Introduction
NiceHCK isn’t among the most discussed brands around when it comes to IEMs (except for a few models) but their flathead earbuds and cables have always been very popular on the web. In this review, we’re taking a look at the NiceHCK B80 in their balanced 4.4mm cable version, which are among their latest offerings from 2024.
Disclaimer: the NiceHCK B80 were sent to me by NiceHCK so that I could write an honest review. This review represents my personal opinion on the set, it isn't promotional or paid content and I don’t get any revenue from the sales of this product.
At the time of the review, the NiceHCK B80 with balanced 4.4 mm cable were sold for about €36 at NiceHCK’s official website, Amazon US and Aliexpress *
*
I don't have any affiliation with the sellers and there isn't any referral of mine in the links so I do not get any profit if you buy through these links).
Technical Specifications
- Driver Configuration → 1 x 14.8mm DD (PU TopologyBio Diaphgram)
- Impedance → 20 Ω
- Spec-sheet Frequency Response → 20Hz-20kHz
- Sensitivity → 114 dB
- Cable → 1.25m Silver Plated OFC fixed cable
- Plug Type → 3.5mm
Packaging
The packaging of the NiceHCK B80 is very similar to the latest packagings from NiceHCK, featuring an anime girl on the front. As a guy who isn’t actually attracted by anime girls, I can only see another brand trying to ride the wave, even though it’s a bit late now.
Here’s what the box contains:
- The NiceHCK B80
- 3 pairs of donut pads + 3 pairs of full pads
- A carrying case
- A cable strap
- User manual
- A small bonus pic of the anime girl that’s printed on the box
Design, Build Quality, Comfort and Isolation
The design is pretty clean and there are very few things to say: full black plastic shells with a very soft multi-color glitter effect and a well made and sturdy cable.
In terms of fitting, I have never found any flathead earbuds to comfortably sit in my ears, so what I can say is that I find all of them very uncomfortable and tricky to wear. The only exception is the Pioneer SE-CE11, which I find extremely comfortable and easy to wear (I really wish more companies would use those small shells). When it comes to any other flathead earbuds, I can’t wear them properly (my ear anatomy makes fitting very different between the two ears) and the pads keep popping off too.
Isolation isn’t a thing with earbuds so just forget about it if you’re interested in this type of product.
Cable
The cable is of very good quality, it has a chin slider and feels very sturdy. The 4.4mm version doesn’t have a remote control and microphone, so you’ll have to buy the 3.5mm version for that.
Sound
GEAR USED FOR THE TEST
Fosi DS2 dongle connected to the Samsung S23 Ultra.
Amplifier needed?
An amplifier is needed for these to shine, and I can honestly say that I expected a bit more efficiency from this driver. Since the version I’m reviewing is the 4.4mm version, it’s basically mandatory to use an amplifier or a 4.4mm balanced output (4.4mm outputs are usually only provided on amplifiers, DAPs or dongles).
Let’s speak about the sound.
The NiceHCK B80 is a warm tuned and very engaging set with a surprisingly punchy and full low-end, especially considering that we’re talking about a pair of flathead earbuds.
What stands out is the fact that the response is very rich, with lots of things going on yet nothing feeling congested or out of place. The low-end is punchy and has good weight, male vocals are pretty warm, female vocals sound natural with a touch of added warmth yet never nasal or annoying (even though they lack a bit of bite up top) and the instruments are right where they should be and with a very small touch of recession only (this because of the added mid-bass weight). The treble is well tuned even though not the most detailed I have heard around. The super small nuances aren’t as clear as they are on IEMs of the same level, but the treble is natural and very well tuned, smooth and non-fatiguing.
Sub bass isn't really a thing since some of the lowest frequencies just cannot be reproduced on most flathead earbuds, and transients are not as snappy and tactile as on your average IEM. (the latter is mostly evident when full pads are used since they cut out some clarity, kind-of).
The
technical performance is very good, with
imaging being very precise and
soundstage being very spacious and deep without the need of artificially boosting the treble sparkle. The
instrument separation and layering are fine even though with very complex and busy tracks the B80 show some limits; you’ll probably need a brighter and more resolving set for even better performance.
Are they something I would use considering my taste and preferences?
In terms of signature, I really like them. They are very smooth, rich, engaging and very fun to listen to, even thanks to the very spacious soundstage. However, the form factor of flathead earbuds is not for me unless the shell is very very small (because of my ear anatomy), and this isn’t the case unfortunately.
Some comparisons:
NiceHCK B80 vs NiceHCK EB2S
Main differences are probably in the overall timbre: the B80 have better not weight and a more natural timbre, with a bassier, less analytical response than the EB2S; the EB2S, in comparison, are leaner in the bass region with less warm male vocals, more vivid female vocals and a brighter, more detailed and open treble.
Soundstage is pretty wide on both, but the EB2S play in a wider and higher soundstage even though the depth is better on the B80. Imaging and instrument separation is slightly better on the EB2S, although the B80 surpass the EB2S when it comes to positioning instruments and vocals at different depths on the stage.
The build quality on the EB2S is superior, even though the B80 (in their balanced version) sport a much better cable that unfortunately doesn’t have an in-line microphone.
While I can’t really speak about comfort, I find the EB2S to be more comfortable for some reason, despite them being a tad larger, and to look better. The EB2S are also a bit more resolving and transparent, offering better value for money if you seek for better technical performance.
NiceHCK B80 vs NiceHCK YDSmall
The B80 have better technical performance, fuller bass, a deeper and more expansive soundstage, and it’s an overall better set compared to the cheaper YDSmall. The YDSmall are still fun to listen to and non-fatiguing.
The B80 are better in terms of build quality but the NiceHCK YDSmall are much more comfortable to keep in the ears.
Do the B80 deserve the price jump? Yes, they do: the difference is noticeable from the first moment and I highly suggest increasing the budget if possible.
Final Thoughts
The B80 combine nice technical performance, a good spatial rendering and a very natural and warm timbre that guarantees hours-long sessions with no fatigue, provided that you use them with a good source and that you don’t have very small ears. Although the similarly priced EB2S are technically superior, the B80 will still appeal to those who prefer warmer and bassier sets that are less analytical and more focused on a fatigue-free listening experience. In fact, with respect to the EB2S, the B80 have a much better note weight that makes them even more natural than the brighter siblings.
