NiceHCK EP10

Hello everyone,
after some time spent with my EP10 I decided to write something about them.
These were found in the Fukubukuro that I’ve bought in November from the NiceHCK store.



You can buy the EP10 from the link below:
https://it.aliexpress.com/item/NICE...olare-HIFI-Bass-DJ-Subwoofer/32953684155.html

I just wanna remember that my impressions are subjective as listening experience may vary due to ear canal’s shape, ear ability, tips used, source and so on.

You can find me on https://www.yourstingyfriend.altervista.org

Tests were made through:
- Samsung galaxy S7 Edge with Neutron Music Player and Neutralizer
- AGPTEK m20 (Benjie S5)
- Presonus Audiobox iONE connected to the PC with all enhancements OFF

Drivers: 1 single DD driver (PET & PEN diaphgram)
Sensitivity: 95±3dB/mW
Impedance: 32ohm
Frequency response: 20-40000Hz
Cable lenght: 1.2m
Non-detachable cable with straight gold plated 3.5mm jack

PACKAGING
Simple carton package. We find a NiceHCK hard carry case which contains the IEMs and two packets of eartips (3 normal pair of Spinfit-like tips and 2 pairs of double flange tips). Packaging is minimal but the carry case is really appreciated and the double flange tips are as well.



CABLE
Cable is great and you can feel the good quality while touching it.
I have two versions of the EP10 and the silver version seems having a softer cable (black cable) compared to the copper-colored cable’s one, even if the cables are identical. There’s a very useful chin slider that allows us to adjust the length of the splitted cable after the V and this is really appreciated as most of the earphones in this price range doesn’t feature it.
Cable ends with a straight gold plated 3.5mm jack.
It is possible to choose the mic version too.
The pics taken show the non-mic version of the EP10.



BUILD QUALITY AND INTERNALS
Shell is completely made by reflecting metal and it’s really well built.
The shell features 4 little holes on its back which help the dynamic driver taking some air and one in the beginning of the nozzle in order to prevent driver flex.
The anti-wax grill is there and it’s made of metal as well.
L and R informations are printed on the shells for the left and right channel.
The EP10 feature a 10mm dynamic driver that should give glory to the low end at first impact.



COMFORT AND ISOLATION
All seems excellent till now but now it’s time to say what isn’t or better saying.. it’s time to make some warnings.
Comfort is really subjective: i didn’t find a good compromise on how to wear these and I do not advice these IEMs to people who don’t want to spend their time for some tip rolling.
EP10 are really tip sensitive so you really have to find a good combination with the tips if you wanna enjoy your listening experience 100%.
The IEMs have nothing wrong but the nozzle is really short and many tips are just not made for a so short nozzle. That being said, you could even find the stock tips to be ok and it will probably be just like that, but I wasn’t so lucky.
Isolation is good as soon as you get a good fitting with the right tips.

SOUND
Now the critical factor that decides if something has to be tried or not: how do they sound?
I mainly listen to EDM subgenres, Dupstep, Future Bass, Euphoric Hardstyle, Bass House, Midtempo and downtempo, darkwave, drum'n bass, but i even listen to many vocal tracks, moreover female ones.
I always search for IEMs that have a little bit of emphasis in the lower region, and can sacrifice mids with some recession if they still sound clear and natural. I love vivid and sparkling highs if they're not at a headache level.
V-shape signature with good soundstage and airy sound is my favourite one.

Lows: Excellent. It’s the star of the show in the EP10. Response is deep with good impact. Sub bass is well extended and they’re always there when needed with a top notch rumble that can be difficult to find even in more expensive IEMs.
Kicks are well bodied and fast with good resolution.
Bass sounds full and not intrusive, with good definition.

Mids: Voice presentation is really natural with a warm timbre that gives a great feeling.
Mid-bass has a little lift that. Mids are laidback and some synhts are left behind but still keeps a good level of detail. Low end keeps the stage while the rest of instruments take a place in the backseat even in complex and much layered tracks.
The warm tone really helps male voices and the upper mid helps voices coming out a little bit more, as they’re not really intimate.

Highs: Treble rolls off too early, but there’s a fair amount of detail.
Highs have a soft warm tone and can be a real deal for treble sensitive people.
Everything sounding in this frequency range is smooth but I would have preferred a higher roll-off in order to get some more sparkle.
This is obviously a tuning decision so it’s intended in the sound signature choice.

Soundstage is really wide with average depth and height.
Three-dimensionality is ok but could be even better with a bit more depth.
Instrument separation is fairly good, imaging is precise.
I do not have an amplifier in order to test if it can improve the sound on these. If you have one you can try amping these and see if they benefit from amping.

SUMMARY
NiceHCK offers a real “new” product with a unique tuning that is well built and features a great cable offering us an appreciated carry case as well.
EP10 can be an awesome choice for those who listen to bass heavy music, moreover if you listen to dark genres like Dark downtempo, midtempo, tribal trap and other heavy edm subgenres.
They aren’t certainly made to be all-rounders but its unique signature makes them really interesting even because it’s nearly impossible to find something tuned like the EP10 in this price range.
I wouldn’t advice these to people like me instead: I like fun sounding earphones but I really need sparkling highs which these do not feature (this speaking about the earphones without an amplifier).

for more reviews, please check out the website voxsonitusaudioreviews.wordpress.com

Disclaimer:

Vox Sonitus Audio Reviews is not affiliated with NICEHCK in any manner. I do not receive any cash incentives, rewards, or anything from them. This review is my non-biased comprehension and appreciation of the said in ear monitor.

Appreciating music does not need lots of money. Regular consumers looking for a good sounding iem need not to buy the latest from Campfire Audio or any other well known audio company that is sure to rip out every penny from one’s wallet. Thankfully, there are lots of iems in the sub-20$ price range that can bring joy to even a seasoned audiophile. Though some of them can have severe recession in the spectrum, resulting in an unsatisfactory listening experience, every once in a while there comes an iem that is worth the cheap price you pay it for.

The product we’ll be reading about today is an iem from NICEHCK, the EP10. They are very cheap, costing only around 15$. Please keep that in mind while reading this review, so as to avoid comparison with top tier gears. You can buy them here.


