NiceHCK EB2S

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 EB2S, which is one of their most beloved and popular sets.

Disclaimer: the NiceHCK EB2S 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 EB2S were sold for about €27 at NiceHCK’s official website, Amazon US and Aliexpress.

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Technical Specifications​

• Driver Configuration → 1 x 15.4mm DD (LCP Diaphgram)
• Impedance → 32 Ω
• Spec-sheet Frequency Response → 20Hz-25kHz
• Sensitivity → 112 dB
• Cable → 1.2m OFC fixed cable
• Plug Type → 3.5mm

Packaging​

The packaging of the NiceHCK EB2S follows the most recent box design arts from NiceHCK, featuring an anime girl on the front. As a guy who isn’t actually attracted to anime girls, I only see another brand trying to ride the wave under this point of view, even though it’s a bit late now for this type of packaging design.
Here’s what the box contains:

• The NiceHCK EB2S
• 3 pairs of full pads
• One cloth carrying pouch
• Cartoon card piece
• User manual

Design, Build Quality, Comfort and Isolation​

The EB2S look elegant in this black variant, very minimal and clean with no fancy colors or showy logos.
The shells are both made of plastic and metal and feel sturdy, even though they are on the bigger side due to the need of containing a 15.4mm driver. In fact, they always feel a bit slippery in my ears, and once I find a sweet spot in terms of fit I try not to move too much in order to keep them in the same exact position (foam help with this, even though they make them even bigger to insert in my ears).
Isolation isn’t good just like with any other flathead earbud.

Cable​

The cable is “ok” for the price, and I was honestly expecting something better. It feels cheap in the hands, but at least it features an in-line microphone and a chin slider.

Sound​

GEAR USED FOR THE TEST

• DAC: Topping E30
• AMP: Topping L30, Fiio A3
• Mobile phones: Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge, Xiaomi Mi A3, Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra
• Moondrop May’s DSP cable with PEQ=0
• Dongle: Apple Type-C dongle, Fosi DS2, Hidizs XO
• Portable DAPs: Benjie S8/AGPTEK M30B
• Bluetooth Adapters: KBEAR S1, KZ AZ10
• Other sources: Presonus AudioBox iONE, Elgato Wave XLR

Amplifier needed?
I don’t think an amplifier is strictly needed for these to shine, but I suggest using a warmer source with these as it will compensate for the bright nature of the EB2S.

Let’s speak about the sound.
The lower part of the spectrum is probably the part that wasn’t as impressive as I was expecting, with the bass lacking some punch and sometimes not having proper note weight. It’s still a speedy low-end, but if you want some body then the EB2S are not ideal as they aren’t tuned in a way that would make this region shine. The midbass is there, it has some impact on the sound, but it’s not as lively and dynamic as it should be, especially with genres that require a bit of power in the low-end.
The midrange is probably the star of the show: clean, natural and with nice resolution as every instrument is portrayed with a good amount of detail. The lower midrange could use a bit more warmth since male vocals would benefit from that, whereas the upper midrange sounds very vivid with airy and energetic female vocals that are hard to dislike.
The treble is another focus of this tuning, and in fact the EB2S do really well with details, cymbals management and overall resolution. The upper treble could use a bit more extension to catch that last bit of information, but it would be really unhappy to blame NiceHCK for this as that could have been risky for the overall tonal balance. In any case, there is a sort of bright tint to it, but it’s not an annoying-type of brightness, instead is a mature focus on the high frequencies to guarantee that the least information is lost.
The soundstage is pretty wide, which isn’t really surprising as we’re talking about a pair of flathead earbuds, but it kinda lacks some depth. The imaging and instrument separation are good, but some tracks require a bit more depth and in some cases this means some instruments are well separated yet not properly distanced between the listener and the stage. It’s a minor complaint but it’s something that’s fair to point out.

Are they something I would use considering my taste and preferences?
I am not a flathead guy and I don’t find these very comfortable (especially because the shells are even wider than average due to them needing to contain a bigger driver) but I like the sound signature for some use cases. If I had smaller ears, I would probably use them more often as an escape from bassier sets, especially for female vocals or jazz music.

Some comparisons:​

NiceHCK EB2S vs NiceHCK YDSmall

The timbrical differences are very evident, with the EB2S focusing on clarity, resolution and basically on the mids and treble regions while the YDSmall adopts a warmer signature with more bass presence and a less emphasized treble. The EB2S shine when it comes to female vocals, whereas the warmth of male vocals on the YDSmall is a bit more pleasant, even though the small nuances in every type of vocal line are clearer on the EB2S. Technicalities are way better on the EB2S under every aspect, there’s basically no competition.
Comfort is good on both sets, but the YDSmall are more comfortable and easier to fit due to them being a bit smaller. The build quality of the EB2S is better, and although the design is very subjective I have to say that the EB2S look more premium and refined, especially considering that the YDSmall look and feel like an entry level set.

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NiceHCK EB2S vs NiceHCK B80

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.

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Final Thoughts​

The EB2S look and feel minimal and elegant, and sport a pretty big driver that can surprise those who seek for good resolution and transparent sound along with energetic vocals and forward midrange. They aren’t super easy to fit because of the shells being on the wider side, nor are they “a complete sound package” since the low-end lacks some note weight and punch, but if you have bigger ears and like brighter sounding sets then the EB2S will deliver.

