Queen of Audio x Eir Aoi Misty Blue VS NF Acous NM25

The Queen of Audio x Eir Aoi Misty Blue is a collaboration IEM built around a hybrid 2DD+2BA configuration with a 10 mm bass driver, 8 mm mid driver and dual BAs handling upper mids and treble, plus interchangeable 3.5 mm and 4.4 mm terminations and even a bundled USB-C dongle for phones. The hand-finished resin shells and Eir Aoi-themed faceplates position it as a collectible piece as much as an everyday tool, with pricing generally sitting in the ~US$220–270 range depending on retailer and region. Vendor descriptions and user impressions consistently note a light, contoured fit with good passive isolation, helped by the relatively compact shell and multiple tip sets.

In terms of tuning, Misty Blue aims for a balanced, mildly U-shaped signature: bass has some warmth and weight from the dedicated low-frequency dynamic, but it is described as not bleeding into the mids, which stay natural and clear, while the BA drivers add air and extension up top. Early community feedback characterises it as warm, pleasant and mature rather than aggressively V-shaped, which suits vocal-centric J-pop and rock material associated with Eir Aoi’s catalogue. Some listeners note that while overall tonality is cohesive, certain instruments can feel slightly short of “ultra-resolving”, hinting that tuning quality slightly outpaces raw microdetail at this price.

Technical performance is respectable for the segment: a short comparison video reports improved sub-bass reach, upper-treble presence and imaging over another QoA model, suggesting solid staging and positional cues even if overall resolution is more mid-tier than benchmark-setting. The included USB-C dongle, using a Realtek DAC, is generally regarded as usable but sonically bland and power-limited, with owners recommending a better source to unlock the IEM’s dynamics and separation. Considering the strong accessory set, artistic design and well-judged warm-balanced tuning against only moderate detail retrieval and a slightly elevated street price, Misty Blue represents a solid but not class-dominating value in the ~US$220 bracket, appealing most to listeners prioritising tonality and aesthetics over maximum technical performance.

The NF Acous NM25 is a full-metal stage monitor built from a single block of aviation-grade aluminium, housing the MC2L-100A single dynamic driver in a dual-magnetic, dual-chamber design. Its shell is compact yet solid, paired with a light 0.78 mm 2-pin silver-coated OFC cable terminated in 3.5 mm, but it omits modular or balanced terminations that some competitors offer around its $199 price point. Sensitivity and impedance (around 108 dB/mW, 32 Ω) make it easy to drive from portable sources while maintaining a monitor-focused, professional positioning.

Sonically, the NM25 leans toward a neutral-bright and analytical tuning, prioritising clarity and speed over warmth or weight. Bass is tight and fast with good sub-bass reach, but mid-bass remains relatively lean, so impact is restrained even though texture and control are strong. The mids are clean and slightly forward, giving vocals and instruments precise articulation, while the upper mids and lower treble are elevated enough to add air and definition but can expose sibilance or become fatiguing with poor or aggressive recordings.

Technical performance is a key strength: the NM25 offers high resolution, strong microdetail retrieval and a wide, open soundstage with precise imaging and separation that stand out in the sub-$200 bracket. This monitor-style presentation works especially well for acoustic, vocal and electronic material where timing, layering and clarity are more important than sheer bass quantity, but it is less forgiving of compressed or bright masters. Considering its focused, studio-oriented tuning and strong technicalities at an MSRP of around $199, the NM25 represents good value for listeners seeking a bright, analytical single-DD monitor rather than a universally “fun” all-rounder.