Personal Preferences:

• Packaging is important. First impressions can last a long time.
• I do not have a specific genre that I listen to. The songs I listen to differ greatly from billboard tops to old classics, pop, rock, edm, acoustics, alternatives, metal, and all of its sub-genres. I incline listening to metal music, specifically to power metal, death metal, and the likes.
• I enjoy variety of sound signatures, ranging from bright analytical, balanced with only a slight dip in mids, neutral warm, and neutral bright. I generally lean to neutral-bright sound signature, with a certain degree of analytical sound. I dislike over powering bass, as it is the least enjoyable, for me, in my experience listening to music.
• I prefer iems over earbuds, earbuds over headphones.

Source:

• Shanling M3s as DAC (PC)
• Shanling M3s as DAP
• Zishan Z1 + OPA1692 as DAC (PC and my phone) and dap
• Zishan Z1 + Muses02 as DAC (PC and my phone) and dap
• Sony NW-A45
• iBasso DX120

Specifications:

1. Driver: Single 11mm PET Dynamic driver
2. Impedance: 32Ω
3. Earphone sensitivity: 95 ±3 dB/mW
4. Frequency range: 20-40000Hz
5. Jack- 3.5mm
6. Cable length: 1.2m
7. Color options: Black, Silver
8. Mic: Optional

Packaging:


The packaging of the EP10 is very simple. It comes in a white box that has the company NICEHCK branding, the iem’s design outline, and the product name up front.

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The sides of the box display contact information in Twitter and Facebook, and color and with or without mic.


The backside of the box displays product specifications written on different languages


Upon opening the box, the buyer is greeted with a black carrying case that has the NICEHCK branding on top of it.


Inside the carrying case is the iem, together with 3 sizes of silicone tips and 2 biflange tips.


In total, the buyer receives the following:

1. NICEHCK EP10 iem with stock tips
2. 3 sizes of silicone tips (s,m.l)
3. 2 biflange tips
4. Carrying case

For 15$, the EP10 has decent packaging, though there is nothing special about the unboxing experience. They went for the total budget oriented experience, but did not fail to deliver in terms of accessories, even including biflange tips and a soft carrying case.

Build:


Unlike some of the low end iems that I have tried, the EP10’s have metal housed drivers that are polished for that slick look. There are three bass ports at the backside of the shell. Left and right markings are observable in the inside part of the shell, where another bassport can be located. The stout nozzle has decent grooving that allows most of my collection of tips to stick to it. There is a small strain relief that extends about a centimeter from the stem.


The cable is a non-detachable 4 core copper cable wrapped in semi-translucent black TPU. The cable is soft and does not retain bends. It has fine braiding from the drivers towards the splitter. There is an observable chin slider.


The splitter is black aluminum with the EP10 branding on it. The braid from the splitter towards the 3.5mm plug is uniform


The 3.5mm plug is goldplated with the NICEHCK branding imprinted on it. There is also an observable strain relief.

Keeping in mind about the price of the EP10, it is safe to say that the build quality is much more than expected. It has an all metal driver that will withstand much of the everyday commute. The cable, although not detachable, does not retain much of the bends. Overall, NICEHCK did a pretty good job for the build.

Fit and Comfort:


The form factor of these iems makes it difficult to have a complete fit. The nozzle could have been longer to achieve this. Thankfully, a variety of aftermarket tips can fix this issue, though I strongly suggest trying out their stock tips first, so as to avoid spending more for such a low priced iem.

After getting a solid fit using the large eartips, they still felt uncomfortable, mainly due to the short nozzle. However, when on long term rides, one can get used to its fit without being too annoyed at most times. The faceplate does not touch the ear conch. The long stem does not touch the ear lobe and does not bother too much with the entirety of the fit.

Isolation:

Isolation on the EP10 is average using the stock tips. Even the biflange tips do not succeed in isolating much of the background noise.

Sound:

Tips of choice: I used the large eartips as these provide the best seal of all the stock tips. I did not bother trying other aftermarket tips, staying true to being budget friendly

The EP10 has a neutral warm sound with more emphasis in the mid bass region for that added thump. For 15$, the EP10 actually sounds good and can compete with the other iems at the budget-oriented market.

Bass –

The EP10 has solid bass performance, with midbass being its core strength. Mid bass is thumpy and strong with a good amount of weight to its presentation. Sub bass has decent rumble with average extension, though it is not of basshead quality. Upper bass has fair tonality but still has audible notes to it.

Mids –

Vocals are average in performance. There is little coloration, with both male and female vocals being warmer than usual and having more weight to its presentation, mainly due to the EP10’s warm sound signature. There is no audible sibilance in this region.

The same goes with instruments in the mids. They are lush to a certain degree maintaining its warm sound. Alabama Shake’s Don’t Wanna Fight lacks crisp sounding electric guitars in this iem, but instead has a warm presentation with lush strums and vocals.

Highs –

The highs do not shine in the EP10, but I would not call them recessed. They do lack detail and much needed clarity, but that is a price one would be willing to sacrifice in this price range. NICEHCK tuned these iems so that they will not sound fatiguing for long listening sessions, and they succeeded with their endeavor.

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Soundstage –

There is a little bit of soundstage to these iems, though not as wide as higher tier iems. The width is decent, with excellent distinction. There is little to no vertical clearance. It feels like being in a tight room. Audio is up front, but does not sound like the treble is being slapped onto your face, thanks to its warm nature. Also, these iems can handle busy tracks very well without congestion.

Imaging –

Imaging is average. There is nothing special in EP10’s imaging. It can point out where audio is coming from very accurately with little error.

Select comparisons –

Vs KZ ZST: The ZST has a cheap plastic build, as compared to EP10’S metal housing. The ZST does have removable cables. EP10 sounds more warm and smooth. The ZST can be quiet fatiguing for the average consumer, compared to the EP10. ZST has more clarity on the highs region than EP10

VS KZ ZS3: ZS3, again, has a cheap plastic build and detachable cable. Both iems have a warm nature, with the EP10 sounding more decent, as it does not sound too muddy compared to the ZS3. EP10 can handle busier tracks more effectively than the ZS3.

