This time, everyone is NAGRA's new MEZZO. From the appearance, MEZZO is like the popular version of ARES-ML. Although it does not have a replaceable microphone design, its performance specifications are better, and the built-in storage capacity has reached 8GB. I have won the PICK HIT Award from NAB2013 National Radio and TV Show. It is a very important thing. But the most important thing is that NAGRA MEZZO is only priced at 2,480 yuan, making the products of this Swiss factory no longer so high.
NAGRA MEZZO specifications at a glance:
NAGRA MEZZO's packaging style is very simple, only the brand model logo on the black box gives a simple beauty.
Accessories are almost identical to the previous ARES-ML, including USB data cable, windproof sponge and lanyard.
MEZZO's body is long, which is larger than the average recording pen. It is just right in the hand. MEZZO's body is mostly made of metal, and the black part should be made of iron. Therefore, MEZZO feels very good to touch, and the weight is also full.
Speaker, bracket hole and battery compartment on the back
MEZZO's speakers are very large in size, so both the volume and the sound fullness are significantly better than the NAGRA SD and ARES-ML.
It is powered by 2 AA batteries, but MEZZO does not support USB port power supply. Even if the USB port is connected to a charger instead of a computer, the machine will force data transmission mode and cannot record or play. This is not as good as NAGRA SD. Humanized with AREL-ML.
The number of buttons is similar to that of other recorders. More buttons help to make quick recording operations, but MEZZO does not have the shortcut switch of AGC and other functions, which also reflects the positioning of MEZZO.
The volume has a volume key and a HOLD lock on the side, and a 3.5mm headphone jack is provided on the output side.
It is important to note that MEZZO does not support memory card expansion. Only 8GB of internal memory is built in. 8GB is enough to record nearly ten hours of high-quality audio or hundreds of hours of normal quality audio, and if you want to play MEZZO as lossless music. The device is used, then it is smaller.
MEZZO has two heart-shaped microphones. The microphone has openings on the front, back and top to record sound in all directions.
MEZZO uses a vertical monochromatic LCD screen, orange-red backlight, its recording and playback interface is simple and clear, can clearly and intuitively display the current working state, and MEZZO is also very easy to use on the button operation.
MEZZO manages recording and music files in the form of working directory. The machine presets six directories A, B, C, D, E and M, of which M is the Music music directory. These 6 directories cannot be changed by users themselves. For example, if you play music, you must copy the music file to the directory M (or other 5 recording directories), but not to the directory created by the user. The same recorded audio files are also stored according to the user's choice. Among these preset directories.
MEZZO has a simple file management function that can delete music files in memory
In terms of function setting, MEZZO is relatively simple. Recording related, we can set the recording format. MEZZO provides WAV lossless format and MP3 lossy compression format with different bitrates. The WAV format can record up to 24bit/96KHz masterband stereo audio. In addition, MEZZO also has highly practical AGC automatic gain, VOR automatic recording and low cut noise reduction.
MEZZO's system menu only provides one language in English, but it can support multiple languages ​​for file name display. For example, Chinese and Japanese file names can be displayed normally.
Due to the lack of functions and setting options, MEZZO's ease of use is very good, you can directly get started without the need for instructions. It is very suitable for ordinary users. Professional users who want more professional and excellent recording performance, high-end NAGRA SD is more appropriate.
As for the actual recording effect of MEZZO, MEZZO recorded several songs and music played by the speaker. From several samples, MEZZO's recording effect is quite excellent. Its sound is full and mellow, and the high frequency and low frequency performance is good. Have a certain dynamic. Just because it is the sound of the near-field recording speaker, the spatial sense of recording may not be perfect, mainly due to the limited recording environment.
Compared with the recording function, as a headphone, Walkman player, I am more concerned about the performance of NAGRA MEZZO's playback quality. Because ARES-ML once gave the author a lot of shock, this new MEZZO is what I expect. I listen to it. Headphones include Sennheiser IE80, UE TF10, Aspiria AX7, Sunrise SWD2, Jabra VOX, BenQ DQ1 and headphones YAMAHA HPH-200.
I have to say that the sound of NAGRA MEZZO does have many similarities with ARES-ML, but there is also a very obvious difference, that is, the tuning of MEZZO is more normal and mature, its sound is very warm and has a certain thickness, so In the earphones with the Sunrise SWD2 and the Aspiria AX7, it will not be as cold and shiny as the ARES-ML, but it will still be warm and rich, especially MEZZO can make up for the low frequency of the earplug itself. The low frequency advantage of MEZZO with Sennheiser IE80 and Jabra VOX is still obvious.
MEZZO's sound is thick and thick, and the vocals are relatively high. At first, it feels very warm and round, so its analytical details don't seem to be strong, but the sound is very pure when paired with headphones YAMAHA HPH-200. The analysis is very prominent, especially when playing Boa's "White Wishes", MEZZO is the same as ARES-ML. The metal sound of rustling in the background music is clearly visible. I know that this is only used in the K701 system used by the author. High-resolution silver-containing RCA audio cables are only available to listen to. Most other players are paired with the HPH-200. There is usually a certain tooth tone when listening to this song, but it is not felt on MEZZO. It is also the same as ARES-ML. That is to say, MEZZO is another player that I have heard of the YAMAHA HPH-200 in addition to ARES-ML.
Another typical example is the Jabra VOX (which requires a conversion line to make a normal sound). It was mentioned in the previous review of ARES-ML that the creepy low-frequency pen is still unforgettable. VOX is Driven by MEZZO, the performance in the symphony is still brave. It has a sense of hall similar to IE8, and when it bursts, it can feel its low frequency condensation, excellent transient, and the dive is very deep, obviously better than the author. The sounds of other players are shocked, but compared with the sound of the combination of ARES-ML, it feels slightly worse. When it can still be said that MEZZO is another magic that can be turned into magic, can be Jabra VOX This inconspicuous mobile phone earphone is driven to such a bad player. In addition, MEZZO and Sennheiser IE80 are also very strong, its sound is more transparent than VOX, the details and layering are better, the overall quality level is more High, but the low frequency aspect of the MEZZO drive is still VOX wins, its low frequency is better than the IE80 quality dive deeper and more shocking and oppressive.
After a few days of use, the author believes that MEZZO does have a high playback quality. Its sound characteristics and quality performance are closer to the previous NAGRA ARES-ML, but the tuning is more mature, MEZZO's voice is warmer and thicker, no longer so picky. Compared with the once famous NAGRA SD, the author thinks that the sound quality of MEZZO is obviously better than that of SD. Its sound field is more open and natural, the low frequency quality is better, and the overall sound is more gentle and delicate. If the storage capacity is thrown away. With too simple playback, MEZZO will be a very powerful player.
Kingunion Lighting Co., Ltd. , http://www.sz-ledlight.com