Current testing methodology is v1.2
The CVJ Nami is a fresh release from the Chi-Fi brand CVJ. It retails for around $60 and I recently just got it. Let’s see how it performs in this in-depth review.
CVJ Nami
An excellent IEM, even though its tuning switch only made minimal differences
TL:DR;
The newly released Nami is one of CVJ’s outstanding IEM releases with a very competitive price. Still, its relatively affordable price doesn’t hinder it from providing excellent sound quality that could rival more expensive IEMs. It features a hybrid driver setup and a tuning switch feature that allows you to toggle between different driver configurations and sound. With its design and features, the CVJ Nami is worth considering.
The Specs
- Driver: 10mm Dynamic Driver + Balanced Armature
- Cable: 3.5mm angled plug / 0.75mm detachable cable
- Frequency: 20-40,000Hz
- Impedance: 22Ω
- Sensitivity: 114±3db
What’s in the Box?
- CVJ Nami earphones
- 2-pin detachable cable
- 3 pairs of silicone ear tips (S, M, L)
- Tuning switch pin
Stuff I like
- Excellent build quality
- Versatile sound signature
- Clean warm V-shaped sound signature presentation
- The accessories are very nice
Stuff I like less
- Tuning switches have little noticeable changes to the sound
Where to get it
Comparable products to consider
The Kiwi Ears Dolce is an all-rounder IEM with a slight V-shaped sound signature and above-average technicalities. It’s a versatile pair of earphones with an energetic profile and decent-looking build.
Review Metrics
First Impressions
The overall execution of the CVJ Nami, from its packaging to the design of the product itself, is very tasteful.
It comes in white carton-sleeved packaging with some pop of color for its graphics around the cover. This packaging is noticeably larger compared to that of other CVJ products. The box features an image of the Nami on the front and some product information on the back.
The IEM is neatly presented in a square foam cutout and the accessories are placed in a separate box. The Nami’s design is simple yet well-executed, featuring a wavy detail that’s relevant to its branding. I find this subtle attention to detail quite impressive.
Build Quality
The shell of the CVJ Nami is made from polycarbonate resin while its faceplate is made out of metal, probably zinc alloy. Overall, it looks and feels sturdy.
The cable is one of the things that caught my attention as it appears to be of higher quality compared to that of other IEMs at this price point. The cable is well-built and well-designed enough that there’s really no need to swap it out with another cable.
Meanwhile, the included silicone ear tips are nothing special but they’re of decent quality. They’re also slightly better compared to ear tips that come included with other budget IEMs.
Overall, the build quality of the CVJ Nami is quite good, so kudos to CVJ for such a well-executed design and build.
Fit and Comfort
The CVJ Nami’s shell comes in a typical IEM shape that makes it comfortable. Since it’s mostly made of resin, it feels light even with its metal faceplate. There’s no noticeable weight when worn and I didn’t feel any discomfort even when using it for extended listening sessions.
The cable is nice. It wasn’t too tight on my ears, and they were comfortable even for a stock cable. The ear tips also provided a decent fit and seal.
Sound Quality
The CVJ Nami has a tuning switch feature that can alter how it sounds. It comes in three modes, and here are my impressions of each one using Tom Misch’s “It Runs Through Me” and Samm Henshaw ft. Earthgang’s “Church” as test tracks.
- Mode 1 (Down / Down) – This mode features a bassy and warm presentation with a rolled-off treble.
- Mode 2 (Up / Down) – I’ve noticed a slight boost on the Nami’s bass and treble in its presentation. This mode makes the mix sound a bit thicker, plus there’s a noticeable amount of splash and air added into the treble.
- Mode 3 (Down / Up) – This mode bears minimal difference from Mode 2 and they sounded the same to my ears.
Bass
The bass of the CVJ Nami is noticeably prominent in the mix due to its warm sound signature.
It has a decent sub-bass extension and produces enough rumble for different tracks, but it’s still
able to catch up with the demands of more bass-heavy songs. The mid-bass is tight and punchy, with a quick response and average speed on decay.