VS KZ ZSN: Though ZSN has a plastic shell, it does have an aluminum faceplate partnered with a detachable cable. ZSN has a more balanced approach while still having lush presentation in its vocals. ZSN has more soundstage.

VS Rock Zircon: The Rock Zircon has a more superior ceramic housing, though its cable is rubberized that can get sticky over time. Both have a warm sound, but the Rock Zircon can have peaks in higher mids that can be bothersome for long term use.

Conclusion:


For 15$, the EP10 is quiet decent. The accessories that come with the iem are adequate, even coming with a soft carrying case. The build quality is great. It has a metal housing that will make it survive the abuse of commute. The cable, although not detachable, is finely braided and surprisingly well built.

Its sound is not the most detailed in its price range, but its warm presentation makes it smooth to listen to during long sessions, making this iem a decently cheap everyday carry. Though it would not outweigh much of the competition, these sound way better than stock iems that come with consumer’s phones.

My background- I am a professional musician, producer and audio engineer with experience in the performing, recording and pro-audio industry. I test products on a technical and musical level and try to write reviews as simple as possible from a music fan's perspective.

Disclaimer- I would like to thank Jim from NiceHCK for sending me a review sample for an honest review. I am not affiliated with NiceHCK in any way and write this review with my best unbiased opinion regardless of how the review turns out.

Genre preferences- I majorly listen to rock, acoustic, pop and metal genres and occasionally checkout EDM music which is doing the rounds on the radio and charts.

Reference Songs list-

1. Foo Fighters- The Pretender, Best of You & Everlong
2. Imagine Dragons- Radioactive & It’s Time
3. Coldplay- Paradise, Up in Flames & Everglong
4. Ed Sheeran- Thinking out loud, Bloodstream & Galway Girl
5. Gavin James- Always & Hearts on Fire
6. John Mayer- Slow Dancing in a Burning Room, Stop this Train & Say
7. Switchfoot- Meant to live & Dare You to Move
8. Linkin Park- Papercut, One Step Closer & Somewhere I belong
9. Maroon 5- She will be loved, Payphone & Lost Stars
10. Our Lady Peace- Innocent & Do you like it
11. I Am Giant- Transmission
12. Porcupine Tree- Halo, Blackest eyes & Trains
13. Karnivool- Simple Boy & Goliath
14. Dead Letter Circus- Real You
15. Lamb of God- Redneck & Laid to Rest

Specifications-

1. Driver: Single 11mm PET Dynamic driver
2 Impedance: 32Ω
3. Frequency Range: 20-20kHz
4. Earphone sensitivity: 95 ±3 dB/mW
5. Frequency range: 20-40000Hz
6. Jack- 3.5mm
7. Cable length: 1.2m
8. Color options: Black, Silver
9. Mic: Optional

You can place an order from the NiceHCK Store on Aliexpress with the link below,

https://www.aliexpress.com/store/pr...l?spm=2114.12010615.8148356.12.25a61106tGjgIX

Included in the box-

1. EP10
2. Zipped carry case
3. 3 pairs of silicone ear tips
4. 2 pairs of flange tips





I am writing this review keeping its price in mind. I think one should keep their expensive earphone snobbery away from earphones which cost this low.

Build Quality- The build quality of EP10 is great for the price. The earbuds and nozzles are both made of metal and are polished for a shiny appearance. They have a good weight to them and feel solid and sturdy. They are available in two colors, Silver and Black (Looks more like dark grey). The cable is a 4-strand braided one which splits into 2 strands for each side. It is stiff enough to not tangle and feels quite solid. It’s also beautiful to look at. I am just amazed at the quality to price ratio.

Fit and Comfort- The fit is like Apple earpods. It does not go into the ear canal. As a result, isolation isn’t great. I generally use medium silicone ear tips with my IEMs but had to switch to large with these. With the large tips, I got a comfortable fit and even though these have a good heft to them, they felt quite light and easy to wear. But like every earpod design, I was boosting the volume more than required to hear sound clearly over the background noise which isn’t good for the ears.

Sound- Cutting it short, I’ll say that they sound really good for the price. When I was first plugging them in, I had very little expectations because of them being an earpod shaped $15 earphone. As soon as I plugged them in, I was blown away. They sounded great and I was intrigued to test them further. As usual, I took them through the whole set list I’ve posted above.

Since they have a 32 Ohm impedance, they have to be driven a little harder, but can easily be driven by the average smartphone or DAP, whichever you choose.

Bass- Please hear Our Lady Peace’s track called ‘Do you like it’ with your earphone. I love the intro kick drum and snare sound. That’s the song I always use to check kick attack and snare slam. EP 10 makes them sound great with good attack. I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. Remember, EP 10 is $15! The sub-bass slam and mid bass attack is great. I would have preferred a bit more of mid bass clarity though. It bleeds a bit into the lower mids. So that crossover region is a little cluttered. I Am Giant’s ‘Transmission’ bass goes deep and you hear the notes very clearly. All in all, great for the price.

Mids- Lower mids are a bit dominated by the mid bass. I would’ve liked a little more of the lower mids and some warmth but they still sound natural and make snare’s body sound good. Upper mids are better and they push the vocals right up in the front. Ed Sheeran, John Mayer and Chris Martin’s voices in their ballad songs sound soothing with good presence. Gavin James’ voice in ‘Always’ sounds clear and crisp, making you want to sing along in the chorus. Piano timbre sounds natural with good attack in songs like Coldplay’s Up in Flames and Chris’ voice sounds nice and intimate, how it’s supposed to.

Treble- We have to get one con out of the way first in the treble region. There is a peak around the presence region of 3kHz which might jump out in songs. Besides that, the treble is mostly smooth. Falsettos sound good and acoustic guitar’s tonality is well presented. John Mayer’s ‘Stop this train’ acoustic sounds natural and has good definition. Shakers and Tambourines are presented well without sounding too intrusive. Sibilant region of 7.5-10Khz is well controlled too.


