The NEX202 is definitely a gorgeous model, having a compact and modern form factor and made from solid metal. They feel robust in my hands and sit comfortable in my ears. That and the excellent matte-finish braided cable make this model a sight to behold.
However, when it comes to actual sound quality, there is much to be desired. While the bass is rock-solid, the mids are a bit on the quiet side and slightly off-key, and the treble is suffering from some common BA tuning issues, like timbre accuracy and overexposure of certain frequencies.
All in all, not a bad model, definitely pretty and comfortable to wear, but considering the price, there are quite a few better options, even for a lower price.
A very compact and stealthy housing design, so those with smaller ears will be delighted to wear these without feeling awkward. The form factor, the nozzle length and the excellent cable with its flexible pre-shaped ear loops make a consistently comfortable using experience, without putting any pressure on the ear or causing any soreness, even with the included silicone ear tips.
Lows / Bass
The bass is simply excellent. It's very clean; there are no noticeable distortions, and even when playing some extra-deep bassy content, the lows remain punchy, rumbly, and yet very stable. They are quite dominant but manage to keep the muddiness out. Definitely a solid option for the bassheads among us.
Mids / Vocals
The mids are above average, in my opinion, but sound somewhat colored, presumably by the balanced armatures used in these earphones, or their tuning. Vocals and mid-range instruments sound a bit out of tune and distant, like a background behind both the bass and the upper-mids/highs, and the upper frequencies add some hard-to-miss sibilance on top of that. This gives the imperssion that optimally-balanced tuning was not the highest priority here.
Highs / Treble
The highs are a mixed bag. On the one hand, the level of reproduced detail is pretty good, but when it comes to timbre percission, the balanced armatures' tuning shows its flaws. I can best describe the treble as a bit shrill (high-pitched and piercing) but also darkish in timbre at the same time. In metaphorical terms, I would call it "cold and dark". This is in contrast to the "cold and bright" tint which tends to sound more coherent and pleasing, even though both tints are not natural or true to the source material.