The presentation isn’t muddy, even though the sub-bass has a significant amount of rumble. It was able to remain well-controlled and detailed.
The different tuning configs did allow some changes in sound for the bass, although the main difference is around the volume. The main sound characteristic of the bass frequencies remains the same.
Mids
The mids are crisp and detailed, which is evident in the vocals and instruments on this frequency. Their presentation was natural and organic, with no weird texture or tonality. The timbre was also natural.
The vocals sound crisp and detailed, and the upper mids produce noticeable air. The instruments were able to cut through the mix, without getting too recessed. The different configurations didn’t affect the mids as much as other frequencies.
Treble
The treble on the Nami is so good at its job that the whole presentation got its detail and clarity because of how the highs performed. It’s not bright nor fatiguing to listen to.
The Nami’s treble was tame on the default configuration, with the mids and lows highlighted more. In Mode 2 (Up/Down) and Mode 3 (Down/Up), the highs are given more life and are more upfront in presentation.
Test Tracks
I tested the CVJ Nami on different genres of music to get a proper understanding of how they sound and here are my findings.
- Metal / Rock – What I love about the CVJ Nami is its exceptional audio separation. I could set my focus on the instruments or the vocals without any of them leaking through the other. Each characteristic remained intact and didn’t get saturated in the mix. The low-end and upper frequencies were highlighted, with noticeable air or splashiness. The tracks remained well-controlled and showed no notable flaws, even for high-gain tracks. Tracks used: I Don’t Love You (My Chemical Romance), All The Small Things (Blink 182), Ignorance (Paramore), Cold (Korn), Cliffs of Dover (Eric Johnson)
- Pop – The instruments were well-presented. The lows and highs were noticeably elevated even when switching through different configurations as they got much more prominent in the mix. The instruments and vocals weren’t too recessed much, even though the Nami has a warm V-shaped sound signature. The layering was excellent, and you can distinguish which instrument is which, adding a lot more depth to the presentation of the tracks. Tracks used: Snooze (SZA), As It Was (Harry Styles), Yours (Maye)
- Hip-hop – The CVJ Nami showcased outstanding performance, which suits its price point. The bass presentation, which hip-hop tracks are known for, had enough sub-bass rumble. The mid-bass also didn’t disappoint, having a tight and quick response to the tracks’ demands. The other frequencies were well-maintained and there was no fatigue even with a lengthy treble and bass extension. Tracks used: LOVE. (Kendrick Lamar, Zacari), SDP interlude (Travis Scott), I Wonder (Kanye West), Superhero (Metro Boomin & Future)
- R&B / Soul – The fun-sounding sound signature of the CVJ Nami worked great with every genre I threw at it, including R&B and soul. It has a perfect balance of details, clarity, and rumble. It allowed both instruments and vocals in this genre to shine in their own right. The layering and the soundstage were also exceptional, which made it easier to distinguish the different instruments from each other. Tracks used: LA FAMA (Rosalia, The Weeknd), Blessed (Daniel Ceasar), Moonlight (Kali Uchis), Traingazing (Sam Wills ft. Honey Mooncie), Always (Daniel Ceasar)
Conclusion
CVJ seems to be on the right track with their new releases, and Nami is one of them. At a very competitive price, this IEM packs excellent performance and features with its tuning switches. I can’t argue whether it’s worth buying or not because it just is.
The CVJ Nami is a no-brainer option for those looking to explore more mid-fi IEM options, and for the price you’re paying, you get so much value.
Still, the Nami needs more refinement and polishing to get my highest rating. The tuning switches are a great feature but they must produce more noticeable differences in the sound to be considered outstanding.
Overall, the CVJ Nami is one hell of an IEM worth a try, even in its current form.
A man of many interests, Querho is passionate about discovering new things that stimulate the mind. When he is not writing about the things he is passionate about, Querho can be found making music at his home studio.
This post was last updated on 2025-02-06 / Some images from Amazon Product API & some links may be affiliate links which may earn us a commission from purchases.