Soundstage, Imaging and Separation- Again, for the price, the soundstage and imaging are very good. My default track for this test, Switchfoot’s ‘Meant to Live’s’ intro guitars are spaced well apart in the image and the whole track sounds coherent. The depth is not very deep but reverb trails are clear and well heard. Separation for the price is very good too. Tracks did not sound congested at all.

Conclusion- In the end, I’d say that I was pleasantly surprised with EP10’s performance. I started with no expectations at all and was immediately blown away with the price to performance ratio. Of course, when paying $15, you cannot expect it to sound like a $200 IEM. But if you want a good set of earphones on the cheap that will deliver really good sound, tonality and also come with a microphone, you don’t have to settle for cheap earphones which sound like listening to a broken radio. And for that reason, I am giving it a 4.5/5.

Give the EP10 a shot. It’s just $15, it's a no brainer. They will amaze you!

INTRO
NICEHCK has recently proven a lucky hand when it comes to OEM-In-Ears/Earbuds which they sell under their own name. Examples would be the EB2, EP35. The EP10 fits in seamlessly and is a small steal for its performance.

HANDLING
The design has similarities with the classic Apple EarPots, but the EP10s are not half-open Earbuds but real In-Ears. They are made of metal and therefore have some weight. But you also get a real eye-catcher (silver version). You should find some good fitting tips to prevent the earphones from falling out. Once you've found them, you can also do sports with the EP10 without any problems.

The cable has 4 copper cores and also a remote with integrated microphone. It makes a valuable appearance.
The isolation is excellent, you are very well shielded from the outside world, but also no one gets aware of the musical abysses you are experiencing.

SOUND
But what's most surprising is the sound associated with the money you have to put on the table for the EP10!

The bass is a small weapon. It plays deep, has enough depth and kicks considerably. At the same time it stays very clean. I haven't been able to find a song yet with which the bass couldn't cope or falls apart. But you should keep in mind that the EP10 is not a bass cannon but just like it is very coherent and fun, without pushing itself too much into the foreground. It goes slightly into the mids, but without disputing their place, or superimposing. He rather gives them more warmth and body.

The mids are well textured and can transport the details in the music well. They are very musical and bring life to the songs. At no time they are unpleasant, but very relaxed and vivid. The voices are well positioned without being too intimate or distant and sound natural.

The highs do it like the mids. No escapees into unpleasant regions, even songs rich in sibilants are no problem. A very pleasant listening experience, because despite their gentle nature they give us details and a fantastic spatial presentation. They are not analytical miracle monsters, but for the warm signature, very balanced, airy and clear.

In general, the stage for this single-dynamic driver is excellent. Of course you can do better, but then you just pay more. They do an above-average job in this segment. The separation of the instruments works perfectly and also a lot happens on a vertical level. It is also a real all-rounder, as it can handle any genre without any problems.

OUTRO
In short, if you'd walk the streets and ask people what these in-ears would cost, they'd classify the EP10 much more expensive. You can get musical and at the same time relaxed in-ears for 18€, with a mild V-signature and a good stage, as well as a nice three-dimensional image. Steal!

BUY HERE: VS STORE
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More reviews: https://david-hahn.wixsite.com/chi-fiear (also soon in english)
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CHIFIEAR/

NICEHCK EP10 Review :

CONSTRUCTION:8.5/10
DESIGN:7/10
SOUND:8.5/10
VALUE:9/10
PRODUCT TRUSTABILITY:7/10



At 11/11 Aliexpress sale I always go crazy and buy multiple iem, earbuds and usb DAC, this time I buy a ‘’surprise bag’’ from NiceHCK seller because of one sentence : Use the same drivers technology than DITA earphone. Well, sure I wasn’t excepting a 20$ (in sale at 10$) iem to sound like a TOTL one at well...100x the price! But yeah, I was pretty sure to get something that hit above its price range and it exceed all my expectations : Sound AND construction are marvellous and really out of this world for the price. But does it mean its irreprochable? Absolutely not, its a unique warm soundsignature that will certainly not please everybody, especially the one looking for reference sound without coloration, but it really hit the sweet spot for me because of an immense around your head soundstage that have plenty of bass and, how possible, mids! Not a detailed beast for sure, but when there details they spakle. The NiceHCK EP10 are simply magical and mean tobe enjoy the eyes close so you can levitate in the airy soundstage.



CONSTRUCTION AND DESIGN :




With chifi, I always think I cannot be surprise anymore, but there you go, the EP10 appear at an absurd price. Try it by yourself, show these IEM to your friends and ask them how much they think you pay for, i’m pretty certain you will be destabilized by an answer that make you feel like a rich ass dude.


The housing is made of a heavy glossy metal, that look rock solid and will not break likelight aluminium if you step on it or drop it. Cable is a black twisted one that make very low microphonic...you need to really want to heard some to have some. The jack is wellmade as well, not cable part from both ear shell and jack are exposed so it promise a good life span.


DESIGN for FIT is less joyfull, their some quirks that make it problematic, like the lenght of nozzle is too small wich do not help deep insertion as the big housing will hit ears hole. As well, its very heavy, so if your tips is not extremely compact in your ears it will tend to fall or slide out a little and affect sound rendering. To note that as hardcore winter exist here in Canada, the metal became cold fast and transform it as an annoyin ice iem to wear. Solution for better fit exist, like using bigger silicone eartips or yeah, if you don’t care about your look, wearing it over ear so the weight push inside your ears instead of outside.



SOUND :



AUDIO GEAR USED :
Xduoo X3ii
Xduoo X20
Xduoo D3+Walnut amp
Xduoo XD-05 (best sinergy)
Ibasso DX90


The EP10 have a unique soundsignature that offer hit or miss musicality depending of music style, it isnt a fast, tigh and precise sounding IEM, more a warm, relaxed and bassy with a U shape sound+bumps in the mids. The soundstage is out of this world and around your head and vocal presentation are very present for such a bassy IEM. First time I heard it it was a love at first sight, but after more listening and especially with very complex detailed electronic music, I became less impressed.



