I really expected to find a similar bass response in the Duality as well, but it is much cleaner, and the impact is too polite compared to the Deuce. For me, this bass-heavy style of tuning should be all about the fun factor, which means I will usually pick the one with more rumble and a harder-hitting impact, even at the expense of quality and technical prowess.

My pick: Deuce

In conclusion:

The Duality is my first introduction to Nightjar, and the first with which I have spent considerable time and had the opportunity to review. The star of the show is the big, deep-reaching sub-bass response, which really does have a subwoofer-like effect at higher volumes, even more so with the switch up. I have to admit, I have a bit of a soft spot for the Duality's bass mode, as it takes me back 20+ years to my high school days, riding around with my older brother in his 1996 Acura Integra with his Rockford Fosgate subwoofers in the trunk, just rumbling away. Nostalgia aside, the bass-heavy tuning can definitely be fun at times, but I find it simply too much for everyday listening. Even in the balanced mode, the lack of mid-bass and quicker decay means those low-hitting bass notes do not last as long as I feel they should. While it's not overbearing or bloated, I just don't enjoy it as much as I thought I would. The midrange and treble are actually pretty well done for my preferences, and both are able to cut through the bass shelf to be heard clearly, which I appreciate. Still, if the real crux of the tuning relies on the bass, it has to be spectacular or nearly perfect, and Nightjar kind of dropped the ball here, at least for what I prefer. So, would I recommend the Duality to bassheads? Well, it really depends on what kind of bass you're looking for. If you want a very visceral, impactful, and well-balanced bass with a huge rumble and reverberation, the Duality might not be the one. But if you're looking for a large sub-bass shelf that is well-behaved, has an incredibly clean texture and good resolution, and can reach into the depths of the lower frequencies without impeding too much on the midrange and treble, the Duality could be the winner. Overall, I think this one has more of a niche tuning that works best for pop, EDM, rap, and dance music. Unfortunately, it just didn't turn out to be the bassy all-rounder I was hoping for. Nightjar has created a very interesting and intriguing set in the Duality, but it's likely to be a divisive one. I think most people will either fall in love with the tuning immediately or simply dismiss it as too much. While I don't fall squarely into one camp or the other, I don't see myself missing the Duality when it's gone or pining to listen to it again. Is it good? Yes. Is it fun? Absolutely. Is it $3000 worth of good fun? For me, that's a resounding no. There are simply other bassy sets that I enjoy much more for far less money; however, as we all hear differently, the Duality could very well be another's sub-bass dream come true.