1. I bought this product with my own money.
2. As this is a subjective hobby by definition, everything I say is subjective.
3. Your opinion and mileage will most probably vary ( and that's okay!).
4. My tuning preference is warm-neutral to borderline dark.
5. I am extremely treble sensitive.
6. Price point is a major concern of mine; everything said is always " considering x's price point ".

• Questyle M15.​
• Xduoo mt-604.​
• Ifi Neo Idsd 2.​

TL, DR: Nicehck eb2s is an excellent choice at 30$. It has an excellent midrange, arguably class-leading(when it comes to earbuds). Has a good amount of mid-bass, though it lacks sub-bass. The treble is fortunately smooth. Detailed enough at this price range with a wide but short soundstage. !!!Big Rec!!!!

Lows: Very anemic sub-bass, unfortunately. Other cheaper earbuds beat the eb2s very easily in this aspect. It's not like the sub-bass is nonexistent; it's just not elevated enough to shine through the dominant midbass. However, rumble or punch is missing. It's not a set for bass heads, I am afraid. The earth-shattering sub-bass of Boss Mode by Knife Party just feels so little, so meh.

Mids: The Strongest point of this earbud. In timber, it's just flat natural. I don't own anything 4x its price tag that is this neutral in timber. Mids are just perfect. It's never congested; nothing overshadows nothing. It's just truly a musical experience and its strongest suit. Fly Me to the Moon by Frank Sinatra has the appropriate amount of weight when it comes to Sinatra's vocals. On "The News" by Paramore, on most items and earbuds, the "s" and "sh" sounds from haylyy Williams vocals literally pierces my ears, fortunately, not on the eb2s. This alone made me fall in love with the eb2s even if I subside its other qualities.

Highs: The eb2s is not for trebleheads, that's for sure. It has just enough air and sparkle, which diminishes further when I plug it into the hybrid Xduoo mt-604. I would say it has okay detail retrieval for its price. Highs are not one of its strong suits if you are a treblehead. But for someone like me. This is just perfect, as more elevated highs would result in an instant thumbs down from me.






Staging: Eb2s's Stage is almost full-sized headphone-like. It's wide but not very tall. When listening to playing god by Polyphia, you really notice the lack of height on the eb2s, which I find quite enjoyable on one of my all-time favorite IEM Insects Awaken by Reccho. Another big plus point for the eb2s is separation. It has actual separation. The eb2s are the cheapest iem/earbud. I own this quality most noticeable on tracks like Dreams by Fleetwood Mac.

In conclusion, this is an easy recommendation for people with tastes similar to mine. A very "Fun" sounding earbud with good technicalities at an affordable price. The eb2s really punches above its price. When you listen to the eb2s for the first time, it is very shocking considering what we have come to expect from affordable readymade chifi earbuds.

Oh man, where have these been all my life. I don't often gush about anything, but I should point out that I adore these so much that I ordered a second pair on sale in case my first wear out or get lost, and I ordered a pink 4.4 pair just because I listen to them so much more than for what I originally intended.

I originally wanted some earbuds as an alternative to my 7hz diokos because I wear headphones literally all day and needed something that I could switch to if my ear canals got irritated after hours. Now i honestly wear these about 75% of the time indoors instead of the diokos. They're just that comfortable and versatile.

I tried the VE monks and quite liked the baldoors, but it turns out what I really was missing was some excellent build quality to make me start paying attention. These feel very, very premium. The cable just refuses to tangle for any reason and is completely silent even on shirts and my beard. They have just the right amount of weight that they stay perfectly in place, where I found the cheaper plastic buds constantly dislodged. I can jog in them or ride my bike with them. They simply disappear in my ears, never moving, never losing their "seal". I can (and do) wear them for ten straight hours every single day and never need a break. No IEM has ever managed more than a couple hours before my ear canals need a break.

Sound wise, I can't put my finger on just why their relaxed, effortless vibe is so appealing. I normally like my sub bass and I love obnoxious grado treble. I don't love warm, "relaxed" sound. These have just enough pop and snap in the early treble and just enough Midbass punch to almost feel mildly v shaped. Even EDM is satisfying somehow. "Astral" by pyramid, daft punk, the more Midbass focused EDM is outstanding, but the soundstage also lends itself to a feeling of "bigness" that even scary bass songs like "mastermind" by Mick Gordon has that "build up to an enormous wall of sound" vibe without the brain rumbling sub bass. Punk rock, Japanese punk, jazz, concerto, ska, van Halen, I just have yet to completely stump them.

They just kinda iron out stuff too. I find IEM's and many headphones can make lectures or zoom calls almost intolerable. Bad microphones are agony. These don't care. The detail isnt incredible, but it's on par with the $50 range of IEM's. And somehow they still just make listening to a crappy zoom lecture feel totally natural. Grados do that same trick.

So while I was intially just looking for a throwaway, I wound up getting one of the most compelling things live heard to date. For the price, there's just no reason not to own a pair. If they somehow managed to give these some proper sub bass and nothing else, I'd pay twenty times the asking price. Not kidding.