TO NOTE : There QUALITY ISSUE with the EP10, reported by myself and other headfier, should it be sound imbalance or hissing from one side in my case. As a no BS reviewer, study carefully the pair you buy and contact Jim from HCK if there any problem.



BASS :

Star of the show but that do not steal rest of sound spectrum the bass is deep, weighty, extremely well presented with just enough texture to make it enjoyable. With EP10, were in a warm sound territory, bass is no exception but sound sooooooo good with jazz and acoustic music. For electronic, it can feel slow as well as lacking a little punch for fast rock, but it’s not disastrous, its more about a little lack of treble to make it more resolve and precise.



MIDS :

In this vast soundstage, the vocal fly freely, wich is a ‘’tour de force’’ from this dynamic drivers that could make jealous some TOTL iem that struggle with this type of airy sound presentation. As well, there a little push of treble to give extra resolution and make the vocal even more impressive. In no way the EP10 sound congested, its out of your head and very well layered, especially for a warm iem. It do not have unwanted peak, mids being sweet but musical, wich make a relax but lively presentation, you can ‘’swim’’ in the sound. I do not feel that bass interfer with mids because of mid low drop.




HIGHS :

Here, if I have a frequency graph on hand, I would understand better how the highs are deal with, I feel there some peak and drop, like we have sparkle with some cymbals but as well very present background noise of bad recording, wich mean there some problem with calibration so do not listen to old jazz record it will be a torture. Anyway, this isn’t a detailed beast and far from being a analytic earphones, instrument are well presented not because of detailsand texture buta great spacious layering that have not alot to do with treble extension wich as said can be hit or miss.

SOUNDSTAGE:
Immense, airy, deep and wide with a 3D sens of space and great layering, the soundstage is the most impressive I ever heard in sub 50$ iem.



CONCLUSION :


EP10 is perhaps no perfect in term of design but sound quite incredible for the price and can compete easily with iem in the 50-100$ price range from any brand, the sound experience is vast, immersive, musical and have an excellent 3D imaging that is even more hearable with clear audio source that have enough amping, not alot, just enough to give the right sound pressure. I’m as impressed with jazz than classical and singnersongwriter, less so with extremly complex music and symphony (wich is not a problem cause I listen to quartet especially). EP10 can be forgiving but crual too, because of this strange treble emphasis that is unpredicatable (another QC issue?). But having this type of luxurious construction and sound is what could make Chi-fi a miracle, now they need to be more trustable about there product (quality check please!) to really be recognize for what they can achieve in term of sound value.

You also find this review and much more on my blog audioreviews.org



Executive Summary

The EP10 is a comfortable, slightly bassy single dynamic driver (DD) with a surprisingly natural timbre, a clean but recessed midrange, and a smooth treble.

Disclaimer

I was asked by Jim NiceHCK to review this earphone and purchased it for $0.1. It is my goal to give you a concise, thorough, and accurate account of the earphone – and how it fits the big picture. Following the review, the unit was donated. Packaging and cable shape are of limited importance to me and will not get much attention here. In terms of visualization, I aim to focus on the relevant characteristic features of the earphone. Most photos and diagrams can be enlarged by clicking on them.

I prefer a neutral leaning tuning with a tight and dry bass – and not a V-shaped flavour. The higher the price of an earphone, the flatter of a frequency response I expect with the mids moving forward and becoming successively more intimate and natural.

As always, I tested the EP10 over an ever growing cross section of music that provided a broad coverage of the frequency spectrum, including naturally generated sounds such a voices and classical instruments.

Frequency response curves are now one of my standard staples of information in this price class. As to the graphs displayed here: the measuring coupler was two pieces of plastic tubing on the end of a Dayton iMM-6 microphone. No compensation or smoothing was applied. These measurements should not be directly compared to other measurements except those done on the same device, for example the ones I have posted before.


Introduction

The good old single DD earphone has experienced a recent revival on the back of the progress in multi-driver hybrids. In contrast to the multis, a DD does not rely on crossovers that control the tuning between the different drivers. The DD technology is established, therefore working, and relatively cheap. Single DDs have come a long way since Sennheiser introduced their CX-300B in 2008 as an alterative to the earbuds included with phones and mp3 players. NiceHCK, an ODM seller, have recently introduced their ~$30 EP35 and the ~$10 EZAUDIO D4. Adding the EP10 fills the price gap between them.


Specifications

• Brand: NICEHCK
• Model: EP10
• Type: In-ear
• Drive unit: Single 10mm Dynamic driver unit (diaphragm material is PET and PEN mixed)
• Impedance: 32 Ω
• Earphone Sensitivity: 95 ±3 dB/mW
• Frequency Range: 20-40000Hz
• Earphone Plug: 3.5 mm
• Cable Length: 1.2m±3cm
• Available Colors: Silver, Black
• Earphone Plug Type: straight
• Price: $19.99 – $20.99 (depending whether with of without mic; at the time of this review)
• Purchase Link: NiceHCK Audio Store

Packaging and Accessories

The content comes in a plain white box that contains the standard NiceHCK earphone case will all goodies inside, packaged in a series of small plastic baggies. The content is laid out in the photo.


Physical Appearance, Haptic, and Build Quality

The EP10 looks like the love child from a ménage a trois between an Apple earpod, a Sennheiser earbud, and a Rock Zircon. The shells are made of a zinc-aluminium-magnesium-copper alloy called kirsite (or zamac) with a shiny polish; they look and feel valuable – and they are relatively heavy. The non-detachable braided cable has a chin slider and looks suspiciously like the latest designs used by Knowledge Zenith. The cable’s fixed nature also excludes any third-party cable sound improvement discussion. Handy!


Ergonomics, Comfort, Isolation, and Fit

The above mention ménage unites the best fit of all “trois”: very comfortable. In contrast to the NiceHCK EP35, the EP10’s nozzles are long enough for my Made-in-Germany ears. Isolation is ok for me but mileage may vary with ear-canal shape.




Source and Eartips

I ran the EP10 comfortably with my iPhone 5S. The large selection of eartips did not contain a pair big enough for my ear so that I relied on cheap third-party ones [no spinfits and other cost-prohibitive ones in my ears].


Tonality

The sound can be characterized as well rounded, warm and natural, built on a solid bass foundation. The smooth frequency curve response confirms a balanced image that is quite mature for its price category.


Both channels were measured several times in order to confirm the small channel imbalance. Click to enlarge.

The bass is weighty and has respectable dynamics with very good extension into the sub-bass – somebody at home down there. It is somewhere between fast and slow and does not smear into the midrange. As with most earphones in this class, I’d normally bicker the bass could be toned down a bit and more focused for my taste…however the bass fits the overall tonality well, adds warmth to the image, and somewhat defines the EP10’s signature. I quite like it.

The midrange, while recessed, is of astounding quality for this class. Voices have a natural timbre and a decent density but could be a bit more intimate (well, that’s what you pay the big bucks for). Male voices, in particular, have a good firmness. The upper midrange is emphasized to add extra energy to female voices but luckily no harshness. Treble is smooth and a couple of peaks in the 13 to 15 kHz area contribute some airiness and fake resolution.

Soundstage is surprisingly realistic and accurate. Resolution, separation, layering, and detail are all good to very good. I find the sound clear, transparent, and relatively open. Even tracks with big instrumentation are reproduced nicely and without crowding, at least at low to “normal” volumes.

So, what is missing when comparing the EP10 to, let’s say, a $200 earphone? Everything is “bigger” in the more expensive model: more intimate and natural and denser voices, a bigger, more life-sized soundstage, a better sense of space with more accurate instrument placement, but the bass is not necessarily superior (see my NiceHCK M6 take). Neverthless, without direct comparison, just out of memory, these differences may greatly shrink during listening – and an expensive earphone may not generate more pleasure than one like the EP10…but more certainly the ole “empty-wallet blues”.


Select Comparisons

The EP10 has a different flavour compared to its two DD siblings below: it is distinctly bassier and warmer sounding. They all play in the same league and the price difference lies mainly in the build imo. Click on each name to arrive at my detailed review.

EZAUDIO D4: has a tighter and more focused however much leaner bass. Voices are less dense and breathier – which adds clarity – but they are also less natural. Its overall signature is flatter, the EP10 sounds fuller. Built including cable of the EP10 is much superior.


Frequency responses of the D4 and EP10 (left channel). Click to enlarge.

NiceHCK EP35: overall very similar to the D4 it has the leanest low sound of all three and is therefore most appealing to “audiophiles”. Problematic fit for some because of its short nozzles. Detachable MMCX cable.


Frequency responses of the EP35 and EP10 (left channel). Click to enlarge.


Concluding Remarks

The EP10 is a unique looking, well-built, and fun sounding earphone with a natural timbre that I enjoyed over longer listening sessions. What sets it apart from the competition is its distinct shape and elegant looks and feel.

With its single driver, you eliminate the risk of disturbing peaks that are caused by potentially problematic crossovers (in hybrids). I find the recent progress even in this well-established DD technology in terms of sound quality – paired with the ever falling prices – amazing. The EP10 is yet another bus stop on the road to budget perfection.

In summary, the EP10 continues NiceHCK’s line of well-designed, reasonably priced ODM earphones and since quality and value are right on I have no reluctance recommending it.

You can get the NiceHCK EP10 only HERE.

Introduction:
NICEHCK is a Chinese audio company that primarily focuses on selling earbuds, IEMs, DAPs and other stuff related to audio. They have been on the business for a while now and you can find them on AliExpress and Taobao.

The NICEHCK EP10 was provided to me by Jim of NICEHCK at a discounted price in exchange for my honest and unbiased review. You can purchase the EB2 on AliExpress here:
https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/cmAlKOOU

Some technical specs on the AliExpress page:

Resistance: 32Ω
Sensitivity: 95±3dB
Connectors: 3.5mm
Frequency Response Range 20-40000Hz
Cable length: 1.2m
Plug: 3.5mm



Build:
On the rear view, the EP10s look like an earbud, but in front there's a nozzle which means these are an IEM. The shells are made of metal with a smooth and shiny finish. Each shell has 4 small holes that act as a vent. Near the nozzle there is an L and R indicator. The cable used is a 4 core copper cable with semi translucent insulation so you can slightly see the copper fibers inside. If you ever held/saw the Faaeal Datura-X earbuds, the cable used in that is the exact same cable used in here. The splitter and the slider uses the same metal, with the splitter having the EP10 marking on it. The gold plated plug has a NICEHCK branding on it and a rubber barrel on the cable entry end that acts as a strain relief.

Now let's get to the sound.

Lows:
The bass is hard hitting with a fast attack. Extension is really really good. Midbass is neutrally placed with a strong punch accompanied by a vibrant subbass. That being said, I don't this is enough to satisfy bassheads, but more than enough to satisfy the casual listeners. Overall I consider the bass of the EP10 as its main strength.

Mids:
The mids are slightly recessed. Vocals have this elevated thickness thanks to the well extended lows. Male vocals are meaty. Though for female vocals, I can't hear that liveliness I'm looking for. In other words, lower mids are very satisfactory but the upper mids is quite lacking. Overall the mids should be given more attention should the EP10 receives an updated version.

Highs:
The highs have a neutral presentation. Treble extension is on an average level with a slightly quicker decay. Cymbals, hi-hats, and electric guitars have a satisfactory level of clarity to it. There is no sibilance heard even on my most sibilant tracks and never sounded harsh on any track I listened to. Overall the highs of the EP10 is very good for long periods of listening as it is not fatiguing.

Soundstage:
The soundstage of the EP10 does not expand that big, as it is for most IEMs. Depth and width is presented in an average manner, and that airy feel is at the minimal. Imaging is accurate accompanied by very good instrument separation.

Conclusion:
The EP10 is perfect for your daily routine especially when you're out and about. With its awesome build quality and relaxing tuning, it will surely keep you satisfied and enganged to the music.

Presentation and personal preferences

I've been an electronic technical engineer for 20 years. I studied that career because my great passion was Hi-Fi. But for more than 15 years I have been working as a programmer of production control systems based on artificial vision.

The sound profile I like could be represented as ¬. I like bass (the sub bass above all), forward voices and soft trebles, but that provide a lot of clarity, separation and detail. I like the natural sound, full of air and nuances, as well as enjoying a great stage and three-dimensional recreation. I prefer the warm profile to V-profiles or mid-centric. And I run away from brilliant profiles.

Disclaimer

The AliExpress NiceHCK store, represented by Jim, offered me this IEM model with a big discount, in exchange for writing an honest review. I want to make it clear that all my opinions written in this review have not been conditioned by this fact, nor will I ever write anything that I do not really think or feel here. I will only write about my personal opinion in relation to the revised product.

Purchase link:

https://es.aliexpress.com/store/product/NICEHCK-EP10-In-Ear-Earphone-Dynamic-Drive-Metal-Earphone-HIFI-Bass-DJ-Subwoofer-Sports-Headset-Monitor/1825606_32953684155.html

Link to the Store:

https://es.aliexpress.com/store/1825606



Specifications:

• Driver Type: 11mm PET Dynamic Driver
• Frequency response: 20-40000Hz
• Sensitivity: 95dB/mW
• Impedance: 32 Ω
• Jack connector: 3.5mm
• Cable length: 1.2m

Packaging

The EP10 comes in the classic white NiceHCK cardboard box, with the brand name on the front and a drawing of the shape of the IEMS. On the back are specifications in several languages, including English. Inside you will find the classic zippered case from the shop. Once opened, the capsules of the IEMs can be found protected inside Zip bags. There are also two other Zip bags, one as 3 pairs of red core silicone eartips sizes S-M-L, and the other with two pairs of bi-flange silicone eartips of the same size but in different colors, blue and white, both translucent.

The content and the presentation continue in this line of offering the minimum and indispensable.



Construction and design

The design starts from an already known base and ends up in something almost different, with that shape of metallic almond with a polished surface. The back part reminds an earbud, but in the other half appears the nozzles in asymmetric arrangement to facilitate the adjustment against the shell of our ears.



I find its design very elegant, somewhat adventurous in the sense that the form may not fit all ears, but certainly totally distinctive and particular. No doubt everyone who has it will not be able to confuse it with another lEM that possesses.

The only negative point of its design is that the nozzles are very short and this can make adjustment even more difficult.

The metal used is heavy in the hand, but personally, once put not notice them so.

The cable is also very similar to that used in earbuds, copper 4-core. The plug is straight and metallic, with the mark engraved in white. In the splitter, also metallic, is engraved the name of the model. It also has a pin for adjusting the cables under the chin. For the black capsule model, the cable is brown..

As the adjustment is downwards it facilitates the microphony, although to an acceptable degree, since the braided cable improves this aspect.



Adjustment and ergonomics

As I say, by its design the adjustment could become critical. Luckily for me it has not been like that. But it is true that to adjust them I need a few seconds to be able to fit them completely. As the nozzles are short, the insertion is superficial. Once fitted I don't notice their weight or move and the seal I get, using my homemade hybrid eartips, is pretty good, achieving a good isolation.

Sound

To evaluate the sound, I used eartips of size L, with an inner diameter of 4.5mm that are quite low, filled with foam. What I try to get with them is a large outside diameter to facilitate surface adjustment and that the nozzles are as close as possible to the outside.

Profile

In V but soft, without having the mids so far away, is even more, I would say that the central part is emphasized almost more than the rest of segments.

Bass

Once the proper eartips are found, the bass have a fairly adequate presence. They are not excessive or fall very deep, although they have a good hit at 40Hz. Underneath its power is no longer very significant. Above, up to 100Hz, they maintain the level, beyond which their gain softens.

The bass are not thick or too focused, nor do they stand out in speed. In any way I find them dull but neither would they be IEMs to enjoy electronic music over others that I own.

Concluding I could say that this segment is quite balanced, without large peaks, does not have excessive body and has a warm character..

Mids

The first thing I notice is the warmth in the lower mids and fuller sound in this area due to the slow decrease in the gain of the bass, this is something I certainly appreciate. Male voices gain in body and nuances, their presence becomes wider, far from being isolated and sounding thin. There is no veil in the mids, nor is there any feeling of mud in the voices.

The tonality of the mids, in my opinion, is neutral but slightly warm. There is an enhancement in the midrange, a characteristic that conditions the overall sound of the IEMs. Thus, female voices enjoy a certain enhancement.

Mids are clean and wide, with good separation, very pleasant and musical, without being analytic or blatantly detailed.

Wheezing is quite controlled, without reaching unpleasant or excessive levels..

Treble

In my opinion, treble provides more clarity and air than brightness, resulting in a controlled treble sound that is not trimmed. The detail and precision is good without highlighting. The sound is neither piercing nor sharp. The result of this segment brings to the sound the neutrality, the musicality, the cleanliness and the relaxation that it possesses.

Scene, soundstage

A quite remarkable feature of these IEMs is the width of their sound, along with their cleanliness. Both qualities are perceived almost instantly, without the need to listen to many songs. The scene is perceived with that width, although not with the same depth or three-dimensionality.

The separation is good due to the cleanliness of the sound, its neutrality and the air it contains.



Comparisons

KZ ED16 (15€)

Due to their price range and their relatively recent nature, ED16 were first on the list to be compared with EP10. Previously I must say that I sealed the front holes of the ED16, in order to get more bass.

ED16 are more sensitive. But really the sound signature differs more than I expected. In comparison the ED16 are warmer, darker, with more present bass and fuller and congested mids. The voices sound somewhat distant and veiled in comparison, almost muddy and sometimes more nasal. The level of detail is below the EP10, the ED16 sound blunt in comparison. It is true that the EP10 media are brighter but that brightness is never harmful, it also provides a level of detail and clarity that ED16 do not have. In some recordings the sound of ED16 is unnatural compared to EP10.

The scene and image of the ED16 is well below the EP10. The sound of the ED16 is quite focused and although it enjoys good separation, it lacks the air and width of the EP10.

I have enough KZ, but I've been denying their sound for a long time. Although I can not deny that until now the ED16 seemed to me quite well, compared to my other KZ. But after comparing them I see that my preference is clearly towards the EP10 and I would only choose the ED16 if I want more bass presence and an over-ear fit.



Artiste DC1 (33€)

A priori and from memory the EP10 have reminded me of the DC1. And in a certain way I see in them more similarities than differences. The EP10 are a little warmer and a little more V shaped. They have wider bass and extend more in both directions. Thus, male voices are not as well focused as in DC1, where they are actually very well recreated, defined and closer. Female voices, however, have a bit more body and presence in EP10.

The presence of lower treble seems more sharp in EP10s while DC1s are more extended and thinner. In general, the sound of DC1 is more precise, somewhat more analytical versus solidity and more sound in EP10. The EP10 sound wider and fuller again, generating a more complete sensation in the image and filling the gaps left by the DC1, without losing clarity or detail, giving a sensation of sound somewhat more massive than the sharp DC1.

In short, the sound in the EP10 is bigger, with better scene and image, while the DC1 sound cooler, less visceral, more delicate and precise.

In terms of construction the EP10 are considerably more solid than the DC1, both in cable, plug and capsules. The DC1 only gain in ergonomics and lightness.



Conclusion

The EP10 are IEMs with earbuds soul, both in design and almost in sound. They stand out for their elegant and polished design, as well as for their pleasant sound profile, where balance, maturity, width and cleanliness are their main characteristics. These virtues make they a very versatile IEMs that can be used for many musical genres. All this for a really contained price for everything they offer. It's a very round product that is only tarnished by the size of its nozzles, a characteristic that can cause certain adjustment problems and subsequent sound perception.

I don't want to finish without writing how much I like the sound of these IEMs. The more I compare them with other models, the more I realize their value and the overall quality they offer for so little money.

Sources used during the analysis

- FX-Audio DAC-X6 (OpAmp Burson Audio V5i-D)

- F.Audio S1

I bought the NiceHCK EP10 sight unseen as the 11.11 lucky bag special. It is a new model and information about it appeared on NiceHCK's ali store about a week after I purchased it.

Unboxing / Packaging:

The EP10 comes packaged in the standard NiceHCK budget style white press-board box with the logo and model name on the front and the pertinent information in both English and Chinese on the reverse. Inside the box is the standard NiceHCK soft case with the earphones and tips inside it. 3 sets of silicone tips are included.



Build/Fit:

The earpieces of the EP10 look similar to apple buds in shape but are considerably heavier and beautifully polished. They are available in silver(chrome) or black. They do not feel heavy when worn, but they definitely have more heft than expected when you first un-box and look at them. If you imagine an earbud design that someone sealed and added a nozzle to the front of and chrome plating the entire earpiece, you have the basic design of the EP10. L and R are clearly marked on the inner surface of the earpieces. Venting is provided by a single pinhole vent adjacent to the nozzle and 4 pinholes at the rear of the earpiece immediately above the cable extension. Nozzles are short with a large lip to keep tips from slipping and insertion is very shallow as a result making them very tip dependent. Getting a good seal required a size larger tip than normal (I used XL spiral dots) to get the seal I needed with these. One place where the fit and polish is not up to par is the end of the nozzles themselves where tool-marks are present and fairly obvious. (See picture at right).



Internals:

When looking at the lucky bag, it listed the drivers as being a 10mm dynamic with a PET/PEN diaphragm. Nicehck is quick to point out this construction is similar to that of the Dita Twins although no one is claiming it is the same driver or the same sound signature. The EP10 has an impedance of 32Ω with a sensitivity of 95dB. It is easily driven by a phone or low powered source but does benefit from some amping by creating a bit fuller sound.

Cable:

A short strain relief starts the transition from chrome housing to cable. The cable itself is s 2 strand twisted pair from the earpieces to the splitter which is rectangular with a matching chin slider. Both are done in the same chrome-like finish as the the earpieces and EP10 is emblazoned on the splitter in white. Below the splitter a 4 strand braid runs to the jack which is a standard 3.5 TRS plug of the straight variety. Again a short strain relief is followed by a chrome plated cover. Overall the cable is quiet and just stiff enough to prevent tangling.





Sound:

All sound notes were taken using XL Spiral Dot tips as the largest of the supplied tips were still a bit finicky for me.

Bass:

Sub-bass is very good with great thump and good control. Roll-off is not pronounced until below 35Hz. Mid-bass is well proportioned and not in front of the rest of the signature. There is some mild bass bleed in the transition range that gives a nice warmth but does not interfere significantly with the clarity of the mids.

Mids:

Lower mids show the previously mentioned bleed but are well textured with good detail and are not recessed behind the mid-bass. Upper mids climb slightly and bring vocals forward in the mix while not pushing them forward enough to overshadow any other instrument. Vocals have good weight and fullness without getting murky or thick.

Treble:

Lower treble is mildly forward in a follow-on from the upper mids but remains polite and doesn't show a tendency toward stridency. This is not to say that the EP10 can't be harsh, it just takes a track that is recorded that way to produce it. I was impressed as usually polite treble struggles to produce accurate results with sibilant source materials. The treble falls off as you move further up the scale but retains enough energy to give some air and sparkle. Cymbals are well rendered as well which is always a tough task for in-ears.

Soundstage / Imaging:

Soundstage is well proportioned but not expansive in any dimension. I found width to be slightly greater than depth but not to the extent of some of the competitors at this price point that have oval shaped stages. Stage does seem to be somewhat volume dependent as it seems to be a bit larger at low volumes than when pushed harder. Imaging is very good and when combined with above average layering, instrument separation is better than expected at the price point.



Thoughts / Conclusion:

The looks, feel, and sound of the EP10 do not match the price point in any way. Sound quality is very good with the mildest of V signatures and just enough warmth to add some body to the signature. Heft is better than expected and build quality is well better than one should expect for the price point. Knowing that the current retail is $16 or slightly more if one wants a microphone on the cable, these represent great value. The fit was a bit fiddly and I hope NiceHCK will use this driver in a different style of shell as the earbud style is not the best for active users where they tend to bounce around.